Li Man'er deliberately showed a hint of smugness on her face. "Yes, I thought it was still early, so I planned to visit Grandmother first to pay my respects, and then go. Who knew Grandmother was not feeling well, so I'll just leave then." With that, she turned to leave.
Granny Wang immediately stopped Li Man'er. "Eldest Young Lady, please wait a moment. This old servant will go and ask the Old Madam again."
"I appreciate your kindness, Granny. Grandmother is unwell, it's best not to disturb her rest."
"It's fine. Eldest Young Lady is going to the Princess's manor, such an important matter. It's only right that the Old Madam gives her some instructions."
Green Yi almost couldn't help but laugh out loud, but Zi Yan pulled her back.
"That's true. Grandmother is experienced and has seen great occasions. Granny, please go quickly. I'll wait here for a while."
Granny Wang said hurriedly, "The sun is strong. Young Lady, be careful not to get sunburnt. Please come with this old servant to the flower hall for tea."
"Alright."
And so, Li Man'er drank tea in the flower hall, leisurely waiting for Cui Shi.
There was no one else in the hall, so Green Yi couldn't help but softly praise her, "Eldest Young Lady is truly amazing."
Before coming, Li Man'er had analyzed the current situation with them, saying that Princess Wuyou would definitely send a general invitation to the manor, and a separate invitation to her.
The reason? Perhaps to prevent Madam Guo from taking her along!
Madam Guo's tricks were only enough to fool ghosts. The ladies in the manor were all shrewd, who didn't know a few underhanded methods!
"Young Lady, you are simply prescient."
It was understandable that the Old Madam felt it difficult. If it were the Li Man'er of the past, she could have found any excuse to keep her at home. But the current Li Man'er had changed. She was no longer impulsive, but smart, and she had saved Li Shu, a great contributor to the Marquis's manor. It was indeed difficult to justify locking her up without reason.
The truth was much like what Green Yi had guessed.
Cui Shi thought long and hard, and decided to feign illness. Since Madam Guo was unwilling to take her, she would help keep it a secret. Even if she found out later, a little fuss would pass.
But man proposes, heaven disposes! Madam Guo's meticulous planning couldn't have foreseen that Princess Wuyou would send Li Man'er a separate invitation.
If Princess Wuyou knew that Li Man'er was unable to attend because she was confined at home, she would likely be displeased with them.
Those in the royal family were not to be trifled with. Although Princess Wuyou was merely an adopted daughter of the Empress Dowager, she had held a significant position in the Empress Dowager's heart for many years. Judging by her princely status, this princess was quite favored.
Upon hearing Granny Wang's words, Cui Shi dared not delay. She quickly changed her clothes and had Li Man'er summoned into the room.
Cui Shi lay on the couch, as if indeed suffering from heatstroke, with a damp towel placed on her forehead.
"Grandmother, where do you feel uncomfortable? Have you seen a doctor?" Li Man'er paid her respects upon entering, then sat on an embroidered stool and asked with concern.
"It's an old ailment of mine. It's nothing."
Granny Wang quickly added, "Yes, yes. The Old Madam suffers from this a few times every summer. We have some pills at home, and taking one helps a lot."
Li Man'er nodded. "If that's the case, I'm relieved. I was thinking of taking your pulse, Grandmother, but it seems unnecessary now."
Taking her pulse? That would expose everything.
"Man'er, I heard from Granny Wang that Princess Wuyou sent you a separate invitation?"
"Yes." Li Man'er took out the invitation she had brought with her. "Please take a look."
Granny Wang stepped forward, took the invitation, and handed it to Cui Shi.
Cui Shi was stunned upon seeing it. "This is the Princess's personal invitation." Yet, the one sent to the manor was a standard invitation from the Princess's manor.
The difference between close and distant relationships was clear.
Cui Shi opened the invitation, glanced at it, and signaled Granny Wang to send the item back.
"Man'er, do you have a personal relationship with Princess Wuyou?"
"No." Li Man'er simply said, "I've heard that the Princess prefers a quiet life and rarely attends banquets held by various households. Apart from the Empress Dowager and the Empress's mother, she seldom visits other manors."
Cui Shi nodded. "Indeed."
"Your granddaughter has always been mischievous and has never met the Princess. I just don't know why the Princess has summoned your granddaughter this time."
Cui Shi was also puzzled. But the Princess's personal invitation couldn't be wrong. Could there be something she didn't know?
"Grandmother, do you think the Princess might want me to examine her?" Everyone knew that the Princess had a leg ailment.
Cui Shi didn't react at first. After Granny Wang's quiet reminder, she realized that Li Man'er was a doctor and knew medicine.
Cui Shi's eyes lit up. Yes, perhaps this was the real reason Princess Wuyou sent Man'er an invitation.
Everyone knew that in the third year of Princess Wuyou's enfeoffment, the Empress Dowager had fallen seriously ill, and the situation was critical. All the imperial physicians were helpless. It was Princess Wuyou who, after three kowtows, went to Mount Jiuhua to make a wish, kneeling before the Buddha for three days and three nights without drinking a drop of water.
Perhaps it was the Empress Dowager's great fortune, or perhaps Princess Wuyou's filial piety had moved the heavens. The Empress Dowager indeed woke up, and her health improved day by day, showing signs of rejuvenation.
It was precisely because of this that although Princess Wuyou was merely an adopted daughter of the Empress Dowager, her treatment and status were far higher than those of ordinary princesses.
However, since that incident, Princess Wuyou had suffered from a leg ailment. Every seasonal change, her legs would ache unbearably, and the pain would worsen on rainy or snowy days.
Now, all the noble families in the capital knew that Li Man'er had cured Li Shu of a strange poison, and they also knew that Duan Xu was no match for Li Man'er. It was possible that Princess Wuyou wanted Li Man'er to treat her leg!
Cui Shi's eyes brightened even further. She hurriedly instructed, "Grandmother knows you are capable, but you must be very careful when you go to the Princess's manor. I won't say much else, but I will have Granny Du accompany you. She is a woman of few words and is very reliable. She will be of assistance by your side."
"Thank you, Grandmother."
"As for the Princess's leg ailment, are you confident?"
Li Man'er deliberately pondered for a moment before saying, "Grandmother, without seeing the patient or taking her pulse, I cannot make any bold claims. However, your granddaughter will do her best."
"Good! You must put in your utmost effort."
"Yes!"
Cui Shi said, "You go back and prepare first. I will have Granny Du come to Qingping Pavilion to wait for you later."
"Yes! Grandmother, please rest well. Your granddaughter takes her leave."
After Li Man'er left, Cui Shi removed the cloth from her forehead and handed it to a young maid beside her. Then, she sighed deeply.
"What is the matter, Old Madam?"
Cui Shi said, "If that Ning Shi were still alive, this child would surely be radiant and famous in the capital."
"It's not too late. Old Madam, please be at ease. Eldest Young Lady is so insightful; she will vindicate herself sooner or later."
"Let's hope so!"