Chapter 296 Luo'er Returns to the City, Her Merit Stolen?
The music was pleasant and familiar, and Li Qingluo immediately remembered when and where she had heard it before.
Last time, when we came out of the Lisboa Casino, in that grove of trees, wasn't this the song that accompanied the appearance of the Lotus Cult Leader disguised as Zhui Yu?
However, what reappeared at this time and place was definitely not Chasing Rain.
It can only be the true Lotus Sect Leader—
It's her? Princess Qinyu!?
Li Qingluo quickly dragged Li Jingchuan into the bushes nearby.
She glanced down at her white clothes, which stood out even in the pitch black of the night.
She quickly pulled up Li Jingchuan's large black fur coat and hid inside.
Lotus petals landed on her head. Li Qingluo even breathed very softly as she watched a group of people dressed like fairies carry a sedan chair and fly past her...
After a long while, when the group had completely disappeared from sight, Li Qingluo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Although hiding might seem cowardly, she knew that she couldn't possibly fight against these people on her own, so she would hide if she could, as her life was more important.
A sudden coughing sound came from above. Li Qingluo looked up and met Jingchuan Gongzi's eyes.
Young Master Jingchuan looked at her with tender eyes.
"Miss Li, you have saved me again."
"However...I wonder if you're available to come out now?"
Li Qingluo then remembered that she was still hiding under his fur.
Her face flushed, and she quickly climbed out, saying, "I'm sorry, I acted hastily just now, and I apologize for my rudeness."
Jingchuan: "It's alright. Cough, cough cough..."
Seeing his uncontrollable cough, Li Qinglu thought to herself: It's a good thing he didn't wake up just now, otherwise the two of them would definitely have been exposed by now.
Will the situation at Jingyun Manor change because of Qinyu's arrival?
However, regardless of the circumstances, Li Qingluo had no intention of joining in the fun.
Fortunately, it didn't take long before the three assassins from the Night Slayer Sect returned, protecting Granny Deng and Butterfly.
The butterfly was slightly injured and looked pitiful as it lay on Granny Deng's back.
Because she would go berserk and bite people uncontrollably whenever she smelled a man's scent, Deng Mama had no choice but to tie her to her body with strips of cloth.
When Li Qingluo saw them, she quickly emerged from the bushes.
"Granny Deng! Where is Master?"
Granny Deng, panting, said, "Miss, Mr. Nangong told you not to wait for him or worry about him. He knows how to get back to General Xiuli's mansion on his own."
Li Qinglu thought to himself: With Master's skills, capturing Zheng Wanxiu wouldn't be difficult. He's probably staying behind to help Prince Su.
"By the way, did the Lotus Sect Leader go? How is the battle going over there?"
Granny Deng: "What you said is right, young lady. The Lotus Sect leader made a grand entrance just now, with petals flying everywhere, and a few of his jade envoys killed people as soon as they came down."
"However, Mr. Nangong said that tonight, His Highness Prince Su is disguised as Master Yue and is personally leading troops to oversee the situation. Even if the sect leader goes, what can he do? Jingyun Manor cannot be protected."
"Miss, shall we wait here, or...?"
Li Qingluo was powerless to help with what happened next.
Staying here might only cause more trouble, so he simply said, "Let's go! We should go back to Jinling City."
The assassin carried Li Jingchuan on his back, and the group had only walked a few more miles when the carriage sent by Madam Pei to pick them up arrived.
"Girl! Old Deng!"
Granny Zheng jumped down from the carriage, waving excitedly.
As dawn broke, the carriage finally arrived at the outskirts of Jinling City, swaying and rattling along.
Before even entering the city, soldiers came beating drums and gongs to report: "His Highness the Second Prince has quelled the bandits and utterly destroyed the Lotus Sect's stronghold, Jingyun Manor! His Highness the Second Prince has quelled the bandits and utterly destroyed the Lotus Sect's stronghold, Jingyun Manor!"
Second Prince?
Granny Deng: "The Second Prince is none other than the deposed Crown Prince. Isn't he imprisoned in the Nanshan Villa?"
Li Qingluo: "What's even stranger is that this credit should have fallen on the head of the deposed crown prince, shouldn't it?"
Last night was clearly a plan devised by myself and Duan Rongshi. Although Duan Rongshi did not want to reveal his identity as Prince Su, the credit should not go to the deposed crown prince!
Li Qingluo couldn't figure it out for a moment, wondering what exactly had happened at Jingyun Manor last night...
The victorious soldiers marched into the city in a grand procession.
Many of the Lotus followers who were captured alive were all escorted behind.
The crowd was buzzing with excitement: "I heard that this time they killed a protector of the Lotus Sect, captured one alive, and two of the Jade Envoys beside the Lotus Sect Leader also died."
"Really? I never imagined the Second Prince was so capable. He is truly wise and mighty!"
"That was His Majesty's most favored eldest son, how could he not be formidable?"
"Although he was imprisoned for three years, I heard that he recently received His Majesty's pardon and permission. He originally intended to go to the hunting grounds in person to deliver two game pieces to His Majesty and Prince Yun, but when he passed by Jingyun Manor, he unexpectedly discovered that it was actually the stronghold of the Lotus Sect. So he wrote to the court, which gave him the opportunity to lead troops to personally suppress the bandits and make a contribution..."
