Chapter 591

The Chu emperor blinked his murky eyes, which actually revealed a hint of clarity.

Translation: The Chu emperor blinked his murky eyes, which actually revealed a hint of clarity.

The Chu emperor blinked his murky eyes, which actually revealed a hint of clarity.

Li Qingluo had just been about to bring the food to her mouth when it slipped from her chopsticks.

Translation: Li Qingluo had just been about to bring the food to her mouth when it slipped from her chopsticks.

Li Qingluo had just been about to bring the food to her mouth when it slipped from her chopsticks.

The Chu emperor looked at her disapprovingly and said, "Look at yourself."

Translation: The Chu emperor looked at her dissatisfiedly: "Look at you."

We need to keep quotes. So: "The Chu emperor looked at her dissatisfiedly: 'Look at you.'"

You don't have even a bit of a lady's etiquette.

Translation: "You have not a shred of a lady's etiquette."

You don't have even a bit of a lady's etiquette.

No wonder you came from the mountains; even if your birth and bloodline are noble, you were never properly raised from childhood.

Translation: "No wonder you came from the mountains; even if your lineage is noble, you were never properly raised from childhood."

No wonder you came from the mountains; even if your birth and bloodline are noble, you were never properly raised from childhood.

How could Duan Rongshi have taken a liking to you?

Translation: "How could Rongshi have taken a liking to you?"

How could Duan Rongshi have taken a liking to you?

Thus: "How could Duan Rongshi have taken a liking to you?"

As he spoke, the Chu emperor's eyes also revealed a hint of contempt.

Translation: As he spoke, a hint of disdain also appeared in the Chu emperor's eyes.

Li Qingluo: ……

Translation: Li Qingluo: ……

We need to keep the ellipsis. So: "Li Qingluo: ……"

It seems he really does know his true identity now.

Translation: It seems he really does know his true identity now.

It seems he really does know his true identity now.

Seeing that she did not cause trouble because she was the granddaughter of the Pei clan, Li Qingluo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Translation: Seeing that she did not cause trouble because she was the granddaughter of the Pei clan, Li Qingluo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing that she did not cause trouble because she was the granddaughter of the Pei clan, Li Qingluo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But he actually said he had no etiquette or rules.

Translation: But he actually said he lacked etiquette and rules.

But he actually said he lacked etiquette and rules.

Hah, how can a tyrant who completely abandons etiquette and morality still have the nerve to criticize others?

Translation: Hah, how can a tyrant who completely discards etiquette and morality have the nerve to criticize others?

Hah, how can a tyrant who completely discards etiquette and morality have the nerve to criticize others?

Your Majesty, your days in the cold palace as a child weren't much better than mine back then, were they?

Translation: "Your Majesty, your days in the cold palace as a child weren't much better than mine back then, were they?"

Your Majesty, your days in the cold palace as a child weren't much better than mine back then, were they?

Chu emperor: "Bold!"

Translation: Chu emperor: "Bold!"

You dare to talk back to me; do you not want to live?

Translation: "You dare to talk back to me; do you not want to live?"

Do you know that no one dares to mention their childhood in my presence, for they all fear death?

Translation: "Do you know that no one in this world dares to mention childhood matters in my presence, because they all fear death?"

Li Qingluo: "If I feared death, would I have entered the Heavenly Origin Hall to dine with you?"

Translation: Li Qingluo: "If I feared death, would I have entered the Hall of Heavenly Origin to dine with you?"

If I feared death, would I have entered the Heavenly Origin Hall to dine with you?

Her tone was calm, as if

Translation: Her tone was calm, as if she said, "No matter how furious you become, I'm not afraid."

Her tone was calm, as if she said, "No matter how furious you become, I'm not afraid."

The Chu emperor felt a throbbing in his forehead.

Translation: The Chu emperor's forehead throbbed.

Last time I could do nothing to her, and she even got me expelled from the palace and suffered greatly; now although I could summon the Imperial Forest Army to seize her, if I did so, Duan Rongshi would surely find out.

Translation: Last time I couldn't do anything to her, and she even got me expelled from the palace and suffered greatly; now although I could summon the Imperial Forest Army to seize her, if I did so, Rongshi would surely find out.

Last time I couldn't do anything to her, and she even got me expelled from the palace and suffered greatly; now although I could summon the Imperial Forest Army to seize her, if I did so, Duan Rongshi would surely find out.

After all, Duan Rongshi is the one who single-handedly subdued the entire Imperial Forest Army.

