Long Ziyue’s face immediately flushed upon hearing this. She hurriedly said, "Me, me and him, what could happen? Don't talk nonsense, I…"
"I didn't mean anything else, I just wanted to ask if anything happened last night?"
Chu Qianli had no particular thoughts initially, but seeing her flushed face, she became somewhat suspicious.
Something seemed off.
Could it really be…
"You two wouldn't have…"
"No! What do you mean no? He wouldn't dare! Isn't he afraid I, this County Princess, will kill him?"
Long Ziyue probably realized her own unusual behavior and immediately turned around, preventing Chu Qianli from seeing her face.
Chu Qianli's brows furrowed even tighter.
If Fulong had "lost control" and done something to Long Ziyue, then she would truly be a sinner for eternity!
"Ziyue, tell me honestly, you two…"
"There was really nothing!"
Long Ziyue was on the verge of tears. What a misunderstanding! How could she possibly have anything with a man she had only met once?
Chu Qianli didn't know if she was telling the truth or not.
After thinking for a moment, she lowered her voice and said, "It was my fault last night. Consort Yu's maid suddenly arrived, and I didn't know where to hide you two, so…"
"So, you just threw us… threw us together?"
Long Ziyue didn't want to say the word "bed."
Although she hailed from Longteng Kingdom and wasn't as shy or concerned about such matters as girls from other countries.
However, she was still a girl who had never been with a man, and naturally, she still felt a bit shy.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Chu Qianli knew her explanation was weak.
But she truly hadn't intended it, and now, she was indeed filled with guilt.
On the other hand, hearing Chu Qianli's explanation, Long Ziyue’s conflicted feelings from the entire morning suddenly eased considerably.
So, it was Chu Qianli who had put her there, not that guy deliberately…
Alright, considering how much more drunk that guy was than her, how could he have had the energy for such wicked thoughts back then?
Thinking about it, Long Ziyue felt relieved.
Her crimson face immediately broke into a smile. "It's okay, it's okay. Fortunately, you came to explain, otherwise, I would never have known how I ended up rolling around with that guy."
"You… you're not angry?" This was somewhat beyond Chu Qianli's expectations.
"Why should I be angry? You just didn't want us to be discovered."
Although she wouldn't have minded if they had been discovered.
However, thinking from Chu Qianli's perspective, if Fulong were discovered, the matter would be inexplicable.
After all, they had drunk too eagerly for the competition and passed out immediately.
Long Ziyue patted Chu Qianli's shoulder and laughed heartily, "Don't worry, no one found out, and that guy and I are fine. No need to worry. However…"
She thought for a moment and then said, "If there's a next time, don't throw us on the bed. Just throw him out the window."
Chu Qianli looked at her for a while before finally couldn't help but smile, "Okay, next time I'll throw him out the window."
But she quickly changed the subject, "Ziyue, you should know, the reason I participated in the selection was to get close to you."
Chu Qianli's sudden seriousness made Long Ziyue a bit slow to react, "...And then?"
"I have no intention of competing for the position of Xuan Wangfei, so I likely won't win the next round of competition."
"No way! What if that woman Chu Feiyan wins? Wouldn't that be infuriating?"
Actually, Long Ziyue herself hadn't thought about winning or losing. Although Prince Xuan was indeed very handsome, she missed her homeland.
If she became Xuan Wangfei, she might not be able to return.
However, if Ah Li gave up, and she had to watch Chu Feiyan become Xuan Wangfei, she would truly be unwilling.
That woman was too wicked. Why should she benefit from it?
"Ah Li, I can actually see that Prince Xuan looks at you differently. Since you've achieved your goal of getting to know me, isn't it good to become a Wangfei?"
"You don't understand, I have no chance of becoming Xuan Wangfei."
She didn't want to tell Long Ziyue too much about the complex relationships within the royal family.
Ziyue was the type of person who was straightforward and lacked cunning. Telling her too much would pollute her pure heart.
"Ziyue, I just want you to promise that if I lose, you'll come to the Duke's Mansion to find me when you have time. I have something very important to tell you."
"What is it? Can't you tell me now?" Her seriousness piqued Long Ziyue's curiosity.
"It's not time yet."
Chu Qianli didn't want to stay there any longer, lest Long Ziyue also be tainted with the stigma of forming factions.
She said, "I have to go. In short, remember, you must come to the Duke's Mansion to find me. Also…"
Chu Qianli thought for a moment, then whispered, "If possible, I hope you can win. You are simple-minded, and only with you by his side…"
She didn't finish her sentence. After saying goodbye, she left.
Long Ziyue, however, felt inexplicably sad.
Did she mean to say: Only with you by his side can I rest assured?
That clearly meant she still couldn't let go of Prince Xuan!
If that's the case, why give up?
"County Princess, did you forget what the Prince told you before you left?"
Although Danqing didn't know what they had just discussed, she knew the County Princess's resolve was wavering.
"Is it that Chu Qianli who persuaded you to give up? County Princess, you mustn't fall for her trickery. She just wants to be Xuan Wangfei herself!"
"Danqing, stop talking. Ah Li doesn't want to be Xuan Wangfei at all."
"County Princess!" Danqing was almost amused to death! How could their County Princess be so naive?
"No matter what, you must not forget what the Prince told you before you left."
Long Ziyue moved her lips, but in the end, she said nothing.
Danqing couldn't help but add, "The Prince is seriously ill, and even the imperial physicians are helpless. His Majesty is using this opportunity to gradually weaken the Prince's power."
"At this time, the County Princess must strive to be with Prince Xuan. Once you become Xuan Wangfei, you can ask Prince Xuan to help the Prince overcome this difficulty."
"Otherwise, the Prince's power will be completely reclaimed by His Majesty before long, and then how can His Majesty tolerate the Prince?"
Danqing walked up to her and said hoarsely, "The Prince's fate is now in your hands, County Princess! County Princess, you cannot disregard the Prince's life and death!"
Long Ziyue remained silent, but her heart suddenly tensed, and her mood became heavy.
She truly had no desire to become Xuan Wangfei.
If she could, she would even want to leave the court and live a carefree life.
But if she really left, what about her mother?
…As soon as Chu Qianli returned to her residence, she heard Fu Ning deliver a bombshell: "The second round of the competition will be held tonight at the hunting ground?"
How terrifying would the hunting ground be at night?
She had experienced it firsthand!
Fu Ning looked at her helplessly, "Lord Leng specifically said that if Miss is absent again, then… it will be treated as deceiving the emperor!"