Chu Qianli was indeed very familiar with the paths within the palace.
She had visited this imperial palace countless times.
Yet, each visit brought more disgust than the last.
The coldness of this palace was not just in its surrounding high walls, but in the hearts of everyone within.
She looked up at the distant horizon, then took a deep breath and quickened her pace.
Just as she was about to exit the imperial garden, before she could even pass through Yi Qing Yuan, the reception area for foreign guests, she faintly heard voices ahead.
"This County Princess heard that Prince Xuan has arrived. I want to see him!"
The voice was somewhat petulant and overbearing, and it sounded strangely familiar.
"County Princess, at this hour, even if Prince Xuan has entered the palace, he must be here on important matters. If you approach him rashly..."
It was a man's voice, deep and steady.
But his words were interrupted by the petulant County Princess: "Gui Tong, the area ahead is the forbidden inner court. It is inconvenient for you, a man, to enter. Do not follow me."
"County Princess..."
"I merely wish to see Prince Xuan. Will I not return after I see him?"
Ever since the selection of consorts, when she arrived in Beiming and saw Feng Ye Xuan, Chu Feiyan had been unable to forget him.
It was as if she had been poisoned by lovesickness; she could neither eat nor sleep after returning, only wishing to see him again.
Previously, she had finally heard that his engagement to Chu Qianli had fallen through, and that Chu Qianli had gotten involved with some Prince He.
Upon hearing this, Chu Feiyan could no longer sit still. She immediately pleaded with her father, which granted her this opportunity to come.
Who knew that upon arrival, she would hear that Prince Xuan had gone to Thousand Year City.
She did not want to wait a moment longer, nor could she bear to. Before, she had almost gone to Thousand Year City herself to find him!
Disregarding Gui Tong's obstruction, Chu Feiyan intended to force her way into the inner court.
However, on the palace path leading into the inner court, she looked up and saw the woman she detested to an extreme.
"Chu Qianli! What are you doing here?" Chu Feiyan strode forward, her voice filled with anger. "Is this a place you can come to?"
Chu Qianli did not want to deal with her. She sidestepped, intending to leave.
It was better to avoid trouble. This woman would only waste her time.
But Chu Feiyan had set her sights on her and quickly circled back, blocking her path.
"What? You're dodging me when you see this County Princess? Chu Qianli, where is your former arrogance? Weren't you very powerful?"
Chu Feiyan clearly remembered the incident where she and Long Zi Yue had caused her injury last time.
With old and new grievances, she was so enraged that she wanted to tear Chu Qianli apart upon seeing her.
"What does Princess Feiyan mean by this? Are you trying to block me?"
"Me?"
Ha! Was this woman insane?
Chu Feiyan was almost amused to the point of anger. "Chu Qianli, you..."
"County Princess, she is now the Empress of Long Teng Kingdom," Gui Tong reminded her.
Chu Feiyan froze, stunned for a long time.
Chu Qianli did not want to bicker with her and attempted to leave for the second time.
Chu Feiyan actually knew how noble the status of an Empress was.
But she simply couldn't stand it!
"What is Long Teng Kingdom? A mere small tributary state. Even as an Empress, you have no real power!"
She was unconvinced!
Why did this damned Chu Qianli always have such good luck?
"Moreover, who knows if this Empress title was obtained through deception! Now that she is in Beiming, alone, it shows that Beiming does not care about her either!"
That was right! How could a dignified Empress not be surrounded by attendants, not be adorned with countless honors?
Yet Chu Qianli was now all alone.
This Empress title was definitely fake!