Chapter 489: then translation of title

Zhui Yu covered his buttocks, and as soon as he threw down the wine cup he ran.

"Grandpa, I don't want to. My butt is about to callus—"

This remark instantly drew loud laughter from everyone in the courtyard.

Even Que'er laughed until he doubled over.

Duan Rongshi shook his head.

Nan Gongdi beside him smiled narrowly and revealed the heavenly secret: "He's really a blockhead."

"If this continues, when will he ever manage to marry Que'er, the little lady?"

Li Qingluo expressed deep agreement by continually nodding.

"Que'er, like me, is slow to open his heart to love; if he keeps acting so out of tune, he might not get married even five years from now."

Duan Rongshi: "You also know you yourself are slow to open your heart?"

His voice actually carried a hint of faint sorrow.

Others might not hear it, but how could Li Qingluo fail to hear it?

She gave an embarrassed laugh: "Ha, haha."

"Well, it's getting late. I've been a bit tired these two days, so I'll head back to my room first."

"Master, Senior Sister Jinniang, you and Ah Shi drink slowly, eat slowly."

Li Qingluo rose and swiftly withdrew.

She didn't even give Duan Rongshi a chance to say they should return to the room together.

Seeing this, Zheng Mama quickly rose and followed.

"Miss, let this old servant escort you back to your room and attend to your washing up?"

Finally Zheng Mama seized the opportunity, and she hurriedly helped Li Qingluo leave happily.

Upon returning to Tangdi Residence, Li Qingluo stopped in her tracks as soon as she entered the courtyard.

She furtively glanced at Zheng Mama.

Zheng Mama also gave a slight nod.

The two pretended to be normal as they walked toward the sleeping quarters, but as soon as they entered the room a long sword was pointed at Li Qingluo's snow‑white neck.

Before Zheng Mama could even utter an "ah," a hand‑knife strike knocked her unconscious to the ground.

The candles inside the room boomed, and the light halo swayed and brightened.

Li Qinglo looked at the guard before her, then at the familiar old figure seated not far away in a wheelchair—Zongzheng Wuheng.

Li Qingluo: "Is it you?"

"What do you intend to do?"

Her face showed a hint of tension; the sudden appearance of Zongzheng Wuheng was something she had not anticipated.

Zongzheng Wuheng gave a cold snort: "Miss Li, I hope you've been well."

In Zongzheng Wuheng's icy gaze lay a trace of resentment as he stared at the woman he had not seen for over a year; the memories of the humiliation he had endured surged back into his mind.

He crushed the teacup in his hand, letting the blood flow freely, and felt no pain.

"Shouldn't I be asking you why you suddenly appeared in the southern precinct of the Great Chu capital?"

"The consort of Prince Su of Great Liang!"

"Oh, I had forgotten. Miss Li, although you are engaged, you have not yet married Duan Rongshi, so you still cannot be called the consort of Prince Su."

"But you dare to bring people, swagger about, even forge travel documents to enter the Great Chu capital—what crime should a person from Great Liang deserve?"

As Zongzheng Wuheng angrily slapped the table with one hand, Li Qingluo also shrank back in fear.

She looked full of resentment: "I never imagined that, having only just arrived in your Nan'an less than half a day ago, you would have discovered my whereabouts."

"Zongzheng Wuheng, this is indeed your Great Chu territory; now the fates have turned, and at last it is my turn to fall into your hands!"

"However, what does it matter if I am the consort of Prince Su? This young lady couldn't care less."

"Do you, as a lofty sixth prince, only gather half the news, unaware that I am now not only a female merchant but also have taken on a husband who married into my family?"

Li Qingluo, who had originally held a hint of panic in her eyes, lifted them instantly, and her gaze turned sharp and cold.

Her tone, which had been trembling, instantly shifted to mockery.

All one saw was her raise a hand, and in the blink of an eye she dodged beneath the sword of Zongzheng Wuheng's guard.

Afterward, without waiting for her to act, Zheng Mama sprang up from the ground.

Zheng Mama's skills over the past year were not for nothing; she had improved considerably compared to before.

Li Qingluo, meanwhile, swiftly rushed to the bedside and drew her Azure Fall Sword in one motion.

She lifted the sword and advanced toward Zongzheng Wuheng.

When he threw a flying dart from his hand, she swiftly deflected it with her sword, then seized the moment to launch the sleeve‑arrow from her wrist at Zongzheng Wuheng.

Zongzheng Wuheng tilted his head to dodge, but then heard a tragic "ah" cry from behind him.

Only then did he realize that this crafty young lady, Li Qingluo, had not aimed her sleeve‑arrow at him at all.

Her target had been his own guard all along!

Seeing the guard fall, before Zongzheng Wuheng could react, Li Qingluo's Azure Fall Sword was already laid across his throat.

"Zongzheng Wuheng, you are still as arrogant as ever."

"You've been fooled by this young lady so many times—how can you still refuse to learn your lesson?"

"Although you have returned to Great Chu, and this Nan'an is your turf, do you really think you can seize me so easily?"

"Moreover, Sixth Prince of Great Chu, how do you know I didn't deliberately lure you here?"

She gave a faint smile.

Zongzheng Wuheng's face went pale: "You—"

His chest heaved violently with anger, then gradually settled.

"This is Nan'an; if I, the prince, suffer any mishap tonight here, do you think you can get away?"

"Li Qingluo, though you are sinister and crafty, your methods are indeed cruel and vicious, but today you cannot even think of deceiving me."

"That supposed son-in-law who lives in your home is just a pretext you use to hide your identity!"

"I might as well tell you another piece of good news."

"Your true beloved, Duan Rongshi, has already died thoroughly on the battlefield where DaLiang and the Western Regions clashed."

"I have already sent people to investigate; this is indeed true, not something that can be faked."

"Now his coffin and spirit tablet have already been escorted back to the DaLiang imperial capital by his deputy general and soldiers."

"At most half a month later, news of his death will spread throughout the world."

"For such a bloodthirsty and brutal Yama-like killer, the world will surely cheer and celebrate."

"And you, I have also come specially today to congratulate you. Congratulations on not yet truly marrying him; now you need not be a widow."

"Seeing her face show an expression of disbelief and extreme anguish, Zong Zheng Wuheng finally felt a hint of satisfaction."

"This is why he rushed to see her tonight."

"He just wanted to know whether this vicious, ruthless woman's heart would actually ache for the death of the person she cared about."

"And because he had already confirmed Duan Rongshi's death, he directly denied in his heart that Li Qingluo had a live-in son-in-law."

"Knowing she is just bluffing, and this is Nan'an—could she really overturn the heavens?"

"My own feet have rotted and bred maggots, completely crippled—all thanks to her!"

"He had barely managed to cling to life and escape; now it's her turn to fall into his hands and taste the pain he once endured."

"No, she must repay a thousandfold, a hundredfold, to quell the hatred in her heart!"

"Zong Zheng Wuheng's face curled into a cold smile."

"Stop struggling, Li Qingluo."

"Do you really think I, the prince, came today with only a single guard?"

"I have long known that you are surrounded by experts; how could I come unprepared?"

"Having said that, he swiftly raised his hand and, with the finger wearing two finger guards, flicked away the Azure Fall Sword."

"And with a loud shout: 'Come! Seize this enemy nation's spy for the prince!'"