This little episode seemed to merely confirm the Bai family's mercenary nature, and no further trouble ensued.
However, Li Man'er was never one to let an insult slide. Since Li Tian'er had dared to reach for her face, she wouldn't be Li Man'er if she didn't strike back.
Therefore, as she left Songhe Hall, Li Man'er didn't rush off but waited outside for a moment.
Though it was cold outside, her fiery heart kept her warm.
After about a quarter of an hour, Second Master Li and Third Master Li emerged from Songhe Hall. They were quite surprised to see Li Man'er waiting.
"Uncle Two, Uncle Three."
Li Man'er curtsied slightly.
"Were you waiting for us? Is something the matter?"
Li Man'er's eyes were clear, as if unaware of the world's complexities. "Uncle Three, Qingyan needs your care. He's asleep after taking his medicine. Be careful he doesn't kick off his covers during the night and catch a chill. That would be terrible."
Kick off his covers? Catch a chill?
Li Nian immediately realized that Li Man'er had something to discuss with his second uncle, and it wasn't appropriate for him to stay.
"Yes, you're right. I must go and check on him." Li Nian readily agreed. "Brother Two, I'm heading back now."
"Oh, the road is slippery, mind your step."
Li Nian was a military man and paid no mind to such trifles. He waved his hand and left.
Once Li Nian was far away, Li Yi said, "Man'er, why have you sought out your Uncle Two?" He wasn't foolish and naturally understood that Li Man'er had something to say to him.
Li Man'er glanced at the maids nearby. They understood each other and quickly withdrew.
Li Yi frowned, unsure of her intentions.
When they were alone, Li Man'er finally spoke. "Uncle Two, your niece ventures to ask, has the second household had any significant expenditures recently?"
Significant expenditures?
"Man'er, what do you mean?" Li Yi's brows furrowed slightly, seemingly surprised that his niece would discuss expenses with him.
"Ah..." Li Man'er feigned hesitation before continuing, "Second Aunt and third sister mentioned that when I go to Mobei, they'd like to help look after my courtyard and manage my shops. I thought perhaps... well, perhaps your niece misunderstood."
Li Man'er deliberately avoided looking at Li Yi's dark expression. She curtsied slightly again. "It's freezing, Uncle Two. You should go back quickly. Your niece will take her leave."
As soon as Li Man'er left, Li Yi's temper flared uncontrollably. He went straight to find Bai Shi.
As it turned out, Bai Shi was currently complaining to her daughter about Li Man'er, accusing her of being stingy and unhelpful to her relatives.
"Mother, I think she's guarding us like a thief!"
"That little vixen." Bai Shi had already forgotten Li Man'er's kindness to her, now only thinking about how stingy Li Man'er was and how she refused to give them anything good.
Li Yi overheard everything and kicked the door open, startling the mother and daughter.
"Father."
"Second Master." Bai Shi was extremely guilty, unsure how much he had heard.
Li Yi's anger subsided slightly as he looked at his daughter, but his tone was still displeased. "Tian'er, you go back first. Your father and I have something to discuss with your mother."
Li Tian'er nodded nervously, gave Bai Shi a look of 'good luck,' and quickly fled the storm.
As soon as the door was shut, Li Yi's fury erupted. "Do you have no brains? You're actually setting your sights on the eldest household. Who do you think you are? Why should Man'er entrust her courtyard and her businesses to you to manage?"
When Guo Shi was alive, she could only 'borrow' shops from Li Man'er. Bai Shi was merely her second aunt. Even if Li Man'er scattered all her wealth, she would scatter it to the Ning family, to the eldest household. Why should she scatter it to a branch family separated by one generation?
"You constantly tell our daughter to marry high and have lofty ambitions. But look at what you've done! You've allowed your daughter to adopt your calculating bad habits, making her mercenary. How can she possibly marry into nobility?"
Bai Shi clutched her chest, trembling. Only now did she realize how terribly wrong she had been. Her judgment had been clouded by greed. She had only thought of the mountains of gold and silver Li Man'er possessed, forgetting that her daughter was destined to be a prince's consort. Once she acquired the mercenary demeanor of a merchant, which prince would marry her?
"Fortunately, I had the foresight to send Qingzhou and Qingcheng to academy from a young age. The two children are also accomplished. If they had stayed with you, who knows what you would have turned them into!" Li Yi was so angry his beard seemed to stand on end. "You'd better think about the consequences. Man'er will be heading to Mobei soon. If you dare to do anything that embarrasses me, I will divorce you."
With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Bai Shi sat there in a daze, filled with both fear and hatred.
Li Man'er had actually reported her!
Inside Qingping Xuan, Lu Yi was vividly recounting the scene of Li Yi storming off to Li Man'er. "Your maid only managed to overhear that Second Master was shouting very loudly, and Second Madam didn't dare to retort a single word. When he left, the door panel nearly flew off..."
Li Man'er chuckled. "It couldn't have been that dramatic."
"Miss, surely the second household won't dare to cause any more trouble this time?"
Li Man'er replied, "That's not certain. However, at least they'll be quiet for the duration of my trip to Mobei."
As for what happened after, they would see!
The next morning, after informing Cui Shi, Li Man'er took her attendants to the market.
She was going to follow up with Shopkeeper Li's wife and also visit the Huang family.
Shopkeeper Li was overjoyed to see her. "My wife has improved greatly. She barely has any relapses now."
Old Madam Li was also very pleased to see Li Man'er and quickly called for her daughter-in-law, Bai Shi, to come out.
Bai Ruolan's complexion had improved considerably, and her health had strengthened. She quickly curtsied upon seeing Li Man'er, calling her 'Benefactor' repeatedly.
"We are neighbors, there's no need for formalities." Li Man'er said, "Sister-in-law Li, I'm here to follow up on your treatment."
Bai Ruolan eagerly invited Li Man'er to the inner room. Shopkeeper Li, concerned, also followed.
Previously, Li Man'er had addressed Bai Shi as 'Madam.' However, Bai Shi had said that it sounded too distant and asked her to call her 'Sister-in-law Li,' which sounded more intimate.
Li Man'er could only oblige.
Li Man'er took Bai Shi's pulse, a slight smile on her lips.
"Congratulations, Sister-in-law Li, you no longer need to take this medicine."
Bai Shi exclaimed in surprise, "Am I cured? I don't need to take medicine anymore?"
Li Man'er shook her head.
Shopkeeper Li blurted out, "Miss Li, what, what is going on?"
"Sister-in-law Li's condition is stable. As long as she pays attention to keeping warm and avoids overexertion, the chances of relapse are not high. Theoretically, she should take a few more doses of medicine to consolidate her recovery, but..." Li Man'er smiled, cupping her hands in greeting, "Sister-in-law Li is pregnant, so this medicine cannot be taken anymore."