The news of Madam Guo's assault somehow reached Qingping Pavilion.
Li Man'er merely smiled faintly upon hearing it, saying nothing.
In a rare good mood, she spent the morning making tea and learning to make pastries with Nanny Wu, keeping herself busy.
Now that she finally had some free time, she didn't want to hear about such unlucky matters.
While Li Man'er was uninterested, Muyun and Yin Zhu were quite intrigued. "Why would she resort to hitting someone? Isn't she afraid of damaging her reputation for virtue?"
Madam Guo was a person who cared deeply about her image!
"Most of that virtuous reputation is just for show," Yin Zhu blurted out, her mouth moving faster than her thoughts. "Now that the second young lady has done something so disgraceful, I wonder how the madam will handle the aftermath."
As she spoke, Yin Zhu suddenly seemed to have an epiphany. "Don't tell me they'll make our young lady take the blame!"
"How is that possible?" Muyun whispered. "When the second young lady was embracing that young Master Xiao, many pairs of eyes were watching. In broad daylight, making our eldest young lady take the blame would be insane, wouldn't it?"
Li Man'er maintained an air of detachment, as if the matter did not concern her.
Ziyan softly inquired, "Young lady, aren't you curious at all?"
"Curious about what?"
Lüyi eagerly chimed in, "Of course, it's about the second young lady and that young Master Xiao. The Marquis has gone to the palace to petition for an imperial decree, likely hoping to ensure the second young lady can marry with a clean slate. What do you think?"
"Marry? The Emperor won't agree to that."
Her maids were all curious, asking in unison, "Why not?"
Li Man'er pondered for a moment before stating, "The Li family and the Xiao family are both highly esteemed. Our family rose through military merit, and the Xiao family has guarded the northern frontier for many years. If these two families were to form an alliance through marriage, the consequences would be immense." Speaking any more would be a grave disrespect, so Li Man'er stopped herself from elaborating.
The maids understood. None of them said another word. Such matters were not for them, mere servants, to comment on. A wrong word could cost them their lives.
"What about the Old Madam?"
"A physician has already examined her. She is not in serious condition, please don't worry, young lady."
Li Man'er thought to herself, *Why would I worry? In this entire manor, besides the few people by my side, I couldn't care less if anyone else lives or dies.*
Her asking was merely a formality.
However, Qi Yihan was an interesting individual. It seemed their encounter at Ganzao Temple was far from ordinary. Perhaps having witnessed her abilities last time, he had come specifically to test her again?
He was, at best, a discerning individual.
She surmised it wouldn't be long before he came to summon her.
Secretly, of course.
With this thought in mind, Li Man'er instructed Ziyan, "Regarding the second young lady's affairs, let's not get involved. I need to rest and recuperate for a few days. I won't be going anywhere and will refuse all visitors."
"Yes, young lady."
Just as they were speaking, a servant announced that Li Zhaor had arrived.
Nanny Wu's head was already spinning. "What does she want? Young lady, I'll go and stop her."
"Forget it, why stop her? Let her in!"
Li Zhaor had changed her clothes, washed up, and re-applied her makeup. Even so, the redness and swelling around her eyes were still evident, suggesting she had wept profusely.
"Second sister, you're in such high spirits. What brings you to my humble abode today?" Li Man'er feigned ignorance. "Didn't you storm off last time, vowing never to return to my Qingping Pavilion?"
A flicker of anger flashed in Li Zhaor's eyes. "Li Man'er, if you know what's good for you, go beg Father and Mother right now to marry you off to Xiao Yu."
Her statement stunned everyone in the room.
Ziyan thought, *Second young lady is truly going too far. She's not even pretending to frame our young lady anymore, is she that brazen?*
"Li Zhaor, why should I marry Xiao Yu?"
Li Zhaor stated matter-of-factly, "There are so many 'whys'! If I tell you to marry him, you must marry him!"
"Who do you think you are?" Li Man'er showed no intention of indulging her. She had initially thought Li Zhaor was just a spoiled child, made ignorant of the world by her doting parents. Now, it seemed this girl was not only spoiled but also wicked and not very sharp.
"You..." Li Zhaor was furious. "How dare you speak to me like that?"
Li Man'er rose and slowly walked over to Li Zhaor, scrutinizing her for a few moments before saying, "Remember this clearly: I am the legitimate eldest daughter of the Li family. My mother was Li Shu's original wife. You, Li Zhaor, are merely the daughter of a second wife. What makes you so arrogant?"
Li Zhaor's anger surged, nearly choking her. "How dare you insult my mother!" With that, she raised her hand and swung it towards Li Man'er's face.
Normally, when she disciplined servants in her own quarters, no one dared to resist. But Li Man'er was no ordinary maid who would endure her beatings and scolding. She immediately grabbed Li Zhaor's wrist and squeezed it tightly.
"Ah, it hurts! Are you insane? Let go of me!" Li Zhaor struggled and even gestured for her own maids to pull Li Man'er away.
The servants she had brought from Qingyue Pavilion dared not step forward. The eldest young lady was someone who dared to hit even the young duke. What were they in comparison?
"Li Zhaor, why should I bear the consequences of the mess you've made? All my life, I've taken the blame for you so many times. Do you think you owe me? You shamelessly embraced Xiao Yu and then expect me to marry him? Are you sick, or am I?"
The words "embraced Xiao Yu" struck Li Zhaor like a blow. She immediately used her other hand to claw at Li Man'er's face. "Li Man'er, I'm going to rip your mouth open."
With a gentle twist, Li Man'er forced Li Zhaor's arm behind her back, then delivered a powerful kick to the hollow of her knee.
Li Zhaor, accustomed to a life of luxury, had never endured such pain. She let out a shrill scream and fell to her knees on the brick-paved ground. Her knees slammed hard against the bricks, and tears welled up in her eyes from the agony.
"Li Man'er, may you die a terrible death!"
Her head maid, Cailian, rushed forward to plead. "Eldest young lady, please let our young lady go. Don't stoop to her level. She's just in a bad mood."
"Get lost," Li Man'er's eyes were cold. "Do you want me to break her hand before you'll leave?" As she spoke, she tightened her grip slightly, causing Li Zhaor to cry out in pain.
Cailian had no choice but to retreat.
Li Zhaor sobbed uncontrollably. She felt as if she had offended the God of Misfortune today. First, she had been humiliated at Ganzao Temple, then scolded by her father, and now bullied by Li Man'er. Had she perhaps angered something unclean?
"Let go of me."
"Fine, apologize, and I'll let you go."
Sounds of footsteps echoed in the courtyard. Li Man'er could hear them clearly, and the approaching group was aggressive.
"My eldest daughter-in-law has quite the authority. You're not satisfied with beating people outside, and now you've started on your own sisters?" Madam Guo entered the room and saw Li Zhaor kneeling on the ground. Her heart clenched, filled with distress.
"Sisters? I treat others as sisters, but they treat me like a fool!" Li Man'er snorted coldly. In front of Madam Guo, she tightened her grip on Li Zhaor's wrist and applied a little more force...
"Mother, save me! She's trying to kill me!"