Chapter 80: Their Appearances Actually Match!

The Zhongyi Marquis's manor naturally incurred the hatred of Xi Yue***.

You should know that when she was carrying Princess Nanping, she was somewhat older, so she endured great hardship.

After giving birth to Princess Nanping, she took Nanping with the crown prince consort to his northwestern appointment, and Nanping, being young, consequently endured many hardships.

Until this year, Xi Yue*** and the crown prince consort regained the emperor's favor and trust, and only then did the whole family move back to Jinling.

Princess Nanping, who grew up in the northwest since childhood, upon returning and seeing bustling Jinling, loved to run wherever there was excitement, so over the past few months she has almost visited every prominent household in Jinling City.

At first, *** still refused her, fearing she might get into trouble, fearing she would be undisciplined and offend people.

But she is a princess, with a naive and lovely disposition, and indeed nothing really happened.

Thus, *** became permissive toward her.

Each time, they would have the steward's matron and maid follow.

But today something happened at the Zhongyi Marquis's manor!

In this life, Princess Nanping was rescued and has awakened; presumably *** even if angry will not overreact.

But in the previous life, the Zhongyi Marquis's manor suffered great misfortune.

The Zhongyi Marquis's manor still doesn't know that the senior crown prince consort is about to assume the position of Grand Secretary of the Secretariat.

His prized daughter had an incident at the Zhongyi Marquis's manor; wouldn't he then secretly set a snare?

In the previous life, Li Qingluo, because her sources were limited, knew little.

However, thereafter, because Li Kechuan did not suffer the broken leg and ruined prospects that this life did, the Zhongyi Marquis's manor's determination to forge a marriage alliance with the General's Mansion grew even firmer.

In this life, Li Qingluo intends to call off this marriage, so she'll begin by rescuing Princess Nanping.

If possible, she truly wishes to trade this favor for a marriage cancellation.

Unfortunately, she fears that once she says this, her grandmother will surely be the first to hold her accountable.

Thinking of this, Li Qingluo let out a long sigh.

With her hair almost dry, Li Qingluo, accompanied by Que'er and Cui Er, finally left the room.

The three had just entered the garden when someone blocked their way.

"Miss Li, our lady has a request."

Que'er immediately stepped in front: "Lady? I don't know which lady you mean. If she summons, does our miss have to go?"

In this unfamiliar residence, Que'er dared not be careless.

Moreover, the maid knew who their miss was the moment she arrived, clearly having been waiting.

Li Qingluo also stared at the maid, who lowered her head in fear and replied, "Our lady is, of course, the Marquis's lady of the Zhongyi Marquis's manor!"

So that would be Zhuang Wei's mother?

Li Qingluo had no intention of this marriage at all, so she guessed the other side just wanted to lay eyes on her, and naturally she would not go.

"Apologies. Please tell your lady that I am feeling slightly unwell at the moment, fearing I might collide with her, so I will not go forward to pay my respects today."

The maid still tried to block, but suddenly a mocking laugh rang out: "Seems people from the Zhongyi Marquis's manor are still rather idle?"

"I heard Princess Nanping fell into water at your residence; why doesn't the Zhongyi Marquis's lady go to console the frightened Princess Nanping, and now she's in a hurry to thank the benefactor first?"

Seeing someone arrive, the maid, panicked, lowered her head and hurried away.

Seeing that frantic demeanor, it was clear that if Li Qingluo truly went along, nothing good would result!

Li Qingluo squinted, turned around, and looked again at the one who had helped her out of the bind.

It was Prince Su?

Li Qingluo instantly felt her heart race to her throat, and hurriedly, with Que'er and Cui Er, paid her respects: "A humble woman presents herself before Prince Su."

Duan Rongshi did not walk over, but stopped a few feet away.

Trailing behind him, Zhui Yu and Sha Lei, eyes fixed on the nose, nose on the heart, held their swords motionlessly.

Both thought: No wonder Prince Su, who rarely takes a break, suddenly came to the Zhongyi Marquis's manor to celebrate the old lady's birthday; could it be for these two girls?

After all, their prince has always been in Jinling City, and whether monk or Buddha, he never gives anything to anyone.

Today, being so out of the ordinary, and having just heard of Princess Nanping's drowning, he will likely regard these two girls with even greater attention.

Duan Rongshi looked at the hint of rosy color before him.

She has especially dressed up today?

Never imagined such a brilliant color would suit her.

Compared with last night's cool pale moon, the fresh bright one is a completely different look.

It is said that the Zhongyi Marquis's manor intends to continue a marriage alliance with the Li family, and before she was born, she had already been betrothed to Zhuang Wei.

The two's appearances actually match.

Unfortunately, Zhuang Wei's heart is not with her.

Duan Rongshi felt a hint of disgust and coldness, merely nodded and turned to leave.

Li Qingluo, after he left, let out a deep sigh of relief.

In the previous life, she had never heard that this Death God also attended this birthday banquet!

Probably nothing major occurred.

However, why does the figure of another guard beside Prince Su look somewhat familiar to her?

Without time to think further, Li Qingluo just wanted to leave quickly: "Let's go quickly!"

She led Cui Er and Que'er swiftly out of the garden, returning to the side hall.

This time, because of her brave deed today, most girls regarded her differently, yet due to her background, only a few dared to boldly approach and befriend her.

Pei Nanjia hid nearby, snickering.

"Wait, it won't be long before you become the hottest person in Jinling City."

Li Qingluo: "Just because I rescued Princess Nanping?"

Pei Nan Jia: "Of course! And your background isn't strange and special enough? You are so poised and graceful, beautiful, brave, and resolute; good words always get spread."

Besides, I've heard that Xiyue*** is the most vengeful, but also the most grateful.

Li Qingluo smiled faintly; that's good.

What she most wanted today in coming to the Zhongyi Hou Fu was that favor from Xiyue***.

She dare not repay kindness with hatred, but sometimes, a hand of imperial power is more useful than any sword.

After the meal, there was a performance in the courtyard.

The Princess of Nanping has already been taken back, but people remain uneasy about her falling into the water.

Everyone's gaze toward Li Qingluo naturally differed somewhat.

Li Qingluo had never seen the bustle of a performance; she had wanted to join the crowd to take a look, but Qu Shi pulled her aside.

"You've really made a name for yourself today!? Do you know that the more you do this, the more people will spread your and Zhu'er's background!?"

"Zhu'er is already dead; why won't you let her rest?"

"Stepmother begs you, can you calm down a bit, so that Zhu'er may rest a few days in the underworld?"

Qu Shi gripped Li Qingluo's wrist with such force that it seemed she could not help but break it outright.

Although she suppressed her voice, the resentment in her eyes was still hard to conceal.

Li Qingluo lowered her eyes: "Mother, what are you saying? I merely rescued the Princess of Nanping; do you think I shouldn't have acted to save her today?"

"If this counts as showing off, then let Mother resent me. At least, saving a life is akin to building a seven-story pagoda; I'll consider it accruing merit for Sister Zhu'er, Mother, don't you agree?"

Having said that, Li Qingluo wrenched her arm free with force.

The force was such that Qu Shi stumbled back several steps.

When has Qu Shi ever suffered such indignity?

Instantly furious and anxious, she stared at Li Qingluo in shock: "You… you wretch! What nonsense are you spouting? If people hear this, are you trying to have the entire Jiangjun Fu cursed by ***?"