Chapter 354: Heard Prince Su Can't Perform?

Grilled meat?

Various large chunks of meat were skewered onto thin, long willow branches, sizzling and dripping oil on the iron rack above the brazier, filling the courtyard with fragrance.

Zhui Yu gulped, swallowed a mouthful of saliva: "Miss, I'll help you roast!"

Zhui Yu directly became the cook.

Zheng Mama and the others hurriedly moved the tables out and set them up in the courtyard, hanging lanterns all around.

Before Duan Rongshi could sit down, Pei Lao Furen, Nan Gongdi, and Luo Shen Doctor all arrived.

Upon seeing what food she was preparing, Duan Rongshi knew that tonight the Free Abode would surely be lively, so he had already made preparations in his heart.

His eyes dimmed slightly.

As Li Qingluo was about to step forward to greet the three elders entering, he whispered to the maid passing by his side: "Wait a moment, sit beside me."

In front of grandmother and master, sit beside him?

Is she crazy?

Moreover, even if Your Highness were to go mad, she would never dare to follow him into madness at home.

"Your Highness, don't cause trouble!"

He?

Cause trouble?

Duan Rongshi felt he was being placated with her perfunctory appeasement.

Li Qingluo didn't wait for him to speak further, she slipped away quickly, pretending nothing was wrong, and hurried toward her grandmother and the three of them.

"Grandmother, Your Highness has arrived."

Pei Lao Furen had already received the news.

She thought: This Prince Su is increasingly not treating himself as an outsider, visiting more often than attending court.

But he had saved Luo'er several times, conferring great kindness upon their Xiuli Jiangjun Fu, which is why Pei Lao Furen also had to steel herself and pretend to be blind.

Otherwise, any ordinary young man who ran this diligently, or came to see her good grandson without even a greeting, would have long been driven out by her!

However, she is indeed not truly blind.

But she still couldn't figure it out, not knowing what exactly Prince Su's intentions toward Luo'er were nowadays.

If he truly had feelings for Luo'er, why hasn't he made his attitude clear up to now?

Their Luo'er would never become a concubine in Prince Su's manor.

Moreover, if Prince Su were to repay kindness with ulterior motives, valuing Luo'er and insisting on giving her a concubine's position, given Luo'er's temperament, she would surely not agree.

It's only to blame that she currently has no power or backing, making their families mismatched.

Continuing like this, unclear and ambiguous, it would be better to part ways early.

As for repaying the kindness, let her old bones use money to compensate Prince Su's manor; that wouldn't be a loss for Prince Su.

Pei Lao Furen immediately decided to test Prince Su tonight first.

Only then could they decide what attitude their Xiuli Jiangjun Fu should take toward Prince Su in the future.

"Old Minister Pei Xiuzhen pays respects to Your Highness, Prince Su."

"It's trouble for Your Highness to come so late to our residence; is there any important matter?"

Pei Lao Furen walked forward with a smile, leading the whole family to pay respects to Prince Su.

Li Qingluo secretly glanced at Duan Rongshi.

Grandmother's words were not polite.

Although knowing he wouldn't be angry with grandmother now, but he, who is always lofty and proud, has never suffered such humiliation.

But before she could speak to explain for grandmother, Duan Rongshi first courteously returned the salute to Pei Lao Furen.

"Old General, no need for much ceremony; it's not the right time for me to come, I've disturbed you."

Pei Lao Furen was startled greatly.

She furtively glanced at Li Qingluo: "What madness has Prince Su gone into? With my current status as a commoner old woman, I cannot bear his formal greeting."

If she were to lose her lifespan over this, how could he compensate?

Li Qingluo dared not speak.

She didn't even dare to meet her grandmother's gaze, because she now dared not offend either side.

Fortunately, seeing her like a quail, Duan Rongshi didn't make things harder for her, and then said: "Actually, I came tonight because the Appearance-Restoring Ointment is ready, so I brought this Doctor Qin Ling personally to restore Miss Li's appearance."

Li Qingluo was quite surprised.

Wasn't the Appearance-Restoring Ointment supposed to take five days to make? It's done in just three days?

Pei Lao Furen instantly became happy, temporarily setting aside all her worries and prejudices about Duan Rongshi.

She hurried forward: "Your Highness Prince Su, Luo'er has been remiss in hospitality; why are you still standing?"

"Luo'er! Hurry up and invite Your Highness to sit down!"

"Today the manor has prepared fine wine and meat; please don't disdain it, Your Highness, and do us the honor of enjoying it together."

"Today, Your Highness, just eat happily; this old minister will accompany you until you're drunk and won't return."

Li Qingluo:?

Grandmother, your speed of changing faces is indeed still superior.

However, restoring appearance isn't something that can be done in the blink of an eye, so Pei Lao Furen still decided to first eat her fill, then apply the medicine to Li Qingluo's face.

After all, even if we were hungry today, we couldn't let Prince Su go hungry.

