The lives of the three mother and son were indeed bitter.
Though their plea to relatives failed, they at least found a place to settle in the capital and a means to make a living. Song Mu's health, while fluctuating, finally stabilized, no longer posing an immediate threat to her life.
If things had continued on this course, Li Man'er would have had no involvement.
As the saying goes: A strong rope breaks where it is weakest, and misfortune finds the ill-fated.
Song Sanniang's younger brother worked diligently as a porter at the rice shop. Without anyone knowing why, he offended a noble, was beaten, and left in the back alley of the rice shop, missing the crucial window for medical treatment. By the time he was discovered, he was already cold.
The people at the rice shop remained tight-lipped about the incident. No matter who asked, they said nothing. Although they gave Song Sanniang some money, they never admitted to the beating death, nor would anyone testify for her.
As Song Sanniang recounted this, she was already sobbing uncontrollably, "My brother was only nineteen, unmarried and without children, yet he was beaten to death by wicked people. My mother could not bear this news. After learning of it, she cried for three days and three nights, and then she too passed away."
Lü Yi was furious, while Ziyan's eyes welled up with tears.
"How infuriating, how could such a thing happen?"
"My lady, Sanniang is too pitiful."
Li Man'er, however, fell into silence. In this world, there were always shadows where the sun did not reach; it was not an uncommon thing.
"And then?"
Song Sanniang wiped away her tears. "I finally managed to arrange the funeral for my mother and brother..." At this point, she couldn't help but sob softly, "I couldn't even afford two decent coffins, so I had to bury them hastily."
"To remain in the capital, I had to eke out a living everywhere I could. Fortunately, I have a knack for cooking, and I can earn some money. My lady, I cannot leave. Two lives were lost, and I must have justice!"
Li Man'er deeply felt the hardship of the common folk.
In every dynasty and era, the lives of the common people were the most arduous. They struggled daily on the brink of subsistence, unable to afford medical treatment when ill, lacking warm clothing in winter and fine silks in summer, and facing difficulties with their children's education.
The impoverished were already enduring hardship, yet there were those who had abundant food and clothing, born into nobility, who still oppressed these downtrodden souls...
Li Man'er took a deep breath and asked again, "And then? Did you discover anything?"
Just as Song Sanniang was about to speak, she saw over a dozen people approaching them from the other end of the street, their demeanor menacing.
"Make way, clear the path."
"Move aside, get lost."
These were clearly the reinforcements brought by the thugs from before. Song Sanniang stomped her feet anxiously, "My lady, you should leave quickly!"
Li Man'er simply said, "No matter."
Yao Liu, the household servant whose eyes had been swollen shut by Li Man'er earlier, now bore a prominent slap mark on his face. This slap was not from anyone else but from his immediate superior, Steward Song.
Damn it, thinking of this made him seethe with anger. He had been tricked by that woman, Ni Niang. She had clearly taken advantage of him! This time, he would vent his anger thoroughly.
In an instant, over a dozen people arrived in a great procession at the fish soup stall.
The leader was none other than Song Qing, the second steward of the Princess's estate and the younger brother of the Grand Steward of the Duke of Rong's estate.
"Steward Song, it's her." The bruised and swollen Yao Liu pointed at Li Man'er. "You're wise to listen. If you dare to run, we'll search the entire Imperial City to find you."
Song Qing stared at Li Man'er's profile and suddenly felt she looked familiar. "You..." He was about to deliver a pre-battle declaration when Li Man'er suddenly turned her head and glanced at him with disdain.
Upon seeing Li Man'er, Song Qing's eyes widened. He knew this person! This was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Iron Courage.
Li Man'er, who dared to kick someone and overturn a table in front of the Princess; who had intimidated the young master who came seeking her with a sword, leaving him frozen with fear. This person could also speak with the Ninth Prince, and was a guest of Princess Wuyou...
Song Qing became enraged and turned back to ask Yao Liu, "You say this is the person?"
"Yes, yes, yes, it's her."
Song Qing was so angry his head felt like it was smoking. He turned and slapped Yao Liu again.
This action stunned the onlookers. Were they fighting amongst themselves?
Yao Liu was also bewildered. What was happening? Why was he being hit again?
Li Man'er, however, asked Song Qing, "You recognize me."
Song Qing quickly said respectfully, "Eldest Daughter Li, our subordinates were blind and did not recognize your esteemed presence here. We have offended you greatly. Greatly."
Yao Liu was stunned and wailed, "Eldest Daughter Li? Which Eldest Daughter Li?"
Song Qing wished he could slap him again to make him wake up.
"The Eldest Daughter of the Marquis of Iron Courage." The words seemed to be squeezed out from between Song Qing's teeth.
Yao Liu was so terrified he collapsed to the ground.
It wasn't that he was afraid of Li Man'er, but this Eldest Daughter Li was currently the nominal fiancée of their young master! The Empress Dowager had also protected her several times, and the eldest son dared not openly act against her, resorting only to underhanded tactics.
Thinking of this, Yao Liu wished he could slap himself. How could he have been so unlucky as to provoke this formidable figure?
"Well, ignorance is forgivable. Since she is someone the Eldest Daughter wishes to protect, this humble one would not dare say another word." Song Qing waved his hand, intending to lead his men away.
"Wait!" Li Man'er's lazy voice rang out. "Did I say you could leave?"
Song Qing's face darkened. He could only turn back and ask Li Man'er what she wanted.
"This girl is running a stall alone, and her life is difficult, her living hard. And you, wanting to abduct her to your master's estate to be a cook. Truly eye-opening!"
"Eldest Daughter Li, speak cautiously. You can eat fish soup freely, but you cannot speak carelessly." To smear the Duke of Rong's estate and the Princess's estate, one had to consider if they had the ability.
"Then I must ask you, if your master did not instruct you to do this, then who did? With just the few of you worthless scoundrels, do you have the qualification to abduct civilian women? In that case, is Duke Rong, or the Princess, unable to govern their subordinates strictly, allowing you to become wicked servants preying on the common folk?"
Li Man'er's words were heard clearly by the onlookers, and Song Qing began to sweat profusely.
"Eldest Daughter!" he shouted loudly in the street, then narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "Do not forget, you are still the young master's fiancée!"
Li Man'er said nothing.
Song Qing thought she would eventually back down and waved his men away.
As he turned, he heard the sound of something cutting through the air from behind, interspersed with the gasps of the surrounding crowd.
He suddenly turned back and saw a gleaming cleaver flying towards him. Terrified, Song Qing quickly dodged to the side. The cleaver flew past his face and, with a clang, embedded itself in a nearby table.