"Thankfully, they didn't say we couldn't send anything." Lili pouted smugly. "I've already sent over a batch of medicinal herbs, which should help a little."

Shen Jiawen smiled, praising her for her skill, then frowned: "There is still no cure for cholera. If Physician Sikong and Fourth Brother insist on staying..."

Shen Jiawen didn't finish his sentence, but how could Lili not understand what he meant?

The snow outside had stopped falling again, but the wind was still biting, making the windows rattle. Inside, the charcoal brazier crackled and popped.

Lili lowered her eyes and whispered, "Fourth Brother can do it."

"What?"

Lili looked up, her voice more determined: "Fourth brother can do it!"

Shen Jiawen was taken aback, something flashed quickly in her eyes, as if she understood what she was talking about.

Shen Jiawen smiled, the worry in her eyes fading: "Yes, Fourth Brother can do it."

The brother and sister understood the meaning behind those few ambiguous words, but Gu Ziqi was completely bewildered: "Huh?"

Gu Ziqi stood to the side looking completely bewildered, as if he wanted to join in but couldn't quite understand, which amused Lili.

Gu Ziqi scratched the back of her head, stopped asking, and smiled happily: "Sister, are you not angry anymore?"

"Don't be angry anymore." Lili turned to introduce Shen Jiawen, "This is Ziqi, I mentioned him to Third Brother in my letter."

"Yes, Shen Jiawen."

Gu Ziqi was very perceptive. He knew that this was his older brother who was going to teach him to write. Since it concerned whether Lili would send him back to the capital, he took it very seriously and bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, sir."

Lili was surprised at first, then she laughed.

Shen Jiawen smiled faintly and waved his hand: "It's just writing a few words, I don't deserve to be called a teacher."

"Yes, yes, Ziqi is hoping that Third Brother will say a few good words for her in front of Sister!"

Gu Ziqi has finally met all five of his brothers. Because they are Lili's brothers, Gu Ziqi is very close to them.

The five people had very different styles and personalities, but Shen Jiawen gave Gu Ziqi a feeling of familiarity with his cousin, the Crown Prince.

Perhaps he's mature beyond his years?

The two were of similar age and both were very knowledgeable, giving off an air of having seen through everything.

Lili chatted briefly with Shen Jiawen, inquiring about the Yang family's situation. She was relieved to learn that everything was alright.

"I asked my second brother to collect some rare and unique articles a few days ago. Could you please take them to my great-grandfather for me, third brother?"

"good."

The two smiled at each other. Lili had stolen a moment of peace during this brief time and felt much more relaxed.

"By the way, Third Brother, you've reached the age where you can take the imperial examinations. When do you plan to take them?"

Shen Jiawen studied under Grandpa Yang for several years. Shen Jiawen was already extremely talented, and Grandpa Yang was a grandmaster. Grandpa Yang personally taught Shen Jiawen, which was undoubtedly like the perfect match between Gan Jiang and Mo Xie, or the meeting of dragons and tigers amidst wind and clouds.

The key point is that none of the Shen family members knew the true identity of Old Master Yang.

Old Master Yang was a man of great literary talent. Yang always believed that his grandfather had once served as a minor official, but later returned to his hometown because he disliked the corrupt atmosphere of officialdom.

Lili wasn't worried about Shen Jiawen's grades; she knew Shen Jiawen was capable.

However, when to use this ability and to what extent is a matter of great importance.

As Shen Jiawen's teacher, if Shen Jiawen wins the championship, Old Master Yang will surely return to the public eye.

Then one thing after another will happen, and the Shen family will also find out the Yang family's identity.

Because Gu Ziqi was present, Shen Jiawen did not speak too directly: "Since the teacher accepted me as his disciple back then, he was prepared. Lili, you must know that."

Lili pouted, "I know, but I'm a little worried. His Highness is still at the border and we don't know when he'll return to the capital. If he doesn't return, there are some things we can't fully prepare for. I'm afraid there will be too much trouble then. Hmm... never mind, it doesn't seem like a big deal. Third Brother, just focus on your exam."

After explaining everything, Lili herself felt that her original worries were not so troublesome, since none of them were life-threatening.

There's just been so much going on lately that Lili's head is spinning and her thoughts are all jumbled up.

"The way of literature lies in nature, originating from emotion and expressed through the pen. Although our dynasty allows teenagers to participate in the imperial examinations, most men in the world do not participate until after they reach adulthood. Although I am not timid, I do not want to show my talent too early. My teacher thinks so too, to calm down and settle down first, and then consider it in a few years."

