Chapter 589: Scheming to make the Su Consort? The Chu Emperor metes out severe punishment!

As soon as Xuan Cang finished speaking, he suddenly clutched his chest and coughed violently.

He then closed his eyes and fainted.

Li Qingluo hurried forward to steady him: "Senior brother, senior brother?"

"Senior brother, wake up, wake up?"

He cannot be woken.

Xuan Cang's injuries worsened again; Li Qingluo realized that her palm just now must have been recognized by her senior brother, so she hastily withdrew her move.

But he withdrew his move, yet Li Qingluo's palm still struck him.

That's why he vomited blood.

Li Qingluo felt a surge of guilt.

"Sha Er, quickly, save him!"

Sha Er stepped forward to support him, but doubt rose in his heart.

This person's inner strength is profound; logically, he shouldn't be so fragile, right?

Fortunately, Sha Liu downstairs had already defeated the opponents.

And they successfully captured a black-clad person who couldn't even commit suicide.

"Pull off their masks!"

When the mask was removed and they saw the black-clad person's face, Li Qingluo's heart jolted.

Could it be...

Sha Er: "Miss, their looks are neither those of Great Chu nor of DaLiang."

Li Qingluo: "I've heard that Western Region peoples have high nose bridges, tall statures, deep-set eyes, and even eye colors different from ours."

"It seems true."

When they lifted the masks of the black-clad corpses on the ground and looked closely, they were indeed all of foreign appearance.

"They are Western Region people."

Just as his words fell, Dong Shaoqing arrived with personnel from the Ministry of Justice and the South Peace Office, having heard the commotion.

Li Qingluo was the victim, and since these masked assassins were Western Region people, Dong Shaoqing merely went through the motions, then ordered the corpses to be carried away before leaving.

Li Qingluo looked at the messy Medicine Hall.

And at the distressed physicians, apprentices, and servants.

"Let's close the Medicine Hall for a few days."

"Everyone, work together to clean up the Medicine Hall. Use whatever medicinal herbs are still usable; for those that aren't, make a list and reorder them."

"Don't regret it; remember never to give patients anything unclean or damaged."

"Now go get busy."

Everyone dispersed.

Li Qingluo looked at Xuan Cang: "Take him back to Nan Gong Fu."

Although this person's identity cannot yet be fully confirmed, it is certain that his appearance is definitely related to my master.

If what he says is true, then he really is my senior brother.

Li Qingluo naturally could not just leave him here unattended.

"Also bring a physician back with us to attend to Xuan Cang's recovery."

Sha Er: "Yes, Miss."

Li Qingluo busied herself for another two days.

She was busy with the Treasure Pavilion affairs and also with the Medicine Hall.

She went out early and returned late each day, and basically had no time for household matters.

Only after two days did she learn that the manor had already received a stack of invitations.

All were requests to meet her or invitations to attend banquets hosted by various prominent families.

Li Qingluo refused them all.

"There are still rebel forces outside the city, and my husband is on the front lines."

"These people still have the heart to enjoy themselves. Truly, soldiers face life and death on the battlefield, while beauties in their tents still sing and dance."

"If I were to appear at these banquets now, how would I be stabbed in the back behind the scenes?"

"How could I face A Shi and others who strive to stabilize the court and risk their lives for the people?"

"These people merely want to see our family's jokes."

"From now on, no need to bring any invitations to me."

She also had no interest in associating with the noble households of Great Chu.

Yet the fact that Li Qingluo refused all invitations from noble and powerful families was still spread far and wide.

Naturally, all sorts of talk arose.

Some said she was merely a short-sighted merchant's wife, and even though she had become the Yue Consort, she could never rise to prominence.

Even though her husband had been suddenly ennobled after rising smoothly, their family still could not reach the threshold of true nobility in South Peace.

One was a son-in-law who married into the family.

The other was a woman who constantly showed herself, scraping and struggling in the business world, more ferocious than any man.

Had it not been for the Chu Emperor suddenly elevating this couple's status, who in South Peace City would have looked up to them?

Truly, they do not know what's good for them.

Originally intending to promote her, she actually considered herself a scallion.

If they really were to associate with her, they'd still feel they'd lost face.

Now she actually ended up putting on airs.

Others say she at least has some self-awareness; otherwise, if she went to such occasions and acted improperly, the embarrassment would be on them.

Anyway, there aren't many kind words.

When it reached Li Qingluo's ears, she pretended not to have heard.

Que'er rubbed her red eyes indignantly: "These blind-hearted people, our young lady was originally a princess consort, and also the Princess of Yaoguang—why would they need to flatter her?"

"Our young lady hails from Jiangjun Fu; though her parents are worthless, she is still a proper legitimate eldest daughter of a noble house!"

"Her grandmother was even more a heroic female general who made the Chu tremble at the mere wind; they should know, wouldn't they all be frightened enough to wet their pants?"

"They actually dare to look down on us!"

"I'm furious! Miss, these Chu people aren't any good at all; yet we still stay here, risking our lives for them—I just can't understand."

