Chapter 385: Luo'er no longer avoids suspicion, the two walk side by side

Zhong Liu Lang's face turned deathly pale.

He had not yet realized that he had provoked Li Qingluo, which brought today's disaster upon himself.

The Prince Su's manor has always been overbearing and domineering, arbitrary and arrogant; everyone in Jinling City knows whom to provoke, and absolutely never to lightly offend them.

Because the people of Prince Su's manor take lives without idle talk.

Nor do they fear the background or status of the offender.

How could Zhong Liu Lang not be afraid?

He knew that Prince Su would even dare to say "kill" and kill the second son of the Du Cang Bo manor; today, he himself…… would not dare to wager his life.

Zhong Liu Lang immediately pleaded for mercy: "Your Highness Prince Su, please pardon my subordinate's recent offensive words; I know my mistake!"

Although he gave in verbally, the perfunctory look in his eyes could not deceive anyone.

Because Zhong Liu Lang soon realized again, even if Prince Su is a murderous demon who doesn't blink, what of it?

After all, the Crown Prince and the Elder Princess are still here today.

He had made a mess of things, stabbing it in front of the Sage; what good could he possibly get?

Even if he had just achieved great merit in suppressing bandits, what of it?

Hadn't the Sage, last time, also because of the Du Cang Bo manor affair, not imprisoned him, Duan Rongshi, for three months of closed-door reflection?

As long as Prince Su has learned his lesson, today he's merely putting on a show of might.

His facial expressions shifted several times, and both Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi saw them clearly.

This person is absolutely a petty villain who repays grudges.

Li Qingluo, about to speak, had not yet opened her mouth when Duan Rongshi said: "I, the Prince can pardon you this first offense."

"However, the death penalty can be waived, but the living punishment cannot be escaped."

Zhong Liu Lang felt smug: "See? I had already anticipated this!"

Prince Su is merely putting on a fierce front; with so many aristocratic families present today, how could he dare to act recklessly?

"Thank you, Your Highness Prince Su, for your mercy."

He awaited Prince Su to gloss over the matter without pain or itch.

If this continues, the Crown Prince and the Elder Princess wouldn't know how to view this spectacle.

And Duan Rongshi, doesn't he care about face?

Duan Rongshi said: "I've heard that six li ahead, there is also a python den."

"I, the Prince, will not force anyone to do something difficult."

"Also, don't go hunt a python you can't kill; instead, bring back a python egg for me, how about that?"

"After all, I, the Prince, have always liked the young of such fierce beasts."

"Raising them is truly quite enjoyable."

"What do you say, Zhong Liu Lang?"

Zhong Liu Lang trembled all over, his face losing all color.

"Your Highness Prince Su, you—you……"

Zhui Yu mocked: "Zhong Liu Lang, you are a commander of a thousand in the Imperial Guard; how could you not even handle this small matter?"

"Such a waste; in my view, you might as well not be in the Imperial Guard at all!"

"Otherwise, you might fail to protect His Majesty's safety; one day, dragging down the entire Wen Chang Hou manor, you'll bring disaster upon them all."

Zhong Liu Lang looked around in panic.

The Elder Princess, holding her embrace, was eagerly watching the spectacle.

The Crown Prince frowned and said indifferently: "Fifth Younger Brother, don't make things too ugly."

Duan Rongshi said: "Crown Prince, you should first settle the matter of that Noble Lady Jing; otherwise, we two won't be able to tell who will make a bigger mess before Father Emperor."

The Crown Prince's face stiffened, and he was suddenly speechless.

As the Eastern Palace Crown Prince, he had bound a noble lady of Father Emperor.

Although it was secretly sent to the Empress Dowager, if this matter were deliberately stirred up, it would surely harm his reputation.

Li Qingluo took the stone from Sha wu's hand and furtively flicked it at Zhong Liu Lang's horse's hindquarters.

The horse neighed, legs flailing, and galloped madly forward.

Zhui Yu hurriedly rode after, pulling Zhong Liu Lang's mad horse aside: "Zhong Liu Lang, don't take the wrong road! To present the snake egg to Your Highness, head this way!"

"Giddy-up——"

Li Qingluo looked at Pan Li and the Princess of Nanping: "Want to go see?"

Who wouldn't want to watch such thrilling excitement?

