Feng Wuya did not answer Chu Qianli’s question, because she soon found the answer herself.
Yu Linglong was accompanying Feng Yexuan on his campaign.
This woman had indeed managed to coax the Empress Dowager into getting the Emperor to approve her joining the expedition.
Her medical skills were so good, it was not unreasonable for her to join the expedition as a military doctor.
However, everyone knew that Yu Linglong’s intentions were not as simple as they seemed.
With her delicate disposition, would she really be willing to serve the dirty, injured soldiers on the battlefield?
She only wanted to be Prince Xuan’s personal physician!
Chu Qianli scoffed at this!
Her face was filled with disdain!
“How is it? I said I would accompany Yexuan, and I will. Do you see now?”
Chu Qianli looked at Yu Linglong, who had deliberately walked over to show off, and sneered, “Has your face healed? Even with such thick foundation, I can still see the swelling. I wonder if your Yexuan has seen it?”
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong’s expression changed, and she immediately distanced herself from Chu Qianli.
This damned bitch, she had truly changed.
She wouldn’t have dared to be so arrogant before. Now, she was so brazen and disrespectful!
Most importantly, she seemed to have fewer scruples.
Conversely, she herself was at a disadvantage everywhere because she dared not lose the Empress Dowager’s trust again!
Chu Qianli had no intention of arguing with her. She walked forward a few steps, her gaze subconsciously searching the crowd.
Her mood had been rather strange all along.
Everyone said Consort Yu had cast a soul-capturing spell on her, but she really couldn’t recall anything about Feng Yexuan.
The only thing she could never ignore was that she truly owed Wuya.
That head of white hair was all because of her.
But as for liking him or not, perhaps Chu Qianli herself didn’t know what it felt like to like someone.
She had confused herself.
Every time she thought about it, her head would ache.
She could only force herself not to think about it.
But now, she really wanted to see him… just a glance, nothing more.
She consoled herself, thinking of it as a final look before parting.
If she didn’t like that man, how could she possibly like him?
She couldn’t betray Wuya. That man would forever remain her Fourth Imperial Brother.
She could never like him…
Chu Qianli suddenly frowned.
As soon as some thoughts began to sprout in her mind, her head would start to hurt!
“Witch!” A clear voice called out from behind her.
Chu Qianli breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, she stopped thinking about that figure, and her head no longer hurt.
She turned around and saw that Yu Linglong had already walked away, likely to compose herself and greet Prince Xuan in her best state.
As for the man behind her…
“Fourteenth Prince? Why are you dressed like this?”
“I’m going to accompany Fourth Imperial Brother on the expedition!” Feng Jinrui was clearly excited. He jumped off his horse and quickly walked up to her.
“Witch, how do you like my armor? Fourth Imperial Brother gave it to me!”
Chu Qianli felt like laughing.
This guy was clearly still a child.
At seventeen, in her era, he would still be a high school student.
However, Feng Jinrui, like his elder brothers, was naturally well-built, tall, and slender. Once he grew a bit more, he would definitely be a super handsome guy who could drive women crazy.
“Are you really going to accompany Prince Xuan on the expedition?” Chu Qianli said with some emotion.
Was this young boy going to face the bloody scenes on the battlefield?
“I’ve accompanied Fourth Imperial Brother on expeditions a few times before, but I’ve never officially led an army. This time, Fourth Imperial Brother said he would assign troops to me. I’m a general now!”
Chu Qianli could tell that this young man was smiling and very excited!
“What’s so good about fighting? People die in minutes. It’s not fun at all.”
“Protecting the country is what every man should do. It’s not about fun, it’s about responsibility.”
Feng Jinrui patted his chest. “I can also protect our Northern Ming Kingdom like Fourth Imperial Brother!”
But Chu Qianli still felt a pang of sadness as she watched him.
Boys of this age, in their prime, should be playing and having fun.
But thinking about it again, she suddenly felt even more heartbroken.
Prince Xuan was only twenty-three years old.
In the 21st century, he would have just graduated from university and perhaps worked for less than a year.
Yet, he showed no trace of a university student’s immaturity.
The battlefield had forged him into a true man.
Steadfast and upright.
It was said that he had become famous in battle at the age of fourteen.
Behind his success, was he tired?
Feng Jinrui suddenly exclaimed excitedly, “Fourth Imperial Brother is here!”
Chu Qianli looked up.
Under the golden sunlight, his silver armor shone brilliantly.
He sat on a tall horse, receiving the blessings of the people.
It was evident that the common people truly admired and loved Prince Xuan.
Everyone was bowing sincerely, praying earnestly for Prince Xuan’s swift return.
Chu Qianli’s gaze was inadvertently drawn to that figure.
He showed no of the carefree ease of a twenty-three-year-old. His shoulders bore too many burdens and responsibilities; the safety of the entire Northern Ming Kingdom rested largely upon him.
While he was there, Northern Ming was safe.
If he were not, Northern Ming would fall into dire straits.
Suddenly, a wave of sadness washed over her, making her eyes sting and almost bringing tears.
Had anyone ever considered if Prince Xuan also wished to stop, to rest, or even to travel and have fun like ordinary young people?
“Ugh…” Chu Qianli’s expression suddenly changed, and she clutched her chest, bending over.
“Witch?” Feng Jinrui had intended to go to his Fourth Imperial Brother’s side.
But before he could leave, he saw the witch clutching her chest and looking pained.
He was startled and quickly turned back, supporting her.
“What’s… what’s wrong with you?”
“I don’t know, my… my heart hurts a little.”
Chu Qianli gasped, and it took her a while to regain her breath.
This sharp pain was like the sudden agony she felt last night when she saw and heard Feng Yexuan say his heart ached.
It felt like a tearing sensation.
It hurt so much!
She immediately turned her face away, no longer looking at that figure.
It seemed that when she didn’t look at him, the pain inexplicably disappeared.
The sharp pain came and went quickly, it was so strange!
“Witch…”
“It’s… it’s nothing.” She waved her hand, took a few breaths, and then slowly straightened her body.
Looking at the figure in the distance again, he was still sitting on his horse, and his cold gaze suddenly fell upon her!
Their eyes met, and Chu Qianli’s heart skipped a beat.
She quickly turned her face away and grabbed Feng Jinrui, “Come here, I have something to give you!”
She couldn’t look, couldn’t think.
She couldn’t bear that pain!
It hurt too much!
Every time her heart ached for that man, her heart would ache too. What was going on?