In the warm chamber, amidst flowing silks and rising incense, no one noticed a faint fragrance subtly diffusing, blending with the air and being inhaled by everyone. Li Man'er watched the Grand Princess, eager to crush her, and a scornful smile touched her lips. The real show had only just begun; why the haste?
The Grand Princess had been observing Li Man'er in secret. Seeing her smile with such disdain, as if mocking her, instantly stripped her of reason.
"What do you mean by that?" It wasn't surprising the Grand Princess lost her temper. Being tricked by the same person multiple times, and each time being publicly humiliated, would be unbearable for anyone. Moreover, the Grand Princess, accustomed to her high status, had been repeatedly slapped in the face by Li Man'er. Her anger was more than justified.
Li Man'er feigned surprise, glancing around at the assembled guests before turning to the Grand Princess. "Is Your Highness addressing me?"
"Are you playing dumb with me?"
Li Man'er set down her teacup and smiled faintly, her aura radiating an undeniable strength. "Anning would never dare! It is simply that Anning is unaware of any misstep that has caused Your Highness such displeasure?" As she spoke, she blinked her innocent, wide eyes, appearing to be just a teenage girl.
The Grand Princess was so enraged she nearly fainted. This Li Man'er was a veritable vixen, sent specifically to torment her.
Li Man'er's disdainful glance was subtle, unseen by anyone but the Grand Princess. However, this was irrelevant. Everyone present knew that the Grand Princess and Li Man'er had always been at odds, their animosity deeply ingrained, not something that could be resolved with mere words. Therefore, even if the Grand Princess intended to make things difficult for Li Man'er and find fault with her, no one would object.
A certain Madam, seated opposite Li Man'er, could no longer tolerate it and immediately rebuked her. "Princess Anning, what do you mean by that? Can His Highness wrongly accuse you?"
Li Man'er raised her eyes, a hint of coldness within them. "And who might you be?"
The woman was clearly provoked and replied, "I am the wife of Cao Mo, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
"Oh, Madam Cao, do you have any advice?" Li Man'er lowered her eyelids, not even deigning to look at her.
"You..." Madam Cao felt utterly disregarded. "You are being disrespectful to His Highness the Grand Princess!"
"Disrespectful to His Highness?" Li Man'er looked at her with feigned astonishment. "On what grounds do you say that? Since I entered this warm chamber, have I done anything disrespectful or spoken any disrespectful words?"
No!
No one could lie with their eyes open. Even if the Grand Princess wished Li Man'er dead before her eyes, she lacked the face to use such an untenable accusation. Li Man'er was a County Princess Anning, personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. She possessed military merit, and even if she had been disrespectful, it would warrant at most a reprimand.
Li Man'er glanced at Ziyan. Ziyan, understanding her mistress's intent, immediately said, "This Madam displays such arrogance. My County Princess was personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. Even if there were any perceived impropriety, it is hardly for the wife of an Assistant Minister to point fingers, is it?"
Madam Cao's face turned green at Ziyan's words. Just as she was about to retort, she heard Li Man'er exclaim, "How dare you! When your mistress is speaking, what right does a mere servant have to interrupt?"
Ziyan immediately knelt. "This servant deserves death. This servant should not have overstepped her bounds. I beg the County Princess for forgiveness."
Upon hearing this, several gasps echoed through the warm chamber. This was not an apology; it was a thinly veiled jab at Madam Cao.
"How dare you!" Madam Cao shot to her feet, her face flushed crimson. "You two, mistress and servant, are colluding to demean me."
"Demean you? Madam Cao, you think too highly of yourself. I have never been interested in trivial characters like you, who are neither here nor there."
Someone couldn't help but chuckle softly. This Madam Cao had truly made a fool of herself. She had clearly intended to curry favor with the Grand Princess but was instead outmaneuvered by Princess Anning. What a pity.
"Enough!" The Grand Princess's expression was exceedingly grim. "Today is a day for a palace banquet, for the ladies of the various households to enjoy the flowers. Anning, behave yourself for my sake."
Li Man'er glanced at Madam Cui and then looked up with a gentle smile. "Replying to the Grand Princess, I fear I cannot behave myself."
"What do you mean?"
Li Man'er's gaze shifted to Madam Cui. The others' eyes followed hers, noticing that Madam Cui was trembling uncontrollably, as if possessed. Li Tian'er, seated beside her, was terrified and wanted to flee but found herself utterly paralyzed, her legs weak.
"Grandmother, what's wrong? Don't scare me..." Li Tian'er nearly slid off her chair.
Madam Cui raised her head. Her appearance seemed normal, and the trembling had stopped, but her complexion was not good, her eyes hollow, and she looked rather frightening. Everyone around was bewildered. What was happening?
The Grand Princess also noticed Madam Cui's unusual state and was considering sending for a physician when suddenly, she heard movement from Madam Cui's direction.
"Grand Princess, why are you scolding her?"
?
Wasn't it said that Madam Cui looked down on this granddaughter? Why was she speaking up for Li Man'er now? Or was there another motive?
"What does the Old Madam mean?"
"How can you scold her? You owe her, so even if she scolds you, you must endure it."
The Grand Princess's face immediately changed. "Do not speak nonsense."
"Whether I speak nonsense or not, do you not know it yourself?"
The Grand Princess's hand clenched involuntarily, her fingernails digging into her flesh without her noticing the pain. Everyone present assumed Madam Cui was referring to the past betrothal between Li Man'er and the young duke, and thought nothing more of it.
"The Old Madam must be quite ill to be so confused." The Grand Princess suppressed her inner fear and instructed her attendant, "Quickly find a physician to come to the estate and escort the Old Madam to the rear wing room."
"You are guilty." Before the Grand Princess's people could approach, Madam Cui suddenly rose from her chair. "Grand Princess, the debts incurred many years ago must be repaid."
"What nonsense are you talking?" The Grand Princess could no longer remain seated and shouted, "Guards, escort the Old Madam to the rear! Why are you standing there like fools?"
The unfolding events in the warm chamber stunned everyone. The ladies from the various households became restless, sensing that something significant was about to happen. At this moment, remaining aloof was clearly impossible. They could only pretend to be calm, secretly praying that nothing major would transpire.
Just as the Grand Princess's servants moved to surround Madam Cui, Li Man'er suddenly shouted, "Wait!" She walked towards the Grand Princess with a smile that was not a smile, curtsied slightly, and said, "Please do not be hasty, Your Highness. Your actions might cause misunderstandings and frighten my grandmother, which would not be good."
"Misunderstandings about what? What is there to misunderstand? I suspect you and your grandmother have conspired to cause trouble at my estate."
Li Man'er laughed instead of getting angry. "Grandmother, what is it you wish to say? Why not speak plainly, so everyone can hear and understand?"