Saying that, Pei Lao Furen then invited Prince Su to sit down.

At the eight-immortal table, Prince Su took the seat of honor, and Pei Lao Furen sat in the primary seat.

As soon as Pei Lao Furen took her seat, she kept the conversation lively, courteously offering Duan Rongshi some side dishes first.

As for Luo Fan, he had already seen Qin Ling, the little junior disciple who had betrayed the sect, trussed up and thrown in the corner.

Contains: Luo Fan (Luo Fan? Not in glossary), Qin Ling appears. Also maybe Luo Fan not in glossary; we should not include unless appears in glossary list. The glossary list only includes given terms; we should list only those that appear in these lines from the glossary. So include Qin Ling.

He was curious about how the scar-healing ointment was made, so he went to Qin Ling to try to get a few words out of him.

Contains Qin Ling again.

Meanwhile, Nan Gongdi had been roaming the western borders, so he went straight to the fire rack and showed Zhui Yu how to turn the meat.

Contains Nan Gongdi, Zhui Yu.

In an instant, only Li Qingluo was still there keeping him company.

Contains Li Qingluo.

Zheng Mama and Cui Er didn't dare to wait on Prince Su, so Li Qingluo stepped in and did it herself.

Contains Zheng Mama, Cui Er, Prince Su, Li Qingluo.

She busily poured wine and tea, then meticulously cleaned Duan Rongshi's bowls and chopsticks, neatly set them out for him, and he tapped the table.

Contains Duan Rongshi.

Duan Rongshi gestured with his eyes, inviting her to sit beside him.

Contains Duan Rongshi.

Li Qingluo wouldn't dare.

Contains Li Qingluo.

Or perhaps in front of grandmother and them.

Contains grandmother (but not a specific name; maybe refers to the Old Lady). Not in glossary? There's Old Lady appears later? Not yet. We'll see.

She glanced over, stealing a look at her grandmother.

Contains grandmother.

Duan Rongshi kept his composure, raising his teacup with one hand while revealing a broken arrow in the other to show Li Qingluo.

Contains Duan Rongshi, Li Qingluo.

Li Qingluo's eyes widened.

Contains Li Qingluo.

How could he still be carrying that arrowhead he had taken from her back then?

Contains he (referring to Duan Rongshi? but not a name). No new.

This let grandmother see it—could she stand it?

Contains grandmother.

Li Qingluo hurriedly sat down.

Contains Li Qingluo.

She sat, however, in the lower seat to Duan Rongshi's left, directly opposite grandmother.

Contains Duan Rongshi, grandmother.

Does this count as sitting beside him?

Contains he (referring to Duan Rongshi).

Duan Rongshi narrowed his eyes, seeming dissatisfied with her perfunctory attitude.

Contains Duan Rongshi.

Li Qingluo quickly signed under the table: "You may, Your Highness!"

Contains Li Qingluo, Your Highness.

Seeing that he had teased her enough, Duan Rongshi finally let her off.

Contains Duan Rongshi.

Across from them, Pei Lao Furen: "……"

Contains Pei Lao Furen.

These two juniors didn't say a word, but their expressions and gestures said a lot.

No specific names.

Only heaven knows, pretending to be blind is also quite difficult.

No.

The result was that Zhui Yu burned the meat.

Contains Zhui Yu.

He quickly ate the burnt pieces, tears in his eyes, then took the succulent meat skewers grilled by Nan Gongdi to the side and divided the cooked meat for Prince Su.

Contains Nan Gongdi, Prince Su.

The meat was cut into small pieces and then brought to the table.

No.

The fresh, juicy, fragrant grilled meat burst with flavor the moment it hit the mouth.

No.

Li Qingluo ate with a satisfied look.

Contains Li Qingluo.

Suddenly, Prince Su picked out a piece of meat for her.

Contains Prince Su.

Li Qingluo glanced at her grandmother, saw that she hadn't noticed, and quickly shoved the meat into her mouth.

Contains Li Qingluo, grandmother.

Duan Rongshi propped his head up, watching her eat so appetizingly, and only then did his own appetite begin to stir.

Contains Duan Rongshi.

Seeing that he had finally started to eat, Pei Lao Furen quickly raised her wine cup: "Prince Su, Your Highness, this old subject first offers you a cup."

Contains Pei Lao Furen, he (referring to Duan Rongshi?), Prince Su, Your Highness.

Thank you for your continual support and guidance for our Luo'er, and for your care of the Xiuli General's Manor.

Contains Xiuli General's Manor.

This old subject has nothing to repay, so first I offer this drink as a sign of respect.

No.

Having said that, Pei Lao Furen downed her cup in one gulp.

Contains Pei Lao Furen.

Duan Rongshi raised his wine cup and drank it down respectfully as well.

Contains Duan Rongshi.

Pei Lao Furen hurriedly had Li Qingluo refill Prince Su's cup.

