The courtyard of the Li family's third branch was adjacent to the second branch, the two houses not far apart, separated only by a winding path that led to a moon gate.
While the couple in the second branch were causing a commotion, Yu Sanniang also spoke with Li Nian about Li Man'er.
"It's been years since I last saw her, and Man'er has grown into a young lady," Madam Yu said, leaning back in her chair with a worried frown. "But sending her to Mobei, isn't that a bit too hasty?"
The couple had been stationed away from the capital for some time and were unaware of the drastic change in Li Man'er's personality.
"Who knows! I'll ask her tonight when I have time; I'm sure she'll have an explanation."
Madam Yu nodded. "But Man'er kept staring at Qingyan. Could this child have heard some rumors?"
Li Nian hadn't noticed this. Upon hearing his wife's words, he also became unsure. "Impossible, right? We've kept everything from them. How could Man'er possibly know?"
"I..." Madam Yu was about to say something when a servant announced, "General, Miss Li requests an audience."
The couple exchanged a look, puzzled as to why Li Man'er would come at this hour.
"Please invite her in!"
The servant bowed and withdrew.
Li Nian remarked, "We'll play it by ear."
Madam Yu sighed, then added with concern, "That child's temperament has truly been ruined by Madam Guo. While the deceased should be respected, she went too far. If Madam Guo were still here, I would have a few words with her upon my return." She couldn't stand injustice and disliked the intrigues of the inner court.
When Yu Sanniang left the capital with her husband years ago, she had considered taking Li Man'er with her to raise her personally. However, Madam Guo disagreed, saying that Yu Sanniang's actions would only invite mockery.
If Li Man'er were taken away, Madam Guo would risk earning a reputation for being unkind. A daughter of the main branch, not raised by her grandmother or father, being brought to her husband's post would clearly indicate a problem with her as a stepmother.
Yu Sanniang felt Madam Guo's reasoning had some merit and didn't insist. Now, however, she regretted it.
If she had insisted, perhaps Li Man'er's current situation would be entirely different.
Thinking of the past, Madam Yu showed a hint of sadness. Things had changed, and it was too late to say anything now.
Just then, the servant brought Li Man'er in.
Light snow had begun to fall outside, and some of it clung to Li Man'er's clothes. She took off her hood, revealing a face as delicate and fair as jade, which stunned Madam Yu.
"Greetings, Third Uncle and Third Aunt. I apologize for my presumptuous visit and hope you will not blame me."
Madam Yu finally came to her senses and said with great emotion, "I thought I saw my cousin just now. You mother and daughter bear a striking resemblance, about five or six parts alike. I mistook you for her for a moment."
When Madam Yu was young, her hometown was ravaged by bandits. Her family fled for their lives and sought refuge with the Ning family in Jiangnan.
They thought they were distant relatives and that the Ning family might not be willing to take them in. To their surprise, the Ning family was benevolent, not only welcoming them warmly but also settling them in Jiangnan and helping them find a way to make a living, giving their clan a chance to breathe.
Yu Sanniang herself benefited greatly. She stayed with the Ning family for over half a year and greatly admired Madam Ning.
Unfortunately, Madam Ning had already passed away by the time she married into the Marquis's mansion.
Li Nian coughed lightly, reminding his wife that their guest had not yet been seated.
"Oh, look at me," Madam Yu exclaimed. "Please, sit down. We returned in haste, and our belongings are not yet unpacked!"
Li Man'er then unfastened her cloak and handed it to Lu Yi before following the Li Nian couple into the small hall.
Both husband and wife were military officers and spoke directly. After the servants served tea, they got straight to the point. "Man'er, you've come at this hour. Is there something you need?"
There was a family banquet that evening to welcome them back to the third branch. If it wasn't urgent, Li Man'er could have waited until evening to see them, making her visit seem less deliberate. Her arrival as soon as they were seated indicated something important and urgent.
Li Man'er immediately said, "Third Uncle, Third Aunt, I know what I'm about to say may be presumptuous, but the matter is of great importance, and I must speak my mind. If I offend you in any way, I beg your forgiveness."
The couple became even more confused by her words.
"Man'er, what is it..."
"Speak your mind freely," Li Nian said. He observed her courteous demeanor and refined speech, which contradicted the rumors of her being arrogant and unruly. A suspicion began to form in his mind, though he did not reveal it.
Li Man'er whispered, "Is cousin Qingyan of the Three Terminations body?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Yu was struck as if by lightning and cried out, "How did you learn of this?"
Li Nian also looked shocked. He and his wife had kept this matter a complete secret, and they couldn't believe Li Man'er had found out.
"Please don't laugh, Third Uncle and Third Aunt. I studied medicine with my maternal uncle at the Ning family since I was young. Although I haven't achieved much, I can cure the condition of Three Terminations."
Her words were sincere, but to Li Nian and his wife, they sounded like a joke.
What was the body of Three Terminations?
This was a congenital condition. When it struck, the heart, lungs, and pulse would cease for three breaths, and the person would appear to be in a death-like state, devoid of life. Those who lacked medical expertise or were not proficient in this condition might mistakenly believe the person was dead, leading the family to make funeral arrangements, turning a simulated death into a true one with no hope of recovery.
When this condition occurred, even if the person recovered from the simulated death, the damage to the body was immense. It was said that if it struck three times, death was certain.
Li Qingyan was not yet ten years old and had already suffered two episodes.
The first episode occurred when Li Qingyan was three years old. The child lay motionless, with no pulse, but his body was still warm. The couple initially thought someone had harmed their child. Coincidentally, they met a doctor who was familiar with this condition and learned that their son had the Three Terminations body.
That doctor knew of the illness but had no cure. He grudgingly prescribed a medicine, but it couldn't be administered. Fortunately, Li Qingyan was resilient and survived on his own. However, after waking up, his brain had been damaged, and he didn't speak for two to three years. He gradually recovered later.
The second episode happened during the Mid-Autumn Festival this year. Li Qingyan was mischievous and climbed a tree to get bird eggs. He fell straight down, almost breaking his neck. Fortunately, someone was with him and caught him. They then discovered he had stopped breathing again and rushed him to the doctor's. However, the doctor had never heard of the Three Terminations body and could only try to save him with acupuncture. Fortunately, he pulled through.
Madam Yu's clothes were soaked with tears as she spoke. "We have sought out numerous famous doctors, but we cannot find anyone who can cure this illness."
Their return to the capital was also with the intention of asking an imperial physician to treat Li Qingyan.