Li Zha'er, locked up for a night, attended the funeral the next morning with swollen, red eyes.
As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Guo family, most people attributed her appearance to excessive grief and didn't think much of it. However, a closer observation would reveal two burly maids, clad in mourning attire, flanking Li Zha'er throughout the entire procession, completely restricting her freedom.
Li Qingyun, holding Madam Guo's memorial tablet, walked with a somber expression. The procession moved haltingly, with paper money raining down like winter snow, swirling and scattering.
Li Man'er, head bowed, followed closely in the middle of the group. She was a little sleepy but dared not show it to outsiders. Listening with one ear and mimicking the actions with half her mind, she knew she wouldn't make mistakes, so she didn't need to exert too much effort.
Madam Guo didn't deserve it!
The funeral rites were relatively simple. Li Shu and Cui Shi had been utterly disappointed with Madam Guo in the final years of her life. Although her scheme against Li Man'er hadn't spread, everyone in the household knew what had happened.
Therefore, everything was kept to a minimum, projecting an image of simplicity externally. What could be better?
The matter was settled by noon.
Madam Guo was buried, and her memorial tablet was placed in the Li family ancestral hall, a modest resting place for her.
Li Zha'er had glared at Li Man'er the entire way, seeming on the verge of an outburst. However, she wasn't entirely foolish and, knowing it concerned Madam Guo's reputation, maintained her composure. It was only after the funeral rites concluded and they returned home that Li Zha'er truly erupted.
Her displeasure wasn't solely directed at Li Man'er; she also harbored resentment towards Cui Shi and Li Shu. Yet, after Madam Guo's death, Li Zha'er seemed to have matured. Instead of throwing a tantrum or causing a scene as she usually would, she enlisted Li Qingyun's support, demanding an explanation from Li Shu and Cui Shi.
Cui Shi's head throbbed with anger. "Qingyun is young and doesn't understand. Why are you making trouble with him?" Her words, though seemingly soothing, held a chilling undertone.
Madam Guo's scheme was incredibly vicious. She had conspired with the Guo family to ruin Li Man'er's reputation, seize her property, and it was impossible she wouldn't have divulged any information to Li Zha'er.
Even if Li Zha'er was unaware at first, now that the truth was out, how could she have the audacity to blame everything on Li Man'er!
Indeed, Cui Shi had her suspicions about the cause of Madam Guo's unconsciousness but lacked proof. Even if she had evidence, what was the point? A dying woman was not worth her effort to seek justice for. In contrast, Li Man'er, with her medical skills and favor from the Empress Dowager and Princess Wuyou, was far more valuable.
Of course, Cui Shi's anger towards Li Zha'er wasn't just because she was fixated on Li Man'er, but primarily because she was corrupting Li Qingyun.
Li Qingyun was the heir, still young and impetuous. With Madam Guo's death and his sister's instigation, he was bound to act rashly and utter words that could not be easily retracted. If a handle was grasped, not only would Li Qingyun's position as heir be uncertain, but the entire Iron Gallant Marquisate might suffer consequences.
Cui Shi was indeed harsh, venomous, and heartless at times, but her entire life was devoted to the old Marquis and the Li family.
Therefore, how could she tolerate Li Zha'er's unruliness within the household!
Li Zha'er completely failed to grasp the veiled threat in Cui Shi's words and continued to aggressively accuse Li Man'er. Li Shu, having no recourse with his daughter, reasoned that her behavior might be excusable given her recent loss of her mother and tempered his desire to reprimand her.
Li Man'er, who had borne the brunt of the accusations, could no longer stand it. She rose indignantly, grabbed Li Zha'er, and slapped her across the face.
Li Zha'er, caught off guard, fell to the ground, half her face immediately swelling.
"Second Sister." Seeing Li Zha'er struck, Li Qingyun could no longer restrain himself and lunged at Li Man'er with a punch.
Li Man'er, who didn't fear seasoned assassins, was certainly not intimidated by a spoiled child like Li Qingyun. She caught his fist, twisted it, and then kicked him in the back of the knee. Li Qingyun instantly knelt on one leg.
Cui Shi gasped, "Man'er, stop quickly."
Li Zha'er's eyes widened with fury, "Li Man'er, how dare you hurt the heir!"
"The heir? Hmph, do you believe I can cripple this arm right now and make him disabled?" Scholars with disabilities cannot serve in office, and princes with disabilities cannot ascend the throne. Similarly, those with disabilities are ineligible for inheritance.
"No, Man'er, don't be rash." Li Shu roared like an enraged lion but dared not step forward, fearing Li Man'er might accidentally turn Li Qingyun into an invalid.
Li Man'er sneered and looked at Li Shu. "Father, you're skilled at leading troops into battle, but the inner court is in disarray. I wonder if His Majesty would still allow you to lead armies if he knew."
"Man'er," Cui Shi exclaimed, "Don't speak nonsense."
The young rascal Li Qingyun struggled incessantly, occasionally spitting out curses. Angered, Li Man'er delivered a kick that sent him face-planting into the ground, finally ceasing her actions.
"I truly don't understand what's so special about protecting her. Li Zha'er tried to kill me last night. Did Grandmother and Father forget?"
Mentioning this, Li Shu and Cui Shi's faces stiffened. It was true that they had gone too far, and if someone caught them out, they had no one to blame.
Li Shu and Cui Shi were accustomed to protecting Li Zha'er.
"Grandmother, for now, we should confine Second Sister. If she continues to instigate the heir like this, the Li family's future may be in jeopardy."
This statement struck Cui Shi's most sensitive point. No matter how much she doted on Li Zha'er, she would never allow her to corrupt the heir.
Thus, Li Zha'er was confined again, this time more thoroughly.
The heir, though resentful, was powerless and was even punished by Li Shu to copy the family genealogy and other tasks.
That night, the Ninth Prince, Qi Yihan, climbed through Li Man'er's window.
To be precise, he had come to treat his injuries, a legitimate matter.
Li Man'er first took his pulse and then prepared for acupuncture. She didn't have servants on night duty anyway, so she had Qi Yihan lie down on the couch in the outer room, instructing him to undress.
Qi Yihan's face flushed slightly. Although he was only removing his upper clothing, there was still a distinction between men and women.
Li Man'er pretended not to notice his discomfort. What was the point? She wasn't tired of living.
The room was dimly lit, with only a single lamp burning in the corner.
"Your Highness need not worry, my needles are steady." The slender needles were accurately inserted, causing no pain, only a slight swelling in some areas and a dull ache in the meridians.
The Gu King within Qi Yihan's body seemed extremely restless, showing signs of waking. However, under Li Man'er's manipulations, it was forcefully suppressed and rendered immobile.
Before long, Qi Yihan was pricked like a hedgehog.
Li Man'er stayed by his side, occasionally adjusting the position of the silver needles on his body.
About half an hour later, Li Man'er removed all the silver needles from Qi Yihan's body. The first treatment was complete.