Contains Pei Lao Furen, Li Qingluo, Prince Su.

Then she found another excuse and continued the toasts.

No.

Your Highness, you are a busy person; we have troubled Luo'er several times, causing you worry. This old subject truly feels uneasy. This cup is to make amends.

Contains Your Highness, old subject (maybe not a name). Luo'er again.

After saying that, Pei Lao Furen wanted another toast.

Contains Pei Lao Furen.

Li Qingluo quickly grabbed her: "Grandmother? Don't get drunk on wine."

Contains Li Qingluo, grandmother.

When young, Pei Lao Furen had an extraordinary tolerance for alcohol; even now, though somewhat diminished, she doesn't take it to heart.

Contains Pei Lao Furen.

"Do you look down on grandmother?"

Contains grandmother.

"Or do you think Prince Su, Your Highness, is incapable?"

Contains Prince Su, Your Highness.

"Is he incapable?"

No.

Duan Rongshi raised his eyebrows high.

Contains Duan Rongshi.

He lifted his wine cup and downed it swiftly.

No.

"Li Qingluo: 'What's gotten into him all of a sudden?'"

Contains Li Qingluo.

An old man and a youngster actually started drinking competitively.

No.

Li Qingluo worried they would really get drunk, so she gave signals to the Divine Luo Doctor and her master, letting them come over to distract grandmother.

Contains Li Qingluo, grandmother, Luo Shen Doctor (not in glossary), master (not).

Surprisingly, these two elders—one is obsessed with sweet talk, the other can't get enough of grilled meat.

No.

Seeing that if they kept drinking, grandmother would be the first to collapse, just then Leng Dian rushed over in

Contains grandmother, Leng Dian.

"Your Highness, something happened."

Contains Your Highness.

Leng Dian knows that Your Highness came to see the young lady tonight, and it is also a pressing matter.

Contains Leng Dian, Your Highness.

He shouldn't have come to interrupt.

No.

But the palace affair is also extremely urgent.

No.

It is even more urgent than the young lady restoring her appearance, many times more pressing.

No.

Duan Rongshi took the warm, damp cloth and wiped his hands, "What's the matter?"

Contains Duan Rongshi.

Leng Dian glanced at Li Qingluo and the others.

Contains Leng Dian, Li Qingluo.

Pei Lao Furen promptly got up, knowing the proper moment, and led all the people in the courtyard out.

When only Zhui Yu remained, Leng Dian said: "Your Highness suddenly fainted in the imperial study and lost consciousness."

"Now the Purple Celestial Hall has been completely taken over by the Empress and the Crown Prince's people; the Eldest Prince and Prince Jin rushed over upon hearing the news, but neither could get in to see a glimpse."

Duan Rongshi threw the handkerchief onto the table, stood up, and said: "Let's go."

Their group came suddenly and left in haste.

Qin Ling, however, was left behind.

Pei Lao Furen looked at Li Qingluo and said: "What happened? How could someone who was eating fine suddenly just leave?"

Li Qingluo: How does she know?

Grandmother, your look is very off.

However, since Qin Ling was left behind, restoring Li Qingluo's appearance has become urgent.

Qin Ling endured his growling stomach and applied the Appearance-Restoring Ointment to Li Qingluo's face.

A layer of whitish substance, like rice paste, sticky and goopy, left only Li Qingluo's nostrils and eyes exposed.

Even her lips were completely covered.

Fortunately, she had already eaten some roasted meat earlier, otherwise she really couldn't have endured it.

Qin Ling: "Miss Li, don't rush. This Appearance-Restoring Ointment needs to stay on your face for at least five double-hours; after five double-hours, once washed clean, your appearance will be restored to its original state."

Cui Er was very anxious: "Five double-hours? It's now You hour, three quarters; that would mean our miss can only speak at Mao hour, three quarters."

Qin Ling: "Indeed."

Pei Lao Furen: "You'd better not be playing any tricks, or you'll regret it!"

Nan Gongdi clenched his fists, making a creaking sound: "If Luo'er differs in any way from before, you'd better think about how you'll die."

Qin Ling trembled and hugged himself.

He missed home, missed his wife... sob sob.

Li Qingluo felt nothing.

She only felt her face icy cold.

Soon, the sticky ointment solidified, feeling like a hard shell, as if wearing a pure white mask.

To avoid any mishap, Qin Ling was taken away by Nan Gongdi and Luo Shen Yi for personal supervision.

Pei Lao Furen kept Li Qingluo company for a while before leaving.

After everyone had left, Li Qingluo sat up, quickly changed into a black night outfit, and put on a veiled hat for herself.

She then opened the rear window and jumped out.

She didn't have much time left.

With the seven-day deadline, she now had only two days left.

She didn't know what she would look like in two days.

Therefore, she had to speed up her actions.

Sha Yi, Sha Si and Sha Qi saw her come out and immediately knelt down to pay respects: "Subordinates have seen the miss."