Li Man'er chuckled, "Whether my guess is correct or not, Your Highness the Ninth Prince knows it well. I am merely an ordinary woman, of no use to the empire, the people, or the common folk. My words are indeed unnecessary for Your Highness to heed."
For some reason, Qi Yihan felt a pang of discomfort upon hearing her words. "Actually, even if you didn't seek me out, I would have sought you."
Li Man'er blinked in surprise. Her first thought was that something was wrong with his health. "Has the蛊毒 (gu poison) relapsed? Impossible, let me see." She extended her hand for him to examine.
Qi Yihan placed his wrist on the table.
Li Man'er pressed his pulse a few times but found nothing amiss.
"The other hand."
"I'm fine," Qi Yihan said, placing his other hand on the table. "I wanted to speak with you about the 十字弩 (shízì nú - crossbow)."
The hand that was about to be placed down retracted. That crossbow was lent to Ah Qi for self-defense. Since it was lent out, she had no intention of keeping it for herself. Ah Qi was Qi Yihan's subordinate, meaning the crossbow was effectively in Qi Yihan's possession.
"Whether you wish to replicate it or send it to the armory, it's up to you," Li Man'er stated. "Having given it away, I have no desire to take it back."
"This weapon is incredibly potent. If the archers in the camp were equipped with such weapons, their strength would undoubtedly increase. I cannot accept your gift without offering compensation." Qi Yihan took out a box from his robes and pushed it across the table to Li Man'er. "Take this." wΑp.kanshu伍.net
Li Man'er opened it to find a stack of banknotes. The denominations were substantial, totaling over a thousand taels if roughly calculated.
Li Man'er glanced at Qi Yihan. "Is this Your Highness's compensation?"
"I know you are not short of money," Qi Yihan admitted sheepishly. He was aware that Li Man'er had sold the luminous pearls. In terms of intrinsic value, the crossbow was not particularly expensive. However, as a divine weapon, its mass production and deployment on the battlefield would yield benefits far beyond monetary compensation. Giving her only a thousand taels was indeed a bit exploitative.
"Once war breaks out, lives will be devastated, and war is incredibly costly. Your Highness should take it back. I am not short of money," Li Man'er thought of Qi Yihan's interest in the mountain's mineral veins, suspecting he was also in need of funds. The snow was too heavy now, making the mountain roads difficult to traverse. Otherwise, they would have likely entered the mountains long ago.
"I detest owing favors. You should keep it. If you find it insufficient, I will compensate you further later."
Li Man'er snorted, "Your Highness can barely protect yourself, yet you speak such words. Everyone believes the Ninth Prince wields immense power, second only to the Emperor. Yet, I feel Your Highness does not live freely."
Qi Yihan's usually placid heart was suddenly stirred. In the dim light of the night, nothing was clearly visible, yet Li Man'er's face seemed to be enveloped in a faint glow, an unavoidable radiance.
"Under heaven, all lands belong to the king. Is Your Highness truly bound by duty, or do you genuinely harbor ambitions for the realm?"
Li Man'er's suspicions were nearing the truth, but since Qi Yihan remained silent, she could not press further. Recalling the blueprints she had kept, Li Man'er ultimately could not harden her heart. She constantly reminded herself that she was saving the lives of the people of Mobei and the people of Zun Country.
"If the barbarians attack with their full might, how does Your Highness plan to defend the city?"
"Miss Li, there is no need for you to worry excessively. The combined forces of the new and old cities, though not two hundred thousand, number in the tens of thousands. Coupled with the troops your father brought, they are sufficient to contend with the barbarians."
This matter, however, still contained an element of uncertainty. What did ancient warfare rely on? Timing, terrain, and human harmony.
The barbarians were skilled in archery and mounted combat. The desolate Gobi Desert of Mobei was, to them, like a natural battlefield. The barbarians' warhorses had good stamina, were adapted to the climate, and possessed endurance, all of which were advantages.
Over the years, the barbarians and Zun Country had engaged in numerous skirmishes, but never a full-scale war. The barbarians had recuperated and developed well over the past decade. Previously, the various barbarian tribes were prone to internal conflict. Even when they temporarily united against Zun Country, the underlying animosity was not easily overcome. Their mutual suspicion and frequent missed opportunities due to internal strife led to several defeats.
"With the great war imminent, I imagine the barbarian tribes have reached an agreement. Does Your Highness have any countermeasures?"
"This is not something you need to concern yourself with, nor is it something I need to concern myself with," Qi Yihan replied. "If the Xiao family were incompetent, they would not have defended Mobei for so many years. Even if you have no confidence in the Marquis, you should have confidence in the Xiao family."
Li Man'er leaned forward, resting an arm on the table and inclining her upper body, signaling an intent for negotiation. "Are the Xiao family trustworthy? Not to mention distant figures, Xiao Rudí was someone Your Highness personally warned me to guard against. If he colludes with the barbarians, acting as an inside informant, would not Mobei City be in grave danger?"
Just as Qi Yihan was about to respond, he heard Li Man'er continue, "Do not place too much hope in my father either. He is a fool. He might be manipulated one day, and it would be fortunate if I am not implicated by him."
In truth, Li Man'er intended to scheme against Li Shu. Father and daughter were already estranged. If Li Shu were to return to the capital smoothly, she would gain nothing. Although she could live well even after leaving the Li family, what about the original host's and Ning Shi's grievances? Should they go unavenged? And Ning Daocheng, who was harmed to such an extent by the Xiao family, how could Li Man'er let them off the hook?
Therefore, this time, the task was considerable. She not only cared for the people of Mobei but also intended to scheme against Li Shu and the Xiao family. If possible, she wanted to see Li Shu branded with shame. Of course, in ancient times, collective punishment was the norm, with entire clans being exterminated. Thus, she could not go too far. She needed Li Shu to receive a severe punishment while ensuring the safety of other members of the Li family. Not to mention, the third branch of the family was all good people, and they must not be implicated because of him.
"What do you intend to do?"
"Your Highness, how about we cooperate and play a big game?"
Qi Yihan looked at her, bewildered.
Li Man'er stood up, pretended to search inside her bed curtains, and then produced several papers, presenting them to Qi Yihan.
"This is my sincerity for Your Highness."
Qi Yihan took them and, examining them closely under the faint light filtering into the room from the corridor, his expression instantly changed. "Where did you get these?"
"Oh, Your Highness has received so many prescriptions from me, and you don't recognize my handwriting?"
Qi Yihan looked again and indeed recognized the familiar script.
"Miss Li truly opens my eyes," Qi Yihan said, seemingly unwilling to withhold his praise. "First your medical skills, then your strategy and courage, and now Miss Li has shown me what true genius and vision are." Qi Yihan pointed to the drawings. "Miss, you are exceptionally talented. I admire you."
Fortunately, he did not utter the line, "How many more surprises do you have that I don't know about?"
Li Man'er quietly pondered for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, with these, won't the probability of defending Mobei increase by another twenty percent?"