Li Man'er recounted the situation in the northern desert to the Empress Dowager, embellishing some details about Mount Luomo.
However, all accounts ceased at the broken bridge, ensuring Li Man'er maintained a consistent narrative with both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager listened intently to Li Man'er and concluded, "I fear I will never have the chance to visit the border. I envy those who can roam freely outside."
Li Man'er smiled, "This humble subject is restless by nature, Your Majesty. Please forgive my impertinence."
"I have no choice but to envy you," the Empress Dowager said. "Your郡主府 will be bestowed soon. You can move out then! I heard there was a disturbance on the day of your investiture?"
Li Man'er wished to avoid complaining. Moreover, the Empress Dowager was the mother of the Grand Princess, so discussing it would be of little benefit.
"It was a minor matter, Your Majesty need not worry. This humble subject has already handled it."
The Empress Dowager nodded. "I am also weary. You may return. Now that you are a郡主, you must not act recklessly. You bear a responsibility."
"This humble subject obeys your decree."
As soon as Li Man'er departed, the Empress Dowager's shrewd demeanor returned.
"Do you think she spoke the truth or falsehood?"
Aunt Qing shook her head. "This Princess Anning appears amiable, but she is not a soft-hearted person. This old servant cannot fathom her. I feel her words are flawless, yet not entirely truthful."
"Heh heh," the Empress Dowager reacted as expected, her benevolent expression replaced by a sharp intelligence. "She has killed barbarians on the border; how could she be simple?"
"Yes!"
The Empress Dowager pondered. "We shall observe further. Send people from Longyuan to the郡主府 to gather information."
"Yes!"
Li Man'er did not visit Consort Shu this time. Having just dealt with her nephew, going to her now would be inviting trouble.
She even feared Consort Shu's people would stop her, but upon leaving the imperial harem without encountering anyone, she breathed a sigh of relief only when she saw Qi Yihan, and then left the palace in his carriage.
Meanwhile, Aunt Wen Xiu expressed her concern to Li Qingshu, "Your Majesty, the Princess... the郡主 has left the palace."
Li Qingshu grunted, her book still in hand, seemingly indifferent.
"Your Majesty, the message from the old madam..."
The Li family's troubles and Li Man'er's actions against Li Qingyun were certainly relayed to the Consort by Madam Cui. However, Li Qingshu had her own plans. Hence, she offered no gifts for Li Shu and Liu Shi's wedding, nor did she arrange for Li Man'er to speak with her in her palace.
She had her own calculations.
What was Liu Shi worth? She was merely a pawn, essentially bought by the Li family to ward off ill fortune. With her elder brother in his condition, Liu Shi was no different from living a widow's life. As a Consort, why should she deign to appease Liu Shi?
If Liu Shi was unruly, someone would deal with her. So many eyes were watching within the palace; she would not engage in such a futile endeavor.
As for Li Man'er bullying the young lord, it was likely Li Qingyun had caused trouble again, drawing Li Man'er's attention and leading her to discipline him.
She was his elder sister, now a郡主, and it was not wrong for her to discipline the young lord on behalf of their parents.
Li Qingyun, spoiled by Madam Guo, had no concept of the immensity of heaven and earth.
"Why bother with such trivial matters? This Consort can't be bothered." Her esteemed grandmother was becoming increasingly senile.
Aunt Wen Xiu could only reply, "This servant understands. Your Majesty may rest assured."
Throughout the exchange, Li Qingshu's gaze never left her book...
Li Man'er's carriage departed the palace, and she too felt a sense of relief.
The imperial power was imposing, and a subtle aura of肅殺 emanated from within the palace, making Li Man'er uneasy.
However, even in the carriage, she dared not speak carelessly, fearing that someone might leak information. Thus, she communicated with Qi Yihan through glances.
Fortunately, Qi Yihan understood her, and he said, "You must be tired after being out for so long. Let's go out for a while later, find a place to change clothes first."
Li Man'er understood his unspoken meaning and immediately nodded, "Alright."
The carriage stopped in front of a shop. Li Man'er and Qi Yihan went to the back courtyard, changed their clothes, gathered their trusted confidants, and left through the back door.
A nondescript carriage waited at the corner of the back alley. A Wu disguised himself as the driver, while Zi Yan sat on the carriage seat. The four of them headed towards the outskirts of the city.
"What's with the Empress Dowager? Did she find something out?" Li Man'er asked. "Today, I felt the Empress Dowager was not a virtuous woman, nor as kind as she appeared."
"She's merely putting on an act. She's no virtuous woman. When the late Emperor was alive, he kept many things from her because he gradually realized she was two-faced, which is why he tolerated her."
Li Man'er's mind was in a whirl. "In the Empress Dowager's chambers, I smelled a fishy scent."
"What are you implying?"
Li Man'er continued, "The scent was not strong, as if suppressed by other odors, but it was very familiar to me."
"You suspect that the蛊 poison on me was the Empress Dowager's doing?"
Li Man'er nodded. "What was your previous speculation?"
Qi Yihan merely stated, "I only knew it was someone from the palace, but I was unclear about who specifically."
"Can such a matter escape the Emperor's notice? Or were these arrangements made by him?"
"Perhaps a bit of both?" Qi Yihan fell silent, his expression grave.
Li Man'er inferred something from his words.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor might not be of one heart. In the imperial family, where was true kinship?
"This matter might involve a prince."
A prince?
Li Man'er was momentarily stunned but quickly realized something.
"Could it be that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor are at odds, intending to..." ally with a prince?
Qi Yihan nodded. "Previously, the Emperor and I were more adversaries than brothers. Later, something must have happened between him and the Empress Dowager, causing a rift between mother and son, driving them apart. I still haven't figured out what it was."
Even he couldn't figure it out!
Li Man'er said, "Then don't think about it for now. Let's wait and see. They should be more anxious than you." The Empress Dowager even harbored thoughts of deposing her son and establishing her grandson, indicating a significant matter.
What could it possibly be?
"Don't think about it anymore. I brought you out to make you happy. Why dwell on these things?"
Li Man'er lifted the curtain and looked outside, asking, "Where are we going?"
"There's a manor that's quite interesting. Let's go have a look," Qi Yihan said. "There are hot springs and greenhouses there, with many flowers and vegetables planted. If you like it, we can stay for a couple of days before returning."