At the Li family, children were always ranked amongst themselves.
Li Man'er was the eldest, Li Zhao'er the second, and Li Tian'er was the third young lady of the household.
"Tian'er," Li Man'er said, casting a meaningful glance at her. "My mother, your paternal aunt... it hasn't even been a hundred days since the household's mourning period began, and you're wearing such an outfit. Is it appropriate? Change your clothes in the carriage. If you don't have another one, quickly send someone back to fetch one. Don't let people think that the young ladies of the Li family don't understand filial piety."
These words were rather harsh, and the onlookers pointed at Li Tian'er. Earlier, when Li Man'er and Li Tian'er were exchanging words, they had felt that Li Man'er was somewhat unfeeling and aggressive, not at all like a sister. Now, it seemed, it was not her fault! The family was in mourning, yet she was dressed in bright colors. It was clear she was frivolous and lacked propriety.
The death of an elder, even an elder who was not particularly liked, was a momentous event. How could one be so?
Li Tian'er's face turned bright red, and she immediately became flustered.
"Eldest sister is correct. I will change immediately."
Li Man'er turned to Li Tian'er's maid and the matron who followed closely behind. "You two are also the same! If the young lady does anything improper, you, as her confidantes, must remind her and not indulge her."
Li Man'er's words carried great authority, causing the maids and matrons following Li Tian'er to lower their heads, not daring to breathe.
They hadn't seen each other for only half a year, but why had the eldest young lady changed like this?
Li Tian'er couldn't figure it out either.
Although her mother had said in a letter that Li Man'er had achieved great success in medicine and was not like before, this was too much of a change! It couldn't be described with just a few casual words.
"Alright, all of you, go back. Don't disturb me while I eat."
Li Tian'er hurriedly stood up and curtsied slightly. "Eldest sister, then, then we'll talk later." She, along with her maids, fled in disarray.
As soon as Li Tian'er left, Li Man'er couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
Bai Shi was arrogant and proud. She had always been very strict with Li Tian'er, her only daughter, in terms of clothing, food, lodging, travel, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and even cooking, tea brewing, and needlework. Bai Shi had trained Li Tian'er according to the standards of a virtuous young lady from a reputable family.
As for the reason Li Tian'er had gone to her maternal grandfather's home for a short stay, Li Man'er had some inkling.
It was Bai Shi herself who had let slip that an old nanny who had come from the palace was recuperating at the Bai family's home. However, she quickly realized she had said something she shouldn't have and changed the subject.
Li Man'er was not a fool. She immediately understood that Bai Shi wanted to climb the social ladder and intended to send her daughter into the palace, which was why she had sent Li Tian'er to the Bai family. With the old nanny recuperating there, Li Tian'er's etiquette and manners would undoubtedly improve.
The Emperor was old, and the selection of imperial concubines had been postponed time and again. If she couldn't marry the Emperor, what about marrying a prince?
Li Man'er's cold laugh was directed at Bai Shi and her daughter. There were many beautiful women in the world. Could a good appearance alone guarantee lasting success? Those who could establish themselves in the palace, win in palace struggles, and survive, at the very least, had brains.
Li Man'er paid the bill and left the restaurant with her medicine box. She strolled leisurely down the street, eventually arriving at Pinming Ju.
The young waiters at the teahouse all recognized Li Man'er. Upon seeing her, they rushed forward to greet her. "Proprietor, you're here."
"Mmm."
"Are you looking for the shopkeeper for something? Shall I call him for you?"
Li Man'er saw that there were quite a few customers in the teahouse and waved her hand. "No need. I'll go to the back to rest for a while."
"Alright, you be busy." The young waiter escorted Li Man'er all the way to the back courtyard before returning.
There was a small courtyard in the back. The side rooms on both sides were warehouses. At the very back were two main rooms; one was for Zeng Sanshui to live in, and the other served as a reception room.
Originally, Zeng Sanshui was going to rent a place outside. Who knew that there were several empty rooms behind the teahouse? He was alone and content with any place that could shelter him from the wind and rain. Moreover, this place was quite good, and it was right in front of his workplace, saving him a lot of trouble.
Li Man'er pushed open the reception room door and walked in. After closing the door, she put down her medicine box and closed her eyes to sense the surroundings.
Once she confirmed that no one was monitoring her from the shadows, Li Man'er released Ziyan and Muyun.
The two maids also kept their eyes closed upon emerging from the spatial dimension, the effects of the medicine not yet dissipated. Li Man'er took out her homemade antidote and waved it under the noses of the two maids.
After a while, the two slowly woke up, their eyes regaining their luster. They quickly reacted, sat up in unison, and breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Li Man'er sitting opposite them, unharmed.
"Miss, are you alright?"
Li Man'er smiled. "What could happen to me?"
"How did we get back here?"
"Yes." Weren't they at the Princess's manor?
The two maids had accompanied Li Man'er to Pinming Ju before, so they naturally recognized their surroundings.
"Do not mention anything about the Princess's manor to anyone."
Ziyan and Muyun exchanged a glance and quickly said, "Yes, we understand."
Li Man'er explained, "There was nothing wrong with the tea I drank. It was just that the incense used in their hall, mixed with the perfume worn by the maids, produced a mild poison, which caused you to faint. I, um, have a special constitution, so I was fine."
Ziyan and Muyun both breathed a sigh of relief. "Miss, are we returning to the manor now? Is there no trouble with the Princess's manor?"
"No trouble, let's go back to the manor!" Li Man'er instructed, "You two go out through the back door and call a carriage to wait at the entrance."
"Okay!" Ziyan asked Muyun to look after Li Man'er and went to call a carriage herself.
When the carriage arrived to pick them up, Zeng Sanshui learned of Li Man'er's visit. Without any regard for anything else, he hurried to the back. "Proprietor, when did you arrive? Why didn't you let a waiter inform me!" Zeng Sanshui never dared to underestimate Li Man'er, nor dare to slight her because of her youth.
"I saw you were busy, and it wasn't a major issue. You attend to your work, and I'll return to the manor."
Zeng Sanshui quickly escorted the three of them out and personally watched Li Man'er get into the carriage before turning back into the shop.
At the same time, the people monitoring Li Man'er returned to report.
"Strange, were her maids in the shop the whole time? How did they manage that?" Ah Qi said, "Alas, it's our fault for arriving too late. We didn't get to see the excitement."
Ah Wu glared at him fiercely.
Ah Qi immediately fell silent.
It was Qi Yihan who listened with great interest, appearing quite intrigued by Li Man'er. It seemed this eldest young lady of the Li family was not to be underestimated!
"Your Highness, how should the Princess be dealt with?"
Qi Yihan replied, "The Princess's consort will handle it. We just have to wait and see."
A few days later, news suddenly broke out that Princess Wuyou had been assassinated. It was reported that a thief had sneaked into the Princess's manor at night and attempted to assassinate the Princess. The Princess was struck by a sword and died on the spot.
It was said that the Empress Dowager fainted upon hearing this news.