Chapter 298 Returning to the General's Mansion, Preparing to Deal with My Mother

Li Qingluo was worried all day yesterday, wondering why her master had been delayed for so long this time.

He was afraid that his request would put Nangong Di in a difficult position.

"Is Master alright? I'll go check on him."

Granny Deng: "Don't worry, Mr. Nangong is fine. But he came back alone."

Did they fail to catch Zheng Wanxiu?

Or... did Zheng Wanxiu run away?

Or perhaps, the protector of the Lotus Sect who was captured was Zheng Wanxiu?

I heard that another one was killed.

Li Qingluo suddenly felt a little nervous.

If Zheng Wanxiu dies, Li Jingchuan will probably pass away before he can be saved by Doctor Luo.

She walked outside.

Hearing Granny Deng say again, "I heard that the protector of the Lotus Sect who was arrested will be hanged at the city gate tomorrow."

Li Qingluo: "So fast?"

Granny Deng: "They said it was His Majesty who made the judgment personally."

Li Qingluo: "Is this to establish the deposed crown prince's authority? Or is it to lure out more Lotus Cult members in this city...?"

I just don't know if these Lotus followers will fall for it.

Moreover, this is indeed an excellent opportunity to deal a heavy blow to the Lotus Sect.

However, Prince Su personally handed over this opportunity to achieve great merit to the Crown Prince, which clearly indicated that he had his own deeper motives.

Li Qingluo stopped thinking about it and walked to the outside of Nangong Di's courtyard.

"By the way, what brings Grandmother from Dongyin Lane?"

Li Qinglu was still worried. "Grandmother refused, didn't she?"

Granny Deng: "The old lady... said she was going."

Li Qingluo stopped in her tracks: "What? Grandmother... what does she mean by this?"

She's going back to the General's Mansion!?

Could it be that she has softened her heart again because of Li Chaojing's current state?

Li Qingluo felt a headache coming on. Nangong Di's voice came in: "Luo'er is here? Come in."

Li Qingluo walked into the courtyard and saw that Nangong Di's outer shirt was undone and tied around his waist, and his inner garment was completely soaked with sweat. It turned out that he had just been practicing boxing, and his hair was dripping with water from the heat.

"Luo'er greets Master."

After exchanging greetings, Li Qingluo personally poured Nangong Di a cup of tea.

"Master, I'm so glad you're back safe and sound. I was really worried that something might have happened to you."

Nangong Di took the teacup and smiled: "Afraid that Master is dead? Hahaha, don't worry, none of these people are a match for Master."

"I was just doing something for Prince Su on the way."

"As for the matter you asked your master to handle, your master has already taken care of it."

“This person is being held in another small house under your grandmother’s name. I even dragged Doctor Luo to examine the woman, and her injuries are not serious.”

Only now did Li Qingluo truly realize that the person who had been arrested was Zheng Lingzhou!

I've heard that the Lotus Sect has four protectors, Zheng Lingzhou being one and Zheng Wanxiu the other. Last night, during the chaos at Jingyun Manor, I heard that one protector was killed, one was captured, and one escaped.

The one who died was not Zheng Lingzhou; Li Qingluo had already inquired with Prince Su about it.

The one running away is Zheng Wanxiu, whom Master took away.

There's another one, the mysterious young owner of the gambling den that Qin Yu was impersonating before.

Therefore, the only one left to be arrested can be Zheng Lingzhou!

Li Qingluo breathed a sigh of relief: "Luo'er thanks Master."

After saying goodbye to Nangong Di, Li Qinglu hurriedly headed towards Madam Pei's side.

Just as they arrived at the courtyard gate, they bumped into Old Madam Pei, who was about to leave.

"Grandma, where are you going?"

Madam Pei glared at Granny Deng, who was standing behind Li Qingluo, and said, "Granny Deng, is your heart only with Luo'er now? You've followed me for so many years for nothing."

Granny Deng blushed and said, "Madam, I just don't want the young lady to find out about this afterward and then rush back to the General's Mansion in a panic. What should we do then?"

Madam Pei snorted.

She looked at Li Qingluo with a bad expression: "Don't worry, Grandmother is not an indecisive person. She has already suffered enough from the Li family in the past years and will not make a mistake again."

Li Qingluo: "Then what are you going back for?"

Madam Pei sighed and reached out to Zhang Mama behind her.

Granny Zhang immediately brought over a box. Li Qingluo opened it and found several letters inside.

Li Qingluo casually opened a letter and was astonished by both the contents and the signature.

"The Jiang family!? Grandmother, what are they planning to do?"

Seeing her expression, Madam Pei raised an eyebrow: "It seems you really did know all along?"

Li Qingluo slowly folded the letter, knelt down and admitted her mistake: "Grandmother, Luo'er did know about the Jiang family's affairs long ago."

"Luo'er has been keeping this from Grandmother because she didn't want you to worry about it, and she was prepared for Grandmother to blame her if she found out the truth."

Madam Pei reached out and helped her up.

"Silly child, how could your grandmother blame you?"

"That day, your father, because of the Jiang family's threats, tacitly allowed the Qu family to poison me, and even tried to drag his own mother, me, to death. If you hadn't led your grandmother out to fight your way out, would your grandmother still be alive today?"

"Grandmother is going back this time to thoroughly clean up these dirty affairs in the inner quarters of the house and deal with those two heartless, ungrateful couple!"

"Grandmother doesn't want you to know, because she doesn't want you to get involved. After all, you are their eldest daughter, and if the world finds out you're involved, you'll definitely be implicated!"

