Chapter 200

Bright Splendor Hall.

Xiyue*** stepped into Bright Splendor Hall, and the three Li family ladies followed behind.

Everyone hurriedly paid respects to Xiyue***, and then they all whispered among themselves: How did the Li family end up coming together with ***?

However, the three Li family members and Xiyue*** had no intention of explaining anything, while Pei Lao Furen brought Li Qingluo to mingle among the great clans; everyone gave her face, and they warmly finally properly came to know the Li family's true eldest daughter.

Only the Zhongyi Hou Fu and the Pei State Duke's Manor each kept their distance, as if afraid of getting tangled up with the Jiangjun Fu again.

Soon, night fell.

The court night banquet at Bright Splendor Hall officially began.

The officials and nobles of the former court, each bringing their own retainers, filed in and finally arrived at Bright Splendor Hall, found their own female relatives, and then took their seats in order.

Upon seeing Li Chao Jing and Li Kechuan, Qu Shi immediately stepped forward and quietly told them how they had been taken to Phoenix Nest Palace that afternoon.

Li Chao Jing was greatly startled.

Li Kechuan quickly lowered his head to look at Li Qingluo behind him.

He now cared deeply about what emotion Li Qingluo would feel when facing Zhu'er again.

Li Qingluo sat properly.

After Pei Lao Furen took her seat in front, she then went up and leaned against her.

She deliberately ignored the Li Kechuan trio's unwillingness to get close, leaving Li Kechuan feeling very disappointed.

He knew she now hated him intensely.

Yes, he had done many inhumane things before.

Even in this lifetime he could never make up for the suffering Luo'er had endured……

But regarding Zhu'er's matter, if the Empress truly steps forward to speak up for it, this undoubtedly shows Prince Yun's attitude.

Li Chao Jing: "Chuan'er, what do you think of this?"

After Li Kechuan went mad at Minglou the last time, and then Liu Qiongzhu was expelled from the Jiangjun Fu, Li Kechuan's whole person has almost completely changed.

He has become subdued, his temperament much steadier.

Compared to his former arrogance and recklessness, he seems to have finally awakened to responsibility, smoothed out those sharp edges, and begun to consider the whole Li family's interests and plan for the future.

He finally has the bearing of an eldest legitimate son.

But this also makes Li Chao Jing feel heartbroken.

His eldest legitimate son will never recover in this lifetime.

A family head with one leg—how can he accomplish anything in the future?

However, it doesn't matter; as long as he marries the daughter of the Cui family and fathers a noble legitimate grandson, with the Cui family's support, the Li family can still establish themselves.

Today they met the head of the Cui family, Chancellor Cui, at the Qiankun Hall of the former court, didn't they?

This Chancellor Cui is still quite kind to Chuan'er.

The Cui family is a century-old great clan; they would not easily break off an engagement.

Although Chuan'er's leg is broken, the Cui family values their reputation, so they would naturally not do anything to annul the marriage.

The Empress's matter today has made Li Chao Jing both wary and attentive.

Moreover, this afternoon in the former court, Li Chao Jing saw that the Emperor seems to be increasingly valuing Prince Yun.

The former crown prince has already been deposed.

The Empress still has Prince Yun as her second legitimate son.

This makes Li Chao Jing's heartstrings tremble involuntarily.

But Chuan'er originally broke his leg because of Prince Yun!!

Therefore Li Chao Jing must first clarify Li Kechuan's attitude before considering the Li family's future……

Li Kechuan: "Father, you need not worry about me."

"It was my rash actions that brought this upon myself. If Father, for the family's future, makes a decision that might hurt me, there's indeed no need to hold back."

"I am no longer the former Li Kechuan; from now on I will live solely for our Li family."

Qu Shi, moved, embraced Li Kechuan: "Chuan'er! You have finally come to your senses! Sir, look, Chuan'er has become so sensible."

Li Chao Jing also nodded repeatedly: "That's good, that's good. But Chuan'er, you say these things—are they for that Liu…"

Li Kechuan cut off Li Chao Jing: "Father! The foolish things I did and said in the past—just consider them the ravings of my madness from the broken leg, and forget them; they're not to be taken seriously."

Li Chao Jing looked gratefully at Qu Shi, finally showing a hint of a smile.

"Then it's not too late."

Qu Shi was also very happy.

She felt that the bitter days she had endured lately were finally coming to an end.

The three of them were so happy about Li Kechuan's change that they almost forgot they were still in the palace, until Pei Lao Furen suddenly interjected: "Do you all think I and Luo'er are already dead?"

"Stop dreaming. As long as I'm still here in this household, that deceitful, malicious woman will never set foot in my Jiangjun Fu again!"

Only then did Li Chao Jing and the three of them change their expressions.

Li Qingluo lowered her eyes and gently tugged at Pei Lao Furen.

"Grandmother, don't be angry."

How could Pei Lao Furen not be angry?

Her chest heaved violently with anger.

"These three wretches, like stupid dogs, have no spine, are base and foolish! To be controlled by a dead old thing from the Liu family and a little bastard, yet they think it's supremely glorious and are smug about it!"

"What's most hateful is that they are actually my own blood; back then, why didn't I just strangle them at birth?"

Although Pei Lao Furen's voice was soft, it was loud enough for Li Chao Jing and the three nearby to hear it clearly.

The three of their faces were grim.

Especially Li Chao Jing, his face was snow‑white and bloodless, and the fist he clenched trembled slightly.

Yet no one dared to refute a word.

