Chapter 226 His Highness Prince Su is acting strangely today!

After receiving her grandmother's instructions that day, Li Qingluo wrote a letter and had the mute servants deliver it to Prince Su's residence.

So after receiving confirmation that Prince Su would be coming, Li Qingluo went to the kitchen early that morning.

She had Cui'er and the nanny who usually bought things for her grandmother personally go to buy the vegetables.

Naturally, she also planned to cook for herself today, because she had already noticed that Prince Su seemed to really like her cooking skills.

Although she didn't think her cooking skills were better than those of the chefs in the Prince's Mansion and the Imperial Palace, perhaps Prince Su had long been tired of delicacies and just occasionally liked some simple meals to change things up?

Li Qingluo specifically asked the nanny in her grandmother's small kitchen for instructions on how to make Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and started preparing the broth early in the morning.

In addition to her own signature dishes, she also learned some dishes from the mute servants in the mansion.

In the evening, a table full of delicious dishes was laid out.

Although it was early spring, Jinling City was still quite cold, so charcoal fires were burning inside, keeping the whole house warm and preventing the food from getting cold too quickly.

As the time grew later and it was about to be time to take the dishes down to be reheated, Prince Su finally rushed over.

"His Highness Prince Su has arrived—"

Madam Pei immediately stood up with Li Qinglu's help.

"Your subject, Lady Pei—"

"Your subject, Li Qingluo—"

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Su! May Your Highness live a thousand years!"

Just as Madam Pei was about to kneel down with Li Qingluo, Duan Rongshi strode forward and lifted Madam Pei's arm, saying, "General Pei, please rise quickly."

"You sacrificed a great deal of effort to defend our Great Liang territory and protect our country. You were a pillar of our nation and the only female general in the history of Great Liang."

"I have always admired and respected you. How could I accept such a great courtesy from you? In the future, when you see me, you must never perform such a great courtesy again."

Li Qingluo and Madam Pei both said at the same time: "..."

Madam Pei: Hehe, back when I bowed to you at Qingsong Temple, you weren't this polite, were you? Why are you talking about admiration and respect today?

Even Madam Pei couldn't help but glance at her obedient granddaughter beside her.

Li Qingluo: His Highness Prince Su is acting a bit strange today.

Duan Rongshi seemed completely oblivious to the two people in front of him who were speechless at him, and shamelessly walked to the main seat.

After he sat down, Li Qingluo helped Madam Pei to sit down as well.

Facing a table laden with delicious food, Duan Rongshi asked, "I've heard that all the dishes today were cooked by Miss Li herself?"

Madam Pei smiled faintly: "Yes, Your Highness, my granddaughter doesn't have any special talents, except for cooking, which she does with a lot of care."

Duan Rongshi then raised his eyes and finally looked at Li Qingluo properly.

He nodded slightly: "I was fortunate enough to have a sweet potato feast prepared by Miss Li herself, which broadened my horizons quite a bit."

"Miss Li has worked hard this time. In that case, shall I have a taste?"

Madam Pei extended her hand: "Your Highness, please don't stand on ceremony."

Li Qingluo: His Highness Prince Su is acting strangely today!

He'd already started ordering food for her himself, so why was he pretending it was only the second time he'd eaten there today?!

However, before Prince Su could even pick up his chopsticks, the mute servant was about to step forward to test the poison, but Prince Su stopped him.

"No need, you may all leave."

He refused all the servings offered to him today, clearly showing his complete trust in Li Qingluo and her grandson, which surprised Old Madam Pei.

This Prince Su is rumored to be the most noble and also the most difficult prince to get along with!

After all, he was ruthless and never showed any mercy, so he offended countless people who wanted revenge. In fact, there were probably countless people in the entire Liang Dynasty who wanted to kill him.

Therefore, legend has it that anything he puts into his mouth must first be tasted by someone close to him for poison or to taste before it can be served to him.

How come what I saw with my own eyes today is so different from what I heard?

Not only that, but it's also unusually friendly...

Does he really trust Luo'er that much?

Madam Pei couldn't help but glance at her obedient granddaughter again.

Li Qingluo was also staring at Prince Su with a strange look. After he had eaten several bites, he put down his chopsticks and said, "It was indeed made with care. I appreciate your thoughtfulness."

Madam Pei: "Hehe, as long as it suits Your Highness's taste, that's good."

Upon seeing this, Li Qingluo quickly picked up her wine cup and said, "This humble woman has made a fool of herself today."

"Here, I would like to offer a toast to Your Highness. I thank Your Highness for saving my grandmother's life that day and for taking us in until now. I have no way to express my gratitude and will repay Your Highness's great kindness in the future!"

After saying that, Li Qingluo was about to drink it all in one gulp when she was stopped by Old Madam Pei.

"Ha, don't you know how much you can drink these days?"

Madam Pei turned her head and whispered, "No drinking!"

Li Qinglu blinked: "Grandmother, one cup shouldn't be a problem..."

At worst, I can just sleep around. Anyway, this is Guiyuan, so it doesn't matter.

Madam Pei frowned and said, "I said no, and that's final! Grandmother, come here."

After speaking, Madam Pei also raised her wine glass.

Li Qingluo quickly tried to stop her, "Grandmother, but the residual poison in your body hasn't been completely cleared yet..."

Madam Pei: "Grandmother consulted Doctor Luo, and he said that drinking alcohol and the little bit of poison in my body wouldn't cause any conflict!"

