All eyes were on Shi Yuanyuan, filled with envy, jealousy, and a desire to see a good show; for a moment, there was an unusual silence.
Shi Yuanyuan wasn't stupid; she knew that in this situation, going along with it was the right thing to do. She straightened her hair and clothes, and solemnly bowed to Xiang Wan: "Sister-in-law!"
"Why!"
Xiang Wan lifted Shi Yuanyuan's elbow, "From now on, we're family. Family doesn't need to be formal. From now on, leave everything to me. There's been a lot going on at the manor these past few days, so I've already asked Xiao Tuan to find the best teacher in the whole county. Just focus on learning to read and write with the teacher, and don't worry about anything else."
“But, sister-in-law, Yuanyuan usually handles these things and is more familiar with them. Why don’t you let me help take care of them? Once you’re familiar with them, Yuanyuan can focus on learning from the teacher.”
“Yuanyuan, I appreciate your kind intentions. My father has already sent people over to help me, so you can focus on practicing your calligraphy.”
Shi Yuanyuan wanted to continue interfering in the affairs of the manor, but Xiang Wan would never allow her to have her way. With such a golden opportunity, it would be a real shame not to completely isolate Shi Yuanyuan from all her efforts.
Shi Liefeng was about to speak when Xiang Wan stopped him, saying, "Liefeng, as her older brother, you should advise Yuanyuan to focus on learning to read. Otherwise, if she doesn't become capable in the future, she'll say that I, her sister-in-law, am not taking it seriously."
With that, the arrangements for everyone came to an end.
Before the servants left, Xiang Wan instructed Xiao Yuan to give each of them a small purse containing silver coins, as a sign that she was in charge of distributing the welfare provided to them by the Li family. The servants thanked her profusely and then dispersed.
During meals at the manor, servants and masters did not eat together. After Shi Yuanyuan took her leave, Xiang Wan and Shi Liefeng ate lunch quietly.
"Liefeng, there's something I want to discuss with you." After finishing her meal, Xiang Wan put down her chopsticks, took a sip of water, and said to Shi Liefeng, "To avoid worrying my father, starting tonight, you should move to the side bedroom to sleep. Sleeping in the study is too conspicuous."
"Wan'er, what's wrong with you...?"
“I know you must have your reasons, and I don’t want to force you. To put my father at ease, I still have to put on a show in front of others, after all, you are the husband I won over by going on a hunger strike.”
Upon hearing this, Shi Liefeng paused, his arm holding the cup still, spilling some water. He quickly put the cup down, looking at Xiang Wan with a hint of guilt, his voice filled with helplessness.
"Wan'er, are you angry with me?"
Xiang Wan turned her head and smiled, teasingly saying, "How can I not be angry if I can only look at my own husband but not touch him?"
Shi Liefeng was so speechless by those words that his face turned bright red, and he didn't know where to put his hands.
"Wan'er, I didn't..."
“I know, so I won’t force you. If my father finds out later, just say it was my idea.”
Shi Liefeng hesitated for a long time before nodding in agreement. As he wished, he might not be able to consummate his marriage with Xiang Wan for a while, and if he kept making excuses, he would inevitably be the subject of gossip. With Xiang Wan's thoughtful reason, he no longer needed to keep hiding, and Xiang Wan no longer needed to worry about her chastity—a win-win situation.
In the afternoon, Shi Liefeng was sent away to check on the security of the mansion. Xiang Wan then rushed to the main courtyard of Master Li to meet the doctor who had been invited by Li Quan to treat Master Li.
"I'm perfectly healthy, why would I see a doctor if I'm not sick? Tell her to get out!"
As soon as Xiang Wan entered the main courtyard, she heard Master Li loudly urging people out, so she raised her voice a little.
"Father, I asked Li Quan to invite this person. Even if he's not sick, he should still be seen. Don't let your daughter's good intentions go to waste."
After pushing open the door and entering, Xiang Wan finally understood why Master Li was so reluctant to see a doctor.
A middle-aged woman dressed in a lotus-colored long gown, carrying a medicine box, stood frowning beside a table in the hall. Her hair was styled in a neat bun, held in place by a simple wooden hairpin. Her face was fair, her gaze resolute, and she wore no other adornments. Her appearance alone seemed somewhat incongruous, yet her demeanor was quite similar to that of the female scholars Xiang Wan had encountered in modern times.
Xiang Wan wondered where Li Quan had found this doctor. Given Li Yuanwai's old-fashioned ways, if it were a male doctor, he might reluctantly listen and let her take his pulse. But this was a female doctor, and Xiang Wan wasn't confident she could persuade Li Yuanwai.
The person is already here; it seems inappropriate to leave without even letting them take a look.
Xiang Wan gestured to Li Quan to make the doctor some tea, then walked over to Master Li's side and, while massaging his shoulders, said, "Father, the doctor is already here. Just take a look. If you're sick, get treatment; if you're not, it'll put your mind at ease, okay?"
"Go away, you little brat, do you really expect your father to be sick? Do you think I don't know whether I'm sick or not? Just send him back the way Li Quan invited him."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Wan smiled somewhat awkwardly at the female doctor, unsure of how to continue the persuasion.
"Hmph, I'm not leaving today." The female doctor put her medical kit on the table, pulled up a chair and sat down, saying with a serious expression, "Master Li, is that right? Do you think I don't trust my medical skills just because I'm a woman? I'm going to examine you today. Judging from your appearance, you most likely have a health problem. If you don't receive timely treatment, I'm afraid you won't live much longer."
The female doctor's words made Xiang Wan restless. She knew that the Shi siblings had something going on, and she also understood that the sudden death of Master Li in her previous life was their doing, but she hadn't expected them to act so soon.
Was the word Li Quan wrote for her before also because he sensed something unusual about Master Li?
Just as Master Li was about to mock the female doctor for being greedy and swindling people out of their money, Xiang Wan stopped him.
"May I ask your name, doctor?"
"His family name is Xuanyuan, and his given name is Lan."
"So it's Physician Xuanyuan, my apologies for my rudeness." Xiang Wan bowed to her, then asked, "Physician Xuanyuan, may I ask what illness my father has, and why he is so short-lived?"
"Xiao Wan, your father has traveled all over the country for so many years, what kind of people haven't I seen? Don't be fooled by her."
Worried that Xiang Wan might be deceived, Master Li hurriedly tried to send her away again. Xiang Wan grabbed his hand and said, "Father, there's no smoke without fire. Why not listen to what this Doctor Xuanyuan has to say before making a decision? Besides, you're my only family now, and I can't afford to be negligent about your health. Just to put my mind at ease, Father, please listen to me and let the doctor examine you, okay?"
Master Li remained silent for a long time, his face showing hesitation. Xiang Wan pressed on, saying, "Father, I know what you're worried about. Doctors have the heart of parents; in front of a doctor, there is no distinction between men and women, only patient and doctor. Please put these concerns aside and let Doctor Xuanyuan treat you with peace of mind. I promise, no one will gossip."
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