The Grand Princess flew into a rage. "How dare you! Who do you think you are to bark at me?"
Li Man'er's expression remained unchanged, and she spoke neither subserviently nor arrogantly. "This humble woman is indeed insignificant, but Your Highness should not forget that even a rabbit will bite when cornered! Especially when this humble woman is a living, breathing person! If Your Highness is not satisfied with your daughter-in-law-to-be, you may openly propose to the Empress Dowager and the Iron Gallant Marquis's manor to break off the engagement. If I utter a single word of objection, I will offer you my head! Your Highness is of royal blood; why let those foul and rotten influences tarnish the heavenly might of the imperial family!"
The side room fell into an eerie silence. Everyone stared at Li Man'er as if they had seen a ghost.
It was utterly astonishing that the usually overbearing and simple-minded Miss Li could utter such words. In the past, she would likely have already started cursing!
"Very well, very well! A good daughter indeed, taught by the Iron Gallant Marquis!" The Grand Princess trembled with rage, clearly infuriated. She even blamed the Iron Gallant Marquis.
"Your Highness, you are mistaken. My father is devoted to the country and its people, his mind solely focused on the border, the citizens, and the soldiers of our esteemed nation. He has no time to educate an unaccomplished daughter like me! It is my mother who has taught me well. Look at my younger sister; she is so clever and resembles my mother greatly!"
The mother Li Man'er referred to was naturally Li Shu's successor wife, Madam Guo.
Li Zha'er's eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn't fathom how Li Man'er had managed to drag her mother into the fray with just a few words. She was like a completely different person.
"Good! The Iron Gallant Marquis's family is truly remarkable!" the Grand Princess gritted out, and with a flick of her sleeve, she departed.
What should have been a delightful spring banquet ended prematurely due to Li Man'er's disruption!
The Grand Princess was so enraged that she suffered a relapse of her heart condition. Before the ladies from various households could even leave, imperial physicians were summoned to the Grand Princess's manor.
The ladies from the various households left the Grand Princess's manor with trembling hearts, their thoughts consumed by one thing: Li Man'er's audacity was simply too great!
The Grand Princess was a member of the royal family. On a larger scale, it involved the emperor-subject, father-son, and the established social order. No matter how brave Li Man'er was, she should not have dared to talk back to the Grand Princess, let alone mock her.
On a smaller scale, the Grand Princess was the mother of Young Master Rong, Li Man'er's intended husband. How could a daughter-in-law-to-be so subtly insult her future mother-in-law?
How could Li Man'er presume to offend the heavenly might of the imperial family?
"Li Man'er has gone too far this time; she truly never learns."
"It was one thing for her to be disobedient to elders and harm her sisters before, but this time she actually caused a scene at the Grand Princess's banquet. She truly doesn't know her place. No wonder Young Master Rong is so insistent on breaking off the engagement."
"I fear the Iron Gallant Marquis's reputation will be tarnished because of this." Several madams, chatting by the corner gate, couldn't help but discuss the day's events.
"In this situation, we can only hope the Marquis will deploy his troops, otherwise..."
Li Man'er happened to be walking out as well and overheard their conversation. However, she merely sneered and said nothing.
The Grand Princess had intended to scheme against her and ruin her reputation, yet these ladies were placing all the blame on her! It was clear that people naturally sought safety and avoided danger.
Ziyan felt a pang of sadness but knew that her low status meant she couldn't stand up for her mistress.
Upon seeing Li Man'er, the other ladies scattered like startled birds, hastily boarding their carriages and fleeing as fast as they could.
Miss Li was already known to be a troublemaker. She had even dared to hit someone in front of the Grand Princess. If she were to act out again, they would be in trouble.
"Miss, our carriage is gone!" Ziyan remarked, "It seems the second miss has already returned to the manor."
The doorman of the Grand Princess's manor emerged, holding a broom, followed by servants carrying buckets of water. They deliberately poured water onto the steps, muttering, "What a stench, it's too foul. Hurry and clean it up, don't let this smell drift into the manor."
"Understood."
"Rest assured, Steward!"
Splash!
A bucket of water was doused onto the steps, splashing Li Man'er's skirt. Ziyan stepped forward to argue, but Li Man'er stopped her. "Let's go!"
This wretched place was full of filth. She wouldn't come even if invited!
The mistress and her maid left the Grand Princess's manor and began walking towards the Iron Gallant Marquis's manor.
Li Man'er gritted her teeth as she walked, her clothes soaked with sweat. She had been holding on until now, but as soon as she left the Grand Princess's manor and her tension eased, she began to falter.
This body had a problem; it likely had consumed many impure things since childhood.
After only a few steps, Li Man'er's vision darkened, and she nearly collapsed to the ground. The original owner had truly been lucky to survive this long.
"Miss, what is wrong?" Fortunately, Ziyan had already noticed her distress and managed to catch her.
Li Man'er breathed a sigh of relief. Spotting a teahouse not far away, she quickly said, "Help me to the teahouse to rest, quickly!"
Ziyan supported her and they entered. Without a word, she first tossed a piece of silver to the waiter and then said, "We need a private room."
"This way, ladies," the young waiter said, his eyes not straying. He had seen all sorts of peculiar things during his time working in inns and was unfazed.
Li Man'er instructed Ziyan to guard the door outside and not to let anyone disturb them.
Once the private room door was closed, she finally had time to reflect on her rebirth.
Was it merely because the original owner was also named Li Man'er that she had been reborn?
The original owner had a weak body and a foolish mind. Such a person deserved to be called Li Man'er!
Thinking this, Li Man'er sighed in resignation. Now, she was the original owner, and the original owner was her. This was not the time to dwell on such matters.
Li Man'er sat cross-legged and took out a set of silver needles from her spatial dimension.
With a flip of her palm, she extracted several long needles and, finding the correct acupoints, inserted them into her head. She then took out several shorter needles and inserted them into the acupoints behind her ears.
In a moment, a wisp of extremely fine smoke rose from the top of Li Man'er's head. Her body had temporarily returned to normal.
Li Man'er breathed a sigh of relief, removed the needles, and put them back into her spatial dimension. "Ziyan."
Ziyan pushed the door open and entered, looking Li Man'er up and down. Seeing that her complexion had returned to normal and she appeared more spirited, she exclaimed joyfully, "Miss, are you alright now?"
"Yes."
"That's wonderful, Miss. However, you have offended the Grand Princess. Upon your return, I fear the Old Madam and the Marquis will blame you. Madam already holds many criticisms against you, and with this, your status in the manor will surely plummet further." Ziyan was anxious, pitying her young lady who had lost her mother so early and had no one to protect her.
"What are you afraid of? Those who follow me cannot be timid," she said, her tone slow and leisurely, completely different from her usual fiery temper.
Ziyan faltered for a moment, about to reply, when she suddenly heard a commotion and loud noises from downstairs. Shortly after, someone rushed up the stairs, their footsteps heavy as if they would crush the stairs.
Li Man'er had a premonition and knew the person coming was looking for her. She felt a surge of anticipation.
"Li Man'er, get out here!"
Sounds of crashing and smashing echoed down the corridor, followed by gasps of alarm. The outside had descended into chaos.