Chapter 358

Luo'er?

It was Pei Lao Furen's voice coming from outside the courtyard.

It was also this voice that instantly brought Li Qingluo back to her senses.

Her face turned deathly pale as she stepped back in large strides, and when she saw that what she had just been drooling over was actually Duan Rongshi's neck, Li Qingluo's whole body instantly felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, turning icy cold.

Duan Rongshi saw her face change dramatically, and before he could speak, Pei Lao Furen hurried in accompanied by everyone.

Duan Rongshi turned and gave Pei Lao Furen a slight nod: "Old General."

Pei Lao Furen: "Your Highness Prince Su, you came quite early."

She had long known he was coming.

Not only did he come, but he also took control of every corner of Free Abode, making it his own domain.

Pei Lao Furen really wanted to spit at him.

But seeing that he was at least still standing outside Luo'er's door, she held her tongue.

Moreover, she then saw that Li Qingluo's appearance had already returned to normal.

It was her Luo'er.

It was her Luo'er, whom she had raised with great difficulty like a delicate flower.

Pei Lao Furen's eyes instantly welled with tears as she quickly walked toward Li Qingluo.

"Grandmother..." Li Qingluo stood inside the room, her expression uneasy.

Pei Lao Furen strode in and enfolded her in a tight embrace.

Li Qingluo smelled the familiar scent on her grandmother's body, realizing she did not feel any abnormal sensation toward Duan Rongshi as she had just done, and she slowly let out a breath.

But she... what was going on?

Li Qingluo couldn't help but look up at Duan Rongshi.

Duan Rongshi was also making his way through the crowd, looking at her.

Their eyes met, and Duan Rongshi instantly understood what had happened to her.

With so many people around, it was naturally impossible to explain clearly.

Duan Rongshi turned first, taking Zhui Yu and the others, and left quietly.

Li Qingluo, meanwhile, was surrounded by people asking after her well-being.

"Anywhere feeling unwell?"

"Luo'er, Grandmother feels you are a bit nervous."

Nan Gongdi: "Surely Luo'er is afraid she won't be able to return to her beautiful appearance, so she's a bit scared, right?"

Luofan: "According to Qin Ling, making this scar-removing ointment is extremely troublesome. It requires a large amount of precious medicinal ingredients, rare treasures, and he must guard it without leaving its side, constantly stirring as long as the fire keeps burning."

"So he is still lying in the room, snoring loudly."

Pei Lao Furen took Li Qingluo's hand and, for the first time, tapped her: "This Prince Su truly has feelings for you."

She was trying to test whether her obedient granddaughter had gained wisdom.

But she never expected Li Qingluo to be so out of sync with her, and she actually said: "Grandmother, at least we shouldn't let His Highness suffer too great a loss. I don't know how much the medicinal ingredients for this scar-removing ointment will cost."

"Should we compensate him?"

Pei Lao Furen nearly toppled over backward.

Silly child, Grandmother is talking about feelings with you, and you're talking about money with Grandmother!

Ah, she even feels a bit sorry for Prince Su.

Pei Lao Furen had no idea that these two young people had already plighted their troth in private.

Li Qingluo simply did not want to owe Duan Rongshi too much.

Free Abode was lively for a whole morning.

After everyone had left, she intended to go to Qingzhu Garden to take a look.

It was said that Jingchuan had awakened.

Li Qingluo brought only Zheng Mama and made her way to Qingzhu Garden.

There were a few attendants in the courtyard.

Upon seeing Zheng Mama and Li Qingluo approach, they were about to greet, but Li Qingluo raised her hand to stop them.

Jingchuan and Zheng Wanxiu, mother and son, were inside the room.

Usually this courtyard is very quiet, and no one would come to disturb it.

Of course, they hadn't gone out these past few days either.

Li Qingluo approached quietly and heard Zheng Wanxiu say: "Little Chuan, would you like to go pay your respects to your grandmother?"

Jingchuan: "Not going."

Li Qingluo saw through the crack in the window that Jingchuan was sitting in a thick, heavy fur chair, with a heavy blanket covering him.

In his hand he still held a piece of wood, which he was carving delicately with a small knife.

Wood shavings had fallen before him, and Zheng Wanxiu occasionally helped him shake them off, being very gentle and meticulous.

Zheng Wanxiu asked him: "Since your grandmother already knows your background, if you don't go... wouldn't that be lacking in propriety?"

"Little Chuan, although the Old Lady is somewhat strict, Mother sees that she still values you quite highly."

"You have always wanted more family, haven't you?"

"Why not..."

Jingchuan: "Mother, since I am bound to die sooner or later, why should I still crave the affection of grandparents?"

"Then, if I cause her another emotional wound, making her old self lose health and lifespan because of me, what crime would I bear?"

"If that's the case, it would be better to be an unworthy descendant, letting her be disappointed from the start, so that there would be no lingering thoughts in her heart."

Besides... having Lu'er accompany her old lady is enough.

Zheng Wanshu: "You!!"

Didn't Mother tell you? That Luo Shen doctor can save you to live a few more years.

Little Chuan, just for Mother's sake, live well, okay?

Zheng Wanshu couldn't help but squat down, supporting Li Jingchuan's leg, tears streaming down.

Li Jingchuan sighed.

Mother, let your son go.

Now that the Master of Yun Valley has no trace, you should also give up.

You've also seen, my son these years has lived a life worse than death; even if he lived a few more years, to me it would just be a few more years of repeated torment.

Cough... cough cough...

After a violent cough, Zheng Wanshu shockingly saw that the handkerchief Li Jingchuan held over his mouth was bright red.

Her legs went weak and she sat on the ground.

Son... it's Mother who harmed you...