I'm afraid Pei Lao Furen might slap them right then and there……

She might actually go ahead and do something like that.

"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived—Her Majesty the Empress has arrived——"

The two sovereigns of the palace finally arrived, late but graceful.

Li Qingluo rose together with everyone else, then knelt and kowtowed.

As she rose, she furtively glanced toward the elevated seats.

Although far away, she could still see clearly that the Emperor of DaLiang was really just an ordinary old man.

But he bore the appearance of an aged Prince Yun.

No wonder he favored Prince Yun so much—Prince Yun turned out to be the son who looked most like him.

Li Qingluo looked around near the lower seat beside the highest position, saw Prince Yun and his consort, but did not see Liu Qiongzhu.

It seems she still isn't qualified to come to A Hua Hall tonight.

Li Qingluo also saw the other princes; although a few seemed somewhat mediocre, each was certainly not someone to be trifled with.

She also saw Princess Qinyu, members of the Qu family, and even Fourth Madame Pei from the Pei family had come today, as well as Eleventh Madame Cui and Pan Li from the Pan family……

Li Qingluo did not see Prince Su.

Amid the music and dance, dishes were served one after another.

Li Qingluo watched the exquisitely arranged song and dance, gradually becoming entranced.

Moreover, the food in this palace was truly exquisite.

Li Qingluo's shoulder was suddenly tapped.

"Sister Luo, you're really hard to find!"

Princess Nanping finally managed to pull Li Qingluo out of the crowd, and in her excitement she hugged her, wishing she could take a few bites.

Li Qingluo nervously looked around and asked, "How did you get here?"

No one dared to wander about inside A Hua Hall, yet Princess Nanping boldly ran over to find her.

Princess Nanping chuckled and said, "Don't worry, my royal grandfather now dotes on me; he won't reprimand me."

Pei Lao Furen pulled Princess Nanping down to sit and said, "Young lady, even though you're favored, don't be arrogant because of it."

Princess Nanping hastily paid her respects to Pei Lao Furen: "Yes, that's what you said. So, to avoid wandering off, may I just stay here?"

Pei Lao Furen smiled and handed her a cup of fruit wine: "Will you drink it or not?"

Princess Nanping's little face was already flushed, yet she greedily took the cup again: "Thank you, Lady Pei!"

Li Qingluo had wanted to dissuade her, since she herself hadn't touched a drop of alcohol tonight, but Princess Nanping had already drunk happily.

Li Chao Jing and his two companions waited there, but no greeting came from Princess Nanping.

They could only hurriedly avert their gazes, lest they meet and not know who should greet whom first.

Princess Nanping leaned close to Li Qingluo and whispered: "On the thirtieth, I pestered my mother to take me to the Fifth Prince's residence to visit the sick, and I took the chance to secretly ask the Fifth Prince."

"I never expected the Fifth Prince to actually agree to this!"

"That very day, the Fifth Prince sent his household's finest doctor, Doctor Du, to the Pei residence, saying he would personally go to treat and detoxify Miss Nanjia."

"Just yesterday I received word that Miss Nanjia's poison can be cured."

Li Qingluo's eyes lit up instantly, and she couldn't help but excitedly ask Princess Nanping: "Really? Princess Nanping, are you truly not lying to me?"

Princess Nanping was overjoyed as well.

"I've been waiting to tell you this in person today, which is why I restrained myself from writing you yesterday."

"Sister Luo, this is certainly true!"

"I also heard my mother say that the Fifth Prince seemed to have been poisoned not long ago, and in a mess he nearly ruined his health, so during this period he hasn't appeared at court or at the Ministry of Justice; he's been recuperating at his manor."

"But now he's largely recovered, thanks to Doctor Du's miraculous healing hands and his exceptional skill in detoxification."

"With his promise, Miss Nanjia truly has a chance to be saved."

Li Qingluo also let out a deep sigh of relief over this.

As long as Miss Nanjia survives, nothing else matters.

She naturally also thought of Prince Su for no reason.

After he returned to the Prince Su's manor that day, the poison in his body had actually become this severe?

I don't know whether it's related to the snowball fight that day.

But that Miss Nanjia can live is truly thanks to his blessing.

Princess Nanping muttered: "It's just strange—my mother always said the Fifth Prince used to be hard to persuade… this time I don't know whose favor he's currying."

"Perhaps it's Minister Pei?"

"But the Fifth Prince usually doesn't associate with any other officials…"

Li Qingluo took her handkerchief and wiped the nonexistent cold sweat from her forehead.

She really didn't dare to indulge in wishful thinking.

At the banquet, Li Qingluo saw Princess Qinyu suddenly rise quietly and leave the hall.

Soon after, Pan Li and Fourth Madame Pei also disappeared without a trace.

Today there were certainly over a hundred people in A Hua Hall; a few young women were missing, yet no one noticed.

The emperor and empress seated in the highest place were enjoying the music and dance with great enthusiasm, but Li Qingluo's buttocks had long gone numb from kneeling.

Princess Nanping was also unable to sit still; just then, Que'er was brought over by her maidservant from the side.

All the servants of the officials' families could only wait outside the hall, and now that Que'er had come over, Li Qingluo was puzzled when she heard the princess's maidservant whisper softly: "Your Highness, something has happened."

Nanping's eyes lit up: "What's going on?"

Because there was the sound of string and wind music inside the hall, it completely muffled some noises outside.

The maid said: "Princess Qinyu had someone push the eldest Miss Pan into the pond; when the eldest Miss Pan was fished out, she seemed already breathless."