Shen Tingyi’s hand, gripping Li Yueshu’s, trembled slightly, as if afraid that if she loosened her grip, the girl would suddenly disappear.
Li Yueshu sighed silently and pulled the little girl into her arms, giving her a sense of security. "Don't worry, A'yi. Mother isn't asking this because she wants to abandon you. Whatever choice you make, Mother will respect it."
"Mother is planning to open a new pharmacy in Chongzhou. That way, even if you and your father go to Chongzhou, you can still see Mother every day, unless you don't want to see her."
"Of course, we do!" Shen Tingyi quickly replied, her face still a bit nervous. "But… why does Mother have to divorce Father?"
Li Yueshu lowered her eyes to look into the girl's eyes, thought for a moment, and replied, "You know your father's identity. Do you think Mother is qualified to be his princess?"
"Of course, she is!" Shen Tingyi said without thinking. "Mother is the most amazing woman in the world. Father isn't worthy of Mother!"
Li Yueshu was momentarily stunned by her confident answer and couldn't react for a long time.
She was a modern person and didn't have any concept of royal relatives or social hierarchy. She only said this to let Shen Tingyi know that she and Shen Wei had a reason to separate.
However, the little girl's answer was completely unexpected, but it did warm her heart.
Li Yueshu squeezed her cheek and couldn't resist kissing her forehead. "So, Mother is that good in A'yi's heart!"
With that kiss, Shen Tingyi's mood instantly improved. Although her eyes were still red, a smile seemed to be overflowing from her eyes.
She nodded with determination, "Mother is indeed that good!"
Li Yueshu was amused, and the tense and serious atmosphere dissipated a lot, but the important matters still needed to be discussed.
She lifted Shen Tingyi by her armpits, bringing her to face her.
"A'yi, you are still young, and Mother cannot explain some things to you too clearly. But you must remember, as a woman, whether you are a noble royal relative or a peasant farmer working the land, living your own life is more important than anything else."
Li Yueshu spoke slowly, trying her best for Shen Tingyi to digest each word. "When you grow up and find a soulmate to accompany you, Mother hopes you can rely on him, but never be dependent on him."
"Before you become a daughter, a wife, or a mother, you must first be yourself."
These words might be somewhat obscure for Shen Tingyi, but as long as she kept them in her heart, she would naturally understand them when she reached the age of understanding.
Shen Tingyi's expression was indeed a little bewildered. After thinking seriously for a long time, she asked with confusion, "So, Mother doesn't want to be dependent on Father?"
Li Yueshu hadn't expected her to grasp that point. After a slight pause, she nodded firmly. "That's right. A'yi, you know my personality. Whether it's a concubine or a favored maid, I can't share my husband with other women. But do you think your father, with his status, can avoid that?"
Shen Tingyi was silent for a moment, then nodded very confidently. "Father is the most wise and mighty person in the world. There is nothing he cannot do. As long as he wants to, he can definitely do it!"
This answer stunned Li Yueshu.
Why was it different from what she had expected?
Looking at Shen Tingyi's determined gaze, Li Yueshu sighed, "A'yi, the higher the status and power, the more one is bound by circumstances."
Qin Ye Xiu, as the male protagonist, was forced to take several concubines when he married Li Xiangru, let alone Shen Wei, who was a mere cannon fodder without even a name in the original novel.
As if thinking of something, Shen Tingyi's expression gradually drooped.
The higher the status and power, the more bound by circumstances?
But if he could give up those superficial honors and riches, he wouldn't have to give up her and her second brother.
Yet, that woman still chose wealth and status!
Li Yueshu noticed the sudden somber mood of the little girl and asked with confusion, "What are you thinking about, A'yi?"
Shen Tingyi snapped back to reality, shook her head, and asked, "Mother, if Father doesn't take any concubines, do you not have to divorce him?"
Looking at her earnest, seeking gaze, Li Yueshu didn't know what to say.
She didn't plan to divorce Shen Wei; she intended to divorce him!
She was the head of the household, and Shen Wei's situation was equivalent to being married into her family. He had no right to take concubines.
However, Li Yueshu hadn't planned to tell the children this yet.
"Alright, let's not talk about this. Mother has prepared a new study plan for you. What do you think?"
Shen Tingyi obediently didn't bring up the topic again, but she secretly made a note.
She absolutely had to tell Father not to take any concubines!
But… how should she bring this up with Father?
Shen Tingyi racked her brains and fell into deep thought. Shen Tingwen called her several times without her noticing.
"Third sister!"
Shen Tingwen raised his voice. She finally came back to her senses, looking bewildered. "Second brother, what is it?"
Shen Tingwen frowned. "Didn't you ask Fourth brother to bring a letter saying that after returning from the academy this time, we would discuss preparing a birthday for our new mother?" What were you thinking about just now?"
Shen Tingyi pursed her lips, hesitated, and then recounted her conversation with Li Yueshu.
"Second brother, how do you think I should tell Father about this matter?"
Shen Tingwen’s expression also became serious, and a hint of panic even arose in his heart.
He was silent for a long time and said, "There's no need to mention it. Father will not take concubines."
Shen Tingyi asked in confusion, "Why?"
Shen Tingwen looked around and leaned closer in a low voice. "Have you forgotten the rumors about Father that Eldest Brother told us before?"
Shen Tingyi was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "That's right! Father definitely won't have another woman! Mother is different from those women; she's an exception!"
Seeing his sister's furrowed brow finally relax, Shen Tingwen also smiled, but his unsettled heart did not calm down.
Since she asked which side Third Sister was willing to follow, she was prepared for a divorce. This matter was definitely not something that could be decided by whether Father took concubines or not.
...
No one else knew about the conversation between the twins, but many people were aware of Li Yueshu's recent attitude towards Shen Wei.
To Mo Mu and the others, Li Yueshu, apart from not doting on Shen Wei as before, had a relatively peaceful attitude compared to a while ago.
However, to Shen Wei and Chai Yang Xinghe, her attitude was a bit strange.
It couldn't be described as cold or angry, but sometimes when she looked at Shen Wei, it seemed as if she was plotting something.
The master and servants were somewhat at a loss, as they couldn't directly ask.
But Xinghe was not among those who had this thought.
He had a brain, but not much of one.
Since his master said she could be trusted, she was one of them. If there were any problems, he could ask directly.
Therefore, when Chai Yang wasn't paying attention, he ran up to Li Yueshu and asked with a sincere expression, "Madam, are you still angry with Master and thinking of ways to take it out on him?"
As soon as he said this, it seemed as if even the wind stopped.
Chai Yang, not far away, clenched his fists, wanting nothing more than to slap the back of that kid's head.
This idiot…
He should quickly find his master to save this foolish boy’s life!