Chu Qianli left the General's Mansion in the dead of night.
She returned to the Duke's Mansion close to midnight.
The carriage stopped at the back gate of the Duke's Mansion, as she didn't wish to be disturbed by anyone tonight.
She was truly exhausted.
She knew there would be a crowd of people waiting to ask her what had happened after her visit to the General's Mansion.
But she had no energy to respond at the moment.
"Miss Li'er..."
"Tell the old master not to worry. This time was very successful. Trust me, there will be no problems."
"But our third young master, he bled so much..."
"Isn't he not bleeding anymore?" Chu Qianli soothed. "I really don't have the strength to humor you anymore, Steward Qi. I need to rest."
This surgery, without modern instruments and equipment, was truly exhausting.
She hadn't rested at all throughout the entire process.
Her concentration had been focused for a long time, her nerves constantly taut, leaving her so drained she was almost collapsing.
"Then, Miss Li'er..."
"I've already instructed the doctor to change General Qin's dressing on time every day. It's fine, truly, there will be no issues."
Chu Qianli was practically ready to swear to the heavens for him.
Even though she knew that fixing steel plates to bones was something that would be difficult for everyone to accept immediately.
She felt utterly powerless. "Give him a few days. After a few days, his condition will significantly improve. Truly, I promise... Oh, and for these next few days, absolutely do not let him get wet."
"Alright, alright. I will take good care of third young master. Miss is truly tired. Go back and get some good rest."
Although Steward Qi still had many questions, Chu Qianli's face was pale.
It was evident that she was utterly exhausted.
He couldn't bear to trouble her further.
"Miss, if you have time in the next few days, I hope you can visit third young master more often."
"I won't have time. I have things to do these next few days."
Chu Qianli wouldn't make promises she couldn't keep. "When I'm free, I will go see him."
With great effort, she finally managed to send Steward Qi away.
As Chu Qianli stepped through the back gate of the Duke's Mansion, a chilling aura approached from not far away.
This time, she was prepared. Her fingertips immediately clasped several silver needles, just in case.
"Miss Li'er truly has her ways. After abandoning Prince Xuan, you're immediately going to seduce Qin Xiao, and it seems you intend to charm Feng Yexuan again?"
Feng Qihe narrowed his eyes and emerged from the shadows, walking slowly towards her.
Chu Qianli took two steps back, staring into his eyes, and said sternly, "If Prince He wishes to speak to me, please maintain a safe distance. If you continue to approach, I will call for help."
"Do you think the guards of your Duke's Mansion can match this prince?" Feng Qihe sneered.
Chu Qianli said indifferently, "If I join forces with Han Zhan, I might be able to contend with Your Highness. However, does Your Highness wish to escalate matters? I wonder how Your Highness plans to explain to the Emperor about trespassing into the Duke's Mansion in the middle of the night?"
Feng Qihe's steps slowly halted. He stared coldly at the girl before him.
She might not be particularly skilled in other areas, but she was quite adept at provoking people!
"What exactly do you want?" he suddenly asked.
Chu Qianli didn't quite understand why everyone kept asking her what she wanted.
Did she seem that greedy? Wanting everything?
"Your Highness, if there's nothing else..."
"Whatever you want, this prince will give it to you! As long as you stay by my side!"
Feng Qihe was losing his patience!
Time and time again, she had ruthlessly rejected him.
All the patience he had for women in his life was almost spent on her.
He might not even have been able to do this much for his own mother.
What else did she want?
Chu Qianli retreated another two steps.
The man's gaze was somewhat frenzied.
She could understand some of it, but not entirely.
"Your Highness, in your era, someone like me, who has been married, is considered used goods. Why are you so fixated on me?"
"If you only want to defeat Prince Xuan, then perhaps you could find another young lady? After Prince Xuan selects his Crown Princess, you can then pursue that young lady. Is that feasible?"
Perhaps it was just male ego at play. Otherwise, why pursue her?
Feng Qihe's face instantly darkened.
"What do you take this prince for?"
Does the girl like everyone she meets?
What kind of beauties had he not seen?
"I don't think of Your Highness as anything. I have no opinion of Your Highness at all."
She just found it tiresome and helpless. Couldn't he stop bothering her?
"Or perhaps, Your Highness, what is it that you like about me? I can change it, alright?"
"What did you do today to be so exhausted?" Feng Qihe finally realized. This damned girl wanted to sleep.
She had yawned several times just by talking to him.
Suddenly, he seemed to recall something, his expression darkening, filled with rage. "You spent the entire day with Qin Xiao? How dare you!"
Chu Qianli found it both funny and exasperating.
Did this man's ability to imagine things need to be so strong?
"I was treating General Qin and was busy all day." Honestly, there was no need to hide this from him.
As long as he could let her go back to wash up and sleep quickly.
She had things to do early tomorrow.
She was truly very busy.
"Your Highness, I really..."
"This prince will escort you back."
"Uh?" Had she heard correctly? He wasn't going to make things difficult for her?
Or was there some other scheme?
Feng Qihe stared at her face, about to lose his temper again.
"Is my goodwill in your eyes all malice?" Can't you have even a sliver of positive feelings towards me?
Chu Qianli felt like laughing.
In her heart, Prince He was indeed not a good person. She had never concealed her opinion of him, had she?
However, knowing that his martial arts were unfathomable, Chu Qianli decided not to pick a fight.
"Then I will trouble Your Highness." She walked ahead on the small path, heading towards her Li Courtyard.
Feng Qihe followed behind her.
Along the way, the girl's back was stiff. Although she didn't look back at him, she was constantly on guard.
She truly treated him like a villain!
Upon reaching the entrance of the Li Courtyard, Chu Qianli stopped and turned to look at him, a fake smile curving her lips. "Thank you, Your Highness. Your Highness, please return."
Feng Qihe said nothing, merely staring intently at her face.
"Does Your Highness intentionally want people to know that I'm with you in the middle of the night, thereby ruining my reputation and disqualifying me from participating in the Crown Princess selection?"
Otherwise, his actions tonight were too unusual.
Coming to find her here and doing nothing, it seemed too trivial for a person of his stature.
Did a prince of the kingdom have so much leisure time?
"You think you can actually participate in the selection?"
Feng Qihe gave a cold snort, turned, and walked away slowly.
Behind him, only his icy words remained: "You're so stupid!"
Chu Qianli frowned, glaring at his retreating back.
What did those words mean?
However, she was truly sleepy now and had no inclination to ponder them.
After yawning, Chu Qianli immediately turned back into her room, bathed, changed, and went to sleep.
She slept until dawn.
When morning came, Chu Qianli finally understood the meaning of Feng Qihe's words...