Even the Crown Prince, who usually puts on a modest, gentlemanly, refined and steady demeanor, silently turned his horse's head and chased after, together with the Elder Princess, her face full of eager anticipation.

By the time everyone arrived at the snake den, Zhong Liu Lang's miserable cries had already been heard.

All that could be seen was Zhong Liu Lang weakly swinging a knife there.

His horse had already fallen into the snake den, and not long after was strangled to death by a python.

Besides the small snakes at his feet, he was also struggling to contend with three pythons.

Soon, he was successfully coiled around the waist by a python.

The other two then coiled onto him as well.

Zhong Liu Lang lay face-down on the ground, terror-stricken, stretching out his hands and shouting: "Save——me——"

The Crown Prince: "Quick, someone come!"

"Prepare to shoot arrows!"

Xiyue shouted loudly: "No!"

Xi Yue shouted loudly: "No!"

That would startle those pythons and have them chase right up to us.

That would startle those pythons and have them chase right up to us.

Ayun, don't act rashly and strike.

Ayun, don't act rashly and strike.

But they never expected that this python den would actually contain so many pythons!

Translation: "But they never expected that there would actually be so many pythons in this python den!" We'll translate: "But they never expected that there would actually be so many pythons in this python den!"

Just seeing those snakes makes one's scalp go numb.

Translation: "Just seeing those snakes makes one's scalp go numb." We'll translate: "Just seeing those snakes makes one's scalp go numb."

Who still wants to go over there?

Translation: "Who still wants to go over?" We'll translate: "Who still wants to go over?"

Nanping Princess and Pan Li even clung tightly to each other, ready to flee at any moment.

Translation: "The Princess of Nanping and Pan Li had even tightly embraced each other, planning to flee at any moment." We'll translate: "The Princess of Nanping and Pan Li had even tightly embraced each other, planning to flee at any moment."

The Crown Prince, speaking righteously, flared with anger: "Are we just going to watch him die?"

Translation: "The Crown Prince flared up, righteous and solemn: 'How can we just watch him die?'" We'll translate: "The Crown Prince flared up, righteous and solemn: 'How can we just watch him die?'"

"Little Five, you're being utterly ridiculous!"

Translation: "Xiao Wu, you're simply too reckless!" We'll translate: "Xiao Wu, you're simply too reckless!"

"How can you joke about human lives?!"

Translation: "How can you joke with human lives?!" We'll translate: "How can you joke with human lives?!"

"If Zhong Liu Lang really dies here today, I won't cover for you!"

Translation: "If Zhong Liu Lang really dies here today, I won't cover for you!" We'll translate: "If Zhong Liu Lang really dies here today, I won't cover for you!"

Duan Rongshi had already ridden his horse leisurely to the front.

Translation: "Duan Rongshi had already ridden his horse leisurely to the front." We'll translate: "Duan Rongshi had already ridden his horse leisurely to the front."

He lightly raised his hand, and the guards of the Su Palace, who had just readied their torches, lifted them high.

Translation: "He lightly raised his hand, and the Prince Su's mansion's guards, who had just readied their torches, lifted them high." We'll translate: "He lightly raised his hand, and the Prince Su's mansion's guards, who had just readied their torches, lifted them high."

Seeing the fire, Zhong Liu Lang's eyes sparked with a flicker of wild joy and hope.

Translation: "Seeing the fire, Zhong Liu Lang felt a flicker of wild joy and hope ignite in his eyes." We'll translate: "Seeing the fire, Zhong Liu Lang felt a flicker of wild joy and hope ignite in his eyes."

But he waited in vain for any action.

Translation: "But he waited in vain for action." We'll translate: "But he waited in vain for action."

The python had already coiled around his neck and face.

Translation: "That python had already coiled around his neck and face." We'll translate: "That python had already coiled around his neck and face."

Soon his whole face turned a livid reddish-purple, as if he were about to suffocate completely.

Translation: "Soon, his whole face turned a dark purplish-red, as if he were about to suffocate completely." We'll translate: "Soon, his whole face turned a dark purplish-red, as if he were about to suffocate completely."

A rocket whooshed and struck the python squarely on the head.

Translation: "A fire arrow whistled—'whoosh'—and struck the python squarely on the head." We'll translate: "A fire arrow whistled—'whoosh'—and struck the python squarely on the head."

