Du Meng Zhou was very worried about his close friend. However, he was just a dismissed official, a nobody, while his friend's adversary was someone of immense power.
Thinking of this, even the prospect of his future disciple becoming the top scholar could not lift his spirits.
Putting aside the letter in his hand, Du Meng Zhou considered if he knew or had heard of any renowned physicians he could recommend.
Since he had resigned from his post, he could indulge himself a little. Let them suspect him if they wanted; he was never going back to the officialdom anyway.
"Cough, cough, cough." Uncontrollable coughing sounds emanated from the bedroom.
Lord Zhao, also known as Prince Ying Chuan, looked at the little girl on the bed with great concern.
The Princess sat by the bedside, holding the young princess in her arms, and tenderly fed her medicine.
"An An, take your medicine well. Once you're over this illness, Father will take you out to play," Prince Ying Chuan coaxed the little princess on the bed, suppressing his anxiety.
"Yes, An An, if you just finish your medicine, you'll surely get better soon," the Princess's eyes welled up with tears, but she tried her best not to let them fall.
The little princess on the bed was as delicate as a carved jade figurine, with large eyes that occupied almost a third of her small face.
However, her fair and tender face was flushed with an unnatural redness, and her eyes lacked their usual sparkle. The little one leaned listlessly in the Princess's embrace, devoid of energy.
She was only nine years old this year, yet her petite frame resembled that of an ordinary six or seven-year-old.
From the time she could drink milk, she had been taking medicine. Perhaps due to experiencing too much at such a young age, she was very sensible and deeply cared for her mother and father. She took her medicine obediently and did not complain about being confined indoors.
Prince and Princess Ying Chuan cherished their hard-won daughter immensely, showering her with every good thing they could find, hoping only to bring her more happiness.
"Mm, An An will take her medicine well and will definitely get better. Mother don't worry."
The child's sensible words almost made the Princess's tears spill. She quickly turned her face away, not wanting her tears to fall on An An.
After coaxing the young princess to sleep, the Princess could no longer hold back her tears. She hurried out of the bedroom, and her tears flowed like a dam bursting.
Prince Ying Chuan quickly came forward to embrace and comfort the Princess.
"It's all my fault, all my fault. If it weren't for me, An An wouldn't have to suffer like this," the Princess's voice was soft, as if afraid the young princess in the room might hear.
"You can't blame yourself; you didn't wish for this," he gently patted the Princess's back.
If anyone were to blame for An An's condition, his own guilt was far greater than his wife's.
However, there was nothing he could do now. The most important thing was An An's health. An An was his greatest weakness. He yearned for revenge, but he could not afford to gamble.
Nevertheless, he would absolutely not let the murder of his son go unpunished. A fierce glint appeared in Prince Ying Chuan's eyes.
Lin Yan arrived in Yuyao on a bright and sunny afternoon.
After finding an inn and resting, Lin Yan tidied up the gifts she had brought and prepared to visit her future teacher the next day.
The gatekeeper had been instructed. As soon as Lin Yan presented her calling card, she was ushered into the Du family residence.
Before meeting her teacher, she first encountered his elder brother.
"I am Meng Zhou's elder brother. Young Master Lin can call me Uncle-Master." He smiled kindly, his gaze towards Lin Yan filled with satisfaction.
"I dare not, junior," Lin Yan had not officially become a disciple yet and naturally did not dare to address him as Uncle-Master.
"Very well, we'll talk about it after you've formally become a disciple. Your teacher is currently in the mountains outside the city and is expected to return tomorrow. Have you found lodging in the city?"
Lin Yan quickly told him the name of the inn where she was staying.
"You've come all this way and you're still staying in an inn? I'll have someone prepare a courtyard for you. You'll stay here at our home."
"This is too much!" Lin Yan wanted to refuse but could not resist the warmth of this elder Mr. Du.
After sending someone to notify Lin Yan's attendant to bring over his luggage, he began to test Lin Yan's knowledge.
Lin Yan knew this was unavoidable and answered each question diligently. Seeing the elder Mr. Du's satisfied expression, Lin Yan let out a quiet sigh of relief.
After the examination, Lin Yan was invited to stay for dinner. After the meal, Lin Yan's luggage was brought over, and he was settled into a courtyard in the front of the Du residence.
Because the head of the family had personally given instructions, the Du family's servants were all very courteous to Lin Yan.
The two brothers of the Du family had always been very close and lived together. Since Du Meng Zhou had been an official elsewhere for a long time, their families had never separated.
However, now that Du Meng Zhou had resigned and returned, both families were considering living separately. Despite the brothers' close relationship, their younger generations had not grown up together, and living together inevitably led to some friction.
Moreover, as the family grew, it was better for both households to live apart.
Du Meng Zhou had recently been looking for land to build a new residence. Building a house took a long time, but neither of the Du brothers was in a hurry.
It was not Lin Yan's first time staying in such a residence, but in every world, these mansions never failed to amaze her.
The Du family's residence had a history of many years, but because it had been continuously inhabited, it was well-preserved. Walking through its grounds, one could feel the profound sense of history.
This was the foundation of the Du family. The attendant Shi Qi and the maid Dong Mei felt a little out of place, having never been in such a magnificent dwelling before. They handled belongings with utmost care.
The Du family's servants showed no unusual expressions at their behavior, which further demonstrated the upbringing of the Du household staff.
After the Du family servants retreated, Shi Qi and Dong Mei felt much more at ease with no outsiders present. They didn't say anything in front of Lin Yan, but after Lin Yan retired for the night, they began to discuss the opulence of the Du family.
Dinner was brought to their small courtyard. Shi Qi and Dong Mei had also familiarized themselves with some of the household matters.
Dong Mei inquired extensively from the young maid responsible for cleaning the area and then prepared hot water for Lin Yan's ablutions.
They knew their young master was here to become a disciple and would likely be staying in this courtyard for quite some time, so they made an effort to build good relationships with the local servants.
The Du family's servants also knew that Lin Yan would be their second master's disciple. In ancient society, a disciple was almost like a child.
A teacher for a day, a father for life. Henceforth, this Young Master Lin would also be considered one of the Du family's young masters, and they naturally had to treat him with respect.
Lin Yan had a good appearance and was praised as a prodigy, a genius by his own second master. His academic ability was likely not inferior, and he would probably shine brightly in the imperial court in the future.
Even if he did not enter officialdom, he would likely become a renowned scholar. They were quite clear-headed about this. Of course, even if he did not achieve much in the future, it was not for them, the servants, to be neglectful.