Because Guo Wenhao was there, Jiayin still had to put on an act.

But she didn't take the medicine. After all, feeling weak was unpleasant, and she wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble.

She was simply wearing "sickly" makeup and lying on the kang (a heated brick bed).

As expected, Zhao Yuru and the others were still taken aback.

Zhao Yuru touched her niece's hand and felt its warmth and softness before she was truly relieved.

While everyone was distracted, Li Ge'er gave his sister a thumbs-up.

Jiayin almost burst out laughing.

Guo Wenhao's eyes reddened. Seeing Jiayin like this reminded him of his parents who had died tragically and his grandfather who had passed away from illness.

In his tragic childhood, Jiayin was a rare ray of light.

He envied her for being loved so much, and for always smiling so happily.

He was so surprised to hear that she was seriously ill and on the verge of death that he refused to believe it.

I shamelessly came with Li Ge'er this time because I wanted to see it for myself.

He was about to step forward and say a few words, asking Jiayin if she still liked wood carvings, since he had saved up a lot over the years and could give them all to her to play with.

As a result, he suddenly saw the interaction between Li Ge and Jia Yin, and a flash of inspiration struck him, and the huge weight in his heart was suddenly lifted.

He said, "She's so smart, how could she suddenly become so seriously ill!"

So that's what it was...

He quietly loosened his clenched fist.

The reason she pretended to be sick is not important, as long as she is safe and sound...

The Li family invited Wenhao to stay for dinner. After dinner, Mr. Wen, Li Lao Er, and Jiaren returned from the city.

Guo Wenhao then went next door with Mr. Wen to stay overnight.

Although Suijintan is not far from Guojiazhuangzi, Mr. Wen would not allow his disciples to travel late into the night.

After all, Guo Wenhao is the only bloodline left in the Guo family, and as his teacher, I have to help take care of him no matter what...

As soon as the Li family's gate closed, Jiayin skipped and hopped to the front yard to play.

Li Lao Er and Jia Ren each took a bowl of noodles with gravy and ate it heartily with two side dishes.

Zhao Yuru hugged her niece and carefully examined her. Seeing that there were no signs of illness or weakness, she was finally relieved.

Grandma Li told Li Laosan, "Come back and visit, then you don't need to worry about me."

"Let's head back to Luo'an early tomorrow. There are hundreds of students waiting for our meal there, so we can't be careless."

Zhao Yuru said, "Mother, let the third son and Li Ge go back. I'll stay and help you and Hongying."

"Wan'er is about to give birth, and she needs someone to take care of her during her postpartum period. The house has been quite noisy with people coming and going these past few days."

"Why don't we let Wenjuan take Xingxing back to Luo'an Courtyard for a few days and help me guard the gate?"

Li Laosan quickly added, "Mother, the canteen has been operating for several years now. Aunt Wu and the others are all experienced, so we don't need to watch over it every day."

"I'll stay at home for two days and then go back. You can leave Yuru here to help out. Cat Brother has gone out with Lao Hei and the others again. Only Li Ge'er can eat with me in the cafeteria."

Grandma Li nodded, "Okay, with Yuru at home, Hongying will have an easier time."

Tao Hongying chimed in, "Luckily, Cat Brother went out again, otherwise he would have been worried sick about Jiayin's illness."

Zhao Yuru laughed and said, "Yes, this child has been lively and mischievous since he was little. I'm wondering what kind of business he'll do when he grows up."

Who would have thought that his travelogue about his experiences in Quanzhou that year would become an instant hit and become a hot commodity in bookstores?

"In the past two years, he has been traveling around with Lao Hei and his gang, writing more and more travelogues, and making a lot of money. He's really made something of himself."

When talking about her grandson, Grandma Li's eyes also showed a hint of pride.

"Even if there are many sons in the family, not everyone has to study to become an official. They can each find a job they like and make enough to support themselves."

"But speaking of which, Cat should be back in about half a month."

"Yes, when he left, he said he would rush back to welcome his little nephew, and he would definitely be back before Wan'er gave birth!" Tao Hongying said with a smile.

Soon, Li Lao Er and Jia Ren finished their meal, cleared the table, and served tea.

Jiayin asked, "Second Uncle, have you found any traces? I've been faking illness these past few days and I'm really getting sick. I wonder when I'll be 'cured'?"

Everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Grandma Li patted her granddaughter and scolded her, "The family has been running themselves ragged for you, and we haven't even complained yet, but you're already complaining."

Jiayin hugged her grandmother's arm, insisting that her grandmother peel grapes for her.

She's the patient, so she's the boss!

After thinking for a moment, Li Lao Er said, "We've recently uncovered some clues, but not many. If I'm not mistaken, the Wang family is behind this."

The Wang family?

Grandma Li said, "The Wang family has been quiet for a long time. I thought they had become much more obedient. Why have they suddenly reappeared?"

Li Laosan asked in confusion, "Is it because Lao Si and the Marquis aren't home that they can't help but jump out and cause trouble?"

Li Lao Er waved his hand, "Old Master Wang's health has always been poor, Wang Lao San is still crazy, and Wang Zechen has been behaving himself these past two years."

"At first I also thought it wasn't the Wang family, but Wang Lao Er, who was originally appointed as an official outside the capital, should have returned to the capital to await reassignment after his three-year term was up."

"He sent an official document to the Ministry of Personnel, saying that he was seriously ill and needed to stay in the city for a year to recuperate before returning to the capital."

"He had never appeared in Xindu before, so not many people paid attention to him, and nobody knew about this."

"It took me a lot of effort to find out that I'd found another lead connected to this Wang Er, so I guessed he'd secretly returned to the capital. Give me some more time, and I'm sure the truth will come out!"

"Our family and the Wang family have an irreconcilable feud!" Old Mrs. Li frowned, her eyes filled with anger.

"Back then, it was the Wang family who harmed your eldest brother, causing our family to be separated for many years and suffer so much. Not only do they not feel guilty, but they also try to trip up our family in everything they do!"

She threw down the grapes in her hand and cursed, "Second brother, if we catch you red-handed this time, don't be soft-hearted. We'll wipe the Wang family clean in one go!"

"If they dare to mess with Fu Niu'er this time, they might dare to mess with Jia Ren and Jia Yi next time! Mao Ge'er, Jia Xi, and Jia An are all outside too, none of the children are safe!"

Li Lao Er quickly replied, "Mother, don't worry. For the past few years, my eldest brother and I have been trying to uproot the Wang family, but they haven't made any moves, and we haven't been able to find any evidence against them."

"Now that they've messed with Fu Niu'er, it's given us an opportunity."

Li Laosan also said, "Second Brother, if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."

Li Lao Er nodded and carefully instructed, "Okay, just protect the academy's canteen first. I'm worried that the Wang family might be driven to desperation and do something rash."

"If someone were to poison the cafeteria and harm the students, our family would be innocent, and we would likely be ostracized by many families."

Upon hearing this, Li Laosan became restless and turned to the old lady.

"Mother, I will return to Luo'an tomorrow."

"Go on, go on, don't worry about home." Old Mrs. Li waved her hand. "You brothers should discuss things more, be careful not to let others take advantage of you."

Tao Hongying was troubled and said, "Even if we know that the Wang family is behind this, they've put Fu Niu'er on a pedestal and spread the word that she's blessed. Almost everyone knows this. What is their purpose?"

Everyone remained silent, equally unable to guess.