Li Man'er smiled thinly, "You are married now, so it doesn't affect you much, but what about Qingyun?"
Li Zhao'er seemed to recall something, her pupils contracting, "You, you dare?"
"What is there that I dare not do? Speaking of which, he is a direct son of the Guo family. If I hold onto this, do you think His Majesty will still let him inherit the title?"
"Li Man'er, you can't do that. What right do you have?" Li Zhao'er stood up abruptly in her agitation, her eyes blazing with anger as she looked at her.
Li Man'er smiled slightly, "I never intended to do so. Isn't there someone who can't take a hint and insists on provoking me? If Qingyun has to blame someone, it won't be me. He should blame his scummy mother and his stupid sister, it has nothing to do with me."
"You..." Li Zhao'er knew she couldn't afford to offend Li Man'er. She was a County Princess, and the future Ninth Princess Consort, as well as the current Emperor's savior. She truly couldn't afford to offend her.
Not being able to afford it now didn't mean she wouldn't be able to in the future.
Only now did Li Zhao'er remember that she had come to watch the show. As long as Li Man'er fell from grace and became a woman of loose morals, would the Ninth Prince still protect her then?
Li Zhao'er smiled, "On the contrary, it is my fault. I apologize to the County Princess."
A hint of surprise flashed in Li Man'er's eyes. She hadn't expected Li Zhao'er to be so adaptable. But then again, a grand drama was about to unfold today. If Madam Bai got her way, then Li Zhao'er would be able to get revenge however she pleased.
What a pity!
A moment later, Madam Tian from the fourth branch also arrived, holding Jin Ge'er. Jin Ge'er was well-cared for, fair-skinned and tender, with a pair of large, bright, dark eyes that were particularly lovable.
This child was saved thanks to Li Man'er, so Madam Tian had brought the child specifically to thank her.
"Oh my, how beautiful you are. What's your name?" Li Man'er wasn't particularly fond of children, but Madam Tian was one of the few people in the Li family who had shown her kindness. This child was also someone she had saved, so Li Man'er was willing to show affection. She casually took out an expensive piece of mutton-fat jade pendant and hung it around Jin Ge'er's neck.
Madam Tian was not from an insignificant family. Upon seeing the quality and carving of the jade pendant, she knew it was extraordinary and refused to accept it.
"I've already hung it around your neck, do you still have the nerve to take it off?"
Madam Tian knew Li Man'er was sincere, so she held the child and said, "Jin Ge'er, thank big sister quickly."
"So, his name is Jin Ge'er."
"It's just a nickname for now. Our Jin Ge'er will be a gentleman of careful speech and conduct in the future."
One could only hope he wouldn't have the same temperament as his father.
Li Man'er understood.
Madam Bai, Li Zhao'er, Madam Liu, and the others watched the jade pendant on Jin Ge'er's neck, their hearts filled with envy.
Even someone from a humble background like Madam Liu could tell that the jade pendant was no ordinary item and was very valuable.
Jin Ge'er was not yet a year old and soon grew drowsy. Madam Tian had the wet nurse take him away. She also found an opportunity to quietly warn Li Man'er that feasts were not always benign and that she must be very careful.
Li Man'er appreciated her sentiment. Regardless, Madam Tian meant well.
The second branch was hosting the banquet, so it was naturally held on their territory.
The men and women sat at separate tables. However, before the banquet began, Li Qingzhou and Li Qingcheng, the brothers, specifically went to the back to see Li Man'er.
Li Man'er's status was now extraordinary, so the brothers would naturally not dare to show her any disrespect. However, Li Man'er had always possessed the ability to perceive people's hearts and naturally knew what contempt lay beneath their outwardly respectful demeanor.
Li Man'er didn't mind. Perhaps the decline of the Marquis of Iron Courage's estate was destined from the day Cui Shi married in. It was rare for good shoots to grow from poor bamboo. How could people like Cui Shi and Madam Bai give birth to children with sound values and a clear sense of right and wrong!
After a few polite exchanges, the three siblings went their separate ways.
Since it was a family banquet, there was no need for a grand feast. The Li family's current influence was also weak. Even if the entire family united, they were not as esteemed as Li Man'er alone.
In fact, the Crown Prince had also come, but no one had informed Li Man'er.
However, no one knew that while they were toasting each other, Li Man'er had already received news and was in complete control of the situation.
After three rounds of dishes and five rounds of wine, the Crown Prince feigned drunkenness and went to a side room to rest.
No one was there solely for drinking and eating; of course, the important matters came first.
Li Man'er's medical skills were superb, so no one dared to drug her. They could only have a maid knock over a soup bowl, and under the pretense of changing clothes, lure Li Man'er to that side room.
Li Man'er had come to watch a play and naturally knew how to act. So, the moment the maid knocked over the soup bowl, Li Man'er exclaimed, immediately stood up, holding her wet skirt, and shouted, "What's going on, you clumsy fool!" With that, she kicked the maid to the ground.
She didn't use too much force, merely wanting to express her anger through the action.
The maid who had 'caused the trouble' quickly got up and kowtowed to Li Man'er, "This servant deserves death, this servant deserves death."
Madam Bai quickly said, "You useless girl, you're so clumsy you can't even serve soup properly. Get out!"
The maid hastily retreated.
"County Princess, I sincerely apologize. Do you happen to have any spare clothes with you?"
Li Man'er glanced at A Si.
A Si was stunned by Li Man'er's exaggerated acting and was now a bit slow to react. Fearing she might laugh out loud, she could only shake her head and stare at her shoetips.
In Madam Bai's eyes, this was A Si's guilty conscience and fear. Not having prepared clean clothes for her mistress was indeed neglect of duty.
"County Princess, we have new clothes at home, all unworn. Would you like to change into one?"
"Alright." Li Man'er frowned, seemingly unable to tolerate her disheveled state.
No one doubted her strong reaction. After all, Li Man'er came from a wealthy background and was now a County Princess. What was wrong with being a little delicate?
Madam Bai suppressed a smile, "Quick, take the County Princess to change."
The maids quickly led the way and brought Li Man'er to the side room where the Crown Prince was waiting. The moment Li Man'er entered the room, she went into her spatial dimension.
The Crown Prince vaguely heard some movement, but fearing he would alert them, he didn't dare to move.
Li Man'er took the opportunity to light an incense of sleeping powder. She was immune to all poisons, so it didn't matter. The Crown Prince had already drunk wine, and after smelling it for a moment, he fell straight to the ground.
Li Man'er took out the unconscious Li Tian'er and placed her on the couch. She then lit an incense of intoxicating affection before successfully completing her task and returning to her spatial dimension.
She knew that someone must be guarding the room outside, not allowing her to leave, not allowing this matter to go wrong in any way.
Unfortunately, she had never intended to leave!