Chapter 187: Enlightenment

Since arriving here, Shen Yu’an had been pondering the issue of her family’s livelihood.

Back in the memories from her previous life, life in Shen Family Village revolved around tending to the fields, occasionally going up the mountains for hunting to supplement the household income – a rather ordinary routine.

However, living like that would inevitably mean a frugal existence.

After all, the forthcoming expenses for the Shen family were bound to be substantial.

Shen Dalang and Shen Erlang had already reached the age when they should be considering marriage, and the younger brothers – Sanglang, Silang, Wulang, and Liulang – should also have been attending the local school, learning under the tutelage of a teacher in preparation for the imperial examinations.

Even if they had Shen Rong, who was a scholar, teaching at home, it couldn’t compare to the wholehearted learning they would receive at the school.

As for the various other expenses and matters, Shen Yu’an felt that supporting a household required too much effort.

If she lacked the ability to change things, it would be understandable. However, seeing her family endure such hardships when she had the ability to make a difference was something she couldn’t bear.

So, she had been pondering feasible solutions in recent days.

The money from selling her writings was not welcomed by the Shen family members.

Therefore, she was contemplating other ways to involve them in the process.

When Bai Wu brought up this matter, it directly served as a reminder for her.

She could establish a factory to produce goods, involving not only the members of the Shen family but also their uncle Zhang and his family.

Once the factory was operational, even the villagers of Longxian Village who had shown them kindness for various reasons after their arrival could benefit from it.

As Shen Yu’an sat there, suddenly everything became clear to her.

When she initially arrived here and regained her life, she had felt somewhat uneasy.

She had also pondered if she could do something for the troubled state of the country and the suffering people, but she always had to prioritize her own safety first.

With countless people in this world, all she could do for now was to take care of what she could see within her reach.

Having reached this understanding, Shen Yu’an still needed to think about the specifics of setting up the factory.

She had to consider aspects such as funding, connections, manpower, and location.

Regarding the scar-removing ointment Bai Wu mentioned, apart from the twenty percent profit share, Shen Yuan didn’t intend to get overly involved. She wasn’t skilled in those matters.

However, if the collaboration went well, she could continue searching for other items in her space for future cooperation with the Bai family.

Bai Wu and Bai Miaqing only stayed at the Shen household for two days. On the morning of the second day, after having their meal, they left Longxian Village by carriage.

Before their departure, they signed a contract, which Shen Rong had drafted according to the agreed terms.

On the day of their departure, Grandpa Shen was driven by Shen Ming to the county office, where he affixed his thumbprint to the contract in the presence of Bai Wu.

Coincidentally, it was on the same day that Bai Wu and his daughter left that the Shen family received some good news, marking the first significant joy of the year.

……

Just after noon, the somewhat lean figure of Fei Xi seemed to appear in the sight of the Shen family members.

At that moment, Shen Rong and Ji Xun were in a room, tutoring Shen Dalang and the others in their studies, preparing them for continued schooling in the next year.

The third son didn’t enjoy studying, but after Shen Yu’an mentioned that even to become a great general, one needed good learning, he diligently picked up his books as well.

However, perhaps due to his lack of interest, he progressed slower in learning than his younger brothers.

Meanwhile, Shen Yu’an was also inside the house, busy planning for the next arrangements.

Song Shi and Zhao Shi were in the courtyard, carrying dirty laundry, planning to take it to another yard.

Coincidentally, they saw Fei Xi approaching, looking dusty and worn.

Song Shi and Zhao Shi were taken aback when they saw Fei Xi. He appeared noticeably thinner, his outer clothes were tattered, and the white undershirt that was visible had turned red and black, as if stained with blood. It seemed like he had been injured.

He hadn’t even had a chance to change his clothes; it looked like he had hurriedly come over.

Fei Xi called out to Song Shi and Zhao Shi, and only then did the two women recognize him with surprise.

Song Shi exclaimed, “Oh my, what happened? Come in quickly, come in quickly.”

Fei Xi walked in with a smile and addressed Song Shi, “I’ve come today to deliver good news to you!”

As he got closer, Song Shi noticed the two open wounds on Fei Xi’s shoulder, with even flesh exposed. It was cold outside, and the injuries had turned somewhat purple due to the cold weather.

Song Shi playfully remarked, “What kind of good news needs you to run over here with injuries?”

Fei Xi smiled and teased, “If you knew this news, you’d be even more excited than I am.”

Both Song Shi and Zhao Shi were now curious, holding their dirty laundry and waiting for him to continue.

Fortunately, Fei Xi didn’t keep them in suspense for too long. As he walked and spoke, he said, “Remember how we met Miss Shen before the New Year, and we asked our master to inquire about some information? Well, today we received a letter, and our master immediately sent me over to tell you the news.”

In fact, Fei Yanchen had received the news from the Song family the day before.

However, he had first sent someone to confirm the information by inquiring at the Song family’s location before having Fei Xi come to deliver the message.

When Song Shi heard this news, her ears seemed to ring for a moment, and she immediately stopped in her tracks.

In astonishment, she asked, “No, wait, I think I didn’t hear that clearly. What did you just say? Inquiring about whose whereabouts?”

Fei Xi repeated himself, “Miss Shen asked our master to find out the whereabouts of her maternal family, and I’ve come to deliver this message.”

Song Shi: !!!

She joyfully embraced the bundle of dirty laundry in her arms, clasping her hands together and repeatedly bowing towards the outside.

Her lips kept murmuring prayers, thanking the heavens.

Song Shi’s loud exclamation had interrupted Shen Rong and the others who were engaged in their study session, and Shen Yu’an’s train of thought was also abruptly halted by Song Shi’s cry.

Everyone came out to see what had happened, and they saw Fei Xi being questioned by an excited Song Shi.

Zhao Shi, seeing everyone gathered, quickly shared the good news that they had found the Song family.

Fei Xi proceeded to relay all the information he had learned.

“They’re not far from Longxian Village. Actually, it’s situated behind this mountain range. It’s just two villages to the east of Longxian Village…”

Coincidentally, the village where the Song family was currently located was also named Song Village. The residents of that village all bore the Song surname and were locals.

When the individuals Fei Yanchen had sent to report the news arrived, they happened to notice the surname and directly arranged for the Song family to stay in that village.

After sharing this information, Fei Xi was about to take his leave. However, the Shen family insisted on him staying for a warm drink and inquired about how he had been lately before allowing him to depart.

Before leaving, Fei Xi also took the opportunity to convey greetings and concerns from his own master to Shen Yu’an.

After Fei Xi left, Song Xiao Ni stood beside Shen Yu’an, clutching at her sleeves, tears streaming down her face.

Shen Yu’an gently patted her hand to comfort her.

It was just past noon, and Grandpa Shen and Shen Ming hadn’t returned yet.

But upon hearing this news, Song Shi and Song Xiao Ni couldn’t sit still.

Days of worry had them immediately yearning to rush to the side of their family members upon receiving this information.