Su Li returo the courtyard with her maidservants, lost in thought.

  In her previous life, she hadn’t ied much with Xia Wencai, though she had heard of his reputation for being lustful and addicted to gambling.

  Mo Hua noticed that her dy’s expression wasn’t great and quietly whispered to Si Qin, "What’s wrong with Miss?"

  Si Qin was about to reply when Su Li suddenly said, "Si Qin."

  "Miss?" Si Qin answered immediately.

  "You’re in charge of managing my clothes and accessories. Remember, during this period, make sure to guard them well and don’t let aamper with them."

  Si Qin quickly replied, "Miss, don’t worry. You already warned me st time, and I’ve been vigint ever since!"

  Su Li thought back. In her previous life, Xia Wencai hadn’t appeared because everything in her life had been uhe trol of that mother-daughter duo. By the time she came of age, they had arranged her marriage to a poor schor.

  That unfettable "hero saving the beauty" moment had most likely been orchestrated by them as well.

  Thinking of Zhao Huaian, Su Li ched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, but she didn’t feel the pain.

  "Li’er, you don’t o care about that scar. Am I, Zhao Huaian, someone who only values beauty? I admire your inner self."

  "Li’er, you’re intelligent and virtuous—far better than those noble dies in the capital who only know how to pose poems and py games."

  "Li’er, I, Zhao Huaian, will never let you down in this lifetime."

  "Li’er, the Sixth Prince is extremely capable. If he bees emperor, he’ll surely be a wise ruler. you persuade your father and the Duke of Wei to sider supp him?"

  "Li’er, you’re pregnant. Let me bring your sister into the manor to apany you."

  "Su Li, hand over the military token, and I’ll give you a quick death."

  "Why not take that military token and join yrandfather’s family ierlife?"

  Ses from her previous life fshed before Su Li’s eyes, filling her with hatred toward those people.

  Jun Hui! Zhao Huaian! Su Yue!

  You all deserve to die!!

  Doing the math, Zhao Huaian should currently be heading to the capital in October for the imperial examinations, which was still over two months away.

  On the surface, Zhao Huaian appeared upright and unyielding, but iy, he was a master of opportunism.

  After arriving in the capital, it took him only a few months to seduce Su Yue and align himself with Jun Hui’s fa.

  In her previous life, after marrying him, Su Li had devoted herself to supp him, eventually elevating him from a poor schor to a powerful court official.

  Jun Hui’s fa had Zhao Huaian’s intellect, the Duke of Wei’s military power, and Xu Mubai’s wealth.

  Xu Mubai…

  Xu Mubai was Jun Hui’s financial backer.

  She only khat Xu Mubai was of humble ins and had been rescued by Jun Hui by ce, after which he became pletely loyal to him.

  Xu Mubai was a genius in business. In just a few years, he had bee the wealthiest man in Tianqi, providing Jun Hui with a steady stream of financial resources in his struggle for the throne.

  Now, Su Li was merely the daughter of a Minister, far from being able to tend with a prince as scheming as Jun Hui.

  But she would slowly y the groundwork, dismantling Jun Hui’s power bit by bit, pulling out his teeth and severing his limbs until he was rendered powerless!

  In this life, with no Zhao Huaian to act as his strategist and no military support, Su Li’s step was to rescue Xu Mubai before Jun Hui could recruit him.

  After all, who wouldn’t want a "money bag"?

  However, as the daughter of a low-ranked official, Su Li knew she o raise her status. Only then could she have the fideo tend with Jun Hui, who raised far and wide for his virtue.

  This year’s snow disaster and famine might be a camity for others, but for her, it portunity!

  "Miss? What are you thinking about?" Si Qin asked cautiously.

  Su Li shook her head. "Nothing. By the way, has Yu Qi been ag strahese past few days?"

  "Nothing major," Si Qin replied. "She’s just been pining about your favoritism aing close to Seiss’s maid, Liu’er."

  Su Li curled her lips into a faint smile but didn’t say anything.

  That evening—

  When Minister Su returned home from work, he was on his way to the main courtyard when a maid from the western courtyard blocked his path.

  "Master, please e see e Xia. She hasen or drunk anything for two days. She says she wo until you five her."

  At these words, Minister Su’s expression darkened.

