Chapter 127: Before one's eyes lies a golden mountain

As soon as Prince Su spoke, Li Qingluo's face changed.

She knew her movements had likely been noticed by him.

She immediately rose and knelt, made no excuse, and said, "Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Just how much does he know?

And how did he come to know it?

My grandmother's people never make mistakes; perhaps Deng Mama has become a familiar face before Prince Su, which is why she was noticed.

Li Qingluo: "If Your Highness wishes to punish me, this humble girl accepts the punishment."

She indeed borrowed the princess's mansion today to set a trap for Li Qingzhu and even Prince Yun.

Moreover, she used Prince Su's hand to lure Prince Yun to the princess's mansion.

He has noticed, and his present anger is therefore inevitable.

But if Prince Yun and Li Qingzhu have no illicit relationship and have done nothing wrong, then even if I dug a pit for them, they would not jump into it.

Li Qingluo offered no explanation, admitting fault readily, yet clearly she would repeat it, prompting Duan Rongshi to give a cold smile.

"What a stubborn bone!"

He did not let her rise immediately.

Instead, he first opened the box, picked up the drawings inside, and examined them.

The more he looked, the deeper his gaze became.

He even looked up several times at the maiden before him.

She is really too unremarkable.

Even though her appearance is increasingly outstanding, even if she can outshine all flowers, in Duan Rongshi's eyes this is not any of her merits.

He has seen many handsome people in this world.

Especially he himself is among them, the most handsome.

But appearances are all alike; only the soul can truly attract.

When they first met, her eyes had already attracted him.

Later, her intelligence and tenacity also made him view her differently.

Now, those sketches in his hand truly moved Duan Rongshi's heart and soul.

How could a maiden like her have drawn these things?

As far as he knows, her martial training and exposure to weapons have only been these few months since arriving in Jinling.

Although he hasn't truly seen her skills, seeing her much healthier now suggests her training has borne some fruit.

But unexpectedly, she actually has some ideas about weapons.

Moreover, he finds several of the drawings quite interesting.

"Are these truly all drawn by your own hand?"

Li Qingluo raised her head: "Yes. This humble girl's random thoughts have made Your Highness laugh."

Duan Rongshi spread out the drawings one by one to look at them.

He narrowed his eyes deeply: "No. You're not bad."

His words left Li Qingluo quite astonished.

Is Prince Su praising her?

Perhaps it's the first time someone has praised her, making Li Qingluo blush slightly.

"I've made a fool of myself."

Duan Rongshi lifted a finger: "Rise."

He picked up a drawing and asked Li Qingluo: "Here, what were you thinking?"

Li Qingluo leaned forward a bit, seeing Prince Yun not mentioning the earlier matter, she quickly reached out to explain: "It's like this, Your Highness..."

Her voice soft and gentle, her fingers slender and fair, Duan Rongshi unconsciously became entranced listening.

Listening to her thoughts, hearing why she thought that way, made him increasingly unaware, finally his gaze fell upon her.

Li Qingluo naturally noticed as well, Prince Su was looking at her.

But she merely thought he must consider her ideas over-the-top.

For example, this iron helmet, so ugly, yet conceals a deadly weapon.

He would surely think, how could this maiden's mind hide so many bloody killing methods?

Li Qingluo spoke more and more haltingly, until her voice faded completely.

Duan Rongshi also closed the box.

"Good."

He gathered the drawings together, then lifted his head to look at her, only to find her returning to the previous topic.

"Straighten up your hands and feet. Otherwise, if *** discovers any clue, I won't protect you."

Li Qingluo knew he was sparing her, yet she felt somewhat surprised.

Duan Rongshi saw her expression and said: "How come, I'm not punishing you, yet you're unwilling?"

Li Qingluo immediately bowed her head in salute: "Thank the Prince for your great kindness!"

Seeing her thus, Duan Rongshi couldn't help but curl his lips.

But it was only a moment before his face turned fierce again.

"You used me to lure Fourth Brother, yet caused his offspring to perish. Although this matter is chiefly Li Qingzhu's responsibility, you, in my presence, cannot escape blame!"

Li Qingluo's mind stumbled: So, what exactly does he want?

One moment he wants to punish, the next he says forget it, then again he insists she cannot escape blame.

How about… I, the commoner girl, make you a few more meals?

Duan Rongshi glared at her, frightening Li Qingluo into instantly shrinking her neck.

He's also too hard to serve.

She was secretly pursing her lips when Duan Rongshi actually said: "What, without punishing you as a condition, I still can't get to eat your cooking?"

Li Qingluo hurriedly replied: "Sure, sure, sure. Thanks to Your Highness not despising me and appreciating my modest culinary skill, it's naturally my fortune."

Duan Rongshi let out a "humph."

Her little mouth actually knows how to flatter.

"Five hundred taels per drawing, how about that?"

As he spoke, he had already collected all the drawings back into the box, then tucked the whole box into his bosom.

Li Qingluo still thought she had misheard.

"Your Highness, how much?"

"Five hundred taels, one sheet!?"

The dagger drawing from the iron shop had earned her fifty taels, which she already thought was a heavenly price, a steal!

As it turned out, the iron shop was the one who got the bargain!?

Are the things I drew really worth this much?

Li Qingluo felt heat rising all over her body.

She excitedly leaned across the table and said: "Your Highness, my drawings… are they really worth this much silver?"

Today, she brought ten drawings!

He had just been planning to take them all?

Li Qingluo's eyes couldn't help but well up.

She knew Prince Su couldn't be just coaxing her, so it must be that her drawings are truly useful to him.

In her expectant gaze, Prince Su slowly nodded.

"Yes, your drawings are truly worth this much silver."

"If you have better ones in the future, I can still give you a high price."

"But, I have one condition."

Li Qingluo: "Your Highness, please speak!"

From now on he's the God of Wealth, so naturally whatever he says goes!

She had not the slightest objection!

Moreover, she agreed to any condition!

Even cooking a hundred meals is fine!

Seeing her delighted expression, a warm hue also crept into Duan Rongshi's eyes.

She's actually a money‑grubber.

Moreover, since they met, this is the first time he's seen her like this.

She always seems composed, calm and steady.

She rarely shows such emotions, even a delighted look.

Duan Rongshi: "From now on, your weapon drawings must not be leaked. Each one can only be sold to me."

Li Qingluo looked at him in surprise.

She naturally understood what that meant!

If she agrees, and if her fresh ideas on this never run dry, then she'll never have to worry about food and drink for the rest of her life!

To her, the Prince Su before her is a mountain of gold.

If she's willing, she can mine it for a lifetime!

How could she not accept such a good thing!?

Not accepting would be foolish!

Li Qingluo hurriedly reached out: "Your Highness, let's seal our pact with a clap!"