Li Man'er's delicate eyebrows arched slightly, and a smile bloomed on her lips.
"What do you think he wants with me?"
Liu Ya said with a hint of displeasure, "This servant believes he'll likely scold you. Old Sun mentioned when he came to deliver the message that the Marquis's expression was grim, and he seemed to have thrown quite a tantrum."
"He can't possibly be angry about my affairs. He's probably upset with the Xiao family and wants to take it out on me."
"How can the Marquis be like this!" For a young lady like their own, one who could bring honor to the entire household, wouldn't she be a prize in any other family? Why was she treated as someone to be berated in the Iron-Heart Marquis's mansion?
Li Man'er inwardly scoffed. She knew precisely what kind of person Li Shu was.
He already owed the original host, and who knew what other guilt-ridden deeds he might have committed behind her back! A man like Li Shu would probably find a reason to blame others even if he were wrong, never admitting his own faults.
"You don't need to look so glum. What can he do to me? Come with me!"
Liu Ya cautiously asked, "Why don't you rest a while before going? And perhaps think of a strategy!" In Liu Ya's heart, a father was paramount. The Zong Kingdom ruled by filial piety; if one's father scolded or even beat you, you had to endure it.
No matter how capable their young lady was, with the weight of filial piety pressing down, she would still have to suffer some grievances.
"Alright!" Li Man'er sank onto a chair. "You know, I am indeed tired." She wanted to rest, not to strategize, but to make Li Shu wait.
Liu Ya had no idea that Li Man'er was not from this era and had never considered Li Shu as a father. If Li Shu had been a dutiful father, she might have considered showing some filial piety on behalf of the original host. However, Li Shu was unworthy. Saving him twice was already repaying the debt of his progenitor.
As for raising her…
Li Man'er had grown this old, and Li Shu had neither diligently educated her nor taught her any skills. It seemed he had only spent some money on food, and even that was covered by the Ning family.
What had Li Shu ever given her?
His favoritism was bestowed upon Li Zhao'er, while Li Man'er received only neglect, lectures, disdain, and schemes. What kind of father was he!
Seeing that Li Man'er showed no worry, Liu Ya asked softly, "Young lady, have you thought of a solution?"
"What's there to think about? If he scolds me, I'll scold him back. If he angers me, I'll stab him with a needle. I'll make sure he can't utter a single word."
Hiss~
That's too ruthless!
Liu Ya instinctively asked, "Um, we won't bring the medicine chest, will we?" She feared her young lady might truly go to extremes and stab Li Shu with a needle.
Li Shu, seeing Li Man'er's continued absence, angrily threw a teacup. "Her wings have hardened now, and she even dares to make her own decisions regarding me. Qin Si, go and invite the eldest young lady again. If she refuses to come, tie her up and bring her to me."
Qin Si had many reservations about Li Shu's various actions, but as an insignificant person, he could not interfere in their family matters and could only accept the order.
Fortunately, Li Man'er did not refuse to come and followed him readily, which made Qin Si very grateful.
If Li Man'er had refused, he would not have dared to tie her up and would have been in a difficult position.
"You're putting on airs now, aren't you? Do you think your status has risen that much, that you no longer listen to my words?" Li Shu was furious, his face contorted as if he wanted to devour her.
Li Man'er glanced at him calmly, thinking, *When have I ever listened to you? Even when the original host was alive, she deliberately defied Li Shu in an attempt to attract her scumbag father's attention. If Li Shu told her to go east, she would go west, infuriating Li Shu to the point where he no longer wanted to see her.*
"What business do you have with me, Father?" Li Man'er felt not the slightest ripple of emotion. Li Shu's words were already quite harsh, but she couldn't care less. Considering their nominal blood relationship, it wouldn't be impossible for her to tolerate him somewhat. If he continued to spout nonsense, she wouldn't mind sending Li Shu to accompany Gong Xiao underground to train soldiers.
"The New Year is fast approaching. I wish to inspect the soldiers under my command. Please speak to General Xiao on my behalf."
Did she need to handle such a matter? Had Li Shu, the commander who fought battles, obtained his position through illicit means?
"Father, please extend your hand. I'll take a look for you."
"What do you mean?" He was perfectly fine, why would he need a pulse diagnosis?
Li Man'er cast a sympathetic glance. "Your mind seems to be somewhat unclear. Did you not fully recover from your last stroke? Or have you been afflicted by some evil influence recently, that you speak so incoherently?"
Liu Ya choked, nearly suffocating.
Her young lady's mouth was truly fearless!
Not only could she make Xiao Qi Niang fume with anger, but it seemed she could also anger her own father to death.
"What are you talking about?"
"Plain speaking! What kind of daughter inquires about her father's affairs in court?" Li Man'er's eyes were filled with coldness. "Even the inner palace cannot interfere in political matters. And you, you want your own daughter to speak for you to see your soldiers? Is there such a reason under heaven? If His Majesty were to know, he would likely immediately confiscate your military seal and strip you of your military power."
Li Shu's neck thickened with rage, choked by her words. "The Xiao family is restricting me, and you're also trying to anger me, aren't you? You've climbed the high branches of the Xiao family, and now you look down on the Li family? Let me tell you, the Xiao family's situation is far from certain! You think he's a loyal subject,哼, I see him as a potential traitor."
"Father!" Li Man'er's eyes reddened slightly. "If Father wishes to die, die alone. Don't drag me down with you."
Li Shu, however, felt that she was speaking out of guilt.
"Don't think I don't know what the Xiao family is plotting. Xiao Ru Di wants you to marry Xiao Si, but that's a pipe dream! What use is it if I agree? The one in the capital must agree."
Li Man'er looked at Li Shu as if he were an idiot. "That's right. Father, what if you, like General Gong Xiao, were assassinated by assassins?"
Li Shu suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Before he could say anything, Li Man'er's sinister voice rang out again.
"If you die, the Xiao family won't immediately petition. Perhaps they'll wait until after the first month to submit a memorial to the throne. This back-and-forth will take several months. The assassins who killed you will either be brought to justice or vanish without a trace. During these few months, the Xiao family can marry your daughter as they wish, and seize your soldiers as they wish. Do you think a dead person can concern themselves with gains and losses?"
"You..."
Li Man'er smiled. "Do you want to call me rebellious and unfilial? Or do you want to call me shameless? I've told you, I saved you twice, which repays your kindness as my progenitor. Do you think you can suppress me with the word 'filial piety'? Dream on!"
Li Man'er turned to leave, but then she paused as if struck by a thought. She turned back and said to Li Shu, "If the dead could concern themselves with gains and losses, my mother would never let you off."