I fulfilled the female supporting role's wish and I succeeded

Su Luo shook his head lightly, with a faint smile on the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were still cold: "Old Duke, you misunderstood, I have no intention of interrogating you."

She bowed slightly, her posture elegant and calm, and her tone softened a bit: "I just want to know some information. After all, Madam Xiao is your daughter-in-law, and Heng'er is your grandson."

Su Luo raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping across the old Duke's tense face, his tone carrying a barely perceptible concern: "You should care about their safety more than anyone else."

She paused for a moment, and gently stroked the edge of the teacup with her fingertips, making a subtle and crisp sound, as if she was choosing her words.

Su Luo spoke again, his voice low and powerful, as if every word struck the old Duke's heart: "Old Duke, you are a veteran who has been on the battlefield for a long time. You should know that the more you cover up some things, the more obvious they become."

She raised her chin slightly, her eyes sharpening as she stared directly at the old Duke. Her tone carried a hint of unquestionable authority: "Why not tell me the truth? Perhaps... there is still a way."

Su Luo paused, opened his red lips slightly, and added: "Or... a way out."

Her words were like a sharp blade, mercilessly cutting through the old Duke's disguise of calmness, leaving his inner anxiety and panic nowhere to hide.

He was silent for a long time, as if he was engaged in a fierce ideological struggle, and the atmosphere in the entire hall became depressed and solemn.

Finally, the old Duke sighed deeply, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden. His originally straight back hunched slightly, and he looked much older.

He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse and low, with a hint of helplessness and compromise: "Princess Wan Ning, you are right."

He raised his head and looked at Su Luo. There was no longer the sharpness in his eyes, but instead there was some fatigue and helplessness.

"There are indeed many doubts about this matter."

He paused, as if recalling something, and then slowly said, "Ever since my daughter-in-law came into the family, I have indeed had some prejudice against her. Everyone in this mansion knows it, but I have never thought of killing her. After all, she is Heng'er's mother."

Su Luo listened quietly without interrupting.

The old Duke took a deep breath, suppressed all the thoughts in his mind, and slowly spoke in a low and firm voice:

"Princess Wan Ning, you are right. This matter is indeed full of doubts. But I can swear to heaven that I have no intention of harming my daughter-in-law!"

He paused, with a hint of sadness in his tone:

"My family is dwindling, and I have only one son, who is currently stationed at the frontier, serving the country loyally. I have no other wives or concubines, and there are no secret affairs of vying for favor in the harem. Our family has always been upright, and no one would do such a cruel thing to their daughter-in-law."

The old Duke raised his head, looked at Su Luo with burning eyes, and said earnestly:

"If Princess is concerned, you can investigate personally. I will also do my utmost to find out who is so vicious as to dare to attack my daughter-in-law!"

A fierce look flashed in his eyes, and his voice was sonorous and powerful:

"My Xiao family is full of loyal and brave men, serving our country for generations. My son is now at the frontier, fighting bravely to protect our country. If I find out who is behind this stab, I will not let him off lightly!"

Su Luo looked at the old Duke's sincere words, which did not seem false, and he began to believe it a little.

She pondered for a moment and spoke slowly:

"Old Duke, you are too kind. I don't doubt you, but this matter involves so many things that I must be cautious."

Su Luo put down the teacup in his hand, and his eyes softened a little:

"Since the old Duke says so, I naturally trust your character. However, if this isn't some secret affair within the inner chambers, then it's most likely a power struggle within the court, or someone with ulterior motives is using this opportunity to sow discord."

She looked at the old Duke and said solemnly:

"You can only investigate this matter secretly and must not alert the enemy. I will also conduct a secret investigation in the palace, hoping to find out the truth as soon as possible and give Madam Xiao justice."

He bowed solemnly to Su Luo and said in a loud voice:

"I thank Princess Wan Ning! Princess, you are so understanding and righteous. I am deeply grateful to you."

Su Luo nodded slightly, and was about to stand up and say goodbye, but he seemed to remember something, turned his head to look at the old Duke, and said in a gentle tone:

"By the way, Old Duke, Heng'er doesn't seem to know my true identity yet. I hope you can keep this matter a secret for now."

He nodded and replied in a deep voice:

"Don't worry, Princess. I understand. I will keep this matter a secret and will never reveal a word to Heng'er."

He thought to himself that the truth about his daughter-in-law's poisoning had not yet been revealed, and the good relationship between them and Princess Wan Ning was a bit of a guarantee.

Seeing that the old Duke agreed, Su Luo said no more. She took out a jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it to the old Duke, saying in a clear voice:

"Old Duke, if you have any trouble or need help, you can send someone with this jade pendant to Tianxiang Pavilion and someone will come to you."

The old Duke looked at the jade pendant in his hand and was even more surprised.

The Tianxiang Pavilion is the most mysterious intelligence organization in the capital. It is said that its influence spreads all over the world and it can even get information about the inner court of the imperial palace.

He didn't expect that Princess Wan Ning, at such a young age, already possessed such a powerful force.

As expected, none of the royal family members are simple people.

The old Duke was filled with emotion, but he did not refuse. Instead, he solemnly accepted the jade pendant and saluted Su Luo again:

"Thank you, Princess! I will always remember your kindness."

Su Luo smiled slightly and said no more. He took Song Lan and Xiao Heng to play for a while, said goodbye to Madam Xiao, and left the Duke Su's Mansion.

In the Duke Su's mansion, the old duke sat alone in the study, stroking the jade pendant in his hand, lost in thought.

He thought about it for a long time and felt that he needed to discuss this matter with his daughter-in-law.

So he ordered someone to invite Mrs. Xiao to the study.

"Daughter-in-law, do you know that the person who saved you is actually Princess Wan Ning, the most beloved by the current emperor." The old minister said directly.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xiao was startled at first, but then she understood.

She sighed softly and whispered:

"Sure enough... Such grace and elegance are only worthy of the royal family."

She had always felt that Su Luo had an extraordinary bearing, and her every move carried an air of nobility. Now that she knew her true identity, the doubts in her heart were finally resolved.

The old Duke looked at Madam Xiao and continued:

"Princess Wan Ning has already agreed to secretly investigate this matter. You should also be careful and not act rashly."

Mrs. Xiao nodded to show that she understood.

The old Duke then told Madam Xiao about the jade pendant given by Su Luo and the matter of Tianxiang Pavilion.

After hearing this, Mrs. Xiao felt even more grateful to Su Luo.

She knew that Su Luo was providing shelter for her and her son to prevent them from being attacked again.

"Father, I understand. I will act carefully and will never let down Her Royal Highness the Princess." Madam Xiao said solemnly.

The old Duke nodded, gave Madam Xiao a few more instructions, and then let her go back.