Clutching the token obtained through "bodily exchange," Chu Qianli left immediately, not a moment's delay.
As she mounted the horse, her legs were completely weak, and she almost fell off halfway.
It was Leng Ji, with his quick eyes and hands, who steadied her, allowing her to successfully get on.
However, once mounted, Chu Qianli's brow immediately furrowed tightly.
Between her legs... the pain was unbearable!
"Miss Li, why don't we take the carriage?" Leng Ji advised.
Chu Qianli didn't even glance at him.
With great effort, enduring the pain until it passed, she immediately spurred her horse.
One person and one horse, they swiftly disappeared in a cloud of dust.
Leng Ji dared not delay, quickly mounting his own horse and leading a team of men to follow closely behind.
But Chu Qianli never dreamed that just as she finally researched the antidote, her grandfather would be taken away.
"The Emperor said the Duke's condition has not improved. Last night, he ordered people to send the Duke to the palace for treatment by imperial physicians."
Steward Han was also helpless; the Emperor's command could not be disobeyed.
Moreover, the experts in the courtyard were originally sent by the Emperor.
Now, the people were gone, and except for the guards at the treasury, there wasn't a single expert left in this courtyard.
Chu Qianli's heart tightened.
"Even if they were to examine Grandpa, they would only send imperial physicians. There's no reason to bring him to the palace for treatment!"
This Emperor, his pretense of treating the Duke was false; his true intention was to blackmail her!
Steward Han was perplexed: "Miss Li'er, although the Duke holds a very high position in court, our Duke's mansion has, in fact, been in decline for years."
None of the Duke's younger sons were outstanding.
It was also because of this, with no successors, that the Duke's mansion was merely a name.
The network of relationships painstakingly built over the years had gradually dispersed as the Duke's health worsened in the past two years.
"Miss Li'er, the Emperor has no reason to use the Duke to threaten anyone, except... except to make Miss leave Prince Xuan."
Having stayed in such a family for a long time, Steward Han was very aware of the taboos concerning royalty.
It was now confirmed by everyone outside that Miss Li'er was Qin Liuyan's daughter—although he truly couldn't see any mother-daughter affection from Qin Liuyan towards Miss Li'er.
But everyone believed this to be true.
The daughter of a singing girl absolutely could not become the Crown Princess.
It was understandable that the Emperor would not allow Chu Qianli to tarnish the reputation of the royal family.
However, now, Miss Li'er was no longer the Crown Princess, but merely a woman accompanying Prince Xuan.
In this era, any man with a bit of money would have multiple wives and concubines, let alone royalty.
It was a trivial matter for a prince to have another woman by his side, something the Emperor wouldn't even bother with.
He certainly wouldn't go to such lengths, using the Duke to threaten her.
There was no logic to it!
Steward Han looked at Chu Qianli, utterly bewildered: "The Emperor... what is it all for?"
"The Emperor loves his people like his own children, and Grandpa was once the Emperor's favored minister. The Emperor is merely concerned about his subject."
Chu Qianli didn't want Steward Han to know too much, forcing a smile to comfort him: "No need to worry. In a few days, when Grandpa's illness is better, the Emperor will surely send someone to bring him back."
"Miss Li'er..." Steward Han opened his mouth, then stopped, hesitating to speak.
Things were not that simple, were they?
Miss Li'er just didn't want him to worry.
"Don't worry, it's fine. You just need to take care of this home for Grandpa, guard the key to the treasury, and leave other matters to me."
"Miss Li'er, are you really alright?" Steward Han looked at her face, so many things he didn't know how to say.
But her complexion really didn't look good.
Especially... especially the small part of her neck that she occasionally revealed... it was covered in marks.
Steward Han, whose own son was this old, how could he not understand?
How were Miss's days in the Prince's mansion?
Did the Prince favor and treat her well, or...
Steward Han lowered his gaze, not daring to think further.
He only knew that Miss was forcing a smile, but he couldn't expose it.
Otherwise, Miss would feel even worse.
"It's really fine, I'll be back." Chu Qianli turned with heavy steps, about to leave.
Steward Han chased after her a couple of steps: "Miss, where are you going?"
She smiled, saying nothing.
It was not her place to decide; someone would naturally arrange it.
Since the Emperor had taken Grandpa, he would surely summon her to the palace soon, and she would wait.
Chu Qianli never expected that before receiving the news of the imperial summons, she would first receive another person.
The First Prince, Prince He.
He was actually in Chu Feixue's courtyard.
The moment she stepped into the courtyard, Chu Qianli felt like laughing.
The Duke's mansion was also starting to have more factions.
"His Highness is waiting in the back garden, hurry up!" Chu Feixue said angrily, not showing any good expression at all!
When the Prince had arrived earlier, she had thought he was looking for her.
It made Chu Feixue feel flattered and almost cry with joy.
She never expected that he would give her such a task upon arrival: to invite Chu Qianli over.
It was for this bitch again!
It was simply infuriating!
Chu Qianli said nothing and followed her through the long corridor.
Soon, she saw the figure under the pavilion.
As Chu Qianli looked at him, Feng Qihe was also looking at her.
It had been a night.
All that lingered in his mind was her snake-like waist!
The night had made Feng Qihe realize one thing: he wanted this woman!
He really wanted her!
He wanted to hold her slender, snake-like waist, press her beneath him, and do as he pleased!
Now, this figure appeared before him. Although she was dressed in a simple, pure white, elegant dress, completely covering herself, his gaze seemed to penetrate the attire, seeing her snow-white, slender waist that could be held in one hand!
His hand, holding the cup, unconsciously tightened.
As Chu Qianli stepped closer, Feng Qihe's fingers tensed even more.
The moment she stepped into the pavilion, Feng Qihe's throat felt dry, and his fingers tightened.
With a crack, the fine white jade cup was crushed by his hand!
Chu Qianli's eyes darkened. Looking at the shattered porcelain on the table, although her expression remained calm, a hint of vigilance immediately appeared in her eyes.
She stood at the entrance of the pavilion, at least five or six paces away from him.
"Greetings, Prince He!" she said, without a formal bow, but her tone was not arrogant.
Today, she was very quiet.
If not for the current uncertainty about her grandfather's situation in the palace, Chu Qianli would most likely not have come to see Prince He.
"May I know what important matter Your Highness summoned me for?"
Feng Qihe said nothing, his gaze locked on her neck.
On the small section of fair skin that was inadvertently revealed, there were all the marks left by a man!
He suddenly became fiercely jealous.
Jealous of the man who took her away last night and forcefully pressed her beneath him!
The man who could toy with her at will could only be him!
"By his side, you can only be a concubine. Why not follow me? I can promise you vast territories!"