The Guo family was not a noble or wealthy one. While Guo Lingyu possessed some scholarly integrity, could integrity put food on the table? His stipend was meager, and his household's side ventures were few and far between. They owned only a few modest plots of land in the countryside, and couldn't even afford a decent-sized mansion.
Over the years, Madam Guo had funneled quite a bit of money back to her maiden family. Perhaps a few thousand had been saved! Guo Yongzhang was a wastrel, born with the body of a young master but the life of a servant, spending money like water. Most of the funds Madam Guo sent home were squandered by him.
The additional thirty thousand taels given to Li Maner was scraped together by the Guo family selling their rural land, some of Guo Lingyu's treasured books and paintings, combined with Madam Guo's dowry, Madam Huang's personal savings, and extensive borrowing.
Li Maner was adept at observing subtle human expressions. She knew Madam Huang was not lying; this was the Guo family's greatest sincerity.
"Very well! Considering our families are related, I will not pursue the matter of the money."
Madam Huang rejoiced and quickly asked, "Then can I see my son? Can he come home with me now?"
Madam Huang had adopted a very humble posture. Strictly speaking, Li Maner was her junior.
"I will release the person, but not now."
Even a clay figurine would show some temper, let alone Madam Huang, a mother yearning for her son's safe return.
"Young Miss, from the moment I entered this room, you've been evading the topic, never mentioning my son. Has my Yongzhang met with foul play? You've taken the money, you must do something!" Madam Huang grew agitated, her eyes turning red as if she could devour someone.
"Madam Guo, please calm yourself. Young Master Guo is safe and sound, not a single hair out of place," Li Maner said with utmost seriousness. "I understand your feelings, but I ask you to reciprocate. If you had a daughter, and she was schemed against, nearly losing her purity, how would you feel, Madam Guo?"
Madam Huang was silenced. How would she feel? She feared she would grab a cleaver from the kitchen and go chop up that shameless scoundrel. Dare to scheme against her daughter, and she would fight to the death to see that person dismembered.
But now, the one who schemed against Li Maner was not some outsider, but her own son, her sister-in-law.
What could she say?
Seeing Madam Huang's silence and embarrassed expression, Li Maner nodded inwardly. This Guo family, at least, had some sensible people, some sense of shame.
"Madam Guo, I wish to know who was behind this scheme."
Madam Huang sighed and said with resignation, "To speak from the heart, Miss, I truly know nothing about this. You may think I am shirking responsibility, but the truth is, when Yu Fei came to tell me about it, I was not present. She and my mother-in-law secretly arranged it. As for my son..."
Speaking of Guo Yongzhang, Madam Huang felt both sorrow and regret.
"My son was raised by my mother-in-law from a young age. As his birth mother, I had little say. By the time I realized he had been raised incorrectly, it was too late." Madam Huang even went so far as to kneel to beg Li Maner, "Miss Li, I implore you, if you must vent your anger, then direct it at me! I am a negligent mother."
Li Maner looked at her, seeing Madam Huang's face streaked with tears, her sorrow profound.
"Madam, please rise and speak." Li Maner had a maid fetch water for Madam Huang to wash her face. Once Madam Huang had calmed down and fresh tea was served, the two resumed their discussion.
"Madam, have you considered that if your young master is not disciplined further, he may be ruined?"
Madam Huang, perhaps having held back for too long, poured out her woes to Li Maner. "His temperament has been warped, and I am helpless. I have exhausted all means." She deeply regretted her past actions. Had she known, she would not have been so stubborn and left her child with her mother-in-law over a concubine. What man didn't fancy beautiful women? What did it matter if he took a concubine? As long as she cultivated her legitimate son well, the household would eventually belong to her and her son.
But she was young then and couldn't foresee such consequences.
"Actually, there is still hope."
Li Maner's words startled Madam Huang. "What does Young Miss mean?" She herself couldn't detect the urgency in her tone. If her son's character could truly be reformed, she would gladly go bankrupt or even lose twenty years of her life.
The saying "Pity the hearts of parents" was vividly exemplified in Madam Huang.
"Young Master Guo can still be disciplined, but it will require considerable effort and time. I fear Madam Huang may find it difficult to bear and be unable to go through with it."
Madam Huang hesitated. She thought of how her son had lived a life of luxury since childhood, never having suffered hardship. If he were to endure true suffering, he might not be able to handle it.
Then she considered: would it be better for him to suffer a little now, or face imprisonment later? With his disposition, causing trouble everywhere, he might provoke a powerful figure and lose his life. Then regret would be meaningless.
"Young Miss, do you have a way? No matter how difficult, I am willing to try."
The maids accompanying Madam Huang believed their mistress had lost her senses. They knew the young master's character well; his纨绔 (wánkù - prodigal/dissipated) habits were entirely fostered by the old madam, and it was impossible to correct them with just a few words.
"Madam Guo, I can only discuss this with you alone."
Madam Huang understood propriety and quickly had the two maids wait outside.
Li Maner had Luyi escort them to a side room for tea, while she and Madam Huang engaged in a private conversation for nearly half an hour.
When Madam Huang departed, she was immensely grateful, almost treating Li Maner like a Bodhisattva. The maids accompanying her were bewildered, unable to comprehend what sort of spell their mistress had fallen under to become so changed.
She hadn't brought her son back, but it seemed she had lost half of herself.
"Madam, when did Miss Li say the young master would return?"
"Do not inquire about these matters. Just wait. Absolutely do not speak of this to outsiders. No matter who asks, do not tell them, do you understand?" Madam Huang's heart was brimming with emotion, but she remembered Li Maner's words.
"Yes!"
"Yes!"
The two maids were brought by Madam Huang from her maiden family and were considered loyal.
Just wait a little longer, and in a few days, she would see Yongzhang.
After Madam Huang left, Luyi asked with great confusion, "Miss, why are you helping her?"
"Helping her?" Li Maner smiled. "Helping her is helping myself." In this country, she was still rather isolated. Besides a few loyal maids and a close follower she had tricked into staying by her side, whom else could she rely on?
Even if the Ning family members were reliable, she couldn't approach them at this time. Therefore, she had to rely on herself for everything. Only by establishing her own footing could she avoid being at the mercy of others.