With Madam Liang in the capital, Li Shu was absent, allowing Li Zhaor's marriage to be swiftly arranged. In just over a month, most of the betrothal gifts and ceremonies were decided, the wedding date was set, and it was scheduled for a month later.
This meant Li Zhaor's wedding day was fast approaching. The Liang family was in the northern part of Sichuan, and the journey back and forth would take a considerable amount of time! It was possible that Liang Wendao had already set off for the capital.
The Li household was naturally in a frenzy. Madam Guo's body was barely cold, and her daughter was about to marry – was this a deliberate provocation?
However, with Li Shu absent, who could refute Cui Shi's decisions? Furthermore, this matter had been entirely orchestrated by Princess Wuyou.
The intricacies of political marriages within noble families were beyond the understanding of ordinary people; who would dare to comment rashly!
"Eldest Miss, the Second Miss has started a hunger strike, and I heard she hasn't eaten or drunk anything for two days," Luyi quietly relayed the news she had gathered to Li Maner. "If the Second Miss continues to act this way, will she still be able to get married?"
"Why are you bothering yourself with that? Someone will surely persuade her eventually," Li Maner said. "Those who know when to yield are the wise. Li Zhaor appears foolish, but in reality, humph."
Luyi didn't understand the meaning of Li Maner's final "humph." She glanced at Ziyan, who merely shook her head, so Luyi said no more.
During dinner that evening, Li Zhaor, mustering the last of her strength, flung all the food served to the ground. "I won't eat, all of you get out."
By this time, she had no confidantes. The maids and servants attending her were all people handpicked by Cui Shi. Li Zhaor didn't trust them, fearing that if she ate, she would be drugged and forced into the bridal sedan chair. She intended to resist with her life, believing that if she could just hold out for a hundred days, no one could do anything to her.
However, Li Zhaor was still too naive. When Cui Shi came to persuade her, she only said, "If you refuse to eat or drink, it won't be seven days before the manor has to mourn again. Are you willing to accept that?"
Tears streamed down Li Zhaor's face. "Grandmother, why do you favor Li Maner in everything now? You know she harmed my mother, and now she's trying to harm me. Why do you repeatedly shield her? Is it solely because of her medical skills?"
Cui Shi took out a bowl of porridge from the food basket she had brought and personally fed Li Zhaor with a spoon. "If you want to know why, drink the porridge first."
It was unclear how Cui Shi persuaded her, but Li Zhaor obediently ate the porridge and stopped causing trouble. She appeared to be preparing to marry peacefully.
"Miss, do you think the Second Miss is truly at peace and ready to marry, or does she have other plans?"
Li Maner held her hot tea and chuckled. "As long as Li Zhaor is alive, she will certainly have plans." Regardless of what Cui Shi said or promised, she had at least managed to appease Li Zhaor.
"Does Miss mean that the Old Madam was just coaxing her?"
"Coaxing is certain. If she didn't coax her, how could Cui Shi explain things to Princess Wuyou? Given Cui Shi's nature, she would never offend Princess Wuyou for Li Zhaor's sake."
"Moreover, the Liang family is indeed a good match. Even if the Liang family is currently in decline, they have produced several great scholars. Their background is undeniable. Aside from Liang Wendao being a bit old, having a difficult temperament, and being unrecognized for his talent, there's nothing else wrong with him."
"That remains to be seen," Li Maner said. "In any case, she's marrying into the northern Sichuan region. I'll see her less often, and even if I do, what reason would I have to fear her?"
In fact, Li Maner could guess with her toes what comforting words Cui Shi had said. They were merely appeasements, like "wherever there is green, there are no worries about firewood." As long as one was alive, there would be opportunities for revenge. Perhaps she even taught Li Zhaor a few tricks to control Liang Wendao and use him for her own purposes, thereby seeking revenge…
She was playing a grand game, how could it be so easily thwarted by Cui Shi's few words?
Luyi chuckled foolishly, feeling that good days lay ahead.
Muyun entered from outside and whispered, "The sky has become very overcast. It looks like it's going to rain."
Li Maner suddenly said, "Quickly, have someone move my medicines to the side room." She had planted several medicinal herbs in flower pots in her spare time, and they had grown quite well.
Muyun replied, "Miss, don't worry. They were moved in long ago." These items had evidently become Miss's treasures. Other young ladies planted flowers and grass, but their Miss fiddled with medicinal herbs – quite unique.
Li Maner had already undone her hair and was preparing to sleep when the courtyard gate was suddenly knocked. The guard on duty opened the door and spoke with the person outside. Unable to refuse, they had to report the matter.
Before she could enter her inner chambers, she was stopped by Granny Wu.
She heard that the Second Miss wanted to invite Li Maner over, but she didn't know if it was to scold her or something else.
Of course, the messenger wouldn't say it that way.
Upon hearing this, Li Maner simply said, "Send that person away and say I have retired."
Granny Wu was overjoyed. "Exactly! It's already late at night. Who does she think our Miss is, that she can see her whenever she pleases?"
Li Maner waved her hand. "If there's anything, we'll discuss it tomorrow."
Granny Wu then withdrew.
The courtyard gate was tightly closed again. The servant woman who had come to invite Li Maner could only hoist her lantern and return home, feeling helpless.
Li Zhaor, knowing Li Maner hadn't come, angrily smashed a cup. However, she had matured somewhat and didn't say anything.
The people attending her were not her own, so they naturally didn't put in much effort. The Second Miss of the Marquis's manor now had less influence than an old woman.
The next morning, just after Li Maner had finished breakfast, someone from Li Zhaor's side came to invite her again.
Li Maner rinsed her mouth with fragrant tea, wiped her lips with a handkerchief, and said, "She's truly a persistent ghost. Does she have to send someone to invite me every day that I don't see her?"
"Miss, are you going or not?"
Li Maner smiled. "Of course I'm going, but not now."
Ziyan didn't understand, but she knew she didn't need to.
"Go to Songhe Hall and pay respects to Grandmother."
"Yes!"
An autumn rain, fallen leaves everywhere.
The weather grew progressively cooler. Li Maner, wearing a plain garment from last year's early autumn, went to see Cui Shi.
Madam Guo's passing was sudden, and the newly made clothes were too bright. She had to first retrieve her old, semi-new clothes and then urgently have new ones made.
When Cui Shi heard Li Maner had arrived, she immediately had her brought into the room.
"Grandmother." Li Maner bowed and paid her respects, her etiquette was flawless.
Cui Shi gazed at the girl's dark hair, lost in thought. She coughed lightly and then said, "You've come quite early. Have you eaten?"
"Yes, I have," Li Maner replied. "Grandmother, have you not rested well? You seem a little unwell. Shall I take your pulse for you?"
Granny Wang almost choked on her own saliva at these words.
The Old Madam's current condition was largely due to the Eldest Miss's actions. What use was taking her pulse?
"Yesterday, Zhaor invited you over, and you didn't go?"
"Yes!" Li Maner said. "It was late at night, and I really didn't want to argue with my second sister. If she saw me, she would surely have nothing good to say."
Cui Shi seemed to disapprove. "She is about to get married. Why are you still holding onto such things? She won't harm you; she just wants a word from you."
Li Maner suddenly smiled.