The Emperor Chenghua summoned Li Qingshu to his chambers for three consecutive days, evidently quite pleased with her. On the fourth day, he issued a decree, promoting Li Qingshu to the rank of Noble Consort and granting her the authority to manage the affairs of the six palaces.
Upon hearing this, the Empress did not display much dissatisfaction. Though her palace staff were indignant, the Empress found it to be quite acceptable.
"My health has not been good; it's beneficial to have someone assist me."
The Empress had always maintained a disposition of non-contention and non-aggression for many years. After more than twenty years of marriage with Emperor Chenghua, she understood very well that this matter was not simple.
Rather than saying Li Qingshu pleased Emperor Chenghua, it was more of an imperial reward for Princess Anning. After all, his ability to summon someone for three consecutive days indicated his recovery.
"But Your Highness, Noble Consort Li hails from the Tie Dan Marquis's estate. With this promotion..."
"Why are you worrying about such things?" the Empress merely said. "The Emperor has his own considerations."
"Yes. Your Highness, Princess Anning's medical skills are so exceptional, why not invite her to examine Your Highness one day?"
The Empress's expression was serene. "We'll see."
The palace attendants wanted to speak but stopped themselves, remaining silent.
The atmosphere in Consort Chen's palace was also somber. Her maid, A'Yin, said resentfully, "Why! Your Highness, based on seniority, this promotion should have been yours. Lady Li has no children, and the princess she raised didn't survive. In the end, she still outranks you."
Consort Chen, being exceptionally intelligent, knew that the Empress cared little for the Emperor's affections, nor for the children she bore. Regardless of who ascended the throne, the Empress would still be the Empress Dowager, and she wasn't even sure if she would live to see that day!
The less one worried, the longer one lived. In this palace, no one understood this better than the Empress.
As for her...
She had a prince, so what if there was a princess? Her status depended entirely on how the Emperor wished to elevate her.
"The Emperor is the most intelligent of all."
Li Qingshu's palace, however, was filled with joy. Although Li Qingshu repeatedly requested to keep a low profile, such great tidings were impossible to conceal.
"I have already instructed the servants. We will celebrate only within our palace. Once we step outside, no one dares to be presumptuous."
At this moment, so many eyes were upon them!
"This time, we have borrowed momentum from Man'er," Li Qingshu said. "The Emperor's recovery is all thanks to Man'er. However, Man'er is already a County Princess and a future Princess Consort. She lacks for nothing, especially money..."
Aunt Wenxiu couldn't help but curve her lips.
"Therefore, there is nothing more to reward or bestow, and this favor has fallen upon me."
Wenxiu understood clearly. "Your Highness, do not say that. The Emperor still cares for you."
Li Qingshu smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
The most important thing for a woman by an emperor's side is to know herself and fulfill her duties. To desire his true affection is simply to seek trouble.
If only she had understood this principle earlier.
After Emperor Chenghua took the second pill, Li Man'er stayed in Li Qingshu's palace for another three days. On the fourth day, she requested permission to leave the palace to deliver the second pill to Li Shu.
Li Shu had been eagerly awaiting Li Man'er's arrival. He knew best whether the medicine was effective. His hands had been severely trembling before, but after taking the first pill, his hands barely shook, and they no longer looked like unsightly chicken claws.
Li Shu thought that after taking the second pill, he would surely improve, perhaps even regain his speech and ability to walk, becoming like his old self again.
When Li Man'er arrived, Li Shu's eyes shone with dazzling brilliance, and he wished he could swallow the medicine immediately.
Li Man'er got straight to the point. She first took his pulse to confirm that the first pill had been fully digested and absorbed. Only then did she take out the pill, have it dissolved in water, and feed it to Li Shu.
Lady Liu, feigning sincerity, invited Li Man'er to stay back, claiming that Qingping Courtyard had been tidied up.
"I have already taken away everything that belonged to me in this household. That courtyard is no longer mine. You can let anyone live there you wish."
Lady Liu had already witnessed Li Man'er's capabilities and naturally dared not overstep. Since the Liu family had arrived in the capital, they had encountered constant misfortunes. They had initially hoped to use the reputation of the Tie Dan Marquis's estate to forge connections with influential people. However, shortly after their arrival, their belongings were stolen, and they nearly starved to death.
They could neither study nor conduct business. Everything they had imagined was merely a pipe dream they had conjured themselves. Initially, the Liu family was resentful and berated Lady Liu, urging her to find a way to acquire money. But Lady Liu possessed no such ability. Having married into the Li family, she had not even consummated her marriage with Li Shu, yet even a mere household servant dared to mock her. After being dealt with by the Ninth Prince's men, and with Chun Xing dead, she could barely protect herself, let alone facilitate connections for her own family.
As a result, the Liu family struggled to survive in the capital. They had no choice but to reluctantly return to their hometown.
Lady Liu could only depend on her husband for survival now. She certainly dared not cause any more trouble; she was eager to appease Li Man'er.
"What are you saying, County Princess? This household is not mine to manage." Lady Liu feigned wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. "We are merely scraping by under the Second Branch now."
Li Man'er glanced at Li Shu. "The Marquis is not dead yet, and the Heir is also present. If you cannot contend with Madam Bai, that is your own problem. Before Cui Shi left, she indeed entrusted this household to Madam Bai. If you are not satisfied, then go and fight for it; complaining to me is useless."
In fact, Li Man'er had already moved out all of Ning Shi's possessions. In the early years, the Marquis's estate had relied heavily on Ning Shi's income for its livelihood, including the profitable manors and shops under her name, which were all used to cover the Marquis's debts.
Without these now, the Marquis's estate was in no position for a good life. Li Shu's salary was meager, and with his current paralysis, the tributes from his subordinates had also dwindled. Lady Liu, with her limited foresight, had believed the Marquis's estate would possess immense wealth.
"I..."
"Get out," Li Man'er commanded angrily. "Seeing you irritates me."
Lady Liu, humiliated, left with tears in her eyes.
Li Man'er then dismissed all the servants in the room and sat by the bedside.
Li Shu was filled with terror, not knowing what Li Man'er intended to do.
"Don't be afraid, I'm not going to kill you." Li Man'er smiled faintly. "Who would have thought that the mighty and arrogant Tie Dan Marquis would end up like this? You wouldn't have expected it yourself!"
Li Shu mumbled incoherently, his words indecipherable.
"Rest assured, I won't kill you." Not killing you doesn't mean I won't harm you.
Li Man'er simply said, "I just want to ask you one thing: now, do you regret it?"
Li Shu couldn't help but tremble. The slightest apprehension in his heart vanished, replaced by boundless regret.
Yes, he regretted it. If Ning Shi had not died back then, would his circumstances be different now?