Inside the Songhe Hall, Madam Cui's蠱毒 had just acted up again. Although she had taken an antidote in time, she still felt excruciating abdominal pain, leaving her utterly drained and without energy, as if she had narrowly escaped death. Wang Momo had not yet recovered from her injuries and couldn't attend to Madam Cui, leaving only Du Momo to manage the courtyard's affairs.
Madam Cui learned that Li Qingyun had had an arm dislocated by Li Man'er, and she cursed Li Man'er furiously for half an hour. However, this was of no consequence to Li Man'er; she didn't even know Madam Cui was scolding her.
Even if she had known, what difference would it make? She didn't care.
Madam Cui naturally understood this, so she began planning to appeal to the imperial court.
"Old Madam, is this course of action wise?" Du Momo asked worriedly. She was different from Wang Momo. Wang Momo was a sycophantic opportunist. Ever since she started serving Madam Cui, she had only ever agreed with Madam Cui's actions and never offered any counsel.
While a servant's duty was to obey their master's commands, Madam Cui acted ruthlessly and without reservation. Wang Momo often exaggerated matters, escalating them to an irresolvable point, which was truly not a good thing.
But it was evident that Wang Momo was more favored by Madam Cui, causing Madam Cui to gradually distance herself from Du Momo and no longer consider her a confidante.
"What is unwise about it?" Madam Cui's patience had reached its limit. Every pore of her body screamed for revenge.
"Old Madam, appealing to the Emperor directly will have too great an impact on our family. Not to mention that the Marquis is already in this state. If we also bring down the eldest daughter, what will that leave the heir apparent? How will the other daughters of our family marry in the future?"
Madam Cui had more than one son. Although she hoped the eldest son would inherit the family business and prosper the clan, she also doted on her second and youngest sons. There were also several grandchildren. If they were all affected by Li Man'er, their official careers might even be impacted, which would be truly terrible.
Madam Cui gritted her teeth. "You may withdraw for now. I will think on it further."
Du Momo knew Madam Cui's resolve had wavered. She bowed and withdrew.
Madam Cui pondered for a long time and finally formulated a clearer strategy: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Within a few days, the news of Li Shu's remarriage spread throughout the imperial city. Whether in noble households or on the streets, everyone was discussing this matter.
The Li family had become fodder for gossip, a laughingstock.
Everyone knew that the Iron Courageous Marquis, Li Shu, had suffered a stroke and was paralyzed. Arranging a marriage for a cripple—wasn't that ruining a young woman's life?
"If you ask me, this is a transaction. One is willing to strike, and the other is willing to be beaten. We shouldn't worry about it."
"True. What good family's daughter would marry a cripple?"
"I disagree with that. Is he just any cripple? He's the esteemed Iron Courageous Marquis. Even if he's paralyzed, he still holds his title. How can we common folk compare?" The man lowered his voice and whispered, "To marry the Marquis, even if she has to live as a widow, what does it matter?"
She would gain fame and fortune. Even the heir apparent would have to call her mother.
"Exactly, exactly. I suppose the other party's background isn't high, otherwise, they wouldn't marry their daughter to him to climb the social ladder and live as a widow."
"My good brother has insight."
How could Li Man'er not have heard the news that the entire capital knew about?
"Miss, what is the background of this Liu family?" Ziyan asked. "Your maidservant heard that the eleventh daughter of the Liu family is only twenty years old this year."
"Twenty years old is already an old maid. She's probably too old to marry off."
Li Man'er simply said, "The Liu family is said to be only a sixth-rank official. Their ancestral home is in Shanyang. They don't carry any weight in the capital."
Although the Li family was influential, the noble families in the capital were extremely cautious. What family truly cared for their daughter would be willing to marry her into this situation? It was obvious to all that the Li family was in decline. Once Li Shu died, the Marquis's mansion would become a Duke's mansion, and who knew what would happen then!
Families of lower standing might be willing to sacrifice their reputation for benefits, unafraid of ill repute, but the Li family would have to deem them worthy first.
The reason this Liu family daughter had remained unmarried until twenty also had its causes. It was said she had been engaged three times, and each time, within three months of the engagement, misfortune befell the groom's family. Three fiancés—one dead, two injured—and her inauspicious reputation spread. She remained unwed until she was twenty, becoming an old maid.
Madam Cui wished to expedite Li Shu's marriage to bring him good luck. Thus, she didn't bother with such considerations. She thought that if the Madam Liu was truly inauspicious, it would be all the better, as she could at least bring some misfortune to Li Man'er, ensuring a terrible end for her.
Of course, the situation with the Liu family was told to Li Man'er by Qi Yihan. He feared that the Li family would harm Li Man'er, so he secretly investigated the Liu family thoroughly.
Moreover, the reason Madam Cui was eager to expedite Li Shu's marriage had also been investigated. He and Li Man'er had secretly agreed to wait for Madam Cui's grand plan.
Madam Cui believed her plan was foolproof, but she didn't know that an even greater blow awaited her.
Soon, it was the wedding day. Li Shu's health was such that he could not personally escort the bride. The Li family invited a junior member from a collateral branch of the Li family to act as the groom.
Fortunately, they didn't resort to using a rooster or anything similar; they still had some sense of decorum.
The Liu family daughter was reluctantly sent into the bridal chamber, and the Li family began to host guests.
As the groom's daughter, Li Man'er was supposed to be in the inner chambers entertaining the female guests. However, she never expected Madam Cui to invite a group of people who were at odds with her.
The Grand Princess had arrived, along with her sisters-in-law. Madam Pei, the wife of the Right Vice Minister, was also present, as was Madam Qian, Xu Shi, the second daughter Qian Fangruo, and Madam Guo, Madam Cui's paternal aunt. Even more interestingly, Li Zhaojia had returned.
All the guests were either acquaintances or enemies!
Although there were a few she didn't recognize, their appearances and attitudes indicated they were not benevolent. They were likely helpers Madam Cui had found to deal with her.
Very well, her reputation was already ruined, so she didn't mind playing another big hand. If they were sensible, she would go easy on them and not make a scene too ugly. Otherwise, she couldn't be blamed for showing no mercy.
"Oh, isn't this Miss Li? It's been such a long time since we've seen you appear in public." The speaker was Madam Yang, the wife of the second master of the Tong family and the sister-in-law of the Grand Princess. Madam Yang was plump and naturally jealous, so she couldn't help but make sarcastic remarks when she saw young and beautiful women.
Her reputation was not good either. Everyone knew she had a foul mouth, and people only tolerated her out of consideration for the Duke and the Grand Princess.
The Grand Princess brought her along precisely because of her formidable fighting spirit. Could Li Man'er, a young woman, possibly contend with Madam Yang?
As expected, the moment Madam Yang spoke, all the female guests turned to look at them, as if waiting for a good show to begin, only lacking a bag of melon seeds.
Li Man'er sighed softly, thinking to herself that these people were merely masochistic; they were practically inviting a scolding.