Chapter 332: Zheng Lingzhou was hanged on the spot!

The sheathed knife was stained with blood.

But after charging into the smoke and mist, where was there any trace?

Li Qingluo didn't hesitate; she and Duan Rongshi hurriedly gave chase again.

Upon reaching the wall, the two saw Qinyu actually meeting up again with Young Master Zong.

Young Master Zong indeed turned again, pulling Qinyu as he leapt over the wall, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Li Qingluo had long known this person was untrustworthy, only relieved that he hadn't stabbed her inside the Spring Banquet Pavilion.

Zhui Yu supported Eunuch Wu, while Leng Dian and Po Feng followed.

The group also crossed the wall, chasing ahead at full speed.

Qinyu, clutching her chest, ran while pulling out the whistle from her bosom.

After she blew it hard, the already bustling street, crowded because people were watching the Spring Banquet Pavilion fire, instantly grew even more chaotic, soon blocking Li Qingluo and her companions' way.

Just let her get away like that?

Li Qingluo coughed a few times, knowing that if she truly let Qinyu Princess go today, she would surely suffer a fiercer, more ruthless strike and revenge later.

Moreover, her sorry state was no less than his own.

As a princess of two states, Qinyu would certainly not reveal her noble princess identity on this street.

Therefore, she must press the attack; otherwise, she would never have such an opportunity again!

Li Qingluo turned and signed to Prince Su: "Your Highness, where do you think she will flee to now?"

Prince Su saw that she had actually learned sign language now, his gaze growing deeper.

He had wanted to ask when she learned it and for whom, but he also knew now was not the time to pursue that.

Duan Rongshi: "Have you made up your mind to pursue her to the end today?"

Although he would certainly not let Qinyu go either, Li Qingluo's body was clearly just holding on, and Duan Rongshi couldn't help but worry.

Li Qingluo firmly signed one: "Yes!"

Her injuries were not few either.

Even Zhui Yu and the other two watching felt a pang of sympathy.

Moreover, her clothes were torn in several places, yet Li Qingluo's attitude was utterly resolute.

She always had her own ideas.

Once she made up her mind, it was extremely hard to change.

Knowing her stubbornness, Duan Rongshi always respected her wishes, so he put an arm around her shoulders.

"Since it's so, I, the Prince, will accompany you on this!"

Having said that, he lightly leapt onto the roof with Li Qingluo.

Duan Rongshi's lightness skill was always superb.

After he flew onto the roof, Zhui Yu and Po Feng followed behind.

Below rose a chorus of exclamations; the bustling crowds watching the Spring Banquet Pavilion fire all looked up toward the roof.

"'What, what kind of people are these?'"

"'Who would dare fly on rooftops in broad daylight? They can't be good people—look, they've got their faces covered, knowing they shouldn't be seen.'"

"'Hey! Speaking of which, our Jinling City has been getting more and more chaotic. First, last year the Jiangjun Fu in East Yin Lane burned down over ten houses; then, after the new year, Baofeng Firm's cloth shop burned half a street.'"

"'The Spring Banquet Pavilion has suffered another great fire—could it be a heavenly warning, some sort of divine punishment?'"

"'Stop the nonsense! Be careful, or word will reach the superiors and you'll lose your life!'"

Leng Dian coldly listened to those absurd remarks beside his ear.

Because he had to escort Eunuch Wu back to Prince Su's Residence first, he could only watch as His Highness and the others, amidst the chorus of exclamations, vanished in a blink at the far end of the long roof……

Prince Su flew with Li Qingluo on the roof, his feet generating wind as if, in the blink of an eye he bore her out of the chaotic place.

When they landed again, they truly caught up with the silhouettes of Qinyu and Young Master Zong.

Qinyu seemed gravely wounded, unable to walk, only able to be borne on Young Master Zong's back.

Li Qingluo suspected that the one she had just slashed with her blade was none other than Qinyu Princess.

She just didn't know where she had struck.

However, Young Master Zong's lightness skill was actually on par with Duan Rongshi's.

For a moment they were evenly matched, truly unable to shake off one another or completely overtake.

Nevertheless, because they kept pressing the chase, Qinyu Princess, who still wanted to conceal her identity, could not simply return to the Princess's Residence right next to Prince Su's Residence.

Moreover, she could not flee into the Crown Prince's sphere of influence.

Furthermore, she could not openly go to the Lotus Sect's hideout within Jinling City.

She could only let Young Master Zong bring her fleeing westward; as a result, they had pursued from the eastern part of the city all the way to the western gate.

Young Master Zong was already panting.

Seeing Li Qingluo and them constantly on his heels, when he looked back again and saw them drawing ever nearer, he glanced at the nearby city gate, a faint smile touching his lips, then turned and actually ran toward the gate.

Zhui Yu: "Your Highness, ahead is precisely the West City Gate. Today the Lotus Sect's captured Incense Master is to be hanged here."

Li Qingluo grabbed Duan Rongshi's arm.

She shook her head.

She signed: "Your Highness, we cannot go past."

Duan Rongshi looked at her, bewildered: "Why? Are you afraid of seeing the hanging, or afraid of seeing who is being hanged?"

Li Qingluo was left puzzled by his question.

What difference does it make?

She signed her explanation: "The Lotus Sect will certainly act today; Your Highness's current attire is too conspicuous, and will surely be mistaken for an identity by the lying-in-wait troops."

"If we rashly go over, we'll surely play right into the hands of that surnamed Zong, instead giving them a chance to escape us!"