It was barely an inch from Zhong Liu Lang's head.

Translation: "It was only an inch away from Zhong Liu Lang's head." We'll translate: "It was only an inch away from Zhong Liu Lang's head."

Zhong Liu Lang let out a relieved sigh, only to have another python coil around him.

Translation: "Zhong Liu Lang exhaled with a 'whoosh' of relief, but then another python coiled onto him." We'll translate: "Zhong Liu Lang exhaled with a 'whoosh' of relief, but then another python coiled onto him."

Li Qingluo gripped her longbow and moved to the Su Prince's side.

Translation: "Li Qingluo gripped her longbow and came to Prince Su's side." We'll translate: "Li Qingluo gripped her longbow and came to Prince Su's side."

The two exchanged a glance, and Li Qingluo nocked another fire-tipped arrow brought up by Sha Wu.

Translation: "The two exchanged a glance, and Li Qingluo nocked another fire-tipped arrow that Sha wu had passed up." We'll translate: "The two exchanged a glance, and Li Qingluo nocked another fire-tipped arrow that Sha wu had passed up."

Li Qingluo had volunteered to personally give Zhong Liu Lang a good lesson.

Li Qingluo had volunteered to personally give Zhong Liu Lang a good look.

No longer avoiding suspicion, she began to act openly and freely.

Translation: "No longer avoiding suspicion, she began to act openly and frankly." We'll translate: "No longer avoiding suspicion, she began to act openly and frankly."

She accepted every gaze, even if people pointed and whispered.

Translation: "Accepting all gazes, even if they pointed and whispered." We'll translate: "Accepting all gazes, even if they pointed and whispered."

"Your Highness, I've made a fool of myself. I hope this common woman can lend you a hand."

Translation: "Your Highness, forgive my clumsiness. I hope this commoner can lend you a hand." We'll translate: "Your Highness, forgive my clumsiness. I hope this commoner can lend you a hand."

Duan Rongshi: "Miss Li is being modest."

Translation: "Duan Rongshi: 'Miss Li, you're being too modest.'" We'll translate: "Duan Rongshi: 'Miss Li, you're being too modest.'"

The sight of them gazing at each other made Pan Li involuntarily exclaim: "Luo'er truly is a role model among women!"

Translation: "The sight of them gazing at each other made Pan Li involuntarily exclaim: 'Luo'er truly is a role model among young ladies!'" We'll translate: "The sight of them gazing at each other made Pan Li involuntarily exclaim: 'Luo'er truly is a role model among young ladies!'"

"Even the Su Prince isn't afraid—what could possibly frighten her in this world?"

Translation: "Even Prince Su isn't afraid—what in this world could she possibly fear?" We'll translate: "Even Prince Su isn't afraid—what in this world could she possibly fear?"

Nanping: "Indeed, my sister Luo'er is what kind of person?"

Translation: "Nanping: 'Indeed, what kind of person is my elder sister Luo'er?'" We'll translate: "Nanping: 'Indeed, what kind of person is my elder sister Luo'er?'"

"I just don't know what kind of gentleman in the future will be able to subdue her."

Translation: "I just don't know what kind of future gentleman could subdue her." We'll translate: "I just don't know what kind of future gentleman could subdue her."

Pan Li glanced at her, wanting to speak but holding back.

Translation: "Pan Li wanted to say something but held back, glancing at her." We'll translate: "Pan Li wanted to say something but held back, glancing at her."

The Grand Princess also smiled, satisfied.

Translation: "The Grand Princess also smiled, satisfied." We'll translate: "The Grand Princess also smiled, satisfied."

Only the Crown Prince's eyes flickered with a hint of contempt and mockery.

Translation: "Only the Crown Prince's eyes flashed with a hint of contempt and mockery." We'll translate: "Only the Crown Prince's eyes flashed with a hint of contempt and mockery."

The Emperor's bestowed marriage still hasn't come through, yet these two openly exchange flirtatious glances—utterly shameless!

Translation: "The Emperor's bestowed marriage still hasn't come down, yet these two openly exchange flirtatious glances, utterly disgraceful!" We'll translate: "The Emperor's bestowed marriage still hasn't come down, yet these two openly exchange flirtatious glances, utterly disgraceful!"

Soon, Li Qingluo shot another arrow.

