Before long, a tall woman rushed in briskly. She had sword-shaped eyebrows and starry eyes, dressed in tight-fitting clothes with narrow sleeves and a black leather belt around her waist.
"Little sister, why have you come?" She said in surprise as she supported Li Wanming. "They told me, but I just couldn't believe it!"
Throughout the whole process, Li Wanmo was like a gust of wind, dashing straight towards Li Wanming without even glancing at her mother - in - law.
Madam He felt a bit embarrassed. She wanted to flare up but managed to hold it back. With a cold face, she said, "Your little sister has come to visit you today. You sisters should have a good chat."
Li Wanming supported the woman who had come and smiled, "Second sister, how have you been lately?"
Li Wanmo, however, waved the long snow - colored spear in her hand and said proudly, "Great! Of course I'm doing great! Since Princess Chengping came to pick me up for Grandma's birthday banquet last time, no one in the He family has dared to make things difficult for me!"
Her eyes sparkled, and even the trace of gloom and violence that used to be on her face had completely disappeared.
"Little sister, let me tell you. I've transformed my courtyard into a martial arts training ground. It's very similar to the military drill ground where Father used to be in Minnan back then!"
"Although there are fewer weapons, it doesn't matter. The other day, I just turned a firewood knife from the kitchen into a short dagger... It's a bit short, but it can be used for the time being!"
Li Wanming never expected that her second sister was living so freely in the He Mansion. It was completely different from the poor little thing she had imagined.
Seeing Madam He's face darken, she quickly said, "Let's not talk about this for now... Well, how are things between you and your second brother - in - law?"
She quickly changed the topic.
Unexpectedly, Li Wanmo's face turned cold. Completely ignoring Madam He's feelings, she said bluntly, "Him? He's still the same, fooling around all day long! Some time ago, on his birthday, he even brought his mistress into the house..."
Madam He blushed instantly. She slapped the chair and scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"That day was Lin'er's birthday. It was just those ignorant friends of his who invited a few dancers to liven up the party... How can you make it sound so unpleasant?"
It was extremely impolite and uneducated for someone to openly bring a mistress into the house when their parents were still alive, especially in a prominent family!
If this got out, the reputation of the Earl's Mansion would be ruined!
Madam He never expected that Li Wanmo would not avoid this matter at all. In front of all the maids and Li Wanming, an "outsider", she had revealed everything.
Li Wanmo raised her eyebrows and said loudly, "What are you afraid of? Dare to do it but not admit it!"
"Hehe, the dancer who was dressed the least was his mistress. I heard she was the top courtesan in the Piaoxiang Courtyard!"
Madam He stood up abruptly, her face ashen: "The young mistress is not feeling well. Send her back to rest!"
Li Wanmo curled her lips, "I'll go back. It's no big deal!"
She turned to look at Li Wanming, her eyes full of reluctance.
She hadn't seen her little sister for almost half a year and had so much to say to her.
But after all, Madam He was her mother - in - law. She couldn't lose her temper here. So she had to follow the maid, looking back three times at every step as she left.
Li Wanming never expected that after two years of marriage into the He Mansion, her second sister still had such a temperament. Instead of restraining herself a bit, she had become even more headstrong...
If things went on like this, how could they discuss the annulment of the marriage with the He family?
Would the He family be willing to let her go easily?
Although the He family was despicable, having deceived her into marriage first and then imprisoned her, her second sister's behavior left her with no way out...
Li Wanming was a bit worried.
She stood up awkwardly, said a few polite words, and then took her leave.
Chuntao was quite happy instead, "Miss, it seems that the second miss hasn't suffered any hardships in their family! I was worried at first, but now it seems that my worry was unnecessary... As expected of the second miss. She's really amazing!"
She looked at her with admiration, her eyes shining.
Li Wanming looked at her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She wanted to say something but finally said nothing. In the end, she ordered, "Get in the carriage. We're going to the Chen family."
The situation of the Chen family was completely different from that of the He family.
Madam Chen didn't stop her, nor did she ask her about the Emperor and Princess Chengping.
In fact, she seemed to despise such things. The look in her eyes when she looked at Li Wanming was also very aloof, as if she wanted to snort from her nose: We're a noble and scholarly family. We don't engage in such scheming!
