Chapter 468

Li Qingluo looked at the three of Jiechi, mockery growing in her eyes.

"You Ningyuan Temple, your collusion with the authorities is really deep."

"How about we go together? Let us lowly merchants also meet Official Wu to see just how formidable he is, what do you think?"

How could Jiechi and them dare to really agree?

Bringing a bunch of troublemakers to the county office, I fear the whole office will be thrown into utter chaos, chickens flying, dogs jumping.

Moreover, we must not let Official Wu know that Ningyuan Temple spends a thousand taels of silver notes just to eat.

Seeing the swords encircling them, Jiechi felt anguished as if cutting his own flesh and declared: "Enough! We'll return you five hundred taels of silver notes!"

Also, you can use the kitchen—okay, okay?

Today we really ran into a female bandit!

Acting so arrogantly and domineering, just wait till they get past tonight—we'll see how we settle accounts with them tomorrow!

Li Qingluo sheathed her sword neatly, seeing that it was good enough: "Of course it's feasible."

Everyone, why aren't you helping the eminent monks put out the fire?

If the fire spreads to our side, tonight we'll have nowhere to sleep.

The first-class killer said: "Yes, miss!"

With the killers taking action, extinguishing the fire takes less than half an incense stick.

Moreover, just as the fire here was doused, a light rain began to patter down from the sky.

The state of Chu never sees snow.

Thus winter is always overcast with continuous drizzle.

When this rain starts, the chill seeps into the bone marrow, causing aching pain.

Li Qingluo personally went to the kitchen and made a vegetable pot.

She put in plenty of the Sichuan pepper and chili peppers they had brought along.

Soon, the aroma filled the entire Ningyuan Temple.

The monks who had just put out the fire hadn't even lain down when the aroma made their stomachs writhe with roundworms.

They gulped down saliva wildly, yet none dared sneak a look at the kitchen to see what delicious dish this lowly merchant group had prepared.

After Li Qingluo and her group left, a few monks sneaked to the kitchen to see if anything was left.

Seeing that there was still some broth at the pot's bottom, someone immediately fetched the hidden steamed buns and dipped them in the broth to taste.

In an instant, those few who stole a bite nearly went mad.

Although their tongues and lips felt as if tortured—painful and trembling—their appetites suddenly opened wide.

And they simply couldn't stop!

A few people, three bites each, finished a bun and scraped the pot bottom clean.

Wanting to eat more, the buns were gone and the pot bottom was spotless.

A few people, feeling dejected, hadn't even left when Jiechi and Jiekong caught them red-handed.

Miss, they're punishing people over there.

I heard one person got ten strikes of the discipline rod and must kneel outside the Buddha hall all night reciting sutras.

Li Qingluo flipped through the sutras boredly, already losing interest in what was happening in the temple.

She wondered why Duan Rongshi hadn't returned yet.

We had agreed to meet today, yet as the hour of hai approaches, there's still no word.

Before that thought could fade, a sound came from outside the door.

Your Highness, Miss Li has left a meal for you.

Li Qingluo immediately rose to go meet her.

Seeing Duan Rongshi safe and sound, she smiled: "You've finally returned."

Come wash your hands and eat?

Duan Rongshi took off his black cloak and black mask, handed them to Que'er beside him, then stepped forward to take Li Qingluo's hand.

Good, I'm just hungry.

Que'er quickly said: "Your Highness, tonight's dishes were all personally made by Miss Li."

Your portion was also specially blanched for you first, and then Miss Li kept it warming on the stove.

Hearing this, Duan Rongshi's eyes softened as he looked at the person beside him.

Luo'er, you've worked hard.

But we might need an extra pair of chopsticks tonight.

Saying this, Duan Rongshi shifted aside, revealing the similarly black-robed Qingyangzi behind him.

Qingyangzi bowed with one hand: "Qingyangzi has met the Princess Consort of Prince Su. Your Highness and the Lady, at your grand wedding, I was unable to attend in person to offer congratulations, which I truly regret."

This is the gift I have prepared; please accept it, Lady.

Li Qingluo saw him and jumped: "How did you also come to Chu?"

Ashi, did you go to see him?

Duan Rongshi: "I suppose so."

Luo'er, let's eat and talk.

After Que'er and the others withdrew, only Li Qingluo and two others remained inside.

Then Duan Rongshi began to say that his going out this time was indeed because he had received a secret letter from Qingyangzi.

He too had come to Chu.

And his purpose was precisely to seek refuge with Duan Rongshi.

Qingyangzi, as always, is not very proper when he's normal.

He kept shouting at her Princess Consort, and in this half‑month not even the dozen guards of Prince Su's mansion have shouted as many times as he did tonight combined.

"How about you continue calling me Miss Li?" Li Qingluo twitched her mouth and quickly stopped.

Being called "princess" over and over while out in public is truly eye‑catching, and Li Qingluo feels uneasy all over.

Moreover, she and Duan Rongshi have not yet consummated their marriage.

When they were in the Witch Moon Sect, both he and she had reservations.

But later, during the past half‑month on the journey to Nan'an, he shared a room with her each day, sometimes sharing a bed, yet most nights he was alone on the couch, making do night after night.

Li Qingluo couldn't help feeling a knot of frustration, not understanding why he kept such a distance from her.

Although she relaxed day by day, she also felt deeply defeated.

Qingyangzi slipped a small parcel to Li Qingluo.

Li Qingluo only then realized this was his congratulatory gift.

Li Qingluo didn't dare to hold too much expectation.

She slowly opened the parcel and indeed saw a scripture.

"Heh, thank you for such a hefty gift. I shall accept it."

Qingyangzi: "This scripture I copied myself, character by character. Though the gift is modest, the sentiment is deep."

"Your Highness and the consort shouldn't find it objectionable, right?"

Duan Rongshi: "It will."

He snatched the scripture Li Qingluo was about to tuck into her bosom and then tossed it away.

Qingyangzi hurried to the corner to pick it up, gently blowing off the dust: "Your Highness, you indeed value those external things more."

"But now the National Teacher Mansion and Qing Song Temple are both in decline; even if you let me send something proper, I'm still short of resources."

Li Qingluo: "The National Teacher Mansion and Qing Song Temple are both in decline? What's going on?"

"After Immortal Yunhe left, didn't you secure the top seat in the National Teacher Mansion? I heard His Majesty still dotes on you."

Qingyangzi forced a dry laugh twice.

"Miss Li may not know, but now His Majesty has shifted his favor to that witch doctor from the Western Regions, no longer practicing our Daoist longevity path."

The National Teacher Mansion naturally fell into cold neglect.

Witch doctor?

The same witch doctor who once restored Emperor Yan from a wasting illness so he could sit up and continue guiding the realm?

And he's from the Western Regions!

Li Qingluo couldn't help looking at Duan Rongshi: "I heard this witch doctor was sent to His Majesty by the Grand Princess?"

"Ashi, you and the Grand Princess, have you had a disagreement?"

Duan Rongshi: "Do you really also think that I sent the Grand Princess to find that witch doctor?"

Li Qingluo: "I did suspect it. It turns out it's truly unrelated to you."

After all, who in the court doesn't know that the Grand Princess is closest to Duan Rongshi?

Whether inside or out, the Grand Princess always favors Duan Rongshi.

Now, the witch doctor personally recommended by the Grand Princess has become Emperor Yan's new favorite, and even the war with the Western Regions hasn't affected his favor at all.

Li Qingluo's heart suddenly sank heavily!

"Ashi, could it be that the Grand Princess… has been playing a role with you all along?"

"What does she want to do?"