Madam Guo did not want to hand over the shop, nor did she want to return its profits to Li Maner. How could she openly seize the shop?
Now that the Marquis and the Old Madam were both pressuring her, it meant she had to hand over the shop, whether she wanted to or not. If Li Maner were to make a scene, the Li family, for the sake of face, might even divorce her!
After all, only impoverished families would use their daughter-in-law's dowry. For someone like her, marrying in as a second wife and living off the first wife's dowry to support her own family, was unprecedented.
To legitimately keep the shop, the relationship between the two parties had to change. Madam Guo harbored wicked intentions, hence she sent Granny Yu back to her maiden home to cooperate with her in a play.
She just hadn't expected that everything was within Li Maner's calculations. Even though Li Maner didn't know her specific plan, she was already wary of her.
Within a few days, Madam Guo began to feel fatigued, dizzy, and unable to get out of bed. The doctor who was called in said she was suffering from anger, with excessive liver fire. Coincidentally, the Heir Li Qingyun also fell ill, likely from eating something cold. He had been vomiting and having diarrhea for several days, which worried Madam Cui and caused her to get angry as well.
Madam Guo then suggested going to the Medicine King Temple to pray for the peace and well-being of the entire family, young and old.
Madam Cui readily agreed and immediately gave her her share of the incense money, asking her to donate it for good deeds on her behalf.
Madam Guo then pleaded with Madam Cui, "Mother, why don't you let the eldest young lady go with me? I've already decided that the shop must be returned, but regarding the profits..."
Madam Guo feigned difficulty, "The money from previous years has all been spent, and there's also the money for honoring the Empress and you. Where am I supposed to find so much money in such a short time? I'm afraid I won't be able to repay it all."
Madam Cui's eyelids twitched. "The money you used to honor the Empress has proper records. I also have records of the gifts sent to my chambers during the three festivals and your birthdays. I can have Granny Wang calculate it for you. As for where the rest of the money went, you know better than I do. Why are you trying to play coy with me?"
"Mother..."
"Let alone how your three-courtyard mansion was bought, just look at how much money your useless nephew has squandered over the years! Guo Lingyu is only a sixth-rank official. Can he afford it?"
Madam Guo's teeth itched with hatred, but she dared not retort.
"It is my fault, Mother. I am ashamed to face anyone."
Madam Cui snorted. "Your stepmother is my half-sister. I know her character very well. I suspect she has also extorted a lot from you."
"Mother is right. Because of this, I, I have failed my husband and my eldest daughter. But I truly don't have the money. I was thinking of discussing with the eldest young lady whether I could have some time, pay in installments, or perhaps pay a smaller amount."
Madam Cui chuckled. "That girl is likely stingy and won't grant your wish."
"Mother, I have to try. I thought this trip to the Medicine King Temple would be an opportunity. In the tranquil Buddhist sanctuary, perhaps the eldest young lady's mindset might be different?"
Madam Cui didn't think much of it. "Very well, then bring her along!"
Madam Guo suppressed her excitement and replied softly, "Yes." This time, she would make Li Maner lose both her reputation and her soldiers. She wanted the shop? Dream on!
When Li Maner heard that Madam Guo wanted to take her to pray to the Medicine King, she knew that Madam Guo could no longer hold back and was about to make her move.
"Why go pray to the Medicine King? Doesn't Mother usually prefer going to Ganzhao Temple for Buddhist worship? Why the Medicine King Temple this time?"
In fact, Li Maner knew very well that a royal temple like Ganzhao Temple would not allow Madam Guo to act recklessly. She wouldn't dare to commit any sordid acts there. The Medicine King Temple was different. It was remote and secluded, old and small. The temple priest was likely already bought off by Madam Guo's people.
"Eldest Young Lady, you may not know, but Madam has been feeling unwell for the past few days, and the Heir has also been sickly. She hasn't gotten better after taking several doses of medicine, which is why she wants to go pray at the Medicine King Temple. Although the Medicine King Temple is not as popular as Ganzhao Temple, it is dedicated to treating human ailments, so it's good to go and pray. Originally, Madam was afraid you would find the temple small and remote and not want to go, but the Old Madam said that since you are now a skilled physician in the medical field and a disciple of the Medicine King, Madam was asked to invite you along."
See, Madam Guo went to great lengths to scheme against her! If she didn't go, wouldn't it be a waste of Madam Guo's efforts?
"The weather is too hot, and I feel tired. I don't want to go."
Upon hearing this, Granny Yu immediately said, "Eldest Young Lady, please don't worry. Everything has been arranged perfectly along the way, and we will certainly not let you suffer any grievances. Although the Medicine King Temple is not as grand as Ganzhao Temple, its scenery is excellent. If you go, it will surely be a worthwhile trip."
"Oh, I'm only learning today that Granny Yu has such a sweet tongue. Are you saying that the storytellers in the restaurants outside are not as eloquent as you?"
The maids wanted to laugh but dared not, holding back their mirth.
Granny Yu pretended not to understand, but she was almost spitting blood with anger.
"Alright, since Madam has such good intentions, then I will go."
Granny Yu was overjoyed. "Then I will go back and inform Madam. Eldest Young Lady, please rest well. We will leave after breakfast tomorrow."
"Mm." Li Maner waved her hand, as if shooing away a fly.
Granny Yu cursed inwardly, "Such a presumptuous little girl! Let's see how long you can be so proud. Once you enter the Medicine King Temple, your situation will be entirely different."
"Your servant takes her leave." Granny Yu lowered her head and retreated from Li Maner's small hall, completely missing the cold glint in Li Maner's eyes.
"Young Lady, do you think Madam is going to make a move?" Ziyan felt her heart pounding rapidly, as if something momentous was about to happen.
"Yes! She's going to make a move."
Lü Yi snorted repeatedly. "I knew she had no good intentions. Young Lady, what should we do? Shall we go find Master?"
"Wouldn't that alert the snake? She hasn't made a move yet, and Li Shu can't do anything even if he wanted to."
Ziyan and Lü Yi exchanged glances. It seemed the eldest young lady's hatred for the Marquis had not diminished much.
"If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you catch its cubs?" Li Maner merely said, "I'm going to show you all a grand show."
"What grand show?"
Ziyan nudged Lü Yi. "Oh, don't take it literally as a show. Who knows how dangerous it will be!" As if uneasy, she asked, "Young Lady, do you have a plan?"
Li Maner waved her hand, recalling a profound saying from her past life, and relayed it to them, "The most sophisticated hunters often appear as prey. I will show you all what it means to show no mercy."
Upon hearing this, the two maids' eyes lit up. For some reason, despite feeling a little afraid, there was more anticipation.
The next day, after breakfast, Li Maner set out with Ziyan and Lü Yi. Before leaving, she instructed Granny Wu to guard the courtyard and not to let anyone in easily.
"Granny, if you guard this pass well, what I do will have meaning."
Granny Wu immediately nodded. "Young Lady, please rest assured. Even if I have to give my life, I will not let them harm you."