Chapter 344

Cui'er quickly shook her head and forced a faint smile: "Miss, it's fine."

Translation: Cui Er hastily shook her head and forced out a faint smile: "Miss, it's nothing."

We need to keep quotes? Probably keep as is.

"I understand, maidservant; I'll go tell Que'er later so she won't worry and just focus on healing."

Translation: "I understand, I'll go tell Que'er later so she doesn't have to worry and just focus on healing."

Although Cui'er's tone was ordinary, she simply dared not look into Li Qingluo's eyes.

Translation: "Although Cui Er's tone was ordinary, she simply dared not look at Li Qingluo's eyes."

No matter how Li Qingluo looked at her, she turned her head away to avoid it.

Translation: "No matter how Li Qingluo looked at her, she turned her head away."

Granny Zheng was the same, pressing her lips shut without a word, as if she had become mute.

Translation: "Zheng Mama was the same, pressing her lips shut without a word, as if she had become mute."

Li Qingluo then glanced at the other people in the room.

Translation: "Li Qinglo looked toward the other people in the room."

"If they won't speak, then you speak!"

Translation: "\"If they won't speak, then you speak! \"" (or "If they don't speak, you speak!")

The others dared not speak even more.

Translation: "The others dared not speak even more."

One by one they lowered their heads, actually all becoming mute.

Translation: "One by one they lowered their heads, actually all turning mute."

Li Qingluo felt a bit angry and even more anxious: "Fine, if you won't speak, I'll go find them myself right now!"

Translation: "Li Qingluo felt a bit angry and even more anxious: \"Fine, if you won't speak, I'll go find them myself right now! \"

Li Qingluo grabbed the clothes prepared nearby, put them on, and rose to leave.

Translation: "Li Qingluo grabbed the clothes prepared nearby, draped them over herself, stood up, and was about to leave."

Seeing this, the medical attendant rose and shouted: "Miss, I'm currently reapplying your medicine; please don't move——"

Translation: "Seeing this, the medical attendant rose and shouted: \"Miss, I'm currently reapplying your medicine—don't move——\""

"Otherwise, the wound will tear open and bleed again; then the old injury will be hard to heal, and over time it could endanger your life!"

Translation: "\"Otherwise, the wound will tear open and bleed again; then the old injury will be hard to heal, and over time it could endanger your life! \"

Upon hearing the medic's words, the other maids and grannies were naturally frightened.

Translation: "Upon hearing the medical attendant's words, the other maids and mamas were naturally frightened."

Cui'er even dropped to her knees, crying out: "Miss, please… please don't go."

Translation: "Cui Er even dropped to her knees, crying out: \"Miss, please… please don't go. \""

"Cui'er has already said it; just say it."

Translation: "\"Cui Er has already said it; just say it. \""

Granny Zheng: "No!"

Translation: "Zheng Mama: \"No! \"

"Cui'er, have you forgotten what Old Granny Deng… she… she said?"

Translation: "\"Que'er, have you forgotten what Old Deng… she… she said? \""

"The miss cannot endure any further…"

Translation: "\"Miss can't bear any more…\""

Li Qingluo truly grew angry: "Will you speak or not?"

Translation: "Li Qingluo really grew angry: \"Will you speak or not? \""

"If you won't speak, then all of you leave Ziaire Ju! From now on, don't remain as people of Ziaire Ju!"

Translation: "\"If you won't speak, then all of you get out of Free Abode! From now on, none of you are to be my people in Free Abode! \"

Li Qingluo's anger was such that everyone in the courtyard could hear it.

Translation: "Li Qingluo's anger was such that everyone in the courtyard heard it."

Granny Zhang turned pale upon hearing the voice: "I'm afraid… afraid the miss will find out. Sigh!"

Translation: "Zhang Mama heard the voice and turned pale: \"Afraid… afraid the miss will find out. Sigh! \"

Granny Zhang's eyes turned red.

