Chapter 331: Killed Princess Qingyu, or the Antidote?

Li Qingluo covers her mouth and nose with a wet handkerchief, yet she still can't help coughing.

After she reaches the back courtyard, she and the young master Zong have already succeeded in jointly killing a maid.

With Li Qingluo's martial skill she still couldn't kill a maid, so it was the young master Zong's prowess that truly surprised her.

Yet he clearly knows Princess Qingyu; why would he suddenly jump in to help her?

Moreover, he was originally still lying in that dark cell, yet in the blink of an eye he appears in the main hall of the Spring Banquet Tower.

Li Qingluo knows this person is far from simple, and she should keep her distance.

However, at that moment she still has to keep using him, so she tacitly teams up with the young master Zong first.

But just as they finish killing that maid and are about to silence another, Grandfather Wu also rushes out at that moment.

"Li, Li Xiaolang!"

Grandfather Li, with a thin voice, says, "The fire is too great, cough… Your Highness, hurry and go with your servant—"

Li Qingluo turns back, opens her mouth but cannot utter a sound.

The maid, who was in Grandfather Wu's direction, seizes the chance, lunges forward, grabs Grandfather Wu and clamps his neck.

"Don't come over!"

"If you come again, I'll kill him first to atone for my life!"

Li Qingluo has to halt her steps.

Grandfather Wu has done her a favor, so she naturally wouldn't joke with his life.

Yet she holds a great sword, its blade dripping blood droplets; although she herself is wounded, she still grins at the maid.

That smile makes the maid's heart involuntarily shiver.

Even she, her companions, and Your Highness the princess had underestimated this village girl.

She pretended to be a pig eating a tiger, deceiving them all!

The supposedly clumsy three‑legged cat skill turned out to be so hard to deal with.

They thought she was foolish, but she was scheming all the way, nearly destroying the entire Spring Banquet Tower!

Truly extremely malicious!

Moreover, fighting her, her methods are both fierce and cruel, each strike aimed straight at their lifelines.

Most hateful is that she even lured the young master Zong!

Though the young master Zong's face is masked, recognizing his identity is not difficult.

Because the sword he holds is a treasured weapon he never parts with; at least those near Your Highness the princess would never mistake it.

This wretched woman makes the young master Zong seem possessed, inexplicably helping her kill Si Qin.

The maid's eyes fill with hatred: "Well done, Li Qingluo, you're impressive!"

"But young master Zong, do you know this person's identity? She even helped this wretched woman backstab Your Highness!"

"With such conduct, aren't you afraid Our Highness will become cold‑hearted and turn against you?"

The young master Zong pulls down his mask, revealing his face: "Do you really think I would fear her?"

"However, to avoid unnecessary trouble, since you dared to expose my identity, you certainly won't return alive."

The maid's face turns pale, regretting her hasty words.

She opens her mouth, pleading low: "You cannot—"

"Pfft!"

Grandfather Wu, gripping a small dagger, thrusts it backward through the maid's chest.

His face turns deathly pale, trembling as he pushes the maid away: "How dare you look down on us! We may be mixed among Your Highness's retinue, but we won't be threatened by a lowly maid like you!"

Li Qingluo had already seen the short dagger Grandfather Wu concealed in his sleeve.

It must have been a self‑defense weapon he grabbed in the chaos, unexpectedly proving useful.

She smiles, and the young master Zong pulls his mask back on: "Stop laughing, it's really ugly."

Li Qingluo rolls her eyes at him: "None of your business!"

The flames are already spreading rapidly toward the back courtyard.

Li Qingluo, gripping her sword under Grandfather Wu's reluctant guidance, continues to charge toward Princess Qingyu's courtyard.

Yet just as she reaches the courtyard entrance, she runs into Princess Qingyu and several maids emerging.

"Your Highness, we must leave quickly; we cannot wait for Si Qin and the others—"

Seeing Li Qingluo brandishing the blood‑soaked great sword, the others' steps abruptly halt.

Qingyu initially fails to recognize Li Qingluo, even not seeing the masked young master Zong hidden in the smoke.

