Chapter 32: The Death Order to Hunt Li Qingluo

Just as she felt a desire to retreat, deciding to make a dying struggle and try elsewhere for a chance of life, someone on the boat suddenly spoke, "Come up."

Li Qingluo's heart instantly filled with joy; she quickly clenched her teeth, made a final effort, turned over and climbed onto the boat.

This boat wasn't large, just a slightly bigger black awning boat.

The person sat inside the pitch‑black awning, while Li Qingluo, after turning over, could only lie at the stern of the boat.

Being able to do so, she now had a chance to survive, and naturally felt very grateful.

Perhaps hearing the sound of water here, the flames on the shore instantly gathered together.

Li Qingluo was wearing a moon‑white long dress; she nervously curled her body, fearing she would be seen.

At that moment, the sword tip that had been pointing at her suddenly tapped the underside of the boat's stern.

Li Qingluo understood, quickly and slowly moved her wet body, and, still fairly nimble, slipped into an extremely narrow compartment beneath the stern.

"There's a boat over there; want to take a look?"

"Don't want to live? Didn't you see a sword lying across the boat?"

"Then it couldn't be her. Let's go!"

Li Qingluo dodged those flames; before she could catch her breath, the chilling sword tip again pointed right at her.

"Come out."

Li Qingluo stared at the sword and swallowed hard.

The sword extended from inside the awning to in front of her; she guessed it was about four and a half chi long.

And for someone to wield such a long sword, he must not only be highly skilled in martial arts but also of great stature.

She didn't know what kind of person she had provoked, so she quickly and honestly slipped out from under the stern again, then hurried to curl back to the bow of the boat.

"My lord, apologies; once those people on shore leave this place, I will depart immediately and will not trouble you, my lord."

The sword's owner: "Are you that runaway slave?"

Li Qingluo clenched her teeth and replied, "I am indeed the person they are looking for, but I am not a runaway slave."

The man: "Not a slave?"

Li Qingluo: "Yes, my lord. Actually, I am the second miss of the Li household, recently recovered by the Cavalry Great General's residence; my name is Li Qingluo. Because of certain grudges, I had to stay in the water to evade these people's pursuit."

"When I safely return home, I will certainly bring silver to repay your kindness, my lord."

Li Qingluo must offer enough sincerity, perhaps then she won't die beneath this sword tonight.

She understood that with a light slash, this man could stain the Qinhuai River with her blood.

She didn't want to, having just escaped Li Kechuan's pursuit, to die under someone else's sword.

Perhaps her sincerity convinced him somewhat.

He actually took the sword.

But then he said, "Find another way to repay me."

Li Qingluo:?

It seems this man isn't short of money, yet he refused the only thing she still had a bit of.

Li Qingluo: "May I know what my lord wants?"

The man: "When I think of it, I will send someone to look for you."

Li Qingluo: "Alright."

It seems this man's status is not simple; otherwise he wouldn't casually say he'd send people to the Cavalry Great General's manor to find her.

Li Qingluo dared not speak further, only forcing herself to curl into the smallest corner.

Perhaps knowing she would no longer face mortal danger, her consciousness gradually grew dim.

She didn't even realize that shortly after she fainted, the boat suddenly jolted violently.

From within the boat emerged a tall black silhouette bearing a long sword, which leapt onto the shore.

Soon after, a fierce clash erupted inside a nearby gambling den.

It was already curfew time, yet the shore remained ablaze with firelight.

When everything settled, the black figures on the shore were still lingering.

The leader was unusually tall.

His waist sword measured four chi eight (about 4.8 chi) long.

Clad in black, he exuded a strong scent of blood.

This person was the current Sixth Prince, who also held the office of Minister of the Great Justice Temple—Prince Su, Duan Rongshi.

The firelight gradually illuminated the dark river surface; Duan Rongshi stared at the black awning boat and ordered, "Pull it over here."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The black awning boat slowly came ashore, and only then did the trusted people on the shore see that a young woman was lying on the boat's cabin.

Seeing the prince's reaction, it was clear he knew the woman existed.

Po Feng and the others only then held back their weapons, not rushing to strike immediately.

But when they looked calmly, the woman was not only unconscious, her wet clothes clung to her body, her figure was still delicate, but her hair was a tangled mess, and the half‑exposed face was swollen and unrecognizable.

Her skin was swollen, her complexion pale.

Looking at her, could she be dead?

Po Feng stepped forward to check Li Qingluo's breath and said, "Your Highness, she's still alive. Should we take her down and interrogate her after she wakes?"

Duan Rongshi looked at him and asked, "Interrogate what?"

Po Feng, surprised, said, "Your Highness, isn't this a female assassin?"

It seemed she had already been subdued by a single move of the prince; otherwise why would she be lying in his boat?

It couldn't possibly be that the prince just picked her up, could it?

Their family's Prince, however, does not have such a kind heart.

Duan Rongshi's eyes turned cold, and he was very displeased that his subordinates had dared to speculate about his actions.

"When did I say she was a female assassin?"

Po Feng's expression shifted slightly, and he immediately knelt: "Subordinate knows his mistake."

Duan Rongshi showed no expression: "After returning to the manor, go and receive ten strokes."

Faced with this reprimand, Po Feng seemed quite happy: "Yes, thank you, Prince!"

Zhui Yu and the others stood aside listening to the orders, not daring to speak recklessly like Po Feng.

Duan Rongshi, however, spoke up: "This is the daughter of Cavalry Great General Li Chao Jing. Zhui Yu, go investigate what's been happening with the Li family lately; if this young lady's actions tonight were intentional, then also look into whether the Cavalry Great General and the gang at tonight's gambling house have any connection."

Upon hearing that she was a young lady of the Li family, Zhui Yu and the others were naturally astonished.

But they have seen that person at the Green Pine Temple, haven't they?

Everyone couldn't help but glance at her a few more times; unfortunately, all they saw was her wretched appearance, like a waterlogged corpse.

If this is indeed a scheme deliberately set up by the Li family to get close to the Prince, it would be too willing to resort to such measures.

Zhui Yu: "Yes, Prince!"

Duan Rongshi: "Take her down and settle her in the separate courtyard."

"Yes, subordinates will obey the order!"

When Li Qingluo regained consciousness again, it was already three days later.

She opened her eyes to see an elegantly decorated room before her, but for a moment she could not react, wondering where she was.

Incense burned by the window, and outside the window lay a lotus pond in full bloom.

Li Qingluo had never seen such a beautiful sight, and she found herself staring blankly.

Just then someone pushed the door open and entered; seeing her awake, their face lit up with surprise and joy.

That maidservant gestured with her hands and could only utter 'ah ah' sounds; Li Qingluo then realized she was a mute slave.

Li Qingluo followed her out of the courtyard, where several busy female servants were also mute.

Although their faces bore gentle smiles, Li Qingluo still couldn't help feeling creeped out by the sight.

But she soon realized they bore her no ill will.

She quickly composed herself, adopted a normal demeanor, and asked, "May I know where this is?"