Chapter 133: Cruelty upon cruelty, muteness upon muteness

Li Qingluo instantly became completely sober: "The Pei family? Really?"

She threw off the blanket and got out of bed, but discovered that it was already dark outside.

Que'er hurriedly put down the soup in her hand, picked up an outer garment, and came over to drape it on Li Qingluo.

"Miss, please be careful, at least look after yourself. This isn't the Pei Duke's mansion."

Li Qingluo looked at Que'er, waiting for her to continue.

Que'er: "This is a detached residence of the Pei Duke's mansion, located in the northern city, called 'Si Garden'."

Li Qingluo: "How did I end up here?"

She must have fallen asleep accidentally in the Bright Tower.

She fell asleep before finishing the poetry contest downstairs.

When Pei Nanji and the others left, they actually didn't wake her?

Moreover, they shouldn't have not sent her home; what's going on?

Que'er hurriedly explained: "Miss, after you fell asleep, the princess and the twelfth young lady were originally preparing to send you home together, but then people from the princess's mansion came and took the princess away first."

"The twelfth young lady said she would send you back, but halfway there she said an emergency had come up at Si Courtyard, so she couldn't send you and had to bring you back instead."

Li Qingluo understood the whole situation.

"Has anyone gone to inform Grandmother?"

As for her parents at the Jiangjun Fu, she couldn't care less.

Anyway, the Jiangjun Fu is probably going to descend into chaos today.

Li Qingzhu first caused the concubine of Prince Yun to miscarry.

Then she was rebuked by the princess.

And then she accidentally ingested Li Kechuan's poison...

Thinking about it, Li Qingluo felt she was somewhat pitiful, tsk!

She could come out here to find some peace.

She couldn't avoid being dragged into trouble again in the middle of the night, having filth thrown on her, which was utterly annoying.

Que'er nodded: "Miss, don't worry. The twelfth young lady said you could rest here tonight, so she's already arranged for a message to be sent back."

"At Old Lady's place, knowing you've made contact with the Pei family, she'll certainly be delighted!"

Grandmother wants to return to the Pei family and reconcile with the old patriarch over a meal.

This sounds simple, but actually doing it is indeed somewhat difficult for Li Qingluo.

But fortunately, she has now become acquainted with Pei Nanji, their relationship growing closer, so this matter finally has some leads.

At this moment, the Jiangjun Fu on Dongyin Lane.

Ziwei Tang was filled with weeping.

Doctor Jiang remained inside the house for a long time without coming out.

The servants throughout the courtyard bustled about, running here and there.

Several maidservants who had been punished were kneeling under the corridor, crying so hard they could barely breathe.

Qu Shi, fed up with the crying, shouted angrily: "If they keep crying, I'll drag them all out and sell them right away!"

"Still daring to cry, the young lady's affairs aren't for you to advise; when something goes wrong, you should be the ones punished!"

The weeping then weakened, but it planted resentment in each maidservant's heart.

Today Li Qingzhu went out with only a little green firefly.

Even if they wanted to advise, they'd need to be able to do so!

Moreover, they haven't grown up with the young lady since childhood; even if they advised, could the young lady possibly listen to these servant girls?

The green firefly is now naturally the most miserable one.

She probably won't be able to get out of bed for a month.

Right now her buttocks are a bloody mess lying beside her; who seeing that wouldn't feel sympathy like a rabbit mourning a fox?

This Ziwei Tang, today they all suffer collateral damage.

If that young lady really died, wouldn't they also have to follow her to the grave?

"Sir, Madam, Eldest Master. The eldest young lady's life is not in danger, but... from now on she will never be able to speak again."

Doctor Jiang sighed, thinking it a pity.

Leaning on his cane, Li Kechuan, standing under the tree, staggered and fell to the ground upon hearing those words.

Qu Shi, shocked and grieved, noticed him and immediately had someone help him up.

"Chuan'er! Quick, help the Eldest Master up!"

Qu Shi personally came to Li Kechuan's side, her face full of anguish: "Chuan'er, since things have already happened... you shouldn't blame yourself too much..."

Li Kechuan gave a soft 'whoosh' as he lifted his head to look at his mother.

"Mother, do you also think this is my fault?"

Qu Shi opened her mouth, speechless.

She had already asked the two maidservants from the second and third branches.

Although they didn't say it outright, anyone sensible could understand from their words that this was originally Li Kechuan's poison plot intended for Luo'er!

But due to a twist of fate, it was thwarted by Luo'er's paternal aunt; perhaps Luo'er did tamper with things, but didn't she give Li Kechuan a choice?

It was Li Kechuan himself who missed the non-poisoned tea cup.

Are we really going to blame Luo'er for this?

But thinking of the eldest son's current situation and how Zhu'er has become like this, Qu Shi can't bear to utter any more heart-wrenching words.

"Chuan'er, Mother doesn't mean it that way..."

Li Kechuan's voice rose involuntarily: "What does Mother mean!? Clearly it was Li Qingluo who did it on purpose! If she had pointed out which cup was poisonous, I would not have…… would not have given it to Pearl to use!"

Li Chao Jing walked over, raised his hand and slapped Li Kechuan hard across the face.

Scoundrel! Is this how you speak to your mother!?

How did your sister know you tampered with the tea?

It was you who first did the wicked deed, and now you come to blame her!

Pearl was harmed by you; you don't want to admit it, dare not face it, and still want to splash dirty water onto little Luo?

In the past, I was too indulgent with you, which made you become so selfish and self-serving, arrogant and reckless, a narrow-minded, petty person!

If we don't speak of this matter, Luo'er bears no blame at all, yet you must bear the greatest punishment!

Guards, lock the Eldest Young Master in Lan Cang Courtyard; for three months he is not allowed to step outside the gate!

Li Kechuan covered his face, raised his head, and looked at his parents.

He suddenly gave a bitter laugh.

Changed…… you all have changed!

Before, Father, Mother, plus Pearl and me, our family of four was so happy and harmonious; but now, some are crippled, some are mute.

Reputation utterly lost, future completely destroyed.

Father, Mother. Does our Jiangjun Fu still have a future?

Isn't it all because of Li Qingluo's return that everything started to change?

Your hearts have grown more and more biased toward her, no longer wanting me and Pearl…… ha, haha…… hahahaha……

Li Kechuan was taken away while laughing.

Qu Shi watched his retreating figure, tears streaming down continuously.

What can we do about this……

Li Chao Jing sighed: "What else can we do? The urgent priority is to not let him cause any more trouble; we must hurry and marry off the daughter of the Cui family!"

As long as we have an heir, our Jiangjun Fu will never decline.

Also, regarding Pearl's matter, when Luo'er returns, you are not to investigate!

Qu Shi only felt a surge of heartache.

Although she has recently felt guilty toward Luo'er, but how innocent Pearl is!

Especially after experiencing today's events, Pearl will from now on become a…… mute!

Upon thinking of this, how could Qu Shi not feel heartbroken?

And she now, indeed, no longer as before, blames everything on Luo'er, thinking it was Luo'er's fault.

Could it be that, just as little Chuan said, her heart has long since changed, turned biased?