Everyone said that Li Niang was blessed.
Previously, she had managed to get close to the Fourth Master of the Marquis's mansion. Although she didn't marry into the Marquis's mansion, she had received many benefits from the Fourth Master.
Just two days after the Fourth Master cooled down towards her, another wealthy patron from out of town arrived. He was handsome, young, and most importantly, rich.
Li Niang's future days were likely to be free from worries about food and clothing.
The other girls in the Drunken Gold Tower were so jealous their eyes turned red, wishing they could be in her place. However, the wealthy patron didn't even glance at them, as if only Li Niang could fit in his eyes.
"Where do you think Li Niang is now?"
"She must have already boarded a boat, right? Probably not a small one." The tone sounded sour.
Some gossipy girls came over and whispered, "Have you heard? The wealthy patron's wife at home can't have children. He's taking Li Niang as his second concubine. If she can really bear a son or daughter, her later life will truly be secure."
Whether spoken well or poorly, the words were all tinged with sourness, ending with a gentle sigh.
Perhaps it was envy!
What they didn't know was that Li Niang's disaster began after she boarded the boat.
The Cui family would naturally act without leaving a trace. Just as something happened in the mansion, the top courtesan favored by the Fourth Master died shortly after. How could discerning people not see the inside story?
The Iron Gallant Marquis's mansion had some influence, but it wasn't enough to cover the sky with one hand. The death of a courtesan from the pleasure house was not a major event. But if someone with ulterior motives were to use it to implicate Li Shu, the nature of the situation would change.
The best solution was to create a false impression, making people believe that Li Niang had been redeemed and had gone to enjoy herself in a distant land. In reality, once on the river, dealing with a weak woman would be a matter of an instant!
After Li Niang was dealt with, Madam Tian felt a little more at ease. She knew that with Li Niang's death, the Fourth Master would surely vent his anger on her. Even if he didn't dare do anything to her now, he would find a way to retaliate later.
Before, she had been cautious in everything, wanting to be a perfect wife and a capable assistant to Li En, helping him rise in his career. Now, it seemed she had been too naive, too taking things for granted.
Li En was simply an untalented fool!
Having lost hope in her marriage, Madam Tian thought of another matter.
Her eldest daughter would soon be nine years old. In two or three years, her marriage should be arranged. It would be best if the child in her womb could be a pillar of the family, so she would have support.
She couldn't rely on her husband, so she had to marry off her daughter well and raise her son well. When the old madam passed away in the future, there would inevitably be a division of the family. Relying on this man, her life would only get worse by the day.
With hope in her heart, Madam Tian no longer felt sad or hurt. After her health improved slightly, she immediately sent someone to Qingping Xuan to invite Li Man'er.
"Fourth Aunt wants to see me?"
Li Man'er was very surprised. She didn't want to get involved in the Fourth Branch's family affairs, but Madam Tian was her elder, and she was ill. If she didn't go, it would seem unfeeling.
She had just shed the label of being overbearing, and she didn't want to put it back on.
"Alright, I'll change my clothes and go see Fourth Aunt."
Li Man'er told her maid to help her wash up and change into a honey-colored dress. She simply wore two pearl hairpins and, with Mu Yun, went to Madam Tian's courtyard.
"The Eldest Young Lady is here."
A maid lifted the curtain for Li Man'er, and the mistress and servant entered the room.
Granny Xue personally came to greet her, her eyes shining. "Greetings, Eldest Young Lady."
"Granny Xue, how is Fourth Aunt?"
"Thanks to the Eldest Young Lady's blessing, she is already well." Granny Xue's words were not mere pleasantries. If Li Man'er hadn't pointed out the issue with the pastries, her mistress would likely not have been able to vent her anger.
"Take me to see Fourth Aunt."
"This way, please." Granny Xue's attitude towards Li Man'er had changed significantly, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was respectful.
"The Eldest Young Lady is here?" Madam Tian leaned back, her face filled with gratitude. "Man'er, I owe you so much for what happened this time."
Madam Tian's complexion was much better than a few days ago. She had lost some weight, but she looked more spirited, as if she had come to terms with things.
"Fourth Aunt, we are family."
Madam Tian glanced at Granny Xue. Granny Xue, understanding immediately, called everyone else out of the room.
Seeing this, Li Man'er also asked Mu Yun to leave. Only she and Madam Tian remained in the inner room.
"Does Fourth Aunt have something to tell me?"
It was only then that Madam Tian carefully examined Li Man'er. To her surprise, she was indeed shocked.
This child had been beautiful since she was young. Her mischievous nature had somewhat overshadowed her looks. Now, she was serene and dignified, with an ethereal aura, her beauty even more striking.
"Does the Eldest Young Lady not remember the dowry left by the late Madam?"
Li Man'er's heart skipped a beat. After searching her mind carefully, she said, "How could I forget? My mother's dowry list is all with me, and the items in the storeroom are also carefully kept. There won't be any mistakes."
Madam Tian smiled and shook her head. "What about the shops? The land deeds? I know that most of these things are in the Eldest Young Lady's hands. But don't forget, didn't the eldest sister-in-law coax five shops away from you back then!"
Coaxed five shops away?
Was the original owner an idiot?
Hearing Madam Tian say this, the memories of the original owner in Li Man'er's mind slowly resurfaced.
At that time, the original owner was still young. Madam Guo coaxed and tricked her into handing over five shops. Although the property deeds were still with the original owner, the management rights of the shops belonged to Madam Guo.
The five shops dealt in fine goods, earning money from the ladies of the capital. Their net profit was over two thousand taels of silver each.
That amounted to ten thousand taels a year. However, these shops had been under Madam Guo's control for several years. Roughly calculated, the profits earned by these shops had all gone into Madam Guo's pocket.
"Yes, Fourth Aunt reminded me, and I had truly forgotten." Li Man'er said, "Thank you, Fourth Aunt. Tomorrow, I will get the shops back and will certainly give my unborn little brother a congratulatory gift."
Little brother?
Madam Tian's eyes lit up. "Man'er, you mean..."
"That's right, Fourth Aunt is carrying a male fetus. Congratulations, Fourth Aunt." She had already known this when she took Madam Tian's pulse before.
Madam Tian was a little emotional, her eyes glistening with tears, but they were tears of joy. It would not be an exaggeration to say she wept for joy.
"It's also thanks to you that this child is safe." Madam Tian said this from the bottom of her heart. However, she then changed the subject. "Has the Eldest Young Lady thought about how she will get the shops back?"
"Don't worry, Fourth Aunt. Not only will I get the shops back, but I will also make her return all the money she earned over the years, with interest."
Madam Tian looked at the radiant young girl before her, and couldn't help but be curious. Where did her confidence come from? How could she be so sure that Madam Guo would return everything?
She was truly too curious!