Chapter 305 Interesting

Li Shu’s pupils contracted sharply, and his fingers clenched into fists unconsciously.

Li Man'er narrowed her eyes, guilty.

It seemed Li Shu knew about the Ning family’s tragic incident back then. He was fully aware of Madam Guo’s machinations and Madam Cui’s feigned ignorance.

"Heh heh," Li Man'er sneered. "Grandfather passed away too soon. If he were alive, seeing the Marquis Manor ruined in your hands, he would be heartbroken. He’d probably crawl out of his grave to strangle you."

She no longer bothered to pretend and didn't even use polite language.

Liu Ya stood aside like a wooden post, self-hypnotizing, hearing nothing, hearing nothing…

"What nonsense are you spouting? When did the Marquis Manor fall into my hands? You're just a cur, like that stubborn Ning family. You wish for the Marquis Manor to collapse, and then you'll be satisfied, won't you? I tell you, the Li family will only prosper."

The Ning family were stubborn?

Li Shu’s attitude towards the Ning family was odd!

"If Your Lordship dislikes the Ning family for being merchants, why did you marry my mother back then? Did the Ning family conceal their merchant status from you?" Before Li Shu could speak, Li Man'er quickly continued, "Ah, I get it. The Marquis Manor had a hard time all those years, with a noble title but an empty purse. To make things a little easier for the family, you married my mother, the daughter of the foremost Confucian merchant in the land. It wasn't the Ning family deceiving you; it was you, Li Shu, the Iron Gallant Marquis, who wanted to play the harlot and set up a memorial archway!"

Liu Ya's face turned red. This was too intense. Following such a young lady, she didn't know how many more years she would live…

Li Shu, infuriated, raised his hand and slapped towards Li Man'er's face.

This was the third time he had intended to strike Li Man'er. He was a military man, and he put all his strength into this slap. It could send her back molars flying.

Li Man'er was never one to passively accept her fate. How could she let Li Shu hit her? This time, she still fiercely grabbed Li Shu's wrist and smiled sarcastically, "What, that doesn't sound good? But your actions weren't pretty either. Do you think I don't know how my mother died?"

A hint of panic flashed in Li Shu's eyes, as if his mind was in turmoil, but he feigned composure. "Your mother died of illness. The imperial physicians can all testify."

"Whether she died of illness or not, their words don't count," Li Man'er said. "Heaven is just. Your Li family devours people without spitting out bones, and heaven will eventually deal with you. Do you remember what I said? The Iron Gallant Marquis Manor will decline in your hands, and you might even face the disaster of having your entire clan exterminated."

"Then can you escape? Don't forget you also have the surname Li!" Li Shu was truly desperate. No one could tolerate their daughter cursing the family like this every day.

"So what? Me, alone, in exchange for your entire family, it's worth it."

"You're truly insane." Li Shu struggled a couple of times, but it was futile. He couldn't break free at all. He didn't know what this rebellious daughter ate to grow so strong.

Li Man'er’s eyes truly held a touch of madness, which made Li Shu tremble even more.

"It's good that I'm insane. Perhaps madmen don't have to pay for murder? However, my good father, don't worry, I wouldn't bear to see you die."

For some reason, when Li Man'er said this, Li Shu felt a sense of relief.

"I want you to witness with your own eyes how I uncover the truth of my mother's murder, and how the Li family declines. You must think the Li family is flourishing now, with your aunt in the palace, so you can't possibly make any big mistakes, lose the emperor's favor, or decline, right?"

Everything Li Man'er said struck a chord with Li Shu. That was exactly what he thought.

A mere girl, only showing off at home. When she encountered the dark and treacherous court, she would realize how naive and vulnerable she was.

"Then let's wait and see. Father, please keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully." After speaking, Li Man'er flicked her hand, releasing Li Shu's somewhat numb arm.

"From now on, Father, you don't need to summon me for anything," Li Man'er said. "In front of outsiders, I'm still willing to save you some face. Maintaining a hypocritical illusion has always been the Li family's forte, and I've learned a lot from it since childhood, so of course I know how. But when no one else is around, please respect yourself, Lord Marquis. Don't think that a father's grace is so great that I must obey you in everything. I've saved your life twice, so any debt of gratitude is repaid. Moreover, if you think about it carefully, you might even be my enemy."

Li Shu was both angry and afraid, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"Oh, right." Li Man'er seemed to remember something and reminded Li Shu, "Lord Marquis, don't speak ill of the Ning family again in the future. I, weighing about a hundred catties, have half of that weight in rebellious bones. If you speak ill of the Ning family again, I might not be able to control my hands."

She suddenly gathered her strength, concentrating her power into her right arm, and then struck the table next to Li Shu.

The sound of cracking wood echoed, followed by a shower of splinters falling to the ground. A sturdy and neatly made thick plank table, made of ash wood, was smashed to pieces by Li Man'er.

Li Shu's eyelids twitched violently. His eyes held a look of disbelief. When had this girl's inner strength become so powerful?

It turned out she had been hiding her strength in front of him before.

Thinking of this, Li Shu's gaze towards Li Man'er changed.

If only she were a boy, a legitimate eldest daughter. If Madam Ning hadn't died, they would have had a legitimate son sooner or later. Would he also be as outstanding as Li Man'er…

But raising a tiger is to invite disaster. The more outstanding Li Man'er became, the more detrimental it was to the entire Li family.

A wolf cub is weak when young, lacking self-preservation abilities, and can only bide its time. Once it grows fangs and sharp claws, it can no longer be controlled at will.

If she had been allowed to go with Madam Ning back then, why would such a disaster have occurred today?

A killing intent began to appear in Li Shu's eyes!

Li Man'er was not foolish, so how could she not see Li Shu's murderous intent towards her? However, she didn't take Li Shu seriously at all. Not to mention he had no men at his disposal, and was under the watchful eyes of the Xiao family. Even if he commanded a mighty army, what difference would it make? A single needle would be enough to kill him.

Li Man'er glanced at Li Shu one last time, pulled the stunned Liu Ya over, and quickly exited the room.

Everything that happened there naturally did not escape Xiao Ru Di's ears. After hearing his subordinate's report, he was first taken aback, and then he actually started to laugh, from a light chuckle to hearty laughter.

"Interesting. This daughter of Li Shu, she is truly interesting."