Chapter 676: Sha Yi, Be Bold and Propose!

That arrow struck the prince's chest, its precision shocking everyone.

Who is it?

To think someone possessed such exquisite, unparalleled archery!

The archer, however, was a woman Li Qingluo could never have imagined—Su Miaoyu.

"It's the former Crown Princess!"

"How did she return?"

Su Miaoyu nodded from afar at Li Qingluo.

Since the former Crown Prince Duan Rongyin's treason and death, the Su family, the Crown Princess's maternal clan, vanished overnight in Jinling.

And now, the Su family has returned?

How did they disappear?

And how did they come back?

However, now that the Crown Princess has returned and shot a Chu noble heir in the street, will she be punished for it?

But the Su family was implicated by the Crown Prince from the start, so they can't escape responsibility, right?

At that moment, the Imperial Guard surged onto the street.

"His Majesty has arrived—"

The townsfolk, just risen, instantly knelt and bowed: "Long live the Emperor, long, long, ten thousand years—"

Those who had intended to travel incognito now caused such a commotion.

Duan Rongshi rode up on horseback.

Seeing the chaotic scene, he first looked toward Li Qingluo's carriage.

"Empress, were you frightened?"

Li Qingluo lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and shook her head.

Duan Rongshi then immediately looked at commander Wu Wei: "The heir of the Shunyang Marquis disrespected the Empress, spoke rashly, ignored the law. He has been shot dead in the street!"

"Bring this boy to the gate of the Shunyang Marquis's residence so the Marquis can see the 'good son' he raised!"

"Let him give an account to me, the Empress, and the realm, or the Shunyang Marquis will be stripped of his title and demoted, forced to return to Nan'an!"

Wu Wei immediately obeyed: "Yes!"

The people on the street walked as if on thin ice, daring not even a breath.

The new emperor Duan Rongshi personally led the Empress's carriage and turned back toward the palace.

With such a commotion already caused, nothing can be accomplished today.

Although Li Qingluo felt regret, she was glad to see Su Miaoyu return.

In Zhaoyang Hall, after Su Miaoyu paid respects to Li Qingluo, Li Qingluo granted her a seat.

"Have you truly decided to settle in Yangzhou?"

"I have mentioned the Su family to His Majesty; he said if the Su family wishes to return, he will assign a new official post to your father."

"If you prefer not to re‑enter court service, Grand Tutor Su can retire in Jinling."

Su Miaoyu nodded and smiled faintly: "Thank you, Madam, and His Majesty for still remembering our Su family."

"Had it not been for Madam's secret arrangement that the Su family leave Jinling back then, we would not have these peaceful days now."

"Back then, we would surely have been torn to pieces."

"Since we have already distanced ourselves from these disputes and struggles, there is no need to re‑enter the vortex."

"Why add more gossip and criticism?"

"Anyway, the lady's brothers are all incompetent."

"As for the younger generation, if there are scholars among them, we hope His Majesty and Madam will be gracious enough to allow the Su family another chance at the imperial examinations and a future."

"Our Su family is already grateful and will forever remember Madam and Your Highness's kindness."

Li Qingluo: "No need for such courtesy. That arrow you shot yourself back then was already a righteous act that severed ties between you, the Su family, and the Eastern Palace."

"It was only for the safety of your Su family, so this truth and secret cannot be made public."

Su Miaoyu rose and knelt: "Thank you, Madam and His Majesty for your great grace."

"We the Su family could have today only because Madam gave the lady a chance back then."

"This time the lady returns not only to recall old matters but also to visit Madam."

"I have heard Madam established a women's academy, a women's martial hall, and a charitable hall that shelters orphans."

"The lady wonders if similar institutions could be opened in Yangzhou."

"If Madam grants permission, the lady will strive to make it happen."

Li Qingluo nodded and smiled: "Of course you may."

"Moreover, I fully support the populace establishing such beneficial institutions for women."

"Madam Su, I look forward to the day you become renowned in Yangzhou."

Su Miaoyu: "Having a heroine like Madam is a blessing for countless women of Great Yue. The lady will not disappoint Madam's expectations and will carry on her will."

After Su Miaoyu left, Li Qingluo hurried to bring Sha Yi back in.

"What's going on with you today?"

"Who is that little lady?"

Before Sha Yi could answer, Que'er laughed out loud beside him.

"Madam, you truly don't remember?"

Li Qingluo felt a sense of familiarity.

"Could it be that she really knows him?"

I actually have no impression.

Sha Yi's ears turned slightly red.

"My lady, I only drew my sword to help upon seeing injustice, and yet that spoiled brat dares to act so arrogantly right under your nose..."

"I have no other intentions."

Li Qingluo: "You're lying."

"Sha Yi, you dare to deceive even me?"

Li Qingluo narrowed her eyes, deliberately crossed her arms and coldly stared at Sha Yi, "Then first tell this palace, whose family is that young lady from?"

Sha Yi stammered, "It's, it's... Lord Shen's younger sister..."

Li Qingluo slapped her forehead, and finally it dawned on her.

"Shen Anyu's younger sister, Shen Nianyu?"

"Look at my memory."

"That young lady came to see me twice together with Pan Li, and I actually completely forgot."

