Chu Feiyan knew that Chu Minghao truly deserved his fate.
But she had already lost her father, and she was terrified of losing her only brother too.
"Your Highness, my elder brother was poisoned. Although Your Highness's timely treatment saved his life, he has lost half of it."
Disfigurement might not be a fatal wound for a man.
But his legs were gone.
His poison had been too deep back then, and even Chu Qianli was helpless. In the end, Chu Qianli took a risky gamble, forcing all the poison in his body to his legs, and then amputated them to save his life.
His life was saved, but with one leg severed, he was considered crippled.
Furthermore, after narrowly escaping death, Chu Minghao's physical condition became very poor, with a weak constitution.
Under these circumstances, being exiled to the border, Chu Feiyan was very worried that her brother would die on the way before even reaching the border.
"Your Highness, I know my request is difficult, but..."
"Although Chu Minghao was not the mastermind, he was always helping Prince Yu and harming the common people. The punishment I gave him is already considered lenient."
Chu Qianli seemed unwilling to budge.
Chu Feiyan's heart sank. She knew she had no right to be sad, yet she couldn't hide her disappointment.
Xi Jiu, standing nearby, advised, "Young Master Hao... Chu Minghao's crime, not killing him is the greatest mercy. Feiyan, don't make things difficult for the Princess."
Chu Qianli, upon hearing this, couldn't help but glance at the two of them.
Feiyan, that address seemed a bit too intimate.
Had something unspeakable happened between them without her knowledge?
Chu Feiyan seemed to heed Xi Jiu's words. She nodded and said no more.
After bowing to Chu Qianli, she turned and walked towards Chu Minghao in the distance to bid him farewell.
Xi Jiu watched her retreating back, his gaze unable to retract.
Then, Chu Qianli's voice sounded behind him, "Always being together, it's bound to develop into affection, isn't it?"
Xi Jiu was startled. Upon realizing who the words were directed at, his tanned face instantly turned red.
"Princess... what are you saying?"
"Am I not speaking clearly enough? You've fallen for Chu Feiyan?"
Chu Qianli's words were completely direct, making Xi Jiu's face even redder, as if smeared with pig's blood.
"I... how is that possible? That... that woman's broken... broken temper, I..."
"Feiyan, how did you get injured?" Chu Qianli suddenly exclaimed.
Xi Jiu was startled. Without thinking, he turned and leaped to Chu Feiyan's side, grabbing her hand. "Where are you injured?"
Chu Feiyan looked confused. "Who is injured?"
"You..." After a pause, Xi Jiu immediately realized he had been tricked.
He wanted to distance himself, but it was too late.
He was still holding Chu Feiyan's hand!
He quickly let go, his face so red it could almost bleed.
"Heh, still playing stubborn?" Chu Qianli walked over slowly.
Xi Jiu was so ashamed he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
Chu Feiyan still didn't understand what was happening. Looking at Chu Qianli, her smile made her inexplicably blush.
Chu Minghao and Ru Ji quickly bowed to Chu Qianli. "Greetings, Princess."
"One of you is injured, and the other is with child. Let's dispense with these formalities. Please rise."
Chu Qianli waved her hand, her gaze falling on Ru Ji's belly. "It looks like you're about four months along, isn't it?"