The intruder's footsteps were quiet as he slowly pushed open the door, sensing no sounds coming from within.
In the darkness, Su Li focused her attention on the entrance, watching closely.
The figure that entered was a man, dressed in a dark robe. The moonlight revealed a black cloth covering his face. He entered, shut the door quietly, and cautiously approached the bed.
Su Li signaled Jun Mo to hold his breath, raising her hand.
The black-robed man staggered a few steps and collapsed to the ground, unmoving.
Jun Mo raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at the woman in front of him.
Su Li moved forward, pulling off the cloth covering his face.
It was Xia Wencai!
Jun Mo walked over and commented, "I didnât expect to witness such an interesting scene today. It seems many people are thinking about Miss Su."
Su Li didnât turn around, calmly responding, "Your Highness, forgive me for the disturbance."
Jun Mo asked, "Would you like me to help with anything?"
"If Your Highness has no other business, perhaps you could break his limbs and throw him off the mountain when you leave."
Jun Mo was intrigued by her calm demeanor. Most women would be terrified and scream in such a situation, but she remained so composed, even instructing him on what to do.
"I thought youâd throw him onto the bed, but breaking his limbsâtsk tsk, truly cruel."
Su Li suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
She didnât mind repaying cruelty with cruelty, but Su Yue still carried the identity of the prime ministerâs illegitimate daughter. The pilgrimage to the temple was attended by official families, and if word of this scandal got out, it would ruin her reputation as a legitimate daughter.
Only concubines like Xia Shi, from humble backgrounds, would disregard their familyâs honor for immediate gain.
Which official's household in the capital is clean? Everyone keeps their scandals behind closed doors. If this kind of thing were exposed, a single report to the Imperial Censorate could cost them their positions.
Worried about her mother next door, Su Li said to Jun Mo, "Please do as you wish. Iâll go check on my mother."
Without waiting for a response, she walked out of the room.
Jun Mo froze for a moment.
Was she so certain that he would handle it?
After thinking for a moment, he called out, "Mo Yang."
In an instant, a black-clad figure appeared in the room.
"Your Highness."
"Take care of this as Miss Su instructed."
"Understood!"
Mo Yang swiftly picked up Xia Wencai from the floor and vanished into the shadows.
Su Li reached the adjoining room and pushed the door open.
She found the maid and the old servant sleeping soundly, without a clue.
She quickly moved to the inner chamber and checked on her mother. Upon confirming that she had only been affected by the sleeping incense, she sighed in relief.
Returning to her room, she discovered that Jun Mo had already left.
Having been through so much, she was exhausted and, after undressing, soon fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, just as the sky brightened, Su Yue arrived at Xia Shiâs room, fully dressed and eager.
"Mother, hurry up!" Su Yue urged, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Xia Shi allowed the maid to help her get dressed, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
"Why the hurry?"
Su Yue, happy to see the results of their plan, responded eagerly, "I want to seeâ¦"
Xia Shi interrupted her, saying, "Yueâer, how many times have I told you? Donât show your emotions so openly."
Su Yue, now eager to witness Su Li's downfall, nodded obediently.
Soon, Xia Shi finished dressing, and the two women made their way toward the east wing.
Su Mu looked surprised to see the smiling pair at the door.
"Why are you two here so early?"
Xia Shi replied, "Isnât the head incense today? We came early to avoid any delays."
Su Mu nodded in approval but rubbed her forehead.
For some reason, after a nap, she felt even more tired.
She finished dressing and asked Wang Xia, "Has Su Li not arrived yet?"
Wang Xia replied, "Maybe sheâs still tired from yesterday."
Xia Shiâs smile widened maliciously, remembering how much Su Li had exerted herself the previous day.
Su Yue, growing impatient, suggested, "Mother, letâs go see Su Li. Perhaps sheâs unwell."
This made Su Mu feel a bit concerned, and she stood up to check on her daughter, with the maids following.
When they stepped outside, they saw Mo Hua and Zhi Shu standing by the door, their faces pale and devoid of color.
Su Mu asked, "Why arenât you two helping the young miss? What are you doing standing here?"
The two maids hesitated.
Xia Shiâs smile grew wider.
"Madam, donât you think we should go inside and check on the young miss? Perhaps sheâs fallen ill again, and these maids are trying to avoid punishment."
Su Mu looked at them suspiciously. Why were Xia Shi and Su Yue so eager to open the door, while these two maids were blocking it?
Su Mu said, "Iâll go wait in my room. You all can deal with this."
Seeing the maids relax, Xia Shi grew even more certain that Su Li was in a dire state.
"Madam, perhaps the young miss is really ill. These maids are trying to keep us from entering. Letâs go check on her!"
At this point, Su Yue rushed forward to push the maids aside.
Just then, the door opened.
"How thoughtful of Aunt Xia and my dear sister to care so much about me. Iâm truly touched!"
Standing in the doorway with a faint smile on her face was Su Li.
Xia Shiâs eyes widened in shock.
Su Yue shouted, "How⦠How are you�"
Su Li smiled calmly, "Whatâs wrong? Iâm perfectly fine."
Su Mu breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her daughter was unharmed. She asked, "Why was the door locked? Why didnât these two maids say anything?"
Su Li replied, "I was doing my morning prayers. The Abbot said that chanting scriptures in the early morning is very auspicious, so I didnât want anyone to disturb me. I asked the maids to stay outside."
Su Mu nodded and said, "Letâs go to the main hall now."
Su Yue, still angry, rushed into Su Liâs room, looking around but finding nothing out of place.
Su Li smiled, "Whatâs the matter, sister?"
Su Yue, frustrated, replied, "Nothing... Just checking if your room is any different from mine."
Had Xia Wencai, that fool, chickened out and not come?
Ignoring her, Su Li led her mother forward.
Xia Shi pulled Su Yueâs hand and urged, "Letâs go with the Madam quickly."
She gave her daughter a knowing glance.
Though Su Yue was unwilling, she could only follow with a face full of resentment.
The group headed toward the main hall. A young monk was already cleaning the area.
They offered the head incense, knelt for a while, and then returned to their room for breakfast.
The Abbot would be speaking in the morning, and Su Mu planned to leave in the afternoon.
In the west wing.
Su Yueâs face was filled with anger.
"Mother, didnât you say this would be foolproof? Why didnât Su Li lose a single hair?"
Xia Shi was equally frustrated. That good-for-nothing nephew of hers had disappeared without a trace when she needed him most!
"Donât worry, Yueâer. I still have another plan."
If she couldnât find that useless nephew, she would use someone else.
She would still find a way to ruin Su Liâs reputation.
[--------------------------------------------]
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