Chapter 362: Brother's Suicide Note!

Miss, not good! That Young Master Jingchuan has killed himself.

Li Qingluo heard this, her steps halted, shock filling her eyes.

What happened?

She said this and immediately sprinted toward the Clear Bamboo Garden.

Her heart almost leapt out of her chest; her mind was filled with one thought: Could Li Jingchuan have discovered her plot against his mother?

Zheng Mama: "Miss, don't panic."

Fortunately, the attendant discovered it in time and has already rescued Young Master Jingchuan.

However, he has not yet regained consciousness.

Only then did Li Qingluo halt her steps and slow down.

She turned to support Zheng Mama, took a deep breath, and her face looked grim.

Only then did she realize how fearful she felt inside.

Li Qingluo's feelings toward this half-brother have always been extremely complex.

After several chance encounters, she had quite a favorable impression of him.

Later, upon confirming he was her half-brother and learning his background, Li Qingluo couldn't help but feel a bit more pity for him.

They were both victims of that sordid, secretive manor; if it weren't for Li Jingchuan's ties to the Lotus Sect, Li Qingluo wouldn't mind acknowledging him as kin.

Learning that Zheng Lingzhou and Zheng Wanxiu wanted to trade their lives for Li Jingchuan's survival,

Li Qingluo's heart once again erected that high wall.

Brother?

She began to mock herself inside, feeling she did not deserve this relationship.

Just as she felt unworthy of having parents, she had long since discarded these things in her heart.

She even hoped deep down that Li Jingchuan would really die, so things would be clean.

Only then could she neatly deal with Zheng Wanxiu and her brother.

But at this moment, she actually did not want this to happen.

"Granny, let's go."

Li Qingluo arrived at the Clear Bamboo Garden.

Luo Shen Yi and Pei Lao Furen were standing inside, talking.

Seeing Li Qingluo enter, Pei Lao Furen said: "Luo'er, come over; Grandma has something to ask you."

Li Qingluo felt a chill in her heart, hurried over, saw Pei Lao Furen's worried face, and couldn't help asking: "Grandma, what's wrong?"

Pei Lao Furen: "This is the final letter Jingchuan left behind; what does it say that he owes you, feels guilty toward you? Luo'er, are you hiding something from Grandma?"

Li Qingluo took the letter.

The envelope bore the words "Mother, please open."

But it seems Grandma had already opened it, disregarding propriety.

Mother:

Please forgive my unfilial conduct; I have gone ahead first.

Since I was old enough to remember, I have known the responsibilities on my shoulders and all Mother's expectations.

Unfortunately, I have only a frail body, inept at both literature and martial arts, becoming instead a burden to you.

If it weren't for your countless silvers and herbs sustaining me, perhaps I would have already left this world.

In truth, I truly welcome death, and do not wish to burden you further.

Only because I repeatedly face Mother and Uncle's expectations and reluctance do I have to drag on a miserable existence, neither human nor ghost.

But living this way is, to me, nothing more than day-after-day torment.

Devoid of joy, bitter and endless.

After all, it is I who am sorry to Luo'er.

Not Luo'er being sorry to me.

Had it not been for my sake, Luo'er would not have been retrieved to Jinling and suffered endless grievances in the Jiangjun Fu.

Nor would she be further schemed against by her own kin.

Had I known Mother and Uncle's intentions earlier, I should have first hidden Luo'er.

That way, you would not harm or scheme against her, right?

Mother, spare Luo'er.

Just treat it as sparing me.

I am her brother.

I should protect her, not seek to take her life and destiny.

But I am ultimately a useless brother, unable to persuade Mother and Uncle to change their minds, nor able to stop Mother's compassionate heart that wants to save her son's life.

In this life, my sibling bond with Luo'er and Mother's mother-son bond can only end here.

Mother, my son has gone; from now on, spare Luo'er and cease.

Also set yourself free, and do not fall again into these evil conspiracies.

Son, you are now free as well.

Jingchuan, final note.

Li Qingluo felt a sharp pain in her heart.

It turns out he is truly different from his mother and Zheng Lingzhou.

He simply does not wish to harm himself.

He wants to be a good brother.

Li Qingluo couldn't help but cry and laugh.

The happy thing is, she actually has a brother.

The sad thing is, there is so much between them.

Pei Lao Furen seeing her like this, worried endlessly: "You silly child, what's wrong with you? Did they bully you?"

"Also, this whole letter is about you; could it be that Li Jingchuan really killed himself because of you?"

Li Qingluo wiped a tear: "Grandmother, about this matter, let me explain it to you later, okay?"

Li Qingluo could not lie to her grandmother, but she also didn't want to say something about soul‑changing evil arts that would frighten her grandmother.

"Anyway, you believe, Li Jingchuan is a decent brother."

"Wait until he wakes up, then we won't ask anything."

Pei Lao Furen seeing her say that, could only agree.

"You…… weren't harmed by them, were you?"

Pei Lao Furen although she didn't ask clearly, also knew the meaning of this letter; Zheng Wanxiu still has a brother in this world.

And those siblings, they are both scheming something about Luo'er.

Moreover, this matter will endanger Luo'er's life.

How could Pei Lao Furen not worry?

Originally Pei Lao Furen was wary of her Lotus Sect follower identity.

Now the court's crackdown on Lotus Sect remnants is getting tighter; one slip and the whole mansion will be implicated.

Pei Lao Furen originally took them in out of gratitude.

As for this Li Jingchuan, not mentioning him—a sickly weakling who seems useless to the Lotus Sect.

But that Zheng Wanxiu is indeed a serious trouble.

"This Aunt Zheng, even now she hasn't come back!"

