Li Man'er's series of actions was undoubtedly a huge blow to a proud, and still adolescent, boy.
Li Qingyun sat on the ground, eyes glazed over, breathing unevenly. He didn't move for a long time.
Old Madam Wang, worried he might hurt himself, went to help him up, but was stopped by Madam Cui. She could tell that Li Man'er hadn't used much force. Li Qingyun was already inferior to her in skill; he was still too green compared to Li Man'er.
Perhaps stimulated by the ordeal, Li Qingyun suddenly stood up and then charged outside like an uncontrolled bull.
Madam Cui, afraid something would happen to him, quickly told Old Madam Wang to follow and check on him.
After Li Qingyun left, the atmosphere in the room changed somewhat.
Madam Bai and Li Tian'er exchanged worried glances. The few blows Li Man'er had dealt Li Qingyun had frightened them terribly. They hadn't expected Li Man'er to not only secretly learn medicine but also martial arts.
Before, they had thought Li Man'er was just putting on a brave face, but now it seemed she truly had the backing of Yun Mobei.
"Alright," Madam Cui said, looking at the people in the room, each with their own thoughts, and addressed Second Master Li with a headache. "Your elder brother is not in the manor, so you must look after Qingyun more. Whether it's his studies, archery, or his daily life, you need to pay more attention to him."
Li Yi heard Madam Cui's words and knew immediately that he didn't have to go to Mobei. While happy, he couldn't help but wonder who his mother had sent to Mobei.
"I will obey your instructions, Mother. However, the matter of Mobei is of great importance. May I ask who Mother has assigned to accompany Man'er?"
Madam Bai and Li En watched Madam Cui expectantly, fearing she would assign them a task.
Madam Cui understood their thoughts. Disappointed, she slowly revealed her plan.
"Second Master is a frail scholar. He's good at writing but perhaps not at riding horses or commanding troops. Moreover, you still need to write reports. This is a century-long undertaking and cannot be delayed."
Madam Bai's eyes and brows were filled with smiles. "Mother is right. Second Master is busy in the Hanlin Academy and has not a moment's leisure."
Li Yi seemed to dislike her words, his lips pursing slightly, but he said nothing.
Madam Cui continued, "Fourth Master is useless. I've spoiled him too much, and he can't bear any hardship. He's not even as good as Man'er, a child!"
Though it sounded like a reprimand for Li En, it was actually a subtle form of protection. Li Man'er understood, but she simply didn't want to get entangled in such trivial matters, as they were of no use to her.
If it were in the past, Li En would have hated hearing this. Comparing him to Li Man'er was equivalent to calling him a good-for-nothing. But now, Madam Cui's words sounded like heavenly music. As long as he wasn't sent to Mobei, anything else was fine.
"Yes, Mother, you are absolutely right." Since he wasn't going, saying a few nice words was no trouble at all.
"Coincidentally, Third Master wrote back a few days ago, saying he would return to the capital for his annual report this year. Calculating the dates, he should arrive in the next day or two. I'll have Third Master accompany Man'er to Mobei then."
Second Master Li quickly said, "That's an excellent idea. Third Brother is a general, stationed at the outpost. With him accompanying Man'er, her safety will be assured."
However, Li Man'er felt something peculiar about this arrangement. Generals stationed at outposts usually did not enter the capital without a decree. Was his report to the capital just a pretext for something else?
This suspicion was confirmed when Madam Cui asked to speak with her alone.
"Grandmother means for me to wait for Third Uncle and go to Mobei together?"
"Yes, I cannot rest assured if you travel alone. With Third Brother accompanying you, he can guarantee your safety both on the journey and once you reach Mobei."
Li Man'er noticed a flicker of impatience in Madam Cui's eyes and guessed there was a deeper reason for this. Madam Cui certainly wouldn't tell her, and asking would be futile, only leading to further suspicion.
She decided not to press the matter and simply go along with their plan. After all, under any circumstances, she could protect herself, and this trip to Mobei was unavoidable.
By the time Li Man'er returned to Qingping Xuan, the snow had stopped, and the weather had grown even colder.
"Why are you back so late?" Old Madam Wu hurried to serve her hot tea. "The food has been kept warm several times."
Li Man'er took off her cloak, changed her clothes, and took a sip of the hot tea. Only then did her taut nerves begin to relax.
Just as Old Madam Wu was about to say something, Zi Yan interjected, "Mama, let Miss eat first, then talk."
"Right, eat first."
Normally, Li Man'er would eat with such gusto, as if she had eight hands, but today, the delicacies of the Marquis's manor seemed to have turned into plain water, unable to entice her. She put down her chopsticks after only a few bites.
"Miss, is the food not to your liking?" Old Madam Wu glanced at the table. Impossible, she liked these braised pig's trotters and fresh bamboo shoot soup.
"Not very hungry."
That was even less likely. She knew her young lady's appetite well; due to her training, she could eat more than ordinary people.
So, it must be a bad mood? It was likely related to the Old Madam. Had the Marquis really met with trouble?
Old Madam Wu didn't bother Li Man'er further. Instead, she pulled Zi Yan into the outer room and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong with Miss? Did something happen at Songhe Hall?"
Zi Yan shook her head. "They didn't let us in to serve, so we don't know what was said. Miss hasn't said anything either."
Hearing this, Old Madam Wu knew it must be a matter of great importance.
"Alright, have someone heat water. Miss will be bathing shortly."
While bathing, Li Man'er thought through the situation.
Li Shu's journey to Mobei was a risky undertaking, but it was authorized by the Emperor. The Xiao family dared not object, so they could only vent their anger on Li Shu.
If they fought openly, regardless of who won or lost, the Xiao family would suffer. There would certainly be those in the imperial court who would accuse the Xiao family of disloyalty, hence their attack on Li Shu.
But if it were an accident, if Li Shu met with misfortune himself, then it wouldn't be attributed to the Xiao family.
What was the truth? Who cared? As long as there was no evidence, it would be considered an accident.
Thus, someone from the Xiao family had taken action.
Li Shu being poisoned was undoubtedly a challenge to imperial authority.
How could Mobei be without the Emperor's eyes and ears? The Emperor might have known about Li Shu's poisoning even before the Li family did.
Therefore, the Emperor had urgently recalled Third Master Li and then arranged for her to escort him to Mobei.
This explanation made sense. It implied that the poison Li Shu had taken was not as severe as it seemed, but rather a political maneuver, a stalemate.
Truly…
The imperial family was the most heartless, valuing only interests and disregarding sentiment.
It seemed this trip to Mobei would not only be dangerous but also quite interesting!
With this thought, Li Man'er stopped her bath. She quickly got dressed and instructed Zi Yan, "I'm hungry. Have the small kitchen make me a bowl of wontons."
Something soupy and light would be easier to digest.