Chapter 321: Qin Yu's True Face? Sha Lei's Intent!

Li Qingluo raised her head, with a frank expression: "Your Highness Princess, this commoner girl knows that, because of Prince Su, Your Highness Princess once misunderstood this commoner girl."

"But this commoner girl has always dared to act and take responsibility. This commoner girl indeed has no intention of climbing high in relation to Prince Su."

"Your Highness Princess truly need not be angry over this matter."

Princess Qin Yu: "Misunderstanding?"

"Li Qingluo, do you take this palace for a fool, and still dare to try to deceive me!?"

"Don't forget, who is the person who brought you here today?"

It is Sha Lei.

She certainly has not forgotten this traitor!

So Li Qingluo is merely gambling, gambling on what Sha Lei actually said to this Princess Qin Yu.

If he truly confessed everything, he would have completely betrayed Prince Su; then Li Qingluo today would likely be unable to escape Princess Qin Yu's grasp no matter what.

But he said, he merely did something absolutely beneficial to Your Highness.

What exactly is it that he thinks is absolutely beneficial to Your Highness?

Li Qingluo has not yet fully grasped Sha Lei's true intention, so she can only continue to feel her way across the river by feeling the stones.

"Yes. Even the closest attendant guarding Prince Su's side obeys Princess's orders; this commoner girl only learned today the weight Princess holds in Prince Su's heart."

"Moreover, Prince Su is the bright moon in the heavens, and Princess is the star standing beside it."

"This commoner girl is merely a weed in the mountains; how could she be mentioned alongside the two of you?"

"Your Highness Princess, why must you take out your anger on this commoner girl over this matter?"

"Do you think Prince Su, such a lofty and holy person, would give this commoner girl an extra glance?"

"It is merely that this commoner girl once had a use for Your Highness; this commoner girl has always known her limits, daring not to harbor any delusions."

"Moreover, this commoner girl and her grandmother have now severed ties with their sect and clan; this commoner girl's lineage cannot even touch the edge of Prince Su's mansion—Your Highness, please see clearly."

Qin Yu had figured it out.

Her will to survive is strong.

Moreover, she is afraid of herself.

However, this Li Qingluo did get one thing right.

He, Duan Rongshi, absolutely looks down on her, this lowly daughter of a minor military mansion!

Moreover, this Li Qingluo is no longer even the eldest legitimate daughter of the military mansion; she is just a grandmother who was glorious thirty years ago—what could she possibly bring her?

With Duan Rongshi's such high standards, even he himself is indifferent; how could he take a liking to this country bumpkin raised in the mountains?

Princess Qin Yu's gaze toward Li Qingluo instantly carried a hint of contempt: "You say your cousin used you……"

"Then what on you is actually worthy of your cousin's favor?"

Qin Yu is testing her.

If she dares to deceive me……

Li Qingluo: "Perhaps because…… this commoner girl can cook a few coarse dishes?"

Qin Yu sneered: "Nothing else? If this palace discovers you are not telling the truth, be careful of the lives of your two servants."

"You had better think it over before answering this palace."

Having said that, Qin Yu stared unblinkingly at Li Qingluo, trying to catch her slip.

According to Sha Lei, Duan Rongshi once rescued the life of that elderly female general.

What he demanded must be that of the Pei clan!

Since the Pei clan are members of the Pei family and have been on the battlefield, perhaps she could also write the Pei family's military manual?

Moreover, she still holds a household, the Tianfeng Merchant House that even I now covet……

If it were the past, when Qin Yu had the Macau Gambling House, she would have utterly looked down on the Tianfeng Merchant House.

Although her business in Jinling City was suppressed by that old lady's Ming Lou, and her business methods are indeed somewhat superior to mine, a single Macau Gambling House could offset half of the Tianfeng Merchant House!

Thus, Qin Yu has confidence.

But now the Macau Gambling House has already turned to ashes……

Just thinking of this, Qin Yu feels a tightness in her chest.

That is the fruit of over a decade of her painstaking effort—how could it not hurt?

Li Qingluo looked anxious: "Your Highness, please forgive me, and please have your subordinates show mercy; they are the people who have treated this commoner girl best since she came to Jinling."

"This commoner girl…… truly does not know whether Your Highness has any other intentions."

Qin Yu gave a light, contemptuous smile.

Indeed, a fool.

If she cannot even see Duan Rongshi's true intentions, and still thinks he is merely after a bite to eat, then indeed there is nothing worth my taking action over.

Qin Yu looked at Li Qingluo's hands.

Originally she intended to cripple this lowly commoner's hands that can cook, so that she could no longer use that as an excuse to seduce Duan Rongshi.

But now, she hesitated.

She gave a glance to the maid; the maid stepped forward with a hand chop and cleanly knocked the person out.

"Your Highness, what should we do now?"

Qin Yu held her teacup and looked out the window: "You say, if this palace could also obtain the Tianfeng Merchant House……"

"The business this palace currently holds, although sufficient to support all the crown prince's endeavors, still feels far from enough."

"This palace must leave myself more retreat routes, only then can I truly sleep soundly."

The maids glanced at each other, then all knelt down.

"May Your Highness Princess have her wishes fulfilled!"

Qin Yu gave a light smile: "Getting what one wishes for? This palace also hasn't not wanted to quickly get what one wishes for?"

"The crown prince's consort beside the crown prince, the Jin King, Prince Su… and also this palace's marriage—all of these are obstacles on this palace's path to getting what one wishes for."

"If they cannot be cleared away one by one, how can this palace get to the crown prince's side and, in the future, jointly build an ideal land with him?"

Maidservant: "We servants will surely spare no effort to help Your Highness accomplish this!"

