Li Nian also wrote in his letter that his marriage with Xiao Qiniang was in name only, and that she need not worry, for he would never do anything to wrong her. He also emphasized that Man'er knew the full story and that she could seek her confirmation.
Confirmation of what? It was unheard of for a niece to provide such proof for her uncle! Was she mentally deficient to prove that he had not consummated his marriage with his concubine?
Even if she were a physician, she shouldn't be so indiscriminate in her judgment.
Li Man'er put down the letter, a smile on her face, but inwardly she had already cursed Li Nian to the heavens.
Originally, among the four sons of the Li family, she felt Li Nian was the most dependable. As for Li Shu, he was utterly insensitive. It was clearly the mother and daughter, Guo shi and Li Zha'er, who had ganged up against her, yet Li Shu, blind in both eyes and heart, acted as if he saw nothing.
Li Shu could only see how terrible the original owner was, how unreasonable she was, and that she was simply brain-damaged.
Then there was Li Yi, a pedantic scholar. Bai shi was no different from him, both quite irritating. The couple thought themselves superior to everyone else but had humble lives. They even had a daughter who was equally arrogant, acting as if she had delusions of grandeur every day. She would either come to beg for jewelry or want Li Man'er to take her to banquets hosted by noble ladies, hoping to secure a good marriage through such means. It was truly shameless.
As for the third branch, their character was the most upright, especially the young man Li Qingyan, whom she quite liked. Li Nian's affairs in Mobei could not be entirely blamed on him, but they were serving different masters. She was destined to be the Ninth Princess Consort, and inevitably, she would grow distant from her third uncle. There was no other way.
As for the fourth branch…
Tian shi was indeed a good woman, blessed with both a son and a daughter, and possessed a quiet disposition. Unfortunately, she had chosen the wrong man. Li En was unmotivated and, relying on being the pampered youngest son, had caused the family no small amount of trouble. If Tian shi wanted to spend her life with him, she would likely endure much silent resentment and have to clean up countless messes in the future!
This was the downside of women in ancient times; few were willing to divorce.
These thoughts flashed through Li Man'er's mind. She looked at Yu shi and, after a moment of consideration, said, "Third Aunt, it's not that I'm unwilling to testify for Third Uncle. It's just that I've been back for so long, and I truly don't know the situation there. However, before I returned, I saw Xiao Qiniang, and she was indeed still a virgin."
Yu shi listened, half happy and half worried. She was happy that Li Nian had not lied to her, but worried about the two months that had passed. Who knew what the situation was there now?
In two months, if Li Nian couldn't resist temptation, perhaps a child would already be conceived.
But what could she do!
"Man'er, if, if I were to go to Mobei, then my two children…"
Li Man'er strongly disagreed, "Third Aunt, you are too focused on externals."
Yu shi looked confused.
"The environment in Mobei is extremely harsh and not suitable for bringing children. Qingyan's health is fine now and he can go, but what about Xing'er? She is still young. Can you bear to let her eat sand and blow in the cold wind every day?"
"But…"
Li Man'er waved her hand, "I'm just offering a suggestion. What you do ultimately depends on you. However, there is a lack of medicine and doctors there. If a child were to fall ill, you would regret it too late."
Yu shi heard this and could only nod, "I understand, County Princess. Thank you. I will go back and think about it."
Li Man'er wanted to ask her about Ning shi. Yu shi was Ning shi's cousin, perhaps she would know something about Yan Zhen. However, on second thought, Ning shi was already dead. If this matter had nothing to do with Yan Zhen, wouldn't it tarnish Ning shi's reputation for no reason?
So, she dropped the idea.
"Luyi, escort Third Madam out for me."
Luyi quickly bowed slightly and personally saw Yu shi out.
Finally, some peace and quiet.
The remaining time was spent by Li Man'er preparing for the move. She was busy, and Qi Yihan was also busy. They met twice when they had free time, and after a brief conversation, Qi Yihan had to go to the palace again.
From what he said, Emperor Chenghua was slowly recovering, but the undercurrents in the court were intensifying. It seemed as if everyone was convinced that Emperor Chenghua's foundation was damaged and he wouldn't live for many days.
The imperial family was heartless. Were they now wishing for Emperor Chenghua's early demise?
However, none of this had anything to do with her. She had an important matter to attend to.
The night before the move, Li Man'er went to see Cui shi alone, without alerting anyone.
Cui shi's health was already poor. Du Mama and the head maid kept watch at night, and Li Man'er easily subdued them before entering Cui shi's inner chambers.
Cui shi's complexion was very bad. When she met people during the day, she inevitably had to apply some powder to conceal it. At night, after washing away the makeup, Cui shi's face was simply unbearable to look at. Her skin was extremely dull, her eyes were filled with dark circles, and if one looked closely, a faint aura of death could be seen on her forehead.
Just as Li Man'er was observing Cui shi, Cui shi, lying on the bed, suddenly opened her eyes. She looked like a vengeful spirit, her eyes bloodshot, and she rasped, "I knew you would come."
Li Man'er had been mentally prepared, but seeing Cui shi like this, she couldn't help but feel a shiver, as if she had fallen into Cui shi's trap.
"You know why I've come to find you."
Cui shi snorted coldly, "You're dreaming. I won't say anything." Her voice was extremely unpleasant, as if it had been ground by gravel, and it was particularly piercing in the silent night.
Saying she wouldn't say anything proved that she did indeed know something.
Li Man'er took out an incense stick and lit it in her hand.
Cui shi squinted at her, her eyes full of vigilance. "What are you going to do?" She belatedly tried to call for help, but her eyelids grew heavier, and she could only make gurgling sounds in her throat, unable to speak.
Soon, Cui shi fell asleep.
Li Man'er sat on the floor, cross-legged, forming hand seals, trying to enter Cui shi's dream.
The highest realm of hypnosis was not to make people reveal secrets hidden in their hearts without them realizing it, but for the hypnotist to enter the subconscious of the hypnotized person and, from the perspective of an observer, witness what had happened in the past.
Li Man'er unleashed the core techniques of the Xuan Yi Sect. Tonight, she was determined to uncover the secret of Ning shi's death.
After a long while, Li Man'er opened her eyes. Before her was a mist that slowly dispersed. She found the surrounding scenery somewhat familiar and yet somewhat strange.
As she was carefully identifying her surroundings, she suddenly saw someone hurrying towards her. The person couldn't see Li Man'er at all and rushed forward.
Li Man'er recognized her as a young Du Mama. She quickly followed, passing through the hall and saw Cui shi, who was resting in the inner chamber.
This was Cui shi from more than ten years ago; she was quite young and more spirited than now.
"Old Madam, the person has arrived," Du Mama said with great respect.
Li Man'er's eyes lit up. Who had arrived?