My wife wants a divorce; if she ruins my life, I'll leave.

A few months ago, Meng Ruohua saw Li Lin being harassed by the shop assistant at a bookstore and wanted to help him. So she asked Uncle Yang to help her make connections. Meng Ruohua provided paper, ink, brushes, and books for Li Lin to copy. He would be paid for each book he copied, and he could also introduce his classmates and friends to copy books together, all of whom would be paid for their work.

At the time, Li Lin was short of money, so he readily agreed. He could study at the same time and make money at the same time, so why not!

After receiving his first sum of money, he introduced several classmates to copy books together, hoping to earn some money to make a living.

Most importantly, Li Lin decided which books to copy, and Meng Ruohua never interfered.

This was something that puzzled Li Lin greatly, so when Meng Ruohua asked him to meet, he readily agreed.

"Why did Madam ask me to copy books? It seems Madam doesn't need it!"

The sky was clear and blue, but large patches of clouds gathered on the horizon.

“I don’t need it, but someone does,” Meng Ruohua said again. “A talented person like you shouldn’t be buried.”

Li Lin didn't understand. He was fairly well-educated, but far from being someone that would be noticed by a wealthy and powerful family, especially since the other party was a woman.

“Mr. Li, you don’t need to overthink it. I’ve helped more than just you.” Meng Ruohua smiled slightly, appreciating the other party’s straightforwardness. “I didn’t intend to make any deals with you. I just didn’t want a talent to be overlooked.”

"We only hope that after Mr. Li passes the high school entrance exam, he can become a good official who speaks up for the people!"

"Don't worry, Madam. If I pass the imperial examination, I will definitely become an honest official," Li Lin said confidently.

If he passes the imperial examination, he will naturally become a good official who speaks up for the people, which is beyond doubt.

He had guessed countless reasons before, but he never expected the other party to make this request!

It's said that wealthy and powerful families recruit and sponsor a group of retainers. Once these retainers pass the imperial examinations, they naturally become members of their faction. This relationship is inescapable, forcing some to do things against their conscience, and some even become their money-making tools!

They were all from poor families and had no connections or powerful backers in officialdom. Once something happened, they would be used as pawns to be discarded.

He didn't want to be a pawn for either side; he only wanted to use his knowledge to be a good official and protect the people of his region.

After receiving help from Madam Meng, Li Lin became suspicious of her motives. After making several inquiries, he learned about Uncle Yang's identity and was surprised to find that he was from General Meng's mansion!

General Meng is a highly decorated general, and it is said that he is very honest and never forms cliques or factions. He is a well-known member of the imperial party. Why would he help me?

He had asked Yang Sanshu several times indirectly, and Yang Sanshu replied very cautiously that his master was simply doing good deeds to accumulate merit.

Would a decisive and ruthless general who has annihilated countless enemies think about accumulating good karma?

Anyway, he didn't believe it, but no matter how much more you asked, you wouldn't get any more information out of him.

Meng Ruohua smiled calmly, "There are still three or four months until the spring imperial examination. Besides copying books, you should spend more time studying. If you have any problems with money, just contact the person left by Uncle Yang."

"What is the purpose of Madam in having us copy books? If Madam is of no use to you, there is no need for this. I can find a job to earn money myself."

This is too good to be true; it's almost unbelievable.

You can copy from any book; it's practically like giving him money under a different guise!

Moreover, Madam Meng's claim that she didn't want them to be overlooked was hardly convincing. The main reason was that he couldn't think of anything about himself that she would value. Surely she wouldn't be interested in him as a person?

He has neither money nor power; the only thing he can offer is his knowledge. But looking across the country, how many people are like him?

To avoid suspicion, Li Lin always turned his face to the side, not daring to look directly at Meng Ruohua, but Meng Ruohua saw right through him.

Meng Ruohua immediately saw through his doubts, but she didn't intend to explain.

Anyway, I just wanted to make a good connection, and I didn't intend to take advantage of him.

"Mr. Li, don't worry about it. I plan to open a bookstore in the future and sell the books you copied. That way you can make money and I won't lose money either."

Looking at the distant mountains, Meng Ruohua realized they were no longer lush and green; it was winter!

She said slowly, "I just want to do my part and help whoever I can."

She knew all too well that kind of despair, when there was nowhere to turn.

She helped Li Lin, but not only Li Lin, because the people need a benevolent official like him.

Her father and brothers fought valiantly on the northwestern battlefield to protect their home and country, safeguarding national peace and prosperity; she supported talented individuals in the capital, also so that the people could live and work in peace. When these people grow up, they will not only be an asset to the Meng family but also a blessing to the people.

Of course, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will be a good official, but she believed that Li Lin was a good official.

Since it won't cost much anyway, we can cast a wide net, catch as many fish as possible, and choose the best ones to go with.

Li Lin was affected by the calmness in her tone and couldn't help but glance at her, only to feel that there was endless sadness beneath her calmness.

Putting all that aside, just the fact that Madam Meng said, "Help whoever you can," was enough to move him.

Although it is simple and unpretentious, it is precisely this simplicity that makes it the most sincere.

If a high-ranking official were to speak at length with great enthusiasm, only to end with this remark, he would definitely scoff and find it utterly hypocritical.

Besides, the Meng family's influence is all in the military. I've heard that General Meng doesn't like indecisive scholars, so I doubt he would travel all the way to the capital to scheme against such insignificant people as them.

"Madam's righteousness is admirable." Li Lin cupped his hands and said, "Since Madam wants to open a bookstore, then we should broaden the scope of our book copying. A bookstore can't just sell three or five books, can it?"

"Sir, just copy whatever you want. Books can't be lost anyway."

"If there's nothing else, sir, you may head back now." Meng Ruohua waved her hand. "Take care on your journey, and I wish you success in your studies next year!"

Li Lin didn't linger, as he needed to avoid suspicion, and after thanking him again, he slowly left.

Meng Ruohua watched his departing figure and breathed a sigh of relief. It was too much trouble to talk to scholars like them!

Just as I was about to go up the mountain again, I heard a soft cough behind me.

Huh? Is someone overhearing our conversation?

Meng Ruohua quickly turned around and looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a man dressed in black standing not far away.

"Brother Yu, you heard everything?"

That's right, that person is Yu Yan!

He stood tall and elegant in the mountains, dappled shadows falling on his black brocade robe.

Yu Yan took two steps closer. "I heard everything."

Well, although it wasn't anything shameful, Meng Ruohua felt that she had been a bit pretentious just now, and she was still a little embarrassed in front of this person she had known since childhood.

She seems to have forgotten that she has been pretending like this ever since she married into the family.

A faint blush crept onto Meng Ruohua's face. She fanned herself with her hand, feeling a refreshing breeze.

"So what if I heard it? It's nothing shameful!" She raised an eyebrow indifferently and asked casually, "Did you just arrive? I didn't see you this morning?"

"I came here around noon, and I was just looking around the mountain when I ran into you." His voice was warm and deep, with a husky quality, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time.

Looking at the large, lush tree behind him, Meng Ruohua guessed, "You're not up in the tree again, are you?"

"Yes."

How old are you, still hiding in trees?

Meng Ruohua glanced at the tree, then at Yu Yan, and finally managed to hold back from asking the question.

I'm not a child anymore; some things I should just swallow.

But Yu Yan had already noticed her hesitant expression.

He explained, "It's hidden in the trees, yet you can see far."

Can you see far? What's the point of looking that far?

Remembering his identity as a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Meng Ruohua obediently kept her mouth shut.