However, Li Qingluo was still not at ease.

As the grandfather and grandson were refusing, Duan Rongshi, who had been watching them for a while, suddenly coughed lightly and clenched his fist: "You two don't need to be so formal. Actually, I'm not feeling too well today. How about we both refrain from drinking alcohol and instead have tea?"

So approachable?

So understanding?

So kind and approachable?

So kind and understanding!?

Is this still the legendary King Su, the cold-faced and ruthless god of death?!?

Li Qingluo increasingly felt that she might be dreaming and hadn't woken up yet.

Madam Pei squinted and chuckled with great satisfaction.

"Since Your Highness has spoken, this old minister shall respectfully comply."

After a few rounds of tea, the three of them began to eat their meal at their own pace.

Madam Pei then said, "I have heard that since returning to Jinling, my daughter Luo'er has caused Your Highness trouble several times, and Your Highness has saved her several times as well. I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's great kindness, and I am also honored that Luo'er has gained Your Highness's favor."

"But Luo'er said that she and His Highness have a gentlemanly friendship."

"This old minister is terrified. Luo'er is just a young lady who has never seen the world and has always lived in seclusion. How can she be considered to have a gentlemanly friendship with Your Highness?"

“Your Highness is a man destined for great things. I, Luo’er, will only cause you trouble. Just like this time, if it weren’t for my incompetence, I, Luo’er, would not have brought me to Your Highness’s residence to bother you.”

"These past few days, I have been recuperating here with Your Highness and my condition has improved considerably. Moreover, Doctor Luo, who has been taking care of my health, has also returned. Therefore, my grandfather and I will no longer disturb Your Highness's peace and quiet starting tomorrow and plan to return to our own home."

"Therefore, today we not only want to express our gratitude to Your Highness, but also bid you farewell."

As she spoke, Madam Pei rose again, raised her teacup, and offered it to Prince Su.

This time, Duan Rongshi did not immediately respond in kind, but instead silently sipped the remaining tea in his cup.

Li Qingluo felt a pang of sadness when she saw her grandmother standing there with her hand raised.

She immediately picked up her teacup and stood up, saying, "Your Highness, my grandmother and I will never forget your kindness. If Your Highness ever needs our help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask!"

Li Qingluo has brought herself up as well.

Madam Pei couldn't help but glare at her secretly, annoyed.

The words Madam Pei just said were meant to sever all ties with Li Qingluo and prevent Prince Su from bothering her again. But she just had to keep coming back, didn't she?

Madam Pei was somewhat annoyed.

Unexpectedly, Prince Su suddenly asked in a disdainful tone, "You are still going back to the general's mansion?"

Madam Pei: "Of course not."

"This old minister intends to take Luo'er to my own residence. From now on, my granddaughter and I will never return to the General's Mansion in Dongyin Lane!"

Presumably, Prince Su also knows a lot about the General's Mansion's secrets, especially since he was poisoned and Luo'er led him out of the General's Mansion in the middle of the night. Would he take them in without knowing their background?

Even if they trust Luo'er completely, they would probably still investigate thoroughly.

Even so, Madam Pei had nothing to hide.

Although it was embarrassing, fortunately she was old and had always been thick-skinned, so she didn't really care what Prince Su thought of the General's Mansion.

That house... was completely ruined.

Upon hearing this, Prince Su suddenly stood up slowly, as if the chill he had just felt was merely an illusion created by Li Qingluo and his grandson.

Li Qinglu blinked, looking at the slight upturn of Prince Su's lips: "Then I wish General Pei and Miss Li all the best in the future."

After seeing Prince Su off, Madam Pei turned around and tapped Li Qingluo on the head.

"Are you trying to drive your grandmother to her death?"

Li Qingluo: "Grandma?"

She didn't know what she had done wrong.

Looking at her bewildered expression, Old Madam Pei rolled her eyes in exasperation.

She finally saw things clearly tonight: her Luo'er might be upright and honest, but Prince Su might not be so!

When had the Prince of Su ever treated me with such courtesy before?

That is, today, his attitude is completely different from before!

In the past, when they occasionally met at Qingsong Temple, Prince Su, although he respected her as a former general, was still a prince with imperial power above all else. It was only natural for Madam Pei to bow and scrape before him.

But tonight, she herself had become an honored guest of the Prince of Su, being treated with such respect and courtesy that even Old Madam Pei was somewhat flattered.

This Prince Su truly is someone who can take things in stride and let them go.

Madam Pei couldn't help but snort inwardly.

Although her daughter Luo'er had suffered a lot since childhood, and was even a dark and shriveled little bitter gourd when she first returned to Jinling, she has now been raised by her to be plump and fair-skinned, and has grown into such a graceful and beautiful young lady, poised and elegant...

Madam Pei felt a pang of sadness.

Yes, this Prince Su is indeed of higher birth than Zhuang Sanlang of the Marquis of Zhongyi's family, and is worlds apart from that short man from the Qu family. There is absolutely no way I could find a husband in the world who is better than Luo'er in terms of background and appearance...

But that's Prince Su!

A prince with an extremely complicated background.

A prince who is cunning, ruthless, and whose actions are feared by all, is hardly a good person.

Madam Pei didn't want Luo'er to get involved in such a complicated situation again in the future...

"Grandma, Grandma? What's wrong?"