Chapter 488: Is Ah Shi a husband who married into the family?

On the way down the mountain, they were still digging at the front.

Meanwhile, Li Qingluo's group had already quietly left from the back mountain.

The boulder on the back mountain had been moved aside smoothly; by the time Zhang Tingji rushed over after hearing the sound, there was no sign of Li Qingluo's group.

Even the Kill Three who had helped dig the mountain path earlier had already quietly withdrawn.

"Prince Consort, are we just letting them go like that?"

Zhang Tingji looked at the princess manor's guard who had long become his trusted aide.

"What else? Do you dare to keep these people?"

"In my view, they are certainly not ordinary folk. But who exactly are they?"

"As Prince Consort, I really can't think of any lady from our Great Chu who possesses such ability, disposition, and strategy."

"Moreover, the black-clad guard beside her is certainly no ordinary guard."

"His entire bearing exudes nobility, impossible to hide."

He couldn't figure out which noble in the imperial city could have such stature and demeanor.

Zhang Tingji stared at the mountain path obscured by clouds and mist, murmuring, "Someday we will surely meet again."

"Let's wait and see."

After another three days, Li Qingluo's group leisurely arrived safely at South Peace.

Outside South Peace City, Zhui Yu and Que'er, who had gone out to greet them earlier, were already waiting.

Both wore Great Chu-style clothing, with Que'er completely covered by a veiled hat.

Upon seeing their young lady, she immediately sprang forward, running happily.

"Miss, I've missed you dearly. How has Zheng Mama been attending to you these past days?"

Idle Zheng Mama beside them: "Ah?"

"No need for this old servant either. Your Highness… uh, Fifth Lord Yue has been looking after the miss with meticulous care, leaving this old servant no chance to intervene."

"Hehe..."

Saying this, Zheng Mama herself felt a bit flushed.

It seemed she really was a bit useless.

No way!

If this continues, where could she go in the future while still bringing me along?

Zheng Mama hurried forward, intending to support Li Qingluo from the other side.

But before she could, a large hand reached out faster than hers.

Upon seeing that big hand, Zheng Mama trembled with fright and dared not approach further.

After dismounting, Li Qingluo and Que'er slipped into the nearby prepared carriage.

Que'er emptied the travel permits from her pouch.

"Miss, these are yours."

"Your identity badge says you're a merchant's daughter; we all came from Rongle County at the border of Great Chu and DaLiang, here to do business and settle in South Peace."

"Everyone here is your assistant."

"Except for Mr. Nangong, who is your father, and Your Highness, who is your husband."

Li Qingluo: "Husband?"

"The master is fine; after all, one day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father—making him her father poses no problem."

"But Duan Rongshi isn't planning to continue acting as a guard, is he?"

Que'er smiled and explained: "A few days ago, when I and Zhui Yu left first, Your Highness specifically instructed that we handle your identities this way."

"Your Highness also said he is marrying into your family, so henceforth all household business affairs, inside and out, are to be managed by you and Mr. Nangong."

Li Qingluo lifted the carriage curtain to look outside at the figure in all-black attire, still wearing a black mask.

When he sensed her gaze and turned his eyes, she gave a light smile.

"Husband."

Seeing Duan Rongshi pause noticeably, Li Qingluo gave a 'puchi' laugh and hid back in the carriage, not knowing what storm she would soon face…

Nan Gongdi had already separated from Li Qingluo's group before the Upper Ningyuan Temple, sneaking ahead into the Great Chu Imperial City's South Peace.

He used a thousand taels of silver to acquire in South Peace a well-located, spacious three-courtyard residence.

The gate bore a plaque reading "Nan Gong Fu", and he took on the role of the Nan Gong Patriarch.

When Li Qingluo arrived, the entrance was already crowded with people, and Nan Gongdi led the way, standing at the main gate to welcome his 'daughter' and 'son-in-law'.

As the carriage and horses slowly came to a halt, firecrackers sounded.

The steward shouted at the top of his lungs: "Welcome home, miss and son-in-law!"

After settling in, Li Qingluo lay on the rocking chair wanting a brief rest, when heavy footsteps sounded outside the door.

She needed not look to know who had returned.

Thus she half-narrowed her eyes at the figure who removed his mask upon entering, smiling softly: "Husband?"

Duan Rongshi strode over, scooped her up in one motion, turned and seated her in a chair, then placed her steadily on his lap.

"How about consummating tonight?"

"I have already ordered it; several tables will be set up in this residence."

"What do you think?"

Li Qingluo's face instantly flushed.

She struggled to rise, but Duan Rongshi pressed her down firmly, preventing her from getting up.

"What are you running for?"

"Isn't calling 'husband' something that rolls off the tongue nicely?"

"I also find it pleasant to hear."

"From now on I will be Luo'er's proper husband, and I won't have to be a sneaky bodyguard who sneaks into the young lady's room."

"Miss, are you still satisfied?"

Li Qingluo stared wide-eyed: "You you you you you..."

She stammered: "A Shi, who possessed you?"

"He actually threw a big banquet for the consummation; does he want the whole family to know?"

"He himself is also thick-skinned."

"But on this matter today, she willingly admits defeat."

Seeing her anxious with furrowed brows, Duan Rongshi smiled: "You tease me, isn't it enjoyable?"

"Only you are allowed to tease me, but I can't tease you?"

"Alright, the banquet is real. However, it's under the guise of praying for peace to invite everyone to drink."

"These days, everyone has followed us two running east and west, both traveling and busily working at Ningyuan Temple, all exhausted from the inevitable hardship."

"Rewarding everyone with drinks is also appropriate."

"As for the consummation... who would believe that I, the prince, guard such a beautiful maiden every day yet still can't bring myself to act?"

"However, tonight, you must wait for my return."

Duan Rongshi said and then firmly flicked Li Qingluo's slightly raised nose.

He teased her until her heart was in a tangle, a wave of panic.

Could it be that tonight they really will consummate?

The banquet was set up; Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi, as the hosts, naturally had to raise their cups together to start the feast.

Master Qingyang, Nan Gongdi, Jin Ning, etc., all sat in the upper guest seats.

A Duo, Que'er, Zhui Yu, Sha Yi and a few others sat together lively.

Soon after, Zhui Yu completely let loose.

He chased Que'er and asked: "Am I a man or not now?"

"Or do we still not lose face, uh, of our hometown people?"

"Do we still have the bearing of our hometown men?"

Que'er was stared at by everyone with teasing eyes, her face already flushed crimson.

She angrily picked up a chicken leg and stuffed it into Zhui Yu's mouth.

"Whether you're manly or not is none of my business."

"Miss, palace... uh, you guys quickly rein them in!"

Duan Rongshi: "Call me son-in-law, and I'll take care of them for you."

Que'er's eyes lit up: "Son-in-law!"

Duan Rongshi turned his head to look at Zhui Yu and gave a faint smile: "Want to get a beating?"