Translation: "Soon, Li Qinglo fired another arrow." We'll translate: "Soon, Li Qingluo fired another arrow."

Again she felled a python with a single strike.

Translation: "Again, she killed a python with a single strike." We'll translate: "Again, she killed a python with a single strike."

Yet Zhong Liu Lang was tightly, completely entangled.

Translation: "However, Zhong Liu Lang was still tightly, completely entangled." We'll translate: "However, Zhong Liu Lang was still tightly, completely entangled."

He oscillated between constant suffocation and brief gasps for air, and soon he collapsed entirely.

Translation: "He kept shifting between suffocation and brief gasps for air, and soon he completely collapsed." We'll translate: "He kept shifting between suffocation and brief gasps for air, and soon he completely collapsed."

"I don't want to die—save me—please, please save me!"

Translation: "\"I don't want to die—save me—please, please save me—\"". We'll translate: "\"I don't want to die—save me—please, please save me—\""

Zhong Liu Lang wept, with snot, tears, and even urine from his pants streaming out.

Translation: "Zhong Liu Lang's snot, tears, and even urine from his pants flowed out together as he cried." We'll translate: "Zhong Liu Lang's snot, tears, and even urine from his pants flowed out together as he cried."

Yet Duan Rongshi's killing intent in his eyes did not subside.

Translation: "However, the killing intent in Duan Rongshi's eyes had not faded." We'll translate: "However, the killing intent in Duan Rongshi's eyes had not faded."

Anyone who dares to provoke his woman will still be made to suffer injustice.

Translation: "Whoever dares to provoke his beloved will still make her suffer injustice." We'll translate: "Whoever dares to provoke his beloved will still make her suffer injustice."

Thus, today Zhong Liu Lang shall truly taste the despair of a fate worse than death, where death cannot bring release.

Translation: "Since that's the case, today Zhong Liu Lang shall truly taste the despair of a fate worse than death, where death cannot bring release." We'll translate: "Since that's the case, today Zhong Liu Lang shall truly taste the despair of a fate worse than death, where death cannot bring release."

"A snake is coming!"

Translation: "\"Snakes are coming! \"\" We'll translate: "\"Snakes are coming! \""

Xiyue suddenly turned pale with shock, pointing at the ground and shouting.

Translation: "Xi Yue suddenly turned pale with fright, pointing at the ground and shouting." We'll translate: "Xi Yue suddenly turned pale with fright, pointing at the ground and shouting."

Only then did Duan Rongshi bring his hand down heavily.

Translation: "Only then did Duan Rongshi bring his hand down heavily." We'll translate: "Only then did Duan Rongshi bring his hand down heavily."

The snake den was directly engulfed and completely burned by a great fire.

Translation: "The python den was directly engulfed and completely burned by a great fire." We'll translate: "The python den was directly engulfed and completely burned by a great fire."

While Zhong Liu Lang lay outside the den, the last python coiled around him, and in that moment between life and death, Li Qingluo's final arrow finally found its mark.

Translation: "And Zhong Liu Lang, lying outside the python den, was coiled by the last python; just between life and death, Li Qingluo's final arrow finally flew past." We'll translate: "And Zhong Liu Lang, lying outside the python den, was coiled by the last python; just between life and death, Li Qingluo's final arrow finally flew past."

Zhui Yu seized the chance to step forward and, with one stroke, cut off the heads of three pythons.

Translation: "Zhui Yu took the opportunity to step forward and, with one blade, cut off the heads of three pythons." We'll translate: "Zhui Yu took the opportunity to step forward and, with one blade, cut off the heads of three pythons."

Leisurely dragging Zhong Liu Lang out of the pile of python corpses, his eyes rolled back and he lost consciousness entirely.

Translation: "Leisurely dragging Zhong Liu Lang out of that pile of python corpses, his eyes rolled back and he completely lost consciousness." We'll translate: "Leisurely dragging Zhong Liu Lang out of that pile of python corpses, his eyes rolled back and he completely lost consciousness."

However, judging by his condition, even if he doesn't die this time, he'll surely be crippled.

Translation: "However, judging by his condition, even if he doesn't die this time, he'll surely be crippled." We'll translate: "However, judging by his condition, even if he doesn't die this time, he'll surely be crippled."

Zhui Yu and his companions also discovered many human corpses at the bottom of the snake den.

