The words Li Man'er spoke were exceptionally harsh.
Even Madam Cui, who was usually calm and had weathered many storms, lost her composure, appearing astonished as if she had seen a ghost.
The elderly Madam Guo, a woman of a competitive nature, already held many grievances against Li Man'er. Hearing Li Man'er's words, her fury intensified, as if a fire was about to erupt from her throat.
"You, you shameless little brat, I'll tear your mouth off."
It was astonishing that Madam Guo, despite her advanced age, still possessed such explosive energy. Provoked by Li Man'er's words, her movements became surprisingly agile. She lunged at Li Man'er, her hands reaching out to scratch at Li Man'er's face.
Lüyi and Ziyan, who had entered with Li Man'er, could not tolerate seeing their mistress attacked. They immediately stepped forward, intending to pull Li Man'er away.
To everyone's surprise, Li Man'er showed no shred of respect for the elderly. She casually pulled a hairpin from her hair and aimed its sharp end at Madam Guo's throat.
Initially, Madam Guo disbelieved that Li Man'er would dare to strike. However, seeing the icy intent in the girl's eyes and the gleaming hairpin, Madam Guo trembled and hastily dodged to the side.
Only then did Madam Guo's entourage seem to snap back to reality. One of them lunged forward to support Madam Guo, angrily reprimanding, "Young lady, what immense authority! Are you trying to commit murder?"
Li Man'er did not hold back. She casually reinserted the hairpin into her hair and then slapped the attendant.
Her movements were so swift that others couldn't even see how she had struck.
The attendant was stunned, clutching her face and incredulously exclaiming, "You dared to hit me?"
Without a word, Li Man'er raised her other hand and delivered another slap, leaving her with a perfect left and right.
"You..."
"What 'you'? What is your status that you have the right to speak here?" Li Man'er widened her almond-shaped eyes, her face seemingly bearing eternal frost. "A mere servant, and you dare to question me."
The old woman was defiant. "Even if I am a servant, I am a servant of the Guo family. What concern is it of yours, young lady? You attacked someone with a hairpin in front of elders. Am I wrong to protect my mistress?"
"Such a glib tongue. You accuse me of attacking with a hairpin, but did you not see your elder attempting to claw my face? Even if this case were brought to the Dali Temple, it would be considered self-defense."
Madam Guo had calmed down. Li Man'er's earlier words were clearly meant to provoke her. In a fit of rage, she had fallen into the hands of this young girl.
"Young lady, let us set this matter aside for now. These are trivialities. Old woman, I ask you, where is my grandson?"
Li Man'er let out a soft哼 and sat down on a nearby chair, remaining silent.
Madam Cui quickly walked towards Li Man'er but was blocked by Lüyi and Ziyan.
"Old Madam, if you have something to say, please say it here. We wouldn't want you to harm our young lady again."
Madam Guo could only grit her teeth and say, "Fine, I will speak here."
Only then did Lüyi and Ziyan move aside slightly, but they still stood watchfully, as if afraid she might lunge again.
"Young lady, a person without integrity cannot stand. Are you going back on your word?" Madam Guo's lips had turned pale with anger. She had come to the Li family today specifically to demand an explanation.
The money was in place, yet she wasn't doing what she promised.
"What did I promise?" A humorous image of a plump old lady inexplicably surfaced in Li Man'er's mind. She couldn't help but ask, "Is there a written agreement?"
A written agreement?
Madam Guo almost coughed up blood. "There is no written agreement, but you said it yourself. Your grandmother can be a witness. Words can be easily changed, but you cannot deny what you said with your own mouth."
Li Man'er glanced at Madam Cui, who had remained an observer throughout the entire ordeal, speaking not a single word. She then said, "Since you have brought up your grandmother, I will give you this respect. Rest assured, Guo Yongzhang is safe and unharmed. How about you write me a written agreement, and I will hand the person over to you?"
"Why a written agreement again?" Madam Guo frowned. "What kind of agreement?"
"Of course, a letter of confession! It must clearly state the Guo family's wrongdoings. What was the objective, when was the plan conceived, who was sent to deliver the message, and it must include a confession and a handprint."
Madam Guo trembled like a sieve. "Are you mad?"
"What do you mean 'I'm mad'? Perhaps you haven't met a truly mad person yet." Li Man'er smiled. "Coincidentally, there is a嬷嬷 in the manor who has recently gone mad. Perhaps you should accompany me to see her."
Madam Guo inwardly cursed, knowing exactly who Li Man'er was referring to.
Concubine Yu, Madam Cui's most trusted confidante, was the one who delivered the message to the Guo family. She was also the one who discussed the timing and strategy with Madam Guo!
"What do you want?"
Li Man'er simply smiled and watched her. "What I want is not very clear, is it? Why are you still asking, old madam? It's not good to pretend ignorance when you know the truth."
Li Man'er blew on her fingernails and added, "Actually, this matter is quite simple. Madam Cui, for her own selfish reasons, dragged the Guo family into it and had Concubine Yu deceive Young Master Yongzhang. Young Master Yongzhang, being naturally innocent and naive, could never have imagined that his own aunt would harm him. Naturally, he accepted the invitation, and that's what led to everything that followed."
A chill swept over both Madam Guo and Madam Cui simultaneously. Their thoughts were largely the same: this child is ruthless. They regretted not having eliminated her completely from the start.
Madam Cui glanced subtly at Madam Guo, who naturally offered no indication of her own thoughts.
This was a case of sacrificing a pawn to save the king.
If Madam Cui were to die, the Tie Dan Mansion could remarry. However, their Guo family and the Tie Dan Marquis Mansion would lose their support.
Even if there were suitable young ladies in the household, the Li family would likely be unwilling to concede the position of Marchioness to them again.
She needed to think.
"Young lady, this matter is of great importance. Allow me some time to consider."
Li Man'er nodded. "That is only right. However, you must be quick. Madam Cui may not last much longer. If she dies, your scapegoat will be gone."
Madam Guo did not know whether to cry or laugh. "Today, I have learned a great deal. I shall return another day to seek further counsel from you, young lady."
"Very well. Safe travels."
Madam Guo glared at her fiercely before turning to leave. Although she did not look at Madam Cui as she departed, for some reason, Li Man'er felt that for a fleeting moment, there had been an exchange between the two.
Their auras were very compatible.
Perhaps it was because they were of the same ilk!
"Grandmother, if there is nothing else, your granddaughter will take her leave."
Madam Cui smiled. "Man'er, you are very good."
This was likely a sarcastic remark. Although Madam Cui was smiling, there was no warmth in her eyes.
Was she afraid?