The speaker was the widow of the late King Yu, the aunt of the current Emperor. The old Princess Consort, though her teeth were almost gone, had come to join the excitement. Judging from her words, it seemed she was quite fond of Li Man'er.
Madam Cui found this to be an unexpected joy.
"The old Princess Consort flatters her. She's just an unaccomplished girl, proud and arrogant, looking down on everyone, and naturally offends people," she said, her words quite artful. It was as if she were suggesting that Li Man'er's previous unsavory reputation was all fabricated by others.
"She's young, of course she's proud," the old Princess Consort replied with a laugh. "When I was young, I had a terrible temper. Once..."
The old Princess Consort of Yu spoke of her younger days with an unending stream of stories. She was a woman who loved excitement and enjoyed attending events at anyone's home.
Of course, "anyone's home" referred to families of a certain status. The minor households, unsure of how to send an invitation, could only dream of having the old Princess Consort visit.
When Princess Wuyou was alive, the old Princess Consort quite liked her. Knowing Princess Wuyou disliked crowds, she would secretly invite her to the Prince's mansion for a leisurely chat for half a day.
Therefore, the old Princess Consort was determined to attend Princess Wuyou's final farewell.
The old Princess Consort spoke humorously and without any airs. After recounting a story from her youth, she couldn't help but sigh, "My beauty back then was no less than these lovely young ladies now. It's a shame I'm old now and have hardly any teeth left."
Hearing this, Li Man'er's admiration for the old Princess Consort grew. Truly, she was a person of great wisdom, and the old Princess Consort was a master at setting the mood. The attention of the people was no longer on her and Miss Qian Er; after all, they were too busy trying to appease the old Princess Consort!
Who didn't know that the current Emperor was exceptionally filial and respected this aunt of his?
As soon as the vegetarian banquet concluded, the old Princess Consort departed. Although her health was good, age was age, and she was somewhat tired.
What Li Man'er did not expect was that as the old Princess Consort left, she called her forward, took off a jade bracelet she had worn for a long time, and gifted it to her.
Looking at the luster and craftsmanship of the jade bracelet, Li Man'er knew it was incredibly valuable. She intended to refuse, but the old Princess Consort was quicker, directly placing the bracelet on her wrist.
"You child, you appeal to me. A gift from an elder cannot be refused. If you don't mind that this old woman has worn it, then keep it."
With words spoken to this extent, what more could she say? She saw the other ladies' eyes turning red with jealousy.
Li Man'er curtsied slightly and bowed, "Thank you, Princess Consort."
"I like lively company. If you have nothing else to do, come visit me at the Prince's mansion often."
"Yes."
The old Princess Consort then got into her carriage. The horses snorted and trotted off.
Madam Cui also bid farewell to those around her. Li Man'er offered a gentle support as she helped Madam Cui into their carriage, and they slowly returned to the Marquis's mansion.
As for the envious gazes from the women outside the carriage, they were simply ignored.
Upon their return to the Marquis's mansion, Madam Cui did not let Li Man'er leave. She asked her to accompany her to Songhe Hall.
Li Man'er didn't mind. She knew Madam Cui was a shrewd woman with a lot of questions for her, so let her ask.
The grandmother and granddaughter washed their hands and faces, then sat down for tea.
Finally, something warm settled in their stomachs.
"I still remember what happened between you and Miss Qian Er, but why does Madam Qian seem so afraid of you?" This was what Madam Cui couldn't understand.
In front of so many people, Madam Xu had been so forbearing, even offering to come and apologize. Why was she trying so hard to appease Man'er with such humility?
"Grandmother, how could you forget? The Medicine King Temple." Li Man'er hinted, giving Madam Cui some face.
Madam Cui gave a soft "Oh," and then she remembered. Guo Shi had plotted against Li Man'er at the Medicine King Temple, even enlisting the help of two ladies who had clashed with Li Man'er at the poetry gathering. In the end, she lost both her troops and her life, not only failing to harm Li Man'er but also losing her own life.
Thinking of this, Madam Cui felt a slight ache in her temples.
Li Man'er asked with concern, "Is Grandmother feeling unwell? Is your head hurting?"
Madam Cui nodded.
"Perhaps granddaughter can comb your hair for you, Grandmother? It might help alleviate it a little."
Madam Cui did not refuse. Li Man'er asked Nanny Wang to fetch a comb, and she knelt behind Madam Cui, combing her hair herself.
Madam Cui's hair was already more than half white, but she still had a good amount. She was a clean person, and her hair carried a faint scent of jasmine, well-maintained.
Li Man'er stared at Madam Cui's Baihui acupoint and her neck. With just a single touch, she could end this woman's life, whether by a forceful strike to the Baihui acupoint or by snapping her neck, it would be effortless.
But if Madam Cui died, how would she live her life from now on?
Living in hiding, unable to lead a normal life. The glory of the Iron Gallant Marquis's mansion would have nothing to do with her, and it might even bring disaster to the Ning family.
In this era, crimes were subject to collective punishment.
Li Man'er restrained herself and said softly, "Next time there's a funeral, Grandmother, you shouldn't go. You're getting old, and you should avoid such things."
Nanny Wang agreed wholeheartedly. The ancients attached great importance to these matters, not considering them superstition.
"The old Princess Consort, who is so much older, went. How could I refuse?"
Li Man'er then said, "Next time, you can just say that you were shocked by the bad news and were overcome with grief, and that you are unwell and cannot attend."
Madam Cui chuckled softly, "Alright, as you wish." She felt Li Man'er was quite considerate at this moment.
"You should keep the jade bracelet the old Princess Consort gave you safe. Bring some gifts with you another day and spend some time talking with the old Princess Consort."
"Bringing gifts might seem a bit crass?" Li Man'er asked. "Granddaughter thinks the old Princess Consort might not be pleased."
Nanny Wang quickly explained, "When the old madam says bring gifts, she doesn't mean ordinary presents. The old Princess Consort lacks nothing. Gold, silver, jade, rare medicinal herbs—these are all nothing in her eyes. However, if the young lady were to bring some trinkets from folk workshops, or some novel food, the old Princess Consort would surely be pleased."
So unique?
Then she would have to ponder carefully.
"Yes, granddaughter understands."
"I'll sound out the old Princess Consort's thoughts first, then choose a suitable day."
"Mmm." Li Man'er gently combed her hair, her gaze finally moving away from the Baihui acupoint.
Madam Cui could not die yet. Whether it was the elder Madam Cui or the younger Madam Cui who had harmed Ning Shi...
She meant the elder Madam Cui or the younger Madam Cui.
She had to clarify the matter before making a decision.
That evening, Madam Cui hosted dinner, and Li Man'er ate dinner at Songhe Hall before returning to Qingping Pavilion.
Li Tian'er was very displeased when she found out. "Does Grandmother only have eyes for Li Man'er now?" Since she returned, she hadn't spoken to the old madam alone yet!