Li Qingluo gave a faint smile: "Then we'll work even harder, using more ways to earn their money, okay?"

"Alright, Your Highness cares about all the common people at daybreak."

"Both Chu and Liang are the same: the poorest and most innocent are always the true commoners."

"Those rebel armies aren't rising because the ruler is brutal; it's because they can't survive anymore that they want to carve a bloody path for themselves and their families."

"Besides, this is the consort mother's homeland; A Shi won't just stand by and do nothing."

"We must believe in Your Highness."

"Believe that he can do his utmost, striving to make Chu a bit better."

"And those decadent nobles who are oblivious to human suffering will one day reap what they sow; we just need to keep our consciences clear."

Que'er rubbed her red eyes.

Still feeling wronged: "Miss, you and Your Highness are too concerned with the world; when will you think for yourselves?"

Li Qingluo: "Soon."

She thought, once things in Chu settle a bit more, Duan Rongshi will certainly need to return to Liang again.

After all, their last enemy—Emperor Yan—is still alive.

And Duan Rongshi, just like her, doesn't care about fame and profit, nor about wealth and glory.

She can earn money to support the family.

He can be as beautiful as a flower.

Perhaps one day, after they settle all grudges, they can put down everything and live in seclusion, wandering freely in the rivers and lakes.

From then on, they will no longer concern themselves with worldly affairs.

To live their true lives.

To travel the mountains and rivers.

Just be a pair of idle clouds and wild cranes…

Li Qingluo has long yearned for such a life.

Generally speaking, external disturbances don't really bother her.

But these words still reached the Chu emperor's ears.

"Go investigate; I want to see which mansions are spreading this nonsense."

"The Prince of Yue is quelling internal turmoil abroad, so they can continue enjoying their luxurious days in the Southern Peace Imperial City; the Princess of Yue does not collude with them, but is sincerely worried for her husband and concerned about the war dead—her heart is wholly sincere."

"Nowadays, these heartless wretches actually dare to fabricate stories about the Princess of Yue."

"A bunch of damned rascals!"

"Find them out, and punish every household severely as a warning."

"I want to see who dares to speak of the Princess of Yue from now on!"

Although the Chu emperor got angry, nowadays his mind is increasingly clear, his words more reasonable and evidence-based, which pleases his subordinates greatly.

Except for Empress Yang.

She feels extreme resentment: how is it that this foolish emperor, after going out of the palace, returns seeming even better?

If this continues, when will her imperial son truly be able to ascend the throne?

Why didn't he just die out there?

It's all the fault of that damned Li Wu!

What's the point of saving this foolish emperor again?

"Your Majesty, you care so much for the Prince of Yue and his wife; these years, I have never seen you treat anyone this well."

"Seeing this, I feel a bit jealous."

Knowing the Chu emperor's mood has stabilized quite a bit, the empress couldn't help but complain.

The Chu emperor's icy gaze instantly fell upon her.

"How did you come here?"

"What are you jealous about?"

"Could it be that you, as empress, don't want to be empress but want to be a concubine?"

The empress shuddered, almost becoming foolish.

"Your Majesty, you have misunderstood."

"It's our crown prince; these days, seeing you rely so much on Li Wu, he feels a bit lost."

"He feels you don't care about this son of yours."

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong; I shouldn't have spoken recklessly."

The empress recalled the Chu emperor's usual conduct, and quickly resumed her honest, straightforward demeanor.

The Chu emperor snorted: "He feels lost? He lost the throne after only sitting one day before being driven off?"

Stupid fool!

Get lost!

The Empress left, embarrassed.

After she had walked far away, she turned her head, filled with hatred, and looked toward the direction of Qianyuan Palace.

Now that we mother and son have been repeatedly humiliated by you, don't you care at all about our feelings?

Clearly the Imperial Son is the most suitable to go out of the city and suppress those rebels, yet you insist on trusting that Li Wu of unknown origin!

What's so good about that Li Wu? You've never even valued your own biological son this much!

If that's the case, then don't blame us Yang family for being heartless and unjust toward you...

A long-suppressed thought welled up in the Empress's heart.

The tyrant lacks benevolence; now Great Chu already has countless rebels rising up in revolt.

As long as the Yang family can seize the opportunity and make use of these people...

Overthrow the tyrant, make the Crown Prince ascend—wouldn't that still be what everyone hopes for?

Even if the Crown Prince worries that future historical records will harm his reputation, and out of father-son affection he cannot bring himself to be ruthless, then let her, as his mother, do it!

Let the histories curse her; let them curse this Empress!

Besides, how the histories are written will ultimately be decided by these victors.

Qingyangzi was sitting in meditation nearby.

After the Empress left, he suddenly opened his eyes, having been calculating on his fingers.

Your Majesty, the thing you had me calculate a few days ago—I have already worked it out.

This is the most auspicious date; please have a look.

The Chu Emperor took it, looked it over, and nodded in satisfaction.