Chapter 360: Li Qingluo Visits the Flower Boat, Prince Su's Little Guard

Duan Rongshi: "What did you say?"

He looked at her in disbelief.

This is nothing like something she would say.

Because it was so abnormal, Duan Rongshi couldn't help but lower his head and stare at her, trying to read something on her face.

Li Qingluo gave a sudden smile.

She spread her arms and stepped backward.

"Your Highness, as for catching people, this common woman has her own ways; you need not intervene!"

After dropping that line, she turned, led Killer One and Killer Two, and left Gui Garden resolutely.

Li Qingluo had just mounted the horse, about to set off, when a weight suddenly appeared behind her.

It turned out to be Duan Rongshi, who leapt onto her horse and sat on her.

"Your Highness, you—"

Li Qingluo was naturally startled.

She didn't understand what he was doing.

Duan Rongshi wrapped her in his arms from behind and took the reins.

"You think you can ditch me? No way!"

"Since you have your methods, tonight I, Prince Su, will follow you and be your guard!"

"Let's go!"

Li Qingluo widened her eyes.

In disbelief she looked up at him, "Are you serious?"

The illustrious Prince Su, serving as her guard time and again, has even become addicted?

Duan Rongshi put on a half black mask and said, "I, Prince Su, have set aside time tonight to settle this, and will see it through. Ride—"

Killer One and Killer Two exchanged a glance and hurried after them.

Zhui Yu looked up at the sky.

"Looks like it's going to rain."

"I'll go follow Your Highness; you return to the manor and release the substitute, in case any emergency arises in the palace while Your Highness is absent."

Last night Your Highness, the Crown Prince, Prince Jin, and several other young princes knelt outside the Purple Throne Hall all night.

Only the Crown Prince could stay inside to accompany the emperor.

Hearing from the imperial physician that His Majesty had awakened, Your Highness couldn't even get a glimpse inside and was sent away by the Empress.

Today Your Highness went back to the palace to pay his respects.

Grand Eunuch Wang He said His Majesty was still in a deep sleep, so he only glanced from afar and said nothing.

So it was uncertain whether any emergency would occur in the palace tonight.

Therefore Duan Rongshi had given orders in advance: if he didn't return to the prince's manor, the substitute should be released and wait.

At present it seems Your Highness truly lacks the ability to be in two places tonight, and cannot return for now.

Leng Dian immediately turned the horse and headed back to Prince Su's manor.

Zhui Yu only then gave chase.

It was already dusk; the two men rode the same horse at speed through the street, instantly drawing many onlookers' pointing and gossip.

"Look, what a scandal!"

"Our DaLiang customs are getting more and more uncouth these days! Bah!"

Killer One and Killer Two were eager to draw their swords.

But looking at the two intimate figures ahead, they could only...

Zhenxiu Restaurant.

It was near the hour of Xu, and the restaurant was still full of guests.

Mei Shuang saw Li Qingluo, her face instantly excited and ready to rush forward; Li Qingluo gave her a subtle signal, and she hurriedly turned and moved aside.

Then a waiter came up.

"Sir, would you like roasted meat or hot pot?"

Li Qingluo: "Neither. I, the young master, am looking for someone."

Li Qingluo saw Zheng Wanshou sitting by the window.

She knew she had already made a choice.

Li Qingluo gave a cold smile inside and walked straight toward Zheng Wanshou.

Killer One and Killer Two stayed outside the restaurant.

At this moment, the one who followed Li Qingluo inside was Duan Rongshi.

He was tall, accompanied by a young lord; the two of them entered the main hall and instantly attracted countless gazes.

"Which family does this young lord belong to? He's not tall, but with a guard he's quite conspicuous."

"Who knows? Look..."

Li Qingluo walked up to Zheng Wanshou: "It seems, Aunt, you've made a final decision?"

Li Qingluo sat opposite Zheng Wanshou, while Duan Rongshi stood behind her with arms around her.

Zheng Wanshou glanced at Duan Rongshi, "Stop the nonsense."

"As a mother, do I have any other choice?"

"Who is this person?"

Li Qingluo: "My guard. The Sect Leader feared I might expose my identity, so he sent him to protect me. Are you still doubting me?"

Zheng Wanshu: "In this world, I only trust my son and my brother."

Li Qingluo: "If that's the case, then there's nothing more for us to say."

She rose to leave, but Zheng Wanshu, in her haste, also stood and blocked her: "You……"

Duan Rongshi raised his sword and swept aside Zheng Wanshu's arm, then stepped in front of Li Qingluo.

His aura was as towering and imposing as a mountain, making Zheng Wanshu's chest tighten.

The guards the sect master assigned to this impostor are truly not to be underestimated.

It seems they really intend to make a big deal out of her.

Although my position in the Lotus Sect is now precarious, I can only stake everything on trusting her once more.

And since we've already come…

"I don't believe it; can we still come?"

Li Qingluo: "Then come with me."

She turned and led Zheng Wanshu out of the tavern again.

A flower boat was moored by the Qinhuai River.

Li Qingluo brought Zheng Wanshu into the flower boat.

Duan Rongshi waited until Zheng Wanshu went in first, then grabbed Li Qingluo.

