Ultimately, Jiayin didn't want her family to worry so much, so she said, "Mother, don't worry. If it's a fox, it will eventually show its tail."
"I've already feigned illness to dispel the rumors. If it really is a scheme by the Wang family, they'll definitely have other tricks up their sleeves. Let's wait and see, and deal with whatever comes our way."
There was nothing else they could do but accept it.
After exchanging a few more casual words, everyone went back to rest.
The next morning, Li Laosan returned to Luo'an, taking Wenjuan and her son Xingxing, as well as Li Ge'er and Guo Wenhao with him.
Since there's nothing going on at home, Li Ge and Wen Hao should go back to school as soon as possible.
In the autumn, they also had to take the imperial examinations to become candidates for the imperial examinations.
Regardless of whether you're confident or not, give it a try.
If you don't pass the exam, consider it a learning experience.
One after another, some girls who were friends with Jiayin sent people to deliver things and visit her in the hospital.
This includes Xu Xi and Mei Lan.
They originally wanted to come in person, but their families wouldn't allow it.
Therefore, they could only send their personal maids over with lots of food and supplies, and even newly published picture books from the bookstore, hoping to cheer Jiayin up.
Jiayin asked Shuiling to pick a lot of fresh fruit as a return gift.
Two or three days later, the area in front of the Li family's house finally quieted down, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Wan'er sat with Old Lady Li under the eaves doing needlework, while Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru were busy in the kitchen, planning to make some glutinous rice cakes.
Crescent Moon, dressed in a bright red short-sleeved shirt and gauze pants, ran wildly around the yard, her forehead covered in sweat from the sun.
Sister-in-law Qiong wanted to carry her to the eaves to cool off, but the little girl's legs moved so fast that she couldn't catch up at all.
Sister-in-law Qiong had no choice but to give up and wait for her master to come over. The little girl would stick to her mother and naturally wouldn't run away.
Looking at the lively Crescent Moon, Grandma Li thought of her granddaughter and asked Wan'er, "What is your sister doing?"
Wan'er smiled and said, "I must have stayed up too late reading storybooks last night, I'm still lazing in bed right now."
Grandma Li was both amused and exasperated. "There's just no way to deal with this girl. These days, all she does is eat and sleep."
"If this continues, I'm afraid even faking illness won't work anymore. After all, what sick person isn't thin, but rather as round as a ball!"
Everyone laughed as they listened. Just as Wan'er was about to speak, a carriage arrived at the courtyard gate.
Soon, Granny He came in to report.
"Madam, a woman who claims to be Madam Wei from Wei County has come to visit."
Madam Wei?
Everyone was puzzled, because none of the families they visited had the surname Wei.
Old Mrs. Li said, "Please come in and ask what's wrong."
Granny He turned back and soon led a middle-aged woman dressed in a dark blue dress into the room.
The woman was not tall, slightly plump, and of above-average appearance. Her clothes were not fancy, but they were clean and tidy, indicating that her family was not poor.
But as she walked in through the door, she didn't keep her head down as usual; her eyes darted around, taking in the Li family's courtyard clearly.
Everyone frowned, their expressions showing a hint of displeasure.
Old Lady Li then instructed Wan'er, "Take Yueya'er inside to have some fruit."
Wan'er quickly got up and called her personal maid Chunxiu to carry Yueya'er into the room.
Sister-in-law Qiong stood behind Old Lady Li, wary of any ill intentions from the newcomer.
Hearing the commotion in the kitchen, Zhao Yuru told Tao Hongying and then came out to keep her mother-in-law company while they entertained the guests.
The woman surnamed Wei walked down the steps, bowed, and smiled humbly.
"I am Wei Tianshi, a young woman. I have come to visit you without permission. I hope you will forgive me, Madam."
Grandma Li raised her hand and said, "A guest is a guest, Madam Wei, please don't stand on ceremony, sit down and have some tea."
Sister-in-law Qiong moved a stool and placed it three steps away from Old Lady Li.
Madam Wei thanked her and sat down, then introduced herself.
Her husband was the younger brother of the county magistrate of Wei County, and also a clerk in the county government. Although he was not of official rank, he was still considered to be a government employee.