Translation: After all, Duan Rongshi is the person who single-handedly subdued the entire Imperial Forest Army.

Thinking of this, the Chu emperor felt a surge of pride.

Translation: Thinking of this, the Chu emperor felt a surge of pride.

Moreover, the Chu emperor had a premonition that if he were to act against her again, she would certainly show no mercy.

Translation: Moreover, the Chu emperor had a premonition that if he were to act against her again, she would certainly show no mercy.

He would surely kill himself without hesitation before the Imperial Forest Army could seize her...

Translation: She would undoubtedly kill herself without hesitation before the Imperial Forest Army could seize her……

We need to keep the ellipsis. So: "She would undoubtedly kill herself without hesitation before the Imperial Forest Army could seize her……"

He coughed.

Translation: Cough.

She seems to have it all figured out; what can I do about her now?

Translation: She seems to have it all figured out; what can I do about her now?

She seems to have it all figured out; what can I do about her now?

No wonder she's the granddaughter of that beautiful general!

Translation: No wonder she's the granddaughter of that beautiful general!

No wonder she's the granddaughter of that beautiful general!

After an internal struggle, the Chu emperor fiercely glared at Li Qingluo.

Translation: After an internal struggle, the Chu emperor fiercely glared at Li Qingluo.

Li Qingluo:?

Translation: Li Qingluo:?

Although it was puzzling, she still continued: "After all, I am also the wife of your subject. People don't know we are relatives; if they see me alone entering the Heavenly Origin Hall, how will this rumor spread?"

Translation: Although it was puzzling, she still continued: "After all, I am also the wife of your subject. People don't know we are relatives; if they see me alone entering the Hall of Heavenly Origin, how will this rumor spread?"

Although it was puzzling, she still continued: "After all, I am also the wife of your subject. People don't know we are relatives; if they see me alone entering the Heavenly Origin Hall, how will this rumor spread?"

You don't care about my reputation anyway; what's the harm if I talk back to you a bit?

Translation: "You don't care about my reputation anyway; what's the harm if I talk back to you a bit?"

You don't care about my reputation anyway; what's the harm if I talk back to you a bit?

Upon hearing the word 'relatives', the Chu emperor was stunned.

Translation: Upon hearing the word "relatives", the Chu emperor froze for a moment.

"What, what do they say?"

Translation: "What, what do they say?"

"Today, whoever dares to leak even a hint of what happened in the Heavenly Origin Hall, I will cut out their tongue!"

Translation: "Today, whoever dares to leak even a hint of what happened in the Hall of Heavenly Origin, I will cut out their tongue!"

"Today, whoever dares to leak even a hint of what happened in the Heavenly Origin Hall, I will cut out their tongue!"

Li Qingluo: "Your Majesty, are you trying to make A Shi angry again?"

Translation: Li Qingluo: "Your Majesty, are you trying to make A Shi angry again?"

Li Qingluo: "Your Majesty, are you trying to make A Shi angry again?"

However, his habit of casually ordering people's limbs to be cut reminded Li Qingluo of how the Prince Su of DaLiang used to act, causing her to break into a sweat.

Translation: However, his habit of casually ordering people's limbs to be cut reminded Li Qingluo of how the Prince Su of DaLiang used to act, causing her to break into a sweat.

However, his habit of casually ordering people's limbs to be cut reminded Li Qingluo of how the Prince Su of DaLiang used to act, causing her to break into a sweat.

Heh, now that I think about it, it turns out to be inherited from here.

Translation: Hah, now that I think about it, it turns out to be inherited from here.

"Your Majesty, aren't you wanting to know about A Shi's affairs?"

Translation: "Your Majesty, aren't you wanting to know about A Shi's affairs?"

"Your Majesty, aren't you wanting to know about A Shi's affairs?"

"Back when he was in DaLiang, he had a title that made people tremble at the mere mention of it. Your Majesty, do you know what it is?"

Translation: "Back when he was in DaLiang, he had a title that made people tremble at the mere mention of it. Your Majesty, do you know what it is?"

"Back when he was in DaLiang, he had a title that made people tremble at the mere mention of it. Your Majesty, do you know what it is?"

The Chu emperor, excited and nervous, lowered his head and whispered: "Yanluo Killing God?"

Translation: The Chu emperor, excited and nervous, lowered his head and whispered: "Yanluo Killing God?"

The Chu emperor, excited and nervous, lowered his head and whispered: "Yanluo Killing God?"

