The waterside pavilion held no sign of Princess Wuyou, only the Ninth Prince, Qi Yihan.
Li Man’er, having harbored suspicions, showed no surprise upon seeing Qi Yihan. She stepped forward and performed a curtsy, "Greetings, Ninth Prince."
Qi Yihan toyed with the teacup in his hand, his expression arrogant. "Miss Li, you do not seem surprised to see this prince here."
"This humble subject is not as foolish as the outside world perceives."
"I find you not foolish at all, but quite intelligent. You conceal your talents and possess the demeanor of a great general."
Though the words were pleasant, Li Man’er detected a hint of mockery in his tone. Was this how he treated his savior?
Li Man’er rolled her eyes inwardly. "This humble subject is not as formidable as Your Highness claims, merely a physician at best."
She was skilled in negotiation, subtly shifting the topic.
Qi Yihan indeed brought up yesterday’s events. "Speaking of which, Miss Li is considered my savior. Without you, I would have endured further hardship."
"It is the benevolence of a healer; this humble subject was merely doing her duty, nothing more."
"Well said, 'her duty'." Qi Yihan finally set down the cup. "Miss Li, there is no need for formality. Come, sit." He gestured to a spot by the tea table. "I will pour you some tea."
Li Man’er nodded slightly. "In that case, this humble subject will not refuse." Tea? The Ninth Prince, notorious for his ferocity, could brew tea?
Li Man’er settled down by the flower platform, her gaze fixed curiously on the tea set.
Times changed, eras shifted, and much that should have endured vanished into the river of history. Even though later generations, relying on historical records, recreated some classics, even a slight deviation led to a vast error. No one could claim to have restored the absolute truth.
At this very moment, she was witnessing genuine history firsthand.
"What, does Miss Li also understand the art of tea?"
Li Man’er gave a dry chuckle. "Not all that is rumored outside is entirely false. This humble subject has always been unrestrained since childhood and knows nothing of such elegant pursuits."
The kettle on the small red clay stove began to gurgle impatiently. Qi Yihan lifted the kettle and started rinsing the teaware. Royalty, with their potent genes, were naturally exceptionally handsome. Qi Yihan's movements were exceptionally graceful, complementing his pleasing countenance, truly captivating for a moment.
"Miss Li, why are you staring at me?" Qi Yihan raised his eyes, a hint of inquiry in them. "Could it be that you fear I might poison you?"
If I say right now that Your Highness is exceptionally handsome, and this humble woman was momentarily dazed, would he slap me twice?
Li Man’er replied calmly, "This humble subject is merely curious. Your Highness holds immense power. Who harbors such deep animosity towards you to use the Gu King to harm Your Highness? I am even more curious that this person actually succeeded."
"You are remarkably audacious. Are you not afraid this prince will kill you?" Qi Yihan poured the boiling water into the teapot. His movements remained elegant, but his words carried a hint of lethality.
Do you think I'm easily scared?
Li Man’er said, "The world is full of various charlatans and extraordinary individuals. It should not be difficult to find someone capable of removing the Gu King for Your Highness. It is a pity that once the Gu King leaves Your Highness, it is bound to alert the person who administered it. Therefore, this humble subject surmises that Your Highness simply cannot find a better method to suppress the Gu King, rather than being unable to remove it."
A cup of flower tea was placed before Li Man’er.
The aroma of tea wafted, carrying a hint of bitterness.
Li Man’er lifted the teacup, observing its color, inhaling its fragrance, and tasting its flavor.
"In this world, there are few people to whom this prince would personally brew tea."
Li Man’er raised her teacup in a slight toast. "I am deeply honored."
Qi Yihan raised his own teacup, brought it to his lips, blew on it gently, and then took a delicate sip. The man’s hands were exceptionally beautiful, with long, well-defined fingers, appearing untouched by worldly dust. These hands could draw a bow, wield a sword on horseback, play the zither under the moon, or embrace a beauty...
*Cough, straying off topic again. Male beauty is my undoing.*
Li Man’er lowered her eyelids and drank the tea in one gulp, placing the cup on the table.
"You are not only intelligent but also very bold. Unfortunately, such people rarely live long."
Li Man’er let out a light laugh, her slender fingers pointing to the tea table before her. "Your Highness has gone to such lengths. Do you merely wish for my life? Killing someone is not difficult. Whether by sword or poison, it is all too easy. The most difficult situation is when the enemy is hidden and you are exposed, yet they can hold you completely in their grasp without moving, while all you can do is keep that dual-headed Gu King."
Qi Yihan suddenly put down his cup, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. "Who exactly are you?"
"Who does Your Highness think I am?" The smile in Li Man’er’s eyes vanished, replaced by a gaze full of defiance and coldness.
Seeing her like this, Qi Yihan suddenly smiled. "Interesting. What do you want?"
The defiance seemed to dissipate from Li Man’er's person. She smiled again, her eyes seeming to hold galaxies. "Your Highness knows that I am merely a pitiable person without a mother's protection. In the Marquis's mansion, no one takes me, the legitimate daughter, seriously. I am a person who holds grudges. After so many years, the accumulated resentment needs an outlet."
"You want this prince to kill for you?"
"Fighting and killing are so tedious," Li Man’er blinked. "People need to live to feel pain. Death is too final."
Li Man’er took out a palm-sized small box. She opened it and pushed it towards Qi Yihan.
"This medicine is called 'Hidden Fragrance'. One pill can suppress the Gu poison for two months. Your Highness took one yesterday. There are three remaining, all given to Your Highness."
Qi Yihan took the box and sniffed it gently, catching a faint, familiar scent.
"This prince appreciates those with ambition and ability." Qi Yihan put the box away. "Your marriage to Qiao’er, have you truly not considered it? Qiao’er is this prince’s nephew. If you marry him, you will be family."
*Thank you very much! Family.*
"Your Highness should understand that a melon forced to ripen is not sweet."
Qi Yihan poured her another cup of tea, then poured one for himself.
"Qiao’er is around your age. His mother is the Grand Princess, his father is the Duke of Rong, and he is an only son. His family background is at its peak. You still look down on him?"
"Does marrying mean only looking at one's family background?" Li Man’er couldn't help but roll her eyes. "He's just better at being born, what's so great about that?"
"Qiao’er is not a decadent noble. He is far superior to those scions of aristocratic families. You don't like him like this. Do you prefer a scholar from a humble background?"
Li Man’er faked a smile. "Your Highness may not know, but I am a person who judges by looks. I only like handsome individuals. Your nephew is not good-looking!"