Ji Zhongwen, seeing Li Shu's condition, immediately covered his mouth and nose in alarm, as if Li Shu had the plague. He tentatively called out, "Marquis?"
The corner of Li Shu's mouth was askew, his eyes blinked rapidly. He struggled to open his mouth to speak, but only managed to utter indistinct sounds, so garbled that no one could understand him. Drool flowed uncontrollably. When the guards stepped forward to check, they found that half of his body was immobile, he had already become paralyzed.
"Marquis?"
Everyone was stunned, unable to comprehend how Li Shu had ended up like this. Was he angered to this state?
Li Man'er shouted, "Call a doctor!" and added, "Do not move the Marquis carelessly."
Aren't you a doctor yourself?
No one dared to voice this thought, as they had all witnessed Li Man'er's formidable nature. The tense atmosphere between father and daughter earlier had terrified them; they feared the two might come to blows if they disagreed. They could only dispatch someone to quickly summon a physician.
Upon hearing that the Iron Gallant Marquis was ill, the most skilled physician among the army doctors hurried over with his apprentices.
Li Shu lay slumped in his chair, looking rather pathetic. He mumbled incessantly when he saw the medical officer arrive, his face twitching to the side. Half of his body was unresponsive, leaving him powerless and with a feeling of wanting to die but being unable to.
The medical officer, seeing his condition, surmised that he had likely suffered another stroke. He quickly stepped forward to feel Li Shu's pulse, "Marquis, allow me to examine you."
Li Shu was cooperative, though one hand still trembled uncontrollably, for reasons unknown.
Finally, the medical officer confirmed that Li Shu had suffered another stroke. As this was his second stroke, it was a relapse and quite severe.
In the past six months, Li Shu had been poisoned, then suffered strokes, each occurring twice. His body had been through a great deal. While martial artists' bodies were sturdier than ordinary people's, he was now more fragile than them. Once ill, the onset was fierce, and his life was not guaranteed.
"Let's prescribe some medicine for the Marquis and supplement it with acupuncture for recuperation," the medical officer said helplessly. "The Marquis had just recovered from a stroke and needed rest. Instead, in his extreme anger, his old illness recurred. I fear he will be confined to bed from now on."
Li Man'er said expressionlessly, "Starting today, you will move into the manor. The Marquis's health will be in your care."
The medical officer was naturally willing. This task was far less arduous than working in the medical camp, though it carried a certain risk. Should the Iron Gallant Marquis succumb to his illness or any other mishap occur, his own life might be forfeit.
While the medical officer was still in a dilemma, Li Man'er offered him a reassurance. "Rest assured, I am fully aware of the Marquis's condition. As long as you care for him diligently, I will not make things difficult for you."
Li Man'er's words were like a calming balm, greatly easing the medical officer's mind.
"Yes, I will treat him with utmost care and diligence, not daring to be negligent in the slightest."
Li Man'er nodded in satisfaction and then added, "Find two trustworthy apprentices and have them move here as well. This will make it more convenient to care for the Marquis. If you lack anything, just ask, and I will have it provided."
The medical officer was flattered and quickly bowed. "Yes, miss. Please rest assured, I will take good care of the Marquis."
"Oh my, people are truly strange," a sarcastic voice rang out at that moment. It was none other than Censor Ji. "When he was well, there was no filial piety. Instead, there was defiance and rebellion, angering his own father into a stroke. Now that he is ill, you feign care, as if no one in the world is more filial than you."
Everyone knew Ji Zhongwen was referring to Li Man'er. However, with their own agendas, no one stepped forward to support him.
They had come here to speak for Li Man'er. Although Li Shu was their commander, now that he was in such a state, what would they gain from loyalty? Furthermore, they would thoroughly offend Li Man'er, which was even less worthwhile.
This was true not only for Xi Kaiyuan and Jia Er, whom Li Man'er had shown kindness to, but even Li Shu's own guards showed no reaction to Ji Zhongwen's words.
Ji Zhongwen, with his scholarly mindset, never imagined that his righteous commentary would not only fail to garner agreement but would instead make everyone else despise him.
It made them seem like despicable villains, indifferent to their commander's plight.
Even if they were fence-sitters, they couldn't be so blatant about it.
Li Man'er chuckled softly and walked towards Ji Zhongwen, causing the censor to shrink back with all his might, his body stiff, afraid to move.
"Lord Ji, please do not meddle in matters that do not concern you," Li Man'er said softly as she stood before Ji Zhongwen. "Do you know how the Marquis became ill?"
Perhaps it was Li Man'er's intimidation or perhaps the man named Ji felt guilty, but he responded meekly, "Perhaps, it was excessive liver qi? So... the old illness relapsed?"
He dared not say it was Li Man'er who had angered him, fearing she would snap his neck.
Li Man'er moved closer to him and whispered, in a voice only they could hear, "No, it wasn't. I poisoned him."
Ji Zhongwen's eyes widened abruptly. He felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, a chilling cold permeating his entire body.
"No, that's impossible, isn't it?"
"You know it's impossible, so keep your mouth shut. Provoke me again, and I'll poison you. I guarantee no one will know how you died."
Ji Zhongwen managed a stiff smile and nodded. He believed Li Man'er capable of such a heinous act.
"Very well, Lord Ji, you have also had a long day. It is best for you to return and rest early," Li Man'er took a step back, her voice rising. "Do not harbor guilt either. Although you disturbed his rest, making him weary and anxious, causing his illness to recur, you cannot be entirely blamed for this, can you? The Marquis's health does indeed have numerous issues."
Ji Zhongwen's eyes widened. He had grievances but could not voice them. It had nothing to do with him! It was clearly Li Man'er who had caused Li Shu to fall ill.
But he dared not speak and could only nod in a dazed manner. "Then, I will take my leave." Perhaps it was sheer terror, but as he stood up, his legs felt like they were walking on cotton, and he nearly fell. The guard who had been following him quickly supported him, preventing him from face-planting.
Ji Zhongwen fled in disarray. Li Shu was paralyzed by a stroke, and Li Man'er had triumphed.
However, Li Shu still needed to be settled properly. After all, he was the commander, and even paralyzed, he remained a part of the army.
"You few, carry the Marquis back to his bedchamber, and prepare two rooms for the medical officer and his apprentices to stay in," Li Man'er instructed two of Li Shu's guards. "Take good care of the Marquis, and this lady will not treat you poorly."
Li Shu lay slumped in his chair, unable to speak, his eyes red. He let out a scream like a slaughtered pig.