Grandfather Wu, hands on hips, points at her and shouts: "Well done, Princess Qingyu! So you were actually in league with Sha Lei—"

"We will certainly tell Your Highness your true face—"

Li Qingluo doesn't have time to turn and grab Grandfather Wu; Qingyu has already flicked a dart.

In a split second, Li Qingluo thrusts her sword to block the dart!

Though it clangs and bends the dart, it still pierces Grandfather Wu's shoulder socket.

Grandfather Wu cries out miserably: "You—indeed a poisonous woman—"

Qingyu hisses coldly: "Since you already know everything, today this palace cannot let you walk out alive."

She looks again at the turtle servant who blocked Grandfather Wu, and sees clearly it's the village girl Li Qingluo.

Though disguised, she cannot escape Qingyu's eyes.

Realizing it's her, Qingyu is instantly shocked.

The two of them have actually converged?

Moreover, Li Qingluo managing to reach her, could she really be as foolish as she pretended?

I actually fell for her trick!

I actually fell for her trick!

We need to keep single line.

【61】 I actually fell for her trick!

Si Qin and her two companions still haven't returned—could they have met with disaster?

Si Qin and her two companions still haven't returned—could they have met with disaster?

【62】 Si Qin and her two companions still haven't returned—could they have met with disaster?

Princess Qin Yu felt a surge of fierce anger.

Literal: "Princess Qin Yu's heart surged with thick anger." So: "Princess Qin Yu felt a surge of fierce anger." Keep.

【63】 Princess Qin Yu felt a surge of fierce anger.

You will surely die today!

Literal: "You all today, undoubtedly must die——!" So: "You will all surely die today——!" Keep the dash.

【64】 "You will all surely die today——!"

She gave a glance, and the nearby maids immediately lunged forward.

She gave a look, and the nearby maids immediately lunged forward.

【65】 She gave a look, and the nearby maids immediately lunged forward.

Li Qingluo quickly turned and kicked Wu Gonggong into the bushes.

Literal: "Li Qingluo hurriedly turned and kicked Wu Gonggong into the bushes with one foot." So: "Li Qingluo quickly turned and kicked Wu Gonggong into the bushes."

【66】 Li Qingluo quickly turned and kicked Wu Gonggong into the bushes.

She sighed inwardly: "Gonggong, who made you unable to keep quiet and reveal yourself? Qin Yu is set on facing off with Prince Su—how could we let you go back and blow the secret?"

Literal: "And she sighed in her heart: 'Old sir, who made you unable to hold back and expose yourself? Qin Yu is still intent on opposing Prince Su; how could we let you go back and spill the truth?'" So: "And she thought, 'Old sir, who made you unable to hold back and expose yourself? Qin Yu is still set on opposing Prince Su—how could we let you go back and reveal the truth?'" Keep.

【67】 And she thought, "Old sir, who made you unable to hold back and expose yourself? Qin Yu is still set on opposing Prince Su—how could we let you go back and reveal the truth?"

But looking at it now, Qin Yu and I share the same idea: we both want the other to die!

Literal: "But looking at it now, Qin Yu and I share the same idea: we both want the other to die!" So: "But it seems Qin Yu and I share the same idea: we both want the other dead!"

【68】 But it seems Qin Yu and I share the same idea: we both want the other dead!

Li Qingluo brandished her sword and faced Qin Yu's maids; Zong Gongzi suddenly picked up a big sword from somewhere and, taking advantage of the chaos, acted as a hanger-on.

Li Qingluo brandished her sword and faced Qin Yu's maids; Zong Gongzi suddenly picked up a big sword from somewhere and, taking advantage of the chaos, acted as a hanger-on.

【69】 Li Qingluo brandished her sword and faced Qin Yu's maids; Zong Gongzi suddenly picked up a big sword from somewhere and, taking advantage of the chaos, acted as a hanger-on.

Li Qingluo wanted to scold him but couldn't speak, so she just charged forward blindly.

Literal: "Li Qingluo wanted to scold him but couldn't open her mouth; she could only force herself forward." So: "Li Qingluo wanted to scold him but couldn't speak; she could only force herself forward."

【70】 Li Qingluo wanted to scold him but couldn't speak; she could only force herself forward.

