Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Although Wu Changlin agreed to help Prince Huai, he couldn't agree to Liu Ji's suggestion. Agreeing would not only place him in a position of filial impiety, but also make him an unscrupulous person who doesn't value trust and integrity.

Being unfilial means hiding this from his father Wu Yanqing, and ultimately putting his father on a roasting spit.

Being untrustworthy refers to deceitfully luring Chen Mo to Jiangdong to harm him under the guise of marriage.

If the scheme succeeded, it would be fine, but if it failed, as the heir of the Wu Family, how could he explain it to the family? His reputation among the clansmen would greatly diminish, causing his prestige within the clan to plummet.

After all, how could someone who is unfilial and unrighteous lead the entire Wu Family?

Therefore, despite Wu Yu's persuasion, Wu Changlin remained firm in his stance.

Helpless, Wu Yu had to inform Liu Ji of the outcome.

"Your method is too shameless. Not only would he not agree, but even I wouldn't agree to it," Wu Yu told Liu Ji. "Moreover, even if cousin agrees, how could Chen Mo not see through the scheme and willingly come to Jiangdong for the marriage?"

But Liu Ji shook his head and said, "Throughout history, there have been countless talented people. How many dare to guarantee their schemes' success? They only dare say they're somewhat confident. My scheme is at least seventy percent assured."

Wu Yu raised an eyebrow, "Where do you get the confidence to guarantee seventy percent?"

"From the current situation: If I were Chen Mo, after Prince Huai seized Fengzhou, I would immediately become aware of the crisis, wary of Prince Huai attacking me. My personal Power is too weak; I would absolutely seek to ally with someone or conquer Jiangdong as a retreat."

At this time, if the Wu Family, one of the Seven Great Families, seeks marriage with me, it would be akin to an ally arriving at my doorstep. If I were him, I would definitely agree," Liu Ji explained.

But Wu Yu had a different opinion: "Doesn't such a coincidence arouse more suspicion?"

Liu Ji shook his head again, saying, "It goes back to my first point, taking down Jiangdong..."

With a puzzled look, Wu Yu listened as Liu Ji elaborated eloquently: "If I were Chen Mo, upon hearing that the Wu Family proposed marriage, my first thought would be that the Wu Family anticipated my move against Jiangdong. Out of fear, they're sending their legitimate daughter to form a political alliance through marriage. With this connection, I wouldn't proceed to march against Jiangdong."

After all, Chen Mo is currently building shipyards in Qiantang, requisitioning a five-thousand-man Celestial Master Army's Navy. It gives the impression of preparing to invade Jiangdong; the Wu Family's fear is reasonable.

"Even if Chen Mo doesn't think of this, when we propose the marriage, we can actively convey this point. Moreover, the Wu Family currently maintains friendly relations with Chen Mo without any hostility. Even if he finds something suspicious, various considerations may prevent him from outright rejecting," Liu Ji supplemented.

"Even so, if cousin doesn't agree, it's like a clever woman can't cook without rice," Wu Yu remarked.

Liu Ji pondered for a moment, then his eyes brightened with an idea. He whispered a few words into Wu Yu's ear.

Upon hearing it, Wu Yu's eyes lit up, praising Liu Ji's scheme as brilliant.

It turned out Liu Ji suggested Wu Yu send someone to pose as Chen Mo's spy to investigate the waters of the Celestial River leading to Jiangdong, and then report the discovery of Chen Mo's espionage to Wu Changlin.

Furthermore, Liu Ji instructed Wu Yu's people to impersonate Chen Mo's Navy, patrolling up the Celestial River.

This way, Wu Changlin would feel more convinced of Liu Ji's "fake proposal" scheme.

Following Liu Ji's plan, Wu Yu executed it and then informed Wu Changlin of the discovery of Chen Mo's spies and Navy in the Celestial River.

To ensure Wu Changlin's belief, Wu Yu's impersonated Chen Mo's Navy used small fishing boats instead of warships.

"Elder brother, there have been many unfamiliar fishing boats appearing on the Celestial River recently, and the people on board are strangers. I sent someone to investigate, and most of these people are from Qiantang, with calluses not formed from long-term pole handling, but from knives..." Wu Yu whispered into Wu Changlin's ear:

"Elder brother, I suspect these people are not actual fishermen but are disguised soldiers from Chen Mo's army."

Wu Changlin is Wu Yu's cousin, whom Wu Yu refers to as elder brother.

Hearing this, Wu Changlin's expression turned grave.

Wu Yu continued: "Elder brother, it seems Liu Ji was right; Chen Mo does intend to target Jiangdong."

Wu Changlin thought it over, then exhaled lightly: "Is Liu Ji still in Jiangdong?"

"Yes, elder brother, he is."

"Go and call him here."

...

Wu Changlin's younger sister is Wu Mi, born when Wu Yanqing was over sixty, with a concubine.

But when giving birth to Wu Mi, the concubine died from difficult labor, leaving only Wu Mi. Thus, Wu Mi was raised by Wu Yanqing's wife.

Wu Yanqing's wife, Ye Clan, was kind-hearted and took pity on Wu Mi's misfortune, coupled with her fondness for the child, so Wu Mi was adopted as her own.

Thus, Wu Mi became the legitimate daughter from being a concubine's daughter.

At this moment, in a small courtyard within the Wu family's inner residence.

A young girl in a light-colored dress and an elderly man were discussing something.

The entire courtyard was filled with baskets of herbs drying, and a faint medicinal fragrance permeated the air.

The young girl was Wu Mi. Upon learning that her biological mother died in childbirth, Wu Mi developed an interest in medical knowledge. Using the Wu Family's background, she apprenticed under the most famous, now-retired Imperial Physician in Jiangdong, learning medicine from a young age.

"The book mentions the six stagnations of qi, blood, phlegm, fire, food, and dampness. The remedies include Xiaoyao, Yueju, Guipi, Banxia Houpu, and Gancao decoctions. When applied appropriately, they yield effects: 8 qian of Codonopsis pilosula, 3 qian of scorched Atractylodes..." Wu Mi spoke without a pause, articulating clearly.

The elderly man stroked his white beard, nodding with approval, "Not bad, not bad. Disciple, you are the most talented student I've taught, and one of the only two people I've confided in fully. You've learned all I have to teach; there's nothing more I can impart."

The other person the old man confided fully in was his own son.

Wu Mi's skin was as white as jade, smooth as silk, contrasting sharply with her black hair. Her eyebrows curved like willow leaves, exuding an ethereal grace.

Hearing the old man's words, her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment as she replied, "Master, what are you saying? There are still many things I don't understand and need to learn from you."

The old man shook his head: "You have much to learn, but I have nothing more to teach?"

"???" Wu Mi didn't understand.

The old man chuckled, "What remains is for you to truly become a doctor, learning while treating and saving lives."

Hearing the old man's words, Wu Mi understood yet didn't fully comprehend.