Huang Yuhe’s eyes widened, “What did you say? My father wants to take my mother as a secondary wife?”
Li Man'er nodded, “He said it himself in front of you and the Prince. It’s unlikely to be a lie.” Huang Liyuan wouldn't dare.
While surprised, Huang Yuhe was also very grateful, “Man'er, you're doing this all for me. Did the Prince get angry?” She was a bit flustered, “If this news gets out, it will harm your reputation. People might say you behaved improperly.”
“Can my reputation get any worse? You know what they say about me already.”
Actually, Huang Yuhe knew that was all in the past. Li Man'er's reputation had long since improved. Especially after she returned from Mobei, she had become a hero in the hearts of the capital's people. Even when she stormed the Sifang Pavilion, the court and the public felt she was standing up for the country and herself, and no one thought she was being unreasonable.
But now, for her sake, Li Man'er was putting herself in the spotlight again.
“I know them, they won't give up so easily.”
Li Man'er said, “Don't worry. After this, they won't make a fuss for a while. Take good care of your aunt. We'll deal with anything else after she becomes a secondary wife.”
Huang Yuhe felt there was more to her words and pleaded, “Oh Man'er, tell me your plan first, otherwise I can't rest easy.”
Li Man'er leaned in and whispered a few words to her.
Huang Yuhe’s eyes widened further, “Really?”
“Why would I lie to you?” Li Man'er said, “Rest assured, just let your aunt recover her health first.”
Huang Yuhe’s tears fell again, “I understand. You should also be careful. I’m afraid they’ll come up with other ideas.”
“I know. That’s enough for now, he’s waiting for me!”
Huang Yuhe personally saw Li Man'er out. When she returned, she ran into Huang Liyuan. Seeing him, her heart skipped a beat. She softly called out, “Father.”
She didn't have much affection for Huang Liyuan. Growing up, Huang Liyuan had always been extremely biased. No matter what Huang Yuzhu did, Huang Liyuan would tolerate it, but she, who had done nothing wrong, was always scolded and punished.
Even though she was born of a concubine, she was still his daughter. Even if she couldn't enjoy the same treatment as the legitimate daughter, she shouldn't be wronged at least.
This time, however, Huang Liyuan’s attitude was exceptionally intimate, as if she were his favored daughter all along.
“Yuhe, how were your days out with the Princess?”
“Very good.”
Huang Liyuan asked again, “What did the Princess say to you before she left?”
Huang Yuhe wasn't foolish. She seized the opportunity, “The Princess said she would visit again in a few days to check on my mother's recovery.”
“Did she say anything else?”
Huang Yuhe shook her head, “Father, what do you think the Princess would say to me?”
“Ah, it’s best if there isn't. Yuhe, I know your aunt suffered injustice this time…”
Hearing this, Huang Yuhe almost burst into tears.
Was it injustice? Her aunt almost lost her life this time! If Man'er hadn't arrived in time, her aunt would have been cold by now.
A human life. Her father dismissed it with the words "suffered injustice."
“Father,” Huang Yuhe interrupted Huang Liyuan, “I'm going to see my aunt. The Princess said she needs more observation time, and if anything is wrong, she’ll need to call a doctor. I'll be going now.”
Huang Yuhe didn't care about Huang Liyuan's reaction. The moment she turned away, her heart turned to stone. She would no longer harbor any illusions about her father.
In the carriage, Qi Yihan asked Li Man'er with some confusion, “Are you really going to treat the Huang family's aunt?”
Li Man'er pursed her lips and smiled, “Treat? She was just exhausted and hungry, suffering from exhaustion. A good rest for two days, with plenty of nourishing soups, and she'll recover quickly.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.” Qi Yihan was a bit embarrassed, and only said, “I thought you and the Huang daughter were just casual acquaintances, I didn’t expect you to go this far for her.”
“How could that be? She's my only friend in the capital.” Li Man'er said, “I don't have any friends anywhere else.”
Qi Yihan held her hand, “Man'er, I will always be with you.”
Li Man'er said nothing. She wasn't sad at all; instead, she enjoyed this solitude. She was used to it long ago.
Although Li Man'er was a bride-to-be, she was incredibly busy. She would go to the palace to check the pulse of Emperor Chenghua, or to take care of Consort Rong’s pregnancy, and even go to the Marquis of Iron Courage's manor to keep an eye on Li Shu, ensuring he didn’t die too soon.
Finally, when she had some free time, she took her medicine box to the Huang residence to examine Concubine Liu.
When Concubine Liu heard that the Princess was coming to treat her, she was so excited she didn't know what to do. Although Li Man'er had visited before, she wasn't a Princess then. Her status now was vastly different, yet she still treated her daughter sincerely and didn't look down on her as a concubine. What great fortune this was.
“Your Highness, please accept my bow.” Madam Liu felt that only this bow could express her immense gratitude to Li Man'er.
“Oh, you mustn’t do that.” Li Man'er smiled, “Concubine Liu, please rise quickly.”
Madam Liu quickly said, “How dare this humble concubine accept Your Highness calling me Concubine. It is against the rules. You may call me Madam Liu.”
“I am friends with Yuhe on equal terms. She is my friend, so what’s wrong with me calling her mother Concubine? Concubine, please rise quickly.”
“This…” As Madam Liu stood up, she looked at Huang Yuhe. The latter smiled and nodded, then helped her up. Madam Liu’s heart finally settled.
Huang Yuhe helped Madam Liu sit down. A'si opened the medicine box and handed over the pulse pillow.
“Extend your hand, let me take a look.”
Madam Liu still felt it was inappropriate and said, “Your Highness, this concubine is already fine. A few days ago, I was just weak because I hadn't eaten anything, but now I am well.”
“Did you not explain it to her?”
Huang Yuhe shook her head, “I was afraid of any leaks.”
Madam Liu was a bit stunned, not understanding what these two were talking about in riddles.
“Auntie,” Huang Yuhe quietly leaned beside Madam Liu and whispered a few words to her.
Madam Liu's eyes suddenly widened, looking incredulous, her lips trembling slightly, “Really?”
“You have a cold uterus and a blocked tai meridian, making it very difficult to conceive. To have another child, you need a period of recuperation. However, I am confident I can cure you.”
Madam Liu thought it over and seemed to have made a decision. She said to Huang Yuhe, “Jiaojiao, you go out first. I have something to say to the Princess.”
Jiaojiao?
It seemed this was Huang Yuhe's childhood name, or nickname.
“What is it that I cannot hear?”
“Behave yourself.” Madam Liu said with some urgency, “This is a woman's matter. You are a young lady, you shouldn't listen.”