Li Man'er stood up, looking at her disheveled state. She frowned in displeasure but didn't want to cause trouble for Xiao Si and the waiter. She immediately said, "Forget it, why argue with him? Everyone makes mistakes. Soapy clothes and stained garments are not a big deal; they can be changed."
The shopkeeper, who had just come forward to apologize, overheard this and quickly clasped his hands. "I will have someone prepare a clean guest room for this young master to wash up and change. All losses will be borne by us."
Xiao Si, not wanting Li Man'er to think he had a bad temper, could only say angrily, "We came in a hurry and didn't bring any clothes. How can we change?"
"It doesn't matter," Li Man'er said. "Let my maid go buy some. First, find someone to lead the way and let me get settled in the room."
"Yes, young master, please follow me."
To prevent Xiao Si from becoming suspicious, Li Man'er also instructed him, "Captain Xiao, please arrange for two more dishes and some wine. Aren't Shangpin Lou's dishes said to be good? Have someone buy some."
Seeing that she wasn't angry, Xiao Si breathed a sigh of relief and stopped scolding the waiter. He instructed his subordinates to buy food from Shangpin Lou and to quickly clean up the floor.
Li Man'er went to the guest room and had Liu Ya guard the door.
A set of clean clothes was placed in the room. Li Man'er quickly changed into them and put the soiled clothes into her spatial storage.
After a short while, Liu Ya knocked on the door. "Young master, the clothes have been delivered."
Li Man'er hurried to the door and opened it. As expected, she saw Li Nian and Li Qingyan standing outside. She quickly invited the father and son into the room. Both were somewhat excited to see Li Man'er.
"Man'er."
"Eldest sister."
Li Man'er also quickly bowed to Li Nian, "Third Uncle."
"You're excused, you're excused."
After not seeing each other for so long, Li Nian looked much thinner, while Qingyan had grown considerably. Li Man'er couldn't help but reach out and ruffle Li Qingyan's hair.
"My hair!" Li Qingyan covered his head with his hands. "Eldest sister, why are you teasing me?"
"While I was away, did you diligently recite the incantation?"
"Of course!"
Li Man'er, as if disbelieving, squinted and asked, "Really?"
"Naturally," he said. This was a matter of life and death, how could he not take it seriously? Not to mention that his father reminded him every day, telling him not to forget a single word.
"Then I will test you." Li Man'er gestured for Li Nian to sit down. "San Qing Zhen Qi, Yun Yu Gan Huai, recite the rest."
Li Qingyan chanted, shaking his head, "San Qing Zhen Qi, Yun Yu Gan Huai. Wu Wang Wu Zhi, Jie Wei San Xu..." This boy had a good memory and was very intelligent. During this time, when he had nothing to do, he had been reciting these incantations, so he recited them without a single mistake.
Li Man'er nodded. "Good, at least you haven't failed your senior sister's intention in accepting you as a disciple on behalf of our master."
Li Qingyan pouted. Well, this person was not only his cousin but also his senior sister, even though he didn't even know who his master was.
"Come, Senior Sister will take your pulse."
"That's right," Li Nian also said. "Lately, Qingyan's body has been getting better day by day..." The 'Three Severities' condition had already manifested twice. If it happened again, his life would be in danger.
Li Man'er took Li Qingyan's pulse. After a while, she removed her fingers from his arm.
"How is it?" Li Nian asked anxiously.
"It has healed by eighty percent. Although it is not completely cured, there is no need for acupuncture anymore. Only medication is needed. He should also start cultivating the incantation, but I don't have time to teach him for now."
Li Nian said seriously, "Cultivating the mind technique should not be rushed. It must be done steadily. Let's wait until your matters are settled! However, Man'er, is Qingyan's body truly fine?"
Why did it feel so unreal?
"Although it's not completely healed, it is indeed no longer life-threatening. Third Uncle, you can rest assured."
Li Nian, a seven-foot-tall man, his eyes suddenly reddened. "Good, good. Thank you. Qingyan, quickly thank your eldest sister."
Li Qingyan also stood up solemnly and bowed deeply to Li Man'er. "Thank you, Eldest Sister, for saving my life." He usually appeared lively and carefree, and seemed unconcerned about his 'Three Severities' condition. But if one could live, who would want to die! Now, the illness that had plagued their family since birth was finally going to leave him.
"Get up quickly. You are my brother, whom else would I save if not you?" Li Man'er said solemnly. "Third Uncle, I will write Qingyan a prescription first. Get the medicine according to the prescription, one dose a day."
"Good, good."
Li Man'er sat at the table and began to write with the ink and brush she had borrowed from the innkeeper.
Soon, the prescription was finished.
Li Man'er handed the prescription to Li Nian and then instructed Li Qingyan, "Qingyan, I repeat what I said. Remember not to attempt to cultivate the techniques on your own. Although you are intelligent, the techniques are profound and cannot be mastered solely through comprehension. You need someone to guide you. Have you noted this?"
"Yes," Li Qingyan nodded heavily. "Eldest Sister's words, Qingyan dares not forget."
Only then did Li Man'er turn around, pour Li Qingyan a cup of water, and, with her back to Li Nian and his son, quietly dripped a drop of spiritual mist spring water into the cup. She then handed it to Li Qingyan. "Drink this, then go back to your own room. Your Third Uncle and I have something to discuss."
Li Qingyan, without suspicion, drank the water in the cup.
It was strangely sweet.
"Father, Eldest Sister, I'll be going back now." Li Qingyan bowed again before turning and leaving the room.
"Third Uncle, this matter is of great importance. Let's be brief..."
Li Man'er recounted the recent events in the government office, particularly emphasizing the Xiao family's plans and her suspicions about their ambition. However, she did not mention the matter of the mineral veins, as it was too critical to disclose lightly.
Upon hearing Li Shu's actions, Li Nian didn't know what to say about him. His elder brother, if one said he was muddled, he was a capable commander, adept at formations and often achieving victory through surprise. If one said he was clear-headed, his domestic affairs were a mess. Guo Shi's tricks, which were obvious to anyone, never worked on him.
"Man'er, your father is usually not muddled, it's just..." Li Nian was about to defend Li Shu a little, not necessarily to exonerate him, but rather to make Man'er feel a bit better by saying a few words in defense.
However, looking at Li Man'er's eyes, which were as clear as spring water, Li Nian couldn't utter a single word.
"I know what Third Uncle wants to say. But it's meaningless to say it now!" Li Man'er said. "Third Uncle, do you really think the Marquis is doing well?"
Li Nian's eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean?"
Li Man'er shook her head. "I've been out for quite some time. I'll be going back now. Third Uncle, do not act rashly."