Chapter 572: Luo'er has grown up; as her husband, I feel deeply gratified

Li Qingluo, who was quietly watching this scene not far away, turned her head to look at Duan Rongshi beside her.

They held a piece of colored glaze in their hands.

It was a rare treasure from the distant seas.

As long as it is placed before one's eyes, one can see every spot within the darkness.

This treasure was found by Duan Rongshi and Li Qingluo in a burial chamber of this imperial mausoleum, a chamber already piled with countless treasures.

Not only did they have this colored glaze, but the mountain-like pile of treasures also contained countless other rare treasures.

At first Li Qingluo thought it was something the Chu Emperor had prepared long ago for his own burial.

Until she and Duan Rongshi saw chest after chest of silk and satin inside, and even finished garments.

There were dignified, grand styles as well as fresh, elegant, youthful designs.

It looked as if half of it had been prepared for his mother, the empress dowager.

The other half was prepared for Duan Rongshi's birth mother, Consort Zong Zheng Qingya.

Therefore, the jewels and hairpin ornaments in that chamber were burial goods prepared for the late empress, who was also Duan Rongshi's maternal great-grandmother and his birth mother.

That chamber could not be entered easily.

It was also because Duan Rongshi understood some mechanisms that the two were able to go in and see everything.

Including inside the original tomb chamber of the mausoleum, there were also four night‑pearls the size of fists.

Previously, it was precisely these four night‑pearls that allowed everything inside the mausoleum to be clearly visible even after the stone door fell.

And now Duan Rongshi has stored all four night‑pearls in that treasure‑filled burial chamber, so when Zong Zheng Langri awakens he will be like a blind man.

Seeing Zong Zheng Langri awaken like that, Li Qingluo instinctively reached out and tightly grasped Duan Rongshi's hand.

She knew that between her and this tyrant, they too ought to have a final reckoning.

"Ah Shi, what exactly are you planning?"

The two turned and walked back down the passage, entered another empty burial chamber, and sat down against the wall.

Before they returned to the mausoleum again, the rest of the people who needed to leave had already done so.

This includes Jinni and her disciples, Zhang Tingji and Yang Qilang, as well as Qingyangzi, who have all led everyone away, including the corpses of the Qin King and Zong Zheng Wuxie, from the surroundings of the mausoleum.

Now only the guards and assassins of the Prince Su's Manor remain outside, escorting Zong Zheng Wuheng.

Zong Zheng Wuheng has not yet left, and that is because Duan Rongshi spoke up, asking him to stay for another purpose.

So now, inside the mausoleum, apart from the Chu Emperor, only Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi remain.

"The Qin King and Zong Zheng Wuxie have already received what they deserved."

"In the realm of Great Chu, should we put an end to everything?"

Duan Rongshi did not know what he was thinking.

After Li Qingluo finished her question, a moment later he lowered his head and came to his senses.

"Luo'er, what did you say?"

Li Qingluo knew his mood was very complicated right now.

Clearly, now is not the time to discuss this further.

She simply leaned her body to one side, rested her head on his knee, lay down, and closed her eyes.

Fortunately, because Duan Rongshi is a cleanliness freak, even in this awful situation he managed to find some soft padding to lay on the ground inside the mausoleum.

So it wasn't too shabby after all.

"I'm saying, I barely slept last night."

"So I'm tired."

"Ah Shi, I'll go to sleep first."

"We'll talk about the rest tomorrow."

She reached out and embraced Duan Rongshi's arm, and with a quick turn she soon drifted into sleep.

Duan Rongshi gently patted her, and once her breathing became even he took off his outer robe and covered Li Qingluo with it.

Then he tightly held her hand, closed his eyes, leaned back, and also gently closed his eyes.

That night, Li Qingluo slept so that her waist ached and her back hurt.

Although the ground was lined with soft padding, the stone‑laid floor was still too hard, and Li Qingluo, supporting her waist, could not straighten up for a long time after getting up.

She let out a helpless sigh.

Who would have thought that in just three short years she had already grown accustomed to a comfortable, easy life, to the point that she could not endure this hardship?

Hurriedly she got to her feet and looked around.

The room was bright, thanks to Duan Rongshi having placed a night‑pearl there.

But where was he?

In the mausoleum, with no sense of day or night, Li Qingluo could only pick up a night‑pearl and go out to explore the way.

She first hid the night‑pearl, returned to the tomb chamber to have a look, and, not seeing Duan Rongshi's figure, turned back.

This mausoleum was actually built very deep.

Besides the spacious chamber that held three stone coffins, there were many other burial chambers.

Moreover, the farther one went inward, the more burial pits appeared.

Another exit was found in that innermost pit.

When the day comes that this mausoleum receives its master and is completely sealed, all its mechanisms will activate, and that final entrance will likewise be sealed shut.

Li Qingluo arrived at the innermost chamber and just happened to see Duan Rongshi returning from outside.

"Ah Shi!"

Seeing him, Li Qingluo immediately quickened her steps and walked over.

Has it gotten light outside?

She faintly saw a glimmer of light.

Duan Rongshi nodded: "It's already high noon. Li Qingluo slept soundly, so I didn't wake you."

But are you hungry?

He took out the food he had brought in his bosom.

They were still warm roasted chicken and roasted potatoes.

Li Qingluo was delighted: "There's something tasty."

She tore off a drumstick and handed it to Duan Rongshi.

Duan Rongshi then grabbed her wrist, bringing the drumstick to her lips: "Li Qingluo, eat first, no need to worry about me."

