Li Yue Shu flicked the whip in her hand. "If even the楼主 of Ming Yue Tower doesn't know, how would I, a mere village woman, know?"
Hong Dai raised an eyebrow and pouted slightly, bored. "You're still so guarded. I thought I might get something out of you!"
Li Yue Shu rolled her eyes at her, but remained silent, her heart stirred with doubt by Hong Dai's words.
The original story was about Li Xiang Ru's rise through palace intrigue. The ruthlessness of imperial power struggles was self-evident.
But she was just an ordinary village woman. Her feud with the Li family was an accident. Who would hide their identity and go to such lengths to save her?
Hong Dai chatted aimlessly with Li Yue Shu, while Shen Wei remained silent the entire time, only stealing glances at Li Yue Shu.
If she were sent by the people of Chong Zhou, she would surely guess that this was his doing, and thus realize he was feigning ignorance.
But from beginning to end, she hadn't even looked at him, nor shown any sign of suspicion.
Did that mean she wasn't sent by those people in Chong Zhou?
If so, what were the many secrets she carried?
Shen Wei lowered his head, his downcast eyes hiding the deep thought beneath.
For the first time, he, who had always been in control, felt a sense of being out of his depth.
...
Liu Shen and the others were naturally delighted by Hong Dai's arrival.
Ever since Liu Xian Wine House and Qing Feng Pavilion began their collaboration, Hong Dai had often come to mooch meals, and everyone was familiar with her.
It was Hong Dai, however, who couldn't take her eyes off Wei Zi Miao and Ji Mo Bai once she saw them.
She couldn't help but poke Li Yue Shu. "Little Yue Shu, the young master of Hong Ning City is much better looking than your husband. Aren't you tempted?"
Shen Wei's temples twitched.
Better looking than him?
Hmph, a woman with no taste!
Li Yue Shu couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Your Qing Feng Pavilion deals in male courtesans. When did you start moonlighting as a matchmaker?"
"I'm concerned about you," Hong Dai leaned in. "Even though you're married, you didn't want this in the first place, and Shen Wei is foolish. Do you really have romantic feelings for him?"
Li Yue Shu blinked, instinctively looking at Shen Wei not far away.
For some reason, Shen Wei's body stiffened instantly, and his heart grew nervous.
Hong Dai followed Li Yue Shu's gaze, patted her shoulder, and said, "If you ask me, you're just overflowing with maternal love. You've got a bunch of kids at home, and you treat your cheap husband like another son!"
Li Yue Shu's eyes flickered, her thin lips pursing slightly.
Was that it?
For some reason, the image of Shen Wei shielding her in times of danger appeared in her mind.
Li Yue Shu collected herself and glared at the person beside her. "You're in your twenties, and you still have the energy to worry about my love life. There are so many people in Qing Feng Pavilion, is there no one who catches your eye? Or are you interested in the groom whose wedding you just ruined?"
Seeing the topic shift back to herself, Hong Dai was somewhat displeased. "If you don't fancy Wei Zi Miao, do you fancy that Young Master Bai?"
As she spoke, she glanced at Ji Mo Bai not far away. "But speaking of which, he doesn't look like an ordinary physician."
Looking at his bearing, he was certainly no ordinary person. Moreover, she couldn't even find any information about this Young Master Bai.
Li Yue Shu glanced at her, saying nothing.
Although Ji Mo Bai had told her his real name, he was currently going by the surname Bai, clearly not intending for more people to know his true identity.
The two soon changed the subject, but Shen Wei, standing not far away, kept thinking about their conversation.
Was she really... treating him like a son?
Shen Wei looked at Li Yue Shu with a complex expression, his eyes filled with thoughts he himself didn't realize.
Li Yue Shu was unaware of Shen Wei's inner turmoil. After dinner that evening, while everyone else was resting, she took the initiative to find Ji Mo Bai and talk about Shen Wei's matter.
As fellow physicians, their communication was naturally much smoother.
"As Madam Shen said, perhaps he doesn't wish to remember," Ji Mo Bai tilted his head slightly. "However, this is just speculation. I'll need to examine him personally to determine the specific situation."
Upon hearing this, Li Yue Shu called Shen Wei over.
After a thorough examination, Ji Mo Bai's brow furrowed.
"There's nothing abnormal about his body. This situation now is either a pretense, or he has subconsciously blocked out that period of memory."
Ji Mo Bai's words were very direct, causing Shen Wei's heart to skip a beat.
Li Yue Shu's guess was the same as Ji Mo Bai's, but she had never considered the former possibility.
From what Shen Wei had said, he had been pursued and had seen many deaths. The memories were likely too terrible, hence his reluctance to recall them.
But he had only been an ordinary guard before. He had only had an incident two years after returning to the village. Why would he experience such things?
Did his sudden decision to leave his guard post and return to the village stem from those experiences?
Thinking of this, Li Yue Shu felt a pang of heartache and couldn't help but reach out to stroke his head.
Shen Wei froze, inexplicably recalling Hong Dai's words about her treating him like a son. He instinctively moved his head away.
Every time the children did something, she would stroke their heads with such satisfaction...
Li Yue Shu thought that her conversation with Ji Mo Bai had upset him. She couldn't help but sigh. "It's okay. If you can't remember, then don't. I'll support you for the rest of your life."
She had managed to support such a large family, so she wouldn't be burdened by feeding one more mouth.
Besides, Shen Wei was diligent in his work and didn't eat much, making him easier to care for than A Yu!
Seeing the concern in her eyes, Shen Wei felt a strange blockage in his heart, and he hesitated to meet her gaze.
For a fleeting moment, he felt a surge of shame and even a desire to confess everything.
Just then, Wei Zi Miao walked over. "Madam Shen, do you have a moment? I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
Li Yue Shu nodded and quickly stood up.
As she was about to speak, she felt her sleeve being tugged.
Shen Wei stood up with a pout. "I want to go with A Shu!"
Li Yue Shu was helpless, but Shen Wei had always been inseparable from her, so she naturally didn't refuse.
Wei Zi Miao, on the other hand, gave him a meaningful glance.
The three of them walked out of the courtyard.
Wei Zi Miao didn't waste words. He took out a letter and handed it over. "The missing fine copper has been recovered, and the matter in Hong Ning City is resolved. The imperial court has learned of the news and dispatched the Crown Prince. By my calculations, he should arrive in Hong Ning City within these few days."
Shen Wei's eyes flickered.
The Crown Prince again?
He had been quite active lately!
Hearing it was the Crown Prince, Li Yue Shu was not surprised.
In the original book, the Wei family was annihilated by troops sent by the Crown Prince, which was how he met Wei Zi Miao. However, the timeline in the original book was not this early.
Li Yue Shu glanced briefly at the letter in her hand and put it away.
"I am merely a physician. These matters have nothing to do with me. Why must Young Master Wei tell me all this?"
Wei Zi Miao's smile remained unchanged. "The Wei family and Hong Ning City were saved from disaster thanks to Madam Shen. It is only right that you be informed of subsequent events."
"Furthermore, I have written to my father regarding Ling'er's marriage to Young Master Shen. Once the matter in Hong Ning City is completely resolved, he will come here in person."