This matter could not be kept a secret. The Emperor was not a fool; since he asked, he must have known something.
They had discussed their responses beforehand, so Li Man'er honestly replied, "Your Majesty, the mountains are full of poisonous miasma. I merely possess some skill in detoxification, which is how I had the honor to accompany His Highness into the mountains." Li Man'er quickly glanced at the Emperor and noticed he had become thinner, with dark circles under his eyes and more white hairs on his beard than last time.
When she had seen Emperor Chenghua at Li Qingshu's place previously, his complexion had been much better and he had been slightly plumper. In such a short time, his health had declined so drastically.
Emperor Chenghua coughed lightly and said, "Ninth Brother spoke highly of your medical skills, praising them without reservation. Li Shu indeed knows how to raise a daughter! Not only does she have excellent medical skills, but she can also fight on the battlefield, truly a woman who rivals men."
"This subject is humbled," Li Man'er replied.
"How is your father?"
Li Man'er remained composed and respectfully said, "My father has been poisoned several times, his internal energy is depleted, and coupled with a stroke, his condition is very poor."
"You cannot cure him either?" Emperor Chenghua asked, as if chatting about everyday matters. "When Minister Duan visited the palace to check Your Majesty's health, he also spoke highly of your medical skills."
Li Man'er calmly responded, "This subject can only do her best to manage the illness; there is truly nothing else that can be done."
Emperor Chenghua's voice suddenly turned serious. "Is there truly nothing else, or are you unwilling to treat him? I have heard that you and Marquis Li are on bad terms. Is this true?"
This was a trap, a huge trap.
Her relationship with Li Shu could be figured out with a little inquiry. Emperor Chenghua bringing it up at this moment clearly indicated he had already formed an opinion and was waiting for her to fall into the pit.
If she admitted to the estrangement between father and daughter, it would confirm her unwillingness to treat Li Shu. If she denied it, her every word thereafter would lack credibility, especially in the Emperor's eyes.
"This rumor has been around for a long time. Your Majesty need not pay attention to such idle gossip."
"Around for a long time?" Emperor Chenghua seemed particularly interested. He then said, "Tell me about it."
Li Man'er feigned indignation. "Many years ago, I often heard words of instigation. Whenever I attended banquets, I would hear others discussing how the Iron Gallant Estate was merely a facade, and that if it weren't for my mother bringing a substantial dowry, the estate would be worse off than an ordinary family. Some also said that my father murdered for wealth, and in league with my grandmother, he killed my mother for her dowry! I was young then, and after hearing such things repeatedly, I naturally harbored resentment towards my father."
"However, I then considered that these were likely malicious rumors, and rather absurd. Although my grandfather was merely a merchant, his loyalty and devotion to Your Majesty and the nation were as clear as the sun and moon."
Mentioning Ning Liancheng, Emperor Chenghua could not help but feel a pang of emotion. "I am naturally aware of your maternal grandfather's patriotic heart."
When the late Emperor first ascended the throne, the empire faced internal and external turmoil, with constant warfare. War was the greatest drain on finances. If the Ning family had not led the charge by donating more than half their fortune, the throne might not have remained in its current hands.
"My father and grandmother are not ignorant simpletons; how could they have treated my mother in such a way!"
Emperor Chenghua looked at Li Man'er with a hint of pity. Although this girl possessed excellent medical skills and martial arts, she appeared rather simple-minded.
Since ancient times, wealth had stirred hearts. People died for wealth and birds for food. Thus, Ning Liancheng was wise in his time, trading a fortune for enduring fame, which preserved the Ning family and led to their current glory. Had the Ning family been stubborn back then, who knew if the late Emperor would not have made an example of them? The Ning family's wealth was comparable to that of the entire nation.
Her mother's dowry was magnificent, and the Li family was a declining one; it was not strange that Madam Ning had died young.
Li Man'er said with some helplessness, "Since then, rumors have continuously slandered my father and me. One day they say I am rebellious, the next they claim my mother was murdered by my grandmother and father. Your Majesty, with your keen insight, surely you would not believe such slander from petty individuals."
With this display of acting, even if Emperor Chenghua had lingering doubts, he could say no more.
"Your father has made contributions to the nation. You must take good care of his health. If you lack anything, come to the palace and ask; I will have it prepared for you."
Li Man'er quickly rose to express her gratitude.
"Both you and your father are loyal and brave in serving the country, and you both deserve rewards. Tell me, what do you wish for?"
Li Man'er blinked, her round apricot eyes widening in surprise. "I also get something?"
"Of course, you do. Not to mention your valiant efforts and remarkable achievements on the battlefield, even just your dangerous excursion into the mountains with the Ninth Prince deserves a great reward."
Li Man'er continued to play dumb. "But we didn't find anything in the mountains." She and Qi Yihan had already agreed on their story, so she knew what constituted a safe answer.
"Oh, you found nothing?"
This was Emperor Chenghua's probe.
"After entering the mountains, I lost all sense of direction. The snow in the forest was also very deep, making it incredibly difficult to walk. I feel that searching for mineral veins in the mountains is far more challenging than fighting on the battlefield."
"Mineral veins?" Emperor Chenghua actually smiled. "Is that what he told you?"
Li Man'er nodded innocently. "His Highness said that Mount Luomo has iron ore, and that the barbarians are also eyeing this iron ore." She frowned. "Although I know little about iron ore, I understand that this mine must not fall into the hands of the barbarians!"
Emperor Chenghua sighed softly, perhaps contemplating something. After a moment of thought, he summoned someone.
This time, it was not Eunuch Lin, who delivered decrees, but Eunuch Xia, whom she had met a few times before. This eunuch was clearly more favored by the Emperor and held a higher position than Eunuch Lin.
"Your Majesty."
"Take the eldest daughter of the Li family to pay respects to the Empress Dowager!"
Eunuch Lin's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Yes, Li Da Guniang..."
Li Man'er noticed Eunuch Lin winking at her and realized she should withdraw. She quickly bowed. "This subject takes her leave."
After Li Man'er left the Hall of Infinite Purity, Emperor Chenghua said, "Master, please come out!"
From the back hall slowly emerged a senior monk, about sixty years old, with a kind face, dressed in an ordinary monk's robe, indistinguishable from any other monk.
"Master, is this young lady the anomaly you spoke of?"
The monk clasped his hands together, nodded slightly, and after chanting a Buddhist invocation, said, "Your Majesty, this female benefactor is not within the realm of destiny. Although she possesses blessings, she is not the anomaly."
"Not?" Emperor Chenghua was somewhat disappointed and sank back behind the long table. "If it is not her, then so be it."
The monk nodded again. "Amitabha."
With that, he turned and slowly walked back towards the rear hall. His steps were light, the corners of his mouth curved upwards, and his heart was exclaiming almost ecstatically: What a mighty thigh to cling to!