A smooth expanse of Xuan paper was spread out, and ink as black as night was meticulously sketching sharp characters with the tip of a brush.
"To Ling'er, with affection: I have received the mountain flowers. Though they have withered, their fragrance has imprinted itself onto the Xuan paper, refreshing the heart and mind. If you return to Hongning City, Ling'er, you must take me to see the vast fields of beautiful scenery. Congratulations on learning a new sword technique. I have asked your Aunt Shu for several bottles of medicinal ointment, hoping that while Ling'er pursues her passions, she will also take care of herself...
There is now a matter I need to inform Ling'er about. My original name is Qin Yi, the fourteenth prince of Chennan Kingdom, and my birth mother is Consort Rong of the palace. My maternal clan, the Zheng family, was harmed by villains, and their entire lineage was exterminated. Only I, having narrowly escaped death, fled and changed my name, hiding in Tongmu County. It was not my intention to conceal this, and I hope Ling'er will forgive me..."
Shen Yimin wrote on several sheets of Xuan paper, responding to each matter mentioned in Wei Ling's letter and also confessing his identity.
Honesty always provided the greatest sense of security. He did not wish for Ling'er to learn of his identity through other channels and develop unnecessary misunderstandings.
After finishing the reply, Shen Yimin handed it over to Xinghe.
From now on, once he entered the palace, he would have too many uncontrollable circumstances. His correspondence with Ling'er would have to be entrusted to the people of the Regent's Mansion to help.
...
The next day, Shen Yimin and Mo Lian boarded a carriage, and everyone came to see them off.
Mother Mo held her son's hand, her eyes filled with complex emotions: worry, reluctance, joy...
She opened her mouth, but in the end, only said, "Take care of yourself and the Eldest Young Master."
Mo Lian nodded firmly.
The mother and son shared a hug, and no further words were spoken.
Li Yue Shu was also very reluctant to part, but she held back her emotions and offered Shen Yimin a faint smile, "Remember, I will always stand behind you."
Shen Yimin said nothing, merely bowed respectfully to her, and then turned to board the carriage.
As the carriage gradually receded, Li Yue Shu could not bear to watch it disappear completely from her sight and turned back to the mansion in advance.
Although she knew it was not a permanent separation, Li Yue Shu still felt a deep sadness.
To distract herself, she had Shi Dong arrange the affairs of leaving the mansion.
After deciding on the location for the new apothecary, there would still be time needed for renovations and contacting Shen Tan and the others to deliver the medicine.
Shi Dong moved quickly and took Li Yue Shu out that afternoon.
When they arrived at the location, Hong Dai and Zhou Chen, who had already received the news, were waiting there.
Seeing the two behind her, Hong Dai raised an eyebrow, "The Regent even arranged personal maids for you?"
Li Yue Shu looked at her teasing gaze and explained, "They are the dark guards of the Regent's Mansion, not maids."
Hong Dai chuckled twice, took out a red handkerchief, and lightly brushed it across Li Yue Shu's body, "To have the Regent's Mansion's dark guards act as maids, you are truly one of a kind!"
Li Yue Shu pursed her lips and did not respond, instead looking at the shop in front of them, "Is this one of the places we were considering?"
Hong Dai did not dwell on the previous topic, nodding, "This was originally a cloth shop. Although the location is bustling, the rent is also expensive. The owner has no backing, and the wealthy people in Chongzhou go to those large establishments to get their clothes made. The owner plans to close down by the end of this month."
Since it was to be her own shop, Hong Dai had naturally inquired about everything clearly.
Listening to her words, Li Yue Shu surveyed the other shops around.
To run a successful business, the surrounding merchants also needed to be chosen well.
At this moment, Li Yue Shu suddenly saw a somewhat familiar figure.
Had she seen that figure somewhere before?
Li Yue Shu frowned.
She had always had a good memory, so if she felt a sense of familiarity, there must have been an intersection, but where exactly had she seen them...
"What are you looking at?"
Hong Dai curiously followed her gaze, seeing only the people coming and going, nothing particularly noteworthy.
Li Yue Shu shook her head, "I must have been mistaken. Let's go in and look at the shop."
Saying this, she took the lead and walked in.
The locations Hong Dai had selected were naturally excellent. Li Yue Shu then visited another one, and after discussing with Hong Dai, they settled on the first location they had seen.
"The renovation matters will trouble you to keep a close eye on," Li Yue Shu took out the design drawing she had prepared earlier. "Although Hengde Apothecary is well-known near Tongmu County, not many people in Chongzhou know of it yet. The initial work must be done well."
Hong Dai accepted the design drawing and stated confidently, "Don't worry, no problem!"
Li Yue Shu naturally believed in her capabilities and did not waste any more words, instead taking Zhou Chen and Shi Dong back to the mansion.
When Li Yue Shu sent word for Hong Dai to accompany her to see the shops, she had specifically instructed her to bring Zhou Chen along.
She couldn't leave the mansion temporarily, but since she had brought Zhou Chen and the others back, she naturally wouldn't let them go unsupervised.
No one made much of her sudden decision to bring Zhou Chen back to the mansion, and Shi Dong even immediately arranged accommodation for him.
Li Yue Shu summoned Zhou Chen to the courtyard of Ruo Mo Residence.
"I promised to take you in, but I don't keep idle people around me," her expression was serious. "I want to train you into a trump card in my hand. This process will be arduous, and I will absolutely not allow anyone to give up midway."
"But I can guarantee that as long as you are loyal enough, I can provide you with the greatest financial security and allow you to have enviable status and reputation in the martial world."
Li Yue Shu's imposing aura filled the air, "You can take my words back and discuss them with your brothers. If you are unwilling, I can let you leave."
On the way to Chongzhou, she had deliberately observed these twelve individuals. They were all capable of enduring hardship, united, and sincere, and would not easily betray her.
As expected, Zhou Chen hesitated for only a moment before stating with conviction, "We have long decided to follow you wholeheartedly. As long as you treat us sincerely, we will brave any danger with you, even a sea of knives and mountains of fire!"
They were not yet old, and for years their greatest wish was to ascend Qingyong Mountain and avenge their families. Now that revenge was served, they still had their own ambitions.
Following Li Yue Shu on this journey, they could naturally see her capabilities. Someone whom even the esteemed Regent was willing to submit to must be a promising figure to follow!
Seeing his sincere and firm expression, Li Yue Shu nodded with satisfaction, then produced a gun from her space.
Upon seeing this object, Xinghe, who had one foot in Ruo Mo Residence, changed his expression, suddenly withdrew his foot, and fled using qinggong.
Ying Xin, who was bringing tea, happened to see his embarrassed fleeing figure and looked puzzled.
Had he encountered a ghost in broad daylight?
Li Yue Shu did not notice the events at the entrance at all. "This thing is called a gun. Think of it as a type of... projectile weapon!"
She walked to a stone table and began to disassemble the gun.
As she disassembled it, she introduced, "This is the grip, this is the barrel, and this is the firing mechanism..."
Li Yue Shu worked at a steady pace, disassembling the gun, explaining each part, and then reassembling it.
Afterward, she threw the gun to Zhou Chen.