Li Man’er glanced at the old woman and recognized her. This was the same wet nurse surnamed Jia who was on duty the last time she returned from the Grand Princess’s mansion, the same one who said the Old Madam wanted to see her.
“Does Grandmother wish to see me?”
Granny Jia was startled, and her expression immediately turned peculiar.
“Eldest Miss, it is not the Old Madam who wishes to see you, but the Mistress. Granny Jia chuckled dryly. ‘The Mistress said that you have returned and should come to Chaohui Courtyard immediately. She has something to say.’”
Li Man’er nodded, “I understand.” She turned to Nanny Du and said, “Thank you for your trouble today, Nanny. You should go back first. Grandmother is still waiting for your service.”
Nanny Du curtsied slightly, “Your old servant takes her leave.”
Li Man’er had Mu Yun carry the gifts bestowed by the County Princess back to Qingping Xuan, while she herself, accompanied by Ziyan, went to Chaohui Courtyard.
The courtyard was very quiet. The servants dared not even breathe heavily, lest they displease the mistress of the household.
Li Man’er told Ziyan to wait outside, “I can go in by myself.”
Ziyan understood and immediately said, “Yes.”
The young maidservant lifted the curtain for Li Man’er and ushered her into the flower hall. Madam Guo was not present. Granny Yu smiled at Li Man’er and said, “Eldest Miss, please wait a moment. This old servant will immediately go and invite the Mistress.”
“Thank you,” Li Man’er said and casually picked a chair to sit on.
After waiting for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Madam Guo had still not arrived, and the flower hall was empty. Not even a cup of tea had been served.
Li Man’er seemed to have anticipated all of this. She was not anxious and instead leaned back in her chair, dozing off.
Madam Guo truly had not improved at all. So many years had passed, and she still used the same petty tricks. She wasn’t tired of them, was she?
In fact, as soon as Li Man’er returned to the mansion, Madam Guo received the news. Her intention of making Li Man’er wait in the flower hall was nothing more than to curb Li Man’er’s arrogance.
What happened at the Wuyou County Princess’s mansion was naturally Li Zha’er’s improper conduct. But who could help it when she had a mother to protect her child!
Li Man’er waited for a full half hour. Lamps were already hung in the courtyard when Madam Guo finally arrived.
“Eldest Miss has waited for a long time.” Madam Guo sneered repeatedly. “It’s truly because of household matters that I couldn’t get away, hence my lateness. Eldest Miss won’t be angry, will you?”
Listen to these words! A principal wife in an ancient family, even a remarried one, should not speak like this.
“Mother, what’s wrong? You’re acting strangely. Have you been drinking tonight and are drunk?” Li Man’er knew that Madam Guo wanted to make things difficult for her. Since everyone in this courtyard was her person, her words wouldn’t reach the outside.
“I wish I could say a few drunken words, but I’m afraid Eldest Miss would not wish to hear them.”
Li Man’er simply said, “Mother, feel free to speak. There are no outsiders here. Coincidentally, it’s been a while since I’ve heard Mother’s teachings.”
“Today at the County Princess’s mansion, I am aware of the discord between you and your sister. While Zha’er may have spoken inappropriately, as her elder sister, you should be more tolerant and understanding of her. How could you make Zha’er lose face in front of so many people! The character ‘Li’ cannot be written with two strokes; you are sisters. If you fall out like this, won’t you be making a laughingstock of yourselves to outsiders?”
Li Man’er remained silent. You speak your piece, and I’ll listen.
Seeing her lack of reaction, Madam Guo’s anger was difficult to suppress. “Li Man’er, I am talking to you!”
“I am listening!” Li Man’er blinked her eyes. “Mother’s temper is so fiery. Could it be caused by liver qi stagnation?”
“Are you cursing me?”
“Man’er would not dare!” Li Man’er said calmly, “If Mother is not ill, how can she speak such nonsense?”
Madam Guo was enraged. A sharp pain suddenly seized her heart, causing her face to change.
“You…”
“Mother, don’t you think about what kind of place the Wuyou County Princess’s mansion is? Although the Wuyou County Princess is the adopted daughter of the Empress Dowager, she is someone Master Du’e said has fortunate and noble qi. Your daughter, my sister, with her little schemes, does the Wuyou County Princess not see through them?”
“You…”
“Mother, I know I am not your biological daughter, and it’s normal for there to be a distance between us. But Zha’er, at such a young age, has already done something to harm her elder sister. What will she be like when she grows up? Do you think those young ladies and madams outside are brainless?” Li Man’er chuckled lightly. “Her methods are too low-level. Who wouldn’t see through them? It’s only you who dotes on her, even deceiving Father and Grandmother. You’ll surely end up causing trouble this way.”
Madam Guo sank into her chair, pointing at Li Man’er, unable to speak.
But at this moment, the curtain was lifted, and Li Shu entered.
Madam Guo was startled. She didn’t know how much of their conversation Li Shu had overheard. She immediately changed her expression, picked up her handkerchief, and rubbed her eyes vigorously. “Marquis, you’re back!”
“What’s going on?” In fact, Li Shu had been standing outside the door for quite some time, and he had heard most of their conversation.
Li Man’er, being a martial artist, had naturally heard the commotion outside the door. Li Shu’s footsteps were slightly heavy and landed with force, unlike those of ordinary women. Since no other men would be in this inner courtyard, Li Man’er was certain it was Li Shu who had returned, which was why she had deliberately said those words.
“Ah, it’s nothing. I was just talking with Man’er after returning from the Wuyou County Princess’s mansion.”
Li Shu clearly didn’t believe her and turned to look at Li Man’er. “You tell me.”
“Father, if Mother is unwilling to speak, why must you make it difficult for your daughter? Once you leave, Mother will likely blame me.”
This was adding fuel to the fire in front of Li Shu.
“Marquis, you must be tired. Why don’t you go and take a bath first? I’ll have someone prepare a table of food and wine for you so you can rest.”
Li Shu sat down on the chair with a flourish and said, “Is there anything I cannot hear? Moreover, I have been standing outside the door for a while, and I have heard almost everything. Tell me in detail what happened at the Wuyou County Princess’s mansion today, Man’er, without omitting anything.”
“Yes, Father.” Li Man’er recounted the events at the County Princess’s mansion that afternoon from beginning to end, which made Li Shu fall into deep thought.
This person before him was actually his daughter? When did she become so…
How to describe it!
Li Shu had always neglected Li Man’er. As a man, he didn’t know how to raise children, especially daughters. Of course, Madam Guo also played a significant role. Without her, Li Shu wouldn’t have become so annoyed with Li Man’er. In Li Shu’s memory, this daughter, aside from throwing tantrums and crying, could do almost nothing else.
He had always thought that Li Man’er was spoiled and had become a good-for-nothing.
But he had never imagined that one day it would be his daughter who saved him. And after hearing her conversation with Madam Guo, Li Shu realized something.
Perhaps the problem wasn’t with Man’er, but with those who were misled, including himself.