Chapter 418: Brother Wants to Be With Zhu Er, Together in This Life!

Seeing Liu Qingzhu, Qu Shi's face was full of surprise.

She even squeezed her own thigh hard.

Only when the sharp pain reached her did she realize that all of this was indeed real!

She instantly became excited: "Zhu Er?"

"Could it really be you?"

"Mother thought she'd never see you again in this life!"

"But... how did you also end up here?"

"Could it be that you were also bound here to reunite with us?"

"If so, that's truly wonderful."

Qu Shi said as she stepped forward.

Liu Qingzhu recalled the many past events and suddenly twisted her head, thrusting herself forcefully into the farmer woman's arms.

She openly displayed the terror deep in her heart.

The old farmer couple, seeing this, tightly embraced her.

"What are you going to do?"

"You've mistaken us!"

"This—this isn't the piglet or duckling you speak of; this is our family's daughter, Hua Er."

"You, you all, leave quickly; don't involve our family any further."

"We are merely ordinary folk; please spare us—"

The old farmer couple's faces were tight with anguish.

Yet the hands clutching Liu Qingzhu did not loosen at all.

Liu Qingzhu looked up, unable to hide her emotions, gazing at them.

But Qu Shi hurriedly said, "This is clearly Zhu Er! Even if she turns to ash, she is the daughter I raised with my own hands!"

"Zhu Er, come quickly!"

"What are you doing?"

"Could it be that you no longer recognize your parents or your older brother?"

"Look at how your brother turned out, look at your father—both ruined because of you!"

"Zhu Er, we once cherished you; you cannot abandon us, come quickly—"

Qu Shi gestured, inviting Liu Qingzhu to come over.

She seemed to have completely forgotten, as she had already turned against Liu Qingzhu.

Yet with a disabled son who cannot walk beneath her eyes, and the insane Li Chao Jing, how could Qu Shi not panic?

Although she was released from prison and no longer faced execution,

she still feared that one person would endure too much suffering.

So she simply cast aside all past grudges.

If she no longer cared, Zhu Er probably wouldn't nitpick any longer, right?

She forgot how she turned a blind eye, letting Liu Qingzhu be tormented by Li Kechuan in Lan Cang Courtyard until she was neither human nor ghost.

She also forgot how she once truly loved Liu Qingzhu.

She even forgot that Liu Qingzhu had already been removed from the family register.

After spending some time in prison, she was no longer the pampered noblewoman of Jinling City, but a shady creature neither man nor ghost.

She, and they, how could they possibly be willing to let Liu Qingzhu, the "chief culprit", go free?

Li Kechuan stared silently at Liu Qingzhu and slowly spoke, "Zhu Er, perhaps you are a broom star."

"They've been good to you, haven't they? How can you be so selfish, repaying kindness with resentment and endangering their lives again?"

"Don't forget who you are."

"If your identity is discovered again, not only will you try to escape, but their lives will be harmed by you once more."

"Zhu Er, come quickly."

"Don't forget, older brother still has mother; we have always loved you dearly."

"Only we would never abandon you forever..."

Liu Qingzhu covered her ears, let out a low growl, and still dared not lift her head.

"Hua Er, don't be afraid."

"Father and mother are here, don't be afraid, don't be afraid..."

The officials grew increasingly impatient.

They ordered the Li family men to carry all the corpses in the courtyard away to be buried.

Then they urged everyone to set off quickly.

As for the "Zhu Er" they mentioned... if she truly is an escaped slave from the Four Prince's Residence...

A few officials exchanged glances, their eyes showing an inscrutable smile.

Liu Qingzhu caught sight of the scene through a crack and shivered violently.

"No, our Zhu Er hasn't arrived yet..."

"Zhu Er—"

"Zhu Er, come quickly, mother is waiting—"

"Zhu Er!!"

A whip was slammed onto Qu Shi's body; once she finally complied, silence returned to the surroundings.

Everyone has left.

