A sudden rush of footsteps echoed from outside as Li Man'er was reading in her room. "Miss, Miss, something big has happened!"
Lü Yi, out of breath, ran in, her hands on her hips. "Miss, His Lordship and Madam are fighting."
Fighting?
Ziyan was also startled. What was going on? This had never happened before.
Wu Momo clapped her hands and laughed, "Heaven has eyes. She's finally gotten what she deserves."
Only Li Man'er remained calm. "Did you find out why they are fighting?"
"They say it's about the shops. His Lordship got angry, called Madam shameless, and took from the eldest young lady's dowry. What Madam said is unknown, but they cried all the way to Old Madam. I heard His Lordship laid hands on her."
Li Man'er put down the book in her hand, suddenly intrigued. "Ziyan, comb my hair and change my clothes. I want to go pay my respects to Grandmother."
Ziyan thought, "You clearly just want to go watch the drama!"
"Miss, won't you add fuel to the fire by going now?" Wu Momo said with some worry. "This old servant fears you might get burned."
"What is there to fear?" Li Man'er sat in front of the vanity mirror and said with a pleased smile, "The important thing is to get the shops back. When I have money, I'll be a rich woman. Why would I need to get married then!"
"A young lady grows up and eventually gets married," Wu Momo said while helping Li Man'er choose a set of emerald green jewelry. "How about this set? It's very refreshing to wear in summer."
"Not bad. Don't I have a set of ethereal white skirts? That one is best with this."
Lü Yi quickly went to rummage through the chests and brought out the skirt embroidered with golden cloud patterns in an ethereal jade color. She carefully ironed it with a copper iron, hung it on a hanger, and then perfumed it with incense.
Ziyan styled Li Man'er's hair in a rather playful drooping bun, then put on the jewelry one by one, instantly elevating her demeanor.
Ziyan carefully inserted the earrings, then helped Li Man'er change clothes. Everything was almost ready.
"Miss, your face is too plain. Can't we at least put on a floral hairpin?"
"Oh, this is fine. Why dress up so elaborately? We're going to watch the fun." Li Man'er said excitedly, "Let's go, let's go! If we're late, we won't see anything."
Everyone was helpless and could only indulge her.
Li Man'er, accompanied by Ziyan and Lü Yi, headed towards Songhe Hall. As soon as they entered the courtyard, Yun Xiu stopped them. "Oh, Miss, why have you come at this hour?"
Li Man'er smiled. "Sister Yun Xiu, is Father here? Is Madam here? Oh, I have something to report to Old Madam, so please ask Sister to announce me."
Yun Xiu thought, "You might as well have "watching the drama" written on your face."
"Eldest Young Lady, it's really not convenient. Why don't you come back later?"
"Oh, I really have something important." Li Man'er beckoned to Yun Xiu and whispered a few words in her ear.
Yun Xiu's eyes widened upon hearing this, and then she said, "Eldest Young Lady, please wait a moment. This servant will announce you immediately."
Li Man'er nodded and smiled triumphantly.
With this bait thrown out, she didn't believe Cui Shi wouldn't take it.
Indeed, shortly after, Yun Xiu came out and eagerly invited her in.
The two maids, knowing their place, did not follow and waited in the corridor. As soon as Li Man'er entered the room, she felt the gunpowder-like atmosphere. Li Shu's anger had not subsided, and when Madam Guo saw her, her eyes were like knives dipped in poison, fixed on her as if she were prey.
Li Man'er didn't care. She stepped forward, paid her respects to Cui Shi, then to Li Shu, and then smiled as she curtsied to Madam Guo. "Greetings, Madam."
Madam Guo suppressed her anger and did not spit at her, though heaven knew how much she wanted to. But she knew she couldn't.
"How can I be worthy of Eldest Young Lady's address of Madam? I don't know where I offended you, that you now refuse to even call me Mother?"
This was asking for trouble, and Li Man'er wouldn't let it go. "Madam, what are you saying? We had a clear conversation that day. It's right for you to protect Second Young Lady, you are her birth mother, after all. No mother wouldn't protect her child. But no matter what, you shouldn't have slandered my reputation and tried to pin her misdeeds on me just to protect Second Young Lady. Since you don't regard me as your daughter, I have no need to call you Mother. Isn't calling you Madam fine?"
"You..." Madam Guo sneered, "His Lordship has seen it. This is your good daughter. She constantly claims to respect me, but look at what she's doing! Eldest Young Lady, did you also speak to His Lordship about the shops?"
"What, if Mother did it, I can't speak about it?" Li Man'er glanced at Cui Shi, only to see Cui Shi frowning, looking impatient.
It seemed that her daughter's affairs were of paramount importance, and Cui Shi didn't want to listen to their nonsense. It was time for a swift resolution.
"Madam, don't feel wronged. You know very well how those shops ended up in your hands. This is not a small matter. If it gets out, not only will Father become a laughingstock in official circles, but Aunt will likely be implicated by you."
Cui Shi's brows furrowed deeply, clearly displeased. "Eldest daughter-in-law, taking things from a junior is wrong. Those shops were Ruying's dowry, and they will naturally be Man'er's dowry in the future. You've held onto them for so many years, and all the money earned has gone to your own family. I haven't said anything to you yet, and you have the nerve to blame Man'er?"
Madam Guo's tears flowed freely. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Mother, I've been wronged."
"No matter what happened back then, taking Man'er's things is wrong! If Man'er hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have known you did such a foolish thing." Li Shu was furious. "Within three days, settle all the accounts for the shops and send them over. Also, return all the profits earned from the shops over the years. If this gets out, our Li family will be branded with shame."
Madam Guo's head felt like it was about to explode with anger, but she didn't dare to argue at this moment and could only agree for now.
"Alright, if you keep arguing, the roof will be blown off," Cui Shi waved her hand. "All of you go back. Don't bother me, a person who is about to be buried. Man'er, stay."
When Cui Shi got angry, she was still quite intimidating. Li Shu and Madam Guo naturally did not dare to disobey and left first.
Cui Shi had someone change the ice basin, then served Li Man'er fresh tea and snacks. She pulled her to sit beside her intimately. "Good child, your attire is truly refreshing, looks so comfortable."
Li Man'er just smiled. When she had no use, it seemed the original owner had never heard such kind words.
"Yun Xiu said you have a tonic prescription?"
"Yes," Li Man'er replied. "This prescription has been modified many times. If Old Madam is worried, why not try it on someone whose body is already damaged first? If it's truly effective, you'll have news within three months, and then you can be at ease, won't you?"