Qin Yu had someone take Li Qingluo away.

Then she summoned Sha Lei again.

Sha Lei came in and paid his respects: "Princess."

Qin Yu was very kind to Sha Lei: "Sit. Keep this palace company with some new-style milk tea."

Sha Lei sat upright and proper, receiving with both hands the gift bestowed by Qin Yu.

After taking a sip, Sha Lei's eyes were filled with astonishment.

"The princess's tea-making skill is indeed as rare and special as the rumors say."

Qin Yu's face bore a hint of loss: "So what? My older cousin just doesn't like it……"

"This palace just found out that my older cousin actually likes the coarse tea and plain food made by a village girl; all the fresh delicacies I've painstakingly prepared for him over the years have never earned even a bit of his favor."

Sha Lei comforted her: "Your Highness, why bother quarreling with a cook?"

"You and Your Highness are the ones who can walk side by side."

Qin Yu lifted her head to assess Sha Lei: "You four—Wind, Rain, Thunder, Lightning—have grown up alongside my older cousin and me since childhood. Yet only you, in private, are closest to me."

"This palace has always known the limits; I understand that whatever you do, your private heart is toward my older cousin."

"But this palace doesn't understand: you helped this palace lure her here—aren't you afraid that Your Highness will find out and blame you?"

Sha Lei: "Even if Your Highness were to take my life, I have decided that the princess is the one capable of great undertakings."

Sha Lei lowered his head: "This Miss Li is indeed not ordinary. Her conduct also suits Your Highness's taste, and she has behind her General Pei the Elder."

"But I understand that the princess's strategic talent and ability to govern the world make her the perfect match for our prince in this world; you never lose to any woman under heaven."

Qin Yu smiled upon hearing this: "The affection we've shared since growing up together truly lets you see more clearly what kind of person this palace is."

"However, you clearly know that this palace is betrothed; these years I've had my older cousin in my heart, yet because of this engagement I can only keep my distance from him."

"Even if we two are childhood sweethearts, it's still just an empty affair……"

Sha Lei: "What's so difficult about that?"

"As long as the princess is determined to stay by Your Highness's side, I will stake my life to fulfill the princess's wish."

Qin Yu threw her head back and let out a hearty "haha" laugh.

"Sha Lei, this princess offers tea to honor your loyalty."

Li Qingluo supported her heavy head and slowly woke up.

All around was pitch black; stretching out a hand, one could not see one's fingers.

We don't know how Que'er and Deng Mama are.

Having fallen into Qin Yu Princess's hands today, it's impossible to escape easily.

Hope Que'er and Deng Mama are both safe and sound.

Li Qingluo felt her empty stomach and suddenly smelled a strange fragrance.

She followed the scent's direction, feeling forward, and soon touched a wall.

On the wall was a piece of cloth; Li Qingluo grabbed and pulled it down, revealing a tiny crack through which a sliver of light came in.

It was this crack through which the fragrance drifted in.

Li Qingluo leaned weakly against the wall.

She recalled the twelve dishes she had personally made for Duan Rongshi that morning in the Guiyuan Garden.

She truly regretted not having eaten her fill first.

He must have already eaten them all by now, right?

It's a pity I can't wish him a happy birthday.

Li Qingluo stretched out her hand and clenched her fist tightly, realizing she must have been given something like a bone-softening powder, leaving her utterly weak.

Moreover, she couldn't make a sound when she opened her mouth.

This Qin Yu doesn't know what medicine she actually gave her.

But at least her hands and feet are still intact.

Li Qingluo slowly felt over her body.

She discovered that everything on her person was gone.

The antidote pills that Luo Shenyi had given her to carry.

Sleeve arrows.

Dagger.

Fine silk wristband.

Silver money.

And also the jade pendant of the Night Slayer Sect!

Fortunately, the jade pendant concerning Qin Yu and the crown prince, as well as the token of the Tianfeng Firm, were not worn today when she went out.

But the worst part is that Night Slayer Sect's token.

If Qin Yu gets hold of it, Li Qingluo would be as good as having an arm cut off!

Just then, Li Qingluo heard a familiar voice.

"What is this?"

Duan Rongshi?

How could that be his voice?

Could he be outside?

Immediately after, Li Qingluo heard Qin Yu's voice again: 'Cousin, this is a birthday cake.'

This is an unusual dessert that Yu'er learned from Westerners; I heard that over there, when someone celebrates a birthday, they make such a cake to wish for lifelong peace and safety.

Cousin, try it quickly! I heard you can also make a wish……

Duan Rongshi: 'No need.'

I'm just observing my birthday.

After saying that, he seemed about to leave.

Qin Yu shouted urgently: 'Cousin! At least I, Yu'er, came to your Prince Su's mansion to see you today; surely that counts as a guest?'

Even if His Majesty and Her Majesty find out and scold me a few times, Yu'er is still willing.

Yu'er just wants to come see you.

I don't want you to spend your birthday alone… nor do I want the aunt to have no one to make offerings to.

Cousin, you should spend your birthday more happily, so that the aunt may rest in peace in the afterlife.

Duan Rongshi suddenly raised his voice: 'Enough! Do not dare mention my mother consort without permission!'

Qin Yu, if you truly care, then tell me the truth of how my mother consort died back then!

Weren't you at Cassia Fragrance Palace that day?

You have personally witnessed the truth of my mother consort's death; then tell me everything in detail!

Qin Yu covered her head and let out a shrill scream: 'I really can't remember! Cousin, Yu'er really… really remembers nothing, Yu'er really isn't deceiving you.'

Li Qingluo scraped at the crack with her finger, finally managing to faintly see a glimpse of the outside.

She saw Princess Qin Yu throw herself into Duan Rongshi's arms……