Translation: Everyone left.

The whole courtyard is filled with a bloody stench that won't wash away.

Translation: The whole courtyard reeks of blood that won't wash away.

Liu Qinzhu lifted her tear-filled eyes toward the old farming couple.

Translation: Liu Qinzhu, tears in her eyes, lifted her head to look at the old farmer couple.

She suddenly rose, bent her knees, and knelt on the ground.

Translation: She suddenly rose, bent her knees, and knelt down on the ground.

All her life she has been seeking something truly her own.

Translation: All her life she has been seeking what truly belongs to her.

Seeking love that is truly only for herself—unrelated to Li Qingluo—is merely the love Liu Qinzhu can obtain.

Translation: Seeking to love only herself, it has nothing to do with her Li Qingluo; it is merely the love that Liu Qinzhu can obtain.

She knows she is unforgivable, wicked and selfish, and has cruelly caused many deaths.

Translation: She knows her sins are unforgivable, that she is wicked and selfish, and that she ruthlessly harmed many lives.

She also couldn't choose to be born into the Liu family, yet she has taken over Li Qingluo's life.

Translation: She also cannot choose to be born into the Liu family, yet she has taken over Li Qingluo's life.

She has taken over her parents and brothers.

Translation: She has taken her parents and elder brother.

She has taken over Zhuang Sanlang, her childhood betrothed.

Translation: She has taken Zhuang Sanlang, her childhood sweetheart engaged by matching birthdays.

Even on the day she returned, a feigned death scheme prevented her from gaining the Li family's sincere affection.

Translation: Moreover, on the day she returned, a feigned death scheme prevented her from gaining the Li family's sincere affection.

Even Liu Qinzhu herself has always clearly understood that the Liu family merely used her as a stepping stone to wealth and status.

Translation: Even Liu Qinzhu has always clearly understood that the Liu family merely wanted to use her as a straight ladder to wealth and status.

Not a single member of her family truly loves her.

Translation: Not a single one of her family truly loves her.

Liu Qinzhu once believed that only Duan Rongxuan had ever shown her any genuine affection.

Translation: Liu Qinzhu once thought that only Duan Rongxuan had ever shown her any genuine sincerity.

But only after she battered herself bloody did she realize that Duan Rongxuan was no different—he merely treated her as a fresh plaything.

Translation: But only after she ended up bruised and bloody did she realize that Duan Rongxuan was no different—he merely treated her as a fresh plaything.

In the end, she turned out to be nothing at all.

Translation: In the end, she turned out to be nothing at all.

Perhaps this is Liu Qinzhu's fate.

Translation: Perhaps this is Liu Qinzhu's fate.

Her ambitions are lofty as the heavens, but her fate is as thin as paper.

Translation: Her ambitions are lofty as heaven, but her life is as thin as paper.

Now she has finally encountered a moment of sincere feeling.

Translation: Now she has finally encountered a moment of genuine sincerity.

And she wishes to hold onto this ordinary sincerity, but even that turns out to be a luxury.

Translation: And she also wishes to hold onto this ordinary true feeling, but it turns out even this is a luxury.

Perhaps, in the end, she simply does not deserve it.

Translation: Perhaps, after all, she Liu Qinzhu is unworthy.

She wept as she kowtowed three times to the old farming couple.

Translation: She wept as she kowtowed three loud knocks to the old farmer couple.

"I'm sorry."

Translation: "I'm sorry."

"You've been so kind to me; I can't bring harm to you."

Translation: "You've been so good to me; I can't bring harm to you."

"They're right—I am a jinx."

Translation: "They're right—I am a jinx."

"May you two elders live a hundred years in health and peace."

Translation: "May you two elders live a hundred years in health and without worry."

"Thank you… thank you for caring for me these past few days…"

Translation: "Thank you… thank you for your care over these past few days…"

"Goodbye."

Translation: "Goodbye."

After saying that, she dared not look at the old couple's eyes, rose without turning back, and strode away.

