Chapter 625: Something big happened in Nan'an!

Que'er finished speaking, then angrily turned her head, preparing to run away.

Sha San rushed forward and grabbed her in a tight embrace.

"Don't, Que'er, I know I was wrong."

"I really was wrong."

"I am just inferior…… and a bit timid…… because I care too much about you, so I can't help comparing myself to him."

"I also want you to choose the better one, so you won't regret being with someone like me in the future, and let you have regrets in this life."

"Before, I also thought I was about the same as Zhui Yu, both being servants attending the master, so what difference could there be?"

"Even in appearance, I am not inferior to him."

"But as time passed and we got along, I gradually realized that I and he are fundamentally incomparable..."

"After all, I am just an assassin, a killer. Let me go kill people, I am not inferior to him."

"But aside from killing, I have no other skills."

"If we talk about going to battle to kill enemies, I am merely a soldier, while he is talent capable of being a general commanding the three armies!"

"Que'er, you chose me, so you really won't regret it, will you?"

Que'er hearing this couldn't help but her eyes turned red.

"Alright."

"She is not heartless either, so she can't stay angry with him any longer."

"We are both human, so what's the difference?"

"The young lady often says, each person has their own strengths and weaknesses, and happiness also differs."

"If we keep comparing, we will lose our joy and our true hearts."

"I admit, he is indeed outstanding everywhere, but I am not a talented and beautiful lady of noble birth either."

"I am just a little maid; what merit or ability do I have to earn the favor of two fine young men in this world?"

"Since I have chosen you, I have made a lifelong plan. I, Que'er, am certainly not someone who changes allegiance three times a day, seeing who is good and clinging to them—what kind of person would I become?"

"Moreover, have I not seen anyone better than the two of you?"

"Your Highness, he is not the most perfect and outstanding gentleman in the world, so why am I especially afraid of him to the point of daring not to produce even a hint of intimacy?"

"Or is it just that I know what kind of person I truly suit?"

"Zhui Yu is very good."

"But Sha San, remember, you are also very good."

"Every time you go out, fighting bloodily, killing enemies and saving people, and once I saw you clearly in danger yet still reached out to save a child first—do you know how handsome you are?"

"Moreover, we are already about to get married; if you keep being so anxious and insecure, where does that put me?"

"Sha San, use the rest of your life to tell me, have I not chosen wrong, okay?"

Sha San hearing this, his tears were already streaming down.

He kept nodding, promising Que'er.

"Good, I will properly prove myself. Que'er, in this lifetime, aside from the young lady, I will treat you the best!"

Que'er cupped Sha San's face, seeing him like a big dog wagging its tail, and couldn't help but tiptoe to kiss him.

"Originally she just wanted to give him an affirmation with a flushed face."

"Who would have thought Sha San would be completely stunned by her action, frozen in place."

"You, you you you…… we haven't formally performed the wedding rites, how can you be frivolous…… I……"

Que'er held Sha San's face, looking at him like a big dog wagging its tail, she couldn't help but tiptoe and kiss him.

"At this moment, how do I feel like I've become a frivolous woman who has taken advantage of this decent man?"

"Seeing Zhui Yu looking like a shrimp about to be cooked, Que'er really couldn't help but clutch her stomach and burst out laughing."

"Sha San, you silly three! Haha, ahahaha……"

"The laughter carried to the not‑far‑away big tree behind; Zhui Yu, holding a rabbit, although still feeling a bit wistful inside, had long since firmly resolved to let go, so now he merely gave a light, relieved smile."

At this moment, how do I feel that I am actually like a wanton woman, taking liberties with his decent family man?

"Que'er, may you be able to laugh openly and heartily like this for your whole life, forever knowing peace and happiness."

"Li Qingluo had already looked over the slip of paper in her hand many times, but her brows only furrowed tighter."

"Zheng Mama lifted the hot tea to her hand, saying, 'Young lady, has something happened?'"

"'Since parting with Princess Nanping, you have been absent‑minded, looking weighed down by thoughts.'"

"'If you really can't rest easy, why not send two people to secretly follow Princess Nanping?'"

Li Qingluo shook her head.

"Looking at the fire before her, blazing ever brighter, she said lightly, 'Nanping's heart is already like dead ashes; she has firmly decided not to let me interfere in her affairs anymore. I can save her person, but I cannot save her heart.'"

"Moreover, she does not want her parents to learn of her death and be grieved; even if it were only a fake death, she would not wish to trouble her own kin."

"She is a good daughter, and also a good princess."

"Each of us in this life has our own path to walk; not lightly interfering in others' destinies is also respect."

Watching the fire before her blaze ever brighter, she said lightly: "Nanping's heart is already like dead ashes; she also firmly does not want me to interfere in her affairs anymore. I can save her person, but I cannot save her heart."

"Therefore, Li Qingluo, although she knows Nanping's difficulties, can only watch her leave helplessly."

"It's just that her heart inevitably feels a bit sour."

Each of us has our own path to walk in this life; not lightly interfering in others' destinies is also respect.

I respect her choice.

So, Li Qingluo, although knowing Nanping's difficulties, could only watch her leave helplessly.

It's just that my heart inevitably feels a bit of bitterness.

Clearly she could use this to escape the mire and swamp, yet she stubbornly and resolutely threw herself back into the fire.