Li Qingluo smiled: "Yes. It seems you've already inquired about it?"

Translation: Li Qingluo smiled: "Yes. It seems you've looked into it?"

"And do you know that once I met him at the Charitable Estate, he……"

Translation: "And do you know that once I met him at the Charitable Estate, he……"

"And do you know that once I met him at the Charitable Estate, he……"

The two talked for about half an hour.

Translation: The two of them talked like that for about half an hour.

They had also eaten more than half of the food on the table and drunk half a jar of wine.

Translation: Half the dishes on the table were eaten, and half a jar of wine was drunk.

After talking for a while about Duan Rongshi, the Chu emperor suddenly became eager to take Li Qingluo to the secret chamber again.

Translation: After talking for a while about Duan Rongshi, the Chu emperor suddenly became eager to take Li Qingluo to the secret chamber again.

After talking for a while about Duan Rongshi, the Chu emperor suddenly became eager to take Li Qingluo to the secret chamber again.

Li Qingluo: "The secret chamber? Wasn't it all burned down?"

Translation: Li Qingluo: "The secret chamber? Weren't they all burned down?"

The Chu emperor chuckled: "You think I only have this one secret chamber?"

Translation: The Chu emperor chuckled: "You think I only have this one secret chamber?"

Having said that, he led Li Qingluo to the secret door to the right of the Dragon Throne.

Translation: Having said that, he led Li Qingluo to the secret door to the right of the Dragon Throne.

Having said that, he led Li Qingluo to the secret door to the right of the Dragon Throne.

Upon pushing it open, there was indeed another secret chamber inside.

Translation: Upon pushing it open, there was indeed another secret chamber inside.

Li Qingluo shook her slightly dizzy head and followed the Chu emperor inside.

Translation: Li Qingluo shook her slightly dizzy head and followed the Chu emperor inside.

Fortunately, this time there were no portraits of the empress dowager inside.

Translation: Fortunately, this time there were no portraits of the mother consort inside.

Instead, there were some small items that seemed to have been used by a little doll.

Translation: Instead, it was filled with small items that seemed to have been used by a child.

Likewise, the Chu emperor, feeling a bit tipsy, picked up a rattle drum and shook it, his face full of reminiscence: "These are things that Little Moon used as a child."

Translation: Likewise, the Chu emperor, feeling a bit tipsy, picked up a rattle drum and shook it, his face full of reminiscence: "These are things that Little Moon used as a child."

Likewise, the Chu emperor, feeling a bit tipsy, picked up a rattle drum and shook it, his face full of reminiscence: "These are things that Little Moon used as a child."

"They were originally kept in her sleeping quarters, and I often went to look at them to reminisce about the time we spent together."

Translation: "They were originally kept in her palace, and I often went to look at them to remember the years we spent together."

"But later, a fire accidentally broke out there."

Translation: "But later, a great fire unexpectedly broke out there."

"To rescue these items, I personally went into the fire back then; fortunately, not a single thing was lost."

Translation: "In order to rescue these items, I personally entered the blaze back then; fortunately, not a single thing was lost."

Only then did Li Qingluo notice faint burn scars on his cuff.

Translation: Only then did Li Qingluo notice faint burn scars on his cuff.

Could it be that these scars were left from rescuing those items?

Translation: Could it be that these scars were left from rescuing those items?

No wonder Li Qingluo saw clear blackened marks on some items from being smoked and burned by fire.

Translation: No wonder Li Qingluo saw that some of the objects clearly bore blackened marks from being smoked and burned by fire.

It turned out to be a trace of having been fire‑roasted.

Wait.

There is still a little wooden horse in the Cold Palace; he doesn't remember it?

Fortunately he doesn't remember, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to sneak it out last time, and A Shi wouldn't get a single piece.

Li Qingluo was still touring with her hands behind her back when Emperor Chu suddenly glared at her plaintively, "Do you know that you truly deserve to die?"

Li Qingluo was startled by his cold stare.

Could it be that he can no longer hide and finally shows his ferocious true face?

But Emperor Chu's next words turned the plaintive tone into a grievance of sorrow.

"Do you know how many years I've been painting those moon portraits?"

"You burned them all with a single fire for me!!"

"I truly hate you!"

"If you weren't Duan Rongshi's wife, I would strangle you right now!"

Li Qingluo sensed it; he truly wanted to kill his own heart.

She gave a dry chuckle twice, "How about you paint a few more yourself?"

"But you must never let A Shi find out."

