Li Man'er, completely unaware of the events at the Wuji Hall, was currently in the Empress Dowager's chambers, engaged in conversation.
It was less a conversation and more a scolding.
"You are a young lady, yet you went to the battlefield and charged into the fray? This empress dowager heard that the barbarians are demons who kill without batting an eye. How could you, a tender and delicate young girl..." The Empress Dowager spoke while stroking Li Man'er's hand, her expression one of disbelief. "How is it that your hands are rougher than mine?"
Li Man'er had spent over several months in Mobei. Every day, her hands were either on a saber or a spear. Her hands had slain barbarian generals and felt the cold touch of the Mobei city walls. Especially after venturing into the mountains, she endured the elements daily. If her skin had remained tender and delicate, it would have been too unbelievable.
Li Man'er was a person who paid attention to detail. To appear more authentic, she had hardly consumed any Misty Spring water, resulting in small cuts and calluses on her hands. How could they compare to the Empress Dowager's pampered hands?
"Your subject practices martial arts daily..." Li Man'er felt a bit embarrassed. She was a lady from a reputable family, and her hands were indeed quite rough.
"This empress dowager is not blaming you; this empress dowager is worried about you," the Empress Dowager said with a hint of melancholy. "You are your mother's only descendant. If anything were to happen to you, your mother's spirit in heaven would blame this empress dowager for not taking good care of you."
Li Man'er was filled with trepidation and immediately knelt to beg for forgiveness. "Your subject is terrified..."
Damn it, after only a few years in this Zun Kingdom, her knees had grown softer, and she had to kneel at the slightest provocation.
"Rise quickly." The Empress Dowager personally helped Li Man'er up and motioned for her to sit. She then instructed her attendant, "Fetch two jars of the imperial physician's specially prepared Jade Visage Cream for her. Apply it to your hands when you return. They must heal quickly."
"Many thanks for the Empress Dowager's generous gift." Li Man'er curtsied slightly before resuming her seat on the embroidered stool.
"A good child," the Empress Dowager said with a benevolent smile. "No wonder the Ninth Prince, who has always been like a block of wood, now has thoughts of marriage."
Li Man'er felt a bit uneasy and lowered her head, subtly masking her awkwardness. With the death of Madam Guo, she was in mourning, which traditionally lasted three years, meaning marriage was out of the question. However, Qi Yihan seemed to have other arrangements, so she didn't need to worry.
"I had previously thought of arranging a marriage for you with Qiao'er. Now it seems this empress dowager was meddling foolishly."
Li Man'er couldn't feign ignorance indefinitely. Tong Qiao was the Empress Dowager's maternal grandson. To say he wasn't good enough for her would be an insult to the Empress Dowager.
"It is your subject's excessive boorishness that makes her unworthy of the Young Duke," Li Man'er mused. "The Young Duke deserves a more refined lady. If I were to accidentally injure him with my daily saber practice, it would be most unfortunate."
A flicker of embarrassment crossed the Empress Dowager's eyes, but she quickly concealed it.
"Good child, this empress dowager will keep your matters in mind. This empress dowager is tired. You may go and sit with Consort Shu! Your aunt also misses you."
Li Man'er felt a sense of relief. "Your subject takes her leave."
A head嬷嬷 (a senior female servant in charge of a palace) guided Li Man'er to Li Qingshu's palace. To Li Man'er's surprise, Aunt Wenxiu was already waiting at the entrance.
"Thank you,嬷嬷."
"You are too kind, Auntie. Her Ladyship must be eagerly awaiting. The Empress Dowager specifically ordered me to escort Miss Li here personally."
Aunt Wenxiu, who was well-prepared, slipped a palm-sized purse into the head嬷嬷's hand and saw her off.
The intricate social dynamics within the palace were not to be taken lightly, especially when dealing with someone from the Empress Dowager's court.
"Her Ladyship received the news early and is naturally delighted that you are in the palace," Aunt Wenxiu said with a hint of helplessness. "However, regarding your standing with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, Her Ladyship feels powerless."
"I understand completely."
"Please come in quickly, Miss. Her Ladyship has been waiting for a long time."
The head maid, Fuzhu, lifted the curtain for Li Man'er. "Miss."
Li Man'er entered the side hall and saw Li Qingshu sitting by the window, embroidering something on a large heated brick bed. Seeing her, Li Qingshu put down her embroidery and smiled. "You're finally here."
"Greetings to Her Ladyship."
"There are no outsiders here, rise quickly."
Li Man'er stood up and said, "Ritual must be observed." She then assessed Li Qingshu's complexion and said sincerely, "It seems Her Ladyship has fully recovered. Your complexion is rosy, and you have gained some weight."
"It's all thanks to you," Li Qingshu replied. "How is Father? There are all sorts of rumors outside. Did he truly suffer a stroke?"
Li Man'er nodded, her gaze hesitantly sweeping the surroundings.
Li Qingshu waved her hand, and Aunt Wenxiu ushered everyone out of the room.
Inside the side hall, only the aunt and niece were left, speaking in hushed tones.
Li Man'er recounted Li Shu's physical condition and the reasons for his stroke, one by one.
Upon hearing this, Li Qingshu was both ashamed and angry, displaying an expression of disappointment.
"Lust is a double-edged sword, truly harmful. If he had considered his family even a fraction more, he wouldn't have ended up in this state." Li Qingshu, accustomed to her high status, even had Li Shu bow and pay his respects. She spoke without much reservation.
Li Man'er, however, could not say much and could only play deaf and mute.
"What is the Emperor's attitude?" Her heart was still tied to her maternal family, and she was worried Li Shu might be reprimanded or demoted.
Li Man'er was certainly not foolish enough to speculate on the Emperor's intentions, nor would she divulge her conversation with Emperor Chenghua to Li Qingshu. Even this question was somewhat disrespectful.
"Aunt, please do not be anxious," Li Man'er soothed. "The Emperor will make his own judgment."
Li Qingshu calmed herself. "I was too impetuous." She looked at Li Man'er again, finding her exuding an even more striking aura than during her previous visit to the palace.
"Were you in any danger during your trip to Mobei?"
"Fortunately, it was well. As a critical border territory, with the barbarians at the gates, it was certainly not peaceful. It was a bit perilous, but also exhilarating. Your niece is safe and sound, and has broadened her horizons. It is far more liberating than staying within the confines of a lady's chambers."
Li Qingshu envied her. "It's a pity you are a woman." If Li Man'er had been a man, she would have been the legitimate eldest son of the Li family, a figure destined to bring glory to the clan.
The aunt and niece chatted for a long while. Li Qingshu invited her for a meal and bestowed several gifts upon her. Before the palace gates were locked, she had someone escort Li Man'er out of the palace.
After a day of running around, Li Man'er was utterly exhausted. She couldn't stop yawning in the carriage.
Upon finally reaching home, a wet nurse was waiting for her at the side gate. "Eldest Miss, the Old Madam has ordered that you see her immediately upon your return."
That same old phrase again!
Li Man'er had Luyi carry the gifts back, while she, with Asi, went to Songhe Hall.
The dimly lit courtyard, the swaying lanterns under the eaves, and Cui Shi's somber face seemed to foretell something.
Li Man'er's spirit suddenly surged. She smelled a familiar scent.