Li Qingluo, having lived two lives already, will love herself more.

As for Nanping, she is the only one who does not love herself.

Miss, you have done your best.

For the sake of Princess Nanping you came all the way to the Western Regions; clearly your body is already…… yet you still made this trip, and for her you have also fulfilled your affection.

Even if something really happens later…… you need not feel guilty any longer.

Li Qingluo nodded, letting go of this matter completely.

She picked up the message Duan Rongshi had sent her, then told Zheng Mama: 'Something major has happened in Nan'an.'

The Empress tried to poison the Chu Emperor, the Crown Prince allied with the Yang family to rebel, now the Crown Prince has also been deposed, and to protect him the Empress has taken all the blame upon herself, already drinking a cup of poison to atone for her guilt.

Granny, we need to speed up our pace.

I suspect the Chu Emperor harbors impure intentions, perhaps using Your Highness as a shield again, or building momentum for another prince.

Back in DaLiang, Emperor Yan, this father of yours, treated Your Highness this way, grinding you like a blade, and later, fearing you would seize his throne, he suppressed you everywhere.

Your Highness should not be subjected to such unfair treatment again.

At worst, we will simply stay completely away from both courts.

I want to return quickly to be with him. So give the order to set out earlier tomorrow.

Hearing the situation in Nan'an, Zheng Mama also felt a bit tense.

Yes, Miss!

Half a month later, outside the city of Loulan.

After a long and arduous journey, also having endured some hardships and obstacles, Li Qingluo's party finally reached a valley like a paradise—Loulan.

Indeed, as the legends say, Loulan City is built at the bottom of the valley, and outside the city on the cliff is a heavenly waterfall.

Now, Li Qingluo's party lies prone in the thicket beside the waterfall on the cliff, gazing at the fairy‑city in the valley, each face filled with astonishment.

Birdsong and floral fragrance fill the air.

Even though it is autumn, this place is still beautiful as if it were a paradise beyond the world.

Majestic palaces.

Splendid architecture.

Even the clouds in the sky and the evening glow seem more splendid and colorful than those of the outside world, like a dream.

Have we arrived at the heavenly palace?

Is this truly the human realm?

Compared to Yingwang City, the people of Yingwang City live far too bitter a life!

Even Que'er, who had never seen such a beautiful scene in paintings, could not help clicking her tongue in admiration.

Even Zheng Mama said: 'I, following the Old Lady, have wandered south and north; the beautiful landscapes I have seen are countless. Yet even after so many years I have never seen such a fairy‑land in this world.'

Indeed, this Loulan fairy‑land lives up to its reputation.

Li Qingluo is someone who has been to the netherworld.

Although the lower realms of the netherworld are everywhere gloomy and dim, its upper realms are not inferior to this place.

Even my mother's immortal palace surpasses this place.

But since she does not speak of it, everyone sees her as unusually composed and cannot help admiring her.

Indeed, it takes the Miss, a person who can keep her composure.

Xuan Cang stepped forward and said: 'Junior sister, Loulan lies in the valley below; along this way we have seen countless skeletons in the traps. It shows that everyone wanted to flee to Loulan, but only a few could actually make it there.'

I have heard that Loulan never accepts outsiders; even those who risk their lives to reach Loulan can only stay temporarily, and almost no one can truly remain.

Moreover, I do not know whether the passbook given by Queen Hailiye will be recognized by Loulan…… How are we to enter the gate smoothly, and what is your plan?

Along the way, Xuan Cang has witnessed Li Qingluo's command of her subordinates and her own abilities, and grows ever more confident that she can rescue their master.

Thus, now every major and minor matter is left to Li Qingluo to decide.

Although I am a senior brother, I obey her words without complaint.

Li Qingluo did not answer Xuan Cang's words, and suddenly turned her head to look behind.

No rush, someone is coming.

As soon as the words left her mouth, the killing intent behind her already became alert.

Li Qingluo swiftly raised her hand, signalling not to act rashly.

And another commanding voice quickly followed: 'Who goes there?'

Come out!

A group of people wearing silver armor, weapons in hand, advanced from behind.

Li Qingluo led the way, raising her hand and standing up.

We come from the Central Plains of the Eastern Lands.

We harbor no ill intent.

Please inform the King of Loulan that we have an important matter to discuss.

These Loulan guards glanced at one another.

They indeed sensed no killing intent from this group.

What surprised them even more was that so many people could reach their Loulan safely and unharmed all at once.

This has never happened before.

Unless they had guidance from a Loulan person…… or they truly possess some ability.

Go, inform the general.

Finally, Li Qingluo's group was smoothly welcomed into the city.

However, their weapons were all confiscated before they even made progress.

Even Li Qingluo's dagger on her person, the sleeve arrow on her wrist, and the sword and bow on the horseback where she had switched her camel for a horse midway were all completely confiscated.

"You are outsiders; weapons have to enter the city."

"This is your lodging for tonight; please rest early and do not go out wandering the streets if there's nothing to do."

"If you cause trouble, we Loulan will only protect our own, and we will immediately expel you from the royal city, never to be allowed inside again!"

"Everyone, do as you see fit."

Having said that, the general who had brought Li Qingluo's group into the city then left with his men.

Left alone, Li Qingluo's group stood in the splendid residence, looking at each other.

"Just let us in like that, and they even give us free lodging?"