"She doesn't even know what desperate straits she has driven her own son into!"

"She absolutely cannot stay here any longer!"

Li Qingluo thought: she will not come back.

She had San Sha lead a few killers, already hiding Zheng Wanxiu and that Zulya in a safe place.

Tomorrow, they will be smuggled out of the city.

Li Qingluo: "Grandmother, don't worry. Luo'er will handle everything."

"It's not early anymore; Luo'er, shall I see you back to rest?"

After Li Qingluo personally sent Pei Lao Furen back, when returning to Qingzhu Garden, she asked the accompanying Luo Fan: "Grandfather Luo, how is Li Jingchuan doing?"

"How did he… commit suicide?"

Luo Fan crossed his arms, sighed and shook his head: "Isn't it easy for him to want to die?"

"Take off his heavy fur, then submerge himself in cold water; within half an hour he will be powerless."

Li Qingluo hearing this, was momentarily stunned, feeling awful inside.

After a night that made one's head spin, Li Qingluo greeted the dawn of the final day.

Today is the seventh day.

She doesn't even know whether the poison will strike today, or only after midnight tonight will she become that demon.

But, exactly when it happens is no longer important.

She slept lightly for two hours, then got up and first went to see Pei Lao Furen.

"Grandmother, Luo'er wants to go on a distant trip."

"It might take several days before she can return."

Pei Lao Furen was very surprised: "Luo'er, what exactly are you doing?"

"Grandmother feels you have many things you are hiding from her."

"Not even Zheng Mama and the others know what you're doing."

"Luo'er, are you doing something dangerous?"

Li Qingluo: "No, grandmother. Aren't you wanting Luo'er to learn business?"

"Luo'er plans to follow Uncle De to Yangzhou to have a look."

"Really, Luo'er isn't deceiving you."

Pei Lao Furen does not know about the seven‑day poison on Li Qingluo's body.

Even Li Qingluo hasn't mentioned it, and Qin Ling doesn't dare to speak of it.

However, hearing her express the desire to engage in trade, Pei Lao Furen feels deeply relieved.

"You, busy all day east and west, indeed ought to pick this up again."

"Then when are you going to Yangzhou? Grandmother will have Zhang Mama arrange it, assigning you more helpers."

Li Qingluo: "Grandmother, just today. Luo'er wants to leave today!"

Pei Lao Furen stared at her in surprise: "You…… why are you in such a hurry?"

But in the end, Pei Lao Furen still agreed.

After Li Qingluo left, Pei Lao Furen's expression grew dim: "Luo'er has matters she hides from me, and they are increasing."

"Could it really be that a grown daughter is hard to keep; her thoughts are growing more and more, and she refuses to tell me?"

Zhang Mama comforted her: "Old Lady, this servant sees that although the young lady's thoughts are heavy, she still holds you in utmost respect and care."

"And moreover, she seems to have some unavoidable hardship… perhaps she doesn't want you to worry."

Pei Lao Furen: "If I say nothing at all, would I not be worried?"

"Go, have someone follow her. See what this girl has been up to lately?"

Pei Lao Furen had not wanted to interfere in Li Qingluo's affairs; after all, her plans were growing larger and involving more and more.

Pei Lao Furen knows all too well that often one has no choice.

But if this child runs into danger again, wouldn't I be left in the dark once more?

Constantly sitting and waiting for disaster is hardly Pei Lao Furen's character.

Zhang Mama could only agree: "... Yes."

But she still hadn't found Zheng Mama when Li Qingluo ordered Zheng Mama to pack her things and go on a long trip together.

Zheng Mama happily went to pack her things.

Li Qingluo went to look for Que'er again.

Que'er sat in the room, steeped in autumnal sorrow, silently packing her small bundle.

Li Qingluo walked in: "Are you really planning to go to the temple to become a nun?"

Seeing Li Qingluo appear, Que'er panicked, not knowing where to hide her bundle.

"Miss, miss..."

"I am a burden... I will no longer be an eyesore before you, miss."

Li Qingluo: "Ah. Since you feel that way, then let it be."

"I originally wanted you to go on a long journey with me..."

Que'er's eyes widened instantly, a mix of joy and sorrow as she rushed over and grabbed Li Qingluo's hand: "Miss, really? Do you truly still want Que'er?"

"You don't despise Que'er, do you?"

Li Qingluo raised her hand to wipe her tears: "Why would I despise you? You are my chief maid!"

"Who said that even when old, one should still be my Que'er Mama at my side?"

"And who said that one should accompany me, the miss, to live a hundred years?"

"Que'er, I risked my life to keep you alive, not to abandon you. I merely regret that I couldn't save your grandmother's life."

"Would you possibly hate me?"

Que'er kept shaking her head: "Miss, that day you risked life and limb, descending from the heavens to rescue me and my grandmother from that spring banquet hall; you have already suffered enough for us, how could Que'er be someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong?"

"The person Que'er truly hates is the murderer who brutally killed my grandmother."

"Que'er swears that in this life she will not avenge this grudge; otherwise she would not be worthy of being human!"

Li Qingluo: "Well done."

"Stop crying quickly."

Li Qingluo: "Miss, I now have a troublesome matter; I trust no one else but you."

"So you must guard me; can you manage that?"

Que'er's expression turned stern: "Miss, of course! For you, Que'er would go through fire and water, shunning nothing!"

Li Qingluo: "If so, why aren't you coming with me?"

"Go, take your little bundle."

Li Qingluo pulled Que'er along, about to meet Zheng Mama, when word came from Qingzhu Garden: "Miss, the young master of Qingzhu Garden has awakened."

"He said he wishes to see you."