Chapter 520

Hearing Princess Changning's baseless anger and humiliation, Li Qingluo knew her own status in the Great Chu was lowly, so she could only endure throughout.

But to have her pretend nothing happened, to be kicked out like a dog.

That is also absolutely impossible.

Li Qingluo stepped forward and continued to pick up the sea bowls from the ground.

Then she herself filled the wine.

"Say the penalty, enforce the penalty; naturally there is no reason to break faith."

"Today making the princess feel displeased is entirely the fault of this commoner woman."

"This commoner woman is willing to continue self-punishing with three cups."

"I hope the princess can calm her anger."

"Wherever the princess wishes to go in the future is naturally her freedom. That our Hua Xie wine house has displeased the princess is our lack of fortune."

"Princess, the mountains are high and the roads long, the sea vast and the sky wide—I, Nan Gong Qingluo, thank you for your patronage these days, for all you have brought to Hua Xie Wine House."

Having said that, she directly tipped her head back and finished the remaining two bowls in succession.

Then, amid the gazes and silent stillness, she straightened her back and withdrew.

Seventh Princess: "She still has quite a backbone."

Other noble ladies: "Yeah, I still quite like her temperament. Such a straightforward person, she's also brought us a lot of convenience and fun."

"Now whenever I go out to eat at a restaurant, I only choose theirs."

"Who isn't? No need to worry about those rules, relaxed and carefree."

"The Nan Gong maiden is unlike other ladies. Her temperament is frank and upright—how much joy has Hua Xie Wine House brought us? She deserves to get rich."

"Yes, we feel comfortable staying here; let's keep coming here from now on."

After all, not every noble lady wants to cozy up to Princess Changning.

Her birth mother is dead; what value does her princess title still hold?

Who still fears her?

Many people openly expressed their fondness for Hua Xie Wine House to their faces.

This is undoubtedly a direct slap to Princess Changning's face.

She clenched her fists, her face continually dark.

However, seeing Zong Xingyao lively discussing the recent events with others, she could only suppress her inner resentment for now.

Nan Gong Qingluo!

I will never let you have an easy time!

Best, you go die!!

Thus, aside from a few people in the princess's manor, no one else will ever learn the secret of my birth.

She absolutely does not allow the truth that she is a bastard born of the affair between Princess Zhiyuan and the Xie family monk to become known to the world.

She wants everyone who knows this secret, except her father, to die!

Moreover, killing Nan Gong Qingluo could also be considered avenging her birth parents!

Princess Changning dug her nails into her palm until the skin broke and bled, yet she felt nothing.

The Seventh Princess noticed her abnormality and involuntarily called out: "Changning, Changning?"

"Changning, what's wrong with you?"

"Why are you feeling off today? Are you feeling unwell from illness?"

"Shall I summon the imperial physician for you?"

The Seventh Princess touched Changning's forehead.

She discovered that Changning really had a slight fever.

Changning grasped her hand and hurriedly said: "I'm fine. Xingyao, shall we dine here today?"

Li Qingluo came out of the room and immediately steadied herself against the wall.

Having drunk three sea-bowls of wine, to say she is completely fine is absolutely impossible.

The steward came forward to support her: "Young master, are you alright?"

Li Qingluo: "Hangover soup. Quick."

"First help me to the room to rest; wait for Que'er to return and have her wake me."

"And also, be sure to keep a close watch on Princess Changning!"

As Li Qingluo spoke, her face turned completely grim.

This Changning—today she certainly comes with ill intent.

After Li Qingluo returned to the room and drank the hangover soup, she could no longer hold out and temporarily fell into a faint.

When she was shaken awake again, it was Que'er leaning by the bedside, face full of anxiety, saying: "Miss, something has happened."

"Please wake up—"

"Miss?"

Li Qingluo supported her somewhat heavy head and sat up.

"Speak."

Que'er: "The princess ate something from our wine house and has now fainted."

Upon hearing this, Li Qingluo hastily threw off the blankets, got to her feet, put on her shoes, and rushed out.

Before she even reached their private room, she heard Princess Changning's angry voice penetrate the wall: "Someone come!"

"Hurry up and surround this Hua Xie Wine House for this princess!"

"Today, aside from the young ladies of each household, no one from this wine house is allowed to leave!"

"Where's Nan Gong Qingluo?"

"Make her get out quickly and see this Princess!"

"How dare you poison the Princess, this Princess will raid the Flower Pavilion Restaurant!"

"If the Princess has any misdeed, Nan Gong Qingluo cannot atone even with death!"

Li Qingluo shoved the door open: "Whether there's any misdeed or not, just have the imperial physician take a look and you'll know, won't you?"

She strode into the side room, looking at all the startled noble ladies.

Then she looked at Princess Changning, who was holding the Seventh Princess.

Li Qingluo walked over in big strides, and Princess Changning immediately scolded her: "Stop! You may not come forward!"

"Well, you Nan Gong Qingluo, how dare you poison the Princess!"

"This Princess thinks you want to die."

"Grab her for this Princess!"

After speaking, Princess Changning waved her hand, sending the maids nearby to seize her.

Li Qingluo stood still, and Que'er and the shopkeeper together intervened, blocking the few elderly women and maids of Princess Changning.

Que'er and the shopkeeper were both skilled; even ten ordinary maids or elderly women wouldn't be a match for their practice.

Thus, in a few moves they blocked everyone back, pushing them to the ground, and the group fell together.

A chorus of old women and girls cried out "Ay yo" to the heavens, startling everyone.

After all, which shopkeeper could also know martial arts?

And they are all women!

Princess Changning's complexion changed slightly.

"Nan Gong Qingluo!"

"You still dare to betray and assassinate! I think you intend to rebel!"

"Help! Someone, quickly—"

The Princess's guards were outside the restaurant.

Princess Changning could only raise her voice and shout.

Li Qingluo rushed forward and clamped her hand over Princess Changning's mouth.

"If you shout again, I will make you lose your voice today."

"I have said, regardless of any man's status, no man may enter my Flower Pavilion Restaurant."

"If you insist on breaking this rule and call those guards inside, don't blame me for being impolite."

"Since you already want to kill me, what am I afraid of?"

Princess Changning's face turned pale.

"Um— I don't understand what you're saying…"

Li Qingluo: "Stop pretending to be clueless with me."

"Don't think your foolish methods can slip past my eyes."

Princess Changning shook her head, caught her breath, then shouted loudly: "You're talking nonsense!"

"You murderer still try to deny it!"

"No matter what rules your restaurant has, Xingyao's guards will soon come in to capture you!"

"Then, even if you open your mouth, you won't escape culpability!"

"This Princess says your restaurant should shut its doors and be done!"

"Nan Gong Qingluo, don't think you can escape—ugh!"

Li Qingluo, too lazy to waste words, pulled out a handkerchief and stuffed it into Princess Changning's mouth.

She sneered and replied to Princess Changning: "Those guards?"

"Princess Changning, have you not yet witnessed my prowess at Ningyuan Temple?"