Chapter 557: Neither alive nor dead?

Under Li Qingluo's guidance, Duan Rongshi easily pushed open the hidden door.

He then picked up the Chu Emperor with one hand and unceremoniously threw him into the bushes outside.

Just as Li Qingluo was about to leave, Duan Rongshi reluctantly grabbed her arm.

"Luo'er".

Since their reunion, his eyes have been glued to her.

They haven't been apart for this long in the past year.

For Duan Rongshi, these three months were several times more agonizing than the last.

The two held each other's hands tightly.

It was a bittersweet reunion, a reluctance to part ways so soon, even though we knew we were both safe and sound.

Although the words of longing were not spoken, their eyes had already read everything about each other.

At this moment, I can't bear to let go of the warmth on my fingertips.

But sounds were already coming from the secret passage behind them.

Li Qingluo could only pull her hand away first: "Ashi, there's plenty of time in the future."

"Let's get down to business first."

"Listen to me, I'll be waiting for you at the place we agreed on!"

"Oh, by the way, I left a package where I just placed this tyrant. Ah Shi, when it's convenient for you, secretly take it home!"

After saying that, she landed easily, turned around, and left.

Her eagerness made her seem like the decisive person who wasn't entangled by personal feelings.

He watched with reluctance as she ruthlessly kicked the door shut, nearly getting a mouthful of dust on her nose in the process.

Duan Rongshi's eyes darkened.

If it weren't for the trouble caused by Zongzheng Langri, the couple wouldn't be suffering these injustices now!

He felt a bit annoyed.

I just want to end things in Da Chu as soon as possible.

"Zongzheng Langri, it's time for you to taste the pain of being betrayed, hated and loathed."

The footsteps behind them grew closer and closer; it was Zhang Tingjiu and Yang Qilang.

The two men came running up, panting: "How did it go?"

Is anyone here? Is there any trace of your sister-in-law?

The three of them traveled together and encountered many things along the way, sharing both joys and sorrows.

So on the way back, they began to address each other as brothers.

Although they didn't become sworn brothers, their bond was already very strong.

Both of them were genuinely concerned about Li Qingluo's whereabouts.

Duan Rongshi first feigned an inquiry, asking, "Do you have any leads on your end?"

After the two shook their heads, Duan Rongshi said, "This is a dead end."

"There might be an exit; we need to search carefully."

He intentionally or unintentionally occupied the position of the real exit. After Zhang Tingjiu and Yang Qilang had finished feeling the stones, Duan Rongshi was certain that Li Qingluo had already left. Only then did he pretend to be surprised and touch the loosest spot.

"Here!"

When the gate was opened, the Imperial Garden was already filled with guards.

As soon as the three of them emerged, the crown prince spotted them.

He looked on in surprise as they emerged from the artificial hill.

In an instant, he understood that his father's secret chamber led to the Snow-Treading Terrace!

The Crown Prince strode over: "Well? Have you found Father Emperor?"

Yang Qilang: "Your Highness, there is no one in the tunnel."

Crown Prince: "How could there be no one here!?"

"Neither alive nor dead has anyone been found?"

Zhang Tingjiu: "Whose corpse does Your Highness wish to see?"

The crown prince's face stiffened.

Then, with a look of anger, he said, "Zhang Tingjiu!"

"I used to call you uncle because of Aunt Zhiyuan."

"Now that your aunt is dead, and in such an undignified way, what kind of elder airs do you still want to put on in front of me?"

Who do you think you are?

"Get out!"

Zhang Tingjiu looked embarrassed.

Perhaps recalling the humiliation he suffered at Zhiyuan's hands, a hint of resentment flashed uncontrollably in his eyes.

Yang Qilang quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Your Highness, Lord Zhang had no other intentions, please don't be angry."

"We rushed back all the way here and haven't even had a chance to catch our breath before His Majesty has encountered this."

"We three were only speaking carelessly because we were worried about Your Majesty."

"Your Highness has always been benevolent; please forgive me."

The Crown Prince sneered, "Only you care about Father's life and death? Am I some heartless person?"

"I am also very concerned about my father's whereabouts."

"Alright, the palace doesn't need the three of you anymore."

"You can all leave!"

So they left?

Are they afraid they'll find the Chu Emperor?

Yang Qilang couldn't help but look at Li Wu.

Moreover, his wife also disappeared along with the emperor.

Would he be willing to leave the palace?

Duan Rongshi: "Yes, Your Highness."

Duan Rongshi cupped his hands in greeting and turned to leave first.

Yang Qilang and Zhang Tingjiu hurriedly followed.

"Goro, are you really going to abandon your younger brother and sister-in-law?"

"Yes, the Crown Prince just left as he was told to? My sister-in-law is nowhere to be found either!"

"The Crown Prince may not know yet that his sister-in-law is also in the secret room, but once he does, your nonchalant attitude will surely arouse his suspicion."

Duan Rongshi: "He won't ask."

The crown prince was terrified that the Chu emperor might come back to life.

Therefore, he must have been eager to drag the Chu Emperor, whose whereabouts were currently unknown, to his death.

The more he acted this way, the easier it was for Li Qingluo to leave with the clumsy Chu Emperor.

