Chapter 144: The shameless couple, shacking up without a matchmaker — a male thief and a female harlot!

Prince Yun had already put on his inner garments, and he threw his outer robe over Li Qingzhu.

As he spoke, he publicly lifted Li Qingzhu's chin and lowered his head to plant a heavy kiss on her.

Everyone averted their eyes, unable to bear watching.

What a shameless, despicable couple!

Cohabiting without a matchmaker — a male thief and a female harlot!

Li Qingzhu, aside from a hint of shame, was filled with exhilarated joy.

Your Highness defended her in front of them and even made such an intimate gesture — what does it matter if they discover the truth?

With Your Highness protecting her, she fears nothing.

Li Qingzhu lay obediently in Prince Yun's embrace, not daring to speak a word, yet behaving like a docile little bird.

Seeing this scene, Li Kechuan was on the verge of going mad.

He crawled toward them on the ground, shouting repeatedly: "Zhu'er! Are you being coerced by him?! Zhu'er, speak quickly — you didn't do these things willingly!"

"You only feigned self-immolation because you feared Li Qingluo's return, which would cost you status and affection — you were just afraid!"

"Zhu'er, quickly say that what you just said isn't true!!"

Li Qingzhu's face turned pale inch by inch.

Seeing the broken wall, she realized that the words she had spoken to coax Prince Yun had likely been overheard by all her family.

Her heart involuntarily panicked.

But even so, what of it?

She had already become Your Highness's person just moments ago.

If they hadn't disturbed him, ruining Your Highness's mood, he wouldn't know how to enjoy himself right now!

Thinking of this, Li Qingzhu actually felt a little afraid, wondering if Prince Yun, having lost his interest, might once again grow disdainful toward her.

She immediately urged to reaffirm her stance, blurting out: "Your Highness, Zhu'er truly doesn't know how this happened! Zhu'er only wishes to be with Your Highness, so she absolutely does not want outsiders to disturb us. Your Highness, you must discern clearly — they are not summoned by Zhu'er..."

Prince Yun indeed felt angry in his heart.

But seeing Li Qingzhu's anxious fear of being misunderstood, he also understood.

His heart softened involuntarily, and he narrowed his eyes, asking: "Is this truly unrelated to you?"

Li Qingzhu, on the verge of tears, exclaimed: "Your Highness, does Zhu'er even have to sacrifice her reputation and dignity completely? Even if she loves Your Highness dearly, she still wishes to live in this world!"

As she spoke, she covered her face and began to sob softly, "wu-wu."

Seeing her constantly flatter Prince Yun with every word, everyone stared at Li Qingzhu, dumbfounded.

Qu Shi murmured: "Zhu'er, it's all because Mother didn't raise you well… You are so utterly shameless… devoid of benevolence, filial piety, and propriety!"

Zhuang Wei, likewise filled with anger, said: "Li Qingzhu! Since you look down on my Zhongyi Hou Fu and on me, Zhuang Wei, why not speak plainly? I will never cling to you, nor will I obstruct your pursuit of a future."

"Yet you have instead devised the most extreme conspiratorial trap to frame an innocent person!"

Zhuang Wei's eyes reddened.

Their sixteen years of affection!

And now she has trampled it to this extent!

In her eyes, I amount to nothing at all!

Ha, haha, hahaha…

Zhuang Wei's heart erupted in manic laughter, wishing he could go mad like Li Kechuan!

The intense hatred in his eyes stabbed Li Qingzhu.

How could she not love Zhuang Sanlang?

Among all, the one she loves most and cannot bear to part with is him!

He is the most handsome and wise, the most considerate and sincere, and also the most pure and self-disciplined!

He has a bright future ahead and would be a better refuge than Prince Yun!

But he, by rights, should have belonged to Li Qingluo…

I have merely stolen his youthful years for over a decade; once Li Qingluo returns, everything will be exposed, and my reputation and status will be lost!

She could certainly seize him!

But what she truly desires is an even higher status, supreme honor, and power that belongs solely to her, Li Qingzhu!

No one else can take it away; it would truly be hers alone.

Li Qingzhu's tears poured forth.

She also glanced at Zhuang Wei several times.

Yet she didn't give Li Kechuan a single look.

She merely kept muttering: "I know you all now hate me to the core, thinking my actions have lost all face and are wickedly ruthless."

"But Father, Mother, Brother, Zhuang Sanlang, you cannot stand in the way of Zhu'er pursuing true love and happiness, can you?"

"Back then, I truly feared that when your real daughter and sister returned, you would no longer dote on me or treat me as kin. My love for Your Highness is also genuine."

"Therefore, when I initially feigned death by self-immolation, you hated me, and I accept that!"

"Yet even so, I will not regret it, for it was all for Your Highness!"

Li Qingzhu clung tightly to Prince Yun's arm, putting on a show of deep, regretless affection.

Qu Shi couldn't help but cry out low: "But Zhu'er ah. Mother, Father, and your Brother truly believed you were dead!"

"We endured heart-wrenching anguish, even attributing your feigned self-immolation to Luo'er; your brother hated her day and night, his myriad misdeeds against her, and my biases and disfavor toward her — all were for your sake!"

"Their siblings turned against each other; your father ignored Luo'er, and your mother aided your brother in repeatedly vexing Luo'er, wishing to give her suffering just to vent revenge on your behalf!"

"Our sincere affection for you even led us to neglect and mistreat our own flesh and blood for your sake!!"

"Even knowing you weren't dead, we never blamed you; we only pitied and forgave you."

But how did you do it!!?

Upon hearing these words from Qu Shi, Li Qingluo actually had no reaction.

Because her heart had long been completely cold.

It's just that, as it turns out, she already knew all of this.

As a mother, she knows what suffering her own biological daughter is enduring!

Knowing these heartless things they did to her, each and every one!

But knowing is one thing, while continuing to act as she pleases is another.

Li Qingluo sneered coldly in her heart, unmoved.

However, Li Chao Jing's feeling of indebtedness to Li Qingluo at this moment only grew stronger.

Before, he only wanted to use this daughter.

But now…… thinking back, his heart also felt a pang of sour pain.

Li Kechuan then lowered his head, tears dropping one by one onto the floor, his feelings a tumultuous mix, yet he could not utter a word.

Zhuang Wei turned his head and glanced secretly at Li Qingluo.

She indeed is the most innocent and pitiful person!

Zhu'er's schemes and plans have also brought her great suffering!

And as for myself, my previous attitude toward her…… even scolding her as the vicious woman who forced Zhu'er to death!

In an instant, Zhuang Wei also felt guilt toward Li Qingluo.

Li Qingzhu, seeing everyone's gazes, how could she bear it?

How come they've started to feel pity for Li Qingluo and now utterly despise themselves?

She clenched her fists, unwilling and angry, and shouted with a hoarse voice.

But who is to blame for my situation today!!?

"Father, Mother, Brother, look at you now—aren't you exactly as Zhu'er once feared, having completely changed your hearts?"

"Zhu'er does not ask to monopolize your love; she only wants a little favoritism from you..."

However, her words can no longer move the Li family.

Only Li Kechuan lifted his head with a complex gaze, still looking at her.

Qu Shi's heart seethed with indignation: "Zhu'er, doesn't Mother still favor you?"