Translation: Having said that, she dared not look again at the old farmer couple's eyes, rose without turning back, and strode away.

"Flower—"

Translation: "Flower—"

The old farmer's wife wanted to chase after her, but the old farmer grabbed her tightly with one hand.

The old farmer's wife wanted to chase after her, but the old farmer grabbed her tightly with one hand.

"Don't go."

Translation: "Don't go."

"She looks as if her mind is made up; we can't stop her."

Translation: "She looks as if her mind is made up; we can't stop her."

"Let her go; she never belonged to us anyway."

Translation: "Let her go; she never belonged to us anyway."

Old farmer's wife: "That child clearly has suffered enough!"

Translation: The old farmer's wife: "That child—just one look shows she's already suffered enough!"

"Her whole body is bruised; what maiden would have so many scars?"

Translation: "Not a single spot on her body is unharmed; what maiden would have so many scars?"

"And, old man, haven't you noticed? Regardless of who she used to be, these past few days she has indeed been a down-to-earth child willing to learn to do anything—a good kid."

"And, old man, haven't you noticed? Regardless of who she used to be, these past few days she has indeed been a down-to-earth child willing to learn to do anything—a good kid."

Old farmer: "And then what?"

Translation: The old farmer: "So what?"

"Don't you see it yet, old woman?"

Translation: "You still can't see it, old woman?"

"She wants to protect us."

Translation: "She wants to protect us."

The old couple embraced each other in sorrowful weeping, unable to do anything but let Liu Qinzhu leave completely.

Translation: The old couple, grief-stricken, embraced each other and wept, able only to let Liu Qinzhu leave completely.

It's as if she had never been here these past days, leaving not a trace.

Translation: It's as if these past few days she had never been here at all, leaving not a trace.

Liu Qinzhu followed far behind the exile convoy.

Translation: Liu Qinzhu followed far behind the exile convoy.

She was soon spotted by the officials.

Translation: Soon she was discovered by the officials.

She was seized and shoved to the ground.

Translation: She was grabbed and shoved to the ground.

"What do you intend to do?"

Translation: "What do you intend to do?"

"Well, well, it really is you."

Translation: "Well, well, it really is you."

"Could it be that you truly intend to follow them off to that bitter northern land?"

Translation: "Could it be that you truly intend to follow them away to that bitterly cold northern land?"

Liu Qinzhu said pitifully: "Sir, official, I have come to follow my family."

Translation: Liu Qinzhu said pitifully: "Sir, sir, I have come to follow my family."

"Please, just let me look after them."

Translation: "Please, just let me look after them."

After saying that, she rose and went to Li Chao Jing's side, supporting him.

Translation: Having said that, she rose and went to Li Chao Jing's side, supporting him.

Seeing her approach, Li Chaoxian immediately dropped Li Chao Jing and stepped aside.

Translation: Seeing her approach, Li Chao An immediately abandoned Li Chao Jing and dodged aside.

The appearance of Consort Qu and Liu Qinzhu eased the burden on Li Chaohuai and Li Chaoxian, so they naturally approved of Liu Qinzhu staying.

Translation: The appearance of Qu Shi and Liu Qinzhu relieved Li Chao Huai and Li Chao An considerably, so the two brothers naturally agreed to let Liu Qinzhu stay.

However, the two officials were unwilling.

Translation: However, the two officials were not willing.

They planned to seize her again on the return trip and take her to the Fourth Prince's mansion for a reward.

Translation: They planned to capture Liu Qinzhu on their return and take her to the Fourth Prince's mansion to claim a reward.

If they brought her along the whole way, and she happened to die on the road, that would be a great loss.

Translation: If they brought her along the whole way, and she happened to die on the road, wouldn't that be a great loss?

Li Kechuan, seeing their hesitation, said calmly: "Officials, rest assured—her life is cheap."

Translation: Seeing their hesitation, Li Kechuan said indifferently: "Gentlemen, rest assured—her life is worth little."

