“Fulon has someone he likes?” This was completely beyond Chu Qianli’s expectations.
This guy was really good at hiding things!
However, despite their close friendship, they hadn't known each other for very long.
If Fulon had someone he liked originally, she wouldn't have known.
It was just that for those few days, Fulon had stayed by Long Ziyue’s side daily, showing such great concern for her injuries, that Chu Qianli had thought he truly harbored feelings for Ziyue.
“I’m sorry, Fulon never told me about this, I really didn’t know.”
If she had known, she wouldn’t have encouraged Long Ziyue to confess to Fulon.
Alas, life was unpredictable.
“It’s alright, if I don’t get a clear answer from him, I won’t give up. This has nothing to do with you; it’s my own problem.”
Long Ziyue picked up the wine bottle and took another sip.
There was another bottle beside her, and she picked it up, tossing it to Chu Qianli.
“A’Li, drink with me for a while.”
“My alcohol tolerance isn’t good; I can only drink a little. I still need to take care of Wuya.”
“I know, just drink a few sips with me.”
It was clear that Long Ziyue was in a very bad mood.
Chu Qianli had no choice but to keep her company and started drinking with her.
After drinking half a bottle, she realized that the wine from ancient times was truly potent, with a powerful after-effect!
It felt fiery when she drank it, and her mind was still clear.
But after it went down, the after-effect kicked in, and she suddenly felt dizzy.
She put down the wine bottle and lay on the ground, looking up at the sky.
“Actually, feelings, having them is good, but not having them is also fine.”
Long Ziyue had finished her bottle and opened another one for herself.
However, her alcohol tolerance was much better than Chu Qianli’s; a mere one or two bottles had almost no effect on her.
After drinking, she became even more clear-headed.
She imitated Chu Qianli, lying on the grass and gazing at the stars.
“Right, feelings, men, they’re really nothing?” Long Ziyue chuckled.
But her smile was still tinged with bitterness.
She said, “It’s just that my chest feels a bit heavy, uncomfortable, and very dejected.”
“Time can dilute everything; it will pass, and the next one will be better.”
“Do you really think so?” Long Ziyue turned her head to look at her.
This girl, who claimed to be here to drink with her, had only had a little and was already getting tipsy and blurry-eyed.
Her alcohol tolerance was too poor.
Long Ziyue couldn’t help but ask, “What about yourself? You and Prince Xuan…”
“He and I parted ways completely long ago. There’s nothing more to say. Right now, I only want to take care of Wuya, heal Wuya. I don’t want to think about anything else.”
“Is that the truth?” Long Ziyue didn’t believe her.
If it were the truth, why was there such a conflicted emotion in A’Li’s eyes when she mentioned Prince Xuan?
Chu Qianli’s first instinct was to nod, as if it were an automatic response.
It was as if her subconscious was determined to distance herself from Feng Yexuan’s relationship.
But at this moment, her heart calmed down.
Perhaps it was due to the alcohol, but the words seemed to flow more readily.
“I don’t know. Sometimes when I look at him, my heart aches.”
“A’Li…”
“I know that he and I must have had something in the past. Moreover, none of you have any reason to lie to me, but…”
Chu Qianli looked up at the night sky, her gaze gradually becoming somber.
“But he is doing well on his own now, and I am also doing alright. The worst situation now is Wuya’s.”
Long Ziyue’s heart tightened abruptly.
Was this the biggest reason A’Li was unwilling to face her past with Prince Xuan?
“Are you afraid that remembering everything with Prince Xuan would be unfair to Fifth Prince?”
Chu Qianli lowered her gaze, looking into an unknown corner, and finally nodded, “Yes.”
“A’Li, isn’t that a bit too foolish? Besides, Fifth Prince might not have that kind of feeling for you either.”
She had always seen Feng Wuya treat A’Li with politeness.
Although he clearly cared for her, there was no hint of ambiguity between them.
“Perhaps he only sees you as a sister…” Although even Long Ziyue herself didn’t believe this when she said it.
However, she didn’t want A’Li to give up on Prince Xuan like this.
Prince Xuan had been willing to risk his life for her back then!
She had personally witnessed Prince Xuan nearly die for her.
Chu Qianli sighed deeply, suppressing all her thoughts. She smiled and said, “I told you, right now I only want to heal Wuya. Once Wuya is better, perhaps many things will be resolved.”
Long Ziyue wanted to say something.
But after thinking about it, she suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness.
Fifth Prince must recover first; that was A’Li’s responsibility.
If Feng Wuya didn’t survive, A’Li would forever feel guilty and uneasy, no matter who she ended up with in the future.
This matter was truly difficult.
Unless Fifth Prince’s illness could be completely cured…
“I’m going to see Wuya.”
Chu Qianli got up, brushed the dust off her clothes, and looked down at her, “Don’t stay outside too long. We have to set off tomorrow, so go back and rest early.”
“Okay.” Long Ziyue also stood up.
Thinking about it, men, really, were nothing.
Although she still felt upset, since Fulon already had someone in his heart, she could only bless him.
She couldn’t force him.
As long as Fulon was happy, that was enough.
The two left the backyard. Chu Qianli walked to the well, intending to get some water to wash her face.
Perhaps it was because she had drunk a little, but her hands and feet were a bit clumsy, and she couldn’t pull up the bucket of water.
Suddenly, the bucket was pulled up on its own, following the rope, and was directly brought to her.
Chu Qianli’s eyes widened. She looked up and saw Fulon standing behind her.
“Still drinking?” he asked, though there was no blame in his tone.
“I didn’t know the wine from your era had such a strong after-effect.”
She quickly cupped some clean water and washed her face.
The well water was very cool, and the smell of alcohol dissipated quickly.
Chu Qianli wiped her face and glared back at him, “You scoundrel, you already had a girl in your heart, and you never told me.”
Fulon looked surprised and then at her, his face blushing slightly.
“Nonsense… what are you talking about?”
“Still not admitting it? Ziyue told me you had someone in your heart and rejected her.”
However, now that it was out in the open, it was fine.
She could only sigh, they were fated but not meant to be.
“Actually, Ziyue is a really good girl. She’s cheerful, kind, upright, and generous.”
Chu Qianli hit his chest, “It’s such a shame you don’t like her.”
Fulon’s expression was a bit strange. His bright eyes stared at her face, still wet from the well water.
“You… you hope I get together with Princess Pingyue?”
“Of course, I hope so!” That would be truly perfect.
“However, feelings can’t be forced. You have someone you like, and I can only bless you.”
She wiped her face again and turned to leave.
Fulon stared at her slightly unsteady figure, his palms slowly tightening, and his heart gradually tensing.
“A’Li, do you really not know who the girl I like is?”