Li Man'er's beauty was not the kind that eventually became bland and monotonous with prolonged viewing. Her loveliness was like a rainbow after the rain, or a clear spring in the mountains, so dazzling as if the sun itself, illuminating everything.
Madam Bai was secretly alarmed, recalling her sister-in-law, Consort Shu, in the palace. Even Li Qingshu in her youth was not as graceful and charming, exuding so much allure, as Li Man'er. Born with such beauty, which man's legs wouldn't weaken upon seeing her? She wondered what the young master of the Duke Rong's mansion was thinking, to be so insistent on breaking off the engagement.
Furthermore, her shrewdness was not to be underestimated. The outsiders might not know how Madam Guo fell ill, but could the people within the Marquis's mansion be unaware? Old Madam Guo had visited several times, only to be sent away by this young lady with the technique of "using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds," which was quite formidable.
Madam Bai couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension, realizing that her own daughter paled in comparison to Li Man'er. She secretly categorized Li Man'er as belonging to the opposing camp.
Li Man'er possessed no mind-reading abilities. If she knew Madam Bai's current thoughts, she might have immediately stormed off, even snatching back the prescription and swallowing it whole.
The moment she had written a prescription to treat an illness, and the next moment, you had already classified her as an opponent. This turn of events was rather swift!
Soon, the person sent to fetch the herbs returned.
Granny Lin brought the medicinal bundles to Li Man'er. "Young lady, the medicine has been bought."
Li Man'er unwrapped the bundles one by one, verifying the quality and appearance of the herbs before re-tying them.
"These three bundles are for Second Aunt to use for bathing. The water temperature should be high. Put all the herbs in, soak for fifteen minutes, and then immerse yourself."
Madam Bai felt a slight awkwardness. Granny Lin noticed and quickly asked, "Young lady, if the body is not clean, can one still bathe?"
"Oh, after these eight doses are consumed, you will be clean. Then you can bathe," Li Man'er said. "Before bathing, Second Aunt, please remember to have someone find me for a follow-up consultation, otherwise, I might forget."
Madam Bai's expression revealed her surprise upon hearing that eight doses could cure her. The mistress and servant exchanged glances, both showing astonishment in their eyes.
"Young lady, do you mean our mistress will be well after taking these eight doses?"
Li Man'er pondered for a moment and emphasized, "It will only stop the bleeding. You can then bathe. Before bathing, come for a follow-up so I can adjust the prescription."
Hearing this, Madam Bai was close to tears. For so many years, she had been severely afflicted by this illness, and her body had suffered greatly. Now that there was an opportunity for recovery, she was naturally overcome with joy.
"Boil this medicine with three bowls of water down to one bowl, over a slow heat."
Granny Lin noted everything down meticulously, feeling immensely grateful to Li Man'er.
"Man'er, this is something Second Aunt prepared for you. Please accept it." Madam Bai pushed a box towards her, which clearly contained valuables like jewelry or banknotes.
Li Man'er did not accept it. "Second Aunt, I have a rule for my practice. I collect my fee only after the illness is cured. If it cannot be cured, I charge nothing. We are family, and to call it a consultation fee would be too distant. If Second Aunt insists, let's discuss it after your recovery!"
Madam Bai was taken aback. Just as she was about to say something else, she saw Li Man'er smile gently. "Second Aunt, you cannot break my rules."
"Alright, then," Madam Bai could only instruct Granny Lin to put the items away for now. She had already resolved in her heart that regardless of whether the illness was cured, she would still present the gift.
However, since Li Man'er dared to claim she could cure it, she estimated it would likely be effective.
"Second Aunt, please rest well and have someone prepare the medicine. I will return in a while."
Granny Lin immediately said, "This old servant will escort you out."
Li Man'er nodded. "Thank you."
As they walked into the courtyard, Granny Lin couldn't help but ask, "Young lady, this old servant dares to ask, can you truly cure our mistress's ailment?"
Granny Lin appeared to be in distress, hesitating for a long time as if unsure how to begin.
"Have some physicians said that Second Aunt is merely buying time?"
"Yes, yes, yes," Granny Lin replied. "It was the imperial physicians who said so. This old servant dared not tell the mistress and only told Madam privately. The Bai family has also sought renowned doctors far and wide, but to no avail."
"What did the imperial physicians say? Did they say Second Aunt has only three years left to live?"
Granny Lin's pupils widened slightly. "Yes. Young lady, you are truly miraculous."
"Rest assured, once this condition of continuous bleeding and spotting is fully healed, Second Aunt will surely live a long and healthy life."
Just as Granny Lin was about to kneel in gratitude, Li Man'er steadied her. "It is not too late to kneel after Second Aunt has recovered."
"Yes." Granny Lin said sincerely, "Young lady, you struck Madam Liu today. I fear she will not let this go. You don't know that woman; she is most adept at sowing discord and might whisper nonsense to Second Master. Young lady, please rest assured, Madam will not let her slander you."
Li Man'er merely said, "You can rest assured. There is no need to trouble Second Aunt with such a trivial matter. She will not go to Second Uncle."
"Why?" Granny Lin was skeptical. "Young lady, you probably do not know her..." Madam Liu is a person who plays on men's weaknesses, and men just fall for it.
It was inappropriate to say such things in front of the young lady, so Granny Lin swallowed her words.
"If she can still meet Second Uncle with a rash on her face, is she not afraid of being disliked by him?"
After saying this, Li Man'er gracefully departed, leaving Granny Lin alone in the courtyard, completely perplexed.
A rash? What did that mean?
The answer to this matter came not long after.
A piercing scream, as if it had split the sky, echoed from the side room where Madam Liu resided. The face Li Man'er had slapped had already swollen into a pig's head, with dense red bumps covering her cheeks, enough to make someone with trypophobia faint on the spot.
Within moments, this news reached Madam Bai's ears.
Granny Lin was also stunned. "It's truly miraculous."
"Miraculous?"
Granny Lin immediately replied, "When this old servant escorted the young lady out, I reminded her to be wary of Madam Liu. She then said Madam Liu would not go to Second Master, stating that Madam Liu would get a rash on her face. Isn't that miraculous?"
Madam Bai, however, said, "I find that rash appearing so strangely. Perhaps she caused it!"
"Could she have?"
"Medicine and poison are of the same origin, and the young lady also knows martial arts."
Granny Lin remarked, "This servant observed that the young lady does not harm people without reason. Madam Liu's face is also a consequence of her own actions."
Madam Bai nodded and asked, "Is the medicine ready?"
Granny Lin tested the temperature and carefully brought the bowl to the bedside. "Madam, please drink your medicine!"
Madam Bai had taken medicine for many years. Upon seeing this bitter decoction, her heart tightened. But there was no alternative; for the sake of treatment and survival, she had to pinch her nose and swallow it.
She hoped this medicine would not be taken in vain.
Granny Lin took the medicine bowl away and offered a candied plum. Madam Bai, holding the plum, mumbled, "Open the window, let's get rid of the medicinal smell."
"Yes."
She then muttered to herself, "After drinking so much medicine, one's body carries a bitter scent." The illness was not cured, and she felt like she had been steeped in a medicinal pot, no longer vibrant.