Wei County is only about 70 or 80 li outside Xindu, which isn't considered far.
However, it's unclear what brought the county magistrate's sister-in-law to the door so suddenly...
Old Mrs. Li guessed that she might be a sorceress, since the doctors who had visited before had all been helpless.
The Li family also told the public that Jiayin fell seriously ill after being frightened.
Nowadays, doctors are useless, so fortune tellers come to join in the fun, hoping to find a bargain.
So she accompanied Madam Wei for tea and chatted for a while.
Madam Wei glanced at the Li family members present and finally got to the point, asking, "Madam, I heard that your princess is ill. I wonder how she is doing lately, and if she has improved?"
Grandma Li thought she had guessed correctly, and she felt even more confident.
So she took out a handkerchief, lowered her head and wiped the corner of her eyes, and her eyes immediately turned red.
"The princess's illness is very serious, and she is still recuperating."
A look of understanding flashed across Madam Wei's face. Then she saw that Zhao Yuru and Sister-in-law Qiong had also lowered their heads and wiped away their tears. This look of understanding turned into joy.
"I have been to the city and have seen the notice posted by your esteemed residence, offering a reward of a full thousand taels of silver. Has no renowned physician been summoned to treat the princess?"
“Of course there are, but none of them can diagnose what illness the princess has,” Zhao Yuru replied, shaking her head and sighing, making a very sorrowful appearance.
Madam Wei sighed as well, and tentatively asked, "But we can't just wait like this, can we?"
Old Mrs. Li, impatient with further arguments, retorted, "Did Madam Wei come here this time because she has a good doctor to recommend?"
"If so, Madam Wei, please speak freely. As long as the princess can be cured, our Li family will certainly reward you handsomely!"
Madam Wei coughed lightly, took a sip of tea, and then said, "To be honest, Madam, I do have a method. If you don't mind, you can listen to it."
"Alright, tell me, what's the method?" Old Mrs. Li was becoming more and more certain that this Madam Wei was a sorceress.
Madam Wei said softly, "I wonder if the old lady has ever heard of... a marriage to ward off bad luck?"
A marriage to bring good luck?!
Grandma Li didn't react for a moment and subconsciously asked, "A wedding to bring good luck? What kind of wedding?"
Madam Wei explained in detail.
"It's about getting married, using the joy to dispel the illness. The princess is seriously ill and doesn't have long to live. The doctors are all helpless, so why not think of other ways? Maybe they will have a miraculous effect."
"No, the princess is only ten years old, how could she possibly get married?!" Old Madam Li's face was extremely pale, and she directly refused.
She initially thought this person was just holding a religious ceremony or something, never expecting it to be a marriage of convenience to bring good luck.
Feigning illness is just a temporary measure; how could I possibly risk my granddaughter's lifelong happiness?
Madam Wei, perhaps anticipating such opposition, quickly reassured Old Lady Li.
"Madam, listen to me, this is a good thing! There was a scholar in our hometown who was also seriously ill and couldn't get out of bed, and no medicine could help him."
"Later, his family arranged a marriage for him, marrying him a beautiful wife. He recovered in less than half a month. It really worked!"
"Moreover, the marriage I'm going to introduce to the princess this time is to the eldest grandson of the Chen family, a wealthy family in our county. He has been frail since childhood and has been taking medicine all year round, but he is gentle and refined, filial and sensible, and a good man."
“These past few days, Young Master Chen has seemed a bit unwell. The Chen family dotes on this eldest grandson and wants him to get married as soon as possible.”
"It just so happens that I heard that your princess is seriously ill, so the Chen family asked me to speak on their behalf, offering a dowry of three thousand taels of silver."
"If the two children's marriage to ward off bad luck goes well and they both recover their health, that would be wonderful. Even if things don't go well, at least the two children will have company on their journey to the underworld..."
"Bullshit! Shut your stinking mouth!"
Old Mrs. Li suddenly stood up, so angry she exploded!
Here comes the fourth update, my darlings! I've added an extra chapter as promised today. Please shower me with your reading votes and requests for more chapters! A few likes and five-star reviews will make me love you even more! I'll keep working hard and adding more chapters tomorrow!
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