The next morning, Ye Caiping didn't wake up until noon.

Ye Caiping, her body aching all over, got up and touched Ye Huan'er's head; the fever had long since subsided. Jin'er was fine too.

She gently covered her two daughters with blankets and then left the room.

Xiao Yan came out of Grandma Ye's room carrying a basin of water: "Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Daquan are all sick."

Ye Caiping asked with great concern, "Have you called a doctor?"

"The doctor has already examined him and said it's just a common cold with fever, caused by his illness while in prison. As long as he takes his medicine on time and rests well, he'll be fine."

Ye Caiping breathed a sigh of relief: "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm very healthy. When the doctor came, he took everyone's pulse, but only my great-grandfather and his wife and my uncle Daquan were sick."

Ye Caiping went to the room to see the old man and his wife. Although they were sick, they were still able to talk and laugh.

When he came to see Ye Daquan, he jumped up and said he wanted to show her a set of boxing moves! But Du pressed him back down.

Ye Caiping came out of Ye Daquan's room and said to Xiaoyan:

"I'll leave the house to you for now. I'll make a pot of red date and chicken soup tonight so everyone can have some nourishment. I'm going out to run some errands."

Although they have been released, it was Shen Zhiyan who helped her.

But she needed to find out what happened next, and she also needed to thank Chen Zhiyan properly.

Because Ye Daquan was sick, they didn't call him, but instead called Ye Xuan to go to town together.

Back in his school days, Ye Xuan had learned to drive a horse-drawn carriage from Ye Daquan, so he can drive it steadily.

...

The Shen family's study—

"Hmph!" Shen Manman pouted, puffed out her cheeks, and glanced at Shen Zhiyan behind the desk. "Such a big thing happened, and you didn't even wake me up!"

Shen Zhiyan was writing a letter and didn't even look up: "You'll know now."

"Now is now, last night is last night! If I were here last night..."

If she had been awake last night, she would have definitely rushed over to comfort Ye Caiping and earned her at least 50 points of goodwill.

And she was genuinely worried about Ye Caiping.

Duanwu walked in: "Master, Madam Ye and Young Master Ye have arrived."

Shen Zhiyan looked up: "Let them in. Also, take the young lady back to her room."

There are some things that children shouldn't know too much about.

"Ugh~~~ You won't let anyone hear it!" Shen Manman stomped her foot in annoyance.

Xiao Qiu had already pushed Chen Manman away from outside.

A short while later, Ye Caiping and Ye Xuan walked in together.

After exchanging greetings, Ye Caiping said, "Last night, thanks to Mr. Shen's help."

Shen Zhiyan put down the book in his hand: "Do you know why Lu Baiwen wanted to force you to marry him, and why he imprisoned you both?"

Ye Caiping said, "Because of yellow cassava. I discovered yellow cassava, which will be a merit. Although he, as the county magistrate, can also get a merit, if I become his concubine, he can get two merits."

"They also want my workshop."

Shen Zhiyan said, "You're too naive. Things aren't that simple."

Ye Caiping was startled and looked up at him.

...

At this point, many people say that the male lead saved the female lead, but this plot is cheesy and tarnishes the halo of the strong female lead.

To say it's a rescue is a bit of an exaggeration; it's more accurate to say it's an assistance.

Many readers have suggested solutions for the female protagonist to overcome her predicament. But what I want to write is not an all-powerful superwoman who can overcome any difficulty on her own.

I wanted to write about a smart and capable female protagonist. But she also has emotions; she can cry and laugh, feel troubled and disappointed, and make mistakes in decision-making.

Even the wisest person can make a mistake; no matter how capable or powerful a decision-maker is, there are times when they err.

When the female lead encounters setbacks, there always needs to be someone to pull her out and help her. Why can't that person be Shen Zhiyan?

Finally, thank you for reading, my darlings.