Zhao Yinglang glanced at her and was about to change the topic, so he asked,

“I heard you’ve been granted the title of County Princess?”

“Mm!”

Lin Yuxin, hearing the same question again, responded listlessly with a nod.

“You’re heading to the northern city?”

“I’m leaving in two days.”

Lin Yuxin nodded and gave him the timeframe.

Zhao Yinglang immediately understood why Lin Yuxin had come today and why she had given them all a health check-up.

She wanted to make sure they were all taken care of before she left.

Zhao Yinglang suddenly felt a pang of guilt in his heart.

It dawned on him that this family was now being held together by his niece.

Aside from his poor health, he wasn’t a fool—otherwise, he wouldn’t be the only one in the family who could read and study.

He had once discussed with his father that Yuxin might be playing a long game, making strategic moves to protect both the Zhao family and the Xia Kingdom.

His father had told him they must do their best and not become a burden on her.

Now, he fully understood.

They were indeed dragging Yuxin down.

Zhao Yinglang’s determination grew even stronger.

Lin Yuxin had no idea what was going through Zhao Yinglang’s mind.

If she knew, she would definitely protest—no, she wasn’t playing a grand game, nor did she have such ambitions.

She just wanted to protect her family, that was all.

Protecting Xia Kingdom? She didn’t have the ability, nor did she have such lofty aspirations.

She was simply doing everything within her power to protect the people she cared about and make choices she wouldn’t regret.

“Are you confident? Will there be difficulties?”

Zhao Yinglang asked with concern. He couldn’t hear Yuxin’s thoughts, so he didn’t know that she already had a plan.

He was genuinely worried. He feared that if she made a mistake in the northern city, the Emperor would punish her.

“Confidence? That depends. I’ll only know for sure once I assess the situation over there. But as long as no one interferes, it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Lin Yuxin wasn’t boasting.

She had modern knowledge of defense and disaster prevention.

If the officials didn’t try to sabotage her, managing the drought—which had only lasted a month so far—should be manageable.

It was just a matter of taking timely precautions and helping the people endure the crisis.

“As long as you have a plan. Third Uncle wishes you a victorious return.”

Zhao Yinglang smiled at Lin Yuxin’s confident demeanor.

His worries slowly faded away.

He still thought she might be overestimating herself, but as her uncle, he chose to trust her unconditionally.

Later that night, he planned to discuss countermeasures with his father.

They couldn’t let Yuxin bear all the consequences alone.

At that moment, Qian Li brought over a bowl of herbal medicine.

She placed it on the stone table, avoiding her husband’s gaze, and then cautiously looked at Lin Yuxin before speaking softly.

“Yuxin, the medicine is ready.”

“Thank you, Third Aunt. Third Uncle, drink the medicine, then go inside—I’ll give you acupuncture treatment.”

Lin Yuxin nodded in gratitude to Qian Li before turning to Zhao Yinglang.

Without hesitation, Zhao Yinglang picked up the bowl and drank it in one go before heading inside.

Seeing how cooperative he was, Lin Yuxin followed.

But just as she took a few steps, she heard Qian Li call her name.

“Yuxin!”

“Third Aunt, what’s wrong? If it’s about Third Uncle, don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to him.”

Lin Yuxin looked at Qian Li in confusion.

Seeing the anxiety in her eyes, she could only reassure her.

She didn’t know the full story between her third uncle and third aunt, but she could see that they truly cared for each other.

Every time she visited, Qian Li took meticulous care of Zhao Yinglang, even though he always acted indifferent.

Yet, despite his cold demeanor, he would subconsciously place her favorite dishes in front of her, always walk beside her, and even when feeling unwell, ensure she wasn’t overworked by finding ways to let her rest.

From these small details, it was clear that Zhao Yinglang loved his wife.

“Yuxin, you must heal your third uncle. I beg you.”

Tears welled up in Qian Li’s eyes as she continued,

“He has suffered too much. Years ago, a doctor said he wouldn’t live past thirty-five. He’s already thirty-one now, and his health has only worsened. He’s been holding on, never telling Father or the others because he doesn’t want them to worry.”

“He was never supposed to overwork himself, but he reads all night, determined to pass the imperial exam and become an official—to protect the younger generation and his two younger brothers.”

“Father is too old to fight in battles anymore, and only the Emperor still remembers his past contributions. The two younger brothers are still too young, and the rest of the younger generation is inexperienced. The eldest brother is gone, and the second brother is bedridden.”

“Right now, he’s the only one left to bear the burden. He’s afraid that if he dies, the family will fall apart. He’s also afraid of dragging me down, so he constantly tries to force me to divorce him.”

By the time Qian Li finished speaking, she was sobbing uncontrollably.

She might have been timid, but she wasn’t foolish.

She had always felt her husband’s love, yet he deliberately distanced himself from her.

She saw him study until late at night, and her heart ached for him, but if she brought up his health, he would mention divorce.

Now, every time he talked about separation, she felt terrified.

She didn’t want to leave. She wanted to stay by his side.

“Third Aunt, don’t worry. Third Uncle will be fine. He will pass the exam and become a top scholar.”

Lin Yuxin’s heart ached at Qian Li’s heartfelt confession.

She felt moved by her deep love and saddened by Zhao Yinglang’s pain and struggle.

Stepping forward, she hugged Qian Li in comfort.

The Zhao family’s women were truly remarkable.

The eldest aunt had remained a widow for years without a single complaint, the second aunt had taken care of her bedridden husband for a decade without hesitation, and the third aunt had stayed by her husband’s side despite the threat of divorce.

The Zhao family must have accumulated great virtue in their past lives to marry such wonderful women.

“Okay, I won’t cry.”

Qian Li wiped her tears away, afraid that if her husband saw, he would mention divorce again.

“That’s right. Third Aunt is so beautiful—crying will ruin your looks. And don’t worry, once I heal Third Uncle, if he dares bring up divorce again, just ignore him and make him sleep in the guest room!”

Lin Yuxin leaned in closer and whispered mischievously.

“…?!”

Qian Li was stunned. Was this even allowed?

“Third Aunt, think about it—wasn’t Third Uncle lucky to marry you? And now he dares to be picky? Right now, his health is poor, so we’ll cut him some slack.”

“But once he recovers, we’ll settle the score. Divorce? Not happening. But retraining your husband? That, we can discuss!”

Lin Yuxin spoke seriously, fully intending to help Qian Li stand her ground.

“…Can I really do that?”

Qian Li’s worldview was shaken. Weren’t wives supposed to obey their husbands? Could they really give them a hard time?

Hmm… but why did that sound so satisfying? Should she give it a try?