Chapter 268

However, the Qu family may look down on Li Qingluo, but they absolutely should not provoke Pei Lao Furen.

After Pei Lao Furen woke up and learned the truth, she indeed did not heavily punish Gu Qing and Chen Mama, and even agreed with Li Qingluo letting Chen Mama go to the manor to keep an eye on Gu Qing's future conduct.

Then Pei Lao Furen wrote several letters.

The letters were scattered and landed in several prominent households in Jinling City.

The Qu family is indeed prosperous now.

However, those who wish to overthrow him are also not few.

A few days later, the emperor received an impeachment memorial against the Qu family.

They said the Qu family was corrupt, said the Qu family colluded with gambling houses, and said the Qu family, while guarding the national treasury, stole from it and moved much silver to their own home.

They also said the Qu family was buying up land and properties everywhere, amassing wealth extravagantly.

The emperor had a terrible headache.

He is now wholeheartedly supporting the Qu family, and of course does not want the Qu family to be toppled so quickly.

So he superficially rebuked the Qu Minister, then had people investigate these accusations against the Qu family, but then turned around and let the Qu family first clean up their own mess.

The Qu family has indeed been in a fluster lately.

The young master in the family got into that sort of incident at the ruined temple with Li Kechuan and even a group of beggars; the court is again surrounded by enemies, and seeing the family's foundations shaking a bit, they finally started to worry.

Zhang Mama went to the Qu family yesterday to break off the engagement, but the Qu family would never have agreed to that originally.

They know that their distant relative is currently being detained at Pei Lao Furen's manor.

But what does that matter?

Anyway, they have no evidence that it was the Qu family who did it; it's just a distant relative—do they think whatever they say becomes true?

At worst, their reputation would suffer a bit.

But actually, the Qu family never expected that Pei Lao Furen could still survive under these circumstances.

Moreover, they never expected Li Qingluo to have the courage to lead Pei Lao Furen out of the Jiangjun Fu.

Furthermore, they did not expect Li Qingluo's conduct to be so decisive and efficient, and that she could remain calm, not rushing to send people to the authorities for conviction.

Otherwise, if they had been sent to the magistrate's office, the Qu family would have already taken action.

And yet they could still leave them a handle on their manor today?

They painstakingly arranged this marriage; how could they be willing to give it up?

Who would have thought Zhang Mama would bring people to shout at the Qu family's gate: "Everyone, come quickly! I heard that the Qu family's Fourth Young Master recently, together with the eldest son of the East Yin Lane Jiangjun Fu, did something shameless at the ruined temple west of the city! What exactly happened, I'm sure you've all heard some rumors about it by now?"

"But actually, that's not all; there was also a group of beggars in that ruined temple who also joined the melee that day!"

"Good heavens, what a scene! I, this old bone, have lived fifty years and have never heard of such a shocking, scandalous disgrace—can you imagine it?"

"Moreover, the Qu family is shameless to the point of going to their grandmother's house; their young master has done such a thing, yet they don't proactively break off the engagement, and even dream of marrying my daughter—bah!"

"They don't even bother to look at themselves to see what kind of toad they are; even if they are a degree holder, their reputation is now ruined, they are short and ugly and still have homosexual tendencies—our daughter cannot bear such a great lord!"

"If the Qu family were willing to act like decent people, they would hurry up and sign the divorce papers!"

The Qu family, shamed and furious from the scolding, could hardly contain their anger and wanted to give Zhang Mama and her group a lesson on the spot.

Zhang Mama is no pushover; with a wave of her hand, over a dozen grannies rushed forward and beat the Qu family's dozen or so servants until they lay on the ground unable to move.

Everyone watched, stunned.

This is several old grannies, all elderly, yet a group of young and strong people were actually beaten to a pulp?

This time the Qu family has lost face, truly lost to the point of being unable to pick it up.

And they were also watched as a spectacle by these commoners of Jinling City.

But Zhang Mama appeared determined, vowing not to rest until the divorce was finalized today.

The Qu family could no longer bear it, and immediately signed the document, letting Zhang Mama and her people hurry away.

Zhang Mama happily put away the divorce papers, saying, "If your family had known better and not provoked us, would any of this have happened today?"

However, this matter isn't over yet—we'll see how it goes!

After saying that, Zhang Mama arrogantly led her people away in a swaggering manner.

In comparison, it seems the Qu family is the one being bullied, a poor wretch.

By now, Li Qingluo has already received the divorce papers.

She put them away satisfied.

"Not bad, they're being sensible."

Otherwise, Young Master Xun would lose both his life and his reputation.

Duan Rongshi sat opposite Li Qingluo having breakfast.

Seeing her mysteriously put away a piece of paper, he casually asked, "What is it that makes you so happy?"

Li Qingluo waved her hand, and Gu Qing hurriedly withdrew.

Li Qingluo replied, "It's nothing important, just the Qu family's divorce papers."

Yet the joy on her face could not be concealed.

Duan Rongshi put down his chopsticks, frowned, and asked, "When did the Qu family get engaged to you? Who? Which son?"

Li Qingluo: "It's the Qu family's Fourth Young Master, Qu Daoxun. The Qu family and the Jiangjun Fu made this arrangement secretly; it's not strange that Your Highness doesn't know."

Moreover, at that time it was during the first month, and I left the Jiangjun Fu with my grandmother; even I and my grandmother only learned of this afterward.