The warning in his eyes was dangerous.

Li Qingluo pressed her lips and smiled: "Your Highness, you've never been here? Don't be nervous, today… I'll open your eyes!"

Duan Rongshi wished he could grab her and give her a stern lesson.

Does she still remember, or has she forgotten, that she is actually a cross-dressing male?

Li Qingluo grabbed Duan Rongshi's big hand with her backhand, and the two were ushered inside together.

She had been to the Spring Banquet Pavilion, and thinking this flower boat should be similar, she wasn't particularly nervous.

But who would have thought that upon entering, the various flamboyant scenes inside would make Li Qingluo's face flush instantly.

Never mind the girls' disheveled attire, but how can these vulgar gentlemen not even consider the occasion?

Her eyes were covered.

Duan Rongshi, with one hand supporting her shoulder to guide her, angrily bit low near her head: "You… wait for me."

Li Qingluo gave a dry chuckle inside.

I'm afraid you won't be able to wait, Your Highness.

She quickly said: "You're not allowed to look any further."

Zheng Wanshu glanced back at the two behind her, her face showing contempt.

A fake is a fake; actually pulling and tugging with a guard—truly throwing the Old Lady's reputation to the winds!

Thinking of the Old Lady, Zheng Wanshu still felt a twinge of guilt.

The Old Lady truly is the only one in this family who shows any genuine affection for Xiao Chuan, even having saved his life, yet I cannot tell her that her granddaughter is actually an impostor.

Zheng Wanshu bit her lip and told herself: Womanly kindness will only ruin things.

She hardened her heart and followed the madam into the rear chambers.

"Gentlemen, this is the place."

The madam led them in, then waddled away with her ample buttocks.

The partition of this chamber doesn't block sound; everywhere are unpleasant noises.

Zheng Wanshu, having wandered the jianghu for years, could sit down without changing her expression.

Li Qingluo, however, was extremely annoyed.

She is a young cross-dressing male who has only just begun to understand matters of the heart—where would she have seen such a scene?

Li Qingluo now truly regrets letting Sha San pick this place for her.

Although Sha San had offered several options, this flower boat was my own choice…

…but she didn't know the flower boat actually contained such a scene.

She had thought it was just a pleasure district similar to the Spring Banquet Pavilion.

As it turns out, compared to this place, the Spring Banquet Pavilion is actually rather refined.

Moreover, she never expected that Duan Rongshi would insist on accompanying her tonight.

At this moment, Li Qingluo feels a bit guilty and dares not look at him.

"Where are the people?"

"Why haven't we seen the Master of Yun Valley yet?"

Zheng Wanshu still hasn't seen Zulya, and her expression grows anxious.

Speaking of Zulya, who has turned into a bitter aconite, Li Qingluo had long decided to lure her out and then catch her in a jar.

Zulya is this person: sinister and crafty, wicked and vicious like a poisonous snake.

The soul‑returning technique and the witchcraft technique—just these two evil arts of hers are enough to deserve no further existence in the world.

It's only because the poison I was afflicted with came from her hand that Li Qingluo wants to capture her alive.

Early this morning, Li Qingluo had Sha Yi go to the princess's mansion again.

And left a large-character note for Zulya in her room: "Tonight at the first moment of the xu hour, come alone to the flower boat to meet—Zheng Wanshu."

When Zheng Wanshu brought Li Jingchuan to seek refuge in the Xiuli Jiangjun Fu, Li Qingluo had already decided to use Zheng Wanshu to lure Zulya out.

She simply prepared a double of herself.

It was still a false identity sent out by the Lotus Sect master.

Zheng Wanshu had no idea who had sent the fake Li Qingluo, and, eager to save her son, she was easily deceived—this does not make her stupid.

As for Zuliya, Li Qingluo knew she must want to clarify whether the young lady who returned to the Xiuli Jiangjun Fu was genuine or not.

Thus, at this moment, Zheng Wanxiu, who had endless tangled ties with the Li family, appeared, giving Zuliya an opening.

Zheng Wanxiu had defected to the Xiuli Jiangjun Fu, and Zuliya would find out with just a little inquiry.

She would surely seize this opportunity to come and keep the appointment.

If she did not come, Li Qingluo would also think of another way.

So tonight, not only is Zuliya a player in the worldly situation, but Zheng Wanxiu is even more so.

Fortunately, just before I entered the Zhenyin Jiulou tonight, San Sha had already sent a message saying that Zuliya had already appeared nearby.

However, this time she cautiously also brought a few attendants.

As for why she hasn't appeared yet, Li Qingluo is quite tactful.

Li Qingluo: "What's the rush? She's already here."

"I'll leave the place for you; you can discuss your matters slowly. I and my little attendant will go elsewhere to wait for you."

She said this, then took Duan Rongshi's hand, turned around, and withdrew again.

The two met 'bitter forsythia' face-to-face in the narrow corridor.

But they, in perfect tacit understanding, pretended not to know each other, walking straight ahead without glancing sideways.

Zuliya turned her head to watch their backs disappear, then pushed the door open and went in.

"This Li Qingluo, is she real or fake?"