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Lord Su was handling official matters in his study when Xu Jin hurriedly entered.

"Master, Danqing has confessed. It matches what the Wuxi Daoist said. She admitted that Concubine Xia instructed her to find Wuxi and frame the eldest young miss for being possessed by evil spirits. This is Danqing's confession."

Lord Su took the confession, and after reading it, he abruptly stood up.

"Wicked wretch!"

Xu Jin hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

Lord Su coldly ordered, "Speak. What else?"

Xu Jin continued, "This subordinate also discovered that the eldest young miss's disfigurement was orchestrated by Concubine Xia, who bribed the coachman to tamper with the carriage."

"Additionally, most of the money embezzled by Xia Jiang at Zui Xian Ju went straight into Concubine Xia's pockets every month."

"The majority of the people the eldest young miss expelled from the estate have ties to Concubine Xia."

"Concubine Xia has been lending money at interest outside the estate, amassing debts worth millions of taels."

"Concubine Xia had her brother bribe the owner of the flower market to place harmful flowers in Madam's courtyard, which are detrimental to pregnant women."

"Concubine Xia's nephew, Xia Wencai, has been oppressing men and forcing himself on women. Concubine Xia used the authority of the Ministry of Works to suppress the victims, leaving them with no recourse."

...

One crime after another, each more damning than the last.

Lord Su listened with eyes wide in fury.

"Vile woman! She deserves death!"

With a cold expression, Lord Su strode toward the door.

He kicked it open with one powerful blow.

"Xia Qingzhi! Get out here!!"

Concubine Xia emerged from the inner room, feigning innocence before uttering a word.

"My lord, what is wrong? Why are you so angry? Qiaohuo, quickly bring tea for my lord... Ah!"

Before she could finish speaking, Lord Su delivered a swift kick to her abdomen.

Concubine Xia let out a piercing scream as she collapsed to the ground.

"You vile wretch! You poisonous witch!"

Despite the excruciating pain, Concubine Xia crawled over, clutching the hem of Lord Su's robe and sobbing.

"My lord, I've served you faithfully for over a decade. Why are you doing this? Have you heard some malicious gossip about me? I can endure any injustice, but please don't harm your health over this..."

This was the act that had deceived him for over ten years!

If he hadn't personally sent someone to investigate, allowing her to continue unchecked, how could he ever account for the suffering his daughter Lian endured?

Lending money at exorbitant interest, enabling her nephew to commit heinous acts—his family's reputation would surely be ruined by this poisonous woman.

"Xu Jin, take this vile woman to the authorities! Bring all the evidence with you!"

Concubine Xia was now pale with fear.

She didn't know what Lord Su had discovered or where to beg for mercy, so she could only cry out her innocence.

Madam Wei stepped forward to plead, "My lord, Auntie Xia bore you Second Young Miss! She's almost of marriageable age. Sending her birth mother to the authorities now will ruin her future!"

Concubine Xia's eyes lit up, and she changed her tone, sobbing, "My lord, think of Yue'er! She's so accomplished. How could you bear to ruin her?!"

Lord Su coldly replied, "Yue'er has been corrupted by her own birth mother! At such a young age, she shows no respect for her stepmother or elder sister. Once outstanding, she's now become a laughingstock, bringing shame upon our household!"

"Father! I'm also a victim of that cursed zither! Father, why are you sending Mother to the authorities?" Su Yue rushed in, startled by the scene before her.

Lord Su coldly retorted, "She is merely a concubine, not your mother! Her crimes violate imperial law. I'll risk my reputation to deliver her to justice and seek retribution for the victims!"

"Xu Jin, proceed! Arrest this old woman too!"

Madam Wei hadn't expected to be implicated herself and began kowtowing desperately for mercy.

"Mother! Stop! Let go of my mother!" Su Yue shielded Concubine Xia.

As a man, Xu Jin naturally couldn't touch the young miss.

Xu Jin glanced at Lord Su helplessly.

Lord Su glared at the maids and barked, "Pull Second Young Miss away!"

Several servant girls hurried forward.

"Lowly wretches, get away from me! If you dare touch me, I'll sell you to the lowest brothel!"

Upon hearing this, Lord Su's face darkened completely.

Such foul language—how dare she behave like this as a proper young lady!

"Daughter! My own flesh and blood! Your father's heart is made of stone!"

"Mother! Let go of my mother!"

Lord Su watched the dramatic display of a tearful farewell between the mother and daughter with cold indifference.

At that moment, a servant entered and reported, "Master, Concubine Xia's brother requests an audience."

Lord Su snapped, "I refuse to see him!"

The servant produced a letter, saying, "He claims you'll definitely see him once you read this!"

Concubine Xia and her daughter exchanged uneasy glances.

They didn't know whether the contents of the letter would help or harm them.

Lord Su took the letter. After reading just the opening lines, his entire demeanor radiated unbridled rage.

After finishing the letter, he approached Concubine Xia and ordered Xu Jin, "Release her for now."

Concubine Xia looked up at him hopefully, but Lord Su immediately delivered another kick.

Su Yue screamed, "Father! How could you treat my mother so cruelly?!"

Lord Su turned his wrathful gaze on Su Yue and snarled, "Don't call me father! I am not your father!"

He then turned emotionlessly and declared, "Forget sending her to the authorities—it's too lenient. A wanton woman like her deserves to be drowned in the pond!"

Concubine Xia's eyes widened in terror as she shrieked, "No! It's not true! My lord, don't believe Xia Jiang's lies! He's seeking revenge because I didn't save his son! He wants to harm me!"

Su Yue asked in confusion, "Father, what do you mean? What drowning?"

Lord Su ordered Xu Jin, "Bring Xia Jiang in."

Xu Jin immediately left to carry out the order.

Su Yue glanced at her ashen-faced mother and then at her father, whose expression seemed murderous. Something monumental was about to unfold.