Soon after, Li Qingluo had two more wounds; she retreated step by step, then knelt on one knee, bracing herself with her sword.

Literal: "Not long after, Li Qingluo gained two more wounds; she retreated step by step, and knelt on one knee, supporting herself with her sword." So: "Soon after, Li Qingluo had two more wounds; she retreated step by step and knelt on one knee, bracing herself with her sword."

【71】 Soon after, Li Qingluo had two more wounds; she retreated step by step and knelt on one knee, bracing herself with her sword.

She wiped the blood from her lips, admitting she was outmatched; before these maids she was completely on the defensive.

Literal: "She wiped the blood from her lips; she was indeed inferior in skill, completely at a disadvantage before these maids." So: "She wiped the blood from her lips; she was indeed outmatched, completely at a disadvantage before these maids."

【72】 She wiped the blood from her lips; she was indeed outmatched, completely at a disadvantage before these maids.

But even if she fights to the death today, she must make Qin Yu experience the same pain of losing these dear ones as she has.

However, even if she fights to the death today, she must make Qin Yu experience the pain of losing these dear ones, just as she has.

【73】 However, even if she fights to the death today, she must make Qin Yu experience the pain of losing these dear ones, just as she has.

Li Qingluo bit her lip and charged forward again.

Literal: "Li Qingluo bit her lip and charged forward again." So: "Li Qingluo bit her lip and charged forward again."

【74】 Li Qingluo bit her lip and charged forward again.

This time Qin Yu personally rushed forward and shouted, "Get out of the way!"

Literal: "This time Qin Yu personally rushed forward and shouted loudly: 'Get out of the way!'" So: "This time Qin Yu personally rushed forward, shouting, 'Get out of the way!'"

【75】 This time Qin Yu personally rushed forward, shouting, "Get out of the way!"

The maids immediately retreated, and Qin Yu swung her hand, delivering a hard slap to Li Qingluo—

Literal: "The maids immediately retreated; Qin Yu waved her hand and gave Li Qingluo a fierce palm strike——" So: "The maids immediately retreated; Qin Yu struck Li Qingluo with a fierce palm——"

【76】 The maids immediately retreated; Qin Yu struck Li Qingluo with a fierce palm——

Seeing this, Zong Gongzi, who was entangled with three maids, was about to split off to help Li Qingluo when a sudden rustling sound came from behind.

Literal: "Zong Gongzi, who was entangled with three maids, seeing this, was about to split off to help Li Qingluo, when suddenly a 'shush-shush' sound came from behind." So: "Seeing this, Zong Gongzi, who was tangled with three maids, was about to split off to help Li Qingluo when a soft rustling sounded behind him."

【77】 Seeing this, Zong Gongzi, who was tangled with three maids, was about to split off to help Li Qingluo when a soft rustling sounded behind him.

Before Zong Gongzi could see clearly, a black figure swooped in and grabbed the extremely ugly maiden who was hastily retreating.

Literal: "Zong Gongzi hadn't even had time to see clearly when he saw a black-clad figure swoop in and grab hold of that extremely ugly lady who was hastily retreating." So: "Before Zong Gongzi could see clearly, a black-clad figure swooped in and seized the extremely ugly lady who was hastily retreating."

【78】 Before Zong Gongzi could see clearly, a black-clad figure swooped in and seized the extremely ugly lady who was hastily retreating.

Li Qingluo lowered her head and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Literal: "Li Qingluo lowered her head and spat out a mouthful of blood." So: "Li Qingluo lowered her head and spat out a mouthful of blood."

【79】 Li Qingluo lowered her head and spat out a mouthful of blood.

She then lifted her gaze to look at the person behind her.

Literal: "Then she raised her head to look at the person behind her." So: "She then raised her head to look at the person behind her."

【80】 She then raised her head to look at the person behind her.

Although Duan Rongshi wore a mask, she recognized him at a glance.

Literal: "Although Duan Rongshi had his face covered, she still recognized him at a glance." So: "Although Duan Rongshi's face was covered, she still recognized him at a glance."

【81】 Although Duan Rongshi's face was covered, she still recognized him at a glance.

Her strength instantly left her.

Literal: "Her entire strength instantly relaxed." So: "Her strength instantly left her."

