Chapter 109: with translation of chapter title

Que'er swung her fist and struck out.

Bold! Where did this madman come from, daring to block our young lady's path? Our young lady, how could she be seen by just anyone who wishes to see her?!

Get out of the way!

Deng Mama also drew a knife from the carriage, glaring at this person with a fierce aura.

This person was clearly prepared, showing no fear of trouble.

He merely stepped back two paces and still said, "Miss Li Second! I harbor no ill intent; I only ask for your favor!"

Immediately, several onlookers gathered around, pointing and whispering.

Li Qingluo lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, looked at that person—was it him?

The blacksmith from the West Market iron workshop.

His master, was he the hidden backer who originally said he would break the agreement between the two parties?

Li Qingluo had long suspected that the iron workshop was inseparable from the Lotus Sect, so after selling this information to Prince Su, she was even less likely to want to involve herself with that sect.

She even suspected that he had come for revenge.

But before Li Qingluo could speak, a sudden commotion came from the street, and she saw a familiar figure riding a horse toward this side.

The Ministry of Justice is handling a case—make way!

The man who had just wanted to invite Li Qingluo out, seeing the situation turn bad, changed expression and immediately slipped away.

Li Qingluo: ……

The Ministry of Justice was indeed just passing by.

Zhui Yu and Po Feng took the lead, clearing the path.

However, as they swiftly passed Li Qingluo's side, Zhui Yu saw Que'er and Deng Mama.

But it was only a glance, then they swept past like a gust of wind, leaving no trace.

Deng Mama patted her chest: "These days, why is everything so unsettled? Miss, will you still buy pastries?"

Li Qingluo: "Buy them. Grandmother likes chestnut cake; the chestnuts recently released are relatively fresh."

Deng Mama smiled: "Yes, Miss, you have filial piety. Que'er, you accompany the miss; I'm off!"

Here, the chestnut cakes hadn't even been bought back when Zhui Yu actually turned back alone.

Second Miss!

Que'er dared not provoke the Ministry of Justice personnel.

So she hurried inside to accompany Li Qingluo.

Li Qingluo lifted the carriage curtain and asked, "Guard, is there something?"

Zhui Yu, sitting on horseback, seeing her couldn't help but smile: "Second Miss, in half an hour, at Fumanlou, our master wishes to see you!"

Having said that, he gave Li Qingluo no chance to refuse, then turned his horse and swiftly vanished from sight.

Li Qingluo sighed.

She knew that owing Prince Su would not be so easily repaid.

Que'er trembled with fear: "Miss, Miss, his master—could he not be the Minister of Justice, that rumored living Yama, Prince Su, Su Su..."

Que'er even dared not say it out loud.

Li Qingluo did not respond, merely recalling that day when she left Qishan, she had been seated on Prince Su's horseback.

She could not ride a horse, and her leg was injured.

Therefore, Prince Su perhaps saw her as somewhat pitiable; after resting a night, he let her mount the horse and sit before him.

Li Qingluo remembered that she had remained stiff as a corpse, not daring to breathe loudly.

But the more nervous she was, the less she could relax, even breaking out in a thin sweat on her back.

Moreover, that day her whole person reeked, and she kept secretly glancing at Prince Su's disapproving frown.

Fortunately, he did not, because of her stench, become impatient and kill her.

Instead, when they encountered a caravan at the mountain's base, he properly arranged for her to be settled within the caravan.

Li Qingluo acknowledges that her smooth escape from the Lotus Sect and return to Jinling was indeed thanks to Prince Su's favor.

Therefore, since he has ordered to see her, how could she dare not go?

Fumanlou.

A giant ship tavern by the Qinhuai River.

Li Qingluo found a cloth shop, changed into male attire, then brought Que'er and Deng Mama into the tavern.

As soon as she entered, she was spotted by Zhui Yu, who had been waiting.

"Second... second young master, please come this way!"

Zhui Yu tried not to laugh as he sized up Li Qingluo several times; after guiding her onto the corridor, he whispered, "Second Miss, your disguise is too transparent—who could fail to see you are a delicate little maiden?"

Li Qingluo: ……

Indeed, after whitening her skin, shaping her brows, and piercing her ears, her male disguise lost all persuasiveness!!

A flicker of discomfort crossed Li Qingluo's face: "Cough. Guard, this isn't Guiyuan; surely the prince doesn't intend to have me cook for him here today?"

Hearing Li Qingluo's words, Zhui Yu's face filled with surprise: "You... you really figured it out!"

Li Qingluo let out a soft hum.

Take her for a fool?

That night, in the manor on the cliff, after they dragged her out of the dirt pile, Li Qingluo found everything blurry.

Therefore, upon seeing their figures and hearing Zhui Yu's voice, she naturally grew suspicious.

Upon seeing Prince Su's four-and-a-half-foot-long sword, she was completely certain.

In this world, likely only Prince Su himself could wield such a long sword skillfully.

Zhui Yu also stopped pretending with Li Qingluo: "Second Miss, you are indeed clever. Second Miss, please come in; Prince Su has already been waiting for you."

Li Qingluo however felt a bit nervous: "May I ask, guard, do you know why Prince Su summoned me? What exactly is the matter?"

Regarding the Lotus Sect, Li Qingluo really could not say any more.

Having said that, he pushed Li Qingluo into the side room, then blocked Que'er and Deng Mama outside the door.

"Gentlemen, Prince Su has important matters to discuss with your 'young master'; there's no need to follow inside and disturb him!"

Deng Mama and Que'er were terrified out of their wits, and besides, that was Prince Su—how could they possibly relax?

"This... guard, your Prince Su wouldn't..."

Zhui Yu stared at them: "If you annoy Prince Su and make him vexed, even if you have some skill, your heads would be gone in the blink of an eye. Are you sure you still want to follow inside?"

Que'er bit her lip: "But our young lady is a pure and proper maiden; to meet your master privately like this, if word got out..."

Zhui Yu gave a "puchi" laugh: "What is this young lady talking about? The one who just went in is clearly a young gentleman; Prince Su has no interest in male companions!"

Que'er still wanted to say something, but Deng Mama grabbed her.

Deng Mama was pragmatic; she knew that continuing to argue with Prince Su's guard would bring them no benefit.

The two dared not speak further, nor did they intend to leave; they each stood guard on one side with Zhui Yu.

They merely thought in their hearts: if any abnormal sound came from the room, they would risk their lives to ensure the young lady's safety.

She merely thought in her heart: If any strange sound came from the room, they would risk their lives to keep the young lady safe.

By the riverside window, Li Qingluo knelt and sat, directly facing Duan Rongshi.

She looked at the box before her, thinking: "These past two days, why do I keep receiving gifts?"

"Your Highness, this is..."

Duan Rongshi: "Take a look."

He sipped his tea lightly, waiting for Li Qingluo to open the box herself.

Upon seeing that inside was the hairpin she had broken on Mount Qi, Li Qingluo froze: "Prince Su, you... you actually helped this commoner girl repair it?"

When she saw that inside was the bracelet she had broken on Mount Qi, Li Qingluo froze: "Your Highness Prince Su…… you…… did you help this commoner girl repair it?"