Translation: "Zhang Mama's eyes turned red."

Old Lady Pei also shook her head with a sorrowful expression.

Translation: "Pei Lao Furen also shook her head with a sorrowful expression."

Everyone else in the courtyard remained silent, only Duan Rongshi was puzzled.

Translation: "The others in the courtyard remained silent, only Duan Rongshi was puzzled."

"What has happened?"

Translation: "\"What happened? \""

Nan Gongdi: "Your Highness, it's the people who have always attended by Luo'er's side… Luo'er risked her life to rescue them and handed them over to me, her master… it's me… sigh!"

Translation: "Nan Gongdi: \"Your Highness, it's the people who have always attended to Miss Luo… Miss Luo risked her life to rescue them and handed them over to me, my master… it's me… sigh! \"

Nan Gongdi also wore a face full of guilt.

Translation: "Nan Gongdi also wore a face full of guilt."

Luo Shenyi comforted his friend: "How can this be blamed on you?"

Translation: "Luo Shenyi comforted his friend: \"How can this be blamed on you? \""

"If blame must be assigned, blame those who tied them up."

Translation: "\"If blame is to be assigned, blame those who tied them up. \""

"You also did your utmost to bring them back. To save their lives, you left Luo'er there—wasn't that already a great sin?"

Translation: "\"You also did your best to bring them back. To save their lives, you left Luo Luo there—wasn't that a grave fault? \""

"Fortunately, at least one was rescued."

Translation: "\"Fortunately, at least one was rescued back, right? \""

"If we must truly blame someone, blame me, this old fool, for my inadequate medical skill—I couldn't save both."

Translation: "\"If we must blame someone, blame me, this old thing, for my mediocre medical skills—failing to save both. \""

Nan Gongdi: "Anyway, as her master, I have no face to see her."

Translation: "Nan Gongdi: \"Anyway, as her master, I have no face to see her. \""

Old Lady Pei gave a low shout: "Enough! Stop blaming yourselves."

Translation: "Pei Lao Furen gave a low shout: \"Enough! Stop blaming yourselves. \""

"This matter, none of it is wrong."

Translation: "\"In this matter, nothing is wrong. \""

"Luo'er also did her utmost, risking her own life to save them; as their master, she did everything she could."

Translation: "\"Luo Luo also did her best, risking her own life to save them; as their master, she did everything she could. \""

"Granny Deng and her granddaughter suffered these great sins precisely for the sake of their master."

Translation: "\"Deng Mama and her granddaughter suffered these great sins precisely because they served their master. \""

"They are people, not beasts!"

Translation: "\"They are people, not beasts! \"

"Luo Fan is right; if blame is to be assigned, blame those who harmed them… this grudge, my Xiu Liang General's Manor will surely avenge!"

Translation: "\"Luo Fan is right; if blame is to be assigned, blame those who harmed them… this feud, my Xiuli Jiangjun Fu will surely avenge! \"

Saying this, Old Lady Pei looked at Duan Rongshi with hate-filled eyes.

Translation: "Saying this, Pei Lao Furen looked at Duan Rongshi with hate-filled eyes."

They each understood clearly who was behind this deed.

Translation: "They each understood clearly who was behind this deed."

Old Lady Pei is now old.

Translation: "Pei Lao Furen is now old."

She holds no power or influence, only a little money.

Translation: "She holds no power or influence, only a little money."

Therefore, everyone can come to her Xiu Liang General's Manor and trample upon her.

Translation: "Thus anyone can come to her Xiuli Jiangjun Fu and tread on her."

A princess of two states, put nicely, is a precious gem of the two nations' ceasefire and peace, and everyone wishes to cherish and protect her to some degree.

Translation: "A princess of two states, put nicely, is a precious gem of the two nations' ceasefire and peace, everyone wishes to love, respect, and protect her a little."

But when the dispute over territorial interests arises, she becomes a hostage between the two states.

