A long time later, Feng Yexuan finally released Chu Qianli.
Both were panting heavily.
The kiss, devoid of any technique, had nearly cost two lives.
Chu Qianli pushed against his chest with both hands.
Feng Yexuan's brow furrowed slightly, and he coughed again.
"Is your chest injured?" Chu Qianli's eyes darkened.
Feng Yexuan, however, laughed, "Are you trying to find an excuse to untie my clothes and take a look?"
"Nonsense!" Chu Qianli pushed him away again, her heart hardened.
This time, he finally let go completely.
He wiped his mouth, and inadvertently, a trace of crimson appeared.
He tucked his hand behind his back.
Staring at her flushed face, red from lack of oxygen, his expression returned to its usual coldness.
"Since you like Fulong's sister so much, then let her stay by your side. I never said you couldn't."
After that, he truly left.
Chu Qianli, however, felt a chill run through her.
He knew!
He knew everything!
This man was more terrifying than she had imagined!
If she wanted to play tricks on him, without a hint of sincerity, it would be incredibly difficult!
Chu Qianli's heart was clenched tight.
The window was closed.
In the air, there seemed to still be a lingering scent of blood.
He was injured, and he must have changed his clothes before coming.
She wondered how much blood, from himself and his enemies, had stained his previous attire.
He came and left in such a hurry, his timing precise, was it truly just to see her?
Chu Qianli stood by the window and opened it.
Looking out at the dim night sky, Chu Qianli's gaze grew even colder.
No matter what he did, no matter how badly he was injured, it had nothing to do with her.
She would never again feel any pity for this man!
She wouldn't, she couldn't! And she shouldn't!
Not even a little bit!
...
Leng Ji finally arrived at the back door of the Duke's mansion. Just as he spotted the Prince's warhorse and was about to approach, he saw the Prince emerge from within, leap onto his horse, and prepare to leave immediately.
"Your Highness!" Leng Ji chased after him.
Feng Yexuan didn't even glance at him. He spurred his horse, and instantly galloped away into the distance.
In the wind, only his indifferent words remained: "Meet me in Jicheng."
Leng Ji wanted to pursue, but the man and his horse had already vanished from sight.
Leng Ji felt like dying!
He had just returned from outside the city, and before he could even catch his breath, he was leaving again!
The Prince had just dealt with the medicinal people in Wucheng, and was supposed to be heading to Jicheng with the main group.
But the Prince had left midway.
He had left in such a hurry, Leng Ji thought something important must have happened, and naturally, he had to risk his life to catch up.
Fortunately, the Prince had returned to the city first to change his clothes and had stayed at the Duke's mansion for some time.
Otherwise, at Leng Ji's speed, he would have been unable to catch up.
But he now realized that the Prince's return to the city wasn't for any important matter!
He had simply returned to see Miss Li!
Good heavens! He was risking his life!
The Prince now had to catch up with the main group, and there was no hope of resting tonight!
But the Prince... he was still injured, and the poison had not been cleared!
Leng Ji couldn't help but look back at the Duke's mansion behind him.
A few days later, after things were resolved, couldn't he return to see Miss Li?
Injured like this, rushing back without rest, he didn't know what he was trying to achieve.
Leng Ji took a couple of breaths and, with no other choice, urged his horse forward to catch up.
He had to face the medicinal people in Jicheng tomorrow, with an uncertain fate. Expending so much energy like this was too irrational.
So tired...
...
Not long after Feng Yexuan left Chu Qianli's chambers, another person arrived.
Fu Ning.
"His Highness Prince Xuan went to Wucheng last night. My brother suspects it was related to the medicinal people."
Fu Ning briefly and concisely relayed the information from Fulong:
"In the past few days, the activity of the medicinal people around the imperial city has significantly increased. The Great General of Wucheng was attacked by medicinal people three days ago and almost lost his life."
"In Jicheng, the tracks of the medicinal people were also discovered. They intended to attack the City Lord but were discovered and stopped in time."
"According to my elder brother's guess, Prince Xuan's previous visit to the palace and his agreement with the Emperor are likely related to the medicinal people."
Chu Qianli remained silent, her gaze involuntarily drifting towards the window.
He was injured.
The smell of blood had been strong when he was beside her.
His complexion was also not good.
Before he left this morning, he had even given her a portion of his internal energy.
Such forceful exertion of internal energy to transfer it would surely cause him great harm.
Under these circumstances, he still had to go and fight those suicidal medicinal people...
Chu Qianli closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure.
She had promised herself not to feel any more pity for him, and even if he was injured, it had nothing to do with her.
"What exactly are the Imperial Guards? Are they specially trained by the royal family?" she asked.
Fu Ning nodded, "My brother has also inquired about the Imperial Guards. The one you encountered last night was a top-tier Imperial Guard, the most dangerous kind."
"They are not only highly skilled in martial arts but also fearless of death. If their mission fails, they will even utilize their own corpses!"
Chu Qianli's lips tightened.
Thinking of the guard from last night, she still felt lingering fear.
If Feng Yexuan hadn't pulled her back at that moment, even she would have fallen victim to those guards.
Who would have thought that even in death, they would use their bodies to harm their opponents?
It was simply madness!
"Has the Emperor decided to eliminate me?" Her eyes were deep.
Fu Ning, however, shook her head, "The Emperor probably doesn't intend to kill you, but rather to threaten Prince Xuan."
Chu Qianli pursed her lips and fell into thought.
Did the Emperor truly believe she was that important in Feng Yexuan's heart?
"Miss Li, you don't need to guess. How important you are in the Prince's heart, you should be able to see it now."
Fu Ning sighed softly. The Prince's obsession was beyond her expectations.
A prince of a kingdom, what kind of woman could he not have?
For the sake of one woman, to pay such a great price, was it truly worth it for a prince?
"My brother said that the Imperial Guards will not bother you for now. He guesses that Prince Xuan has promised the Emperor to eliminate the medicinal people's army in exchange for your safety."
Fu Ning looked at Chu Qianli.
Chu Qianli's hand, hidden beneath her sleeve, slowly tightened.
"Miss..." Fu Ning wanted to say something more.
Chu Qianli, however, said indifferently, "It's just Fulong's guess, it may not be true. There's no need to take it to heart."
Fu Ning opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
Even she could see that this was true, otherwise, why would Prince Xuan be so frantically dealing with the medicinal people these past two days?
The Emperor was using Chu Qianli's life to control Prince Xuan, essentially treating him as a tool for killing.
Miss Li actually understood this in her heart, she just didn't want to admit it.
Fu Ning said softly, "If you don't want to talk about it, I won't. Then I'll leave..."
"No need. From now on, you will stay by my side."
Chu Qianli stood up and calmly said, "Feng Yexuan has known about your existence for a long time."
"What?" Fu Ning almost jumped up in shock.
She had been so careful, thinking she was truly invisible.
How could she escape Prince Xuan's keen eyes?
"Don't be nervous. He said he allows you to stay by my side."
Chu Qianli turned back and put on a coat, "Let's go. My grandfather's affairs should be resolved."