Chu Qianli could imagine how Feng Jinghua, the last bloodline of King Ye, had endured humiliation to become the current Prince Xuan.
She must have hated Feng Bufan to the core!
But she had no choice.
During the time Feng Bufan imprisoned her, Feng Jinghua discovered she was pregnant. How could she bear to die?
That was the only flesh and blood of King Ye.
After becoming Hua Rong, she wanted to personally watch her son grow up and protect him, so she absolutely could not die.
"Then, Fourteenth Prince..." Chu Qianli looked up at Feng Yexuan.
"He is the son of my mother and Emperor Jing," Feng Yexuan closed his eyes, slowly regulating his breathing.
"Perhaps the most innocent person is Jin Rui. He doesn't understand anything, but he knew his birth mother was back. He... he was truly happy and wanted to serve his mother well."
"But your mother... must have hated... Jin Rui, right?" Chu Qianli felt a pang of sadness.
Feng Jin Rui was the most innocent and pure among all the princes she had ever met.
Having lost his mother since childhood, Jin Rui was originally devoted to Consort Jin. However, Consort Jin ultimately disappointed and even despaired him.
And Hua Rong's appearance must have given Feng Jin Rui immense hope.
He must have loved his mother dearly.
But he was the son of an enemy.
Chu Qianli could even imagine how many times Feng Jinghua must have struggled, wanting to abort the child in her womb, while pregnant with Feng Jin Rui.
Feng Jin Rui's survival was likely due to Feng Jinghua's last shred of mercy for the child in her womb.
But ultimately, she could not love this child.
After all, to Feng Jinghua, he was the child of a devil!
"Jin Rui is my brother, and he always will be." So, even if Mother didn't love him, he would protect him well.
"He is also... my brother," Chu Qianli whispered.
Feng Yexuan's heart trembled.
He cupped her shoulders with both hands, gently pulling her towards him, and said, "Have you truly... decided?"
Chu Qianli met his gaze.
With things as they were, what else could be done?
Hadn't he revealed all his secrets to her?
"I don't just fall for any man easily." So, didn't this prove that Feng Yexuan was also a unique existence in her heart?
Since he dared to face his heart so frankly, why shouldn't she?
Let them both stop running away.
"When we return, I will face these matters with you."
"No, you stay in Nan Ming."
Although he was deeply moved, so moved that his heart trembled slightly.
Feng Yexuan remained rational after all.
"Once my identity is discovered by Emperor Jing, the ten thousand royal guards will hunt me to the ends of the earth."
"In that case, I must face it with you!"
"No, you stay and wait for me."
Feng Yexuan gently held her hand and lowered his head, planting a kiss on the back of her hand.
"Give me one year. I will definitely reclaim everything for my mother. Then, I will come to Bei Ming and be your consort. For the rest of my life, I will be the man behind you."
Chu Qianli pouted her lips. The sweetness in her heart was indescribable, but her words were still a little less than soft:
"Does the dignified Prince Xuan truly wish to be the man behind me?"
"Willingly."
After experiencing so much hardship, he finally realized that being with her was his greatest pursuit in life.
The empire, the state, in truth, were worthless.
He embraced her again.
"From now on, you strategize, and I will fight for the empire for you. I am the sword in your hand; wherever you point, I will strike!"