The wedding preparations were handled entirely by Qi Yihan. Fortunately, Ning family elders also arrived, able to assist with matters concerning the bride’s side. This freed up Li Man’er to focus on tending to Emperor Chenghua’s health.
Emperor Chenghua’s body was long withered and frail, his days numbered. Li Man’er added some Lingwu spring water to his medicine, revitalizing his body and gradually restoring his strength. He seemed to have been granted a second spring.
According to Eunuch Xia, much of his previously white hair had turned black. This was quite remarkable.
Everyone had witnessed Li Man’er’s capabilities. Her backing was now exceptionally strong. Not only did she have the formidable Ninth Prince to protect her, but even the Emperor himself had become her patron. Anyone who dared to provoke her would likely be dealt with before Li Man’er even had to lift a finger.
As she left the palace, Li Man’er had her staff pack some food to take back to her manor. However, before she could even step out of the carriage, she heard startled shouts from outside.
"What is it?"
Ziyan alighted to check the situation and returned with a grim expression. "Miss, it's Madam Liu and her maid, Chunxing. They've come again."
Li Man’er let out a cold laugh. "They've become quite the spectacle. Truly relentless." She stepped out of the carriage, and after only a few steps, Chunxing blocked her path.
"County Princess, County Princess, you cannot abandon our Madam!"
Li Man’er didn't even bat an eye. She raised her hand and delivered a slap that sent Chunxing staggering and tumbling to the ground.
"How insolent! What right does she have to call herself Madam?" Li Man’er’s words were sharp. "She doesn't even possess a noble title. She's merely a pawn for good luck, and yet she dares to call herself Madam?"
Chunxing clutched her face and cried out, "Even as a County Princess, you cannot mistreat people like this! Our Madam was brought into the Marquis’s manor with all the proper rites and a sedan chair. How is she not a Madam?"
Madam Liu sobbed softly, wiping her tears with her sleeve.
Li Man’er took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and savored the moment. "What a strong scent of drama."
Just then, the sound of horse hooves echoed from the alley entrance. Upon hearing it, Madam Liu's crying intensified. Even Chunxing seemed to gain courage. She crawled over and grabbed Li Man’er’s leg, wailing, "County Princess, you cannot be so heartless! Our mistress is, after all, your stepmother. You cannot treat her this way."
Qi Yihan reined in his horse, dismounted, and quickly approached Li Man’er. "What's wrong?"
Seeing Qi Yihan, Chunxing's eyes lit up. She immediately moved to embrace his leg.
What kind of person was Qi Yihan? A seasoned judge of character, he couldn't even be easily approached by someone as sophisticated as the Wu You County Princess, let alone a fool like Chunxing.
Qi Yihan didn't even look at her. With a flick of his wrist, he lashed out with his whip.
Chunxing tried to dodge, but Qi Yihan’s movement was too swift. Her arm was still struck, and blood immediately began to ooze.
"Your Highness, please show mercy," Madam Liu sobbed, kneeling beside Chunxing. "Your Highness, please do not be angered. This concubine..."
Qi Yihan didn't even spare her a glance. He raised his voice and called out to the gatekeepers, "Are you all dead men? These two women have disturbed the County Princess’s mood. Escort them out and forbid them from ever approaching the County Princess's manor."
Li Man’er observed Madam Liu’s feigned look of utter grief and anger. A slight curve formed on her red lips. "You go inside first. I have something to say to her."
Qi Yihan entered with A’qi, instructing, "Those two women have ill intentions. Keep an eye on them."
"Yes, subordinate understands."
Once Qi Yihan had gone some distance, Li Man’er clicked her tongue twice. "Madam Liu, after entering the manor, you failed to attend to the Marquis’s illness and instead spent your days seeking a sense of presence by coming to me. Could it be that you are not adhering to wifely virtues and wish to stray?"
Madam Liu was stunned by Li Man’er’s venomous words. Her jaw dropped, and she even forgot to cry.
"If you wish to stray, I won't stop you. It would be a testament to your capability to give the Marquis a cuckold’s hat. However, for you to flaunt yourself near the Prince is truly seeking death. An aging woman with faded beauty and a bland countenance shamelessly coveting a reigning Prince and presenting herself at her stepdaughter's manor is utterly shameless."
Madam Liu’s body trembled uncontrollably. She had believed her actions were subtle and her little schemes undetectable. To her surprise, not only had they been seen through, but her very essence was being stripped bare.
Madam Liu immediately covered her face and departed. Chunxing’s eyes held a hint of malice as she followed Madam Liu away.
Ziyan jumped up in anger. "Miss, why did you let them leave? Those two, mistress and servant, are too shameless!"
Li Man’er replied, "What are you afraid of? They are merely pawns crossing the river. No need to bother with them."
Pawns?
Ziyan didn't understand, but the County Princess’s words were always accurate. Ziyan didn't think further and followed Li Man’er into the manor, putting the incident out of her mind.
In the middle of the night, something happened. Chunxing, the maidservant by Madam Liu’s side, had actually hanged herself in Minghui Courtyard.
Madam Liu broke down crying, directing her accusations towards Li Man’er. Within a few days, rumors filled the streets, claiming that Li Man’er had abused her power and forced the death of her stepmother's dowry maid.
If this had happened to someone else, it would have undoubtedly caused a stir. Perhaps even imperial censors would have seized upon the matter, impeaching her and demanding the Emperor’s judgment.
However, Li Man’er’s current status made her untouchable. Even the Grand Princess had been brought down by her. Who would be so foolish as to offer themselves up for punishment against her?
In truth, one should never underestimate human nature.
One day, as Li Man’er was preparing to leave the palace, she was stopped by a young eunuch.
"Greetings to the County Princess."
Li Man’er looked at his unfamiliar face and asked, "May I ask where Your Excellency serves, and for what reason you seek me?"
"This humble servant attends to Consort Rong. Her Ladyship is feeling unwell and wishes to invite the County Princess to visit her?"
Consort Rong?
Was there such a consort in the palace?
Feeling unwell?
Li Man’er smiled. In this imperial palace, there were not many who had the right to summon her for medical treatment. This Consort Rong had quite the audacity.
The invitation for medical treatment was a pretense; the real intention was likely something more sinister.
"This honorable eunuch, I fear I cannot," Li Man’er sighed. "This County Princess must return to consult ancient texts and formulate a new treatment plan for His Majesty. Surely Consort Rong's situation is not more important than the Emperor's dragon health?"
"This..." The young eunuch was speechless. Even with ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare utter such words.
Li Man’er directly led her people away, then turned and instructed Ziyan to remember to inquire about this Consort Rong's background.
Ziyan had accompanied her to the palace for some time and had interacted with various eunuchs, palace maids, and governesses. She quickly gathered the information Li Man’er desired.
"County Princess, this Consort Rong is truly remarkable. Just a few days ago, she was a palace maid in Changchun Palace! Then, for some unknown reason, she was summoned for an imperial audience." Ziyan blushed. "It is said that the day after her imperial audience, she was enfeebled, and within a few days, she became a noble lady. The decree to promote her to consort was issued yesterday."
Li Man’er reached out and did some quick calculations, a playful smile appearing on her face. "How interesting."