Chapter 420: Luo'er stabbed Zheng Lingzhou!

Zheng Incense Master.

Greetings to the Incense Master——

Greetings to the female attendant.

Passing Lotus Sect disciples, upon seeing Li Qingluo and Zheng Lingzhou, all knelt and paid respects.

After the Jingyun Shan Zhuang was slaughtered and the four Dharma Protectors fell from power one after another, the Lotus Sect became a scattered mess.

Although the sect leader is the spirit that unites all the disciples, Qin Yu cannot appear at any time.

Furthermore, the Jingyun Shan Zhuang affair paved the way for the crown prince to return to the Eastern Palace, and Qin Yu at that time could only bitterly swallow the loss of half the Lotus Sect's territory.

But later, the eight attendant maids died as well.

Qin Ling and others were also captured one after another.

After the Spring Banquet Tower and the Macau Casino were destroyed in succession, the Lotus Sect was no longer a force to be reckoned with.

The attempt to rescue Zheng Lingzhou at the West City Gate failed again, and instead Prince Su swept away the last Lotus Sect followers within Jinling City cleanly.

By this point, there were no longer any capable Lotus Sect followers left within Jinling City.

Upon learning the result, Zongzheng Yuer spat out a mouthful of heart's blood in anguish.

From then on, the person utterly collapsed.

However, Qin Yu had no idea that Zheng Lingzhou and Zheng Wanxiu siblings had already been subdued by Duan Rongshi.

She, imprisoned in the stone cell, didn't know either that Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi were using her identity as the Lotus Sect's divine maiden to set another great scheme.

Since the appearance of the Lotus Sect's divine maiden 'Zhui Yu' in Qishan, the scattered Lotus Sect believers from all over the jianghu have flocked to her upon hearing the news.

Soon, the final batch of Lotus Sect believers gathered on Qishan.

Although the Lotus Sect divine maiden rarely speaks, whenever she appears, the believers rush forward like mad, fervent and mindless.

Even if they could only reach out and touch a corner of her robe, they would be willing to sacrifice their lives for it.

Fortunately, with Zheng Lingzhou and Zheng Wanxiu siblings as the two Dharma Protectors overseeing the situation, the believers were quickly trained into proper disciples who understood the rules.

Seeing that the Lotus Sect's forces on Qishan were gathering more and more, they were about to scoop up all the remaining Lotus Sect remnants scattered among the populace into their net.

Li Qingluo knew that the opportunity was finally ripening.

"Our divine maiden has come to save the people of the world; from now on, men and women will be equal, and even talented women like my elder sister will be able to pass the imperial examinations and enter office, so that no fourteen-year-old will die in childbirth at her in-laws' home—don't you think that's wonderful?"

"Yes. My mother and I can also step into the public eye to do business, so we won't let our father and younger sister starve to death..."

"The brothers beaten to death by the tyrants in our village should also be able to obtain justice from the world, right?"

Li Qingluo listened carefully for a while, then she and Zheng Lingzhou went their separate ways completely.

Upon reaching the edge of the cliff, she turned her head to look at the person behind her.

"So, you and Aunt Zheng originally followed the Lotus Sect merely to avenge the Zheng family?"

Zheng Lingzhou no longer hid it from her: "Yes. We want to overthrow the Duan dynasty and kill that foolish ruler!"

"However, I also fully agree with the original beliefs of the Lotus Sect."

"If she truly devoted herself to promoting the Lotus Sect, it would certainly not be in this state today."

It's a pity that the Lotus Sect that Zongzheng Yuer painstakingly built over the years ended up merely offering a sacrifice to the crown prince Duan Rongyin.

If she hadn't later merely used the Lotus Sect as a force to exploit, committing many atrocities of burning, killing, and looting, the Lotus Sect would not have strayed further down the path of heresy.

Li Qingluo: "Aren't you that butcher who helps a tiger do harm?"

"Zheng Lingzhou, don't think that by changing your appearance you can erase what you did before."

Zheng Lingzhou, hearing her contemptuous tone, felt somewhat annoyed: "What unforgivable mistake have I made?"

"Even Prince Su can let bygones be bygones for me and my elder sister; why can't you?"

Li Qingluo: "If it weren't for you, Sui'er wouldn't have died!"

Li Qingluo glared at him with a fierce gaze.

"And me."

"If I hadn't always distrusted you, I would have died long ago as well."

Zheng Lingzhou's face turned deathly pale as he stepped back a few paces.

He knew she had already learned the truth!

Heard that Zulya had completely died.

When Zheng Lingzhou first heard this news, aside from being somewhat shocked, he actually felt a sigh of relief deep down.

He stammered, wanting to explain.

However, he didn't know what he could say.

He and his elder sister truly wanted her life.

They wanted her to suffer endless grievances in the Li family, to die in the most miserable way, and become a vengeful spirit filled with raging anger.

Thus, only by doing so could his and his elder sister's closest bloodline continue to live on in this world.

"But... but the thing is, it never happened, right?"

"Luo'er, Uncle......"

Li Qingluo: "Shut up!"

"You are the uncle of Li Jingchuan, not mine!"

"I no longer hope for any extra familial affection; having a grandmother is enough in this world."

"And what are you supposed to be?"

"Do you really think I'm an ignorant young lady who has never experienced anything, that I would eagerly offer my sincere heart at the slightest warmth, and then let you take and demand as you please?"

She is someone who has already died once.

If not for her grandmother, familial affection would be what she regards most lightly.

Only Grandma would let her throw caution to the wind again.

Besides, things that didn't happen aren't because they couldn't happen.

But because I myself stopped the tragedy that would have happened to me.

