Jiao Niang, dragging her weary body and with her fingers red, swollen, and aching, went on trembling legs to Xiao Qi Niang's residence. Xiao Qi Niang had been waiting for Jiao Niang and, seeing her disheveled state, her eyes widened. "What's wrong with you?"
Jiao Niang was about to bow, but Xiao Qi Niang waved her hand dismissively. "What happened? Why are you so disheveled?"
Jiao Niang felt like crying, "Miss, that Li fellow is truly detestable. He ordered this servant to massage the Iron Gallant Marquis's limbs and help him turn over and rub his back, saying it was to prevent bedsores."
Xiao Qi Niang's face remained impassive. "You desire wealth and honor, yet you don't want to endure hardship. Where in the world can you find such a thing?"
"This servant isn't afraid of hardship, but Li Man'er is going too far. She made me massage the Marquis for a full hour. My hands are almost ruined." Saying this, Jiao Niang held up her hands for Xiao Qi Niang to examine. Indeed, they were terribly swollen.
Jiao Niang was not a true servant; she was specifically hired by Xiao Qi Niang to attend to Li Shu. Just as Li Man'er suspected, Xiao Qi Niang intended to place Jiao Niang by Li Shu's side as the Xiao family's eyes and blades. Even if Li Shu refused to accept Jiao Niang, the accusation of disregarding a woman's chastity would be enough to trouble the Li family. If the Xiao family merely nudged things from behind, Li Shu would face endless problems. Were the censors employed by the imperial court useless? As long as two people held onto Li Shu's flaws, it would be enough to keep him occupied for a while. By then, things would be settled.
"If you find it too tiring, you can stop. I will find someone else."
Jiao Niang quickly replied, "No, no, no, this servant is not tired. It's just that I can't stand the way the eldest daughter of the Li family behaves. On the surface, she is tormenting this servant, but in reality, she is challenging you, Miss."
Xiao Qi Niang glanced at Jiao Niang, her eyes as cold and menacing as ice shards. Jiao Niang immediately lowered her head, saying nothing, her heart pounding like a drum.
"Alright, you can go back and rest!"
Jiao Niang felt a wave of relief, but still couldn't help but say, "I can no longer sleep in the Bisha Chamber. I wish to move to the side room next to the wing."
"Must you tell me such a small matter?" Xiao Qi Niang grew more impatient. "You decide for yourself. Just one thing: keep a close eye on that Li Man'er. Make sure she doesn't successfully cure Li Shu."
"Yes."
What Jiao Niang did not know was that as soon as she left to find Xiao Qi Niang, Li Man'er performed a full examination on Li Shu. Pulse-taking and facial diagnosis were the most basic. She even placed a tiny drop of blood from Li Shu's fingertip. "It is indeed poisoning." However, this poison was not simple; it was a mixture of several toxins, and they dared to attribute it to some nameless beast.
"Miss, this poison can be cured." *There is no poison in this world that I cannot cure!* *This thought is for myself, no need to speak it aloud.* "It's not too difficult! It shows the Xiao family wasn't serious. The quack doctor they found didn't treat him properly." Although Liu Ya was angry, she was helpless. "Miss, can the Marquis really wake up within seven days?" Li Man'er smiled confidently. "If I say he can, he can."
Taking advantage of the inconvenient Jiao Niang's absence, Li Man'er quickly took several bottles of medicine from her medical kit, some pills, some liquids, and began to administer them into Li Shu's mouth. Liu Ya watched from the side, trembling. *Oh my, won't he be poisoned to death? Medicine has its own toxicity. Is it really alright to give the Marquis so much medicine?*
"Liu Ya, go guard the door. Don't let anyone in. I need to perform acupuncture on Father."
"Yes!" Liu Ya replied solemnly and then stood at the door, her hand resting on her waist. There, she had the soft arrows given to her by her young lady. If anyone dared to barge in rudely, she would taste blood with this sword. *wΑp.kanshu伍.net*
Li Man'er took out her needles and began to apply them to Li Shu. This fellow was truly lucky; she had saved him from danger twice. If she hadn't transmigrated, Li Shu's bones would probably have rotted by now. It was a pity that he was an ineffectual father and a derelict husband. He bore great responsibility for the death of Ning Shi and the death of the original owner.
"I will save your life for now, but what happens in the future is not for you to decide," Li Man'er murmured, inserting the last and longest silver needle into Li Shu's Baihui acupoint. This was a major acupoint on the human body, and usually, no one performed acupuncture there. If not done carefully, it could be fatal. However, Li Man'er was different from ordinary doctors. Where others dared not needle, she dared. Where others dared not prescribe, she dared.
After about half an hour, Li Man'er removed the silver needles one by one and then soaked them in alcohol for disinfection. Of course, this last step had to be done secretly. Just as she put the needles away, she heard Jiao Niang's voice from outside the door. "Miss, may this servant come in to serve?"
Liu Ya almost drew her soft sword. Seeing Li Man'er walk out with her hands behind her back, she lowered her hand. "Miss."
"Let her in!" Liu Ya then opened the door and, without looking at the two wooden posts outside, said to Jiao Niang, "You can come in!"
Jiao Niang quickly entered the room and bowed to Li Man'er. "Miss, this servant's clothes and bedding are in the Bisha Chamber. This servant wishes to retrieve them and move them to the side room."
"You are quite clever, knowing to find a place for yourself. Your belongings are all there. Go and get them yourself." Jiao Niang thanked her profusely and carried her luggage out.
"Wait~" Li Man'er was also mischievous. She didn't call out earlier or later, but waited until Jiao Niang was carrying her bedding and clothes. As a result, Jiao Niang could barely stand, as if she might fall at any moment.
"Mis... Miss, what is it?" Liu Ya watched the commotion. With such a small frame, she dared to claim to be a servant. Clearly, she was shameless.
"It's time for dinner. We aren't going to starve here, are we? Hurry and prepare some food. It doesn't need to be fancy, just some meat and vegetables. Oh, and don't forget to have someone simmer some chicken soup, thick and with little salt. Father must have some."
Jiao Niang agreed to everything. "Miss, can this servant leave now?" She was about to collapse.
"Go!"
After she left, Liu Ya finally couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Miss, you are truly amazing." Li Man'er thought to herself, *This is nothing, just a small trick.* Jiao Niang was merely Xiao family's tool to annoy them. Those who poisoned Li Shu deserved death. However, they were currently confined to this small courtyard and could not go anywhere. To investigate, they had to do it secretly. Tonight, she would sneak into the yamen. But how should she tell Liu Ya? Based on her usual style, she would have knocked her out and left her in the room. But now, they were in the Xiao mansion, and Liu Ya had to look after Li Shu and cover for her. Li Man'er glanced at Liu Ya. Hmm, it seemed like negotiation was in order.