Chapter 49: A chilling, mournful scream—Brother's leg is gone

Li Kechuan let out a chilling, mournful scream and instantly collapsed into a pool of blood.

Dongyin Alley, Jiangjun Fu.

In the front courtyard's main hall, Qu Shi was summoned by Pei Lao Furen for questioning: "What exactly is going on with Lou Shi?"

In fact, Pei Lao Furen now sees through everything.

She had long found it odd—what on earth does her obedient granddaughter want with her father's two concubines?

It turned out she wanted to bring them back to trouble her own mother!

And indeed she did—choosing today to present her mother with such a "birthday gift"!

On this day, most of Jinling City's prominent families turned up at Jiangjun Fu; if word spread that they mistreated concubines and illegitimate daughters, that foolish son of theirs would never rise in the court again.

"Mother, the daughter‑in‑law also doesn't know why she suddenly came back. Previously, clearly…"

Qu Shi pressed her lips in grievance, her eyes even reddening with unshed tears.

Pei Lao Furen could barely bear to watch.

How could Li Chao Jing be so foolish, marrying an even dumber wife?

Truly, the good, easy days of the past have been lived to excess!

"Still think it's not chaotic enough? After all, they're people of Jiangjun Fu, and there's also a young lady. Since they've all returned, why not settle them quickly?"

Inside, Qu Shi was filled with countless unwillingness.

The matriarch had no clue what actually happened six years ago!

But today… the whole of Jinling is already watching the commotion and jokes of Jiangjun Fu.

Even on her birthday, she must swallow a flood of unwillingness and grievance.

Otherwise her husband would lose face, and it would affect their marital relationship.

Qu Shi forced a smile onto her face: "Yes, the daughter‑in‑law was just too busy, but she'll go now."

After Qu Shi stepped away, the women and girls in the room began whispering softly.

Who would have thought that today Li's household would host such lively spectacle—it was truly worth coming for.

The matriarch of Zhongyi Hou Fu tugged Pei Lao Furen: "You, why are you so angry? They're just a concubine and an illegitimate daughter—what heavens could they overturn? Coming back is just adding two more mouths, that's all."

Pei Lao Furen had long been acquainted with the matriarch of Zhongyi Hou Fu.

For thirty years their correspondence never ceased, and the matriarch of Zhongyi Hou Fu even visited Qingsong Temple to see Pei Lao Furen in person.

Today the matriarch of Zhongyi Hou Fu arrived in person, startling the entire Jiangjun Fu.

After all, given her status, she could not have returned to wish Qu Shi a birthday.

So she must have seized the chance to see her old sister and also glimpse her future granddaughter‑in‑law.

The two never let go of each other's hands again after meeting.

The matriarch of Zhongyi Hou Fu complained that Pei Lao Furen kept Li Qingluo hidden and wouldn't show her.

"I trusted that you raised her, surely she's good. What about the one who grew up in Jiangjun Fu? She's not the one I originally meant; without your bloodline, I can't regard her."

Pei Lao Furen: "Stop coaxing me. You arranged the betrothal back then because of your closer ties with Qu Shi's mother, didn't you?"

Matriarch of Zhongyi Hou Fu: "…"

Why remember it so clearly!?

"Huh, people grow old and forget."

Pei Lao Furen: "Hehe."

Too lazy to expose her.

Zhongyi Hou Fu still honors this marriage, giving Li Qingluo a good match; she isn't that particular about it.

"I originally intended to wait until your birthday, to go personally and bring her to pay you respects, but I didn't expect you to be so impatient and come yourself."

"Unfortunately, she's developed a rash these past two days; I'm not sure if it's contagious. You're old, you shouldn't take such a risk—let's discuss it on your birthday."

Matriarch of Zhongyi Hou Fu: "Sigh, a toothache."

Qu Shi hurried to the doorway, seeing Lou Shi and the little scoundrel beside her, and felt a surge of raging anger.

Fortunately, Lou Shi gave birth only to a daughter back then; otherwise I would never have let her live to this day!

