Hearing Li Man'er say this, Li Qingyan's mood inexplicably eased, his previous tension subsided, replaced by anticipation and joy.
Perhaps it was because Li Man'er had saved his life, or perhaps the siblings were simply compatible. In any case, Li Qingyan felt that Li Man'er was not just his cousin, but like a real sister.
"Alright, I'll wait for you."
Li Man'er then said, "Hurry back!"
Li Qingyan left, looking back at Li Man'er three times.
Li Man'er, on the other hand, went to the courtyard where Li Shu was recuperating.
The courtyard was not large but was kept quite clean. It housed Li Shu's guards, as well as a doctor and his two apprentices.
Although Li Shu was paralyzed by a stroke, the room was kept very clean, with no peculiar odors. However, the smell of medicine was strong, and just smelling it, Li Man'er knew that Li Shu's condition had worsened.
He wouldn't last long.
Upon seeing Li Shu, Li Man'er was taken aback. The Li Shu before her had lost all his former elegance. With a once excellent appearance, his cheeks were now sunken, his eyes listless, and he looked like someone clinging to life on his sickbed.
Li Man'er felt like laughing at his appearance, but she suppressed it.
It wasn't time to be happy yet.
The military doctor said with some embarrassment, "My lady, I am of shallow learning. Although I have been diligently treating the Marquis's illness, there has been no improvement yet..."
As he spoke, he felt guilty, afraid that Li Man'er would be displeased and have him dragged out and beaten to death.
"I am also a doctor and understand that this illness is not easy to treat. I understand your predicament. How about this, I will examine the Marquis again. You all go out first."
"Yes!" The military doctor, as if granted a pardon, hurried out.
Li Man'er glanced at A Si, who understood immediately and went out, closing the door behind him.
A Si did not go anywhere, but stood guard outside the door, lest anyone disturb their father-daughter reunion.
Li Man'er slowly walked up to Li Shu and scrutinized him from above.
Li Shu was unable to speak. When he wasn't speaking, saliva would drip down in strings. A large piece of towel was placed on his chest, specifically for absorbing moisture.
"Wu, ah, ah." As soon as Li Shu saw Li Man'er approaching, he cried out in fear, but he could not speak at all, nor could he express his thoughts.
Li Man'er first sneered, then said, "When I came in just now, you were still pretending to be dead, but now you're shouting quite heartily."
The anger in Li Shu's eyes was as undisguised as the wind and snow of Mobei.
"Marquis, how does this feeling of being unable to live or die feel?" Li Man'er leaned closer and whispered, "Desperate? Lonely?"
"Hmm, hmm..." Li Shu had cursed Li Man'er tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of times in his heart, wishing he could tear her apart.
"Before my mother left, she was also this desperate and helpless. What were you doing then?"
Li Shu's eyes widened abruptly! As if he had heard something terrifying.
"What's with that expression? Guilty conscience?" Li Man'er smiled. "Don't worry, soon, my mother will come to find you."
Li Shu's body trembled slightly. He hadn't been afraid of death before, but now he was a man who cherished his life.
"Don't be impatient. Soon, I will send your entire family down below, so you can have a good reunion in the underworld and atone for my mother's suffering."
"Wu, wu!"
Li Man'er did not care about his reaction at all. Her goal was to frighten Li Shu.
"Rest assured, you won't die for now. I will ensure you return to the capital safely, so that everyone in the capital can see your current appearance."
This was simply more unbearable for him than killing him.
It was a killing blow to the heart, a swift and sharp blade.
Li Man'er no longer looked at Li Shu and turned to leave.
A Si quickly handed her the cloak. "Miss, shall we go see young master Qingyan?"
Li Man'er looked at the gloomy sky and nodded.
The master and servant soon arrived at Li Qingyan's residence. The room was heated by an underfloor heating system and a charcoal brazier, making it as warm as spring. Li Qingyan had someone make tea and brought pastries, fussing around her so much that he was practically saying he wanted to apologize to Li Man'er.
Li Man'er asked him to sit down, but he stubbornly shook his head and stood before Li Man'er, looking like a schoolchild caught in the act of misbehaving.
"Alright, it's not a big deal." As she spoke, she waved her hand, and Liu Ya and A Si saw this and withdrew in unison.
The two stood in the corridor, feeling somewhat awkward.
When Li Man'er first arrived, it was Liu Ya who accompanied her. She had fought wolves alongside Li Man'er and battled side-by-side. However, as she was from the third branch, she could not truly be of one mind with Li Man'er and remained distant from her.
In contrast, A Si.
"A Si, you are the Prince's person, aren't you?"
"Yes." A Si did not deny it. "The Prince protects Miss and will not let her suffer any injustice."
Liu Ya did not expect her to admit it so readily and did not know what to say for a moment.
The two stood awkwardly, looking at the sky, at the ground, but not at each other's faces.
Inside the room, Li Qingyan also dared not look at Li Man'er.
"Li Qingyan, you will be ten years old after the New Year. As a man, can't you even lift your head?"
Li Qingyan blushed under her scolding. "Big sister, I, I think my father..."
"What about your father? Your father is fine. He is my third uncle, your father, and a man trusted by His Majesty."
Li Qingyan looked up, his eyes filled with emotion. "Big sister, you don't blame him? He clearly... but he said nothing."
"Why would I blame third uncle? Could he have defied the imperial decree?"
Li Qingyan immediately smiled. "Big sister, you are the best!"
Li Man'er smiled for a moment, then put on a stern face. "How is your homework coming along? If you mispronounce a single word, I'll spank your hands."
Li Qingyan's joy immediately turned to sorrow, and his face was filled with grief.
Qi Yihan placed the teacup on the table and got straight to the point. "In the past few days, has the General familiarized himself with the surrounding environment?"
Li Nian immediately replied, "Your Highness, rest assured. I have carefully surveyed the new city, the old city, and the areas outside. I am waiting for an opportunity to personally explore them to truly have a clear understanding."
"You are indeed much better than your brother." He paused, then added, "The Marquis is mediocre in talent, yet he has a good daughter and a good in-law family. It's a pity he doesn't cherish them."
Li Nian said cautiously, "Your Highness, Man'er hasn't caused any trouble in the old city, has she?"
"The distance between the two cities is less than a hundred miles. Your information here is so limited. Could it be that without the Xiao family, you hear nothing?"
"This subordinate dares not! It is just that hearing is false, and seeing is believing." Li Nian chose his words carefully. "This subordinate is also afraid that she will cause trouble for Your Highness."