Indeed, the Chen family was a family of the upright and honest, different from the noble families like the He family.
Madam Chen just greeted her briefly and then asked the maid to take Li Wanming to find Li Wanxin.
Li Wanming was very happy at first, thinking that there would finally be some progress this time.
But after just a few words, all her excitement and enthusiasm were dashed.
All Li Wanxin talked about was that a woman should be gentle, chaste, and virtuous. She should obey her father at home, her husband after marriage, be filial to her in - laws, and serve her husband...
Li Wanming's heart turned cold.
It's over! It's over!
Her eldest sister had been completely brainwashed!
When they were in Minnan before, although Li Wanxin was gentle and kind, she was still a woman with flesh and blood and her own thoughts.
When she was forced by her second sister to train and won the dragon - boat race, she was so unrestrained and seemed to shine.
But now, she looked so docile, with her head bowed and eyes downcast, like a clay figurine on the Buddha niche.
Li Wanming told her about how her mother - in - law made her stand in a proper posture and how she had taken two concubines for her husband, trying to arouse a spark in her heart.
But she said that it was very common for a man to have three wives and four concubines. As a wife, she should be magnanimous and not haggle over every detail. Her mother - in - law was just trying to teach her because she was young and inexperienced...
Li Wanming was really angry.
It's over! It's over! It's really over!
If she stayed in the Chen family any longer, her eldest sister would be disciplined into a soulless and selfless puppet!
When she came out of the Chen family, Li Wanming looked solemn.
She found that she had made a fatal mistake.
She always thought that if she wanted to save her sisters, she needed to save money first.
Only when she had enough money could she do other things boldly.
But she forgot that ideas were far more important than money.
If their minds couldn't be changed and liberated, no amount of money would be of any use!
Her second sister was reckless and didn't know how to be tactful, while her eldest sister was old - fashioned and conservative.
Whether it was annulling the marriage or running away, this matter needed their cooperation.
But judging from the current situation, neither of them would listen to her arrangements.
Full of worries, Li Wanming frowned and returned to the Li Family Wine Shop.
As soon as the carriage reached the alley entrance, a shrill voice came, "What? I still have to register? My wedding banquet. Coming to your shop to order wine is giving Li Wanming face! How dare she ask me to register?"
...
It was Sun Miaoqing again!
Her marriage to Guo Ziyan had finally been finalized. It was set for the 18th of this month.
This time, she came specifically to the Li Family Wine Shop to order wine for the wedding banquet.
Caiwei and Qinglan didn't recognize her, so they asked her to register like everyone else.
Unexpectedly, Sun Miaoqing flew into a rage on the spot. She pointed at their faces and started scolding.
Li Wanming had no time to deal with her now. She just said, "I won't do business with you. Go away quickly!"
But Sun Miaoqing shouted, "I'm being kind enough to take care of your business, and this is your attitude?"
"Don't think that just because you've had some luck and the Emperor has shown you a bit of favor, you can do whatever you want! Let me tell you, I came here today not only to buy wine but also for another thing..."
Li Wanming didn't even turn back, "Chuntao, show her out."
"Yes!"
Chuntao responded and immediately picked up a bucket of wine dregs left over from brewing inside the house and poured it out blindly.
"Get out of the way. I'm dumping the garbage!"
Sun Miaoqing was almost furious, "Li Wanming, how dare you treat me like this..."
Chuntao said in surprise, "Cousin Miss, when did you come? Why didn't I see you?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. You still owe my miss 200 taels of compensation for the bracelet incident last time. Are you here to pay the money... What? No? Then what are you here for?"
"To order wine? Oh, you've come at a bad time. We're about to close!"
After saying that, she closed the door.
Sun Miaoqing gritted her teeth outside in hatred!
The maid beside her said anxiously, "Miss, what should we do?"
"Madam Guo said that our families are on good terms with the Li family and specifically asked us to order wine here. She also said that if there's no Jin Yutang wine, the wedding banquet won't be held..."
Sun Miaoqing scolded, "What are you panicking about! There are so many wine shops in the capital. We can just change to another kind of wine! Am I not going to get married just because of her Jin Yutang wine?"
She stared at the plaque on the door, her eyes showing a malicious light, "Li Wanming, if you do something unkind, don't blame me for being unkind in return! You've forced me into this!"