"The risk is immense, do you have no regrets?" Qi Yihan asked softly.
"If Your Highness can assist, the chances of success are great. This humble lady would be eternally grateful. As for regrets..." Li Man'er pursed her lips slightly, "This subject has never regretted anything."
Her gaze was remarkably resolute, her eyes holding a breathtaking starlight that moved anyone who beheld it. It was as if she were facing not the barbarian army or the treacherous schemes of the Xiao family, but the most captivating scene in the world.
Qi Yihan had never seen a woman's eyes as fearless as Li Man'er's. Such a gaze, he had only witnessed in veterans who had fought fiercely and endured countless battles.
Qi Yihan could not fathom how Li Man'er, who had been raised in the sheltered confines of a noble household, possessed such courage. She appeared delicate, like a tender blossom adorning a branch, yet every event she experienced was utterly unbelievable.
Her medical skills, her martial prowess, her stratagems, and the blueprints she presented…
Each one shattered Qi Yihan's perception of a refined young lady. Even if Li Man'er was of military lineage, Li Shu was one person, and she was another.
Even if she had resided with the Ning family in Jiangnan for four years, could the Ning family have truly cultivated her into a person of such exceptional medical skill, extraordinary courage, formidable martial arts, and unwavering resolve in merely four years? Even if the Ning family had exhausted their wealth, it was unlikely they could achieve this.
Did this make her a genius?
Upon this thought, Qi Yihan frowned, appearing lost in contemplation.
He suddenly realized that, at some point, his evaluation of Li Man'er had been steadily rising. Now, in his heart, she was remarkably outstanding.
He then recalled the protective chest armor he wore, and the incessant chatter of Ah Qi, his talkative attendant.
Ah Qi had said that to Miss Li, His Highness must be a special person. Otherwise, why wouldn't she have given the chest armor to Li Shu? Why not to her third uncle, who treated her quite well?
Furthermore, the craftsmanship of the chest armor was excellent. Even if it was made a bit large, it would only be slightly ill-fitting on her, not hindering its protective function.
Miss Li herself didn't wear it, but insisted on giving it to His Highness.
"Your Highness? Your Highness?"
Li Man'er grew uneasy under Qi Yihan's intense gaze. His direct stare made her feel inexplicably flustered. Although Qi Yihan's face was covered by a mask, and beneath it might lie a face scarred by medicinal treatments, she had seen his true countenance.
His features were like jade, his eyes like stars, and he possessed a fine physique, noble birth, and high status…
Li Man'er sighed inwardly. Such a handsome and elegant figure, tragically born in the wrong era. Had he lived in later times, he would undoubtedly have been a figure of immense public adoration, commanding fame and fortune simply by standing on a stage. Why must he, a dignified prince, be in such a wretched state, having come to this desolate land?
Both of them were somewhat preoccupied, but soon Qi Yihan regained his composure. Li Man'er's probing gaze made his face tighten, but as a man who had weathered storms, he was hardly going to be flustered by this minor embarrassment.
"This King is well. I was merely contemplating how to best utilize the opportune moment to help you achieve your wish."
Li Man'er tentatively asked, "Your Highness is willing to help me?"
"Naturally. You have aided this King more than once, and this King is naturally willing to reciprocate and help Miss Man'er achieve her aspirations." Qi Yihan had returned to his normal demeanor, and with the mask concealing his face, even Li Man'er could not detect any peculiarity about him.
"With Your Highness's assistance, my chances of success will be even greater."
Qi Yihan then inquired about her plan.
Although Qi Yihan had been mentally prepared, hearing Li Man'er's detailed plan sent shockwaves through him like a tsunami.
Li Man'er's dissatisfaction with Li Shu was long-standing. While Qi Yihan had never directly asked her thoughts, he had some inkling.
But he had never imagined that Li Man'er would be so audacious as to even contemplate tricking her father to change his noble title.
It was not difficult to imagine that if Li Shu encountered trouble in Mobei, impacting the war effort, the Emperor would be furious. The Xiao family, being opportunists, would naturally not speak favorably of Li Shu, and it was highly probable that Li Shu would fall from grace, possibly even have his title revoked and rank demoted.
If Li Man'er could turn the tide and salvage the war, she would be the only one capable of saving Li Shu. By then presenting those blueprints, her merits would offset her transgressions, and it was not impossible that the Marquis Iron-Heart Manor could be spared.
Yet, she chose to leverage her contributions, demanding that the Emperor thoroughly investigate the truth behind the wrongful death of the Ning family. The Qi family owed a debt of gratitude to the Ning family. How could the Emperor refuse? A thorough investigation would undoubtedly uncover many malpractices within the Li household, and this debt would ultimately be settled by Li Shu.
Li Man'er's audacity in allowing an investigation suggested she had already gathered evidence. At that time, both Li Shu and Cui Shi would be utterly disgraced in front of the entire court and the world, their reputations crushed beyond redemption.
It was truly ruthless.
"Have you considered what would happen if the Emperor refused to allow the Li family to change their noble title, and in his rage, confiscated the entire Li estate?"
"That won't happen," Li Man'er replied. "With myself and Third Uncle present, our contributions will offset any transgressions. Regardless, the Emperor will not deal a fatal blow to the Li family at this juncture. If Li Shu is unusable, then a more capable person will be placed in his stead. What problem is there with that?"
What Li Man'er did not say was that she held an even greater trump card.
She had heard that the Emperor's health had been deteriorating in recent years, and he was not well. Even an Emperor is human, and he fears death. To prolong his life, the current Emperor had summoned numerous alchemists to refine elixirs and immortal pills for him, in his pursuit of longevity.
Throughout history, there had been emperors who, in their delusion, sought to achieve immortality through unorthodox methods, all stemming from their fear of death. However, how many of the Taoist priests and alchemists they found were capable of producing genuine results? The toxicity of minerals and cinnabar was considerable. Furthermore, a significant number of people directly used mercury for alchemy. How could anyone who consumed such pills survive? Their organs would gradually fail, and each one would die of chronic poisoning.
She was different. Among those who achieved mastery in their Xuan Yi (Mysterious Medicine) sect, all were capable of refining elixirs. With the Crimson Flame Lotus Furnace in her possession, refining excellent pills and medicines was simply a matter of ease.
Therefore, with her presence, the Emperor could be granted a few more years of life, and some of his desires could be fulfilled prematurely.
For instance, defeating the barbarians and achieving unification.
This would be a significant event recorded in history, passed down through generations, and would it not be more appealing than the ethereal pursuit of immortality?