Green Clothes put on an air of triumph, which somehow brightened Li Man'er's mood. For years, the people in the Marquis's manor had treated her like a fool they could push around.
Of course, that was the original owner, not her! But she was Li Man'er now, owing the original owner a life, and she had to repay it, it was that simple.
"Yes, the Second Madam's face is truly unbearable," Ziyan also knew that the people in the second branch had always kicked others when they were down, especially the Second Madam, who looked down on their young lady with her nostrils in the air, claiming to be from a noble family.
Although the late madam was the daughter of a merchant, she was well-read and sensible from a young age. The late madam was both beautiful and intelligent, and her dowry was no less than that of imperial noble ladies. In front of such a person, how could the Second Madam feel superior?
So, after the late madam passed away, the Second Madam set her sights on the eldest young lady! Hmph, don't think she didn't know that all those people were after the enormous dowry left by the late madam, including the Second Madam.
"Just watch," Li Man'er chuckled, "the Old Madam will definitely ask me to see Bai Shi later. Physician Duan isn't good at this."
There were only a few doctors in the palace skilled in gynecology, and Duan Xu was not a specialist. Therefore, they were likely to be unable to resolve the Second Madam's illness.
"Young lady, can you cure her?"
"Of course!" Li Man'er said as she walked, "But I won't see her easily. If you want my help, you need to show sincerity."
Ziyan and Green Clothes exchanged glances and showed a few smiles.
"Young lady, where are we going?"
Li Man'er said, "My mood is good today, let's go collect shops."
Her words startled the two maids. "Collect shops?"
"What's the problem?"
Green Clothes looked troubled. "Just the three of us? Can we get the shops back?"
Li Man'er said matter-of-factly, "What do you mean 'can we get the shops back'? We *must* get them back. The red deeds of the shops are in my hands, so what? Now that Madam Guo is on her deathbed, does she still want to occupy them?"
"Of course Madam can't, but I heard that the shopkeepers in these shops are not easy to deal with," Ziyan said. "These shopkeepers are probably all from the Guo family."
Li Man'er had already thought of this. She and Madam Huang had already made arrangements. She believed that after a few days of overt and covert persuasion, the attitude of these shopkeepers should have changed.
No matter what, she was determined to get the shops back. If soft tactics didn't work, she would use force; her fists were just right for some exercise.
"Then, young lady, where do we go first?"
"Let's go to Pin Ming Ju!" A teahouse, quiet, a gathering place for scholars and refined people, easier to talk to.
"Alright!" Green Clothes was very excited, she felt a good show was about to begin.
Ziyan was a little worried, but she still believed in Li Man'er.
Their own teahouse, they couldn't possibly smash it, right?
Smash it.
Li Man'er originally thought Pin Ming Ju would be a more reasonable place, so she went out of her way to go there first. Who knew that the shopkeeper and waiters in this Pin Ming Ju were all terrible people, a complete mob. After Li Man'er stated her intention, the smiling shopkeeper actually tried to snatch the red deed from her hand and had prepared thugs in the shop to capture the three of them.
Seeing the scene, Li Man'er immediately burst into laughter. She directly told Green Clothes and Ziyan to stay far away and not get in the way of their mistress's performance.
The two girls hid to the side, trembling, and could only watch helplessly as Li Man'er hooked her hands, punched, side-kicked, back-flipped, and kicked down two waiters. Then, she casually threw a stool, which hit the shopkeeper on the head, knocking him out cold.
The customers fled in all directions, taking the opportunity to leave without paying, and disappeared completely.
Those waiters were completely unable to fight. Li Man'er had them all on the ground in less than the time it takes for a cup of tea to brew.
A perfectly good shop, after Li Man'er's commotion, looked as if it had been trashed. Several sets of tables and chairs were broken, and porcelain teacups were shattered all over the floor.
In the end, Li Man'er also asked Green Clothes and Ziyan to find ropes to tie everyone up.
"You two go to the yamen and report that these people are thugs who attempted to harm me."
"Young lady, isn't that inappropriate? Your reputation..." Do you still want it?
Li Man'er put her hands on her hips and sneered, "Where does your young lady have any reputation left? Don't worry, just do as I say."
The two maids had no choice but to nervously go to the yamen to report the crime.
When the people from the Dali Temple heard that it was the young lady of the Marquis of Iron Gallantry who wanted to report a crime, they dared not delay and immediately sent people to follow Green Clothes and Ziyan back to Pin Ming Ju.
Li Man'er's reputation preceded her. Even if people in the capital didn't recognize her, they had heard her name.
The constables on duty dared not be careless. They stepped forward with clasped fists and asked, "May I ask if you are Miss Li?"
Li Man'er pointed to the people tied up like dumplings and said, "These people forcibly occupied my private property, attempted to seize the red deed in my hand, and wanted to imprison me here by virtue of their numbers. Unfortunately, these people's martial arts are too poor, and they are no match for this young lady."
Li Man'er took out the red deed. "Look carefully, this red deed has been officially registered with the government. This is my mother's private seal. This shop was my mother's dowry, but it has been occupied by these bastards for many years. It's truly hateful."
Uh...
The constable who was following orders was bewildered.
The red deed was indeed real, but what was this about occupying it for many years? Who dared to occupy the property of the Marquis of Iron Gallantry's manor?
"Oh, this person's surname is Guo, and he is said to be a distant relative of Guo Lingyu, the Grand Scholar Guo's family."
The constable was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood. "Miss, please rest assured, protecting the imperial city is our duty. No matter who it is, if they want to commit a crime under the Emperor's nose, they will have to get past us first. We will take these people away, and there will be a result soon."
Li Man'er nodded with satisfaction. "Thank you for your hard work. May I know the constable's name?"
The man seemed flattered and quickly clasped his fists. "This humble one is Ding Jin."
Li Man'er casually pulled open the drawer behind the counter and grabbed a handful of silver, stuffing it into Ding Jin's hand.
"Constable Ding, thank you for your hard work. This is for you to have some tea. When Pin Ming Ju reopens, please bring your brothers to patronize us."
Ding Jin was very knowledgeable about etiquette. He immediately accepted the money and ordered the shopkeeper, who had been knocked unconscious, and the other waiters to be taken away from Pin Ming Ju.
"Young lady, you are too amazing!"
Green Clothes looked at her with eyes full of admiration.
As for Ding Jin, after escorting the people back to the Dali Temple, he immediately threw them into prison. This matter was beyond the scope of a mere constable; it depended on the opinions of the scribes and the various officials.