Chu Qianli was no longer in the back mountains; she had already returned to Qianyun Pavilion.
When Feng Yexuan arrived, her wounds had just been bandaged, and she was drinking tea.
Upon hearing Qingmei report the Prince's arrival, Chu Qianli showed no reaction.
Seeing her cold demeanor, Feng Yexuan felt extremely uncomfortable.
With a wave of his hand, Qingmei and Hongchou turned and left, thoughtfully closing the door for the two of them.
Chu Qianli remained silent, still drinking tea, not looking at him.
Feng Yexuan had never been one to explain things. Although filled with guilt, he didn't know how to begin.
They remained in a stalemate.
After an unknown amount of time, Chu Qianli finally broke the silence.
"Does the Prince have business with me?"
"I apologize…"
"Are you apologizing for abandoning me, or are you saying you've fallen for a little girl and…"
"Li'er, in my heart, there is only you!"
Feng Yexuan's words were never filled with doubt.
But these words seemed to be spoken only to himself.
Looking at her face again, he couldn't feel the significance of these words.
He realized that since Chu Qianli's return this time, he felt very different when facing her.
But in his heart, there was only Li'er, and there would be no question about that!
Chu Qianli looked at him.
Feng Yexuan's gaze finally landed on her eyes.
However, his eyes, almost imperceptibly, darkened.
Why did it feel so wrong?
Chu Qianli immediately averted her gaze. She seemed to have sensed something just now!
Her eyes were different from the original Chu Qianli's!
A face could be changed, but eyes could not.
If she hadn't quickly looked away and continued to meet Feng Yexuan's gaze, she might have been suspected.
Feng Yexuan's brow furrowed slightly, his expression gloomy, lost in thought.
It was as if he had thought of something, yet also seemed uncertain.
"Yexuan," Chu Qianli suddenly called out.
Strangely, this time, Feng Yexuan did not respond.
She felt a sense of unease. Had he truly sensed something?
"Yexuan, do you feel that I've changed somewhat since my return?"
Feng Yexuan's gaze finally fell upon her again.
"Yexuan, I haven't changed. I'm just… a little uneasy."
"Why are you uneasy?" Feng Yexuan's voice was still somewhat cold.
Chu Qianli heard him clearly, her hands hidden in her sleeves tightening.
She suddenly lowered her head, looking at her own abdomen, her hand slowly resting upon it.
"There is some hatred in my heart that still lingers."
Feng Yexuan's gaze followed her hand to her abdomen.
Upon seeing it, his expression immediately changed.
Although the change was very slight, Chu Qianli could clearly feel the coldness emanating from him dissipate considerably.
A hint of a smile flickered in her eyes.
But her face remained impassive, still wearing a look of dejection.
"I'm sorry, I just can't forget…"
"Li'er…" Feng Yexuan was truly remorseful.
She had once carried their child.
But due to his inadequate protection, their child never had the chance to see the world.
"Yexuan, I don't want to lie to you. When I was in Long Teng, the situation was tense, and I was treading carefully. I didn't have the extra energy to think about past events."
"Moreover, you know very well that Consort Yu used soul-capturing techniques on me, and I forgot those painful things."
"That's why I could get along with you, and I could… be completely open with you. But now…"
She suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and looked up at the night sky.
"Returning to this place, the past experiences and pain are haunting. I can't forget them, and I don't know how to interact with you."