If back then, Mother hadn't joined the Lotus Sect, but instead brought you to rely on your grandmother...

Perhaps you are not beyond saving.

It's Mother who harmed you!

Zheng Wanshu felt remorse tearing her apart.

But if you just leave like this, what will Mother do?

Your uncle's life or death is unknown; if you also perish, our Zheng family's bloodline would leave only me, a woman—how would I survive?

Li Jingchuan blankly allowed Zheng Wanshu to cry.

Suddenly, he sensed something and turned his head, seeing a silhouette standing in the window crack.

Who?

Li Qingluo reached out and slowly pushed open the window.

So, you also know the Master of Yun Valley?

Looks like we're all on the same path.

Zheng Wanshu saw her and jumped in fright: "It's you, Li Qingluo!"

When did she come?

Why... I didn't notice at all?

Then she must have heard what I and Jingchuan said?

Zheng Wanshu couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.

She actually brought up the Master of Yun Valley's Zuliya—what does she know?

If she runs to the Old Lady and spouts nonsense, things might turn bad...

Li Qingluo had already had Zheng Mama lead the remaining people in the courtyard away quietly.

So at this moment, only the three of them are in the Clear Bamboo Garden.

Li Qingluo deliberately touched her face and sighed: "It seems Doctor Qin Ling's disguise technique is truly number one under heaven."

Even now, no one has noticed that I'm merely a fake. Hahaha, hahaha...

Li Qingluo's words caused Li Jingchuan's face to change dramatically.

What do you mean by these words?

He breathed rapidly, his body involuntarily leaning forward: "You're not Lu'er? Who are you?"

Li Qingluo looked at Li Jingchuan: "Young master, please don't rush."

The real Li Qingluo is now naturally in the hands of the Lotus Sect's sect leader.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the chance to impersonate her and return to this Jiangjun Fu.

Zheng Wanshu's face turned horrified.

She already believed it seventy to eighty percent.

But she also felt confused: "But your face is clearly Lu'er's... how could it not be..."

Mother and son have not left the Clear Bamboo Garden these days, and the servants in the courtyard wouldn't gossip, so they didn't realize that the Li Qingluo before them was merely teasing them.

Li Qingluo: "The world is vast; what cannot exist?"

If you don't believe me, you can simply go ask Doctor Qin Ling for clarification.

Or you could go to the sect leader and investigate to see whether my words are true.

Don't you know that the real Li Qingluo went missing for several days recently?

If not, how would I have had the chance to impersonate her and come to this mansion to enjoy wealth and honor?

Li Jingchuan knew Lu'er had gone missing.

So he initially left the mansion to look for his mother and also contacted the ironworks shop everywhere to search for Lu'er's whereabouts.

But Lu'er's disappearance left no trace, and the rescue effort on his uncle's side also sprang a leak.

A couple days ago he heard rumors that Lu'er had returned.

But it turned out that someone from the Lotus Sect had impersonated Lu'er.

Li Jingchuan repeatedly stared at the sister before him, wanting to verify whether her words were true or false.

Her words and deeds were indeed utterly unlike Lu'er's.

Lu'er is a generous and open-minded young lady; how could she have such a petty appearance?

Thinking of Lu'er suffering here while outside there is an imposter posing as her, Li Jingchuan angrily propped up his frail body and stood up.

He held a small knife and walked step by step toward the window.

"You dare impersonate Luo'er's identity—I'll kill you—"

But before he reached the window, he collapsed headfirst onto the ground.

"Jingchuan—"

Zheng Wanxiu let out a painful cry, lunged forward and tightly embraced Jingchuan.

"Xiao Chuan, why do you put yourself through this?"

"We, we can't interfere in this matter!"

Jingchuan angrily growled: "Mother, kill her!!"

"What right does she have to take everything that belongs to Luo'er? She deserves to die!"

But the intense emotion overwhelmed him, and he turned his head and coughed up blood again.

Li Qingluo's expression twitched slightly.

He, however, still felt some genuine feeling toward himself.

I just don't know whether the soul-swapping matter is also what he wishes in his heart.

Was he half-reluctant, half-willing, or did he also hope to take over his own body to survive, which is why he initially paid extra attention to himself?

Li Qingluo would not blindly trust anyone.

She preferred to believe what she saw with her own eyes.

Zheng Wanxiu clung to Jingchuan, anxious beyond measure: "What place is this!!"

"Could it be that if she says a few words here, we go complain to the Old Lady, and she'll believe us?"

"Xiao Chuan, don't be naive."

"By then she might bite back, exposing in front of your grandmother that we are members of the Lotus Sect, claiming we harbor ill intentions to harm everyone in this household; the Old Lady, in her anger, would drive us away, and what would become of your body…?"

Li Qingluo clapped her hands, then slowly walked from the window to the door, and entered the room.

"This concubine is quite clever."

"You're right; I wonder whose words that Pei Lao Furen will believe—you surely know in your own hearts."

"By then, you'll truly be left with no way out."

Zheng Wanxiu's face turned pale: "Then what exactly do you intend to do?"

Li Qingluo: "Of course, I'm here to help you."

She gave a faint smile: "Do you want to see the Master of Yun Valley?"

Jingchuan, hearing this, grabbed Zheng Wanxiu: "Mother! No!"

"Absolutely not."

"It was grandmother who saved the grandson's life."

"Luo'er has also saved me several times. We can't treat Luo'er like this!"

"Mother!!"

Zheng Wanxiu looked at her son's weak state, she reached out and gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Her eyes turned cold: "Xiao Chuan, this is a debt owed by Qu Shi to me and my mother."

"Moreover, Mother already has no way to turn back…"