Rong Pin was Ah Shuang. Qi Yihan had her act as a pawn in the palace, not just as a spy, but perhaps he had also considered using her to climb the ranks. Ah Shuang was not unattractive, and there were many ways to achieve advancement.
However, she was devoted to Qi Yihan and unwilling to become the Emperor's concubine. After so many years in the palace, she must have been concealing her abilities.
She didn't ascend earlier or later, but became Consort Rong at this particular moment, which was quite interesting.
Did she think that by becoming the Emperor's woman, she could control him?
Li Man'er let out a big smile at this thought. If not for her medicine, Ah Shuang's path to promotion might not have been so smooth.
She should be grateful that she hadn't let her live a widow's life.
Thinking from another perspective, wasn't His Majesty also using Consort Rong as a chess piece? A new consort with no background was often the best test subject.
One day, the moment of witnessing a miracle finally arrived. Li Man'er was about to remove the bandages from Ning Daocheng's eyes.
Ning Liancheng and Ning Qianjing were extremely nervous, standing by the side, not daring to breathe heavily, as if their slightest exhale would affect the outcome.
Ning Daocheng kept saying not to worry and to leave it to fate, but his hands were tightly gripping his clothes, his knuckles turning white.
Li Man'er was the most confident. She knew the medicine she used best. The herbs applied externally to Ning Daocheng had all been steeped in spirit spring water. If this still couldn't cure his eyes, she would retire from medicine forever and no longer dare to call herself a divine doctor.
"Initially, the gauze on Uncle's eyes was very thick. As the treatment progressed, the gauze became thinner, also to test his light sensitivity," Li Man'er said softly while removing the bandages. "Uncle, you don't need to be nervous. The curtains are drawn in this room, so you won't be exposed to the harsh sunlight. Open your eyes first to adapt, and tell me if anything is uncomfortable."
"Okay!"
Li Man'er removed the last layer of gauze and said softly, "Done."
Ning Daocheng and Ning Qianjing both watched with wide eyes. Ning Daocheng leaned closer, wanting to know his youngest son's reaction immediately.
At the final crucial moment, Ning Daocheng's emotions were incredibly complex. The slight trembling of his eyelashes betrayed his inner feelings.
"Uncle, you must trust Man'er."
Ning Daocheng took a deep breath, then nodded and slowly opened his eyes. The moment he opened them, he felt a slight discomfort, his eyes a little sore, and a misty haze before him, making it difficult to see clearly.
Ning Daocheng was somewhat excited. Although what he saw was not clear, he could see. It wasn't pitch black, nor was it blankness, but real objects and people.
He closed his eyes again, feeling his dry eyes moisten slightly, and the soreness subsided quite a bit, before opening them once more.
Finally, everything became clear. The light in the room was dim, but it felt very comfortable to him.
As he looked up, he saw a familiar yet somewhat strange, aged face.
"Father." Ning Daocheng was a little emotional, reaching out to touch Ning Liancheng's face. "You've gotten old, your beard has turned white."
Ning Liancheng's eyes welled up with tears. "My son, you can see me?"
"Yes!" Ning Daocheng trembled with excitement. He took a great effort to finally utter this one word.
Ning Liancheng was overjoyed, repeatedly saying "good."
Ning Qianjing, not to be outdone, quickly chimed in, "Youngest brother, I am your eldest brother."
"Brother." Ning Daocheng managed a smile that looked more like a cry. The brothers clasped hands tightly. Li Man'er, afraid the elder might get too excited, quickly helped him sit down and took his pulse. After confirming he was fine, she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Man'er."
"Uncle."
Ning Daocheng carefully examined Li Man'er and murmured, "You look so much like your mother."
Li Man'er, remembering her role as a doctor, quickly instructed, "Uncle, you still need to rest. You need to slowly adjust to the light these days, from dark to light. Also, don't read books. Your eyes have just healed, and reading will tire them easily, understand?"
"I've noted it all down."
Before Ning Daocheng could reply, Ning Liancheng answered first, "Man'er, don't worry. Your great-uncle and I have nothing else to do, so we can watch over your uncle."
"Yes, leave this matter to us."
Li Man'er smiled and nodded. "Alright, then I'll trouble Grandfather and Great-uncle."
Ning Daocheng was also quite excited. "Man'er, can I go out now?"
"No!" Ning Liancheng said, "Did you ignore Man'er's words? She just told you to rest more and slowly adapt to the light. Look at this room, it's all covered with thick curtains, precisely to prevent the light from being too strong and hurting your eyes."
"How long will that take?"
"At most ten days, at least four or five days, and you'll be able to feel the sunlight outside like a normal person."
Ning Daocheng looked at his hands. The winding scars on his wrists were a reminder that he had once been crippled. If not for Li Man'er, he would now be a useless person who couldn't walk, couldn't see, and couldn't even lift his hand.
"Uncle, next, we will treat your legs," Li Man'er said. "Your leg injuries are very severe, and your muscles have atrophied. Recovery will be very difficult, but I will do my best to get you standing in the morning."
"This is already very good," Ning Daocheng's lips curved slightly. "I never imagined that one day I would be able to see again, to hold a brush and write. Man'er, one should be content and not greedy."
"Alright, I'll listen to you. We'll take it slow."
Ning Qianjing said, "Man'er, you go ahead and do your work. We're here."
"Okay." Li Man'er cautioned again, "Great-uncle, make sure to keep an eye on him."
"Don't worry."
As Li Man'er returned to her courtyard, Ziyan ran into the room, "Princess, Old General Xiao has passed away."
Li Man'er's brow twitched. "Has His Majesty made a decision regarding the Xiao family?"
"This servant does not know, but Ah Qi sent word that the Prince will come later."
Li Man'er nodded. "I know."
However, instead of Qi Yihan, Yu Shi arrived.
"Third Aunt, have you made a decision?"
Yu Shi nodded. Ever since she learned that Li Nian had taken a concubine, her heart had been like oil frying. Although life in Mobei was a bit tough, being together as a family was the most important thing.
"Qing Yan is already ten years old. I think he should follow his father and learn more. I'm just a woman, and I'll only spoil him." Yu Shi seemed a little hesitant. "Besides, I heard that the barbarians have suffered heavy losses and will not invade for several years. I suppose we have time to recover and recuperate, which is a rare opportunity."
"That's good!" Li Man'er seemed to have anticipated her decision, holding out a box and handing it to her.
"Third Aunt, please take this and give it to Xiao Qiniang."