Zhui Yu and the two others glanced at each other, seeing they were all wearing black clothes today, then felt the black masks on their faces.

Prince Su and the two others: ……

They really do look like prison rioters today.

As soon as he finished speaking, a loud clamor erupted at the city gate.

Because the execution was taking place on the city wall outside, Li Qingluo and the others could only see the crowds that had packed the city gate since early this morning, their faces now showing a variety of expressions.

"Lotus Sect, get out of DaLiang!"

"Lotus Sect, get out of Jinling City!"

"Lotus Sect, return my relatives' lives!"

"Lotus Sect, return our peaceful prosperous era——!"

The young master Zong, who had originally been standing at the base of the wall, still wanted to wait for the chaos to happen before fleeing the city gate.

But the Princess Qin Yu on his back suddenly struggled and fell from his back.

She leaned against the wall, seemingly unable to understand why these people hated the Lotus Sect so much, staggering as she walked away while holding onto the wall.

Young master Zong caught up to her, but she shoved him away hard.

Li Qingluo and the others, taking advantage of the moment, saw that when Qin Yu turned around, half of her body was covered in blood……

Looks like if we don't rush her to a doctor today, she'll really die from the delay.

Zhui Yu and Po Feng both involuntarily looked toward Li Qingluo.

As expected, it's up to the young lady!

Li Qingluo:?

She only regretted that her swordsmanship wasn't precise enough, failing to cleave Qin Yu truly in half.

At that moment, countless rotten eggs and spoiled vegetable leaves began to be hurled at the city gate.

People vented their hatred for the Lotus Sect.

Suddenly another clamor arose.

Li Qingluo looked up and saw a figure drop at the city gate, hanging there and swaying back and forth, struggling.

They really happened to arrive just at the moment of the execution!

Even though Li Qingluo knew it wasn't the real Zheng Lingzhou, her heart still gave a hard thump.

I wonder if Aunt Zheng and Li Jingchuan will be thrown into confusion because of Zheng Lingzhou?

The Princess Qin Yu has been replaced; do they know that as well?

As for Aunt Zheng, Li Qingluo doesn't care how she is, after all she's also a minor leader of the Lotus Sect.

But Li Qingluo still has a slight worry about Li Jingchuan.

He still resides at the Xiuli Jiangjun Fu; if he weren't risking danger to rescue his uncle, with his small stature he might not even make it to the city gate, but Li Qingluo would rather not implicate herself and her grandmother because of him……

She really isn't ruthless enough.

Otherwise, she shouldn't have brought Li Jingchuan back, and then there wouldn't be extra trouble and worry.

Li Qingluo only momentarily distracted, and she saw Princess Qin Yu already being pressed down by Young Master Zong.

At that moment, a group of masked people in the crowd suddenly drew their blades and surged toward the city wall, obviously Lotus Sect members lying in wait among the populace.

The townspeople screamed and scattered in flight.

Seeing that, Young Master Zong immediately seized Qin Yu and charged into the crowd.

Because Li Qingluo had eavesdropped with Elder Wu, she knew these Lotus Sect followers were merely sacrifices for this Lotus Sect ploy, meant only to deceive Emperor Yan's eyes.

Li Qinglooked toward Prince Su, making a quick gesture: "Your Highness, these Lotus Sect followers are kept in the dark; they might hurt the populace in the chaos. Better you take charge, tell them the truth, and avoid further harm to the innocent……

Duan Rongshi: "You know this is a fake Zheng Lingzhou?"

Li Qingluo then realized: he also knows it's fake?

Zhui Yu: "Miss, our prince had already swapped out the real Zheng Lingzhou long ago. The Zheng Lingzhou the Lotus Sect substituted is merely a stand-in."

Li Qingluo was astonished.

So that's how it is.

As expected, only he has such skill!

She had long confirmed that the Zheng family's entire household suffering disaster that year was related to the death of the Noble Consort Yue.

That's why, back at Guanshui Cliff, Prince Su spared Zheng Lingzhou's life.

Today Prince Su swapped Zheng Lingzhou out—could it also be for this reason?

It's still unknown, because Prince Su has already arrived here, seeing the Lotus Sect followers who regard death as home and then start recklessly harming the populace, making it impossible for him to stand by.

Li Qingluo also knew she could not continue pursuing the assassination of Princess Qin Yu today.

That Young Master Zong, taking Princess Qin Yu out through this city gate, really guessed the right method—he's completely shaken them off.

Duan Rongshi glanced at her with an apologetic look.

As if saying: "I misspoke, but I indeed have more important matters that must be done first."

"Wait here for me, I'll go and come right back."

He placed Li Qingluo under a locust tree.

And he left Zhui Yu behind.

Then he brought Po Feng, quickly walking to the city gate; after removing his mask, which soldier at the gate wouldn't recognize the mighty Prince Su?

Outside the city, slaughter and wails rang out.

Most of the people who came today to watch the execution at the city gate were families harmed by the Lotus Sect, seeking a bit of satisfaction and comfort—these pitiful Lotus Sect folk.

There were children among them.

There are women, children, and the elderly.

There are also fathers and mothers who have lost their children...

Younger brothers and sisters, elder brothers and sisters.

Who has no blood feud with the Lotus Sect?

So today, amidst the bustle of the great fire at the Chunyan Tower in the eastern part of the city, they are completely uninterested.

Early this morning they all arrived outside the city gate, sat on the ground, waiting to see how this Lotus Sect leader would die.

But now, these broadswords are swinging toward them again.