Li Man'er earnestly persuaded, "Madam, why not consider that this is merely my own means of self-preservation? You two ladies also have daughters. If your daughters were plotted against like this, their lives hanging by a thread, and their purity almost violated, what would you do?"
Madam Qian, having a shred of conscience, glanced at Guo Yongzhang lying on the kang. Seeing that his belt was undone, her heart sank.
The righteous are often outmatched by the cunning.
Madam Guo only schemed against Li Man'er, never imagining that her methods had already been observed by Li Man'er. This was, after all, the elder Miss Li, skilled and bold. Had it been another woman, she would likely have fallen into Madam Guo's trap and lost her purity.
"Elder Miss Li, if we sign this confession, will you let us go?"
"Yes, I keep my word."
"Ruyun, are you mad?" Madam Qin called out to Madam Qian's given name in disbelief. The last time at the County Princess's manor, she and Li Man'er had an unpleasant encounter. Why was she now actively seeking peace? To sign this confession was to hand over leverage to Li Man'er, leaving them vulnerable to her manipulation at any time. This was a losing proposition.
Madam Qian, however, was forthright. "If we don't sign, our fate will likely be even worse. Thinking of Fang Ruo, even though I'm unwilling, I have no choice but to sign."
Li Man'er smiled. "Madam Qian is indeed sensible. You are merely accomplices. With Madam Guo apprehended, you two ladies will simply help as witnesses, and I won't truly do anything to you. Considering Lord Qian and Lord Qin serve in the same court as my father, this matter was solely the doing of Madam Guo."
Hearing her words, Madam Qin could only grit her teeth and agree.
The two women signed and thumb-printed the confession, then tossed it to Li Man'er.
Li Man'er was unfazed, and with a cheerful smile, she put away the document. "You two ladies may leave, but there is one small favor I need your help with."
Madam Qin asked cautiously, "What is it?"
Li Man'er simply smiled. "Please go to the Marquis of Ironclad's manor and deliver a message, telling them... that my Madam has suddenly fallen gravely ill and the Marquis must come in person."
This...
The two ladies exchanged glances, and finally, could only nod in agreement.
Madam Qian and Madam Qin left Medicine King Temple by carriage. They sat in the carriage, silent.
Today's stumble had been a rather significant one. Miss Li was cunning, strategic, and most importantly, possessed martial arts skills. It was no wonder they had been so thoroughly outmaneuvered.
"Ruyun, are we just letting this matter go?"
Madam Qian nodded. "Actually, we were the ones who judged her prematurely."
Madam Qin, confused, frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
"I ask you, have you ever personally witnessed the things you've heard about Miss Li outside?"
Madam Qin thought back carefully. "No, I haven't. I only saw her arguing with the second Miss Li from a distance once. I didn't know what they were fighting about."
"What did you think at the time?"
"Arrogant and rude, it truly lives up to its reputation." Although hesitant, Madam Qin answered her friend truthfully.
Madam Qian gave a wry smile. "Why couldn't the arrogant and rude one be the second Miss? Why must it be the elder Miss? And last time at the banquet for the County Princess, if you think back, did the elder Miss Li initiate anything? Was she provoking us, or were we provoking her?"
Madam Qin's expression turned awkward, and she remained silent.
She remembered that day all too clearly. How could she not know the truth?
"We targeted her, it was all because of those baseless rumors, and then..."
"Madam Guo."
Madam Qian nodded. "Everything started with her."
"Then today's incident..."
"When one does too many unrighteous deeds, no one can save them." Madam Qian stated, "You watch, Madam Guo will likely be bedridden from illness from now on."
As mistresses of their own households, who wouldn't understand the implications of that?
The night was deep, like water. The mountain nights were always cooler than those in the city.
Li Shu's face was grim, his gaze fixed on Li Man'er, as if trying to discern some anomaly from her expression.
Li Man'er remained silent, seemingly indifferent to Li Shu's scrutiny.
"Is what you say true?"
"Every word is true. To this extent, Father still doesn't believe me." Li Man'er raised her head, a mocking curve on her lips. "Then I have nothing more to say."
Li Man'er glanced at the unconscious Guo Yongzhang beside her before speaking, "In truth, whether it's true or false, we can find out by waking this useless man. Does Marquis wish to not ask, or dare not to ask?"
"Presumptuous!" Li Shu was furious. "You are a junior, how dare you speak so impertinently of your elders?"
"Elders? Does His Lordship's 'elders' refer to you? Or to Madam?" Li Man'er said disdainfully. "Madam covets my mother's dowry and refuses to return the shops, even sending her maternal nephew to defile my purity. The facts are laid bare, with the testimony of two madams, and His Lordship still doubts? Elders, is this how elders should behave?"
Li Shu, enraged and embarrassed, raised his hand to strike Li Man'er. Li Man'er immediately raised her arm to block, simultaneously channeling her inner energy to her arm.
Li Shu's palm struck Li Man'er's arm, only to be repelled by an immense force. He looked at his slightly trembling hand, his face etched with profound shock. "When did you learn martial arts?"
"To protect myself," Li Man'er replied. "If I hadn't learned, I would have died countless times over. When I was eight, I fell from a rockery and hit my head, burning with fever for three days before recovering. At fourteen, I accidentally fell into a lake, and it was only thanks to Wu Momo's desperate rescue that I was saved. These are things you know. There are many more things you don't know."
Li Shu's pupils dilated. It was as if he was truly seeing Li Man'er for the first time. His imposing aura gradually weakened. He said with great helplessness, "Wake him up!"
Li Man'er produced an antidote and waved it under Guo Yongzhang's nose. After a short while, Guo Yongzhang slowly regained consciousness.
"Ah?" Guo Yongzhang sat up abruptly. Upon seeing Li Man'er, he immediately cursed, "You slut, did you do this?" He had entered the inner chamber with impure intentions, but before he even reached the bedside, he felt groggy. As he lost consciousness, he vaguely saw Li Man'er sit up on the bed, realizing then that he had fallen into a trap.
"Who are you calling?"
Guo Yongzhang leered, "Not only will I curse you, I'll teach you a good lesson." Saying this, he lunged at Li Man'er.
However, someone grabbed his collar, rendering him immobile.
"Who's pulling me?"
Guo Yongzhang turned around and saw Li Shu, his face a mask of fury. He cowered on the kang in terror. "Uncle, Uncle, spare me."
Li Man'er rolled her eyes. Useless.