"He detests your feelings toward the mother consort…"

Some words need not be made explicit; Emperor Chu understood.

His face flushed red, he glared at her, "Scoundrel!"

"I miss my own younger sister; what is so indecent about that?"

"By the way, why haven't you borne a child yet?"

"Give birth quickly; once you do, I will grant all these things… to them."

Although his eyes were full of reluctance, at this moment Li Qingluo could feel that Emperor Chu, though a tyrant despised and executed by all, now truly harbors sincere affection for Duan Rongshi.

At least, love the house and its crows.

Because of the mother consort, because of Duan Rongshi's face, his sincerity toward Duan Rongshi far exceeds that toward that dog emperor Duan Changyan by countless times.

"Your Majesty, your favoritism toward Rongshi, though meant to atone for years of regret, but to speak heretically, have you considered that a hundred years later, the new emperor might resent us and target us?"

"How about, once Rongshi helps stabilize the court affairs further, you let the two of us depart."

Emperor Chu's expression stiffened.

His gaze suddenly turned cold, "Your thoughts are rather nice."

"Out!"

Li Qingluo was thus driven away by Emperor Chu's sudden change of demeanor.

But she could not have asked for it more.

On the way out of the palace, she encountered the Empress's party, "Princess of Yue, our lady heard you entered the palace and specially requests you come over to speak."

Li Qingluo thought she could not refuse and had to go, when Ji Gonggong, who personally escorted her out of the palace, blocked her path.

"Li GuGu, His Majesty decrees that no one need pay attention to anyone trying to stop the Princess of Yue from having tea and speaking. If any courtier has an objection, they may personally ask His Majesty the reason."

"The Princess of Yue need not even pay respects to any mistress of the harem."

"Li GuGu, do you understand?"

Ji Gonggong gave Li GuGu a cold sneer.

Li GuGu's angry face darkened, "But our lady…"

Ji Gonggong: "If you don't understand, we'll personally take you to His Majesty to respond. Shall we go?"

Li GuGu wouldn't dare.

In the past, it was just a matter of turning one's head.

She was so frightened her legs went weak, and she immediately stepped aside.

Watching Li Qingluo being taken away, Li GuGu muttered under her breath, "Fox temptress!"

The Empress, upon learning the news, was so angry she threw a huge tantrum in the inner palace.

Things were scattered all over the floor, and the delicate features were all twisted and deformed.

The usually dignified Empress was so furious; it was the first time in many years.

The palace staff beneath her also trembled, all thinking to themselves: the Empress's temper is indeed growing larger.

"Why!?"

"What kind of mind‑altering soup have this Yue King and his wife given the Emperor!?"

"One Imperial Guard commander is not enough, yet they let him lead several thousand troops out of the city to suppress rebels. A mere handful of rebels, such a good chance for merit, not given to the Crown Prince, but to some nobody outsider?"

"Is His Majesty getting more and more muddled with age?"

"Now he even disregards reputation, summoning the Princess of Yue alone; I heard she's locked in Qian Yuan Hall for an hour or two!"

"He's so old, yet still has the energy to desecrate the minister's wife?"

"Does he even have any face left?"

"I only want to see what kind of person this Princess of Yue really is; she even guards against me, the Empress, whereas before she adored Consort Ning and never disregarded my face."

"Now she actually protects that fox temptress, saying even I need not come to pay respects; is he abandoning the entire Great Chu royal family's dignity and face?"

"His past cruelty was one thing. Now he disregards the imperial son, disregards me, disregards marital bonds—Servants! Bring my brother into the palace, claim I am unwell and need to discuss matters with him!"

In the blink of an eye, night fell.

The Empress had just sent Brother Yang Houye away when the Director of Ceremonies arrived with people.

Without a word, they seized more than half of the palace staff in the Empress's quarters.

"Take them all down."

The Chief Eunuch of the Seal of the Directorate of Rites, Wang Quan, personally came today, his face expressionless as he finished reading the names on the register, and the entire Empress's bedchamber was already in utter chaos.

Everywhere were screams and wails; everywhere were pleas for mercy and shouts of "Empress!"

After all, once you enter the Directorate of Rites, eight or nine times out of ten you go in standing and come out lying down.

Even if someone manages to escape death and walk out alive, if they don't die they still lose half their life.

That is the hell of the Imperial Palace; everyone who hears of it is terrified, and nobody is unafraid.

The Empress came out from the inner hall, and upon seeing this scene her face showed shock.

"What are you doing?"

"Stop!"