Chu Huaiyu's face turned even paler, devoid of any color.
She pushed Qingming away forcefully, her voice a mere whisper, "I... I'm fine. My illness... it's long gone. You don't need to... help me."
Looking at Qingming, her eyes were filled with sorrow, a thin layer of mist clearly hidden within them.
So pitiful, yet so stubborn, it made Qingming's heart ache.
"Miss Li! You've gone too far!" Qingming turned and glared at Chu Qianli, gritting his teeth in anger.
But with the Prince present, no matter how angry he was, he could only dare to be angry but not speak.
"Miss Huaiyu..." Seeing Chu Huaiyu swaying precariously, Qingming was extremely anxious.
"You don't need... to bother."
Chu Huaiyu seemed resentful that Qingming had helped her just now, causing her to be so humiliated by Chu Qianli.
She bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes.
Even though she was so weak that she could faint at any moment, she still stood up straight with determination.
Qingming was flustered. He forgot even the Prince's taboo and quickly called out to the outside, "Xiao Ya, hurry and help your young lady!"
Xiao Ya, who was waiting outside, immediately rushed in. She forgot to even bow and quickly supported her young lady.
"Miss, Miss, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again? The doctor said you have a deficiency of qi and blood and cannot be stimulated! Who angered you to this extent?"
Chu Qianli almost wanted to roll her eyes.
This pair of mistress and servant were truly in sync. Their performance was as if they had been specially trained.
Of course, their acting was still a bit clumsy.
If it were her, she wouldn't act this way.
She would find another way.
This kind of acting could only fool the blind.
Unexpectedly, someone at this moment said faintly, "Since you're not feeling well, go back to your room and rest. Someone, escort Miss Huaiyu back!"
"But..." A flicker of surprise crossed Chu Huaiyu's eyes.
When she looked up at Feng Yexuan's gaze, she still looked uneasy.
"But Prince... should I return to the Duke's mansion? Staying in the Prince's mansion like this is neither proper nor fitting. Huaiyu... Huaiyu fears some people will mock me again."
As she spoke, her fearful gaze uneasily swept over Chu Qianli.
Chu Qianli's smile grew wider, "Don't worry, whether you shamelessly linger in someone's Prince's mansion or not has nothing to do with me."
"Chu Qianli, you're going too far!" Qingming said angrily.
Chu Qianli's gaze fell on him, and her expression suddenly turned serious, displeased, "I heard I'm still holding the identity of Prince Xuan's concubine. So, the Prince's women can be insulted by a mere guard at will!"
Feng Yexuan's eyes darkened.
Qingming's face turned pale, and he immediately said to Feng Yexuan, "Your Highness, your subordinate... your subordinate just couldn't stand seeing Miss Huaiyu being bullied like this. It was an impulsive act. Your Highness, please forgive me!"
"How is it that Miss Huaiyu is being bullied, and Your Highness hasn't said anything, yet you, an unrelated person, are so agitated?"
Chu Qianli glanced at him sideways, her smile always making people grind their teeth in hatred.
She said with a smile, "For those who don't know, they might think you and Miss Huaiyu have some unspeakable secret."
"You!" Qingming truly couldn't stand it!
She could scold him and insult him, but she absolutely could not humiliate Miss Huaiyu!
"Miss Li, although I am just a guard, if you continue to humiliate and slander Miss Huaiyu, I will fight you even if I have to give up my life!"
Feng Yexuan narrowed his eyes, staring indifferently at the woman with a smile on her lips.
Chu Qianli could clearly see that Qingming was truly on the verge of going mad.
She didn't expect this guy to be so reckless for Chu Huaiyu.
Simply crazy!
However, Chu Huaiyu's deceptive skills were indeed very effective in the eyes of certain men.
Men liked to cherish the weak, because this made them appear tall and mighty.
And Chu Huaiyu just happened to give men a feeling of their own immense strength.
A master!
She retracted her smile, not wanting to provoke this male lion for the time being.
Just as she was about to say something, Chu Huaiyu suddenly knelt down with a thud towards Feng Yexuan.
"Huaiyu is loyal to Your Highness and has no other intentions. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, then order Huaiyu to be executed."
Chu Qianli's brow furrowed as she looked at Feng Yexuan.
Although Feng Yexuan's face remained calm, it was clear he was impatient.
"Rumors and gossip, I never believe them. Go back and rest."
Chu Huaiyu was finally reassured and stood up with Xiao Ya's support.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Huaiyu... takes her leave."
Turning around, as she passed Chu Qianli, she gave Chu Qianli a frail glance.
"Fifth Sister, please stop spreading rumors everywhere. Huaiyu won't mind."
"Huaiyu only cares if Your Highness believes me. As long as Your Highness believes, even if you slander Huaiyu's reputation everywhere, Huaiyu won't..."
"Enough, in my eyes, you're not even as good as dog shit. Why would I waste my time slandering your reputation?"
Chu Qianli snorted dismissively, "Stop flattering yourself!"
Chu Huaiyu wiped away her tears and left.
Although the man behind her couldn't see her tears, everyone clearly saw her sorrowful departure.
Qingming's dislike, and even hatred, for Chu Qianli grew.
He had never seen such a wicked and malicious woman!
"Escort Miss Chu back," Feng Yexuan suddenly said.
Qingming was stunned and quickly explained, "Your Highness, your subordinate and Miss Huaiyu are innocent. Please do not believe..."
"Get out," Feng Yexuan said calmly.
He remained expressionless, staring indifferently at Chu Qianli standing in the room.
No one knew what was hidden in those eyes that held no ripples.
Qingming also didn't know what he was thinking.
But at least, after following the Prince for so many years, he knew that the Prince was not angry at the moment.
Either he didn't care about the matter between him and Miss Huaiyu, or he didn't believe the slander.
Qingming felt uneasy. As he left, he couldn't help but give Chu Qianli a warning look as he passed her.
If there was a next time, he would never let this vixen go.
Chu Qianli suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
After Qingming left, she looked at Feng Yexuan and said, "I want to go back to the Duke's mansion. Whatever the price, Your Highness might as well state it directly."
When she came out of Qianyun Pavilion in the morning, it was still smooth sailing.
She harbored a glimmer of hope and wanted to try the main gate.
But unexpectedly, she was still stopped by the guards.
Feng Yexuan looked at her and suddenly sneered, "You even know how to negotiate with me now?"
Chu Qianli remained silent, meeting his gaze.
For her grandfather, she had to endure this humiliation!
When her grandfather recovered and the Duke's mansion matters were handed back to him, she would leave the imperial city, or even the Northern Ming Kingdom.
From then on, this man's affairs would have nothing to do with her!
Feng Yexuan was also staring at her face.
Last night, when she was with them, her face was full of youth and vitality. Why was it so cold and distant when she came to him?
"I do not agree!"
He suddenly stood up and walked towards the door, "No conditions will be agreed upon! You will not leave the Prince's mansion even half a step!"