Madam Cui asked again, "Is His Lordship suffering from a stroke? He is far away in Mobei, it's possible someone is plotting against him."
"Grandmother, what do you mean? Your granddaughter has already explained herself clearly. Do you still believe I harmed His Lordship?"
Madam Cui scoffed, "You are headstrong, always rebellious and disobedient. You might have used some unscrupulous means, relying on your own skills, to do something shameful."
Li Man'er simply retorted, "Grandmother, are your old eyes failing, unable to comprehend words? Father's illness is a result of his own actions!"
How could Madam Cui believe it? She continued, "You disgrace yourself. I'll settle accounts with you later. Imperial Physician Duan, please prescribe a remedy for His Lordship."
Duan Xu understood. Madam Cui was merely looking for trouble, convinced that Li Man'er was harming others.
How could that be possible!
"Old Madam, perhaps I did not explain myself clearly earlier. I am incompetent. For His Lordship's illness, you should seek a more skilled physician!"
Madam Cui was shocked, "You are an Imperial Physician. Doctors are supposed to have benevolent hearts. Are you unwilling to treat His Lordship?"
"Old Madam misunderstands. If His Lordship takes my prescription, I fear there will be no improvement. If my guess is correct, His Lordship must have consumed a blood-activating drug, which is why he is like this."
Li Man'er immediately added, "Imperial Physician Duan speaks the truth. His Lordship refused advice and took in a maid to serve him closely. He not only took aphrodisiacs but also drank deer blood…"
The matter of the deer blood was, of course, fabricated. Everyone close to Li Shu had already pledged their loyalty to Li Man'er, so no one would expose her words.
"No wonder…" Duan Xu cupped his hands towards Madam Cui and said coldly, "I regret to inform you that I am unable to help!"
Madam Cui was almost choked with anger to the point of fainting. However, Duan Xu paid her no mind, cupped his hands, and left. He too understood that Madam Cui was simply stirring up trouble and was no match for Miss Li. Staying would not only be unhelpful but might also hinder her.
Therefore, he quickly left, vowing to deal with matters later.
Duan Xu, who usually walked with a steady gait and needed his apprentice to support him during consultations, now ran faster than a rabbit. Soon, he disappeared from sight.
Li Man'er silently acknowledged his perceptiveness. Ignoring Madam Cui's fury, she immediately had A'si summon Li Shu's personal guards.
"Old Madam, these are His Lordship's guards. They have always been loyal to him. Please, ask them whatever you wish! If they say I have done anything improper, then you can proceed to reprimand me."
Madam Cui's expression had turned grim. Li Shu was moaning on the bed, his words unintelligible to anyone.
Li Shu's personal guards stood with their heads bowed, showing no disrespect to Li Man'er. Not only had Li Man'er single-handedly brought about the utter destruction of tens of thousands of barbarian troops, but she also had the Ninth Prince's favor…
Who would be foolish enough to provoke this formidable figure.
Madam Cui, seasoned as she was, understood the situation. She had calculated everything, but never anticipated that Li Man'er would be so defiant, deceiving them for so many years and manipulating her and her son with such ease.
Good, very good!
Madam Cui felt a faint sweetness in her throat. She forced herself to swallow the blood and watched Li Man'er's retreating back, her eyes filled with venom, as if she could bore holes into her.
You little slut, we'll see.
Madam Cui knew deep down that she had missed the best opportunity to strike. Now, more important matters awaited her.
Before Madam Cui could recover from the shock of Li Shu's incapacitation and Li Man'er's growing influence, an imperial decree once again thrust Li Man'er into the spotlight.
Madam Cui could barely believe her ears, "Summoned to the palace? Why would His Majesty want to see her?" She then reconsidered, "Could it be the Empress Dowager who wishes to see her?"
After all, the Empress Dowager and the Ning family had some past connection.
"No!" Granny Wang immediately said, "I saw it clearly. Eunuch Lin arrived. His Majesty must want to summon her."
Madam Cui could no longer sit still, "Hurry and make arrangements. Send someone to find out." With influence from Consort Shu, there would surely be people willing to do them a favor.
Granny Wang immediately set off.
Li Man'er changed into more formal attire and followed Eunuch Lin into the palace.
This was not her first time. She had stayed with Li Qingshu for a period and had met the Emperor and Empress Dowager before. She was familiar with all the rules and protocols, so she appeared calm.
She could even guess the reason for the Emperor's summons, so Li Man'er remained composed.
However, A'si and Luyi were both somewhat uneasy.
A'si, being one of Qi Yihan's people, felt that her fate was incompatible with a place like the inner palace. As for Luyi, she hadn't seen Li Man'er for over half a year and was now accompanying her to the palace before they could even exchange a few words. The thought made her legs weak.
Fortunately, they did not go far. They were stopped outside the Wuji Hall.
Li Man'er continued to follow Eunuch Lin alone towards a side hall.
"Miss Li, His Majesty is in the hall. You may enter!" Eunuch Lin gestured a 'nine' with his hand. This reassured Li Man'er but also sparked some suspicion. Could this Eunuch Lin also be one of Qi Yihan's people? Was he being too audacious to extend his reach even under the Emperor's nose?
The young eunuch opened the hall door. Li Man'er lowered her head slightly and quickly entered the hall. In a daze, she saw a figure in imperial yellow seated high behind a long desk, poring over something.
"Your subject, Li Man'er, pays her respects to His Majesty." She knelt, bowing her head. After a long while, she received no response, and inwardly cursed several times in frustration.
"Rise!"
Li Man'er then stood, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Fetch a stool for the eldest daughter of the Li family."
A young eunuch brought an embroidered stool, placed it, and quietly withdrew.
Li Man'er thanked His Majesty again and quietly took a seat. Though she did not look up, she could sense the presence of several people around the room. They were likely the Emperor's guards.
"I hear you accomplished a great feat in Mobei?"
Li Man'er humbly replied, "My humble contribution is too insignificant to be called a great feat."
"You are not telling the truth, little girl." The Emperor's tone seemed to be in good spirits. "Ninth Brother praised you from beginning to end, and even General Xiao requested a reward for you. Is this still a humble contribution?"
Li Man'er was slightly startled, suspecting the Emperor was testing her.
"Your subject is humbled. I am from a military family, and my undertaking the expedition in place of my father was a matter of necessity. I am fortunate that Your Majesty does not blame me, and I would not dare to seek accolades."
"Haha, good! I did not expect the Iron Courageous Marquis to have such a fine daughter! There are rewards for merit and punishments for offenses." The Emperor said, "Lift your head."
Li Man'er looked up, a bad premonition stirring within her. She heard the Emperor ask, "You and Ninth Brother went to the Moluo Mountain Range. Did you have any gains?"
Her heart sank. Here it comes.