Qi Yihan slowly opened his eyes.
A Wu had been sitting by his bedside, watching over him. Seeing that he was awake, he immediately got up and approached to check on Qi Yihan’s condition. "Your Highness?"
"It's nothing," Qi Yihan frowned, finding his body perfectly fine. He sat up in bed and couldn't help but roll up his sleeves to look at his arm. To his surprise, there wasn't a single trace of the poisonous蠱 (gu) marks.
"Impressive," A Wu’s eyes were full of admiration. He felt Li Man’er was more capable than Jiang Ling. Young Master Jiang was so arrogant every day, yet after treating him for several years, he hadn't cured His Highness. Every time the蛊 (gu) poison acted up, His Highness would need several days to recover.
But Miss Li was different. She said His Highness would wake up after the hour passed, and he truly did.
"I didn't hurt anyone?"
A Wu shook his head.
Every time Qi Yihan’s蛊 (gu) poison flared up, he would lose control of his senses. In his frenzy, he would become immensely strong, and those around him would be harmed. It was widely rumored in the capital that the Ninth Prince was moody, bloodthirsty, and cruel, but they didn't know he was a victim of the蛊 (gu) poison, beyond his own control.
Qi Yihan let out a soft chuckle, his eyes holding a hint of scrutiny. "I didn't expect her to have some real skill. Send someone to investigate the Ning family and find out what this Miss Li has been up to during her years there."
"Yes." A Wu hesitated. "Your Highness, shall we return?"
This was, after all, the domain of Princess Wuyou.
"No need," Qi Yihan said. "I'm fine here. You go rest."
A Wu shook his head. He would continue to guard His Highness.
That night, Qi Yihan slept unusually well and even overslept the next day. By the time he woke, the sun was already high in the sky.
"Your Highness, shall I prepare your washing?"
Qi Yihan glanced at the bright sun outside the window, finding a unique beauty in the dappled light falling on the window lattice.
A Wu didn't understand what Qi Yihan was looking at, nor did he ask. He just leaned his head to look, finding nothing particularly special.
"What is Li Man’er doing?"
A Wu pondered for a moment before finally managing to utter, "Dancing?" He had never seen such a dance before; it was peculiar.
"She can dance too?" Qi Yihan’s mouth twitched slightly, his disapproval evident. "Make arrangements. I will see her this afternoon."
"Yes."
"Bring water."
A Wu nodded and soon brought the washing supplies into the room. Qi Yihan washed up and ate breakfast, which shall not be detailed further.
Li Man’er finished her yoga and sat on the mat, meditating. Yoga was a sport she greatly enjoyed, primarily because it helped her calm her mind and relax her body and spirit.
However, due to the limited conditions of ancient times and the lack of professional attire, she could only perform some simple warm-ups and split movements, which A Wu mistakenly took for dancing.
Meditation concluded, Li Man’er opened her eyes.
"Miss, the Princess sent a messenger with a letter, inviting you to a banquet at the water pavilion this afternoon."
Li Man’er understood. It was likely Qi Yihan wanted to see her.
"I know. Get ready. We'll go home tonight."
Ziyan said joyfully, "We can go home tonight? Did the Princess's leg condition get better so quickly?"
"It's not that fast," Li Man'er replied. "It's just that she doesn't need treatment for now; taking medicine and gradual recuperation will suffice." Aunt Min had undoubtedly incapacitated Ziyan under the orders of the Princess or the Ninth Prince. Regardless of whose idea it was, it was to ensure that no one other than herself knew the truth. Why should she put Ziyan in danger?
"That's true. Will we still come for follow-up appointments later?"
"Naturally, we will."
Ziyan and Luyi became happy. The Princess valued Miss, and perhaps she would even help Miss in the future. Life wouldn't be as difficult as it used to be.
The midday sun of summer was most conducive to drowsiness. Although the lake pavilion was quite cool, listening to the chirping of cicadas and frogs, Li Man’er couldn't help but feel sleepy.
A good nap at noon would give her the energy to contend with that old fox in the afternoon.
Seeing that Li Man’er had fallen asleep, Ziyan quietly withdrew from the inner room and helped Luyi in the outer room to sort embroidery threads.
Luyi was very skillful with her hands; many of Li Man’er's personal clothing items were almost entirely sewn by her.
"Miss said we can go home tonight?"
"Mm," Ziyan nodded. "With matters weighing on her mind, no matter how good the Princess's mansion is, she can't feel at ease."
"What matters?" Luyi blinked and thought for a moment, then suddenly realized. "Oh, I know. It's about the shops."
"Indeed. So much money every year, all taken by Madam to subsidize her family. Marquis is clueless about household affairs, and the Old Madam turns a blind eye." Ziyan shook her head, lamenting the life of a legitimate daughter of a Marquis mansion over the years.
"Miss is not like before. It would be good enough if she didn't bully others now. Sister Ziyan, don't worry. I see that the Old Madam likes Miss very much now. As for the Second Miss, she has angered the Old Madam several times."
"You, you think too simply," Ziyan said while separating threads, her voice muffled with unhappiness. "Don't you think, if our Miss didn't know medicine and couldn't save Marquis, would she have this treatment?"
Luyi also fell silent. Who could truly understand the affairs of noble households? Having lost her birth mother, Miss had undoubtedly suffered many grievances.
"It's alright, things are slowly getting better. When we go back, be vigilant and don't cause trouble for Miss. As for Madam, there might still be some tricks waiting for Miss!" Five shops, with an annual profit of tens of thousands of taels, who would easily give them up.
"Don't worry!"
The two maids, completely unaware that their words had been overheard.
In the afternoon, the head maid beside the Princess came to fetch Li Man’er, saying that the banquet had been set at the water pavilion and they were waiting for Li Man’er.
Ziyan quickly replied, "Please wait a moment, sister. Our Miss will be ready shortly."
The other replied with a smile, "No rush, I'll wait here."
Li Man’er chose a very simple dress to change into. Although Luyi was not satisfied, she couldn't persuade her and had to comply.
"Don't style your hair too elaborately, and don't wear too many accessories. It's not good to steal the Princess's thunder."
"Wasn't it said to be a private banquet? No one else was invited, so where is the thunder to steal?"
"Be low-key. Why be so ostentatious?"
Luyi carefully put on her earrings for her, mumbling softly, "You are the mistress, you are always right."
Ziyan said, "You are becoming more and more ill-mannered. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
"Alright, if you two keep talking, we'll be late. Making the Princess wait will lead to people saying your Miss is arrogant."
Hearing this, the two maids hurried to help Li Man’er up. "Miss, let's go quickly. It shouldn't be too late."
Thus, the mistress and her two maids were accompanied by the female attendant to the water pavilion.
"Two sisters, the Princess wishes to have a private chat with Miss Li. We should wait outside and serve."
Ziyan and Luyi didn't suspect anything and dutifully stood outside the door.
Li Man’er shook her head slightly. They were still too naive, believing whatever people said.