Everyone believed Chu Qianli was carefree and knew no fear.
But she knew herself.
What she feared most was living without dignity.
Living as humbly as an ant.
This feeling of utter insignificance was always given to her by only one person.
That was him, Feng Yexuan!
When Feng Yexuan had gone to Black Wind Cliff and risked his life to save her, Fulong had once asked her a question.
Why, when this man cared for her and could protect her, did she refuse to stay by his side?
At that time, Chu Qianli's heart might have been in a mess, and she hadn't thought it through.
All she knew was that she couldn't stay by Feng Yexuan's side.
Now, she finally understood why she couldn't be with Feng Yexuan.
Because, when he was ruthless, he was truly ruthless!
And before she could stand on equal footing with him, she had no right to stand tall and straight in front of him!
How could an unequal relationship be worth her lingering on?
Even if she still cared for this man to some extent, she would never allow herself to stay by his side, begging for his pity.
What she wanted was equality, respect, not to be doted on and coaxed when he was happy, only to be discarded like worn-out shoes or treated like a toy when he was displeased!
"Feng Yexuan! Let go of me!"
Chu Qianli struggled frantically.
Her bound wrists quickly developed blisters, and even shallow blood marks appeared.
The man behind her seemed oblivious.
"What? Now you know fear? Where is the courage you had to confront me just now? Who gave you that courage!"
Feng Yexuan's large palm landed on her waist, his hands instantly tightening around it.
Chu Qianli trembled all over.
It was this feeling, this posture!
The most humble, the most lowly posture in her life!
This time, she gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and finally stopped struggling.
Her quiet demeanor caused a flicker of pity to cross the man's heart.
But he quickly made himself completely cold,
"Do you think acting like this will earn you even a shred of my pity?"
Chu Qianli opened her eyes and looked at an unknown corner, her gaze becoming hollow.
"When have you ever shown me pity?" So why beg?
It was simply impossible!
A chilling glint flashed in Feng Yexuan's eyes.
He said displeasedly, "When I showed you tenderness, when did you ever cherish it?"
"Heh," she didn't argue, only smiled faintly.
Her eyes, which had lost their luster, slowly closed.
Her words were very soft, as if she had completely given up: "Lord Xuan, your pity is merely charity given to others when you are happy."
Her eyes felt a little sore.
Once upon a time, in that fragrant sea of Vanda orchids, she had even fantasized that perhaps a lifetime like this, relying on each other, was also a kind of happiness.
But now, she had finally, completely woken up.
"You simply don't understand what emotion is, what love is. Your so-called love is too condescending, too self-centered. You will never truly fall in love with someone!"
He didn't understand love!
He didn't understand that for her, he would disregard life and death, disregard everything, even the empire?
This damned woman, what did she understand?
Feng Yexuan's long fingers grabbed her clothes and pulled hard.
Her fair skin was instantly exposed to him.
But the girl under his palm, this time, did not tremble and beg for mercy as she had that night.
She did not beg for mercy; she didn't even react.
She simply closed her eyes, waiting quietly.
Waiting for the possible torments that were about to come.
Feng Yexuan grabbed another corner of her clothes and tore it off, leaving her body completely exposed.
But upon seeing her face, as cold as ice, his fingertips gradually stiffened.
He couldn't tear off the piece of fabric in his hand no matter how hard he tried.
His anger slowly subsided.
But the coldness in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
"Don't think that by playing dead, I will let you go! If you have the courage to participate in the selection, you should have the awareness that I won't let you off easily!"
He let go, coldly glancing at her disheveled body.
"If you want to use me, you have to see if you have the ability to withstand my temper!"
He turned and left.
Chu Qianli opened her eyes and looked at her hands again, suddenly feeling uneasy.
She wanted to struggle, but he hadn't left yet. Her hands were only trembling slightly, not moving much.
Although for a moment her heart had turned to ashes,
Fear still lingered.
She didn't know why he had suddenly shown such great mercy and let her go, but at least she didn't have to endure his humiliation.
Feng Yexuan walked out of the room, and Feng Wuya immediately greeted him, "Fourth Royal Brother, Ah Li, she..."
Feng Yexuan shot him a cold glance, "Her clothes are disheveled. Do you want to go in and admire her body?"
Feng Wuya blushed and quickly called out, "Someone!"
Yue'er, who had been hiding in the corner, nervously approached the two of them.
"Go and help the young lady change her clothes."
Yue'er responded, "Yes!"
And immediately went inside.
Feng Wuya looked back, only to see that Feng Yexuan had already walked far away.
He could only wait outside the door, pacing anxiously.
When Yue'er entered the room, she was almost frightened by what she saw.
His Royal Highness Prince Xuan's temper... was truly terrifying.
She hurried over and untied the cloth strips from Chu Qianli's wrists.
Seeing the blisters on her wrists, Yue'er felt heartbroken, "Miss, your servant will help you change your clothes and apply some medicine quickly."
"It's fine," Chu Qianli retracted her hand and tugged at her own tattered clothes.
Yue'er sniffled and quickly found a clean set of clothes for her to change into.
After casually tidying herself up, Chu Qianli stepped out of the sleeping chamber.
"Ah Li, are you... alright?"
Fourth Royal Brother said her clothes were disheveled, and Feng Wuya found it hard to imagine what they had done in the sleeping chamber.
Chu Qianli looked at him, "Your relationship with Prince Xuan... is very good, isn't it?"
Feng Wuya felt a pang of guilt, "I... cannot go against Fourth Royal Brother. If Fourth Royal Brother needs it, I can give him my life."
"I'm not blaming you, why blame yourself? I'm just sighing that the scoundrel actually has brothers who are so sincere to him."
Chu Qianli smiled and tucked her slightly messy hair behind her ear.
"Actually, Fourth Royal Brother has always treated me very well. If I were in danger, Fourth Royal Brother would save me even at the risk of his own life."
The bond between brothers needed no explanation, but he understood it in his heart.
Chu Qianli exhaled, not in accusation, but truly inζζ ¨.
Such brotherhood among royal siblings was rare.
She could also see that Feng Yexuan might not have patience with others, but towards Feng Wuya, he was at least very gentle.
"Fourth Royal Brother has misunderstood you again."
Feng Wuya looked at her pale face, his palm slowly clenching.
Should he explain this matter clearly to Fourth Royal Brother?