Ancient times were too burdened by etiquette. When there was a funeral in the manor, one had to observe mourning.
No marriages, no drinking or eating meat, no entertainment activities. Even marital relations were forbidden. Of course, if one managed to sneak around quietly, it was fine. But if a life was conceived during the mourning period, that would be disastrous.
Li Man'er was rather unlucky. Although Madam Guo was her enemy, she had to mourn for Madam Guo for three years. Not being able to marry was irrelevant; what did it matter if she didn't marry for a lifetime? She didn't care about such things. But not being able to eat meat was practically a death sentence for her.
However, it was fortunate that some things were tacitly understood. As long as there was money and one was clever enough not to be caught, what couldn't be eaten?
Not to mention anything else, she had a spatial dimension within her, with plenty of supplies stored. She could eat whenever she pleased.
Thinking of this, Li Man'er finally felt a little better. She wiped her face with a towel, drank a cup of honey water to clear her head, and then sat down at the dressing table, letting the maids do her hair and makeup.
The clothes were all plain, and the hairstyle was the simplest. She didn't need to wear any valuable jewelry on her head, just two plain ribbons tied loosely, and a clear white jade hairpin would suffice.
Li Man'er was particularly pleased with this look. Her head and neck felt much lighter, no longer needing to burden herself with accessories to display her status. Was it interesting to adorn herself like a tree in a temple hung with prayer ribbons? Didn't it feel heavy and uncomfortable?
"Miss, is this okay?"
No need to draw her eyebrows or paint her lips. Li Man'er couldn't be more satisfied.
"This is fine," she said, feeling her hair was a bit thick and long. She had wanted to cut it several times, but Madam Wu and the maids had dissuaded her.
Cutting hair seemed akin to rebellion. Li Man'er, for one, didn't understand.
"Miss, it's almost time, you should go."
"No rush," Li Man'er said. "It's not good to go too early, nor too late. Let's time it perfectly." She primarily didn't want to talk to those people who had eight hundred schemes in their minds.
"Yes."
Li Man'er closed her eyes to rest and instructed Zi Yan, "Remember to remind me that we have to go to the palace. Before leaving, I need to check on my aunt. And the shopkeeper Li at the ready-to-wear clothing store, we need to visit there too! Hmm..."
"The Huang family," Zi Yan reminded her.
"Right, and the Huang family. It hasn't been ten days, but it's good to check in." Li Man'er opened her eyes and couldn't help but exclaim, "I actually owe so many debts!"
As she said this, the young girl's eyes and brows were relaxed, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly upwards, indicating her excellent mood.
"Miss, this is the first time I've seen someone so happy about owing debts."
"You don't understand." This kind of debt was different from other debts. On the surface, she owed others, but in reality? Those patients owed her, Li Man'er, a debt of gratitude.
In this world, what was harder to repay than a debt of gratitude?
The mistress and maid chatted for a while longer, and then Li Man'er got up.
Holding a hand-warmer and draped in a sable fur cloak, Li Man'er left Qingping Pavilion and headed towards Songhe Hall.
She arrived neither too early nor too late; the timing was just right.
It was merely a family dinner, and with the mourning period not yet a hundred days, there couldn't be any ostentatious displays. Thus, three tables were simply set up in the side hall.
"Third son, you've worked hard all these years away from home. Upon your return, we should have properly welcomed your family, but you know the situation at home; we can only keep it simple." Li Shu's fate was still unknown, so who had the mood for feasting?
"Your son is humbled," Li Nian quickly stood up. "It is my duty to share your worries for the sovereign. It is my failing that I have been away for so many years and could not offer filial piety at my mother's side."
Madam Yu couldn't just stand by and watch, so she also rose, standing behind Li Nian, like a submissive daughter-in-law.
Li Man'er watched and could only chuckle inwardly.
Madam Yu's hands had calluses, likely from sharpening swords, but out of her armor, she was still a daughter-in-law who bowed and curtsied before her mother-in-law.
"Where is it your failing? Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parents, Teacher—you and your spouse serve the country and the Emperor faithfully. This is the most important matter. You have not disgraced the reputation of Iron Gallantry Marquis Manor, nor the prestige of the late Marquis. That is the best you can do."
Who couldn't utter pleasantries? Someone as suave and adaptable as Cui Shi was best at performing scenes of motherly love and filial piety.
Greetings, pleasantries, everyone wearing a mask. It was truly meaningless.
Could there not be one person with genuine emotions?
Just as Li Man'er felt bored, she heard Li Tian'er say leisurely, "Eldest Sister doesn't seem very cheerful. Is it because you're worried about the trip to Mobei?"
This was more like it! At such an important occasion, how could there be no troublemaking!
"What is Third Sister saying? I don't quite understand," Li Man'er replied.
Li Tian'er, as if not noticing Cui Shi's expression, continued, "It's understandable for Eldest Sister to be worried. Mobei is bitterly cold. The food is poor and the sleep is restless. It's truly not a place for girls like us to go."
Li Man'er frowned. "Sister, I don't understand your words. I'm going to rescue my father, not to enjoy myself."
"Yes, Sister will be gone for perhaps one or two months?"
"Mmm."
Li Tian'er's eyes darted. "Sister will be gone for so long, the courtyard will surely fall into disarray."
Li Man'er understood her meaning. She was eyeing an opportunity to insert herself into her courtyard? Well, she was likely to be disappointed.
"How could that be? With Madam Wu there, everything will be orderly."
"She's just an old servant, how much capability can she have? Sister, why don't I manage it for you temporarily?" Li Tian'er said with covetous eyes. "I've studied housekeeping and accounting. Not just one courtyard, I can more than handle managing your shops."
Madam Yu was astonished. She had never seen such a thick-skinned young lady before.
Under the guise of helping, she was actually coveting the things in someone else's house!
"Thank you for your concern, Sister, but I have shopkeepers for my shops and a managing governess for my courtyard. Sister should just manage your own affairs well."
Bai Shi said sarcastically, "That's not entirely true. Sisters in the same family are always closer than outsiders."
Li Man'er threw the spoon in her hand into her bowl with a clatter, startling Bai Shi, who flinched. "What? Does Second Aunt mean she wants to find a position as a shopkeeper for Third Sister? Third Sister is a direct daughter of the Marquis, after all. Why, does she actually enjoy being in public, calculating with an abacus at the counter? I never knew Sister had such a hobby? Or perhaps... Sister particularly likes the smell of money from the marketplace?"
"You..." Bai Shi was unwilling, but Li Man'er choked her speechless.
Li Tian'er was about to say something when she was glared at fiercely by Cui Shi. Being someone who cared about her reputation, she remained silent.