Weeks turned into months, and Li Wei's small stall continued to flourish in the bustling marketplace. Her medicinal buns and herbal teas became famous among locals, attracting new customers daily. Li Wei felt pride watching her mother and Xiao Ming gain back their strength and happiness, their family slowly rebuilding the life that had been cruelly stripped away.
Yet Li Wei remained wary. The marketplace was unpredictable, and she knew they couldn't afford complacency. Master Ning continued to teach her tirelessly, helping her master new remedies and recipes. She cherished every lesson, feeling deeply connected to the wisdom her father had once begun teaching her.
One busy afternoon, Li Wei noticed a commotion in the marketplace. Curious and cautious, she approached a growing crowd gathered near another herbal stall. Her heart sank when she saw Minister Zhao's personal assistant, Ming Xiu, loudly praising the competitor's goods.
"This herbal stall," Ming Xiu proclaimed, his voice clear and authoritative, "is the only officially approved one by Minister Zhao. Anyone selling unauthorized medicinal herbs risks punishment."
Li Wei's heart clenched painfully. This was clearly a threat aimed indirectly at her. People around her whispered nervously, glancing anxiously toward her stall. Her mind raced with worry; if customers feared punishment, their business would suffer terribly.
Returning quickly to her stall, Li Wei shared the troubling news with her mother. Lady Li listened quietly, her face pale with concern.
"We must stay calm," Lady Li urged gently. "Perhaps customers will see the value of your remedies despite the threats."
Li Wei nodded slowly, though doubt gnawed at her heart. Determined not to surrender, she continued preparing her herbs carefully, hoping her reputation would withstand Minister Zhao's intimidation.
Days passed, and Li Wei saw her customers dwindling. Regular patrons now avoided eye contact, whispering apologies as they passed without stopping. She felt helpless and frustrated, but refused to give up.
Late one evening, as she prepared to close her stall, Li Wei was startled by a gentle voice behind her. Turning sharply, she recognized General Yan Chen's loyal assistant, Yang.
"Miss Li Wei," Yang greeted quietly, glancing cautiously around. "The general asked me to deliver something."
Li Wei's pulse quickened. "What is it?"
Yang carefully handed her a sealed envelope. "The general urges discretion," he warned softly before disappearing into the shadows as swiftly as he'd appeared.
Returning home, Li Wei opened the envelope cautiously. Inside was a note in clear, neat handwriting:
"Li Wei, rumors about Zhao's intentions toward your stall have reached me. You must act swiftly. Meet Master Qian tomorrow at sunrise near the old temple. He can help you secure official approval for your business. Be cautious and trust no one. – Y."
Li Wei's heart raced with relief and curiosity. The general was once again secretly supporting her, guiding her steps from afar. She quickly decided to follow his advice.
At sunrise, Li Wei found Master Qian waiting near the temple. A kindly older man with gentle eyes, Master Qian greeted her warmly. "General Yan Chen speaks highly of you, Miss Li Wei. Let's discuss securing your approval."
Master Qian explained the process clearly, guiding Li Wei step-by-step through the official documentation needed. "Minister Zhao controls many aspects," Master Qian warned gently, "but he can't reject a correctly filed application without reason."
Li Wei spent the entire day carefully preparing paperwork under Master Qian's supervision. She returned home late, exhausted but hopeful.
Days later, Li Wei received official documents granting her stall full approval. Relief flooded her heart, and customers slowly began returning, confident they wouldn't face punishment.
Yan Chen's secret support had once again rescued her family. Li Wei felt profound gratitude toward the mysterious general who kept watching over her from the shadows.
That evening, as she tidied her stall, she quietly whispered to herself, "Thank you, General. I don't know how or why, but I will repay your kindness someday."
Unknown to her, General Yan Chen stood hidden nearby, silently watching. Beneath his mask, a small smile touched his lips. He knew Li Wei's determination and courage were growing, and secretly admired the fierce spirit she displayed in facing adversity. His heart felt lighter, reassured that Li Wei and her family were safe once again, at least for now.
Yet Yan Chen knew the battle against Minister Zhao was far from over. He resolved to remain vigilant, silently protecting Li Wei as she courageously navigated the dangerous waters surrounding them both.
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