Chapter 231

Ku Lianqiao: "Indeed, it is Prince Su, Your Highness, who even knows the rare Maitreya poison that few in this world know of."

Although I don't know exactly how Pei Shierniang died, if this poison appears in Jinling City…… it might indeed be related to me.

I remember, I indeed gave it to a friend not long ago.

Prince Su: "One of your friends? Who is this person?"

Ku Lianqiao: "Princess Qinyu."

In an instant, Leng Dian and the others' gazes swiftly turned to Prince Su.

Prince Su, however, kept a calm expression and showed no other reaction.

Leng Dian, seeing this, immediately stepped forward and continued to question sternly: "You, a martial world woman, could you be friends exchanging gifts with Princess Qinyu? Do you think we're fools!?"

Moreover, on the night Pei Shierniang met her demise, Princess Qinyu was attending a night banquet in the palace.

If you try to pin this on Princess Qinyu, you've got the wrong calculation!

Having said that, Leng Dian stepped forward and lashed Ku Lianqiao hard with a whip: "Bold criminal woman! Dare to slander the princess, do you want to be exterminated to the ninth degree!?"

Ku Lianqiao cried out in pain, lowering her voice: "I certainly wouldn't speak nonsense! But I also didn't say that the person was killed by Princess Qinyu herself!"

I have already betrayed Princess Qinyu for Qingyangzi; I have said all I can say, and I truly know nothing else...

Li Qingluo, after leaving the prison, was sent onto the carriage by Zhui Yu.

Zhui Yu: "Miss, our lord has no time to see you again today; after he finishes his business, he will come see you himself. If you have any questions, ask him then."

Zhui Yu finished speaking with a smile, then saw Li Qingluo off.

Li Qingluo: "Please trouble Zhui Yu to convey my greetings to the lord."

She knew that being specially brought to the Ministry of Justice prison today to witness this was already Prince Su's special favor.

She naturally would not then pester with pointless questions.

Moreover, knowing that the Nan Jia case had made great progress, she was already quite satisfied.

Moreover, Li Qingluo believed that Prince Su was someone who handled cases sincerely.

Que'er still looked dazed; only after they were far from the Ministry of Justice did she mutter: "Too frightening. Entering the Ministry of Justice, the rumor that even ghosts have to shed a layer of skin is true…… That Qingyangzi actually…… actually……"

Just thinking of that scene, Que'er felt her whole body tremble.

"Miss, should we tell the Old Lady about this?"

After all, Qingyangzi is the head of Qingmeng Guan, and the Old Lady has had many dealings with him; seeing Qingyangzi become like that, Que'er also felt many sighs.

In Prince Su's interrogation, for the sake of truth, is he sometimes going too far, using any means necessary?

Qingyangzi is not really the killer who murdered Pei Shierniang, after all……

Li Qingluo: "Prince Su surely has his own plan for this. Que'er, don't speak further!"

What Li Qingluo didn't say was that Ku Lianqiao, having fallen into a trap, failed to see the truth clearly.

But she had just seen clearly that after Qingyangzi's arm was chopped off, although blood splattered everywhere, when he was dragged away, the cut surface did not bleed profusely……

Inside the Ministry of Justice compound.

In an empty room, Qingyangzi stood fully intact by the window, hands behind his back, gazing at the fresh buds sprouting on the branches outside.

When Duan Rongshi entered, seeing that he had already washed away all the blood and grime, he coldly remarked: "You're quite at leisure."

Qingyangzi turned and clasped his hands: "Greetings, Your Highness. Having put on this show with you today, did she finally speak?"

Duan Rongshi: "You've acted so miserable; if she still clams up and says nothing, your performance is rather a failure."

"Rest assured, she hasn't spat it all out; I will still use you next, making her spit out everything clean before I let up."

Qingyangzi's face was icy and indifferent, even a faint killing aura emanating from him: "Shierniang, was it she who caused her death?"

Duan Rongshi only said: "Pei Shierniang's death perhaps cannot be cleared of involvement with Princess Qinyu."

Upon hearing this, Qingyangzi's expression trembled slightly.

"A few months ago, the poisonous woman Ku Lianqiao appeared near Qingmeng Guan; Your Highness then knew that this woman had close relations with Princess Qinyu."

"Thus, by a fortunate coincidence, Your Highness had me approach this woman, even become engaged to her, also to further Your Highness's long-term plans."

"Your Highness suspected Princess Qinyu in your heart; I originally thought it was merely because she is a princess of Chu State."

"Although you two clearly grew up together from childhood as brother and sister, Your Highness seems to have more calculations regarding her…… but looking at it today, Princess Qinyu may not be sincere toward Your Highness either."

"In this, did she not scheme against you?"

"Otherwise, Ku Lianqiao wouldn't know that you and Prince Su were close friends in youth, and have kept in touch over the years."

"So, while I approached Ku Lianqiao with ulterior motives, she perhaps also approached me with ulterior motives."

"But just thinking that Shierniang is implicated in this, Qingyangzi's heart aches as if torn apart."

"He and Shierniang have known each other since childhood."

"After their engagement was set, whenever he secretly went to see her, he would bring her favorite little trinkets and snacks."

"Her face would always break into the purest smile."

"Later, as she grew up, they saw each other less and less, but Qingyangzi's heart grew ever more concerned for her."

"He never looked down on her just because she was a concubine's daughter."

"Your Highness, what exactly is the secret on Princess Qinyu's person?"

Duan Rongshi: "For now, you're better off not knowing. When the time is ripe, I will let you know myself."

Qingyangzi revealed a bitter smile.

