Upon returning to the manor, Li Man’er received a message from a maidservant of the third branch.
"Greetings, Eldest Young Lady."
The maidservant, about sixteen or seventeen years old, wore a dark green padded vest and her hair was styled in a Yuanbao bun. She looked spirited, with large hands and feet, unlike the delicate maids within the manor. Being habitually with Madam Yu, Li Man’er guessed she might be a maid capable of martial arts.
"No need for formalities." Li Man’er had just changed into her casual attire and appeared without makeup, yet the maidservant who delivered the message was still momentarily stunned.
She was not from the manor; Madam Yu had brought her from the south. Even after seeing the gentle beauties nurtured in the water towns of Jiangnan, she couldn't help but be captivated by Li Man’er.
She had only heard the manor servants say the Eldest Young Lady was beautiful, but she never imagined she would be so stunning. She was still young, and in a couple more years, when she fully bloomed, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her devastatingly beautiful.
"Did Third Aunt send you here for something?"
Liu Ya snapped back to reality, realizing she was there to invite Li Man’er.
"Third Madam sent this servant to ask if Eldest Young Lady has had dinner yet. If you have, please come over in half an hour, as there is something to discuss. If you haven't, please come over now to dine together."
Li Man’er smiled and said, "It's rare that anyone in this household remembers if I've eaten. Please tell Third Aunt to prepare an extra set of bowls and chopsticks; I will be there shortly."
Liu Ya quickly curtsied, "Yes."
After she left, Li Man’er changed her clothes, re-combed her hair, and went to the third branch with Ziyan and Luyi.
Li Man’er did not go empty-handed. She asked Ziyan to carry the medicine chest, intending to take Li Qingyan's pulse again.
An old woman was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing her arrive, they all rejoiced, exclaiming, "Eldest Young Lady is here! Eldest Young Lady is here."
Li Man’er entered the courtyard and saw Liu Ya, who had invited her earlier.
"Young Lady, please come in quickly. Third Master and Madam are waiting," Liu Ya stepped forward, helping Li Man’er up the steps and personally lifting the curtain for her.
Li Man’er lowered her head slightly as she entered the room, only to see Madam Yu coming out to greet her.
"Third Aunt."
Madam Yu appraised her from head to toe, then walked alongside her towards the hall. "We were waiting for you to begin the feast."
The hall was as warm as spring. Li Third Master and Li Qingyan were not in sight. However, the three-year-old Fifth Miss, Li Xing'er, was being held by her wet nurse, playing on the large kang by the window.
This little girl was round and plump, with her hair styled in a sky-high bun. She wore a red-gold and gemstone necklace around her neck, resembling a chubby doll from a New Year's painting, truly endearing.
"Is this Xing'er?"
"Indeed, it is." Madam Yu smiled and took Li Xing'er from the wet nurse, letting her recognize Li Man’er. "This is your cousin, call her Eldest Sister."
Li Xing'er was not at all timid and even performed a proper greeting to Li Man’er, "Eldest Sister."
Li Man’er was glad she had something on her, and casually took off the jade bracelet from her wrist, giving it to Li Xing’er.
"Oh dear, you child, you are of the same generation, why are you giving gifts?"
Li Man’er replied, "Third Aunt knows I have plenty of money. Our Xing'er is so adorable, she deserves a meeting gift."
Li Xing’er didn't understand the words but thought the bracelet was very beautiful, green and translucent. She reached out to grab it.
"Oh my, this little one is a real handful." Madam Yu quickly took the bracelet. "Give something so precious to her, and she'll shatter it within fifteen minutes. That would be a true waste of heaven's bounty."
Li Man’er laughed, "I didn't expect Xing'er to be such a little devil."
"Mother will keep it for you, alright? This is Eldest Sister's meeting gift. When you marry in the future, it can be added to your dowry."
Li Xing'er was not upset. She turned and went to play with something else.
A child who grew up spoiled had everything she desired. If she didn't get something, she would inevitably wail as a form of threat. However, Li Xing’er simply turned away to play with something else, indicating she was very well-behaved.
Madam Yu handed her back to the wet nurse and instructed, "Take her down. Coax her to sleep soon; don't let her play too much."
The wet nurse repeatedly agreed and took Li Xing’er away.
Li Man’er wondered, "Has Xing'er had her dinner yet?"
"She has. A bowl of milk before bed will be enough," Madam Yu said. "Man'er, tell me the truth, is Qingyan's illness really curable?"
Li Man’er nodded and chose her words carefully. "Previously, when I took his pulse, I found it to be obscure, fluctuating. Sometimes it was stagnant and unmoving, other times it was faint and difficult to discern. If it continues like this, he has at most six months."
Madam Yu's heart sank, but her expression remained composed.
"To be honest, we were prepared," Madam Yu sighed. "We have been searching for divine doctors all these years. Whenever we were transferred to a new post, we would always inquire if there were any good physicians in the area. We did encounter a skilled doctor once; he was quite old and had lost an eye. After taking Qingyan's pulse, he said Qingyan had the 'Three Extremities Physique' and predicted the child wouldn't live past ten years old..."
What a remarkable person, her diagnosis was essentially the same as mine.
"Third Aunt, please be assured, if Qingyan is treated according to my method, this 'Three Extremities Syndrome' can be cured. However, I will be heading to Mobei soon and don't know when I will return. I might have to take him with me."
Madam Yu nodded, a flicker of brilliance in her eyes. "Of course. Don't worry, your Third Uncle and I have already discussed it. We will bring him along on this Mobei trip. Although going to Mobei is dangerous, you can treat his illness, and your Third Uncle will protect him. Perhaps there will be a silver lining, and he will be well when he returns? If he stays in the capital, he might not suffer hardship, but if his illness flares up, it will still be fatal. A true man's ambition lies in all directions. Rather than dying a meek death in the capital, it's better to go to Mobei and live a life of grand aspirations, making the journey of this life worthwhile."
Li Man’er was slightly surprised by her easy agreement. A mother would naturally dote on her son, but she hadn't expected Madam Yu to be so understanding.
"Man'er," Madam Yu held Li Man’er's hand tightly. "I am entrusting him to you. Do not feel any burden or pressure; just do your best."
Li Man’er could feel Madam Yu's sincerity. "Third Aunt, rest assured, I will bring him back to you safely."
These words were like a calming balm, greatly easing Madam Yu's unease.
Just then, someone announced, "Third Master and Fifth Young Master are back."
The curtain was lifted, and the father and son walked in one after another.
Madam Yu said, "Why are you back so late? You've made me and Man'er wait with hungry stomachs."
Li Man’er quickly rose to greet them. Li Qingyan also bowed to her.
"We were just looking at the horses," Li Nian said. "Along the way, we will rely entirely on the horses' stamina. If anything goes wrong with the horses, it will be a big problem."