Chapter 599: Leaving the City, Farewell!

At this moment, Li Qingluo, who has already left the Jiang family, is in an alley.

Sha Si, with his human‑skin mask torn, rushes at Li Qingluo and smiles in a flattering way.

"Miss, how does my disguise look?"

Although Sha Si's smile is stiff, Li Qingluo becomes increasingly satisfied.

Her Sha ones, now each of them, are finally becoming more like humans, no longer the expressionless puppets they once were.

Li Qingluo naturally praises him.

"You're dressed exceedingly well; you look almost indistinguishable from the real Wu Lang. A reward."

Sha Si, flattered, beams with joy: "Thank you, Miss."

Li Qingluo looks up at the sky and says, "Let's go; we should also leave the city."

Although Li Qingluo learned from Jiang Shisan Niang that in Nan'an many aristocratic young ladies are now coveting the position of concubine at the Yue King's Residence,

she is no longer prepared to block them one by one.

Obstructions cannot be stopped.

And if they truly come, they cannot be avoided.

Leave these matters to Duan Rongshi himself.

If he himself is willing to accept Emperor Chu's bestowed marriage, his actions would be nothing but superfluous.

The party leaves the city and has just met Sha Yi and the others at the appointed spot; Li Qingluo has not yet stepped out of the carriage to change horses when Sha San steps forward and says, "Miss, Your Highness has arrived."

Duan Rongshi?

How did he come?

Wasn't he already at court since early this morning?

How could he be waiting outside the city for me!?

He—he never went?

Li Qingluo's previously somewhat disappointed mood jolts instantly.

Her heart is flooded with wave after wave of sweetness.

She hurriedly lifts the carriage curtain and darts out.

Duan Rongshi is seated on a horse, quietly gazing at her.

He silently urges the horse forward, then extends his hand toward Li Qingluo.

Li Qingluo, without hesitation, reaches out, and with a gentle pull, climbs onto Duan Rongshi's horse.

"Everyone, rest in place."

"Half an hour later, depart on schedule."

Duan Rongshi drops a line, then lifts his whip and rides away with Li Qingluo from that spot.

After everyone departs, Leng Dian finally steps forward, his expression indescribable, and looks at Zhui Yu.

"You brat, you can act! Come here!"

Que'er looks bewildered as they walk aside, and Sha San, taking advantage of the moment, brings a pastry he had cradled in his arms to Que'er.

"Are you hungry? Have a bite."

Que'er smiles and shakes her head: "Not hungry. Save it for later; later I'll let the Miss try it."

Sha San smiles and nods; the two sit by the carriage and chat.

From a distance, Leng Dian, unable to bear it, looks at Zhui Yu: "Do you really intend to bring suffering upon yourself? Knowing she will never look back, yet you still insist on meddling?"

"Zhui Yu, must you gamble with your own life?"

Zhui Yu, expressionless, holds her sword: "I don't know what you're talking about."

Leng Dian snorts a laugh.

He kicks out his leg: "What are you pretending for?"

"Your Highness clearly said to let me go with the Miss, yet you, daring to slip me a sleeping powder last night!"

"You just wanted me unable to get up today, and you sneak away, right?"

"For a Que'er, you'd even discard Your Highness?"

"Following Your Highness is to make you suffer?"

Zhui Yu hangs her head low.

"I only want to try one last time."

"Otherwise, when they return, I fear their children will already be in my possession."

"Brother Leng, give me this chance. I promise I won't do any stupid thing."

Leng Dian: "You're clear when it's others' affairs, but when it's yours you become muddled?"

"Back then, if you had sought your own cousin with that drive, you wouldn't have dragged these years."

"You're indeed more attentive to this Que'er."

"You deserved it for the harsh words you said before."

"But life has no way to turn back!"

"Zhui Yu, figure it out yourself soon!"

Zhui Yu forces a bitter smile: "I understand. Let's treat it as the last time…"

"This trip, consider it my own longing."

Speaking thus, he turns back to look at the carriage, at the sweet, affectionate pair, and a wave of bitterness and sting rises in his heart.

Li Qingluo and Duan Rongshi ride through the woods and arrive at the stream's edge.

Li Qingluo is personally lifted from Duan Rongshi's horse and sits on a stone by the river.

Then he felt around in his own bosom, and after a while he produced a jade hairpin.

The white jade's texture was clear and translucent.

The hairpin shaft was plain in color, and the hairpin tip bore a snow lotus that blossomed vividly and silently.

Duan Rongshi raised his hand and personally inserted the hairpin into her hair bun.

Li Qingluo touched it in delight.

"Ah Shi, what is this...?"

Which woman wouldn't like receiving jewelry from her lover?

Although Li Qingluo now runs the foremost gold-and-silver jewelry shop in Nan'an, naturally she could have whatever she wanted.

No matter how precious, beautiful, or exquisite, she could provide it for herself.

But the hairpin personally given by Duan Rongshi made her feel even more extraordinarily meaningful.

Moreover, as soon as she touched it she could feel the jade stone in her hand, cold as ice!

This jade is absolutely not ordinary!

Duan Rongshi looked into her eyes and said, "I made it myself."

"While on the way back to DaLiang, I worked on it."

"I kept it in my bosom for several months, but never got the chance to give it to you."

