Chapter 110: Is she someone Prince Su can use?

At that time, Li Qingluo helped Zheng Lingzhou block Duan Rongshi's sword, and her bracelet was also cut in half by Duan Rongshi.

Now it is intact again.

Li Qingluo picked it up and examined it carefully; it was indeed hers.

But it seemed somewhat different.

Duan Rongshi said, "I replaced the fine cord inside with a tougher iron wire; would you like to try it?"

After saying that, he drew a dagger from his sleeve, and at his gesture Li Qingluo also unfastened her bracelet.

The iron wire was wound once around the bracelet, and even with Duan Rongshi's force it was not cut again.

But Li Qingluo's hand could not withstand his strength; the bracelet flew out, and Duan Rongshi caught it firmly in one grasp and held it in his hand.

"What... what is this?"

Li Qingluo was extremely surprised, and a hint of fervor could not help but appear in her eyes.

Duan Rongshi: "Refined iron."

"Refined iron?" By the name, she also roughly guessed what a fine thing it was.

Surely, weapons and concealed arms forged from refined iron are far sharper than those made from ordinary iron, their sharpness not even on the same level.

As it turned out, the materials used by nobles and officials were beyond her imagination.

Duan Rongshi then said, "The dagger design you sold to the Lotus Sect—those daggers made from it are all refined iron."

Li Qingluo raised her head in astonishment: "As a sect, why do they have so much refined iron at their disposal?"

As she spoke, Li Qingluo suddenly felt a twinge of guilt.

Because she couldn't help wondering whether she had messed up his business last time.

So, did he want to settle accounts with her later?

It's no wonder Li Qingluo is so cautious and suspicious; indeed, having released Zheng Lingzhou she repaid a favor, but toward Prince Su she feels she owes him more and more.

Duan Rongshi stared at her, calmly answering her question with his arms crossed: "All iron mines in DaLiang are controlled by the court; all iron workshops that forge and smelt must purchase from the court."

"The Lotus Sect can afford to use refined iron for a dagger so recklessly, showing how abundant their refined iron supplies are."

"Therefore, within the court, even high-ranking officials, there are members of the Lotus Sect."

Li Qingluo gasped, never expecting the Lotus Sect to have already infiltrated the court.

"Last time... at Guanshui Cliff, you also captured quite a few Lotus Sect followers, right? Didn't you get any leads from them?"

Duan Rongshi: "We did capture a few live ones, but they fear no death and have all taken poison to kill themselves."

Where had Li Qingluo ever heard such things?

For a moment she was so startled in her heart she didn't know what to say.

Duan Rongshi, however, did not let her go, continuing: "The daggers made from your design were used by the Lotus Sect in this Guanshui Cliff incident to secretly harm many court officials. Do you know that?"

Only then did Li Qingluo understand—Prince Su had been waiting for her to say that!

Indeed, he had come to question her guilt!

Her heart gave a violent jolt; she immediately rose and knelt, saying, "I, a common girl, merely sold a design; I truly did not know the other party was connected to the Lotus Sect. Please, Your Highness Prince Su, forgive my ignorance."

Duan Rongshi knew he had frightened her.

Therefore, he did not press her further with accusations, but continued to question her.

After just a cup of tea, he then said, "Since that is the case, I can spare you this time. But from now on, if you ever have any novel weapon designs, you must first bring them to me for inspection; if I take a liking to them, your reward will not be lacking."

Li Qingluo raised her head.

Prince Su's meaning... was he wanting her to sell him weapon designs?

Because of this bracelet and dagger, he saw a bit of her modest skill; Li Qingluo did not know whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Nevertheless, she could not refuse, for after the Guanshui Cliff incident—whether he saved her or because she released Zheng Lingzhou—Li Qingluo knew she owed him quite a bit.

"I... I, a common girl, indeed still have a few sketches drawn in my leisure; I do not know whether they could be of use to Your Highness."

Duan Rongshi's eyes flickered with a hint of a smile: "Wait till I look over them and we'll know. Five days later, the *** mansion will hold a winter banquet; then you may bring the designs."

Having said that, Duan Rongshi rose and first left the elegant room.

Li Qingluo saw him off, muttering to herself: "Why wait five days? That guard Zhui Yu could already come and go silently in the Jiangjun Fu; fetching a sketch is no trouble."

Moreover, making her go to whatever banquet she dislikes most is truly difficult.

She sighed, and just as she rose, Que'er and Deng Mama rushed in.

"Miss, did Prince Su not do anything to you?"

Deng Mama's tense expression made Li Qingluo laugh.

"What would he do to me? Don't worry, he currently doesn't even value my little life."

Perhaps because she still has some use, Li Qingluo felt that Prince Su treats her with a bit of patience.

Deng Mama exclaimed, "Miss, what I'm saying is not about your little life, but your reputation! You, an unmarried man and an unmarried woman, being alone together in a room—what is he..."

Li Qingluo raised her finger, her expression turning stern.

"Granny, speak carefully. In Prince Su's eyes I am merely a usable person; whether male or female makes no difference to him. Granny, you need not worry about this."

Deng Mama: "Is... is that so?"

But after thinking, she felt the miss's words might indeed hold some truth.

Prince Su is already twenty-two this year, yet he has not yet taken a consort.

His younger brothers, even the seventeen-year-old Prince Dun, already have principal consorts this year.

As for Prince Su, it is said his manor lacks even a concubine.

Truly strange.

"Could it be that Prince Su truly dislikes women and prefers men?"

Que'er could not help but exclaim in suspicion.

Li Qingluo glared at her fiercely, "You don't want to live?"

Que'er then, still frightened, clapped a hand over her own mouth.

Deng Mama hurried to the door, saw no one outside, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

Little did they know, Prince Su Duan Rongshi, who had not actually gone far from the stairwell corner, twitched his ears and had already heard every word of their conversation.

At that moment, Duan Rongshi's face was gloomy as if covered in dark clouds, ready to unleash a hailstorm at any time.

Zhui Yu gulped nervously, "Your Highness, I'll go cut that little maid's tongue out right away!"

Duan Rongshi said nothing, but his gaze fell on Zhui Yu like a blade.

Zhui Yu understood, and hastily slapped his own mouth: "It was my fault for talking too much. The Prince still has use for Miss Li the Second, so this time I'll spare that little maid!"

Duan Rongshi: "She is indeed a usable person."

Having said that, the expressionless Prince Su lifted his foot and left the place.

Zhui Yu: "Your Highness, you're clearly seething inside, just putting on a tough front. In this world, who else could get as close to you as Miss Li the Second?"

If there were truly no difference between men and women, those ladies would have already filled your side.

Clearly, Miss Li the Second is just different...

Turning his head, Duan Rongshi made a trip to the Princess's Residence.

When he left again, Xiyue still wore a puzzled expression.

"When did I ever say I wanted to hold a winter banquet?"