Di Daughter's Strategy - Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Lady Su’s face showed a hint of hatred as she raised her voice, “Eldest Miss, dare to say it wasn’t you who told me that the Madam was behind my inability to conceive!”

Lady Su’s eyes were filled with resentment. She naturally hated Luo Qian. If it weren’t for her, she would still be the favored Concubine Su, and her child wouldn’t have miscarried.
It was all Luo Qian’s fault!

Luo Qian turned her face away, not looking at Lady Su, and said sternly, “What nonsense is Concubine Su spouting? How would I know if you can conceive or not?”

Despite her words, the momentary panic on her face was seen by everyone.

Lady Su suddenly laughed, crying at the same time, and finally covered her face. “It’s my fault, I’m too gullible! Lord Marquis, it’s my fault!”

Luo Yu’an looked at her coldly, as if watching a clown. Luo Yi’er saw this and wondered if her father didn’t believe Lady Su.

Luo Yi’er’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she remembered that her father was always calm and collected. Even this time, he might have seen through Madam Chu’s act, but he let it go. He just followed Madam Chu’s lead to find out who had harmed her.

Although they hadn’t succeeded, the person had clearly intended to harm Madam Chu, and her father wouldn’t let them off.

As she was lost in thought, Lady Su suddenly knelt down in front of Luo Yu’an.
“When I gave the fabric to Eldest Miss, only Hongyu and Eldest Miss’s confidant were present. No one else can testify for me.”

“But I beg Lord Marquis to search Luoyun Pavilion thoroughly. I’m sure we’ll find clues!”

Her face was determined, which made Luo Qian frown.
She hadn’t received the Man Yu Luo shan cloth, but she realized that clearing her name would be impossible. Her courtyard wasn’t impenetrable, and even if she was sure that her room was clean before she left, there was enough time for someone to plant evidence.

Luo Yi’er watched the situation unfold calmly. She knew what Luo Qian was thinking. She sighed softly and stepped forward.
“Father, I told Uncle Rong to have each courtyard watched. If anyone tampered with anything during this process, Uncle Rong will find out.”

Luo Yu’an nodded slightly and sent people to search each courtyard, focusing on Luoyun Pavilion and South Garden.

Luo Yi’er saw Luo Qian’s eyes light up and smiled inwardly.
Didn’t Luo Qian realize that if evidence was found in her room under these circumstances, she would be in a difficult position to defend herself?

She glanced at Lady Su and saw that Lady Su’s eyes flashed briefly after hearing her words, but she showed no panic or tension.
Luo Yi’er felt strange.

In the original text, Lady Su and Luo Qian had joined forces, causing a lot of trouble for Madam Chu. But in the end, Lady Su lost her life.
Now, they weren’t allies, but why was Luo Qian so careless?

She thought about the message sent by that person. They had clearly discovered the wooden box but didn’t touch it and put it back. Luo Yi’er’s eyebrows rose slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Wasn’t destroying it a more straightforward solution?
Maybe the person couldn’t swallow their anger and wanted to drag the person behind it down into the water. Luo Yi’er thought idly.

The people sent to search soon returned, but their expressions were somewhat peculiar. One of them held a tray with fabric on it. Luo Yi’er glanced at it and saw that it was indeed Man Yu Luo shan cloth, but she didn’t know where it was found.

Luo Yu’an narrowed his eyes and asked: “Where was it found?”

The servant lowered his head slightly. “Reporting to Lord Marquis, your servants found it in… in Pear Garden…”

These servants knew that the Marquis didn’t have a good impression of Concubine Qing, so they spoke hesitantly.

As expected, as soon as the words were spoken, Luo Yu’an’s face turned cold. Even Luo Qiheng snorted coldly and turned his head away, harboring resentment towards Concubine Qing.

Luo Qian’s face changed dramatically. She never thought that this matter would involve her aunt. When she realized it, she quickly turned around and knelt down.
“Father, please investigate. This must be a misunderstanding! Aunt Qing is a devout Buddhist and would never do anything to harm Mother.”

Lady Su sneered, “Maybe the fabric in Concubine Qing’s possession was given to her by Eldest Miss. Who doesn’t know that Eldest Miss didn’t grow up with Concubine Qing? How deep can their relationship be? Maybe Eldest Miss is just looking for a scapegoat?”

Luo Qian was truly angry now. “Shut up!”

Lady Su’s face showed anger after being rebuked, but Luo Qian didn’t have time to care about her. She turned to Luo Yu’an and explained urgently, “Father, please investigate. Aunt Qing is kind-hearted and respectful towards Mother. She would never do such a thing.”

Her defense, however, touched a nerve in Luo Yu’an. He laughed coldly, his voice icy, “Respectful?”

Luo Qian saw the sarcasm in his eyes and felt a chill. She didn’t know what had happened in the past, but she knew her father had a deep grudge against her aunt that hadn’t dissipated.

She didn’t have time to think about it now. She straightened her body and said, “Father, Aunt Qing couldn’t possibly have access to the Man Yu Luo shan cloth. Someone must be framing her!”

She spoke with conviction, but Luo Yu’an’s expression showed disgust. “Lady Su’s words might not be wrong. Maybe you gave the fabric to her. Otherwise, how would you have thought of this plan? It must be Concubine Qing who instigated you.”

His words almost directly implicated Luo Qian and Concubine Qing in a conspiracy. Lady Su lowered her head, hiding a smile. She had been in the mansion for many years and knew that the Lord detested Concubine Qing intensely.

Luo Qian was stunned, her words tumbling out, “Father, Aunt Qing has always shown you respect. Why do you always target her?”