"Perhaps it isn't as exquisite as those from the shop, but I hope it will accompany you all the way to the Western Regions."

"Luoluo, just as you protect it, protect yourself well."

Li Qingluo felt moved, her eyes stinging.

"Good."

This jade hairpin is not easy to polish and carve.

Furthermore, the jade lotus requires immense patience and meticulous care to be carved.

She understood his thoughtfulness.

A surge of emotion welled up in her heart, and Li Qingluo impulsively reached forward to embrace him.

"Ah Shi, I'm leaving; you must take good care of yourself."

"However, if that tyrant grants you a few concubines, you need not write to tell me."

"When I return, I can continue to reside in Nan Gong Fu..."

Duan Rongshi frowned: "What concubines?"

He supported her arms, squatted down, stared at her, and asked, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Li Qingluo originally intended to wait for him to resolve it himself.

She had even figured it out on the road out of the city: if, upon returning, she found his household filled with concubines, she would separate and live alone.

After all, their sweet days had already lasted over a year.

From now on, just remember the good times; if you can stay together, do so; if not, part ways.

She was not the sort to force herself to yield and compromise...

"Now the rumor has spread among all the great clans of Nan'an that the tyrant intends to grant you several concubines."

"Even the thirteenth daughter of the Jiang family is eyeing you; I just went to the Jiang residence before leaving the city and gave her a fright."

"She probably dares not think of you again."

"But there are so many clans in Nan'an, and so many noble ladies; I cannot possibly inquire one by one which family is thinking of you, or who secretly harbors affection for you."

"I am quite jealous, aren't I?"

"In any case, I am not a kind and magnanimous virtuous wife..."

"I am about to embark on another distant journey; when I return, your household must already be quite lively, right..."

Her sour remarks came out in a stream.

Yet they left Duan Rongshi stunned.

Then he turned into a mixture of laughter and tears.

"Do you think he still dares to force a marriage upon me?"

"Just you alone is enough to deter him; he dare not provoke you, after all you set fire to his precious secret chamber and even abducted a woman from the imperial palace!"

"You plotted and killed his two sons and a brother, one after another."

"Would he still dare to make you unhappy?"

"Furthermore, if you make me unhappy, I will also throw down the burden."

"I would love to drop my messy affairs right now and leave with you; how could he dare to stop us?"

Li Qingluo then also came to understand.

She smiled.

"So it was just a rumor?"

"Then how did the Ministry of Rites put it out, saying they were to arrange your marriage..."

Her words suddenly halted.

Then she pointed at herself in disbelief.

"I... we?"

Duan Rongshi then nodded, clarifying the matter he had originally intended to hide: "Rest assured, after you travel another three or five days, I will enter the palace and explain to him that you have gone out on an errand."

"This marriage, he need not busy himself in vain."

As for why wait three or five days before speaking, it is because he fears that the madman Zong Zheng Langri will be unwilling and send people to pursue Li Qingluo.

By then it would instead disturb her journey.

Upon learning the truth, Li Qingluo's heart shuddered with guilt.

"Ah Shi, I'm sorry, I..."

"I was still making wild guesses, even..."

"Did I cause trouble?"

Fortunately, Jiang Thirteenth Niang was only frightened, and no one was harmed.

Duan Rongshi reached out and lightly flicked her forehead.

"But I'm very happy."

"I am yours."

"You must not let others covet you; that is your duty as a wife."

"Luo'er, you did very well."

His eyes were bright and shining; it seemed that his jealousy of Li Qingluo was truly delight.

"But have you already planned an escape route for yourself in your heart?"

He narrowed his eyes, a dangerous meaning flashing in them.

Li Qingluo hastily gave a guilty smile and waved her hand: "Where? I didn't, absolutely not!"

Duan Rongshi gave a cold laugh: "Still saying there's none?"

"It's written all over your face!"

"You just said you'd go back to Nan Gong Fu to live. How dare you?"

"Remember! I care more than you do about me with other women; I care hundreds of times more about you being involved with other men."

"Are you the only one who gets jealous and sour?"

"That senior brother of yours gives me a headache! Do you know? I even wanted to go kill him to silence him these past two days."

Li Qingluo was startled by his thought.

According to Duan Rongshi's nature, he would have this thought yet still restrain himself; Li Qingluo knew what change he had made.

Li Qingluo: "I understand. I was really wrong!"

"I will never doubt you again."

"Even if they all throw themselves at you, I believe you will ruthlessly push them away and never become involved."

"Just like me, we have only each other."

"Moreover, that senior brother is just a senior brother; between me and him there is only the master."

"Ah Shi, thank you for trusting me."

He would speak his heartfelt words, which also made Li Qingluo very happy.

She did not want them to part with filth, suspicion, or any grudge hidden between them.

Duan Rongshi opened his arms, "Hold me."

Li Qingluo happily lunged forward.

The two held each other tightly.

Duan Rongshi reluctantly lowered his head and kissed her face again and again.

"Luo'er, take care on your journey."

"Return soon."

"I wait for you at home."

In the blink of an eye, half a month later.

The border region between DaLiang and DaChu—Rongle County.

Before Li Qingluo's group even entered the city, they saw Zhang Mama already waiting at the city gate.

"Miss!"

"Miss——"