Therefore, Duan Rongshi had to make the palace as chaotic as possible.

Zhang Tingjiu couldn't help but curse, "The Crown Prince is no better!"

Confused, mediocre, incompetent, and foolish!

The question of whether the Chu Emperor was dead or alive was still unanswered, yet he was already putting on airs.

He's such a despicable person!

How much better could such a person be than Emperor Chu if he were to ascend the throne?

Zhang Tingjiu felt somewhat worried about his future career in officialdom.

They could not foresee the future of the Great Chu Dynasty.

Yang Qilang, standing to the side, said somewhat awkwardly, "Actually, that's not necessarily the case."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is easily influenced, but he is also kind and honest. At least he wouldn't do anything like indiscriminately killing innocent people..."

Zhang Tingjiu: "Since you are a member of the Empress's clan, I will not say anything more."

"Hey, Brother Li."

Are you really not worried about your younger brother and sister-in-law?

"To be honest, do you know where she is?"

Yang Qilang also quickly looked over.

The two of them already knew the answer in their hearts.

Otherwise, would this man, who had been longing for his wife all the way, be so calm tonight?

Duan Rongshi replied without batting an eye, "If I knew, would I still be here dealing with you?"

"You may leave the palace first."

"I'll stay and look some more."

After saying that, he completely shook off the two of them and turned to disappear into the darkness.

When Yang Qilang and Zhang Tingjiu rushed out, he was nowhere to be seen.

The entire palace spent the whole night searching for the whereabouts of the Chu Emperor.

However, the Crown Prince and his men only circled around the Snow-Treading Terrace.

Li Qingluo had already led the Chu Emperor to a cold palace.

There was a big tree in the cold palace, so she threw the Chu Emperor under the tree. He had barely caught his breath when he slowly woke up.

"you--"

Li Qingluo picked up a large wooden stick and struck it heavily.

The Chu Emperor rolled his eyes and fainted again.

Li Qinglu clapped his hands and threw down the wooden stick: "It should be dawn now, right?"

Just in case, she dragged the Chu Emperor into the house and stuffed a piece of cloth into his mouth.

In case he wakes up and starts yelling.

As soon as the gates of the Cold Palace were closed, Granny Zheng found her way here, following the markings.

"girl."

"You scared this old servant to death!"

"When I heard from the princess that you were missing, my old servant and Xiqiu almost burst into tears. Fortunately, I know your abilities, young lady, and that you will be blessed with good fortune."

"Girl, what's wrong? You've kidnapped this dog emperor?"

"Could it be that they're planning to use the emperor to command the feudal lords?"

Li Qingluo: "..."

Do you think those feudal lords would want to save him?

Granny Zheng shook her head.

Li Qingluo: "Stop being so cheeky."

"I originally wanted you to contact the Killers and steal this dog emperor out."

“Now I have another idea. Tell Zongzheng Xingyao that if she wants to escape her fate of being married off to the Western Regions, she should come to see me.”

Although Granny Zheng felt that this was a bit risky, she still immediately went to do it.

As dawn approached, Li Qingluo suddenly felt something wet on her neck.

Looking up, I realized it was raindrops falling from the roof.

It turned out that it was raining outside, and the cold palace was leaking, with small puddles of water already forming in many places.

She quickly got up and moved to another spot.

Only then did he raise his eyes to look at the entire Cold Palace.

The cold palace was covered with spider webs, and there were many crawling insects on the ground.

There was only one bed in the entire palace, and the straw on the bed had turned black.

There was also a rocking horse and a small chair in the corner.

Just as Li Qinglu was feeling suspicious, Zongzheng Xingyao was hurriedly brought over by Granny Zheng.

"Nangong Qingluo!"

"It really is you! Thank goodness you're not dead!"

Zongzheng Xingyao, her eyes red and choked with sobs, saw the Chu Emperor in the corner, bound hand and foot and gagged.

She screamed and fell to the ground.

"What... what have you done to my father?"

Li Qingluo: "Princess, don't worry, he's not dead."

"However, if I hadn't done that, I would be the one dead now."

Zongzheng Xingyao: "Then what should we do?"

"Nangong Qingluo, you must run away!"

"Run as far away as possible, and don't worry about your husband anymore. He wasn't worried at all last night even though he knew you were in Father's secret chamber."

"He just wants you to die so he can get rid of his status as a son-in-law who married into the family."

"Nangong Qingluo, don't believe him anymore!"

Li Qinglu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

I know she meant well.

However, it's impossible to explain this to the seventh princess.

He simply replied perfunctorily, "Okay, I understand."

"However, I don't plan to run away right now."

"Your Highness, I need your help to get your father out of the palace!"

Zongzheng Xingyao: "Me?"

"Am I insane? Helping you get Father Emperor out of here? What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Nangong Qingluo, don't be ungrateful!"

"You kidnapped my father, how could I possibly help you move him away?"

"I'm giving you one last chance. Now get out of here!"

"I'll just pretend I've never met you."

"After you leave, I will notify the guards to come and rescue Father. If Father asks, I will tell him you are dead!"

Li Qingluo: "What if your father orders you to hand over my body and whip my remains?"