【82】 Her strength instantly left her.

Though she could not speak, her eyes seemed to say: "You've finally come……"

Literal: "Although she couldn't speak, her gaze seemed to say: 'You finally came……'" So: "Although she couldn't speak, her gaze seemed to say, 'You finally came……'"

【83】 Although she couldn't speak, her gaze seemed to say, "You finally came……"

Duan Rongshi helped her up, saying: "I'm late. Stabilize your pulse, don't move again."

Literal: "Duan Rongshi helped her up: 'I came late. Stabilize your pulse, don't move again.'" So: "Duan Rongshi helped her up: 'I came late. Stabilize your pulse, don't move.'"

【84】 Duan Rongshi helped her up: "I came late. Stabilize your pulse, don't move."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and dealt a heavy blow to the charging Qin Yu.

Literal: "Saying that, he had already raised his hand and dealt a heavy blow to the flying Qin Yu." So: "Saying that, he raised his hand and dealt a heavy blow to the charging Qin Yu."

【85】 Saying that, he raised his hand and dealt a heavy blow to the charging Qin Yu.

Qin Yu was bounced back by the Prince Su's deep inner force and fell heavily to the ground.

Literal: "Qin Yu was bounced back by Prince Su's profound internal force, falling heavily to the ground." So: "Qin Yu was rebounded by Prince Su's deep internal force and fell heavily to the ground."

【86】 Qin Yu was rebounded by Prince Su's deep internal force and fell heavily to the ground.

She also turned and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Literal: "She also turned and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood." So: "She also turned and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood."

【87】 She also turned and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Zhui Yu and her companions immediately rushed out to fight.

Zhui Yu and her companions immediately rushed out to fight.

【88】 Zhui Yu and her companions immediately rushed out to fight.

In the blink of an eye they killed two maids.

Literal: "In the blink of an eye they killed two maids." So: "In the blink of an eye they killed two maids."

【89】 In the blink of an eye they killed two maids.

Qin Yu's face instantly turned deathly pale.

Literal: "Qin Yu's face instantly turned deathly pale." So: "Qin Yu's face instantly turned deathly pale."

【90】 Qin Yu's face instantly turned deathly pale.

"You……"

Literal: "You……" So: "You……"

【91】 "You……"

Although they were all masked, she felt a jolt of recognition when she saw Duan Rongshi's familiar brows and eyes.

Literal: "Although they all had their faces covered, she looked at Duan Rongshi's familiar brows and eyes, and her heart startled." So: "Although they all had their faces covered, she looked at Duan Rongshi's familiar brows and eyes, and her heart jumped."

【92】 Although they all had their faces covered, she looked at Duan Rongshi's familiar brows and eyes, and her heart jumped.

Could it… could it be him?

Literal: "Could it be… could it be him?" So: "Could it be… him?"

【93】 "Could it be… him?"

Is it Duan Rongshi?

Literal: "Is it Duan Rongshi?" So: "Is it Duan Rongshi?"

【94】 "Is it Duan Rongshi?"

Then wouldn't he have also seen her face clearly?

Literal: "Then wouldn't he have also seen her face clearly?" So: "Then wouldn't he have also seen her face clearly?"

【95】 "Then wouldn't he have also seen her face clearly?"

Qin Yu tried to cover her face again, but it was clearly too late.

Literal: "Qin Yu wanted to cover her face again, but it was obviously too late." So: "Qin Yu tried to cover her face again, but it was obviously too late."

【96】 Qin Yu tried to cover her face again, but it was obviously too late.

Nevertheless she strained to raise her hand to cover her face, and seeing the situation turn bad she shouted, "Retreat!"

Literal: "But she still tried her best to raise her hand to cover her face; seeing the situation was wrong, she hurriedly shouted: 'Retreat!'" So: "But she still tried to cover her face; seeing the situation was wrong, she hurriedly shouted, 'Retreat!'"

【97】 But she still tried to cover her face; seeing the situation was wrong, she hurriedly shouted, "Retreat!"

Duan Rongshi: "Want to retreat? Where to?"

