That night, the successful candidates were housed in Yuhua Palace.
As a personal guard, Han Zhan could also stay in Chu Huaiyu's courtyard.
However, after returning, Chu Huaiyu dismissed Xiao Ya, closed the door, and threw herself into Han Zhan's arms, weeping.
Han Zhan was still not used to being so close to her, even though they had already been intimate.
He wanted to push her away, but found the action too cruel.
His hand landed on her shoulder, and finally, he retracted the force he was about to push with.
"You have suffered."
But even Chu Huaiyu could tell that he sounded somewhat indifferent as he spoke.
Han Zhan said lightly, "You are already my woman. If you truly feel it is difficult, why don't I propose to Tutor Chu? As long as I tell him about our relationship..."
"Absolutely not!" Chu Huaiyu immediately refused, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes.
"Han Zhan, you know the situation of our Duke's mansion better than anyone. My father... my father can only rely on me to create opportunities for him now."
"Although he is only a tutor, it is still a high-ranking official position, not something to be ashamed of. Why must..."
"Han Zhan, you won't understand. Father has great ambitions. If he has to spend his life as a mere tutor, he won't be able to live!"
Chu Huaiyu clutched his collar, looking up at him, her small face streaked with tears.
"Han Zhan, I must win. I must become the Xuan King's consort. You have to help me..."
"How can I help you?" It was the Xuan King choosing his consort, not him.
Chu Huaiyu's eyes widened slightly. Han Zhan was actually impatient with her.
This was something that would have been absolutely impossible before.
He was becoming more and more indifferent to her!
But for now, she had no other choice.
Chu Huaiyu whispered, "I heard the Prince has fallen for Princess Pingyue from the Longteng Kingdom. Han Zhan, can you... can you help me think of a way to prevent Princess Pingyue from participating in the next round..."
"Huaiyu, when did you become like this?"
Han Zhan was somewhat incredulous and finally pushed her away.
"What's wrong with fair competition? How can you..."
"Han Zhan, I am already your woman!"
Chu Huaiyu's expression darkened, and she became displeased. "When you wanted me, when you played with me, you were so unrestrained. Now, are you unwilling to help me a little?"
"I did not." He couldn't recall what had happened that night, let alone playing with her.
"Whether you admit it or not, you have already... done that to me. Don't you need to take responsibility for my affairs?"
Chu Huaiyu shoved a packet into his arms.
Since he wouldn't agree to her plea, she could only use his guilt to make him do her bidding.
"This is not poison. It won't kill anyone, but it will make them feel weak all over for the next two days."
"Huaiyu..."
"I have no intention of harming anyone, but I must be chosen. I must make my father rise in status."
Chu Huaiyu stared at him and said decisively, "If I'm not chosen as the Xuan King's consort, I won't live either, and you'll be free. Han Zhan, are you really unwilling to help me just to get rid of me?"
...Chu Qianli also moved into Yuhua Palace.
The palace was vast, and each maiden had her own small world.
Fu Ning had prepared everything for her early on.
Fu Long also came after nightfall.
"A'li, Princess Pingyue is a bit far from your place. She's in the East Wing."
Chu Qianli's residence was in the most secluded corner of the West Wing.
Leng Ji had wanted to arrange a better place for her, but Chu Qianli herself requested quiet.
So Leng Ji had arranged for her to be here.
"A'li, I heard that the Xuan King publicly stated today that you had ulterior motives for approaching Princess Pingyue."
Fu Long was also troubled.
The Xuan King's eyes were too sharp; nothing could escape him!
He was too resolute and harsh with A'li, giving her no room to maneuver.
"What are your thoughts on Princess Pingyue? Did she after..."
"Afterwards, we each returned to our own places. I haven't seen her since."
Chu Qianli sighed silently.
That dog of a man, Feng Yexuan, was truly... difficult to deal with.
It was so hard to do anything under his nose.
However, exposing her in person like that was truly... that stingy man just didn't want her to have an easy time.
"A'li, regarding Princess Pingyue, what do you think..."
"She's actually quite alright. She's very straightforward and doesn't have many convoluted thoughts. To be honest, I don't want to hide too much from her."
But some things couldn't be said now, not a single word.
"A'li..."
"Miss, the pear paste you wanted is ready." Fu Ning came to knock on the door.
Chu Qianli nodded. "Fu Long, wait for me for a moment. I'll get some pear paste to make some medicine for you. You've been a bit feverish these past couple of days."
Fu Long was immediately touched.
His throat felt uncomfortable, and he hadn't expected her to notice it as soon as he arrived.
A'li was already overwhelmed with tasks, yet she could still remember his situation.
Fu Long felt a wave of emotion.
"Alright, I'll wait here for you."
Chu Qianli followed Fu Ning to the dining hall.
However, no sooner had they left than Long Ziyue arrived.
As soon as she approached Chu Qianli's room, Long Ziyue sensed something was wrong.
There was someone in the room! And it was a man!
Chu Qianli wasn't here, could it be an assassin?
Long Ziyue's expression darkened. She knew Chu Feiyan wouldn't let them off, and indeed, the assassin had arrived so quickly.
With a swish, Long Ziyue drew the saber at her waist and burst in through the window, stabbing at the man in the room.
Fu Long had already sensed danger, and as she broke in, his long sword was already in his hand.
As the short saber lunged, his long sword immediately parried.
Unexpectedly, the opponent was also skilled. As he thrust his sword, the opponent twisted their wrist, changing the direction of the saber.
With a whoosh, it slid along the hilt of his sword and aimed for his tiger's mouth.
Fu Long dared not be careless. He abruptly withdrew his long sword and struck towards the opponent's heart with a palm.
"Fu Long, stop! Don't hurt her!"
Hearing the commotion, Chu Qianli rushed back as quickly as possible. To her surprise, it wasn't an assassin, but Long Ziyue.
"She is Princess Pingyue," she said urgently.
Princess Pingyue?
Fu Long retracted his long sword and immediately retreated several steps.
The palm strike still grazed Long Ziyue's wrist, causing a sharp pain in her tiger's mouth.
However, Long Ziyue held her saber steady, indicating her internal strength was not weak.
"You know each other?" She sheathed her short saber and looked at Chu Qianli. "It's not good to be seen with a man here."
The Longteng Kingdom didn't have so many rules, but this was the Beiming Kingdom.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Even Long Ziyue knew that Yuhua Palace was where maidens resided, and it was inappropriate for outside men to enter.
She looked at Chu Qianli. "Isn't your man the Xuan King?"
Why was there another man hidden in the room?