A Qi returned to the prince's manor, selected two experienced midwives skilled in medicine and meticulous in their work, and took them to the Marquis's manor by carriage.
The two midwives were quite surprised by A Qi's explanation along the way.
"Attempting to murder her own father? That's punishable by a thousand cuts." Moreover, she dared to harm the esteemed Iron-Heart Marquis.
"I've heard before that that Miss Li is extremely arrogant and overbearing. Perhaps she's truly capable of such a heinous act."
"Midwives, you are here to find evidence, not to condemn the young lady. Whether she is guilty or not is not for you to decide, understand? Besides, I think that Miss Li is very different from the rumors. Don't speak carelessly!" A Qi was a chatterbox. He usually held back and dared not say much in front of the Ninth Prince. Once he left the Ninth Prince's side, he was like a sparrow, chirping endlessly.
"Yes, yes, we understand." The older midwife replied impatiently, "Does the Prince have any instructions?" *Kan shu wu. ξà*
Whether the item could be found was entirely up to the Prince. They were not investigators, so they didn't know who was innocent and who was wronged. They only followed the Prince's orders.
"No, just proceed as instructed."
Both midwives were a little surprised. They glanced at each other and said no more.
Upon entering the gate, A Qi did not dare to delay. He directly led the two midwives to Qingshu Pavilion.
Tong Qiao's mood was somewhat complicated. He didn't know what was happening to him. He was clearly happy to get rid of Li Man'er as a burden before, but when he heard she wanted to break off the engagement, he couldn't feel happy at all, and instead felt a sense of loss.
"Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, Old Madam."
"Greetings, Your Highness, greetings, Old Madam."
Those from the Prince's manor naturally had impeccable etiquette.
At this moment, Cui Shi's heart felt as if it were thrown into a frying pan. How could she possibly focus on their etiquette? However, seeing that the Ninth Prince seemed to be in a good mood today, she thought he wouldn't make things too difficult for the Marquis's manor.
Thinking of this, Cui Shi couldn't help but blame Li Man'er. If she hadn't been too bold and offended the Prince, things wouldn't have escalated to this point.
"The people are here. Does Miss Li still have anything to say?" Qi Yihan appeared somewhat indifferent, his gaze wandering, as if lost in thought.
Li Man'er simply said, "I've already said it, Your Highness, please proceed. However, since you are searching my courtyard, I should accompany the midwives. At the very least, don't let anyone take advantage of the situation and disturb the peace of my Qingping Xuan."
So bold! *Kan shu la*
A Qi clicked his tongue. Among all the young ladies in the capital, let alone daring to defy the Prince, simply hearing the name "Ninth Prince" would make them tremble, wouldn't it?
A Wu, who usually had few expressions and spoke even less, couldn't help but glance at Li Man'er.
The two midwives were even more astonished, as if they had seen a rare spectacle. They thought, "This Miss Li is so audacious to speak to the Prince like this."
"You don't trust me?"
"Your Highness is no saint."
Cui Shi...
A Wu...
A Qi...
The two midwives???
Tong Qiao...
Only then did Qi Yihan truly become somewhat interested. He gently rubbed his thumb and index finger together. Although his expression remained unchanged, a flicker of light appeared in his eyes.
This Miss Li was truly fascinating. Not only was she not the good-for-nothing rumored to be, but she was also very intelligent. Most importantly, she was bold and meticulous, organized, and a beauty to boot.
"Very well, since you don't trust me, you may accompany them." The person who had been indifferent moments ago suddenly became spirited. His handsome face, like that of a celestial being, bore a faint smile.
Others dared not look at Qi Yihan, but Li Man'er caught his faint smile. She had to admit that the royal family's genes were indeed good. Although the Grand Princess was over forty years old, she was well-maintained and looked much younger than her peers, still showing glimpses of her youthful charm.
As for this Ninth Prince, his character was indeed lacking, and he was notorious among the people of the capital, even less popular than the original owner. However, he was truly handsome, tall and long-legged, with a face like jade and eyes like stars. He was truly the epitome of an ancient idol male beauty.
Unfortunately, his mind was not quite right.
No one dared to object, and they all went to Qingping Xuan.
Li Man'er's courtyard was not small. Although its location was somewhat remote, it was beautifully maintained both inside and out. The furnishings and decorations in her room were all valuable items. She even had her own small storeroom.
The two midwives were also worldly women. Upon seeing the items displayed in Li Man'er's room, they couldn't help but click their tongues.
"Midwives, please be gentle. The items in my room were all brought to me by my maternal grandfather, and some were left by my mother. They are priceless. If they are damaged, the money is secondary; it's just a shame to ruin such things."
It was no wonder she had the confidence to say this. Her maternal grandfather was Ning Liancheng, the wealthiest man in the land. Although he had donated more than half of his fortune to fund the late emperor's rebellion and reclaim lost territories, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse! And it was far bigger than one could imagine.
"Rest assured, young lady, this old servant will be careful."
Li Man'er said no more and sat leisurely on the large kang by the window.
By this time, the sky had completely darkened. Lamps were lit both inside the house and in the courtyard. The servants stood in the courtyard, not daring to make a sound, while the others waited in the main hall.
The two midwives worked quickly, but Qingping Xuan had more than ten rooms. Searching them one by one would take a considerable amount of time.
After much effort, they inevitably felt a bit tired. Tong Qiao's mouth felt dry, and after waiting for a while, he still hadn't received a cup of tea, let alone any fruits or pastries.
"Li Man'er, so many people are waiting here, and the servants in your house haven't even served tea. Are they all dead? They have no manners at all."
Cui Shi was about to speak when she heard Li Man'er let out a cold laugh. She immediately asked, "Your Highness the Ninth Prince has not yet spoken, and the Young Duke is already being so picky."
Tong Qiao couldn't help but glance at Qi Yihan and said stubbornly, "A guest should be treated as a guest. Don't you understand this principle?"
"Guest?" Li Man'er stood up abruptly. "Tong Qiao, have you no shame! You came to the Marquis's manor to slander me with poisoning and matricide, ruining my reputation, and you still dare to call yourself a guest. If you are a guest, you are a malicious one, and you still want to drink tea in Qingping Xuan? You truly don't know what shame looks like! I'm not an idiot, so why should I treat someone who wants to have me executed as an honored guest?"
"You..." Tong Qiao was both ashamed and angry. Ashamed because what Li Man'er said was true, and angry because Li Man'er had been pestering him before, eager to marry him, but now she treated him with such disdain, showing two faces in front of others and in private.
"What 'you'? If you spout any more nonsense, I'll have you thrown out."
Just then, a commotion suddenly came from outside the courtyard, with someone shouting, "Found it."