Cui shi felt that Li Man'er's smile was inexplicable.
What was so funny about it.
However, a thought quickly surfaced in Cui shi's mind, and she felt a darkness descend before her eyes, nearly causing her to faint.
Could it be that Li Man'er already knew why Li Zha'er wanted to see her?
She wasn't smiling because Li Zha'er was presumptuously inviting her, but because the matter Li Zha'er wanted to discuss was too childish.
"Do you know why Zha'er wants to see you?"
Li Man'er ceased smiling and composed herself. "Replying to Grandmother, I can guess some of it."
Cui shi remained silent, watching her anxiously.
"Second Sister is about to be married. What business could she have with me? She's always suspected that I was responsible for Mother's death. She's probably afraid I'll harm the heir, right, Granny Wang?"
Granny Wang shivered, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. For some reason, she felt completely unnerved and dared not meet Li Man'er's gaze.
Cui shi thought, "It's exactly as I suspected. She guessed what Li Zha'er wanted, which is why she scoffed at her naivete. Could she really harm Qingyun?"
"Grandmother worries too much," Li Man'er spoke before Cui shi could ask. "I am a member of the Li family. Although there have been unpleasantries between Second Sister and me, we are still blood relatives. The heir has never wronged me, so I wouldn't harm him without cause just because he is her full brother!"
The sunlight filtering in from outside the window bathed the young girl's skin in a soft glow. Li Man'er's gaze was distant, yet her lips were pressed into a firm line.
Cui shi couldn't tell if she was telling the truth or not.
"I understand priorities. If I were truly malicious, why would I be planning Second Sister's marriage? I could have just killed her."
Granny Wang's heart leaped. For some reason, she felt there was more to the eldest young lady's words.
"Grandmother need not worry about this matter. I will go see Second Sister later and agree to her request."
While Li Man'er went to see Li Zha'er, Cui shi remained seated in the room, feeling extremely uneasy but with no clue as to what was happening.
"If only I had known earlier..."
Even though there was no one else in the room, Granny Wang shivered. "Old Madam."
"I know, I won't say anymore," Cui shi sighed. "I'm getting old. I'm not as decisive as I was in my youth. I overthink things, weighing pros and cons."
Li Man'er paid no mind to Cui shi's thoughts. She had said she wouldn't harm Li Qingyun, but she hadn't said he would inherit the title. The children of Guo shi did not deserve a life of splendor.
In just a few days, Li Zha'er had lost weight.
While Li Zha'er was never a breathtaking beauty, she was young and slender. Yet, in just a few days, Li Zha'er seemed to have transformed, appearing as if she had aged five years.
Her vitality had been drained; it was no wonder she looked unwell!
"Eldest Sister is not what she used to be. I can't even get you to come when I invite you."
Li Man'er was not polite. "Hmph, it was late at night, and I was already asleep when you sent someone to fetch me. It's obvious you had ill intentions."
Li Zha'er felt uncharacteristically uneasy.
In the past, she had been arrogant and smug in front of Li Man'er. Now, for some reason, she felt significantly inferior.
"You hate me, I know. To be honest, I hate you too," Li Zha'er said. "I have no proof, but I know your involvement in my mother's death is undeniable."
Li Man'er just smiled at her, remaining silent.
"At this point, I don't wish to pursue it further." This was because she knew pursuing it would be futile. She was no match for Li Man'er now and had no means to bring her down.
Therefore, she had to humble herself, only hoping that Li Man'er would not harm the heir.
"You worry too much," Li Man'er said. "The heir has never offended me, and I am not a ruthless person. Second Sister, you worry too much!"
Just as Li Zha'er was about to say something, she saw Li Man'er raise her hand to interrupt her.
"There's no use in saying more. I said I wouldn't harm Li Qingyun, and you don't believe me, but what can I do? I am a straightforward person and dislike all that convoluted hypocrisy. I said I wouldn't harm Li Qingyun's life, and I absolutely will not. Even if you don't believe me, you should believe Grandmother. Would she stand by and do nothing?"
Although Li Zha'er didn't believe her words, she had no other recourse. Cui shi had also said this, and it was her own stubbornness that led her to seek out Li Man'er for an answer.
"I hope you keep your word," Li Zha'er no longer had the will to refuse the marriage, knowing her fate was no longer in her own hands.
Li Man'er said nothing.
Li Zha'er simply looked at her, seemingly no longer seeking an answer.
She would establish herself in the Liang family, and she would return.
Autumn colors filled the scene when Li Zha'er was married.
The wind in the capital blew incessantly, scattering fallen leaves all over the streets.
Li Man'er visited the Li family's clothing shop and met the candidate for shopkeeper recommended by Manager Li.
Manager Li's classmate should have arrived in the capital earlier, but he had fallen ill on the way. He remained sick for over a month, and only after he had fully recovered recently did he rush to the capital.
This person's luck was truly not good, but his appearance and demeanor were acceptable. He was familiar with the shop's operations, possessed excellent calligraphy skills, and was adept at using the abacus and mental arithmetic.
His name was interesting: Zeng Sanshui.
Li Man'er found it amusing and asked, "Does Manager Zeng have any requirements regarding wages and benefits?"
Zeng Sanshui glanced at his friend, hesitated, and then said, "Market rate is fine. However, I have no place to stay. Could the owner temporarily arrange accommodation for me? The rent can be deducted from my wages later."
He felt a bit embarrassed after saying this; it was quite something for a grown man to be in such a predicament.
Manager Li offered to let his friend stay at his home temporarily. Li Man'er was generous and directly gave Zeng Sanshui two hundred taels of silver, instructing him to find a place to settle, recruit staff for the teahouse, and reopen.
Zeng Sanshui was stunned for a long time.
"What? Is the money not enough?"
Zeng Sanshui repeatedly waved his hands. "No, it's enough for now. It's just..."
It was their first meeting today, and this two hundred taels, neither a small nor a large sum, was being given to him entirely?
"Miss, we haven't signed an employment contract yet, this..."
Li Man'er waved her hand. "Manager Zeng can draft it himself. When I have time later, I'll send someone to retrieve it. Oh, and you don't need to think I'm easy to deal with. Firstly, Manager Li vouches for you. Secondly..."
Li Man'er smiled. "I am known to be wicked. Everyone in the capital knows my reputation, Li Man'er. There aren't many people who dare to deceive me."
Hearing her say this, Zeng Sanshui felt inexplicably reassured, strangely so...
"In that case, I thank you, Miss."
Manager Li nudged him. "Why are you still calling her 'Miss'? You should call her 'Owner'."
"It doesn't matter, it's just a form of address," Li Man'er said. "Manager Zeng, I shall entrust this shop to you. From now on, hiring employees, selecting goods, and all matters within the shop will be your responsibility."
Zeng Sanshui bowed deeply. "Yes, Owner."