Translation: "But when the dispute over territorial interests arises, she becomes a hostage between the two states."

Clearly, given her background, she could be matched with any noble of either state; even marrying any prince of Liang would be far more dignified and splendid than being betrothed to a wetting infant of the Western Regions.

Translation: "Given her background, in these two states any noble match would be more dignified and splendid than marrying her off to a little bed-wetter from the Western Regions."

Yet the Emperor of Great Chu insists on treating his own daughter this way.

Translation: "Yet the Emperor of Da Chu insists on treating his own daughter this way."

Despite Qin Yu's exalted status, he is sending her off in a marriage alliance.

Translation: "Despite Qin Yu's noble status, they still send her off for a marriage alliance."

What exactly is the deep meaning behind this? Does Emperor Yan truly not understand?

Translation: "What deep meaning lies in this—does Emperor Yan truly not understand?"

Thus, the two-state princess is indulged even more, pampered beyond restraint; no matter what outrageous deeds she commits, people turn a blind eye, since in the end the mess will be cleaned up by the Chu royal family!

Translation: "Thus they indulge these two-state princesses even more, spoiling them rotten; no matter what outrageous things they do, they turn a blind eye, because in the end it's the Da Chu royal family that will have to clean up the mess!"

Put bluntly, she is merely a pawn in the game between the two states.

Translation: "Put bluntly, she is merely a pawn in the game between the two states."

Not knowing her own position and status, Old Lady Pei doesn't mind letting her see clearly whether, back then, this Liang realm was not also defended blade by blade by this old fogey like herself!

Translation: "Not knowing her own position and status, Pei Lao Furen doesn't mind letting her take a good look—back then, did this great Liang realm not also have this old thing of hers protected with sword and blade!"

Old Lady Pei's eyes reddened with anger.

Translation: "Pei Lao Furen's eyes reddened with anger."

Duan Rongshi nodded heavily: "I understand, Your Highness."

Translation: "Duan Rongshi nodded heavily: \"I, the Prince, understand. \""

He summoned Po Feng forward and whispered in his ear for a moment.

Translation: "He summoned Po Feng forward, lowered his head, and whispered for a moment."

Po Feng immediately turned and hurried away.

Translation: "Po Feng immediately turned and hurried away."

Duan Rongshi: "Old General, whatever you want to do, just go ahead and do it. I, the Prince, will always back you up."

It's just that she can slowly tidy up.

But what's most important right now is still... Luò... it's about Miss Li.

To restore her appearance and voice to what they were before, she still needs Luo Shen Yi and Doctor Du to examine her together before a definite conclusion can be reached.

Only then did Pei Lao Furen collect her emotions again and look toward Luo Shen Yi.

Luo Shen Yi: "What happened to Luò'er's appearance and voice?"

Duan Rongshi could no longer listen to their conversation.

At this moment, his brows were tightly furrowed, his eyes full of worry as he stared at Li Qingluo's tightly closed door.

She has always been utterly ruthless toward anyone who owes her or bullies her, and her revenge is never soft.

She is also deeply loyal and righteous toward anyone who sincerely treats her, regardless of their status.

I'm afraid this will hurt her badly again.

Inside the room, Cui Er, Deng Mama, and the other maidservants all knelt on the floor.

Cui Er cried as she said, "Miss, don't get angry, we servants will speak."

"That day, when Que'er and Deng Mama were brought back by Mr. Nangong, both were already... already on the brink of death."

Luo Shen Yi used a whole day and night to pull Que'er back from the gates of hell...

Moreover, Que'er was covered in wounds, with not a single spot uninjured!

But Deng Mama... Deng Mama just couldn't pull through...

Li Qingluo's mind went numb.

Could only watch Cui Er with red eyes, her mouth opening and closing, not knowing what she was saying.

Deng Mama was the first person to come to her side.

