Li Tian'er did not want to leave; she wished to stay and hear the gossip.
Li Tian'er was not foolish. She knew that Li Shu's mishap was not good for the family, but it had already happened. Whether she was sad, upset, or even relished in schadenfreude, nothing would change. If she stayed, she could analyze the pros and cons, which would be beneficial for her future marriage.
After all, she was not marrying into an ordinary family. She might encounter many such life-and-death situations in the future, and the sooner she became accustomed to them, the better.
"Grandmother, may I stay? I'm worried about my uncle."
"Mother, Tian'er is no longer a child. Please let her stay. Perhaps she can even offer some suggestions?" Madam Bai naturally sided with her daughter. Her mind was sharp, and her thoughts were much like Li Tian'er's.
As expected, mother and daughter shared the same goal.
This time, before Cui Shi could speak, Li Man'er interjected, "Third sister, you are of no use in this matter. It would be better for you to return and rest early!"
Madam Bai was naturally displeased to hear Li Man'er's words. She retorted sarcastically, "What kind of talk is that, eldest young lady? How do you know Tian'er is useless in this matter? She has been well-versed in poetry and books since childhood, and she is proficient in cooking, needlework, zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is not an uneducated person."
Madam Bai, like an agitated hen protecting her chicks, fiercely defended her daughter.
Li Yi was no mere woman or child. He naturally knew that Li Tian'er's presence was useless, and even Madam Bai's presence would only add one more person to the worry.
"Heh~" Li Man'er tilted her chin up, disdainfully saying, "What use is all that? Father is in trouble in the northern desert. Are a few books and some superficial talents going to help? You don't even know what happened, yet you speak so boldly, pretending to be capable?"
Ever since the snake incident, Li Man'er had no intention of indulging the second branch any longer. Li Tian'er was cunning, and Madam Bai was no less so. The mother and daughter pair feigned ignorance while knowing the truth, still thinking she was the original body's imbecile?
Moreover, Li Yi, the head of the second branch, was a hypocrite. Did Madam Bai and her daughter truly not know what they were doing?
Most likely not.
Whether it was favoritism or ulterior motives, Li Yi feigned deafness and blindness, showing no inclination towards fairness. He had not shown any extra care towards his niece just because Li Shu had achieved great deeds outside. Perhaps they secretly wished for the eldest branch to suffer misfortune, which would then shift the power within the manor to the second branch.
Li Tian'er was almost angered to death. What did she mean by superficial talents? What skills did Li Man'er herself possess that were worth mentioning?
Before Li Tian'er could retort, Madam Bai could no longer hold back. She first smiled, then, with a look of someone about to witness a good show, said, "Oh, if the eldest young lady is so capable, then you must know what happened to Grand Uncle in Jiangbei. Do you also believe you can help?"
Li Man'er did not want to engage with her. This matter was not trivial. Instead of guessing blindly, it was better to listen to Cui Shi, saving time.
"Grandmother, what happened to Father in the northern desert? Did he encounter misfortune? This matter..."
Before Li Man'er could finish, she heard Madam Bai eagerly say, "Isn't the eldest young lady very capable? Then why don't you guess what happened to the Marquis?"
Li Man'er glanced at her, then at Li Yi. Seeing the couple's tacit understanding, she said, "I cannot compare to Auntie and Third Sister who are so carefree and have the leisure to play guessing games. That is my father, and more importantly, the pillar of the Li family. If he truly met with misfortune, who would hold up this vast Marquis's estate? The heir is still young, and Second Uncle is a frail scholar. Are we to hand over the control of the Imperial Guard and the Left Mansion entirely to others?"
Li Man'er's words left the three members of the second branch speechless. Even the usually dissolute Third Master Li En adopted a serious expression. His current carefree and dissolute life was entirely dependent on his elder brother holding things together. If his elder brother were to die in battle one day, how would he continue to live such a life?
No, spit, spit, spit.
Li Third Master secretly spat several times, thinking that bad luck would not come, but good luck would.
Cui Shi looked at Li Man'er with renewed appreciation, but the situation was dire, and she had no time to ponder further.
"Your father was bitten by a venomous creature in the northern desert and is now unconscious." Cui Shi's triangular eyes fixed on Li Man'er. "Man'er, can you cure this poison?"
Poisoned again? This unlucky curse!
"Grandmother, do you know what bit Father? Was it a snake or a scorpion?"
Cui Shi said, "Your father was bitten by something that emerged from the ground while on patrol. Li Wenchang couldn't clearly identify what it was, only saying that it was extremely fast and then burrowed back into the ground, so he didn't even get a clear look at its appearance."
Second Master Li Yi exclaimed, "How is that possible?"
Li Man'er asked again, "Li Wenchang doesn't recognize it, and the locals don't either?"
Cui Shi gritted her teeth. "Even if they recognized it, they wouldn't say. That is Xiao family territory, and they would be delighted if the Marquis met with misfortune. Fortunately, I had your husband accompany him when he left, but he can only temporarily suppress the poison; he cannot completely clear it."
"Grandmother means for me to go."
"There is no other choice but for you to go. His Majesty is not yet aware of this matter..."
Before Cui Shi could finish speaking, Third Master Li En suddenly stood up. "They have truly overstepped their bounds, daring to harm elder brother. Mother, I think we should go to His Majesty and lodge a formal complaint."
"Are you foolish?" Cui Shi looked at Li En helplessly. "Do you have any evidence to prove that the Xiao family did it? Li Wenchang and so many others saw a monster emerge from the ground and bite your elder brother. If you go to see His Majesty, will you say that the Xiao family instigated beasts to bite your elder brother?"
Li En was rendered speechless.
"The locals must know what that thing is, but we cannot find out even if we inquire." Cui Shi said, "The Xiao family has likely been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. Now that they have managed to deal with the Marquis without getting their own hands dirty, why would they kindly tell us? Therefore, Man'er, you must go to the northern desert."
Madam Bai and Li Tian'er could not help but feel overjoyed.
What kind of place was the northern desert? The wind was like a knife, the heat could kill people, and the cold could freeze one's jaw off. Although it was early winter, the capital was still as cold as ice, let alone the northern desert.
That dead girl, let her taste the sensation of sand blowing against her face. Perhaps she would freeze to death somewhere!
If she refused to go, it would be unfilial.
Madam Bai and Li Tian'er were waiting to witness her downfall, but Li Man'er readily agreed.
"Grandmother, rest assured. I will return to make arrangements and depart immediately."
Cui Shi had not expected her to agree so quickly. "Don't worry, I'll have people escort you. You can travel by carriage; I guarantee you won't freeze."
"Let's forgo the carriage. Riding a horse will be faster." Li Man'er said, "Grandmother, while I am away, please help me guard Qingping Xuan."
After saying this, she cast a meaningful glance at Li Tian'er.