The next day, Li Man'er arrived on time to pick up Huang Yuhe from the Huang family.
Huang Yuhe had been waiting, and was so overjoyed that she almost jumped when she realized Li Man'er had kept her promise. The previous day, she had spoken to her stepmother, and Madam Zhang had not objected to Li Man'er taking her away for a few days. She had even instructed her to bring more attendants to avoid troubling Princess Anning.
Excitedly, Huang Yuhe brought her retinue to meet Li Man'er, only to find Huang Yuzhu at the entrance. Her face was full of surprise. "Second Sister, where are you going?"
"Eldest Sister, I'm going too. Can we go together, sisters?"
Huang Yuzhu had heard that Li Man'er was taking Huang Yuhe to the estate and had pestered her mother to let her go as well. Madam Zhang had adamantly refused, saying that Princess Anning did not favor her and she would only embarrass herself.
"Mother, I have a reason for wanting to go. Don't you think that anyone can go near Princess Anning? If I go, perhaps I can meet the Prince. If I can catch the Prince's eye, you and Father can enjoy a life of luxury."
Madam Zhang was tempted. That night, she discussed it with Lord Huang, and the couple indulged in daydreams. They both believed that if Huang Yuzhu went, she could meet Qi Yihan. Even if he didn't favor her, she might leave an impression. Perhaps after the Prince and Princess's wedding, their daughter could be elevated to the position of a secondary consort in the Prince's mansion!
Although her daughter's beauty could not compare to Princess Anning's, she was also a delicate and lovely flower. Men were fickle, and with women on both sides, they would naturally desire every color.
The couple was ecstatic and spent the night meticulously preparing for Huang Yuzhu.
The next day, upon seeing the carriage from the Princess's mansion, the gatekeeper immediately reported to Madam Zhang. Madam Zhang, with her daughter, arrived early at Li Man'er's carriage, ready to ingratiate themselves. To their surprise, Li Man'er showed them no deference, not even bothering to appear, and waited serenely in the carriage for Huang Yuhe.
Si, who disliked the fawning demeanor of Madam Zhang and Huang Yuzhu, wanted to get out and scold them, but Li Man'er stopped her.
"Mere clowns, let them have their little dance."
Seeing Huang Yuzhu's display, Huang Yuhe immediately felt a sense of dread. The former, upon seeing her, immediately linked arms with her affectionately. "Sister, you are close to the Princess. Please ask her to let me go as well."
"You're going too?" Huang Yuhe scoffed. "Why don't you ask the Princess yourself?"
"Are you giving me a hard time?" Huang Yuzhu said fiercely. "The Princess wouldn't even see me."
Madam Zhang added, "Your sister wants to go, what's the harm in helping her? One more person will make it more lively."
Li Man'er listened impassively from inside the carriage. Her main concern was Huang Yuhe's attitude. This timid girl, like a rabbit, she wanted to see if she dared to defy her stepmother.
"Mother, if Sister wants to go, she should ask the Princess herself. While the Princess and I are good friends, it is I who have been fortunate enough to befriend her. I have no right to influence the Princess's decision," Huang Yuhe stated. "When the Princess sent someone with an invitation yesterday, she clearly stated it was a gathering of close friends. I fear Sister is not qualified."
"You..." Huang Yuzhu was almost angered to death, but she refused to leave. Prince Jiu, like an immortal, was someone she longed to marry into the Prince's mansion. Even as a secondary consort, she would be happy to be a mere concubine.
Madam Zhang also feared that her beautiful dream would be shattered. She immediately put on a stern face. "Sisters should care for and help each other. What kind of attitude is this?"
Huang Yuhe felt deeply wronged by the reprimand, but as a concubine's daughter, she had no right to talk back to her stepmother. She didn't know how to respond.
Just then, Li Man'er, who had not appeared, lifted the carriage curtain. "Oh, such arrogant words. Let this Princess see who is spouting such nonsense here."
Upon seeing Li Man'er, Madam Zhang was momentarily stunned. The young woman sitting in the carriage had bright, captivating eyes and skin as fair as snow. Her apricot-shaped eyes seemed to hold a universe of stars, dazzling and irresistible.
Compared to Li Man'er, her own daughter hardly qualified as a simple village girl.
"Your Highness."
Li Man'er glanced at Huang Yuhe. "Why aren't you getting in the carriage? What are you waiting for?"
"Oh!" Huang Yuhe knew Li Man'er was supporting her and eagerly boarded the carriage with Xiao Tao.
The carriage curtain was not lowered, and Madam Zhang and her daughter dared not speak out of anger.
Li Man'er dared to fight the King of Xizhou, and her actions were seemingly justified. Not only did the people of Xizhou dare not utter a word, but the Emperor himself said nothing. This demonstrated Li Man'er's capabilities.
If Li Man'er were to beat them, as long as she didn't kill them, no one would likely say anything.
The mother and daughter thought along the same lines and were terrified. "Your Highness."
Li Man'er snorted coldly. "A person's worth lies in self-awareness."
These words struck the mother and daughter like a slap in the face.
Li Man'er lowered the carriage curtain and closed her eyes.
Si knocked on the carriage, and the coachman, understanding, flicked the reins and drove out of the alley.
Huang Yuzhu pouted, stomped her foot, and ran back to her room.
Inside the carriage, Huang Yuhe felt a different sentiment. "Man'er, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for? I'm helping myself. I don't want trouble. Your sister, she's not much to look at, but she has grand ambitions."
Huang Yuhe couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Li Man'er saw that her eyes were still swollen and sighed helplessly. "What, do you like Yelü Hongge that much?"
"No, no!" Huang Yuhe waved her hands repeatedly, fearing Li Man'er would misunderstand. "I'm not... I was afraid you would misunderstand me. I, I didn't know he was from Xizhou."
"I know. I believe you."
Huang Yuhe looked up with teary eyes. "Really? You believe me?"
"Of course. Otherwise, why would I take you to the estate? Let's spend a few days there, see the mountain scenery, soak in the hot springs, and forget all the unpleasant things."
Huang Yuhe couldn't help but cry again, startling Xiao Tao.
"Since I was young, no one has ever treated me this well. Man'er, you are closer to me than my own sister." With that, she lunged towards Li Man'er.
Li Man'er was disgusted. "Don't get your snot all over me."
Now it was Huang Yuhe's turn to feel embarrassed, but her dramatics had dispelled much of the sadness. After this incident, their friendship grew even stronger.
They stayed at the estate for three days, enjoying farm-to-table dishes, mountain fruits, and hot springs, feeling quite happy. Unfortunately, they were still unmarried young ladies and could not enjoy such carefree days for long before rushing back to the capital.
As soon as Huang Yuhe entered the mansion, she saw a maidservant from Aunt Liu's side running towards her crying. "Miss, please go quickly and see. Master has punished concubine and made her kneel in the woodshed for three days. She is almost at her end."