218: Could it be such a coincidence?

Perhaps because her nerves had been wound so tight before, now that she was finally able to relax, she gradually fell asleep.

In her dream, Li Qingluo dreamt of getting into a fierce fight with Duan Zhengchun.

When Li Qingluo woke up, she realized it had all been a dream.

"Damn it, it was just a dream. Does this mean I'll never have a chance to turn things around in this life?"

"No, I, Li Qingluo, am not inferior to anyone. I absolutely cannot continue like this," Li Qingluo murmured to herself.

A completely renewed Li Qingluo walked out of her room.

Someone was already waiting outside. Seeing Li Qingluo emerge, they hurriedly bowed.

"Miss Li, the evening meal is prepared. His Highness requests your presence to dine together."

"Mm, lead the way," Li Qingluo nodded and followed the maid away.

By the time Li Qingluo arrived, everyone else was already there.

As for Li Qiushui, she had already returned to Western Xia and was not present.

And Daiqisi had left the Prince's Residence just as she was beginning to show her pregnancy.

Xiao Zhao was also very puzzled by this matter, not knowing why her mother had suddenly chosen to leave.

Duan Zhengchun naturally knew the reason and, of course, would not simply let her leave like that.

Instead, he had prepared a manor for her near the Kingdom and arranged for people to protect her safety there.

He naturally would not let his woman be harmed.

When they saw Li Qingluo, the expressions on the women's Faces first showed surprise, then confusion.

Duan Zhengchun introduced Li Qingluo's situation and clarified the relationship between the two. However, when it came to mentioning Li Qingluo being poisoned, Duan Zhengchun seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

Dao Baifeng shot Duan Zhengchun a glance, then turned her gaze to Li Qingluo.

"Sister Li, don't worry. This elder sister naturally won't deny what His Highness has done."

"You can stay at the Prince's Residence from now on. From now on, we are sisters."

"However, you entered later, so among the sisters, you are the youngest. I trust you have no objections?" Dao Baifeng looked at Li Qingluo with a smile.

Hearing Dao Baifeng's words, Li Qingluo felt a sense of relief in her heart, but also a flicker of dissatisfaction.

However, now was not the time for throwing a tantrum.

"Sister, you jest. Qingluo entered late, so being the youngest is only fitting," Li Qingluo replied, looking at Dao Baifeng with a smile.

Then, Li Qingluo picked up the wine jug and poured herself a cup.

"Esteemed elder sisters... This cup of wine, your younger sister toasts to you all."

"I hope you will take good care of your younger sister from now on."

Having said that, Li Qingluo drank it all in one go.

Li Qingluo's actions surprised Dao Baifeng, Zhao Min, and the others.

They had thought that, given Li Qingluo's temper, she would certainly object to this arrangement.

They never expected her to be so agreeable, accepting it directly and with such impeccable etiquette.

This made them feel like they had punched a ball of cotton.

"Sister, you jest. Let us all raise our cups together to celebrate a new member joining our big family," Dao Baifeng naturally would not lose Face. Smiling, she picked up her teacup and took a sip.

"Sister, please don't mind. It's just that all of us elder sisters are already with child and cannot drink alcohol, so we can only substitute tea for wine."

Zhao Min spoke up at this moment.

"What elder sister says is right. You are all pregnant, so naturally you cannot drink."

"This younger sister was impolite. I'll punish myself with another cup." After saying this, Li Qingluo drank another cup.

Dao Baifeng was quite satisfied with Li Qingluo's performance.

Her impression of her improved considerably.

"Alright, we are all sisters here. No need for so much formality. Please, sit down and eat," Dao Baifeng said, looking at Li Qingluo with a smile.

However, the more she looked at Li Qingluo, the more familiar she seemed, as if she had seen her somewhere before.

"Sister Qingluo, have we met somewhere before? Why do you seem so familiar?" A Li voiced the doubt in everyone's heart at this moment.

Li Qingluo was taken aback by A Li's question. When had she ever met them before? This was clearly the first time, wasn't it?

"This elder sister..."

"My name is Yin Li, you can just call me A Li," A Li introduced herself with a smile.

"Sister A Li, what did you mean just now? We haven't met before, right? Today should be the first time," Li Qingluo shook her head.

"Haven't met? That shouldn't be... Why do you seem so familiar? I feel like I've seen you somewhere before. But I can't recall it right now," A Li looked at the others with a puzzled expression.

"I remember now! Don't you all think Sister Qingluo looks very much like Senior Li?" Xiao Zhao suddenly exclaimed, voicing the suspicion in everyone's minds.

"That's right! I said she seemed familiar. It's Senior Li."

Now, Li Qingluo was even more confused. Senior Li? What Senior Li? She actually looked like her?

"Sister Qingluo, the Senior Li we're talking about is the Empress Dowager of Western Xia, Senior Li Qiushui."

"You two look so alike. Could you possibly be related to Senior Li?" Xiao Zhao looked at Li Qingluo with a suspicious gaze.

The more she looked, the more alike they seemed. Two people looking this similar—if they weren't related, no one would believe it.

Upon hearing the words 'Empress Dowager of Western Xia, Li Qiushui,' Li Qingluo abruptly stood up, her Face filled with shock.

"You know my mother?" Li Qingluo cried out in surprise.

"What?"

At this, the whole room erupted.

Only Duan Zhengchun maintained a calm expression in the room. He had known from the very beginning that Li Qingluo's mother was Li Qiushui.

The women's reactions were also within his expectations.

Li Qingluo was also startled by their reactions.

"What's with those expressions? Is it really that strange that Li Qiushui is my mother?" Li Qingluo looked at them, puzzled.

"Not strange at all. You look so much alike, and both are so beautiful. If you and Senior Li stood together, those who didn't know might think you were sisters."