"Back then, the entire Chen family of this official was schemed against by Minister Qu; my parents and elder brothers, to let me avoid disaster, in anticipation, resolutely sent me to Qingmeng Guan."

"These years, without Your Highness's patronage, my father, brothers, sisters-in-law, they would surely have long since died on the road of exile……"

"I have always remembered Your Highness's grace, and sworn to die to vindicate the Chen family's old wrongful case."

"Therefore, no matter what punishment I myself endure, I have no resentment or regret."

"But Shierniang…… Shierniang is innocent!!"

If she really was harmed by Princess Qinyu, even if she is a princess of two states, the subjects would surely personally slay her!

Qingyangzi's face streamed with sorrowful, bitter tears.

If it were the former Prince Su, he would certainly be unable to understand Qingyangzi's such intense feelings.

But now, although he still feels he is not clear-headed enough, he harbors no intention to mock in his heart.

Duan Rongshi: "This matter has not yet been fully clarified; the Pei family, Old Duke Pei, and Pei San could not possibly be innocent."

This matter is no trivial affair; I will surely investigate and uncover the true culprit, and give Pei Twelve Niang the truth.

Li Qingluo sat up startled from bed in the middle of the night.

What kind of person is this Princess Qinyu, exactly?

Li Qingluo originally thought she admired Prince Su, so that time she sent herself back to Jiangjun Fu, she warned herself not to get close to Prince Su.

But looking at it now, how sincere is her heart, really?

At that palace night banquet, why exactly did she push Pan Li into the lake, not hesitating to kill someone to silence them?

And was her taking action that night in the palace related to Nan Jia's death?

If the Maitreya poison that Nan Jia suffered before her death was actually administered by Princess Qinyu, then whose hand did she borrow in the Pei mansion to truly kill Nan Jia?

Li Qingluo's mind flashed with the faces of those Pei family members.

Que'er, help me deliver a note to the eldest daughter of the Pan family tomorrow!

She wants to go check out Pan Li.

Besides, she must meet Yang Qinwu in person!

Que'er rubbed her eyes awake, responded, then laid her head down and fell asleep again.

However, the next day, the note to the Pan family had not yet been delivered, when Deng Mama came in with a stern face and said: "Miss! The Qu family is utterly shameless; they actually brought betrothal gifts and a matchmaker to Jiangjun Fu yesterday!"

Que'er: "What are they trying to do?"

Deng Mama: "What else could they be doing? Just now, the people we left in the mansion passed word that the Qu family is proposing marriage for Xiong Ge'er to our miss!"

Que'er jumped up in anger: "Well, well, did the elders actually agree to the marriage?"

Deng Mama: "They say they have agreed... Miss, the Old Lady already knows about this, and she is now quite angry."

Li Qingluo, however, was quite calm.

Then I'll go see my grandmother.

Li Qingluo came to see Pei Lao Furen, and saw Pei Lao Furen was having porridge.

Li Qingluo smiled: "Grandmother, seeing you still eating well puts my mind at ease."

Pei Lao Furen: "Hmph! Do they think I'm dead? They still want to decide your marriage!"

These years I have grown old, but being old does not mean I won't show my might!

How was I poisoned? I know it in my heart!

The Qu family, their abacus beads have bounced onto my face; do you think I wouldn't know their intentions?

If I really died, your parents would indeed have you truly marry into the Qu family, but my Luo'er... how could Xiong Ge'er be worthy of you?

Moreover, the Qu family's vicious heart has now been exposed; even if I were dead, I would not cast you into that pit of fire to suffer!

Luo'er, rest assured; with grandmother here, even if the marriage is settled, grandmother will not let you marry.

Li Qingluo: "Yes, grandmother. With you in charge, Luo'er truly has nothing to fear."

Moreover, Luo'er that night has already completely broken ties with Jiangjun Fu and my parents; even if they settle the marriage, if Luo'er does not show up, could they really marry a paper effigy?

Li Qingluo smiled faintly, but in her mind she calculated: If the Qu and Li families really could do such a thing, she wouldn't mind letting Xiong Ge'er die silently.

After comforting Pei Lao Furen, Li Qingluo went out again.

This matter being interrupted, she cannot go to the Pan residence today.

Li Qingluo then quietly made a trip to the Delicacies Restaurant.

She originally just wanted to try her luck, but she actually ended up seeing Yang Qinwu!

He is, after all, an Imperial Guard Colonel; why does he keep running to my restaurant all day as if he has nothing to do?

Only when Li Qingluo saw the bustling Meishuang, and Yang Qinwu's gaze would occasionally fall on Meishuang, did she finally realize.

Li Qingluo smiled: "Ah, I see. Que'er, go invite Yang Qinwu over; I want to ask him what his intentions really are."

When Yang Qinwu pushed the door open and entered, seeing Li Qingluo, a flicker of unease crossed his face.

He seemed to know that this day would come sooner or later; however, Li Qingluo suppressed a smile and asked: "Rest assured, if you truly can make Meishuang nod on her own, I will return her indenture contract to her."

Yang Qinwu lifted his head in shock to look at Li Qingluo.

But...

But would a master still feel at ease and trust the loyalty of a slave who has gained freedom?

Li Qingluo: "I trust my own judgment of people. For example, you, Sir Yang."

Yang Qinwu lowered his head and clasped his hands: "This matter, I indeed still owe you a favor."

Yang Qinwu lowered his head and clasped his hands: "This matter, I indeed still owe the young lady a favor."

Li Qingluo: "If so, may Sir Yang tell me, on the fifth night of the palace night banquet, at the pondside by the gate of Zhaohua Hall, what exactly happened when Miss Pan fell into the lake?"