It wasn't surprising that Xiao Qiniang was angry. Li Shu's health was about to recover, and then Li Man'er could accompany him into the mountains. Now Li Shu had suddenly suffered a stroke, spitting blood and being unable to move. Li Man'er would definitely have to stay and take care of him, and this incident might even affect the cooperation between the two families.
Where would she find a doctor with such high medical skills and the ability to detoxify?
Li Man'er understood Xiao Qiniang's anger. She said, "Miss Xiao Qi, I absolutely dare not keep such a person here. If my father is like this, even if this lowly servant is made to pay with her life, I believe Miss Xiao Qi would have no objections, right?"
Xiao Qiniang's eyelids twitched. She had calmed down now and felt that things were not that simple. She said to Li Man'er, "Miss Li, you are right. I will take this lowly servant away and will not let her off lightly."
With a look from Xiao Qiniang, Zhu Yu immediately stepped forward and dragged Jiao Niang away.
"Miss Li, please calm your anger. I wonder if the Marquis's symptoms can be cured?"
Li Man'er sighed helplessly, "Miss Xiao Qi, you don't believe me. Why don't you come in with me to take a look?"
"Alright!" Xiao Qiniang did not refuse at all. She felt that Li Man'er would not do anything out of line, and it would be good to take a look.
The smell in the room had dissipated. Li Shu was fully dressed and there was nothing inappropriate to see. Li Man'er lifted the bed curtains to allow Xiao Qiniang to see clearly.
Li Shu's face was pale, and he lay there unconscious, with bloodstains at the corner of his mouth. He looked very unwell.
Xiao Qiniang knew that Li Man'er was not lying after just one glance. Li Shu's condition was very bad, and he was unconscious and had not woken up.
What a cursed fate, to encounter such troubles.
Li Man'er took out a bottle of medicine from the corner of the bed and showed it to Xiao Qiniang. "This medicine is probably the culprit."
Xiao Qiniang's eyelids twitched, and she narrowed her eyes.
Li Man'er took out Jiao Niang's deed of sale. "Miss Xiao Qi, you know Jiao Niang's background better than I do. How would a normal family dare to use such medicine so carelessly? Only those low-class places would instigate people to use such things."
Xiao Qiniang quickly said, "Miss Li, you are right. It was my oversight. I didn't expect Jiao Niang to be so restless."
"May I ask, what was in the bundle you asked me to deliver yesterday, Miss Xiao Qi?"
"It was Jiao Niang's deed of sale."
Li Man'er raised her eyebrows, looking unconvinced.
Such a large bundle could hold several sets of clothes, so it couldn't possibly contain just one deed of sale!
"There was also some fabric inside," Xiao Qiniang said. "Although Jiao Niang made a big mistake, she truly admired the Marquis and wanted to use some fine materials to make some undergarments for him. This kind of matter is not easy to publicize."
Li Man'er did not dwell on it. "I dare not keep the person. Miss Xiao Qi can decide her fate as you see fit! I will not concern myself with whether she lives or dies, as long as she is no longer here."
Xiao Qiniang really wanted to roll her eyes. To make a person disappear, it could only mean death.
"As for my father's illness, I will take good care of him. If Miss Xiao Qi knows of any suitable doctors, you may recommend them."
This was her giving Xiao Qiniang a way out, in case she doubted her sincerity.
Xiao Qiniang immediately said, "Miss Li's medical skills are praised by Imperial Physician Duan himself. Where would I find anyone better? Miss Li, please rest assured with the treatment. I will arrange for all the necessary medicinal ingredients to be prepared. Hmm, regarding the list you mentioned earlier, have you finished preparing it?"
Xiao Qiniang was pretending to be oblivious, as if she didn't know about the matter with the old woman.
Li Man'er smiled and took out a thick stack of papers from her sleeve, handing it to Xiao Qiniang. "Then I'll trouble you. The medicinal ingredients listed here are all essential and cannot be lacking in any way. As for daily necessities, please also trouble Miss Xiao Qi to find them, otherwise, it will be difficult to proceed."
Before Xiao Qiniang could say anything, Li Man'er sighed, "The New Year is approaching. The sooner we leave, the more at ease we will be. Don't you think so!"
Mentioning the New Year, Xiao Qiniang lost all her temper.
"You are right. Don't worry, I will definitely help you prepare everything."
Li Man'er smiled and thanked her perfunctorily before letting Liu Ya escort her out.
As soon as the person left, the smile on Li Man'er's face vanished completely. Old Sun looked on in amazement, impressed by how quickly the young lady's expression changed.
"Father hasn't woken up yet. I'll have to trouble the two of you to look after him more today."
Qin Si and Old Sun both agreed.
"Miss Li, please rest assured."
"If Father wakes up and wants to drink water, remember, absolutely do not give him any. Wait for me to examine it first, otherwise, it will have an effect."
Li Man'er spoke with such conviction that they had no choice but to believe her and quickly agreed.
Li Man'er then had Liu Ya carry the medicine box, and the two quickly returned to their residence in the main courtyard.
"Miss, how is the Marquis's illness? Is it really that serious?"
Li Man'er shook her head and whispered, "I lied to them. I sealed his qi and blood, making him appear to have a fake stroke temporarily. It's not a big problem. Once he vomits that mouthful of blood, he'll be seventy to eighty percent recovered."
Liu Ya was extremely surprised. "Why?" She couldn't understand.
"To teach him a lesson!" Li Man'er lay on the bed and said faintly, "I have no memory of my birth mother at all. I was still swaddled when she passed away, and I don't even remember what she looked like. There are no portraits of her at home, but I saw a portrait of my mother when she was still unmarried at my maternal grandfather's house. She was very beautiful and talented, and everyone said I resembled my mother."
Liu Ya also knew a little about Li Man'er's background. Hearing her speak of this, she didn't know what to say and could only remain silent.
"My mother's death was not that simple."
Liu Ya was finally moved, and her eyes showed a trace of sympathy.
"He didn't cherish such a wonderful woman as my mother, but instead doted on a woman from a brothel without any regard for proper conduct, which makes me furious." Li Man'er no longer hid anything from Liu Ya. "I sealed his qi and blood, making him suffer for a few days, to vent my anger."
Liu Ya really didn't know how to respond, so she could only nod, indicating that she understood.
It wasn't a real illness, but her own daughter had caused him to fall ill.
People who study medicine are truly terrifying. Who knows if the needle in her hand is meant to save you or harm you? It's impossible to guard against.
"Let's sleep. I'm exhausted after all this fuss." Li Man'er burrowed into the quilt, signaling Liu Ya to leave.
Liu Ya then blew out the lamp, carefully leaving a small gap in the outer window, adjusted the curtain, and then left.
The room was heated by charcoal, so caution was still needed at night.
A smile played on Li Man'er's lips, whether it was happiness from dealing with Li Shu or from driving away Jiao Niang.
However, she seemed to have grasped the Xiao family's intentions and would soon know what they were planning.