Chapter 525 Noble Families

Li Mingshu opened her eyes, her vision was a little blurry, and she stared blankly at the double image in front of her. She let out a soft hum, and a faint pain came from her back, which made Li Mingshu gasp slightly.

As her vision gradually cleared, Li Mingshu opened her eyes and saw Chang Zhiyuan, who looked almost exactly like Lin Changning. She was stunned for a moment before slowly opening her eyes wider and saying somewhat dazedly, "A-Ning? Why are you back?"

Chang Zhiyuan was startled by the call and quickly got up to bow to Li Mingshu on the bed: "Sister-in-law, I am your cousin Zhiyuan from Changning. Changning has not returned yet."

Li Mingshu's gaze was somewhat vacant. She nodded, slowly propped herself up, and nestled in her mother's arms: "Mother? My mother, she?"

Lin's mother smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright, Your Highness is alright. You're finally awake, my child. You've been terrified these past few days."

Sister-in-law Niu Er, holding a bowl, couldn't suppress her smile: "That's right, sister-in-law. We've all been so worried lately. You've been sleeping for a full seven days."

Seeing the two women's haggard faces and dark circles under their eyes, Li Mingshu knew that Lin's mother and second sister-in-law had probably not slept much recently, having been taking care of her. She couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Mother and Second Sister-in-law. I'm sorry to have worried you."

Lin's mother hugged Li Mingshu and gently patted her to comfort her: "Why are you talking like a family member? Come on, drink your medicine first."

As she spoke, Lin's mother took the bowl from Niu Er's sister-in-law and slowly fed Li Mingshu the medicine.

Li Mingshu drank the medicine in the bowl in one gulp, frowned slightly, and turned to look around the room. Finding that her daughter was not there, she was about to ask when she heard Niu Er's sister-in-law say something.

"Yue'er stayed with us for several nights, refusing to go to sleep no matter what we said. She just fell asleep and has already had her maid accompany her back to the courtyard. Don't worry, sister-in-law, the two little maids and Xi'er are here. Mr. Zheng is taking care of the children."

Li Mingshu nodded: "Thank you for your help, Second Sister-in-law. How are my Second Brother and the others doing lately?"

When Qi Erge was mentioned, Niu Er's wife hesitated. Lin's mother also hesitated about whether she should tell Li Mingshu the truth. Martial law was in effect throughout the city, and the battle between Prince Qi and the soldiers outside the city had been deadlocked for many days.

Many people have died recently, both inside and outside the city. I heard that Prince Qi has also suffered many injuries. Taiyuan City is now struggling to hold on, and it is unknown when reinforcements will arrive.

Thinking of what the doctor from the Liu family had said a few days ago—that the princess should not be overjoyed or sad, nor should she get angry, otherwise it would affect her lifespan—Mother Lin pondered for a moment, then glanced at Sister-in-law Niu Er.

“The Prince Qi is currently leading a patrol outside the city. He said that the Prince is about to attack the capital. There can't be any trouble around Taiyuan. The Princess Consort is still busy with things at the Prince's residence. I saw that the Princess Consort was so busy that she didn't have time to rest, so I brought you back to take care of you.”

Li Mingshu blinked, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing what Lin's mother said. She didn't think much of it, as long as her mother and relatives were alright.

"Has Aning written to me recently?"

Chang Zhiyuan knew some news in the army. Seeing Li Mingshu's questioning look, he guessed she was worried about whether her elder sister had been injured on the battlefield. So he smiled and said to her, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. The prince and my brother have already reached Mengjin. It's only a matter of time before we enter the capital."

Li Mingshu was momentarily dazed again as she looked at Chang Zhiyuan's face, which was almost identical to Lin Changning's.

"That's good. Brother and Changning do look alike. At first glance, I thought Aning had returned."

When Chang Zhiyuan saw that the person was awake, he felt that it was inappropriate for him, an outsider, to stand there, so he asked a few more questions and then walked outside.

Chang Zhiyuan walked directly towards the children's courtyard. His mother and second sister-in-law were guarding the group leader's place, and his second brother was currently helping out at the Prince's Mansion. So, he was the only one who was currently idle at home.

Chang Zhiyuan, who originally intended to go back to study, turned a corner halfway there and went directly to the children's yard to discuss their homework with Mr. Zheng.

Master said that we should review what we have learned to gain new insights, and we should not slack off just because we are at home.

When Mr. Zheng saw Chang Zhiyuan walking into the courtyard, a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes: "Young Master has arrived."

Chang Zhiyuan nodded to Mr. Zheng: "I came back early today, so I thought I'd ask Mr. Zheng for some guidance on my studies."

Mr. Zheng smiled at Chang Zhiyuan and said, "I have also looked at the young master's studies. He has a thorough understanding of the Four Books and Five Classics and his problem-solving ideas are also ingenious. There is no need for him to give any guidance."

As Mr. Zheng spoke, he watered the flowers and plants in the academy.

Chang Zhiyuan looked at Mr. Zheng and didn't know how to respond for a moment. After watering the flowers and plants, Mr. Zheng suddenly looked at Chang Zhiyuan.

"I remember that Young Master Biao recently went to the government office to help out with Second Young Master, didn't he?"

Chang Zhiyuan nodded to Mr. Zheng: "I only did some things like coordinating food supplies and medicinal herbs, so I can't say I was of much help."

Mr. Zheng gave Chang Zhiyuan a meaningful look: "Changning and Commander Qi have a life-or-death relationship. Instead of studying, Zhiyuan, you should find a job under Commander Qi and do what you can. The battle in Taiyuan is critical right now, and it's not easy to offer help in times of need..."

Chang Zhiyuan was an extremely intelligent person, and a knowing glint flashed in his phoenix eyes, which were very similar to Lin Changning's.

The teacher was suggesting that instead of studying behind closed doors, he should seek a position under the King of Chu, which might be faster than passing the imperial examinations.

Moreover, with Taiyuan City in danger, risking one's life for others at this time will make people remember the Lin family's kindness even more.

Chang Zhiyuan cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Mr. Zheng, saying, "I understand, thank you for your guidance, sir."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Mr. Zheng's eyes. Talking to smart people is so easy. Changning is currently out attacking the capital with the King of Chu, and there are many things going on at home lately.

The young man from the Chang family seems to be quite clever, as can be seen from the arrangement of the guards' shifts and the martial law imposed on the Lin residence these past few days. He is capable, but he is a bit dull.

My cousin is already tied to the King of Chu, yet he's still thinking about studying for the imperial examinations. Wouldn't it be better to take advantage of this opportunity and go straight to the court?

Seeing that the man understood, Mr. Zheng nodded in satisfaction. With a smart civil official working alongside Changning in the front lines, how could the Lin family not rise to prominence?

Lin Xi, adopted by the eldest son's family, has a photographic memory. With one scholar and one warrior above him, one a nobleman and the other a scholar, the child has a solid foundation. With these two protecting him in the court, the Lin family, with one scholar, one warrior, and one heir, will surely become a prominent family within a hundred years.

Lin Xi, who was studying in the room, glanced at Mr. Zheng, who was watering the plants, slowly climbed down from the chair, handed him the book, and then looked at Chang Zhiyuan, who had just left, blinking as she asked, "Does Master want Uncle Zhiyuan to work for Prince Qi?"

Mr. Zheng couldn't help but smile and tapped Lin Xi's head: "Little rascal, have you finished memorizing the lessons I assigned? Children shouldn't ask about adult matters. Come and recite your lessons with your teacher."