In the deep winter, after a snowfall, it was clearly very cold, but for some reason, after a cup of hot tea, Xiao Qi Niang felt warmth spread through her entire body.
The winter sun shone through the window, and its warmth on the skin was particularly comfortable, like embracing a large stove, making one feel utterly at ease from head to toe.
Xiao Qi Niang felt as if she were soaking in a hot spring, her limbs soft and her entire being languid.
Li Man'er raised the teapot and poured her another cup. "Feeling sleepy after eating, and we've walked for so long. I'm really tired too. Seventh Miss, why don't we head back after finishing our tea?"
"I'm sleepy too. After this tea, I'm sweating all over, and now I'm too lazy to move. Traveling by carriage back and forth at this time might catch a chill." Xiao Qi Niang drank the tea, a wave of warmth surging through her limbs, causing her to squint her eyes in comfort.
Li Man'er poured herself a cup of tea. "Indeed." She then drained the tea in her cup.
After finishing her tea, Li Man'er leaned back in her chair, feeling drowsy, and closed her eyes as if she had fallen asleep.
Seeing her asleep, Xiao Qi Niang felt even more tired. She waved her hand, signaling for those nearby to leave, so they could rest briefly in the private room.
"Miss, isn't this inappropriate?"
Zhu Yu said with some concern, "Miss, isn't this inappropriate? We are outside. If you are tired, why not return directly to your manor?"
Xiao Qi Niang said, "I don't want to move now. You all leave, and do not enter without my command."
Xiao Qi Niang commanded considerable respect among her subordinates, and no one dared to disobey her. The few of them exchanged glances, then bowed in agreement and withdrew.
Only then did Xiao Qi Niang feel her body relax completely, and the taut string in her heart loosened. She slowly closed her eyes.
Xiao Qi Niang soon fell asleep.
The powder Li Man'er had added to the tea was special. It did not induce immediate sleep like a stupefying drug or anesthetic; instead, it made one feel extremely comfortable and languid, akin to someone who had been starving and exhausted for a long time, suddenly indulging in a hearty meal and then soaking in a hot spring.
The drowsiness built up gradually, so Xiao Qi Niang had time to dismiss everyone, not feeling as if she had been drugged.
As soon as Xiao Qi Niang fell asleep, Li Man'er whisked her away into her spatial dimension and then opened the window on the second floor.
Two guards stood by the entrance of the tea house. They were some distance from the main entrance and did not seem particularly attentive. They were saying something, laughing without regard for their surroundings.
There were many people on the street, and no one noticed them. No one noticed the window on the second floor of the tea house being quietly opened, nor did anyone notice someone climbing out and quickly disappearing over the roof towards the distance.
Li Man'er had already observed the route. There was a small alley behind the tea house that led to Xu Ji Furs. If she hurried, she would have enough time.
Her movements were swift. She climbed down from the second floor, landing directly in the small alley. After a few steps, she emerged onto the main street and immediately spotted the Xu Ji Furs shop.
Li Man'er breathed a sigh of relief and strode towards the shop.
As soon as she entered, a middle-aged man approached her. "Young sir, what would you like to purchase? Our furs are all..."
Before the shopkeeper could finish his opening remarks, Li Man'er interrupted him, "I'm not here to buy anything. I'm looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?"
The shopkeeper was surprised. He sized her up, naturally recognizing Li Man'er as a woman. Although she was dressed in men's clothing and had her hair styled like a man's, her face was fair and tender, and she had ear piercings, clearly indicating she was a young lady.
Could it be that the person looking for their master was a young lady?
This was quite peculiar.
The shopkeeper asked again, "Young sir, who are you looking for?"
Who was she looking for?
Qi Yihan had only told her to come to the fur shop to find him, but he hadn't mentioned needing a password.
"Is Ninth Master here?" If this fur shop truly belonged to Qi Yihan, then his men should understand her.
At this, the shopkeeper finally believed that Li Man'er was indeed looking for someone.
"He is here. Ninth Master had instructed earlier that someone would come looking for him. I..."
Li Man'er quickly said, "I don't have much time. Hurry and take me to him."
Alright, no more unnecessary words.
The shopkeeper led the way, bringing Li Man'er to a small courtyard in the back.
A Qi was washing clothes in the courtyard. Upon looking up and seeing Li Man'er arrive, he was overjoyed.
"Miss Li, ah, Lao Laao, you're not needed here anymore. You can go to the front."
Laao Laao?
Why was he cursing?
Li Man'er subconsciously glanced at the shopkeeper and saw no sign of displeasure on his face. Could it be that this was a local dialect and not an insult?
After the shopkeeper left, A Qi called out towards a certain room, "Ninth Master, the young lady is here."
"What did you just call that shopkeeper? Laao Laao?"
"What do you mean? His surname is Lao, and he's quite old. Isn't it normal to call him Old Lao?"
Normal? It felt awkward.
As they spoke, the two entered the room.
Qi Yihan was sitting behind a table, looking at something. He had no intention of guarding against Li Man'er, only surprised that she would come at this time.
"The Xiao family is watching me closely. I need to be brief."
Qi Yihan then gestured for A Qi to stand guard outside.
"Speak."
"Xiao Rudí harbors treasonous intentions. Does he wish to rebel?"
"What makes you say that?"
Li Man'er's expression was solemn. "Last time, Your Highness spoke vaguely, only saying that you would resolve all my doubts. Today, I wish to clarify. What is the deal with the Xiao family? In my opinion, Xiao Rudí's intentions are obvious. Yet, neither the one in the capital nor you seem to have ever considered punishing him. The Xiao family has been entrenched in Mobei for decades and holds considerable prestige in the military. If it's understandable that they cannot be moved, then it's justifiable. Xiao Qi Niang is not of the same mind as her father; she has even tried to harm Xiao Rudí multiple times. Therefore, she is Your Highness's person?"
For some reason, Qi Yihan felt a sudden discomfort upon hearing this. "Strictly speaking, she is merely working for me."
"And then!" Li Man'er was eager to know Ning Daocheng's true identity, but she could not tell Qi Yihan that the person was in her hands, so she could only inquire indirectly.
"Miss Man'er, these matters are actually unrelated to you. After the New Year, you can return to the capital, and everything in Mobei will be irrelevant to you. Of course, your contributions will not be forgotten. Why do you need to get involved in this muddy water?"
Li Man'er scoffed, "So Your Highness intends to be a perfidious scoundrel?"
"Not at all. I just feel that these things are not good for you, nor do they directly concern you."
Li Man'er sighed, "Your Highness speaks so lightly of it. This must be the benefit of having high status and great power. You are a prince, high above, and if you ask me to cure your poison, I must obey. Even if Princess Wuyou hates me to the core because of it, I can only endure it silently and dare not complain."