Feng Yexuan fell asleep very quickly.
His soft snores indicated his recent fatigue and exhaustion.
He was truly that tired.
From the moment she started massaging him to when he fell asleep, less than half a minute had passed.
Chu Qianli's hands were still on his shoulders, unsure whether to withdraw them.
Sleeping in that position wasn't good, especially for his heart.
Should she… change his position for him?
Chu Qianli hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to be a little kinder to him, considering how good he was to Wuya.
She tried, little by little, to turn his tall body over.
During the process, Feng Yexuan's brow furrowed, as if he were about to wake up.
She immediately lowered her head and whispered soothingly, "Don't move around. I'm just turning you over so you can sleep more comfortably."
He hadn't rested for five days and five nights. The first two days were spent accompanying her, staying at the Marquis's mansion to keep watch.
The following three days, it was said, were spent in the military camp, selecting elite soldiers.
In fact, he could be considered a good prince, concerned about the country and its people…
With great effort, she finally managed to turn his heavy body over.
However, as she was about to move away, Feng Yexuan suddenly raised his hand, waved it vaguely, and then pulled her hand, pressing it against his chest.
"Fourth Royal Brother…" she struggled slightly.
Unexpectedly, as she struggled, he held on even tighter.
In his dazed state, she could still see his lips, so beautiful they were almost mesmerizing, parting slightly.
It seemed he was saying something.
Chu Qianli knew she shouldn't eavesdrop on secrets, but she couldn't help but lower her head and listen intently.
"It… hurts here, Li'er… It really… hurts so much…"
Chu Qianli looked down and saw that he was pressing his hand against his heart.
Her hand felt as if it had been scalded, and she immediately pulled it back.
She even felt as if she herself had been startled, standing up from the bedside and retreating several steps.
Only when she felt she was a sufficient distance from him did she stop, her heart in a panic, and look up at the man still lying on the bed.
His breathing was still even, somewhat heavy, and the faint snoring didn't detract from his demeanor; instead, it added a touch of heart-wrenching charm to him.
It was just that his hand…
That hand, with its distinct, slender, and broad fingers, was still resting on her chest, pressing down forcefully even in his sleep.
As if trying to grasp something, yet there was nothing in his hand.
The commotion she had made earlier hadn't woken him, which showed how deeply he was sleeping.
It hurts here so much…
Chu Qianli didn't know what was happening to her. The moment she heard his words, her hand instinctively went to her chest.
The place where her heart was…
He had said it hurt here.
Why was it that just hearing it made her own heart ache?
Wasn't Prince Xuan very powerful? Every time she saw him recently, he was always aloof and noble, like an unapproachable king.
Why would such a king also have a side where he spoke of his heart hurting?
Suddenly, she realized that on such a night, looking at such a man, she couldn't bear to look any longer.
Every glance made her heart ache a little more.
It was as if she were under a spell.
Chu Qianli fled the room in a bit of a panic.
Fu Ning was not far away, and upon seeing her emerge, she immediately went to greet her, "Miss…"
"Shush." Subconsciously, Chu Qianli didn't want to wake the man inside.
After all, not resting for five days and five nights would definitely leave someone greatly weakened.
Moreover, he had been seriously injured before and hadn't fully recovered.
"He's asleep inside."
Chu Qianli didn't want to explain too much about a certain man sleeping in her chambers.
She just whispered, "Help me tidy up the study. Tonight, I'll sleep in the study."
…The night was again somewhat restless.
Her sleep quality seemed to have been poor lately.
The next day, Chu Qianli woke up to the sound of Fu Ning knocking.
"Miss, the Prince is going to war. Everyone is going to the city gates to see him off. Miss, Fifth Prince has already prepared and is waiting for you."
Chu Qianli jolted awake from her hazy dream.
That's right, that man was leaving for war today.
A sense of loss washed over her.
But she didn't dwell on it, immediately got up from the long chair in the study, quickly tidied herself up, and hurried out.
Fu Ning, carrying a food box, chased after her, "Miss, you haven't eaten breakfast yet. Please eat something first!"
"Bring it to me. I'll eat it in the carriage."
Feng Wuya's carriage was very spacious and comfortable.
Let alone two people, even four or five people could sit inside without feeling crowded.
"A'li, after Fourth Royal Brother leaves, he probably won't be back for two or three months."
"We're also setting off for the Dragon Ascending Kingdom tomorrow, so we might not return any sooner than he does."
Chu Qianli lowered her head, nibbling on the pastries Fu Ning had brought.
Although she said that, for some reason, the tea and pastries that had tasted good moments ago now tasted like ashes.
"Are you angry with Fourth Royal Brother?" Feng Wuya gazed at her face and said softly, "Being in his position, there are many things Fourth Royal Brother cannot control. A'li, do you understand?"
"I understand, and I'm very clear about it. Besides, you're accompanying me, so why would I be angry with him for not keeping his promise?" Chu Qianli lowered her eyes, her voice soft.
Feng Wuya sighed lightly, "You really know your own heart, don't you?"
"What do I not understand?" Chu Qianli raised her eyes and glared at him.
"The person I like is you, Wuya. If you keep pushing me towards other men, I'll get angry."
"Why do you keep emphasizing that you like me? Shouldn't a girl hide her feelings for a man?"
Feng Wuya smiled faintly, "Are you sure you truly like me, or are you constantly saying this to remind yourself that you must like me?"
Chu Qianli was rendered speechless by his question.
Does one need to constantly talk about liking someone?
It shouldn't be necessary.
But she often did.
Why was that? Was it really to remind herself?
Seeing the faint worry on her brow, Feng Wuya's smile deepened.
"So, in reality, you don't like me as much as you think you do, do you?"
Constantly reminding herself was just because she feared her own heart wasn't firm enough.
Even if Consort Yu had cast a soul-binding spell on her, this girl's feelings for Fourth Royal Brother were too deep. Perhaps the soul-binding spell was gradually being dissolved by her own consciousness.
Feng Wuya felt reassured and smiled, "Since you feel you have no feelings for Fourth Royal Brother, then if I tell you something, you won't be upset, will you?"
Chu Qianli's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sudden, inexplicable unease.
She looked at Feng Wuya and asked softly, "…What is it?"