Que'er beside her said: "Yes, my lady."

"I've noticed that since you gave birth to the little princess, your memory isn't as good as before."

Zheng Mama glared at Que'er: "Your mouth, only the lady puts up with you."

Que'er stuck out her tongue: "Because I'm also like that."

Li Qingluo didn't mind.

She has always been easygoing with those around her.

However, this also counts as having touched upon Sha Yi's mortal heart.

Sha Yi is the one among the Kill group who handles the most affairs for me, is the strongest in ability, and likewise the one I value most.

The other members of the Kill group have each found their own destination, and Li Qingluo naturally also wants him to have his wishes fulfilled.

However, one cannot force others to do what is difficult for them.

Li Qingluo the next day had Pan Li brought to the palace.

She merely wanted to gauge this Miss Shen's heart; otherwise she would be rashly meddling in the matchmaking chart.

Fortunately, Pan Li laughed as soon as Li Qingluo spoke.

"My young lady is absent-minded all day; guess who it's for?"

Actually it turns out that while they were still in Mantuo City, the two had already developed feelings for each other in private.

However, Sha Yi felt his status was lowly, fearing he was not worthy of an official's daughter, so he several times backed down.

After hearing this, Li Qingluo felt heartbroken and sighed: "Do you think anyone can be the commander of the empress's personal guard?"

"You have accompanied me all the way, and have even gone into battle to kill enemies and protect me several times."

"His Majesty will not let you down."

"Sha Yi, boldly go ask for her hand in marriage."

Sha Yi then, with red eyes, knelt on the ground and kowtowed deeply in gratitude.

"Your subordinate, to be able to follow you, my lady master, has not lived in vain!"

And thus another couple was finally settled.

Li Qingluo, while happily playing matchmaker, was also busy setting up several schools in Jinling City.

That day, upon leaving the palace, she had originally intended to go out of the city to pay respects to her mother consort.

However, Li Qingluo thought that Duan Rongshi might not be able to make it at the last minute, so she decided to first go to the charity hall in the city.

However, midway, because the Marquis Shunyang's heir harassed Shen Nianyu, this plan also fell through.

Speaking of which, the Marquis Shunyang's residence has been causing trouble ever since his heir was shot dead by an arrow.

They had already heard that the former crown princess was a remnant of the crown prince's sin, so they insisted that Su Miaoyu pay with her life.

Marquis Shunyang even wanted to ally with other nobles and officials of Great Chu to make a big fuss over this, seeking to vindicate and avenge his son.

However, Zhang Tinggui, after hearing the full story, merely cursed Marquis Shunyang: "Fool!"

"Your Marquis Shunyang household won't last long; I, as the premier, advise you to pack up and roll back to South Peace as soon as possible!"

"Otherwise, your entire family will be killed because of you!"

Marquis Shunyang jumped up and cursed Zhang Tinggui as vicious.

He also accused him of forgetting his roots, forgetting which country he actually belongs to.

Nowadays, Great Yue and the former Great Chu have no relation whatsoever; the people of Great Chu should unite to strive for the former glory and power they had in Great Chu, otherwise sooner or later they will be trampled underfoot and completely devoured by the powers of Jinling.

Seeing him so deranged, Zhang Tinggui could only shake his head: "No wonder he raised a son who dares to defy and offend the empress."

"As it turns out, you are simply an old rebel."

Zhang Tinggui's words frightened the other Great Chu nobles and officials so much that they dared not approach Marquis Shunyang.

Everyone deep down understood.

The empress, back when she was merely a merchant's wife, was able to open a women's tavern in South Peace, the royal city of Great Chu where women's status was extremely low; now, in the new imperial capital of Great Yue, as empress she wishes to support women worldwide, and she certainly can accomplish that.

And isn't the Marquis Shunyang family precisely stepping on the line of defying the empress's decrees?

Those who came from Great Chu still haven't tucked their tails and behaved properly, striving not to embarrass His Majesty.

As for the Marquis Shunyang family, they're just here to show off their might.

This conveniently gives the old ministers of DaLiang, deep down, a knife and a handle to use against them, right?

Sure enough, just two days after Zhang Tinggui's words, the entire Marquis Shunyang residence was raided.

The Marquis Shunyang's heir harassed a civilian woman in the street, and then committed a grave offense of disrespect toward the empress.

Furthermore, he violated the empress's statutes; his crime warrants death!

The Obedient Yang Marquis's mansion, unaware of its fault, still secretly slandered the Empress, and then further plotted to form cliques for personal gain, committing the grave crime of treason!

Their crime deserves death; it is unforgivable!

The Obedient Yang Marquis's mansion was raided, and all males and females aged twelve or older were sentenced to exile in the Northern Border.

Those under twelve were sentenced to be relegated to their ancestral hometown, and for life and the next three generations they were forbidden to set foot in the Imperial City even a single step.

This was a warning bell for all the old officials and nobles of Great Chu, and even for the remaining old officials of DaLiang.

Their Majesty's support for the Empress is absolutely beyond doubt!

If anyone dares to provoke, it would likely weigh as heavily as the realm itself.

The heavens of Great Yue are truly no longer the same as those of the former dynasties……