“Impudent!” Luo Yu An slammed the table in anger. As the Marquis Qi, he had never been reprimanded like this, not even by the Emperor. And now, a junior was accusing him.
He was furious. “You’re unfilial to your parents, unkind to your sisters. What use is it for this Marquis to raise you?”

The harsh words almost ruined Luo Qian’s reputation. Everyone else was also intimidated, shocked that a Concubine Qing could enrage the Lord to this extent.

Some people looked at Luo Qian with surprise, thinking that only she could dare to accuse the Marquis like this in front of him.

Luo Yi’er frowned and stepped forward to support Luo Yu’an’s arm, worrying, “Father, calm down. Eldest Sister spoke rashly, don’t take it to heart.”

She turned to Luo Qian and said disapprovingly. “Elsest Sister, apologize to Father!”

Luo Qian bit her lip, her face pale, but she stubbornly refused to apologize. Her eyes were red as she looked at Luo Yu’an.

Luo Yu’an restrained his anger and didn’t lash out at Luo Yi’er. However, his gaze towards Luo Qian was devoid of warmth. “Yi’er, no need to say more!”

Luo Yi’er pursed her lips, glanced at Luo Qian disapprovingly, and sighed softly. She didn’t defend Luo Qian further but said, “Father, calm down. Don’t let it affect your health.”

Luo Qian didn’t know what to think, but she still refused to apologize. Luo Yu’an’s expression turned even colder, “Concubine Qing’s attempt to poison the Madam is unforgivable—”

Before he could finish, Luo Qian interrupted him, her voice rising in tears. “Father!”
She finally showed weakness. “Father, please investigate. I didn’t receive any fabric from Concubine Su, and Aunt Qing didn’t instigate me!”

When she mentioned Lady Su, Luo Yu’an’s eyes darkened, but he still said, “Considering Eldest Miss’s young age and being instigated by Concubine Qing, she’s sentenced to two months of confinement. Concubine Qing is vicious and will be sent to the manor. She won’t be allowed to return to the mansion!”

Luo Qian’s body weakened, and tears fell silently. She looked at Luo Yu’an, who was high above her, saying, “This matter ends here. Anyone who discusses it further will be severely punished. Everyone, withdraw!”

Everyone lowered their heads and slowly retreated. Even though some people still had doubts about the true culprit, the Marquis had made his decision. They only needed to know that Concubine Qing had harmed the Madam.

Biyu also lowered her head and supported Luo Qian, whispering softly with a sobbing tone: “Miss, let’s go back.”

Luo Qian felt Luo Yu’an’s cold gaze, which seemed to seep into her bones, making her unable to stand. She was supported by Bi Yu as they walked out. She couldn’t help but look back, feeling a sense of desolation.

This was the Marquis Qi Mansion, her home, but it showed her no warmth. The only family member she had was being sent away for a reason she didn’t understand.

After everyone left, Luo Yi’er frowned and hesitated. “Father, this matter… Concubine Su…”

Luo Yu’an raised his hand to interrupt her, his face calm and devoid of anger. “No need to say more. I have my plans.”

Luo Yi’er’s eyes flashed with curiosity. She realized that her father knew the true culprit was Su Shi but still let Concubine Qing take the blame. This made her wonder what Concubine Qing had done in the past to make her father dislike her so much.

Just then, Luo Yi’er heard her father’s voice above her. “Alright, Yi’er, you can go rest now.”

Luo Yi’er frowned and looked up, “But Mother…”

Before she could finish speaking, Luo Yu’an gave her a deep look and said, “Go back, Father will stay here.”

Luo Yi’er’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and she closed her mouth. She knew he had discovered that Madam Chu wasn’t unconscious, but he hadn’t exposed her.

She wouldn’t mention it either. Her cheeks flushed slightly as she gently tugged on Luo Yu’an’s sleeve and whispered, “Then Father, I’ll retreat.”

Luo Yu An nodded. “Yes.”
He watched her lower her head and walk out. She stopped outside for a moment before stepping into the inner room.

Inside, Madam Chu had already sat up, leaning against the purple rattan embroidered pillow, waiting for him. When she saw him, she raised her eyelids. “You’re spoiling me again, Lord.”

Luo Yu’an walked over, took her hand, and gently closed his fingers around it. He looked into her eyes and said softly, “It’s only fitting.”

Madam Chu pursed her lips. After a moment, she slowly leaned towards him, resting her head on his shoulder. “The matter with Concubine Qiu was my fault. I should have given Luo Fu a coming-of-age ceremony.”

Luo Yu’an wrapped his arms around her. When she mentioned it, he only frowned slightly and said in a low voice. “It’s not a big deal. She’s the one who doesn’t know her place. As Yi’er’s mother, it’s natural for you to defend her.”

“Besides, since Concubine Qiu is no longer in the mansion, it’s not impossible to hold the ceremony.”

Madam Chu’s voice was soft, “If this gets out, won’t Lord Marquis be worried that Luofu and the others will accuse you of favoritism?”

Luo Yu’an’s expression remained calm. “There’s a distinction between the legitimate and the illegitimate. It should be like this.”

Luo Yu’an didn’t want to discuss others with her. He changed the subject, frowning slightly.
“You haven’t eaten all day. Are you feeling hungry?”

Without waiting for her response, he called out loudly, “Serve dinner!”

Since Madam Chu hadn’t eaten all day, Zhang Momo had only served a bowl of clear porridge. Luo Yu’an fed her himself, looking at her pale face. He frowned almost imperceptibly, feeling a chill in his heart.

He thought of the person who had buried the wooden box, and his eyes darkened slightly.