“It’s all good, it’s all good.” Lili nodded vigorously. “It just so happens that there are unusual celestial phenomena this year, with heavy snow and an epidemic. I’m afraid the exams won’t be peaceful. Let’s take some time to calm down.”

Shen Jiawen chuckled and was about to tease her when Huang Ying came in carrying three servings of brown sugar and eggs: "Miss, the Second Young Master has arrived."

Without stopping, Lili blew on a spoonful of brown sugar to cool it down and put it in her mouth: "Second brother is here too?"

Huang Ying nodded, and Shen Jialu ran in cheerfully, leaping over the threshold and deftly taking off his cloak: "This young master has arrived!"

Lili was so amused that she almost choked on her sugar water. Shen Jialu had become more sophisticated and mature as he grew up, and rarely showed the same childlike spirit as before. He must have had something happy happen to him.

"Second brother, what makes you so happy?"

Shen Jialu grinned from ear to ear: "Lili, you have no idea, my men encountered someone when they were transporting those medicinal herbs to Li Village. Do you know who it was?"

Lili asked curiously, "Who?"

Shen Jialu didn't rush to speak, and chuckled annoyingly. When he saw that Shen Jiawen was also there, he patted him on the shoulder with great surprise, and then snatched the bowl of sweet soup in front of him without any politeness: "Great, just in time for your brother to be thirsty."

Shen Jiawen watched helplessly as he drank his bowl of sweet soup in one gulp.

After Shen Jialu had had his fill of drinking, he slowly began to explain: "That man was actually the son of the current Grand Tutor Zeng. Five years ago, Grand Tutor Zeng personally went to Xixiang County to provide disaster relief. It is said that Grand Tutor Zeng was heartbroken to see the white bones of refugees scattered everywhere. The year before last, Grand Tutor Zeng personally asked His Majesty to transfer him here to serve as the prefect of Xixiang County, to be a good local official for Xixiang County."

Lili listened and nodded. She rarely paid attention to these things, but judging from Shen Jialu's words alone, this Grand Tutor Zeng was a good official, having actually brought his own son over.

Shen Jiawen seemed to be deep in thought.

Lili said, "So it seems that Grand Tutor Zeng is very concerned about the people. He didn't trust others, so he brought in his own son? I have heard His Highness mention that Grand Tutor Zeng can be considered his teacher. His values ​​and literary talent are outstanding."

Shen Jiawen: "I have heard about it, but it seems that Prefect Zeng was the one who approached Grand Tutor Zeng himself to propose the transfer of Prefect Zeng to Xixiang County."

"Huh?" Shen Jialu scratched his head. "I didn't know that."

Lili glanced at Shen Jiawen. She knew how Shen Jiawen knew; it must have been told to him by Old Master Yang.

Grand Tutor Zeng was a student of Master Yang.

After Old Master Yang retired and returned to his hometown, for the first few years, Grand Tutor Zeng, out of concern for the lives of his family members and other reasons, could no longer have any relationship with Old Master Yang, nor dared to.

It wasn't until after the late emperor's death that Grand Tutor Zeng dared to contact his mentor, and he secretly wrote letters to the Yang family every year.

But Old Master Yang's address had changed countless times, and Grand Tutor Zeng's letters were always sent to the wrong address. Old Master Yang knew all this, but he did nothing else. He simply went to the wrong place to pick up the letters and let Grand Tutor Zeng send them to the wrong address.

Grandpa Yang never replied to the letters, but he would read them carefully.

The two exchanged a quick glance, saying nothing more. Lili simply asked, "You met Prefect Zeng, and then what?"

"Oh, oh, oh, the caravan was stopped at the foot of the mountain. The officials there saw that we were carrying so many medicinal herbs and refused to let them go up the mountain, saying that since we were all going to die anyway, we shouldn't waste the herbs. Luckily, we met Prefect Zeng, who personally ordered people to escort the herbs up the mountain. Otherwise, it would have been really difficult."

Lili frowned, puzzled. The county town where Nali Village was located was far from the prefectural city of Xixiang County. How could Prefect Zeng be there?

"This Prefect Zeng heard about the cholera outbreak in Licun and went there in person. He is now living in Rucheng, where Licun is located."

Lili suddenly realized, "Then this Prefect Zeng must really be a good official."

Lili smiled at Shen Jialu again. This matter certainly wouldn't make Shen Jialu so happy. Could there be some other hidden story?

"It can't be just that. Did Prefect Zeng send someone to convey some other message to my second brother?"

"hey-hey."

Shen Jialu smiled broadly, but said nothing: "It's a secret."

Lili was a little curious, but since Shen Jialu didn't say anything, she didn't ask. She would find out when the time was right.

Shen Jialu was smug and secretly pleased.

