Chapter 111 Shooting and Silencing
Li Qingluo and the other two simply ate a meal at Fumanlou Restaurant.
This meal wasn't cheap; it cost Li Qingluo two taels of silver.
When Granny Deng paid the bill, Li Qinglu felt a pang of heartache.
This was something she wouldn't have dared to even dream of before.
These days, she can spend so much on just one meal.
Que'er said, "Miss, what's this? We've already been quite restrained. It's common for young masters and ladies to spend five, ten, or even hundreds of taels of silver on a single meal when they go out."
Li Qingluo: "Restaurants are that profitable?"
She knew that some restaurants and street food stalls had ordinary prices.
If this were at a restaurant, she would have only ordered a few dishes today, yet the price has increased many times over.
Seeing that she was interested, Que'er asked, "Miss, would you like to turn our teahouse into a restaurant?"
Before Li Qingluo could express her opinion, Granny Deng continued, "This restaurant is indeed profitable. However, as far as this old servant knows, of the ten new restaurants that have opened in Jinling City this year, eight have closed down before three months had passed. Do you know why, Miss?"
Li Qingluo looked interested: "Tell me about it, Granny."
Granny Deng: "It's really not easy to open another restaurant in Jinling City. A restaurant needs customers, distinctive dishes, as well as decor, chefs, and so on. Most importantly, it needs to be innovative to break through the encirclement of these old restaurants in Jinling City."
"Also, young lady, don't be fooled by the prosperity of Jinling City. Most of the restaurants and shops are controlled by wealthy families. Which high-ranking official or noble family doesn't own ten or twenty shops?"
"While the gentlemen are making great strides in the officialdom, the ladies are equally adept in the business world, and it is no exaggeration to say that they control the entire business of Jinling City."
"Young lady, don't underestimate these tricks."
Li Qingluo: "What's so easy about doing something? I'll consider it."
The three, master and servant, disembarked and prepared to go home.
Just as Li Qingluo was about to get into the carriage, a woman suddenly rushed towards her in a panic, pushing the carriage sideways.
"Make way, make way quickly—"
Li Qingluo and the other two immediately dodged, but the carriage was startled and went out of control with a scream.
Fearing that the out-of-control carriage might injure someone, Li Qingluo immediately shouted, "Granny! Stop the carriage!"
Granny Deng took off after her, while the woman tripped and fell to the ground along with the out-of-control cart.
Sparrow kindly went to help the woman up, and the woman thanked her, but as she stood up, her expression suddenly changed, and she pulled out a knife, lunging at Sparrow—
"careful!"
At the critical moment, Li Qing also pulled out a dagger from his sleeve and used it to block a sword for Que'er.
"girl!"
Sparrow shouted angrily, drew her soft sword from her waist, and immediately began fighting with the woman.
Li Qingluo gripped her numb wrist and did not join the fight.
She had a strange feeling, as if this whole thing was deliberately aimed at her.
She stood by the side the whole time, and only after seeing that Que'er hadn't suffered any loss did she secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
However, more and more people gathered around to watch the spectacle, and some even squeezed behind Li Qingluo.
Just then, Li Qingluo heard a voice behind her that only she could hear clearly: "There are many of our people in this crowd. You can handle one or two, but can you really save your lives if there are more?"
"Second Miss, if you want these two to live, come with me."
After saying that, the man turned and walked away.
Li Qinglu stared coldly at the back of that figure; it was another woman.
She glanced at Que'er again, but ultimately wasn't foolish enough to follow her. Instead, she gripped the dagger in her hand and rushed out.
Since Li Qingluo began practicing martial arts, he has never actually fought anyone.
Aside from sparring with her nanny and Que'er, she had no idea what dangers sparring with outsiders might bring.
So, she immediately unleashed her killer move upon arrival!
As for the other party's threats?
Go eat dog shit!
If they want to lure her away, they can't easily take her life. Besides, the other party hasn't revealed their identity or what their purpose is in finding her, so she will definitely give in!
Li Qingluo acted swiftly, working in tandem with Que'er, and subdued the woman in just a few moves.
The crowd surged instantly, and Li Qingluo suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, sensing that at least a dozen pairs of eyes were staring at her...
Just then, an angry shout came from ahead: "Who's causing trouble here?! Get out of my way!"
Li Qingluo looked up and saw Li Chaojing riding a tall horse toward her.
Li Chaojing was also shocked when he saw Li Qingluo dressed as a man.
"Luo'er!?"
On another horse behind Li Chaojing, Zhuang Wei, whose hands were bound, was sitting.
When Zhuang Wei saw Li Qingluo, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
What is she doing here?
Still wearing the same makeup!
Moreover, why does her outfit look so familiar to him?
Also, if he wasn't mistaken, she seemed to be fighting someone!
Li Qingluo never expected to encounter her emotionless father by such a coincidence.
But that's just right.
She quickly led Que'er forward, escorting the woman: "Father. This woman had just come to plot against me, but we have subdued her. Please, Father—"
Before Li Qingluo could finish speaking, a 'whoosh' sounded in the sky, and the woman was already hit by an arrow.
He fell to the ground with his eyes wide open, and died instantly.
Chaos and screams erupted in the street.
Li Qingluo was immediately surrounded by sparrows, and Li Chaojing and his attendants and guards immediately formed a protective circle around her.
"Protect the girl—"
"An assassin!"
The woman was dead; she had clearly been silenced.
Li Qinglu stared at the corpse, still in a daze, a chilling fear settling in her heart...
Have they become so brazen in their killings?
Back at the General's Mansion, Li Qing sat in the Red Maple Pavilion for a long time before asking Granny Deng, "Grandmother said she wanted to find me a new martial arts teacher. Has anyone been chosen yet?"
Granny Deng: "I've got it, but don't worry, young lady, it will be a while before that person can return to Jinling."
Li Qingluo stared blankly ahead: "For the next few days, let's not go out too easily."
Granny Deng agreed, but sighed inwardly.
Knowing what happened today, it's likely to leave a shadow on the girl's heart.
Li Qingluo then said, "Granny, make me another set of hidden arrows! Next time, I want to carry more concealed weapons that are both self-defense and easy to carry."
Granny Deng smiled instantly: "Yes, my good girl."
The next day, Chunxing in the front yard invited Li Qinglu.
“Miss, the master said that he went to Zuixianlou today and bought Eight Treasure Duck and Drunken Goose. He invites you to dine with him in the front yard.”
In both her previous and current lives, Li Qingluo has never eaten a single meal with her biological father.
What does it mean that I suddenly invited her to dinner today?
Thinking about how Li Chaojing had tied up Zhuang Wei that afternoon, Li Qingluo didn't want to go.
However, the Marquis of Zhongyi's mansion is still dragging its feet on the marriage with the Li family, and it seems that Li Qingzhu's return has made the marriage uncertain again.
Li Qingluo naturally wanted to kick Zhuang Wei far, far away.
I'm also curious about what Li Chaojing is thinking right now.
So, after hesitating for a moment, she agreed: "Okay, I'll go in a bit."
Spring has departed, and the sparrows have come in.
"Miss, I've found out. They say that the Third Young Master Zhuang ran away from the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence again today, and our master caught him red-handed!"
"Master has already sent a letter to the Marquis of Zhongyi's residence. But they said they would like Master to help discipline him for a few days, and it would be best if the Third Young Master Zhuang could suffer a bit."
Li Qinglu instantly regretted accepting Li Chaojing's invitation tonight.
Would Zhuang Wei also be eating this meal?
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