"Do whatever you want with her."

Translation: "Do as you wish with her."

"As long as you keep her alive and use her as a lowly servant, you'll have an easy journey."

Translation: "As long as you keep her alive and use her as a lowly servant, you gentlemen will have an easy journey."

Is that so, Zhu'er?

Li Kechuan's gaze fell dark and chilling upon Liu Qiongzhu.

After months apart, she had been completely worn down to a sorry state.

Where is there even a trace of the former bearing of the Jiangjun Fu's eldest legitimate daughter?

Not to mention her dirty face, her skin was rough and cracked like a village woman's.

Her pair of hands were black and thin like withered vine branches, enough to spoil one's appetite.

Her eyes also lacked any luster.

She was dull as a corpse.

But even so, she dare not dream of escaping to an easy life!

Everything I have now is all because she ruined it.

In this life and the next, they ought to be bound together forever!

……

Jinling City was suddenly hit by a heavy rainstorm.

In the Qinhuai River, over a dozen unidentified corpses surfaced overnight.

After examination by the coroner and the Ministry of Justice, the bodies were found to all be from the State of Chu.

Although Liang and Chu have maintained normal trade and contact these years, these people are certainly not ordinary Chu folk.

Each of them not only possessed martial skills, but their bodies were also incomplete.

Looking at them, they resemble the eunuch hounds of Chu's Eastern Depot.

But how could Chu's guards end up running to Liang?

Moreover, the corpses floated in the river inside the Imperial City.

The common folk all thought of Princess Qinyu, who had been missing for several days.

Suddenly someone said, "Could these all be Princess Qinyu's people?"

"Shh—such talk is not allowed. To dare discuss the two states' princesses is a capital offense that could cost one's head!"

"Tch! Saying she's a princess of the two states—who doesn't know she's just a pawn tossed between them?"

"Exactly, I hear that if Princess Qinyu cannot be found, Chu will have a pretext to attack us!"

"Are we of Liang still afraid of them? For the past fifty years, Chu has never won a battle against Liang!"

"Do they dare?"

"These days the Pei family has no general."

"Isn't there still a Pei heir apparent? I heard he's serving in the Ministry of War."

"But he's been at the frontier these years, and I heard he hasn't earned a single military merit—that's why he slunk back to take a petty post."

"Anyway, the Pei family could never be worse than ordinary folk."

As they argued, someone started a quarrel.

Arguing and arguing, they eventually came to blows.

It was Princess Qinyu's supporters versus the Pei family's die‑hard loyalists, fighting to the death.

In the end, a life was lost.

After the authorities received the report, the court swiftly issued an order: effective immediately, the populace is forbidden to gather and discuss state affairs.

Anyone who violates it will receive fifty blows of the cane!

Those who report meritoriously will be rewarded with five strings of cash.

Fifty strokes of the cane?

A woman could be beaten to death outright.

A man could lose half his life.

Who would still dare to speak recklessly?

Yet on the very first day, hundreds violated the order, were seized in the street and immediately punished.

Throughout Jinling, wails filled the air.

On the second day, the number of violators suddenly dropped to only a few dozen.

On the third day, only a handful were apprehended.

Fourth day…

Fifth day…

Soon, no one in the Imperial City of Jinling dared to casually discuss state affairs.

Even the ministers, shutting their doors at home, dared not speak recklessly.

Amidst the panic, the Lotus Sect, which had been silent for a while, suddenly surfaced with news.

The Lotus Sect's sect master openly sent a letter to the emperor's presence in the palace.

The letter read:

"The Lotus God has descended into the world; the Lotus Lord is the ruler of all under heaven."

"The ruler of the world shall govern the six directions, for eternity!"

This letter dared not be presented before Emperor Yan.

Because it landed directly in the hands of the Crown Prince, who now oversees the regency.

Upon seeing the handwriting on the letter in his hand, the Crown Prince flew into a rage and tore the paper to shreds.