Chapter 471

Ashi, I've told you before—I saw the mother consort and even became acquainted with her.

It is the mother consort who has never been reincarnated and has been watching you from the netherworld.

She knew you would suffer the fate of widowhood, orphanhood, loneliness, and solitude, dying young, so she sent me back, hoping to defy heaven and change my fate, and then change yours as well.

Although every word she said was utterly astonishing.

But I myself have dreamed of going to Li Qingluo's past life, and that experience was extraordinarily real.

Before, there was the soul of Zongzheng Yuer from another world.

Later, there was Zulya who swapped souls to prolong life in the body of Kuliangqiao.

Too many unbelievable things have already happened; what's so surprising about another of his Luoluo also being a reborn person?

The outcome of her past life was truly too tragic.

It's only a pity that he went too late, unable to save her.

What was found was only her remains, mutilated after being gnawed by wild dogs.

Fortunately, she was reborn, and in this life she smoothly encountered herself.

Duan Rongshi quickly accepted all of this.

Just mentioning the mother consort, his expression involuntarily grew solemn.

Luoluo, you say, what exactly happened between you and the mother consort?

Li Qingluo then told Duan Rongshi everything that happened after her fainting, without omitting a single detail.

The mother consort said I am your destined marriage star.

In the previous life, because the stars shifted and became chaotic, we were unable to meet, and I also ended up with a tragic fate.

The mother consort could not bear to see us meet such an end, so she defied heaven and altered fate, sending me back to the two days before returning to the Jiangjun Fu.

Right, Ashi, the mother consort also told me the full truth of how she was originally killed.

Because she brought back memories from the netherworld, Li Qingluo became foolish for a period of time as her mortal body could not withstand it.

As time passed and she absorbed the essences of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, she gradually recovered all her memories.

Naturally, she also remembered those words the mother consort had said.

It's just a pity that Duan Rongshi wasn't by her side then, and she couldn't tell him in time.

Writing letters wasn't very reliable either, so Li Qingluo could only wait, wait for him to return.

But he never came back, so Li Qingluo waited again, waiting to be able to free herself from MiaoJiang and go find him in person.

Fortunately, after many twists and turns, the two of them finally reunited.

Upon hearing this, Duan Rongshi's expression changed.

He lost composure and grabbed both of Li Qingluo's arms, his emotions becoming somewhat agitated, and his voice involuntarily rose.

I have investigated the DaLiang palace thoroughly and know everything clearly.

But I do not believe the news that Zongzheng Wuheng sent back.

He has made the situation in Great Chu too clean, so I must personally go to Great Chu to find out what he is actually hiding.

Now, Luoluo, quickly tell me, what exactly is the truth of how the mother consort met her tragic end back then?

Li Qingluo: Ashi, don't rush.

Wait until we leave Ningyuan Temple, go to a safe, deserted place, and then I will slowly explain everything clearly to you.

But right now, there are two enemies who have harmed the mother consort.

One is the second princess who is coming today; she was one of the perpetrators who harmed the mother consort back in the Great Chu state.

Moreover, if I am not mistaken, the abbot Jiaoguan of Ningyuan Temple is also someone who once deeply hurt the mother consort and betrayed her sincere feelings.

Having said that, Li Qingluo immediately summoned Zhui Yu.

I had you investigate something yesterday; have you looked into it?

Zhui Yu replied, "Miss, my subordinate has found that this abbot Jiaoguan was indeed the eldest son of the main branch of the Xie family of the An'nan clan."

It is said that back then he was fully versed in statecraft, not only highly learned, but also of dignified appearance, and his family background was among the foremost in Nan'an.

He was also the most sought-after young man in all of Nan'an.

However, twenty-five years ago, just after the eldest princess—namely, Your Highness's mother consort—married into DaLiang, he suddenly, as if gone mad, resolutely came to this Ningyuan Temple to become a monk.

It is said that he disregarded his father's sword threats and his mother's threats to hang herself, and refused to return.

Finally, the Chu emperor summoned the head of the Xie family into the palace to persuade him with a few words, and only then did the Xie family avoid causing any tragedy.

However, from then on, the Xie family severed ties with this abbot Jiaoguan. The Xie family's household rules thereafter forbade all Xie descendants from coming to this Ningyuan Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha.

Moreover... my subordinate has also heard...

Li Qingluo knew he was wary of Duan Rongshi, so she also turned to look at Duan Rongshi, waiting for him to speak.

Duan Rongshi: What have you heard? Speak freely.

Zhui Yu secretly let out a breath of relief.

Fortunately, it was the miss who sent him to inquire; even if the result is unsavory, Your Highness would not bear to be angry with the miss, would she?

Zhui Yu: There is a rumor among the folk that the noble consort and this Jiaoguan once had a private affair.

And this abbot Jiaoguan is nothing but a lovesick fool, for being unable to let go of the princess who married far away into DaLiang, he thus, in utter despair, renounced all worldly glory and became a monk.

Li Qingluo crossed her arms in anger: "Damn his fart!"

Zhui Yu was startled and shuddered.

The miss's speech is becoming increasingly uncouth, isn't it?

Even Que'er now often has 'fart' and 'fart' hanging on her lips.

They really are a close master and servant pair.

Duan Rongshi waved his hand with a grim expression: "Why aren't you leaving yet? Are you waiting to get beaten?"

Zhui Yu hurriedly scurried away.

Li Qingluo returned inside, fuming, and slammed her fist onto the table, instantly cracking the table in this shabby side-room.

Duan Rongshi: ……

His Luo'er, indeed is a maiden with monstrous strength.

Duan Rongshi: "Don't be angry. I already knew this; it's no different from the news that Zongzheng Wu Heng sent to DaLiang."

Li Qingluo: "But the truth is indeed not like that!"

Back then, this Jiaoguan, namely the eldest legitimate son of the Xie family, Xie Huaiyuan, outwardly posed as a virtuous gentleman, graceful as the moon and wind, but privately begged the consort to favor and love him.

But the Xie family would not let him become the prince consort.

According to the laws of the Da Chu imperial dynasty, a prince consort who has married a princess cannot hold an office of rank three or higher; isn't this cutting off the entire Xie family's lifeline and future?

At that time, the consort's situation in the palace was somewhat delicate, so she went to the seaside imperial villa to relax; unluckily she encountered bandits, and Xie Huaiyuan suddenly jumped out to save her life.

It was only after that that the consort gradually grew closer to him.

He repeatedly assured that the Xie family still had many legitimate and illegitimate sons; even without him, it would certainly not cause familial turmoil, and he would convince the whole Xie family.

But Xie Huaiyuan showed no abnormality on the surface; then, turning away, he suddenly changed his expression and sent the consort……

Li Qingluo lifted her head to look at Duan Rongshi, somewhat unsure how to speak.

Anyway, this person has committed heinous crimes against the consort!

It is also because of him that the consort resolutely chose to marry into DaLiang.

And even if he fled to this Ningyuan Temple to become a monk, in this lifetime he could never wash away the sins he committed against the consort!

Duan Rongshi leaned on the table, his expression somewhat dazed.

Li Qingluo, fearing he might misunderstand, added: "A Shi, when the consort married into DaLiang, she preserved her purity and chastity."

Otherwise, I imagine your father emperor's nature would not have favored her for years without abandoning her.

Otherwise, I suppose, given your father emperor's disposition, he wouldn't have doted on her for years without abandoning her.