The Li family originated from the martial arts, having earned their fortune and noble status through battles on the battlefield. Li Shu had commanded troops for years and commanded considerable respect within the army. If he were to die, could the twelve-year-old Li Qingyun possibly command the respect of those battle-hardened soldiers?
Clearly, no.
Thus, the Emperor could also be suspected.
As for others, they might not be innocent either. Li Shu's influence surely garnered him political enemies, and it was possible he was caught up in factional struggles. After all, the princes had all grown up, and as the Emperor's sons, who would willingly cede their claim to the throne?
Therefore, these individuals were all suspects.
Thinking this, Li Man'er couldn't help but frown. The original owner of this body was truly foolish, spending her days consumed by petty rivalries with her sisters and obsessing over how to win Tong Qiao's affection, never giving a serious thought to important matters. She understood many things only superficially, which left Li Man'er with great abilities but no way to implement them.
It seemed she needed to establish her own intelligence network as soon as possible, just like in her past life, to thoroughly understand everyone's secrets. Only then could she stand invincible.
This task was both simple and difficult. As the saying goes, money makes the world go round. In the initial stages, hard cash should pave the way, making things much easier.
However, where was she to get money?
She had money in her spatial dimension, along with many valuable items, but she couldn't bring them out! Modern currency was worthless in this era, and many of the items she had collected were inexplicable and couldn't be used to exchange for money.
But she was a Xuan doctor! With her skills, why fear not earning money?
As she thought this, a faint smile appeared on Li Man'er's face, and she had a general direction in mind.
Just then, Yun Xiu approached. "Eldest Miss, the Old Madam requests your presence."
"Alright." Li Man'er rose and went to the main house, where she saw Madam Guo, her eyes slightly red and swollen. She must have been crying earlier, but after washing her face and reapplying makeup, it wasn't immediately apparent unless one looked closely.
"Grandmother, did you sleep well last night?"
"Greetings, Mother."
Madam Guo's expression was calm, her demeanor distant. She merely nodded and said nothing.
Li Man'er felt that this woman had excellent self-control, which, put plainly, meant she was good at pretending. Despite hating her to death over the incident at Xiaowang Village, she still had to feign indifference, truly possessing remarkable forbearance.
Madam Cui appeared energetic. "Did you see your father?"
"Yes, Father is recovering well and has a strong spirit." He could still scold people and lecture like a monk!
"Did you examine him?"
Li Man'er shook her head. "Imperial Physician Duan is still attending to him. It would be improper for me to overstep. However, Grandmother, rest assured, I have some knowledge of facial and pulse diagnosis. Judging by his complexion, the lingering toxins in Father's body have been largely cleared. He has always been robust, and I believe he will be fully restored within a few days."
"That is good." Madam Cui nodded with satisfaction. She didn't mention the Xiaowang Village incident, only stating that she would be visiting a temple to offer incense in a few days and asked Li Man'er to accompany her.
"Alright, granddaughter hasn't been in a long time. It's a good opportunity to accompany Grandmother for some fresh air."
Madam Cui nodded. "All of you will go and offer incense to the Bodhisattva."
After a few more pleasantries, Madam Cui dismissed Li Man'er. As she was leaving, Li Man'er curtsied to Madam Guo with a hint of a smile in her eyes before exiting Songhe Hall.
Li Man'er's smile was one of victory. From Madam Cui's attitude towards her, she could tell that Madam Guo was in considerable trouble. It was likely there was more to the matter concerning Su Hai.
Previously, Madam Cui rarely brought her along when she went out.
As soon as Li Man'er returned to Qingping Xuan, Lüyi eagerly reported the news she had gathered.
"Miss, concerning matters that might amuse you, there is indeed something."
"Oh? What is it?"
"This morning, someone apprehended two thieves in an alley behind... well, behind the restaurant."
Two thieves? A restaurant?
Li Man'er inwardly chuckled, pretending ignorance. "Just two thieves, what's amusing about that?"
"No, Miss, guess who one of these thieves was?"
"How would I know?" Li Man'er changed out of her honey-colored outer robe and into casual attire, then reclined on a bolster pillow. "Continue."
"This servant heard that one of the thieves was the third young master of the Geng family."
Ziyan exclaimed, "Third Young Master Geng!" Wasn't he reported missing? The Geng family had scoured the capital without finding him. How was he found behind a restaurant? Could he have been kidnapped?
"The third young master Geng was unconscious outside all night. His face was bitten by dozens of bumps. When he was discovered this morning, his face was so swollen he was unrecognizable. If he hadn't declared himself the third young master of the Geng family, even his own mother wouldn't have recognized him," Lüyi recounted vividly, as if she had witnessed it herself.
However, she knew the importance of discretion and had automatically filtered out terms like "brothel" and "homosexuality," only referring to them as "two thieves."
"This is good. I imagine Madam Geng won't be coming to seek trouble now."
Li Man'er then asked, "And the other person, who was it?"
"Unknown. It was only said to be a man in black, likely a thief. Who else would dress like that?"
As Li Man'er and her maids were discussing the man in black, Ah Jiu, dressed in black, was kneeling in the courtyard with a basin of water balanced on his head, his upper body bare.
His disheveled state greatly amused Ah Qi, who stood under the eaves, mocking him relentlessly. Yet, Ah Jiu could only remain kneeling in the courtyard, unable to move, enduring Ah Qi's taunts.
Although Ah Wu's expression remained neutral, a flicker of emotion appeared in his eyes. While he didn't approve of Ah Jiu's actions, he would gladly die if it meant curing the Prince's strange poison, let alone disobeying the Prince's orders.
"That's enough," Ah Wu, who usually spoke little, interrupted Ah Qi. "Aren't you afraid he'll get revenge later?"
Ah Qi laughed. "Revenge? He might be banished to the northern desert by the master tomorrow."
Ah Qi and Ah Jiu had grown up together, but their personalities clashed, and they were always bickering. After arguing, they would often engage in a physical fight, leaving them both bruised and battered.
Perhaps this was their peculiar way of interacting?
Ah Wu couldn't understand it, nor did he want to, as it was simply a waste of time.
The study door was pushed open, and Ah Wu and Ah Qi hurried over.
A young man with white hair but a youthful complexion and an upright posture emerged.
Judging by his appearance, he should be at least eighty years old, his white hair perfectly uniform, not a single black strand. Yet, looking at his face and physique, he appeared to be only in his early twenties, a young man.
It didn't seem like premature graying, as no young person's hair turned white so completely.
"Young Master Jiang, how is our master?"
Jiang Ling brushed a strand of hair from his ear and said confidently, "The Prince is temporarily out of danger. You may all rest assured."