Translation: "Zhui Yu and the others also discovered many human corpses at the bottom of the python den." We'll translate: "Zhui Yu and the others also discovered many human corpses at the bottom of the python den."

Therefore, those snake eggs were not actually brought out.

Translation: "Therefore, those python eggs were not actually brought out." We'll translate: "Therefore, those python eggs were not actually brought out."

The fire raged on, and Zhui Yu and his group continued to clear away every snake that emerged from the surroundings, leaving nothing behind.

Translation: "The fire raged on, and Zhui Yu and the others continued to clear out all the snakes that had fled the surroundings, leaving nothing behind." We'll translate: "The fire raged on, and Zhui Yu and the others continued to clear out all the snakes that had fled the surroundings, leaving nothing behind."

They also cleared all vegetation around the snake den to prevent the fire from spreading and burning the entire southern mountain.

Translation: "They also cleared all the vegetation around the python den to prevent the fire from spreading and burning the entire Southern Mountain." We'll translate: "They also cleared all the vegetation around the python den to prevent the fire from spreading and burning the entire Southern Mountain."

Thus, they had destroyed another snake den.

Translation: "Thus, they had destroyed another python den." We'll translate: "Thus, they had destroyed another python den."

This expedition proved to be a great success.

Translation: "This trip could be considered a great bounty." We'll translate: "This trip could be considered a great bounty."

The entourage at last marched back to the mansion in grand procession.

Translation: "The group finally marched back to the mansion in grand procession." We'll translate: "The group finally marched back to the mansion in grand procession."

Except for Zhong Liulang, no one paid attention; everyone else's enthusiasm was very high.

All the way, they chatted and laughed, but when they neared the camp, they suddenly heard the sound of weapons clashing.

"Not good!"

Xiyue and the crown prince shouted at the same time, the two mounted their horses and rushed out: "Father Emperor——"

By the time Li Qingluo followed and rushed out, she saw the camp in utter chaos.

Everywhere were slaves screaming and running wildly.

There were also rebels wielding knives and killing people.

Although the guards quickly counterattacked, these madmen each seemed to be risking their lives, repeatedly lunging upward.

They just kept killing people.

They killed anyone they saw.

All the tents and viewing stands had been destroyed, and the ground was covered in blood.

There were also countless corpses lying in pools of blood, with severed hands and heads.

Li Qingluo looked anxiously at the crowd, her heart extremely uneasy.

"Grandmother!"

She turned her head and shouted at Zheng Mama, Que'er, and Sha wu behind her: "Quick! Find grandmother!"

The crown prince, not skilled in martial arts, could only, under the escort of the guards, continually shout while searching: "Father Emperor——Mother Empress——"

Xiyue, seeing the chaotic scene outside, turned back to Nanping's side and tightly embraced her in her arms to protect her.

"Someone come!"

"Quickly escort the Princess of Nanping out!"

"Quick——!"

Duan Rongshi: "Elder sister, you and all the ladies leave together!"

Having said that, Duan Rongshi glanced at Li Qingluo, then drew his sword, rose, and flew out.

Li Qingluo also quickly took the Azure Fall Sword from her horse's back.

"Elder Princess, you take them out, no need to worry about me!"

Watching Li Qingluo charge into the crowd, Nanping was already so nervous she was about to cry.

"Mother…… (sobbing)"

Xiyue gritted her teeth: "She has Xiao Wu protecting her. Come on! You all hurry and follow me out this way; finding your imperial grandfather is the most urgent now!"

Having said that, Xiyue led the people out from the side, cutting a path.

And Li Qingluo, sword in hand, quickly reached Duan Rongshi's side.

Seeing that she hadn't left, Duan Rongshi could only have the word "You!" stuck on his lips in anger.

He did not verbally blame her, but Li Qingluo first explained: "Your Highness, just pacify this place; no need to worry about me."

"I must hurry to find grandmother."

"Let's meet again later."

Having said that, she continued forward without looking back, and soon met up with her own people.

Duan Rongshi saw that she could now handle things completely on her own; his heart felt considerably relieved, yet also a hint of loneliness.

Her grandmother had always been the most important person in her heart.

Thinking thus, Duan Rongshi seized a rebel's head, pressed his sword to the man's neck, and fiercely demanded: "Speak, who exactly are you?"