If not for that, I'd likely have already died in some heavy snow night last winter.

Zheng Lingzhou, I will never forgive you!

Faced with her icy gaze, Zheng Lingzhou looked utterly defeated.

However, he was never one to give up easily.

The angrier Li Qingluo became, the more he wanted to clear things up with her.

He strode forward a few steps, his voice tinged with excitement: "Luo'er, you can let me do anything, as long as you let go of this and accept Xiao Chuan..."

Li Qingluo raised her arm, driving the dagger she had been gripping hard into his shoulder.

Her white robes were speckled with the blood spraying from his wound.

Though Zheng Lingzhou winced from the pain, he did not push her away.

Instead, he gripped her hand and drove the dagger deeper: "If this can ease your anger a little, what harm is there in stabbing deeper?"

Li Qingluo wrenched herself free.

She thought he was a madman.

Even crazier than she was.

She couldn't help but sneer: "You know full well I won't take your life."

Since Prince Su insists on keeping you alive, you still have reason to live.

But Zheng Lingzhou, from now on, when we meet we'll be strangers, with nothing to do with each other.

Let's just be passersby who keep to ourselves, like well water not interfering with river water.

Having said that, she prepared to leave.

But Zheng Lingzhou reached out with his bloody hand and seized her tightly.

"Luo'er!"

I know you're about to become Princess Consort of Prince Su.

But I only want to ask one thing…

How is he treating you?

Li Qingluo looked at Zheng Lingzhou, puzzled.

She couldn't fathom why he would ask such a question.

However, at that moment a low, angry voice sounded from behind them: "What are you doing?"

Li Qingluo turned and saw Duan Rongshi dressed all in black, his attire quite plain.

Before she could react, Zheng Lingzhou quickly flung her away.

Please, Your Highness, don't misunderstand.

It was I and Luo… and the Princess of Yaoguang just chatting about trivial past matters.

I have offended the Princess; please, Your Highness, punish me.

Duan Rongshi saw the dagger still in Zheng Lingzhou's shoulder and the blood soaking his attire, and narrowed his eyes.

Get lost!

Zheng Lingzhou got up and hurried away.

Only after walking far did he turn back for a glance.

Seeing them standing together, his eyes finally revealed an endless sorrow he could not hide.

Before Zheng Lingzhou had gone far, Duan Rongshi had already approached.

He put on a stern face, picked up a handkerchief, and vigorously wiped the bloodstains from her hand.

No matter how he wiped, he couldn't truly remove all traces.

Li Qingluo's palm was almost rubbed raw.

She couldn't help but whisper: "Your Highness?"

Are you angry because Zheng Lingzhou grabbed my wrist?

Duan Rongshi: "No. Am I that kind of petty, narrow‑minded husband?"

Yet his eyes were glaring at her fiercely.

What maiden is as frank as she, speaking of male‑female relations without a shred of bashfulness?

Even when caught in a private rendezvous with another man by her future husband, she didn't blush or her heart race.

Such openness left Prince Duan with nowhere to vent his anger.

Li Qingluo, however, stared at him with a half‑smile.

As if she had already seen through him completely.

Duan Rongshi: …

Fine, let's just say he is.

If there's a next time, be careful—I'll make you regret it!

Li Qingluo instead felt mischievous: "Your Highness, how do you want me to look good?"

Duan Rongshi narrowed his eyes, seized her wrist and pulled her into his embrace, his tone thick with threat: "How, will there really be a next time?"

Then it won't be just his hand—I'll cripple this wrist of yours too!

He said it menacingly, his grip tightening a bit more.

He was never a particularly tender person to begin with.

Her uniqueness is already rare in the world.

The darkness and bloodlust in his heart have never diminished in the slightest.

If Li Qingluo were truly to betray him, he would certainly not show mercy.

Even if he were to cripple her, he would still bind her to his side.

Li Qingluo was a little frightened by him.

Seeing her face turn pale, Duan Rongshi's tone softened again: "Has your anger subsided?"

He suddenly asked her a question.

Li Qingluo lifted her head to look at him.

Could it be that he had long guessed the intentions of Zheng Lingzhou and his sister toward her?

But he still spared their lives.

Because, compared to the grievances she had suffered, the Zheng family's wrongs were more important.

He had his own reckoning, so this time he first let go of his entanglement with her and the Zheng siblings.

Some things were left unsaid, but both of them knew it in their hearts.

Some things cannot be made too clear.

"No."

After saying that, she strode away in his embrace, and Duan Rongshi quickly held her tightly in his arms.

"Luo er, do you blame me?"

"I will compensate you in the future..."

Li Qingluo let out a deep sigh.

"Your Highness, how should I blame you?"

"Besides, for Li Jingchuan's sake, I really wouldn't actually kill them."

Even if he were to act ruthlessly, at least Zheng Wanxiu would be allowed to keep her life.

However, he recruited the Zheng siblings out of righteousness and old affection, which is also understandable.

In this world, love has never been the most important thing.

Moreover, many things require the two words 'conscience'.

Thinking this, Li Qingluo turned around and embraced Duan Rongshi.

"Your Highness, I'm really fine."

"If you feel indebted to the Zheng family in your heart, doing this is not blameworthy, and they are indeed still very useful."

"After we marry in the future, we will essentially be one."

"Luo er's personal grudges, compared to these, are merely trivial matters."

"Her righteousness made Duan Rongshi feel even more ashamed in his heart."

He lifted her chin, gazing gently into her eyes as he asked: "How should this king compensate you?"

"Speak, I am willing to give anything."

"Li Qingluo smiled: 'Then I want Your Highness a heart of eternal sincerity.'"