"Moreover, if the Jiang family's matter is reported to the Emperor, Dongyin Lane will likely face the fate of having its entire family raided and exterminated... How can you and I, grandfather and grandson, escape unscathed?"

Madam Pei shook her head and sighed.

Two days ago, after learning the sordid truth about the Jiang family and Li Chaojing, Old Madam Pei was so angry that she vomited blood.

This matter was also ordered to be kept secret from Li Qingluo by the entire household.

She never imagined that her beastly son would obtain his military merits and the position of general in such a disgraceful way!

Not to mention the Li family, even General Xiuli herself, who is still alive, feels ashamed!

Seeing how upset Old Madam Pei was, Li Qingluo's eyes reddened.

"Grandmother, your granddaughter is unfilial, causing you to worry about everything for me. But this matter..."

Just as Li Qingluo was about to persuade her grandmother to be patient for a few more days, news came from the front yard that someone had come to help on the orders of the master of Guiyuan.

Li Qingluo: "People from Guiyuan?"

Wasn't that sent by Prince Su?

Li Qingluo had someone hurry in. The newcomer was a middle-aged man she didn't recognize. Upon seeing her, he immediately stepped forward to greet her: "I am Dong Siyuan. Greetings to Madam Pei and Miss Li."

Li Qingluo: "Please rise, sir. May I ask who you are...?"

Dong Siyuan: "I am here on His Highness's orders to treat a young lady in your household. I heard that she has been poisoned? Unfortunately, I happen to be from Miao territory and have some knowledge of Miao medical principles."

"If you trust me, young lady, I might be able to go and take a look."

Li Qinglu was overjoyed.

I knew Duan Rongshi wouldn't stand idly by and ignore this matter; sure enough, he had such a capable and talented subordinate.

Li Qingluo personally led Dong Siyuan to the Butterfly Courtyard.

They also dragged Old Madam Pei over.

Ultimately, Butterfly and Madam Pei are also closely related by blood. Butterfly can be considered Madam Pei's niece. Although she is not born of the principal wife, the blood relation is undeniable.

After examining the butterfly, Dong Siyuan sighed, "This girl has indeed been poisoned. Moreover, I deduce that the poison has been in her body for quite some time."

"This time, the flare-up has been building up for a long time because of internal injuries. However, although this poison is indeed vicious, I am willing to give it a try."

"Please grant me some time, young lady."

Li Qingluo: "Sir, please rest assured that our Xiuli General's Mansion will do its utmost to provide everything you need."

Dong Siyuan cupped his hands in greeting, and Li Qingluo then led Old Madam Pei out.

Seeing the butterfly's pitiful, unconscious state and constant muttering, Old Madam Pei sighed heavily.

"My brother has been a fool for half his life. Although he deserves to die, how innocent and pitiful is the butterfly? What a sin!"

"Luo'er, if Butterfly can overcome this life-or-death ordeal, then let your grandmother... take care of her personally."

“Teaching her from scratch and having her learn from scratch will eventually help her live like a real person.”

Li Qinglu smiled slightly: "Alright, Grandmother."

"However, now Luo'er should accompany you back to Dongyin Lane."

Li Qinglu was preoccupied with the butterfly matter, so she didn't have the energy to deal with Dongyin Lane for the time being.

However, she can now entrust the matter of the butterfly to Dong Siyuan with peace of mind, so this time, she must personally accompany her grandmother back!

Also, those accounts with the Qu family should be settled thoroughly!

Li Qingluo called over both Zheng Mama and Deng Mama: "You two, hurry up and each go and do something for me..."

Li Qingluo called Que'er over again: "There's one more thing I only trust you to do. Go to Qingzhu Garden for me..."

After instructing Que'er, Li Qingluo accompanied Madam Pei out to board the carriage that would take them back to the General's Mansion.

Dongyin Lane.

The once bustling and popular General of the Cavalry's mansion has undergone a complete transformation in just a few months since last year's Mid-Autumn Festival.

Today, the entrance to the General's Mansion is deserted and desolate. Even the plaque is covered with a light layer of dust. Unbeknownst to many, it has fallen into complete desolation and decay...

I've heard that news of Li Chaojing's mental breakdown has reached the imperial court.

Moreover, people from the Imperial Palace have already come to investigate the General's Mansion. With the Qu family's clumsy methods, they simply cannot hide the truth.

The imperial edict dismissing him from his official post must be issued soon.

The plaque on this general's mansion will probably be completely and permanently replaced soon...

"It's the old lady, it's the eldest daughter who's back—Madam, it's the old lady and the young lady who's back!"

The servant boy, who was dozing at the door, heard the sound of the carriage. He opened his eyes and saw Li Qingluo and his grandson. He immediately rushed into the door with great joy, shouting as he stumbled inside.

Li Qingluo helped her grandmother stand at the door. Before long, not only Madam Qu, but also people from the second and third branches of the family rushed out to greet them.

With tears in her eyes, Madam Qu led the entire household in kneeling: "Welcome back to the Old Madam—"

Li Qingluo: Look at them. Everyone in this household seems so respectful and filial to their grandmother.

In reality, no one is without malice in their heart.

Moreover, this stupid and wicked mistress killed countless children in the mansion and even tried to poison her mother-in-law!

Li Qingluo's gaze fell coldly on her.

Madam Qu looked up at her with teary eyes: "Luo'er...you, you've finally come back."

"Mom misses you so much..."