Li Man'er pondered for a long while, unable to fathom the purpose behind Princess Wuyou's invitation. However, the mystery would unravel in three days, so racking her brain now was useless. She decided to go for a walk instead.
In a good mood, Li Man'er decided to take her maids out for a stroll. She hadn't been outside since arriving.
The Zun Kingdom was quite progressive, free from the practices of foot-binding and women being forbidden from appearing in public. Although it remained a patriarchal society, women's participation wasn't entirely negligible, a point she could rate five stars.
Upon hearing they could go shopping, the maids were ecstatic. "Miss, should we dress simply for our outing?"
Ziyan rummaged through the chests and pulled out two sets of relatively plain dresses. "Will you wear this blue one, or this yellow one?"
Li Man'er intensely missed the simplicity of clothing from her previous life. She had some prepared in her spatial dimension, but she couldn't possibly wear them here.
"They are still a bit too elaborate. It would be great if I had some men's attire."
The maids exchanged glances, and then, from the bottom of a chest, they actually found a set of men's clothing for her.
"This was made last year. I wonder if it still fits. Why don't you try it on?"
Li Man'er took it, finding the size quite suitable. Once on, with her hair tied back in a simple half-ponytail, she perfectly embodied a young man.
"It still fits," said Luyi. "Miss is seventeen now, her height probably won't increase anymore, right?" She worried that if her mistress grew too tall, it might affect future marriage prospects.
"Logically, it shouldn't," Ziyan found a pair of men's shoes embroidered with auspicious clouds and handed them to Li Man'er. "Try these shoes, do they fit?"
Li Man'er put on the shoes and took a few steps. "They are quite comfortable."
"Then allow us to style your hair. How about a simple bun and a free-and-easy scarf?"
"Do as you please!"
Ziyan smiled and picked up a comb to style Li Man'er's hair. Her mistress's hair was thick, lustrous, and dark, making it easy to fashion a bun. Once secured with a scarf, it would stay put all day.
Li Man'er examined herself in the mirror. "Men's hairstyles are so convenient, just a quick arrangement. A woman's hair is so much more troublesome to style, with all sorts of buns like double-buns, fairy buns, peony buns, and fallen-horse buns. Just hearing the names makes my head ache. Not to mention the numerous hairpins and ornaments that jingle and weigh you down."
Her words amused the maids.
"Miss, you are fortunate to be born into a wealthy family, so gold and jade are naturally abundant to showcase your status. For ordinary families, the entire year is spent managing their sustenance and clothing; where would they have the leisure for elaborate hairstyles?" Ziyan picked up a box of powder from the table. "Putting aside other things, this lotus powder alone costs eight taels of silver per box. Who can afford it in an ordinary household? That eight taels would be enough for a family of five to live comfortably for half a year. Poorer families wouldn't spend eight taels in an entire year."
The other maids nodded in agreement. They all came from humble backgrounds, sold because their families could no longer support them. It was only after entering the Marquis's residence that they truly understood wealth.
"You have a point," Li Man'er picked up a eyebrow pencil and handed it to Ziyan. "Alter my eyebrows a little, make them more masculine, more heroic."
Ziyan skillfully drew two slightly thicker, more dashing eyebrows for her and even delicately added some fine hairs near her temples, making her look even more convincing.
"Good, this is much more practical," Li Man'er said with satisfaction. She stood up and asked Nanny Wu to fetch some silver. After all, it wouldn't do to go out without buying anything on her first outing.
Nanny Wu chided her for being extravagant but still obligingly opened a chest and gave her a bag of money, then handed another bag of copper coins to Ziyan.
"This contains five hundred large coins. It should be enough for Miss to buy a flower to wear or some snacks. In addition, this bag has ten taels of silver fragments and two fifty-tael silver notes. Remember to keep them safe."
Li Man'er said, "Nanny, this amount isn't enough for my expenses. Please give me more." She had no concept of money in ancient times but instinctively felt it wasn't enough.
"My dear Miss, the Marquis's monthly salary is not that high, and the household lacks nothing. The goods sold in the shops are nowhere near as good as what the old master procured for you."
"Nanny, you're turning into a miser. I need this money for a reason."
Nanny Wu pocketed the keys. "For what purpose? The household's finances have dwindled considerably in the six months I was away, and items from the storeroom are also missing."
Li Man'er thought to herself that this had nothing to do with her; it was all the doing of the original owner, that spendthrift girl. "Nanny, I might not necessarily use this money, but it's good to be prepared. Besides, I really need it. If we want to reclaim the shop, we need to employ a sting operation first."
"Sting operation?"
Nanny Wu was bewildered. What did this have to do with fishing?
Li Man'er only took Ziyan with her. To avoid the oddity of a young master going out with a maid, she specifically had Ziyan dress in men's attire as well.
Ziyan had no men's clothes of her own and didn't want to wear those previously worn by the household servants. Out of necessity, she went to Steward Zhao to request a new set.
Steward Zhao was exceptionally accommodating and immediately had someone send over a set. Li Man'er's status in the household had risen significantly, and naturally, her maid's status would follow.
As the mistress and servant, clad in men's attire, exited the mansion, news quickly reached Madam Guo.
"How many people did Eldest Miss take with her?"
"Only one, who looked like Ziyan," Xunfang reported. "Madam, Eldest Miss is not like her former self. You should reconsider."
Madam Guo pondered, her hand unconsciously wringing the handkerchief she held. She hated Li Man'er to the bone, wishing she could strangle her immediately to quell her resentment.
However, Xunfang was right; Li Man'er was no longer the same and was proving difficult to handle. The incident at Xiao Wang Village alone showed that Li Man'er no longer intended to hide her intentions. She had revealed her hand and was prepared for a direct confrontation. Keeping her alive was a future disaster, but now was not the time to act. In the heart of the capital, killing Li Man'er openly would implicate her as well. She could only endure for now.
"Send people to follow them. Find out where they went, what they did, and who they met," Madam Guo said through gritted teeth. "Keep a close watch on them."
"Yes, Madam. Please rest assured, your servant will attend to it immediately," Xunfang bowed slightly and turned to leave the room.
Madam Guo stared blankly at the potted plant on the windowsill, her thoughts drifting back to Li Man'er's words that day. The unease in her heart gradually grew, prompting her once again to consider eradicating the root of the problem.
As long as Li Man'er lived, she would never find peace. Instead of tormenting each other, it would be better to send her to meet her mother sooner.
Madam Guo smiled faintly, her lowered eyelids concealing the madness in her eyes.