Li Man'er was the type of person who wouldn't mind a sky falling down.
Before going to bed, she wrote two letters, one to the Ning family and another to Old Sun, the temple keeper of the Medicine King Temple.
Old Sun had accompanied Madam Wu to Jiangnan and his hair had grown back quite a bit. He was no longer as resistant to Li Man'er as he had been at first.
However, he only allowed Li Man'er to call him Old Sun.
Li Man'er didn't mind. A name was just a name; Old Sun, or Kitty, or Dog, they all meant the same thing.
She handed the letters to Madam Wu and asked her to have someone deliver them first thing in the morning.
Madam Wu knew Old Sun was her young lady's helper. She immediately said, "Young lady, rest assured. The gatekeepers are loyal to us and will handle this with utmost care."
Times had changed. Li Man'er's status had risen significantly. Servants were quick to switch allegiances, and anything related to Qingping Courtyard was handled with meticulous care.
"Good," Li Man'er said, and then began to tell Madam Wu about the events at Songhe Hall.
When Madam Wu heard that Li Man'er was going to the icy, snowy region of Mobei, her eyes immediately welled up. "Young lady, how can this be? The journey alone takes over a month. You are a young lady, what will you do if you encounter danger?"
"I must go."
Madam Wu also understood. The Marquis was not only the pillar of the family but also Li Man'er's pillar. Madam was gone, and if the Marquis met with misfortune, what would become of the young lady's reputation? Even with the Ning family's protection, and without worry of food or clothing, she might still be labeled as someone who brought misfortune to her parents.
"But..."
"It's alright. I will take good care of myself outside. I will have the Marquis's personal guards accompanying me, and my third uncle will also return to the capital to go with me. As for you, just take good care of this courtyard."
Hearing that Li Sanye would also be going, Madam Wu felt somewhat reassured. She knew some of Li Sanye's capabilities, and besides, Third Madam was Madam's distant cousin. With this connection, Third Master would surely ensure the young lady's safety.
"Young lady, rest assured. This old servant will guard the household and will not let anyone step into our courtyard." Madam Wu looked ready to fight to the death, which was rather intimidating.
Li Man'er couldn't help but laugh. "Mama, you don't need to be so nervous. I've already spoken with Grandmother. With her protection, you can swagger around."
"You mean like a peacock strutting with a chicken feather? That's good." Madam Wu felt like a stone had been lifted from her heart. After all, Madam Guo was dead, and the second young lady was married. The only ones who could plot against them were the Second Branch and the Third Branch.
Third Madam was much stronger-willed than Second Madam, and with her due date approaching, she likely wouldn't have the energy to plot against them. It was just Second Madam and Third Young Lady left. Compared to Madam Guo and her daughter, these two were far inferior. With the Old Madam keeping an eye on them, they probably wouldn't do anything too outrageous.
"Just keep this in mind. Warn everyone in the courtyard not to cause trouble. Everything must wait until I return. Also, you need to start preparing the things needed for Mobei. Third Uncle will be back soon."
"This old servant understands."
Li Man'er then prepared to rest. The night passed without incident.
The next day, Madam Wu rose early and sent someone to deliver the two letters. She then turned her attention to preparing things for Li Man'er.
The wind and snow in Mobei were much harsher than in the capital, and the temperature was much lower. Life there was arduous.
Li Man'er had never experienced hardship in terms of material possessions in her life. Although Madam Guo had spoiled her, she had never been negligent with her food or clothing.
Madam Wu feared that Li Man'er would not be accustomed to Mobei, so she prepared two large carts of belongings for her. There were three sets of bedding alone, all filled with thick cotton. There were also various winter clothes, capes, cloaks, and several pairs of deerskin boots.
In Madam Wu's words, Mobei had vast wilderness, many stones, and heavy snow. Ordinary shoes would be uncomfortable and wear out quickly. Deerskin boots, on the other hand, were warm, anti-slip, moisture-proof, and very comfortable.
Charcoal basins, hand warmers, and all sorts of common household items were meticulously prepared. In addition to clothing and daily necessities, many food items were also prepared, mostly dry rations, as well as cured meat, smoked fish, and even two jars of pickles that Li Man'er usually favored.
Li Man'er took a rough look and saw that Madam Wu had nearly packed up the entire courtyard for her. "Mama, I don't need so many things."
Madam Wu immediately replied, "Yes, you do, young lady. It's always good to be prepared."
"Mobei doesn't lack food."
"How can that be the same?" Madam Wu said, her eyes wide. "This old servant heard that it is extremely cold and the environment is harsh there. You've never experienced hardship in terms of clothing and food since childhood. What will you do if you lack something there? Since we have carts, let's take it all!"
Li Man'er knew she couldn't rely on Madam Wu, so she secretly weeded out and put unnecessary or conspicuous items into her spatial storage when Madam Wu wasn't looking.
A day later, Li Sanye, Li Nian, returned to the capital with his family.
Li Man'er received the news while eating breakfast. Lüyi rushed in and exclaimed as soon as she entered, "Young lady, Third Master is back! He's already entered the city."
Upon hearing this, Li Man'er quickly stuffed the half-eaten crab roe bun into her mouth and waved for her servants to clear the table.
Yinzhu brought fragrant tea for Li Man'er to rinse her mouth, and several maids began to dress her.
The clothes had been chosen beforehand and were already ironed on the hangers. Li Man'er was still in mourning, so there was no need for bright colors; simple and elegant would suffice.
After she finished getting ready, a young maid reported that Li Sanye's carriage had reached Zhengyang Street and was heading towards the mansion.
Shortly after, a matron from Songhe Hall also came to deliver a message, asking Li Man'er to go and greet him.
Li Sanye had not returned to the capital for many years, and Li Shu was not in the mansion. As juniors, they naturally had to go and welcome him.
However, Cui Shi, the legitimate mother, did not need to.
By the time Li Man'er arrived, people from the Second and Third Branches had already arrived.
Li Qingyun and Li Qingyu had also arrived. The two brothers looked at her as if they were sworn enemies meeting again.
Tian Shi had not come. She was heavily pregnant, and it wouldn't be appropriate for her to greet her uncle-in-law with such a large belly.
Presumably, Li Sanye would not mind.
Li Man'er was quite curious about this Li Sanye. In her memory, Li Sanye was a quiet and reserved person. He was very different from the other three brothers of the Li family and was the Marquis's only concubine-born son.
Soon, she thought of another issue: Li Sanye's wife, Yu Sanniang, was Ning Shi's distant cousin. Although they were miles apart, and Yu Sanniang had not yet married into the household when Ning Shi passed away, Yu Sanniang had indeed taken care of the original owner during her time in the Marquis's mansion.
As she was thinking, someone suddenly shouted, "They're here!"
Li Man'er looked up and saw a procession approaching the Marquis's mansion. The person sitting on the tall horse at the forefront was none other than Li Sanye, Li Nian.