The scenery in the Princess's mansion was as beautiful as ever, yet Li Man'er could sense the undercurrents beneath the surface of this splendor.
The sky grew increasingly grim, threatening snow, and the bluestone path underfoot seemed to stretch endlessly.
Finally, the old servant led Li Man'er to the main courtyard of Princess Wuyou's residence and asked her to serve tea in the side hall.
The servants of the Princess's mansion treated Li Man'er as an honored guest, their words and demeanor showing no disrespect. A charcoal brazier was placed in the side hall, making it as warm as spring. Li Man'er took off her black cloak and handed it to Muyun.
"Please have a seat, my lady. The Princess is currently meeting with guests and will be here shortly."
Ziyan and Muyun, like two young beasts leaving their nest, eyed everyone with suspicion, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Li Man'er nodded and said, "There's no need to trouble yourselves. I don't need anyone to attend to me. You may attend to your duties!"
Several maids bowed gracefully and withdrew from the side chamber. Only then did Ziyan and Muyun heave a sigh of relief.
At this moment, only the three of them remained in the side hall. An unknown incense, with a faint scent of pine branches, permeated the room.
Li Man'er picked up the tea, as if to savor it. The curtain stirred slightly, as if someone were peering at her through it.
"Miss..." Ziyan gently reminded her, signaling that she shouldn't consume anything indiscriminately.
Li Man'er, however, said, "It's alright." She picked up the lidded bowl, stirred it lightly, and took a sip.
The tea was sweet and surprisingly different from any she had tasted before.
The person outside the curtain let out a sigh of relief, as if their task were complete, and turned to leave.
Li Man'er said to Ziyan, "Aren't you tired carrying such a large medicine chest on your back? Put it down."
"Yes."
Ziyan took off the medicine chest from her shoulder and was about to say something when she suddenly felt dizzy. Her eyes closed, and she collapsed.
Muyun cried out in alarm, about to call out "Sister Ziyan," but her vision also began to blur. Her feet felt as if they were treading on cotton, and she, too, fell to the ground.
Those outside, believing their plan had succeeded without a hitch, did not bother to check inside and hurried off to report.
Li Man'er, seizing the opportunity while no one was around, moved the two women into her spatial artifact and quietly waited.
Shortly thereafter, someone pushed open the door. The two did not enter the hall but spoke from the doorway.
"Princess, perhaps we should just forget about it!"
"Forget it? Don't ruin my plans." Princess Wuyou suppressed her anger and said, "As long as you listen to me, you will gain a beautiful wife. What's not to like? You've met Li Man'er before, haven't you? How is her appearance?"
The Prince Consort remained silent, but his expression indicated his satisfaction.
"A daughter born of the Marquis's lineage, raised to be delicate and noble, her beauty is unparalleled. How can she compare to the ordinary young ladies of common families? You are truly getting the better end of the deal, yet you complain.
"Princess," the Prince Consort pleaded in a low voice, "aren't you afraid the Prince will be angry if you act so rashly?"
Princess Wuyou's eyebrows furrowed, and she immediately glared at the Prince Consort, "What do you mean by that? She's just a doctor, a medical practitioner! How could the Prince value her?"
As she spoke, her jealousy was palpable.
The Prince Consort felt bitter. Who could tolerate their pillow companion harboring feelings for another man? This woman had shared his bed for over a decade and borne him several children, yet in the end, her heart belonged only to the Ninth Prince.
"Princess..."
The pitiable Prince Consort was about to say something when the Princess forcefully pushed him into the side hall, "Things that are to your advantage..."
The two of them, shoving each other, entered the room, only to find Li Man'er sitting comfortably in a chair, happily munching on a pastry.
Princess Wuyou and the Prince Consort were stunned. Neither had expected Li Man'er to not have fainted and instead be eating and drinking in the hall.
The two felt extremely awkward, unsure how much of their conversation had been overheard.
Human nature, after all, is such that plotting behind someone's back is one thing, but being overheard face-to-face is bound to cause a flush of embarrassment.
There was no one else in the hall, and their maids were nowhere to be seen.
Princess Wuyou's expression shifted from shock to surprise. Then, Li Man'er asked.
"Princess, Prince Consort, have you finished your discussion? I've been listening for quite some time, yet it seems you two haven't reached an agreement?"
Princess Wuyou's face changed drastically. She seemed like a completely different person from the one who had been friendly with Li Man'er before. She looked up at Li Man'er with a hint of murderous intent in her eyes. It was as if they harbored a deep, bloody feud.
Li Man'er was not afraid. Since Princess Wuyou admired the Ninth Prince, she should know that besides herself, no one could cure Qi Yihan's poisonous蛊. Therefore, even if Princess Wuyou harbored resentment, she wouldn't dare to do anything to her.
At most, she would try to make her a concubine to the Prince Consort.
Li Man'er let out a cold laugh and then said to the Prince Consort, "Prince Consort, your conscience is not entirely lost, and you shouldn't be involved in this matter. Perhaps... Prince Consort, you should excuse yourself for a moment, and let me speak with the Princess alone? Let's not have anyone else disturb us, as this is not a matter of glory, after all."
The Prince Consort felt as if he had been granted a great amnesty. He clasped his hands to Li Man'er and said with immense gratitude, "The Princess is a little too preoccupied. I beg you, Miss, to advise her to return from the wrong path, for that is the true way."
Princess Wuyou was furious. She glared fiercely at the Prince Consort, her eyes seeming to spew fire.
The Prince Consort fled in panic, and as he left, he did not forget to close the door behind them.
Princess Wuyou was about to turn and scold Li Man'er for her arrogance when she was unexpectedly slapped across the face by Li Man'er, who sent her tumbling to the ground.
Princess Wuyou turned her head to look at Li Man'er, her words dripping with venom, as if squeezed from between her teeth, "You dare to hit me."
She had been a princess for over a decade and was accustomed to a life of luxury. Now, someone dared to strike her; it was practically a capital offense.
"I hit you because you're a bitch~!" Li Man'er rolled up her sleeves and said condescendingly, "I hate it the most when people scheme against me. I thought you were a decent person before, but you, with your string of vile remarks, want me to be your husband's concubine. Hah~ Princess Wuyou, you are a married woman, you should abide by wifely duties! Must you be a wandering flower?"
Princess Wuyou was enraged, "What do you know!"
"I don't know?" Li Man'er sneered, "I know what you're thinking. Aren't you afraid that when I'm treating the Ninth Prince, something you wouldn't want to see might happen because I'm beautiful and enchanting? I'm telling you, your concern is very necessary, and it's highly possible."
The eavesdroppers on the roof almost slipped and fell.
Li Man'er looked up, as if glancing in a certain direction, before continuing, "However, you wouldn't dare kill me, which is why you came up with this idea, to make me a concubine to your Prince Consort. That way, you can both have the Ninth Prince treated and eliminate the possibility of me being desired by your Prince. A two-birds-with-one-stone plan, isn't it?"