Yet she didn't know better and still dared to return to Jinling!

Qu Shi forced down her pent‑up grievance and, amid the chatter, said, "Concubine Lou, you were sent to Mount Emei years ago to pray for our family; thank you for your effort. Since you're back today, quickly bring our third young lady inside."

"Steward, settle those two properly."

Those nearby immediately praised Qu Shi as a wise, virtuous, and magnanimous matriarch.

Qu Shi thought: Gaining a good reputation is fine, but since Lou Shi dares to return, I'll have to resort to measures and deal with her harshly from now on!

Just as she was thinking, the street suddenly stirred.

A group of people rushed toward here at wind‑like speed; before they got close, a pungent scent of blood filled the air.

Qu Shi quickly covered her nose, her face full of disgust: "Where does this foul stench come from? On a day like today, they dare to drift to the front of our Jiangjun Fu? Servants, hurry and drive them away; don't frighten our distinguished guests today."

Qu Shi's face showed impatience and anger as she waved her hand hastily.

The Jiangjun Fu servants rushed out, just as they blocked those people, they were kicked away hard.

"We are members of the Imperial Guard and Prince Yun's men; who dares to block our way?"

While speaking, a stretcher was thrown in front of Jiangjun Fu's gate.

A blood‑splattered, mangled figure lay on the stretcher, and the onlookers immediately…

Yet everyone inside was shocked: How did the Imperial Guard and Prince Yun's men arrive? Has Jiangjun Fu gotten into trouble?

While speculating, a hulking man from the Imperial Guard stepped forward.

This man was Yang Qinwu.

He, his face dark and murderous, declared: "Deputy General Li Kechuan of the Eastern Qi Camp, concealing his identity, illegally entered Prince Yun's private residence, ignoring warnings and attempting to assassinate Your Highness Prince Yun!"

"Prince Yun's guards can't intercept; a few of us will step in to aid Your Highness Prince Yun and seize him!"

Qu Shi, for a moment, seemed not to have understood.

"W‑what? Everyone, what does this mean?"

Just as he was speaking, Li Chao Jing, hearing the news, stepped out of the Jiangjun Fu gate at that moment.

"What's the matter?"

Qu Shi's heart hammered like drums; at this moment she only wanted to know: "Chuan Er, they say it's Chuan Er! Everyone, what on earth has my Chuan Er gotten into? Where is he right now!?"

"He is clearly in the backyard of our house right now; how could he have run to Prince Yun's residence? Is there some misunderstanding?"

Li Chao Jing also wore a stern face: "Everyone, how could my Chuan Er possibly do such a thing? Absolutely not!"

Yang Qinwu let out a cold laugh, pointing at the ground: "It's his self‑destruct status; otherwise, how could he still be hanging on by a breath and come back alive now?"

Yang Qinwu lifted his hand, and a thigh of Li Kechuan was brought forward.

Yang Qinwu: "Lord Li. Your Highness Prince Yun said that if there are any doubts about this matter, you may go before His Majesty to plead your case. However, today we have been watching with our eyes wide open as the young general has already broken into the second courtyard of Prince Yun's private residence."

"Lord Li, see to it yourself. Farewell!"

Having said that, Yang Qinwu and his companions no longer lingered, turned and strode away.

Meanwhile, the crowd in front of the Jiangjun Fu, after hearing those words and looking at the person lying unconscious on the ground, body smeared with blood and filth, unrecognizable, uncertain whether any breath remained, and a leg still being held by Li Chao Jing, the Li family's young general Li Kechuan…

In an instant, waves of chaotic murmurs rose rapidly.

Qu Shi let out a startled scream and instantly collapsed into unconsciousness.

Li Chao Jing staggered a few steps, leaning against the Jiangjun Fu gate while holding that leg; after half a moment she finally regained her voice: "Quick, quick… physician… imperial physician…"

"Chuan Er, Chuan Er! Chuan Er—!!! My son!!!"