The atmosphere in the room changed the moment the outsiders left. Jiao Niang's hesitant demeanor shifted to one of shy affection, her cheeks flushed as if something momentous had transpired.
Li Man'er glanced at Li Shu.
Perhaps out of guilt, Li Shu appeared uneasy and avoided Li Man'er's gaze.
Their furtive behavior suggested they had been up to no good.
Li Man'er examined Jiao Niang closely. In a single glance, she discerned that Jiao Niang had lost her virginity, transforming from a maiden into a married woman. She let out a silent scoff. Her father was truly something else. She had risked her life infiltrating the Xiao family to rescue him, only for him to immediately take in a maidservant from the Xiao household as soon as he recovered. Did he not fear exhaustion?
Did he not realize the Xiao family's intention in sending Jiao Niang to his chambers was anything but pure? If he couldn't even see through such a simple ploy, how could he command an army?
Hmph, she suspected it wasn't that Li Shu was oblivious, but rather that he was fully aware and simply couldn't control his desires.
Li Man'er took a deep breath and told herself not to get angry. After all, she had never intended for Li Shu to have a good outcome. If he courted his own demise, so be it.
Despite knowing she had no reason to be upset, Li Man'er secretly made her acupuncture treatment more painful, causing Li Shu to wince and Jiao Niang to watch with concern.
Li Man'er pretended not to notice, her needles becoming even more forceful.
Li Shu, being a military man, wasn't one to dwell on minor pain, but his slight frown deeply troubled Jiao Niang.
Before the treatment was even finished, Jiao Niang, her heart aching, softly pleaded, "Young lady, please be gentler."
It was as if the needles were pricking her own flesh.
Li Man'er's brow remained unfurrowed, her movements becoming more practiced.
In less than half an hour, Li Shu was once again covered in needle marks and had fallen asleep.
Li Man'er shook her wrists, which felt no fatigue, and instructed Jiao Niang to keep an eye on the time while she went to prepare medicine.
To her surprise, Jiao Niang blocked her path, refusing to yield. "Young lady, this servant dares to speak. His Highness was frowning in pain just now. I implore you, when you administer treatment next time, please be gentler."
"And who do you think you are?" Li Man'er's voice turned icy. If Jiao Niang were sensible, she would have backed down and stepped aside.
However, Jiao Niang believed that after one night, everything had changed. She was young and beautiful and would eventually follow the prince to the capital. Even as a concubine, she would be Li Man'er's aunt. Surely, for the prince's well-being, she could speak a few words.
Without a second thought, Li Man'er raised her hand and slapped Jiao Niang, sending her to the ground. Jiao Niang, frail and delicate, lay there for a long time. When she finally got up, she felt a sharp pain in half of her face, which had already begun to swell.
"Who do you think you are? A lowly creature who offered herself, daring to lecture me." Li Man'er bared her fangs, terrifying Jiao Niang into silence.
Tears streamed down Jiao Niang's face. She hated Li Man'er for looking down on her and for striking her with such force. Yet, she knew she was no match for Li Man'er and had no recourse but to endure.
"Get out. Stop acting so weak and pitiable in front of me. I don't buy that act."
Jiao Niang didn't dare to utter another word. She scrambled out of the room and went to the adjacent side room.
That was where two rough-handed servants rested. They looked at Jiao Niang, crying, as if she were some rare spectacle.
"Oh, Jiao Niang, what happened?"
"How did such a beautiful face become so swollen?"
The two servants, sharp as they were, knew she had been beaten by Li Man'er. However, instead of offering comfort, they seemed to relish the drama, fanning the flames.
"Jiao Niang, you are now the Marquis's woman. Even if you don't become the Marchioness, you can at least be a concubine, right? How come you still have the fate of a servant and are being beaten?"
The other servant said maliciously, "Alas, whether it's a concubine or a mere servant, what's the real difference? Miss Li is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis. You haven't even been brought into the household yet, and she can beat you, or even kill you, and you'd have to accept it."
Jiao Niang completely ignored the two servants and their taunts. She wrung out a handkerchief to cool her face, her eyes filled with a terrifying gloom.
The two servants, fearing bad luck, left her alone.
Half an hour later, Li Man'er removed the needles from Li Shu, and the medicine brewed by Green Robe was almost ready.
"You watch Jiao Niang. Have her feed my father the medicine, then go back."
"Yes." Liu Ya asked, "Young lady, you hit Jiao Niang. His Highness..." Will he be angry?
Li Man'er snorted, "If he wants to be angry, let him be. How presumptuous!"
Well, with that said, Liu Ya understood. She had worried for nothing. The young lady had everything under control!
Li Man'er returned to her small courtyard. As she was feeling bored, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps in the courtyard, as if many people had suddenly barged in.
Li Man'er frowned, her anger flaring. Were the Xiao family relentless? She had tried to be more accommodating, understanding that she was under their roof. But Xiao Qi Niang seemed to be pushing her luck. If she allowed these people to continue their impertinence, she wouldn't be Li Man'er.
Li Man'er decided to strike first. She pushed open the door and stepped out. It was indeed Xiao Qi Niang, but this time she wasn't accompanied by guards, only two maids and two rough-handed servants behind her, carrying a large chest.
"Miss Xiao Qi, what is this?"
Xiao Qi Niang waved her hand, and the two servants brought the chest to Li Man'er.
"Miss Li, please examine this. It contains items for you to use during winter. There are clothes, shoes, socks, a cloak, two thick vests, and other necessities for a young lady. Open it."
At Xiao Qi Niang's command, the two servants placed the chest on the ground and opened it in front of Li Man'er.
The clothes were at the very bottom. The layer above contained two valuable boxes. Li Man'er knew without looking what was inside.
The necessities for a young lady were, after all, jewelry and cosmetics.
Xiao Qi Niang wouldn't have gone to such lengths to bring worthless trinkets.
"I accept no favors without merit, and I lack nothing. Miss Xiao Qi, please take your things back. They are quite heavy."
Xiao Qi Niang smiled, "Miss Li, why don't you take a closer look?"
"Look at what? No matter how good the Xiao family's things are, can they be better than the Ning family's? Although I lost my mother at a young age, I was born into respect and was doted upon by the Ning family. What good things haven't I seen?"
Li Man'er's words were a direct insult. Xiao Qi Niang's expression flickered a few times before finally settling into a sigh.
"To be frank, I have come to ask a favor today."