"Wouldn't that mean the deposed crown prince will have to go back to Jinling again?"
"I heard that Prince Yun's birthday banquet is tomorrow, and he has been specially granted permission to come back so that he can personally celebrate his younger brother's birthday."
“His Highness Prince Yun has lost an eye, so it is only right that his own brother should come back.”
"What I'm saying is that the deposed crown prince might return to court..."
"You dare to speak recklessly about state affairs? You don't want to live anymore?"
The crowd fell silent instantly.
Soon, voices from the other side drowned out the conversation: "The Lotus Sect has committed countless evils; they deserve it!"
"Exactly! In this peaceful and prosperous era, under the guise of changing the world, they've turned our Great Liang into a chaotic and fearful place. This is truly gratifying!"
"Kill them! Kill them!"
"His Highness the Second Prince is wise and mighty! A peerless general!"
"Long live the Second Prince!"
The crowd cheered, but Granny Zheng muttered under her breath, "It's not over yet. The Lotus Sect is all over the world. They didn't even catch the sect leader this time, and two of their protectors escaped. It's just one of their strongholds. The Lotus Sect will probably make a comeback..."
Li Qingluo glanced at Jing Chuan, who was fast asleep beside her, and saw his eyes tremble slightly, knowing that he had probably been awake for a while.
Looking at his tightly clenched fists, I knew he was probably worried about his uncle and mother.
However, Li Qingluo pretended not to see anything; some things should not be said out loud.
General Xiuli's Mansion.
As soon as Li Qingluo returned, she went to see Old Madam Pei.
When Madam Pei saw that she was safe and sound, she happily scolded her, "You little rascal! Although Grandmother was worried about the danger of you venturing into the lion's den, Grandmother also knows that I can't refuse you. You have your own things to do, and everything you've done is for our family."
"Grandmother, I'm overjoyed!"
"Really, Luo'er, seeing how quickly you've grown up to be able to support your grandmother, I'm truly moved and proud."
Li Qingluo nestled in her grandmother's arms, and before she could even say a few words of coquetry, Old Madam Pei suddenly pinched her nose.
"Luo'er, how many days has it been since you last bathed?"
"Grandma couldn't stand it anymore."
Li Qingluo: Grandmother, your love is like a gust of wind...
Li Qingluo settled Jingchuan in the outer courtyard.
And they informed Old Madam Pei.
"Is it that Young Master Jingchuan from last time? Grandmother doesn't think he's a bad person, but the two of you seem to have some connection."
Li Qingluo was unsure about his identity, so she did not reveal it to Madam Pei.
After arranging for someone to take care of Young Master Jingchuan, Li Qingluo returned to her own Zizai Residence.
After taking a thorough shower, Li Qingluo finally lay down on the bed feeling completely relaxed. Cui'er was still drying her hair when she fell asleep.
When I woke up again, it was already 3:45 PM.
Hearing the noise, Cui'er quickly led people in to serve her.
First, they gave Li Qingluo some hot tea, and then brought out the food that had been kept warm.
"Miss, you must be starving. I didn't dare to call you, but I knew you were tired, so I wanted you to rest first."
"This is pigeon soup that the old lady personally instructed me to make for you. Would you like to try some?"
Li Qingluo has been eating lots of meat and fish lately, and although she hasn't gained weight, she feels nauseous at the sight of meat soup now.
However, remembering that it was her grandmother's good intention, she forced herself to drink half a bowl despite feeling unwell.
Then I quickly ate all the light vegetarian dishes on the table, and only then did I feel a little better.
After eating her fill, Li Qinglu went to see the sparrows again.
"Miss, young lady..."
Que'er had improved considerably. When she saw Li Qingluo return safely, her nose tingled and tears welled up in her eyes.
Li Qingluo: "Good sparrow, why are you crying?"
Li Qing sat down and wiped away Que'er's tears.
Que'er pouted: "Does Miss think Que'er is useless? She didn't take me with her when she went back anywhere, and I'm so worried about her."
Li Qingluo was both amused and exasperated: "How was I supposed to know that this time we would never be able to come back? And you got hurt and suffered so much. This time it was all your fault, Miss. I apologize to you."
Que'er immediately sat up again, looking anxious: "Miss, please don't make me feel so bad..."
Cui'er laughed from the side, "At least you get to go out with the young lady every time. What about me? I can only envy you every time. Compared to you, I have to worry about you more, don't I?"
"But I know I'm useless, so all I can do is guard the house for the young lady..."
Li Qingluo held their hands tightly: "Alright, alright. You two are the apple of my eye."
"One is my future head nanny, and the other is my housekeeper."
"Cui'er now manages everything in my room and courtyard, from jewelry and silver to food, clothing, and shelter, perfectly. Que'er follows me around, running in and out, sharing my hardships and toil."
"Neither of you can do it!"
"From now on, you'll stay with me. As long as you don't say you're leaving, we'll be together forever and enjoy happiness together!"
Cui'er and Que'er exchanged a glance, and then burst out laughing together.
"Young lady, you said it yourself!"
"When I get old, I will be your Granny Sparrow."
"That's right, that's right, I'll be Granny Cui by then too."
The three of them, master and servant, burst into laughter until the maid knocked on the door: "Miss, Butterfly Girl has suddenly developed a high fever and just vomited a mouthful of black blood. You should go and take a look."
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