Chapter 96 Not Chosen, Cutting the Rope and Falling Off the Cliff with His Own Hands

Upon hearing this, Li Qingzhu stared wide-eyed in astonishment.

She stiffly turned her head and looked incredulously at the other woman who was also hanging up, and only then did she finally understand!

It was her!?

She is Liu Cao'er!?

No, how could that be?

Wasn't she said to be dark-skinned and thin, with an unremarkable appearance?

How could it be so beautiful!?

Li Qingzhu almost screamed, "How could it be you!?"

These past few days, Li Qingzhu has been living like a pig or a dog, utterly devoid of dignity and suffering endless humiliation, while Li Qingluo is a completely different story!

She saw all the humiliation and contempt she had shown herself. If she returned to Jinling... what face would she have left in front of her?

Li Qingluo also looked at Li Qingzhu and began to introduce herself to her in a genuine and proper manner.

"Yes, I am Li Qingluo, the real daughter of the Li family, who was switched with you by your grandmother back then. Have I disappointed you, Sister Zhu'er?"

Li Qingluo, out of Qu Shi's sight, slowly curled the corner of her lips into a smile at Li Qingzhu.

At that moment, Li Qingzhu felt her vision go black and realized she really couldn't go on living.

Wait, wait a minute!

These Lotus Sect members say that only one can live?

Li Qingzhu's eyes immediately filled with tears as she looked at Madam Qu, crying out in utter grief, "Mother, save me! Mother—"

Qu: "Pearl!!"

Mrs. Qu looked at her adopted daughter with a troubled expression, then at her own flesh and blood.

Pearl looked extremely disheveled.

However, although Luo'er was a little disheveled, she looked alright.

Madam Qu's gaze lingered a little longer on Li Qingzhu. "Zhu'er, my child, you're still alive! I'm in so much pain—"

She longed to hold her in her arms and cherish her.

I wonder how much suffering she endured!

Madam Qu's heart was nearly broken, but she still wanted to know: "Zhu'er, tell your mother, what exactly happened?!"

Li Qingzhu knew that if she continued to feign amnesia, she would likely lose all chance of success!

She could only feign greater pitifulness and innocence to evoke the affection that the Qu family held for her…

After all, she was now really unsure of who her adoptive mother would favor more.

Li Qingzhu's eyes were red, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably: "Mother, it was Zhu'er's foolishness and unfilial piety... I was afraid that Mother would no longer love Zhu'er, so I came up with the stupid idea of ​​self-immolation. But Zhu'er regretted it at the last moment, so I ran out of the fire. Zhu'er was ashamed to face Father, Mother, and Brother, so I wanted to escape from the mansion and return home in a few days, but Zhu'er's injuries were too severe, so I fainted on the street..."

"When Pearl woke up, she had already been taken away. During this time, Pearl had been trying to escape, but she was captured several times. Those human traffickers wanted to sell Pearl..."

"Zhu'er went through countless hardships and tried every possible way to return to Mother's side. Zhu'er was afraid that Mother would be sad and upset because of Zhu'er, so Zhu'er also suffered a lot!"

"Mother, Zhu'er finally met some kind people and managed to return to Jinling, but before she could even go home, they captured her again..."

"Mother, Zhu'er really knows she was wrong. But I'm already very content to be able to see you again..."

"Over the years, Zhu'er has enjoyed all the wealth and honor that should have been Luo'er's younger sister, as well as the love of her parents and brothers. Zhu'er is truly grateful to God for this arrangement of fate..."

"But Zhu'er is also ashamed... for causing Luo'er to suffer for so many years, and for separating you and your daughter for so many years..."

"Mother, although Zhu'er also wants to live, please save Luo'er first!"

What a clever way to compromise!

If Li Qingluo's hands hadn't been tied, she would have applauded her.

Sure enough, she does have some skills; she's not entirely a good-for-nothing!

Upon hearing these words, how could Lady Qu not be heartbroken?

She collapsed to the ground, crying out, "Pearl—fate is cruel, you've suffered so much, my child..."

Then, she tearfully pleaded with the Lotus Sect members: "Heroes, gentlemen, sirs! Please, I beg you, let them go!"

"Although I have only managed to gather two thousand taels of gold, which is not enough to meet your demand, it is the amount I can gather as quickly as possible within my power!"

"The gold is right at the foot of the mountain. Go and count it if you don't believe me! I'll make sure to supply you with whatever you're short later!"

"I beg you gentlemen—"

"ah!!"

A knife 'whooshed' towards them and forcefully plunged into the sand in front of Qu.

"Enough with the nonsense! You dare to negotiate with us? If you lose even a single ounce, you won't be able to take two with you today!"

"Choose quickly! Otherwise, neither of you will survive!"

As he spoke, two arrows flew toward Li Qingluo and the others, landing firmly on the tree trunk next to the ropes suspending them.

Li Qingzhu screamed in fear, closed her eyes, and broke down in tears.

"Mother, Mother—"

How could Qu not feel uneasy with her repeated calls?

"I choose! I choose... I choose—"

Qu pointed a trembling finger at Li Qingzhu, then turned to Li Qingluo, and finally back to Li Qingzhu.

But in the end, she couldn't designate anyone.

"Luo'er..."

Madam Qu looked at Li Qingluo and called her softly.

Since the arrival of the Qu family, Li Qingluo has not spoken a single word to her.

Li Qingzhu cried, and listening to Da Yi's grievances, Li Qingluo's face remained indifferent.

Only at this moment, seeing that Madam Qu was unable to make up her mind for a long time, did Li Qingluo finally call out, "Mother..."

Not mother, but mother!

This was the first time since she returned to the General's Mansion that she clearly called out to Madam Qu, "Mother."

Qu's eyes and heart trembled violently; for some reason, she felt a sudden, intense panic.

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, and my heart felt like it was being gnawed at by a thousand ants, causing me unbearable pain.

Li Qingluo did not cry, but instead smiled.

But that smile was even more heart-wrenching to Qu than Zhu'er's tears.

“Mother. It’s just a pity that I have never been truly loved in my whole life.”

"Although I now have a grandmother, I have never received a single act of affection from you, my father, or my brother."

"Mother, I'm so sorry. Because I'm your biological child, I've disappointed, troubled, and caused you pain, haven't I?"

"But this isn't something Luo'er can decide to happen..."

"I only hope that in the next life, I can grow up by your side."

"Mother, I hope that in the next life, you will love me too..."

"Don't worry about it or be sad. Just choose the one you'd be most reluctant to part with."

"Seeing Mother like this, sigh... Luo'er doesn't want Mother to be in a difficult position, and she doesn't want to see Mother cry anymore."

"Mother, I don't regret being your daughter... but if there really is an afterlife, Luo'er never wants to suffer for you again..."

Goodbye, Mother—

Li Qingluo found herself holding a dagger in her hand.

She swiftly cut the ropes binding her, and then, to Qu's horrified gaze, plummeted vertically off the cliff.

"No—!! Luo'er—Luo'er!! No—"