The first to pledge loyalty to her, saying they wanted to follow her for a better future, help Li Qingluo manage everything inside and out, having done countless things as her attendant.

Li Qingluo never regarded her as a servant.

She shared all her intimate thoughts with her.

What Que'er couldn't know, Deng Mama could know.

Deng Mama knew how much silver she had.

Deng Mama knew how she had schemed Li Kechuan's broken leg...

In her heart, Deng Mama had long been more important than blood relatives, a family member.

Clearly, her laughter and joyful words still rang in her ears.

It was her stern shout when she set rules for the two maidservants at Hongfenguan.

It was the four of them together venturing into Yue Ming Garden to catch ghosts, together weathering wind and rain, together living in this Free Abode as close companions.

Zheng Mama also covered her eyes with a hand.

"Miss, Deng Mama... regained consciousness before she passed."

She said, "Don't let you know."

She said, "After a long time, you, with many important people, will forget things and thus forget her."

The servants all swore to keep it from you, saying she went to a rural villa to recuperate and wouldn't return for a year or so.

But who would have thought, you're not so easy to deceive...

The whole room was filled with a heavy, oppressive silence.

Li Qingluo, however, seemed fine and slowly sat down again.

She only had the female doctor continue to examine her wounds, then said nothing more.

Cui Er was very worried.

After everyone else left, only Cui Er remained to help Li Qingluo put on her clothes properly and comb her hair.

She urged with a choking voice, "Miss, if you want to cry, just cry. No one's around right now."

What Grandma was most worried about before she left... was that you hadn't come back.

Now that you've returned home safely, she can rest in peace.

Li Qingluo couldn't cry.

She only felt as if her chest were blocked with qi, lacking energy and unable to feel relieved.

Deng Mama... did she leave any other words?

Cui Er raised her hand to wipe a tear: "She said, you told them to survive no matter what, and she did her best."

But because her body was old, she couldn't hold on; she hopes that if you ever learn the truth someday, you won't blame her.

She also said... she swore to the death never to reveal your secrets.

She kept her loyalty to you...

Li Qingluo's nose tingled, and tears instantly streamed down.

And then she could no longer control them, and they kept falling steadily.

It's my fault toward her... sorry, Que'er. Following a master like me, they've endured endless torment and sin; the one who truly deserves to die is me!

Li Qingluo fiercely slapped herself.

Cui Er grabbed her hand in one go and knelt down again.

Kneeling at Li Qingluo's feet, she softly said, "Miss, following a master like you is the fortune we servants have."

If you must hate, hate the one who harmed us.

Miss, what wrong have you done?

They understand this in their hearts.

You, in order to save them, disregarded your own life, lost your appearance, lost your voice, and returned from the brink of death.

"We slaves, having met such a good master, would die willingly."

"Don't hate yourself."

"Please, miss..."

Li Qingluo's mind flashed with the face of Princess Qinyu.

She clenched her fists tightly.

Princess Qinyu, we'll fight to the death!

Only after Li Qingluo had composed her appearance and emotions did she go out again.

The crowd still waiting in the courtyard saw her come out; although it was obvious she had cried again, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as she doesn't obsess over trivialities and is willing to go out, she'll recover.

Nan Gongdi was greatly shocked at seeing Li Qingluo's current appearance.

"Are you Luo'er?"

Li Qingluo stepped forward: "Grandmother, Master, Luo Shen Doctor. And also Prince Su, Your Highness."

"Sorry to have worried you, Luo'er is fine."

"Shall we begin?"

Duan Rongshi nodded; though he had much to say, before everyone he could only swallow his words.

Luo Shen Doctor and Doctor Du together examined Li Qingluo's face.

They examined for a long time but found no flaw.

Luo Shen Doctor: "Such a superb disguise technique—who did it? Do you know?"

Li Qingluo: "This person is named Qin Ling."

Luo Shen Doctor gasped in shock: "Qin Ling!? Is it him?"