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Because the Minister of Personnel had personally intervened, the governnt officials worked with remarkable efficiency.
By mid-afternoon, soone arrived with news.
Shortly after Su Li received the ssage, a maid ca to inform her that her father had summoned her to his study.
Su Li went straight to the study.
"Father, you wanted to see ?"
Su's father nodded. "The results of the official investigation are in. At first, the maid refused to talk, but after so persuasion, she confessed. This whole sche was indeed orchestrated by Lady Xia. She felt that you had changed too much recently, so she devised this plan."
Su Li nodded. "As expected."
Su's father was surprised. "You're not shocked? Weren't you close to Lady Xia and Yue'er? How can you not be surprised that she would do sothing like this behind your back?"
After all, even though he had suspected as much, hearing the confirmation still left him stunned.
Su Li looked at her father seriously. "Father, at first, I was indeed close to Lady Xia and Su Yue. But after learning certain things, I distanced myself from them."
Su's father quickly asked, "What did you learn?"
Su Li walked over and sat down. "There's more than one incident. It started with Lady Xia sowing discord between , you, and Mother. Then there was Su Yue spreading rumors outside that I was a talentless, ugly girl. There's also the matter of how I got this scar on my face, the incident at Huguo Temple where soone tried to ruin my reputation, and countless other things you don't know about!"
Su's father shot to his feet.
"You... you're telling the truth? How is this possible?"
He had thought the current situation was shocking enough, but he hadn't expected his daughter to reveal so many hidden truths.
Su Li nodded. It was ti for her father to know so of these things. Otherwise, he would continue to live in a dream of familial harmony.
"If you don't believe , Father, investigate it yourself. I'm sure that no matter how well she hid her actions, there will be traces if you look closely enough."
Su's father sat back down.
After a long silence, he said, "I will investigate."
Su Li stood up. "Since you've made up your mind, Father, I'll take my leave."
It was better for him to discover the truth on his own than for her to tell him everything.
After Su Li left, Su's father called for his subordinates and instructed, "Investigate thoroughly what Lady Xia did on the day the young lady's face was scarred. Leave no detail unchecked. Also, find out where the rumors about the young lady over the years originated."
"Yes, sir!"
Su's father sat in his study for a long ti. He had always believed in marrying only one wife to avoid conflicts in the household.
For many years, Lady Xia had been, in his eyes, a dutiful and respectful woman who treated the mistress with courtesy and Su Li as her own child.
It was because of this that he had allowed her certain privileges.
But now...
After leaving the study, Su Li didn't return to her own courtyard. Instead, she went to the main courtyard to see her mother.
As she approached the entrance, she ran into Wangxia, who was carrying a tray of pastries.
Su Li asked, "Sister Wangxia, what is Mother doing?"
Wangxia smiled. "You've co at the perfect ti, young lady. Please try to persuade the mistress. Since the Miaoyan and Miaoyu sisters arrived, the mistress's morning sickness has lessened, which is good. But lately, she's been indulging too much. Her appetite is enormous, and even the sisters can't persuade her to slow down."
Su Li was surprised. "Mother's appetite has improved that much?"
"Indeed! This afternoon alone, she's already had three plates of pastries! If this continues, she'll suffer from indigestion. Even if the food is easy to digest, eating so much will make the baby too large, increasing the risks during childbirth."
Su Li said, "I'll talk to her."
Her mother had always been a disciplined person, but since becoming pregnant, she had let herself go a bit. Wangxia's concerns were valid.
Su Li and Wangxia entered the room.
Su's mother pretended to be stern. "I heard Wangxia tattling on from afar. What? Is Li'er here to scold too? Can't I even enjoy a few pastries?"
Su Li smiled at her mother's rare display of childishness. "Mother, Sister Wangxia is just looking out for you. It's true that you shouldn't eat too many pastries. Plus, you haven't been very active lately. This isn't good for you."
Su's mother laughed. "I know it's not good, but I just can't help it. I don't know why, but the baby seems to have a huge appetite these days. I've been craving snacks nonstop."
Su Li walked over and took her mother's wrist, checking her pulse as usual.
"Cravings during pregnancy are common. How about this? I'll make so dried fruit snacks for you. They won't cause indigestion and will satisfy your cravings."
Su's mother smiled. "Won't people laugh if this gets out?"
Su Li chuckled. "Who cares? In Father's and my eyes, you're the most precious."
A happy smile spread across Su's mother's face.
Seeing her mother's smile, Su Li silently vowed.
In this lifeti, she would make sure her mother was the happiest person alive!
After chatting for a while longer, Su Li said, "Mother, I've laid everything out for Father. He might need so ti to co to terms with it. Please comfort him."
Su's mother nodded. "I've been wanting to tell him for a while now. If you hadn't spoken up today, I would have. Don't worry about your father. He bears so responsibility for what happened in the west courtyard.
"If he hadn't placed Su Yue on the sa level as you, feeding their ambitions, Lady Xia wouldn't have dared to act so recklessly!"
Su Li smiled faintly. "Mother, you can't bla Father entirely. You also gave the west courtyard privileges that were unmatched by any other concubine in Tianqi. Both of you are kind-hearted, but so people take advantage of that kindness and push their luck."
Seeing her daughter defend her husband, Su's mother pouted but didn't argue.
It was true that their excessive leniency had allowed these villains to thrive.
Su Li added, "Mother, Father will likely investigate the west courtyard's actions himself. When he does, they'll be in deep trouble."
"Enough about that unpleasant pair. Li'er, the day after tomorrow is the Crown Prince's wedding. Tomorrow evening, there will be a banquet at the palace to entertain the envoys. I've prepared your outfit."
She then instructed Wangxia to fetch the clothes.
Su's mother continued, "I see the scar on your face has almost healed. This ti, let's dress you up beautifully and show those gossips how stunning and talented my daughter is!"
Su Li took the clothes from Wangxia and examined them. The fabric was luxurious, and the design was fashionable.
"Mother, please be careful tomorrow night. Be cautious about what you eat and drink."
"Don't worry, I will."
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