Li Man'er had actually cured the Iron Courageous Marquis of his poisoning. She had saved Li Shu!
Everyone present was shocked, their eyes wide with disbelief.
It was too astonishing. The poison that even the Imperial Physician Duan Xu could not cure, Li Man'er had managed to resolve. Wasn't she always known for her lack of learning? Wasn't she always someone who could be easily manipulated? How had she suddenly become so capable?
Could it be true that what she said was real? That she had truly learned medicine from her maternal uncle and achieved mastery? How was this possible?
"Good, good, good," Madam Cui said, her heart filled with joy. Seeing Li Shu breathing steadily and his complexion returning to normal, Madam Cui's emotions calmed considerably. Her gaze towards Li Man'er softened.
"We owe it all to Man'er this time. My child, you've learned such formidable skills from your uncle, you should have told us sooner, instead of hiding your talents." Madam Cui did not forget her earlier promise and was relieved she had spoken those words before leaving. If Li Man'er truly possessed the ability to bring the dead back to life, it would undoubtedly be a momentous boon for the Li family.
Madam Guo was also extremely emotional at this moment, tears streaming down her face. Fortunately, heaven had been kind and not let the Marquis perish. As for Li Man'er's matter, she would not dwell on it for now; nothing was more important than the Marquis.
Li Zhao'er looked at Li Shu, whose complexion was improving, and her heart was filled with conflict. On one hand, she wished for her father's recovery. On the other hand, she hoped Li Man'er's attempt would fail. These two desires were inherently contradictory, leaving her in a state of complex emotions.
"Grandmother, why hasn't Father woken up yet?"
Madam Cui did not know either, so she turned to ask Duan Xu.
"Although the toxins in the Marquis's body have been dispelled, there are still residual toxins in his internal organs. He will require several days of medication to stabilize. Do not worry, esteemed old madam. With just two doses of medicine, the Marquis will surely awaken."
Madam Cui's heart finally settled completely. "In that case, we trouble you, Physician Duan. Please convene with the others to discuss a prescription and have the Marquis begin his medication."
"Yes, yes, yes. This old man will do his utmost."
The other two imperial physicians also readily agreed. At this moment, they felt nothing but profound respect. A poison that even Duan Xu could not cure had been so easily resolved by the eldest daughter of the Li family. How could they not be impressed?
"Guards," Madam Cui called out, quickly arranging for the three imperial physicians to rest in the guest courtyard. She then instructed Granny Wang to personally lead people to fetch the prescription and procure the medicine.
At this critical juncture, she trusted no one else.
Madam Cui then had the other physicians shown out. As they departed, the steward presented them with a considerable sum of money as a fee for their silence. These physicians, who frequently attended the households of the powerful, were discerning enough to know that none of them dared to speak carelessly. After all, they had no desire to court death.
These were powerful families, not to be offended by common folk.
"Young Duke, what do you have to say for yourself now?"
"Do I need to explain myself to you?" Tong Qiao made to leave, clearly intending to make a swift exit.
Li Man'er stopped him with her hand.
Tong Qiao looked disdainfully. "What do you want? The poison was dug up from your courtyard. How do you explain that?"
"Heh~" Li Man'er returned his disdainful gaze. "It's not unusual for there to be poison in my courtyard, or even a few corpses for that matter. As for you, Young Duke, you first drew your sword at Zuihu Lou intending to kill me, then you came here tonight to slander me with patricide, and now you're just going to leave with a flick of your sleeve? Is that appropriate?"
"What do you want?" Tong Qiao gritted his teeth, like a cornered beast. He hadn't expected Li Man'er to be so difficult to deal with, and that she had survived his attempts on her life multiple times.
"I don't want anything," Li Man'er turned to look at the man who had been watching the spectacle, and called out loudly, "Your Highness, please do not forget your promise to this humble subject."
Qi Yihan walked over slowly, his usual poker face unyielding. "This Prince keeps his word."
"In that case, I shall await Your Highness's good news." Li Man'er curtsied slightly to him. When she rose, her gaze towards Tong Qiao seemed to hold a hidden blade.
"Young Duke, you will soon get your wish. From this moment on, there will be no further entanglement between us. I advise you to stay far away from me in the future and cease to provoke me, otherwise, I will not be as understanding as I am now."
Tong Qiao instinctively flinched, but remembering that he was being watched by many, he stubbornly retorted, "Do you think I enjoy seeing you? I wish I could stay a million miles away from you."
"Remember these words. If you dare to provoke me again, I will not be so forgiving."
Tong Qiao flicked his sleeve and left with his entourage.
Qi Yihan also departed. He left so quietly that no one in the courtyard noticed when he was gone.
"You must be tired after a day like this, go back and rest!" Madam Cui instructed Li Man'er. "The Ninth Prince's intentions are unclear. Until it is absolutely unavoidable, you must never provoke this person."
Was she the one provoking Qi Yihan? Clearly, that man had come to her himself.
Li Man'er was too lazy to argue with Madam Cui, so she wisely did not refute her. "Grandmother, rest assured, I am the most law-abiding."
Li Zhao'er rolled her eyes. Those words were clearly nonsense, as if Li Man'er understood what rules were.
Madam Cui nodded and waved her hand. "Go back and rest!"
"Yes."
As soon as Li Man'er left, Madam Cui sent Li Zhao'er away. "You go back and kneel in the ancestral hall. We'll discuss whatever you have to say tomorrow."
Seeing that Madam Cui was angry, Li Zhao'er dared not say anything more and resigned herself to returning to the ancestral hall.
After Li Zhao'er left, only Li Yi and his wife, along with Madam Guo, remained in the side room.
"Yi'er, you must keep abreast of matters in the court. For the next few days, whoever comes, refuse them entry and do not engage. We will discuss matters once your elder brother has awakened."
"Yes, Mother."
"You two should also return. This is a time of turmoil. Do not let Tian'er return home; let her stay with her maternal grandparents for a few more days."
Madam Bai naturally agreed. "Mother, please be at ease."
"You two return as well. I must trouble Yi'er during these days."
"Mother, please rest assured. I have already taken leave today. The scholar-official has granted my request, and I can stay home with peace of mind for these few days."
Madam Cui nodded and let them leave.
Only Madam Cui and Madam Guo remained in the room, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
"The Marquis's peril today was truly terrifying."
Madam Guo said with lingering unease, "Mother, do you truly believe the Eldest Young Lady saved the Marquis?"
Half of Madam Cui's face was cast in shadow, making her expression unreadable. "What do you think?"
"I'm only asking Mother because I'm unsure." Madam Guo herself had her own calculations, but she was unwilling to believe them.
"You are the mistress of the household. You must have a magnanimous heart." Madam Cui uttered only these words, and Madam Guo's expression immediately soured.
She understood. It seemed that Li Man'er would soon have two more protective talismans within this household.