If it weren't for the Jiangjun Fu still having eyes and ears, Li Qingluo would probably have to wait until the wedding day, when the Qu family lifts the bridal sedan to the Xiuli Jiangjun Fu, before realizing her marriage had again been sold by Qu Shi and Li Chao Jing.

Fortunately, this divorce, though it involved some trouble, is not really a hassle.

Duan Rongshi turned his head to look at Leng Dian behind him.

Leng Dian shivered.

Oh no, lately they've mainly been watching the Pei family and the deposed crown prince; after the Li family's close relations with Your Highness and the young lady, they basically stopped monitoring them.

So who would have thought the young lady would be betrothed again?

Moreover, both the Qu family and the Li family have kept it tightly under wraps; indeed, we haven't even heard of it.

Leng Dian lowered his head, knowing that upon returning he too would be punished.

Li Qingluo sensed the unusual atmosphere and asked, "What's wrong? Is the food not to Your Highness's taste?"

Li Qingluo never expected this venerable Buddha to say upon arrival that he hadn't yet had breakfast, whereupon she had the kitchen hurriedly prepare it.

Fortunately, she hadn't eaten much that morning, so there was still plenty left.

Facing the barely touched food, Duan Rongshi had already lost his appetite.

He looked at Li Qingluo, rose, and said, "Let's go; I said earlier today I would take you somewhere."

But unexpectedly, as the two turned around, they saw Nan Gongdi.

Upon hearing that a nobleperson had arrived at the manor, Nan Gongdi immediately guessed their identity.

Thus he came over on a whim, wanting to see in person what the rumored Yama Slaughter God actually looked like.

He is a fearsome Yama that makes people tremble at the mere mention; how then could he be called a god?

But upon seeing his appearance, Nan Gongdi immediately understood.

The Prince Su's countenance truly resembled that of a deity, as if bearing holy light and compassion.

Moreover, the first time Nan Gongdi saw him, it felt as if he were looking at an old acquaintance...

While Nan Gongdi was still dazed, Li Qingluo stepped forward to his side and reminded him, "Master, this is Prince Su, Your Highness."

Nan Gongdi hastily offered his respects: "Commoner Nan Gongdi pays his respects to Prince Su, Your Highness."

Duan Rongshi: "Nan? That surname is rare in DaLiang."

Nan Gongdi: "I am a commoner from Chu."

Li Qingluo also hurriedly explained: "Your Highness, this is this commoner girl's master."

Duan Rongshi merely gave a friendly nod, then strode out.

Nan Gongdi had not originally intended to follow them out.

But at this moment he suddenly caught up with Li Qingluo: "Luo'er, Master will accompany you today."

Li Qingluo found it strange, because Nan Gongdi is a person of very cold disposition.

This time him following me to the manor already surprised Li Qingluo greatly.

And today he even wants to follow me out?

However, she did not inquire further, assuming Nan Gongdi was acting on her grandmother's instructions.

Li Qingluo thus took only Nan Gongdi and Zheng Mama out, leaving Que'er at the manor.

The party rode away from the manor, and after about an hour they arrived at the market of a town.

"Where is this?"

It is surprising that a place so close to Jinling should have such a prosperous town.

Zheng Mama: "Miss, this is QingSong Town. It's not far from QingSong Observatory; you haven't been here before, have you?"

Li Qingluo indeed did not know that at the foot of QingSong Observatory there was actually a QingSong Town.

In both her previous life and this one, she had been unaware of this fact.

Zheng Mama: "It is rumored that this is where the wealthy young masters of Jinling squander their money!"

"Eating, drinking, prostitution, gambling—all kinds of industries are present here."

"Those young masters from strict households, when idle, often come here to carouse. However, I have heard that this place has a Lotus Sect outpost…"

Li Qingluo's heart skipped a beat.

If there is also a Lotus Sect outpost here, and given its distance from the imperial capital—neither too far nor too near—and its mixed populace, wouldn't it be an ideal place for them to spread their teachings?

But if that were true, would the court really allow such a place to exist without suppressing and destroying it?

It is truly strange.

Unless officials in the court colluding with the Lotus Sect have already become too numerous to count.

Soon, their party arrived at today's destination.

Diagonally ahead stood a tall wooden building.

Li Qingluo looked up and counted; it was four and a half stories high.

Moreover, behind it there were gardens and a restaurant, clearly indicating it was more than just a gambling house.

The building's large signboard read—Macau Gambling House.

A small town actually having such a large-scale gambling house—its strength is indeed not to be underestimated.

It's just unknown who its owner is.

Moreover, it appears this gambling house is precisely the place Prince Su intended to bring her to today.

Li Qingluo looked up at Duan Rongshi and then noticed he was already wearing a white jiao dragon mask.

Moreover, Zhui Yu and Leng Dian were also wearing half masks of pure black.

Li Qingluo touched her own face, only then realizing her own attire was truly superfluous…

Li Qingluo dismounted from the horse with Zheng Mama's support; this novice rider had indeed suffered along the way.

At this moment the inner sides of her thighs burned with pain.

She did not know whether the skin had been rubbed raw.

Yet she had not uttered a single complaint the whole way, not even a sound, merely enduring it herself.

Only now did she finally relax.

After dismounting, Li Qingluo's legs went weak again.

Zheng Mama softly called out: "Miss? Are you all right?"

They didn't know that Li Qingluo had never before ridden a horse properly for this long; in fact, she was not doing well at all.

Duan Rongshi noticed her abnormality and also turned his gaze toward her.

In the depths of his eyes, he involuntarily showed a hint of concern.