I don't have much of an appetite.

Duan Rongshi leisurely ate some chicken bones.

He gave all the drumsticks and wings to Li Qingluo.

Moreover, he proactively peeled some roasted potato skins for Li Qingluo.

A pair of hands, fair-skinned with distinct knuckles and strong, vigorous strength, were now completely smeared black.

Li Qingluo silently gnawed on the drumstick, inevitably thinking back to the past.

Who would have thought that the supremely noble and fastidious Prince Su would also have this unrefined yet so thoughtful side today?

The person who used to wipe each finger clean with a handkerchief after touching anything.

Now even peeling those blackish potatoes is something he can do.

Li Qingluo felt no pride or sweetness in her heart.

Instead, she felt a bit of sour ache.

So she deliberately rubbed her belly and said, "I'm full. Duan Rongshi, quickly eat this drumstick; I'll go look over there."

Li Qingluo shoved the other drumstick, which she hated to waste, into Duan Rongshi's hand, then walked toward the corner.

She had long heard the sound of an underground river flowing nearby.

Sure enough, she found a water source in the corner.

Li Qingluo took out a clean handkerchief from her bosom, then leaned forward and lay down.

Seeing her dangerous move, Duan Rongshi hurried over and scooped her up.

Li Qingluo, what are you doing?

If you want water, I brought a waterskin with me.

Duan Rongshi undid the waterskin from his waist, and only then did Li Qingluo see it.

She slapped her forehead: "Oh, I'm so clueless."

But it's fine; as long as I can dampen the handkerchief, that's enough.

Duan Rongshi, hurry up and eat; after you finish, I'll wipe your hands.

I'll make sure to wipe your hands completely clean!

Li Qingluo said, then wrung out the excess water from the handkerchief.

Duan Rongshi quietly watched her.

For the first time, a dazed expression appeared on his face.

He then looked at the drumstick she had shoved into his hand.

His heart, already filled to the brim by her, could not help but swell even more at this moment.

More and more greed.

More and more joy.

More and more, an uncontrollable surge of love for her.

Duan Rongshi: "Come here."

"Hold me."

If it weren't for one hand still holding the drumstick and the other hand being blackened,

he wouldn't still be waiting for her to hug him.

He would have already pulled her tightly into his embrace.

Li Qingluo still didn't realize that a single action of hers would make Duan Rongshi's heart go soft as mush.

But she obediently hurried over and stretched out her arms to hug him.

"Duan Rongshi."

"Our coordination this time was pretty seamless, right?"

"Have I improved a lot these days?"

"Are you happy?"

Duan Rongshi: "Mm. My Li Qingluo has grown up; as her husband, I feel deeply relieved."

Li Qingluo gave a "heehee" laugh.

"Just don't get so moved you want to cry."

Duan Rongshi also slightly raised the corners of his mouth: "Okay."

"It's also fine to cry a little."

Li Qingluo startled, lifting her head.

Duan Rongshi gave her a particularly sincere gaze.

After finishing, Duan Rongshi enjoyed watching Li Qingluo earnestly wipe each of his fingers clean.

Only then did he tightly clasp her hand in his palm.

Come on, come with me to end this absurdity.

Li Qingluo nodded heavily: "Mm! Good!"

It's also Zong Zheng Langri's turn to bear the Mother Consort's grudge.

However, when the two of them returned to the tomb chamber, they could find no trace of Zong Zheng Langri.

In that corner, Li Qingluo had clearly seen him huddled there just moments ago when she came to search.

How could he disappear in less than half an hour?

Li Qingluo made a nervous gesture: "Could he have noticed us?"

Duan Rongshi glanced toward the stone coffin with a sense of awareness.

Li Qingluo quickly gestured: "Do you suspect he himself crawled into the stone coffin to lie down?"

We'll know if we check.

The two stepped lightly, first feeling their way toward the stone coffins on the left and right.

Yet inside the stone coffins, there was nothing!

Finally, Duan Rongshi turned his gaze to the stone coffin in the middle.

Lying inside that stone coffin was the Former Empress.

Nothing more than Zong Zheng Langri's mother.

Or Duan Rongshi's emperor's maternal grandmother.

Three months ago, he personally helped the Chu Emperor steal the Former Empress's white bones and place them intact into this stone coffin.

Could it be…?

However, what couldn't Zong Zheng Langri do?

The two immediately considered this possibility, and it didn't seem too surprising.

Indeed, the stone coffin in the main position had not been closed!

This gap was wide enough for an adult to squeeze through.

But when was the stone coffin opened, and how did he do it?

To see inside clearly, Duan Rongshi placed one hand on the coffin lid and shoved it hard with his internal energy.

With a boom.

The stone coffin lid slowly shifted open.

Seeing the scene inside, Li Qingluo jumped in fright.

The Chu Emperor really lay inside!

Moreover, he lay cradled in the Former Empress's white bones!

He closed his eyes, yet showed no reaction to such a huge commotion.

Li Qingluo set down the glazed glass piece and took out a night pearl.

Duan Rongshi quickly reached out to feel his breath.

He then declared: "He must have fainted from hunger."

Li Qingluo: …

Yet, seeing him lying in the Former Empress's white bones' embrace, Li Qingluo felt a strange sensation in her heart.

She did not feel pity for him.

She simply could not understand how such a ruthless person could still retain a sliver of heaven and earth in his heart, yearning so deeply for his mother and younger sister.