"This? Can't I go with her? Her condition is unstable, and if I'm there, I can take care of her at any time."

Meng Zhelan was really worried about Old Sun leaving with Xi'er, but she couldn't wake her up with her medical skills.

Xi'er definitely couldn't accept losing all her martial arts skills; it would be a fatal blow to her. After spending several months together, she knew that Xi'er had put in a lot of effort in practicing her skills.

"I... okay, I understand. Grandpa Sun, when are you leaving? I'll go prepare some medicine for Xiaoxi on the way." Since I can't accompany her, I'll make sure to prepare what she needs for the journey.

"Let's set off tomorrow. I'll go find someone." Old Sun waved to Qin Xiaolin, signaling him to go out and say a few words.

"Young Master Qin, could you please arrange for me to be taken to Baichuan Academy?"

"Mr. Sun, you're too kind." Qin Xiaolin hesitated before speaking.

When Shen Xu came to see Li Xi, there was only one maidservant serving him.

"Young Master Shen." "You may leave now." "Yes."

Shen Xu sat on the low couch in front of the bed, gazing at her. In just a few days, her cheeks had lost their former elasticity.

Her pale complexion accentuated the smooth lines of her features: a straight nose, deep-set eyes, distinct lips, and prominent cheekbones, making her look like a sculpted work of art.

"Brother Li, wake up soon..." He was speechless for a moment, he always had an inexplicable feeling towards Li Xi.

Meng Zhelan didn't have much time left, so she hurried to the clinic to prepare medicine.

Xi'er needs some medicine to invigorate her qi and calm her mind, and we also need to prepare some ginseng slices. Li Xi needs some pills to replenish her energy.

Meng Zhelan hurried along, her mind preoccupied with Li Xi's safety, not daring to delay for even a moment.

She walked through the bustling market, along the cobblestone path, straight to the clinic.

Inside the clinic, a mixture of herbal scents and the smell of disease wafted through the air.

Meng Zhelan hurriedly entered the pharmacy, which was filled with all kinds of medicinal herbs, neatly arranged.

She skillfully located the herbs that invigorate qi and calm the mind, as well as ginseng, knowing that these herbs could help Li Xi relieve her pain and replenish her energy.

She quickly gathered several herbs, ground them into powder, and then used ginseng as a guide to refine them into pills.

Her every movement was swift and precise, as if she were concocting a life-saving elixir.

In her hands, the herbs seemed to be imbued with magical power, transforming into pills brimming with energy.

Ling'er carefully tidied Li Xi's clothes, her heart filled with worry. She knew that once Xi'er left, she wouldn't be able to return home for a long time.

By the time they finished, it was already dawn. They carried two large, packed packages and headed to Qin Xiaolin's private residence.

Two carriages were parked at the entrance. The two carriages were almost identical, both exquisitely crafted and made of the finest wood.

The horses were also top-quality, with strong limbs and flowing manes.

Hearing the two men's voices from inside the carriage, Old Master Sun instructed his attendant to open the carriage door and tell them to put the package on another carriage.

"Grandpa Sun, the journey is long, I'm afraid Xiaoxi will be left unattended?" Meng Zhelan still held onto a sliver of hope that she could go with them.

“I have arranged for someone to take care of her. She’s from that village, so she won’t be ostracized when she goes back,” Old Sun said calmly.

Meng Zhelan knew that Old Master Sun was not as simple as he seemed, but his kindness towards Xi'er was undeniable.

Therefore, she felt comfortable letting him take Xi'er away, as it seemed to be the only way out at the moment.

Meng Zhelan sat by Li Xi's bedside, carefully wiping her body. Although the wound on her back had stopped bleeding, it still looked gruesome.

She opened the medicine bottle and applied the powder to the wound. This was a painkiller she had prepared, which could help the wound heal quickly. Finally, she changed into clean, warm clothes.

Although Xi'er is unconscious, this will reduce her pain, so let her get some sleep.

Ling'er fed her a small bowl of ginseng chicken soup, and this time she drank quite a bit.

Qin Xiaolin picked up the increasingly thin Li Xi, his arms unconsciously tightening around her.

He lowered his gaze to the person in his arms, and a flutter ran through his heart. This feeling was different from the last time he had been in her arms.

This was the first time he had met such a resolute woman. Whenever he encountered her, his eyes would unconsciously follow her.

Thick quilts had been laid out inside the carriage, so Li Xi wouldn't feel uncomfortable lying on them.

"Don't worry, Chu Ran always takes good care of people," Old Sun reassured them.

The woman called Chu Ran was about thirty years old and dressed as a married woman. She bowed to the group with her hands clasped in greeting.

"You can go back now. I've made all the arrangements. Xiaoxi will be back soon. Just wait patiently!" Old Sun waved his hand, and the coachman raised the reins, skillfully steering the carriage towards the city gate.

The crowd watched the carriage disappear into the distance, not turning back for a long time.

"Ling'er, let's go back. We still have many things to discuss with Chairman Wang." Meng Zhelan bid farewell to the two young masters and then returned home.

The restaurant opened for business on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Aunt Wang was put in charge of the kitchen, and another chef was hired.

With Meng Zhelan and Ling'er not around, the restaurant can operate normally, and they can also find time to discuss the chili workshop with Chairman Wang.

On the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, Meng Zhelan took over a nearby carpentry workshop.

Li Xi took Yu Meng and her two siblings to settle down there. Before the new year, Li Xi also planned to open a woodworking workshop to sell handicrafts.

The novel gadgets she and Yu Meng had previously tinkered with were very popular among students, so she planned to introduce them to the general public.

The workshop that Meng Zhelan bought has a shop and a courtyard, which is enough for Yu Meng and her two siblings to live in.

Although the three women had sold themselves into slavery, Meng Zhelan had no intention of using them as servants.

It's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. Helping them stand up will also benefit Meng Zhelan and the others.

The profits from the woodworking shop will also be shared with the Yu siblings. "Miss Lan'er, we can never repay your kindness. We will definitely repay you in the future..." Yu Meng was very grateful to them.

“If you manage it well, it will be very good for us. Remember to pick up Xiaoyin’s medicine from Ren’an Hall on time. I have already instructed the medicine boy. Also, if there is a chance, send Xiaosong to a private school to learn to read.” Meng Zhelan realized that there was also a contract of servitude.

"If you can establish your own household in the future, you can have this indenture. With this indenture now, you won't have to worry about your father causing trouble."

The Chamber of Commerce also opened on the eighth day of the lunar new year. When Meng Zhelan and Ling'er arrived there, Chairman Wang was seeing off his guests.

"Happy New Year, Chairman Wang." Meng Zhelan bowed to Chairman Wang.

"Oh, it's you guys. You didn't come looking for me. I should have come looking for you too. Hmm? Where's Xiaoxi?" Chairman Wang asked, puzzled.

"Xiaoxi...she's injured..."

After a cup of tea, the three remained silent.

After a long silence, Chairman Wang said, "In that case, we must run the Chili Shop well."

The four of them had often met to discuss things before, so President Wang was familiar with Meng Zhelan and Ling'er.

“Xi’er gave me the secret recipe earlier…” The three of them chatted for a while before realizing they were hungry.

Sweetie drove the carriage and took the three of them back to the restaurant for a meal.

The group heading to the northern frontier had been traveling for five days, and Li Xi was completely unaware of all of this...