Literal: "Duan Rongshi: 'Want to retreat? Where to?'" So: "Duan Rongshi: 'Want to retreat? Where to?'"

【98】 Duan Rongshi: "Want to retreat? Where to?"

Today, he does not intend to let her go again.

Literal: "Today, he doesn't want to let her go again." So: "Today, he doesn't want to let her go again."

【99】 Today, he doesn't want to let her go again.

Duan Rongshi released Li Qingluo, drew his twin daggers from his waist, and walked toward Princess Qin Yu.

Literal: "Duan Rongshi released Li Qingluo, drew his twin blades from his waist, and walked toward Princess Qin Yu." So: "Duan Rongshi released Li Qingluo, drew his twin blades, and walked toward Princess Qin Yu."

【100】 Duan Rongshi released Li Qingluo, drew his twin blades, and walked toward Princess Qin Yu.

Qin Yu shouted: "I've frightened her into silence; if you want her never to speak again, come kill me!"

Literal: "Qin Yu shouted: 'She was silenced by my mute poison; if you want her to never speak again, come kill me!'" So: "Qin Yu shouted, 'She was silenced by my mute poison; if you want her to never speak again, come kill me!'"

【101】 Qin Yu shouted, "She was silenced by my mute poison; if you want her to never speak again, come kill me!"

Duan Rongshi stopped in his tracks, his back rigid.

Literal: "Duan Rongshi immediately stopped, his back stiffening in place." So: "Duan Rongshi immediately halted, his back stiffening in place."

【102】 Duan Rongshi immediately halted, his back stiffening in place.

Li Qingluo did not want to waste this opportunity, nor did she want Duan Rongshi to be threatened because of her.

Literal: "Li Qingluo didn't want to give up this opportunity, and didn't want Duan Rongshi to be threatened because of her." So: "Li Qingluo didn't want to waste this opportunity, nor did she want Duan Rongshi to be threatened because of her."

【103】 Li Qingluo didn't want to waste this opportunity, nor did she want Duan Rongshi to be threatened because of her.

She gritted her teeth, raised her sword, and continued the attack.

Literal: "She forced herself to keep going, raised her sword and continued to attack." So: "She forced herself to keep going, raised her sword, and continued the attack."

【104】 She forced herself to keep going, raised her sword, and continued the attack.

How could the wounded Qin Yu still have her former arrogance?

Literal: "The injured Qin Yu no longer had her previous arrogant vigor." So: "The injured Qin Yu no longer had her previous arrogant vigor."

【105】 The injured Qin Yu no longer had her previous arrogant vigor.

She hastily grabbed a sword and clashed with Li Qingluo.

Literal: "She could only hurriedly raise her hand to pick up a sword and fight Li Qingluo." So: "She could only hurriedly pick up a sword and fight Li Qingluo."

【106】 She could only hurriedly pick up a sword and fight Li Qingluo.

Duan Rongshi stepped forward and swept his blade, separating the two.

Literal: "Duan Rongshi stepped forward, swung his blade, and shoved the two apart." So: "Duan Rongshi stepped forward, swung his blade, and shoved the two apart."

【107】 Duan Rongshi stepped forward, swung his blade, and shoved the two apart.

"The antidote."

Literal: "Antidote." So: "\"Antidote. \"" Actually it's a line of dialogue: "Antidote." So we output: "Antidote."

【108】 "Antidote."

He glared at Qin Yu with a fierce gaze.

Literal: "His fierce gaze stared at Qin Yu." So: "He glared at Qin Yu with a fierce gaze."

【109】 He glared at Qin Yu with a fierce gaze.

By now the fire had spread to this side.

Literal: "At this moment, the fire had already spread here." So: "By then, the fire had already reached this spot."

【110】 By then, the fire had already reached this spot.

Rolling thick smoke provoked uncontrollable choking coughs.

Literal: "Rolling thick smoke made people uncontrollably cough." So: "Rolling thick smoke made people cough uncontrollably."

【111】 Rolling thick smoke made people cough uncontrollably.

If they don't leave soon, they'll all be smoked to death here.

Literal: "If they don't leave now, they'll all be smoked to death here." So: "If they don't leave now, they'll all be smoked to death here."