He didn't tell anyone that Prefect Zeng was very optimistic about Lixiang Pavilion and hoped that Lixiang Pavilion could consider opening a branch in Xixiang County to boost the county's economic growth.

Pear Fragrance Pavilion is a large shop that has risen to prominence in recent months. It has a great reputation, is luxurious and elegant, and the magnanimity of its owner makes people even more curious.

Xixiang County was relatively backward at the time, and only a few wealthy families could afford to buy there. Shen Jialu did not only do business with the rich, so Lixiang Pavilion naturally did not settle in Xixiang County.

But when the prefect of a prefecture personally comes to visit, that's a different story.

Hehe, this means that Lixiang Pavilion will receive preferential treatment everywhere in Xixiang County.

Who knows, he might even be able to get a government-business relationship.

Lili and Shen Jiawen just watched Shen Jialu grinning foolishly, not knowing what he was laughing at. He was bending over backwards, unable to contain his smugness, as if he were daydreaming.

Shen Jiawen couldn't stand it anymore, so he slammed the letter Shen Jiaqing had written on the table and made him read it: "Stop grinning like an idiot, take a look."

After reading the letter, Shen Jialu didn't seem to care much: "This was written by my fourth brother a few days ago, right? He's fine now. The medicine has been sent over. My men said they saw him and he's doing well. Don't worry."

Lili shook her head: "The issue now is not whether or not to use medicine, but this epidemic."

Shen Jialu, unfamiliar with these things, looked puzzled: "Ah, cholera? What's that? Is that what it's called?"

Shen Jialu found those lines again to confirm: "Yes, yes, it's called cholera, why?"

Lili sighed and explained to him the seriousness of cholera.

Shen Jialu was shocked: "Ah? An incurable disease!"

"Yes, for now."

In Shen Jialu's eyes, the Divine Physician Sikong was omnipotent, as was his fourth younger brother, who was a gifted little divine physician.

In addition to Lili's influence, Shen Jialu always felt that there could be no incurable disease in this world.

But now Lili tells him that this epidemic is incurable, highly contagious, and that getting it means death.

His fourth brother is still inside!

The Divine Physician Sikong is an old man, and Shen Jiaqing is a child. How could this be?

"Oh my god, this is terrible! I have to find someone to bring them back!"

Shen Jialu was about to get up to make arrangements when Lili grabbed him, saying, "Second brother, don't rush. We've already tried to persuade them, but they refuse to leave, so there's nothing we can do."

"What can we do then? Just watch them waste time? What's the point of treating this incurable disease? They might just die!"

None of them could speak.

Shen Jialu is no benevolent person; he is a profit-driven businessman. His brother is about to die, so why should he care about the lives of others?

Lili knew he was anxious, and it wasn't just them who were anxious. Yang went back to Xinghua Village yesterday, and Chen almost came to Liucheng with her when she returned to the city today. She was worried sick about Shen Jiaqing.

But what can we do? If we don't take the risks to research this disease, how can we expect to make a breakthrough?

If no cure can be found, then this disease is incurable, and all those who get this disease in the future will only have one way out: death.

Lili thought that Shen Jiaqing and Doctor Sikong must have thought the same way, which was why they refused to leave.

They wanted to give it their all.

After pondering for a long time, Lili comforted him, "Second brother, you must also trust fourth brother. Besides... I have a plan for this."

The two turned to look at her; Lili was twisting her fingers in thought, her expression calm.

*

The snow was getting heavier and heavier. The further they went beyond the border of Xixiang County, the stronger the snowstorm became.

The carriage remained stationary, refusing to move forward.

Pear closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. Oriole came in from outside, bringing some wind and snow.

"Miss, there's a high cliff ahead. It seems that too much snow has fallen from the cliff and blocked the entire road. Our people are already clearing it. Lord Chenye has taken a small team to detour ahead to investigate, but it will probably take some time to clear a path."

Lili opened her eyes and sighed almost imperceptibly, "Mmm."

Sometimes she couldn't help but think about ghosts and gods, wondering if Xixiang County had offended some evil spirit, which was why there were so many "tests".

First came the severe drought five years ago, and now comes the extreme cold.

Nanlin County is still in the Minor Snow season, so why is Xixiang County already experiencing a blizzard?

All things considered, the period from the temperature drop to the blizzard in Saigo County was only about ten days.

This is equivalent to you being playing in the water in Hainan ten minutes ago, and then building a snowman in Heilongjiang ten minutes later.

Lili believes in ghosts and spirits; after all, her very presence here is the best proof of that.

She herself is a being that defies scientific principles.

However, Xixiang County is different from other places. It did not make preparations as early as Nanlin County, nor is it as wealthy as other places.