Eunuch Xia presented the imperial decree with both hands, "Princess Anning, receive the decree and give thanks."
Li Man'er kowtowed, "This humble woman accepts the decree and thanks His Majesty for his imperial grace." She took the imperial decree with both hands, appearing respectful on the surface, but cursing inwardly.
Madam Qian and the others felt their faces burning. They had intended to add insult to injury, but who could have imagined Li Man'er would stage such a stunning comeback! She was both a County Princess and the future Ninth Prince Consort. To deal with them would be simpler than crushing an ant.
"County Princess, heh heh, we shall take our leave then."
"This humble woman and others bid farewell, farewell."
These people quickly departed the Li family, not even sparing a glance at Cui Shi.
Only Li Zha'er stood there, extremely unwilling, wanting to leave but afraid, wanting to stay but afraid, caught in a dilemma.
Li Man'er called out to Luyi, saying, "Let's go back and set up an incense altar to enshrine the imperial decree."
Luyi smiled and replied, "Yes, miss. Oh no, County Princess."
The mistress and servant walked past Cui Shi triumphantly. Cui Shi, filled with shame and anger, spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.
Du Momo and the others were greatly alarmed and rushed forward to support Cui Shi, "Old Madam, Old Madam! Someone, quickly fetch a doctor!"
The entire Li household descended into chaos.
Those who had come to attend the wedding banquet avoided the place as if it were a plague.
Even more awkward was Liu Shi. Newly married, her husband was paralyzed, and now the Old Madam had vomited blood. To make matters worse, she had become the County Princess's stepmother.
Wasn't this a complete mess?
Upon Li Man'er's return, everyone in Qingping Xuan rejoiced. They knelt on the ground and congratulated Princess Anning in unison.
Granny Wu was also overjoyed. She quickly ordered an incense altar to be set up to enshrine the imperial decree.
Granny Wu was beside herself with happiness, "It must be that miss is protecting you from heaven, allowing such good fortune to befall you. Thank heaven, heaven has eyes!"
"Heaven has eyes?" Li Man'er mused, "I never believed in such talk of heaven having eyes."
Granny Wu smiled awkwardly, "Yes, County Princess has the ability to reach this point today. Otherwise..."
"Granny Wu, there is something I do not understand."
"What is it that the County Princess does not understand?"
"My maternal grandfather and grandmother were both astute people. Why did they choose you as my mother's dowry maid?"
Granny Wu's expression froze. She swallowed with difficulty, "This servant, this servant also does not know."
"You, neither intelligent nor capable, how did you manage to marry along with my mother?"
Granny Wu remained silent, standing with her head bowed in the hall.
Li Man'er sighed softly, "You are not very clever, nor do you possess much courage. When the Old Madam gave me trouble before, where were you? When the Heir apparent led people to cause trouble in the courtyard, where were you? Even frail girls like Ziyan and Luyi knew to try and stop them, yet where were you, this servant who claims to be most loyal to my mother and to me?"
"This servant did not wish to ruin miss's plans." Granny Wu immediately fell before Li Man'er, "This servant knows of Eldest Miss's abilities. If this servant had intervened, I fear it would have done more harm than good, causing trouble for Eldest Miss."
"Is that so?"
Granny Wu nodded vigorously, "Of course, miss, you must believe this old servant!"
Li Man'er simply said, "I am not as soft-hearted as my mother."
Granny Wu's heart skipped a beat. She quickly declared her loyalty, "Eldest Miss, this servant is truly loyal! I do not know where I have erred to make Eldest Miss so angry. This servant is foolish, but I am absolutely unwavering in my loyalty."