【112】 If they don't leave now, they'll all be smoked to death here.

Qin Yu, however, burst out laughing "hahaha".

Literal: "Qin Yu, however, burst out laughing 'hahaha'." So: "Qin Yu, however, burst out laughing."

【113】 Qin Yu, however, burst out laughing.

Her voice involuntarily carried bitterness and open jealousy: "This lord treats that maiden with such thoughtful kindness—it's enviable."

Literal: "Her voice involuntarily carried bitterness and undisguised jealousy: 'This young man toward that lady is truly considerate and kind, making one jealous.'" So: "Her voice involuntarily carried bitterness and undisguised jealousy: 'This young man toward that lady is truly considerate and kind, making one jealous.'"

【114】 Her voice involuntarily carried bitterness and undisguised jealousy: "This young man toward that lady is truly considerate and kind, making one jealous."

This was a side of Duan Rongshi she had never seen before!

Literal: "This is a Duan Rongshi she has never seen before!" So: "This is a Duan Rongshi she has never seen before!"

【115】 This is a Duan Rongshi she has never seen before!

As it turned out, he could also be so gentle and considerate toward a woman, thorough and kind.

Literal: "As it turns out, he can also be so gentle and considerate toward a woman, thorough and kind." So: "As it turns out, he can also be so gentle and considerate toward a woman, thorough and kind."

【116】 As it turns out, he can also be so gentle and considerate toward a woman, thorough and kind.

As it turned out, he could also look at someone and have no room for anything else in his eyes.

Literal: "As it turns out, he can also look at a person and no longer tolerate anything else in his eyes." So: "As it turns out, he can also look at a person and tolerate nothing else in his eyes."

【117】 As it turns out, he can also look at a person and tolerate nothing else in his eyes.

As it turned out, he could also become angry for a maiden other than his mother consort.

Literal: "As it turns out, he can also become angry for a lady other than his mother consort." So: "As it turns out, he can also become angry for a lady other than his mother consort."

【118】 As it turns out, he can also become angry for a lady other than his mother consort.

This made her realize how foolish she had been before.

Literal: "This makes her feel that she herself was previously too ridiculous." So: "This makes her feel that she herself had been too ridiculous."

【119】 This makes her feel that she herself had been too ridiculous.

She had chased after him for over ten years; if his heart truly couldn't be warmed, she would never have turned her head toward the Crown Prince.

The person I originally intended to partner with to build an ideal country was always him!

No matter how much I did, he remained unmoved.

Even though I was also brilliant and radiant, he never bothered to glance at me; even when I hinted at my feelings at age fourteen, he bluntly told me: "We could never be together."

Qin Yu's girlish heart was already shattered that year.

Since I couldn't move his heart, how could I possibly stay long with someone like him?

Thus Qin Yu had no choice but to turn her attention and select the Crown Prince.

Although the Crown Prince already had a Crown Princess, in her eyes it wasn't important.

Just a Crown Princess; with my means, as long as I want, anyone can cease to be the Eastern Palace's Crown Princess.

Moreover, the Crown Prince greatly admired her ambition and knew she was a person with grand aspirations.

They probed each other for a year or two, also experienced some things, and hit it off, finally reaching an agreement.

She will put the Crown Prince on that throne.

And the only person who can be by the Crown Prince's side in the future is me.

Qin Yu's current attitude toward Duan Rongshi is also extremely complicated.

She has long known that he should die.

So she has sent countless assassins, wanting to dispose of him swiftly.

Even the rebel incident that erupted in the suburbs, and later the forest strangling linked plot, were all her meticulous schemes.

If he really died, she would have no further hopes, and could then fully let go to pursue her grand ambitions.

But no matter what, he just won't die!

Whenever Qin Yu sees him, she still feels a glimmer of hope...

Only today did she realize that she has all along been unwilling to accept it.

Unwilling to see others truly appear by his side, how jealous she is!

"Antidote?"

"Hahaha..."

"Keep dreaming!"

She suddenly flung forward something she had long held in her hand.

With a loud 'bang', another haze of mist appeared before her eyes.

Li Qingluo immediately raised her knife and slashed forward——

She heard a 'splitch' sound, not knowing what she had cut.