  It was always the same tricks. She might not grow tired of them, but he certainly had.

  Women plicated matters. If it weren’t for Ah Shu injuring herself during childbirth and struggling to ceive again, and his mother arranging for her to ehe household, he never would have allowed Xia to join the family. Spending his life with his beloved wife alone would’ve been ideal.

  At first, since her family background was humble and she seemed obedient, he had turned a blind eye, thinking she wouldn’t cause any problems for Ah Shu.

  But retly, he had begun to notice that this seemingly harmless woman had her own schemes—and they eveeo Ah Shu.

  With a cold expression, Minister Su said, "The her starve."

  Ign the kneeling maid, he walked briskly toward the main courtyard.

  The maid froze for a moment before calling out, "Master, Master…"

  Minister Su ehe main courtyard and was immediately greeted by the sound of his wife and daughter’s ughter.

  The servants had already lit the nterns, and the warm, golden glow illumihe courtyard, making the cheerful atmosphere even more heartwarming.

  Minister Su stepped ih a smile. "What’s making you two ugh so much?"

  Lady Su rose with a smile. "You’re back." She walked over to help him take off his official robe and put on a loose arment.

  "Father, I told Mother about a dream I had where she gave me a little brother!"

  Minister Su, holding his wife, chuckled. "What an amusing dream."

  He said no more, fearing his wife might overthink it.

  Yet Lady Su found herself delighted. Her daughter’s dreams had always e true.

  She had dreamed that Xia Jiang was the brother of the western courtyard woman, which turned out to be accurate.

  She had also dreamed of the Princess sele, and that too had been fulfilled.

  Now, hearing that she might ceive, how could she not be overjoyed?

  Though she loved her daughter, she regretted not giving her husband a son.

  After sing their hands, the family sat down for an intimate dinner.

  Midway through the meal, Wang Xia entered aed, "Master, Madam, there’s been an i in the western courtyard!"

  Su Li helped her mother to the western courtyard, where nterns lit up the area.

  As they stepped ihey were greeted by the sound of frantic cries.

  "e! Wake up! e…"

  Su Yue had also arrived, assisted by her maid. She began g the moment she stepped inside, wailing loudly. The se was chaotid pitiful.

  Supp her mother, Su Li ehe room and immediately noticed the white silk hanging from the beam.

  Su Li raised an eyebrow. "A staged hanging?"

  Minister Su roared, "Quiet! Let the physi examine her!"

  The physi worked quickly. After some time, e Xia took a shaky breath and regained sciousness.

  Pale and leaning weakly against the bed, she shed silent tears, her appearance delicate and pitiable.

  Minister Su frowned. "What’s this nonsense about?"

  e Xia sobbed, "Rather than tio endure your disdain, I’d rather hang myself and serve the Old Madam ierlife."

  Minister Su’s tone deepened. "Enough of this! Stop your nonsense. You’re fio your quarters, and now you pull this stunt? What exactly are y to aplish?"

  e Xia replied tearfully, "Master, the household has been so unlucky tely, and you’ve grown tired of me. I humbly request to retire to Shuiyue Temple to pray for the Su family’s prote."

  Su Yue cried out, "Mother! You ’t leave me! Mother…"

  Lady Su’s tourned icy. "You want to bee a nun? Is that a threat?"

  If the news spread that Lady Su had forced a e into being a nun, her reputation would be ruined.

  e Xia faltered before murmuring, "I wouldn’t dare. I simply thought the family’s ret misfortunes warranted some prayers to the Buddha."

  Minister Su interjected, "Enough. If you wish to pray for blessings, once you’ve recovered, you visit Bailong Temple and offer inse."

  e Xia said softly, "But… as a e, Bailong Temple won’t allow me to enter."

  Turning to his wife, Minister Su said, "Madam, given the household’s troubles, why not make the effort t Li’er and Yue’er as well?"

  Lady Su, though displeased, nodded. She had already po visit the temple—not because of misfortunes, but to give thanks for their ret good fortune.

  Su Li g e Xia.

  This dramatic dispy was clearly meant to achieve something.

  Though she didn’t yet know what, Su Li was certain that it was directed either at her or her mother.

  Better safe than sorry.

  [--------------------------------------------]

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