Li Tian'er saw that Qi Yihan remained unmoved, so she turned to Li Man'er, pleading, "Big sister, for the sake of our shared surname Li, please put in a good word for me! My father is your second uncle; his reprimand reflects poorly on you too."
Li Man'er said casually, "Look at what you're saying, what does this have to do with me? I'm indifferent even to my own father lying on his sickbed, let alone a second uncle. If anyone's to blame, it's you for making a fuss when there's nothing to make a fuss about. You claim to be helping me, yet you're clearly shameless. It's laughable. Wanting to attach yourself to the powerful and ascend in one go isn't wrong in itself, but your mistake was to set your sights on the Ninth Prince."
Li Tian'er was first shamed and then filled with resentment. She realized Li Man'er was humiliating her, simply unable to bear seeing her do well.
Li Tian'er collapsed onto the ground, "Yes, I wanted to attach myself to the powerful, I am shameless, but I just wanted to marry better and live a better life, what did I do wrong?"
"Your mistake was your lack of ambition, relying only on crooked paths."
Li Tian'er burst into laughter upon hearing this, as if driven mad, "Li Man'er, what right do you have to speak to me? You call me shameless? Then what was it when you were chasing after Tong Qiao? Everyone in the capital knows you were Tong Qiao's shadow, practically sticking to him. What are you pretending for? If you weren't trying to attach yourself to the powerful, why did you leave Tong Qiao and latch onto the Ninth Prince? You were exactly like me."
Li Tian'er's demeanor was wild, and her face showed none of its former shyness or tenderness.
Before Qi Yihan could react, Li Man'er stepped forward with a smile, "You're right, I am also attaching myself to the powerful, but you and I are not the same."
Li Tian'er sneered, unconvinced, as if mocking Li Man'er's self-deception.
"The biggest difference between us is that you offered yourself up on a platter and were rejected, whereas for this County Princess, so what if I found a higher branch to cling to? Now, Tong Qiao regrets it to his dying day, and the Ninth Prince can't wait to marry me tomorrow, can he?"
Her triumphant demeanor was like a sharp sword, piercing Li Tian'er's eyes until they were bloodshot.
"I can't wait to marry you tomorrow."
Qi Yihan added, "Moreover, I promised you that there will only be you in my life. Other women are like phantoms in my eyes, and I will never let them come near me."
His earnest vows were like thorns to Li Tian'er's eyes, "Why, why. Li Man'er, what do you think men are? Do you think he can really do it? I tell you, it's impossible, he's lying to you! I'll wait and see, wait and see your final outcome."
Qi Yihan could no longer tolerate it and immediately said, "The daughters raised by the Li family are too consumed by inner demons. They have repeatedly offended this King and Princess Anning. Since the Li family cannot discipline their child, send her to a temple to be enlightened by Buddha."
With all the commotion, Bai Shi couldn't have possibly heard nothing. She hadn't rushed out because she wanted her daughter to have free rein. As long as she could win over the Ninth Prince, even losing her chastity wouldn't matter; achieving her goal was paramount.
Unexpectedly, the Ninth Prince, in his rage, intended to send her daughter to a temple. This was unbearable.
Bai Shi, wailing and crying, hurried over and knelt before Qi Yihan and Li Man'er the moment she saw them, "I beg Your Highness to be lenient, considering her young age, and not hold it against her. Man'er, oh no, County Princess, you are sisters after all. Surely you can't watch her spend her youth in front of a green lamp?"
"Is that so..." Li Man'er tilted her head and thought for a moment, "But what you say has some truth to it. Sister is more beautiful than flowers, it would indeed be a pity for her to cultivate in a temple."
Li Tian'er felt a surge of relief. She knew that with Li Man'er's current status, sending her to a temple was merely a matter of a word. If she softened her heart, she still had room to maneuver.
"However, my sister is ignorant of worldly suffering and truly unfit."
Bai Shi quickly said, "I will educate her well, confine her to her room, and let her reflect properly."
"How can that be!" Li Man'er said, "My sister is so beautiful, like a flower. Keeping her in a temple or confining her at home is the same; it would be a waste of such beauty."
Li Tian'er had a foreboding feeling. She looked up and saw a mischievous smile on Li Man'er's face.
"Why not send her to the border? How about Mobei? Third Uncle is there, you'll be taken care of, and you can experience the local customs of Mobei. It would be perfect."
Li Tian'er trembled with rage, "This is bullying!"
"I'm bullying you, so what are you going to do about it?" Li Man'er looked at Li Tian'er earnestly and said, "I warned you long ago not to provoke me. You were the one who overestimated yourself, so what right do you have to complain? I heard that Third Aunt is planning to head to Mobei soon. I'll give you three days to make your decision: either go to the temple to cleanse your filthy thoughts, or set off for Mobei. Think it over yourself."
After saying this, Li Man'er left with Qi Yihan.
"Can we return to the manor today?"
"Yes, I'm hungry."
"I've booked your favorite banquet at Shi Ding Feng. Let's go now, and we'll go home after eating."
"Okay, quickly, I'm starving..."
Once the two left the manor, Bai Shi couldn't help but burst into tears, "Tian'er, my daughter, what are we going to do?"
If they had known this would happen, they would have tried to get closer to the Ninth Prince.
"Li Man'er, may you die a horrible death!" Li Tian'er's face contorted with extreme hatred as she thought of the bleak future awaiting her. If someone didn't know, they would think Li Man'er had stolen her man!
In the end, Li Man'er chose to go to the nunnery. Despite the hardship of the convent, it was still in the capital. Bai Shi could send people to look after her anytime. Mobei, on the other hand, was a place of constant winds and sandstorms, prone to battles, where one could easily lose their life, and it was a thousand miles away from family, making visits difficult.
When Li Man'er learned that Li Tian'er had gone to the nunnery, she gave a knowing expression, "Have someone keep an eye on her."
A Si immediately took the order. Now, Qi Yihan's men had also been placed under Li Man'er's command. Like Qi Yihan, she had the authority to command the secret guards at any time.
Anyone who could reach the level of secret guard was highly skilled in martial arts. They admired strength. If Li Man'er herself lacked ability, even with Qi Yihan's orders, they might not willingly obey her. However, Li Man'er's actions in Mobei had already spread throughout the capital. Some had even fought alongside her in Mobei, so they were aware of her prowess and were naturally willing to follow her commands, having been impressed by her innate capabilities.
"Just keeping an eye on Li Tian'er isn't enough..." Li Man'er knew that the real danger lay within the palace and by their side.