Chu Qianli was invited into the inner hall by Long Tianliu.
Before entering, Long Tianliu ordered a jade chair to be brought for Feng Wuya to rest.
Such treatment was not even afforded to Long Xinghe.
Long Tianliu even looked at Feng Wuya and smiled gently, "I shall return shortly. Prince Wuya, please wait a moment. Tonight, I will host a banquet to entertain you."
Feng Wuya did not speak, merely nodding slightly.
Long Tianliu did not mind his rudeness.
Such a pure and holy boy, no matter how impolite, always brought a sense of peace and joy.
However, Eunuch An, observing the Emperor's gaze, began to feel a sense of unease.
His Majesty seemed to have taken a liking to Prince Xiaoyao, but Prince Xiaoyao was currently the favored one of the Eldest Princess.
His Majesty and the Eldest Princess could not afford to fall out at this time.
What was to be done?
Chu Qianli naturally saw all of this.
Without revealing her thoughts, she followed Long Tianliu into the inner hall.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered, Long Tianliu suddenly stopped and lunged towards her.
Chu Qianli's heart tightened, and she instinctively reached out to catch her: "Your Majesty!"
Long Tianliu's index finger instantly seized Chu Qianli's wrist at her pulse point.
This was a vital point! With a slight exertion of force, she could instantly cripple Chu Qianli's martial arts.
But unexpectedly, Chu Qianli did not retaliate. Instead, as Long Tianliu held her pulse point, she reached out and felt Long Tianliu's pulse point.
"Your Majesty, you are deficient in qi and blood. Are you feeling dizzy?"
Long Tianliu's eyes darkened. Did this girl not know that she could have easily crippled her just now?
When Chu Qianli looked up, she met Long Tianliu's gaze.
She smiled, "Your Majesty need not test me. Naturally, my martial arts are inferior to yours. Your Majesty, your pulse is indeed not very good. Perhaps I can try to treat you with acupuncture?"
"Do you think my imperial body can be touched by anyone?" Long Tianliu's face remained stern.
Chu Qianli's expression remained calm and neither servile nor overbearing, "Princess Pingyue's invitation to me to your country indicates that my medical skills are not falsely renowned."
"However, Your Majesty's imperial body is precious. If you are unwilling to let me touch it, I shall not touch it."
She released her hand, intending to step back.
But her vital point on her wrist was still firmly held by Long Tianliu, preventing her from retreating.
Chu Qianli said helplessly, "Your Majesty, I am in your country, with few people and little power. Even if I have some martial arts, what can I do?"
"But I have at least received permission from the Emperor of Bei Ming to accompany Princess Pingyue to treat Prince Dingqin. When I return, I will have to report to my Emperor on Prince Dingqin's condition."
"Are you threatening me?" Long Tianliu narrowed her eyes, her expression inscrutable.
No one could fathom her thoughts from her expression; it seemed that crippling her martial arts in the next moment would not be surprising.
Chu Qianli withdrew her smile and said seriously, "How would I dare to threaten Your Majesty? It is just that my Bei Ming is currently facing internal and external troubles, and the Emperor does not wish to cause more trouble."
"Furthermore, I was merely instructed by Prince Xuan to observe the Eldest Princess's character. I have no ulterior motives. I implore Your Majesty to discern this."
"You were instructed by Prince Xuan to come?" Long Tianliu's cold expression finally showed a crack.
It was indeed somewhat unexpected.
Chu Qianli nodded, "My Emperor's intentions are the same as yours, Your Majesty. But this matter still requires the willingness of both parties. Prince Xuan is proud and aloof; he may not... accept the Emperor's arrangement."
"But why have I heard that you were once Prince Xuan's consort?"
If one's information network were not sufficiently developed, how could one be the ruler of a nation?
Chu Qianli was not surprised at all that she knew about her past.
She said sincerely, "The Emperor promised that if I could accomplish this good deed of alliance between the two countries, he would grant me the position of a secondary consort. Your Majesty should also know that I was previously demoted to a concubine, and later, I was even given a marriage annulment by the imperial family."
Long Tianliu remained silent, seemingly pondering.
After a moment, Eunuch An whispered, "Your Majesty, she is not lying."
Eunuch An was reminding Long Tianliu that this matter could not be pursued further for the time being.
Crippling an envoy would ultimately offend Bei Ming.
Moreover, it was not yet clear whether what this girl said was true or false.
What if the Emperor of Bei Ming had indeed sent her as a negotiator?
The Emperor of Bei Ming and her own aspirations were the same, were they not?
An alliance between the two countries would create a powerful union.
Did Prince Dingqin not send Long Ziyue to Bei Ming earlier precisely to win over Feng Yexuan?
But it was clear that Long Ziyue had failed.
Now, it all depended on Prince Xuan's stance – whether he would help her or Long Hongming.
If he truly helped Long Hongming, their troubles would truly begin.
Long Tianliu finally released her hand.
Chu Qianli took two steps back and said calmly, "Your Majesty, please allow me to take your pulse."
But even with just this one test, Chu Qianli understood.
The Empress of Long Teng Kingdom possessed extraordinary power!
She wondered how much of her power Long Tianliu had used when she had captured her just now.
Long Tianliu sat down on the chair and extended her hand.
Chu Qianli immediately stepped forward and took her pulse.
After a moment, Chu Qianli said, "Your Majesty, your qi and blood are deficient. You will likely feel dizzy and lightheaded frequently recently. You should use Fructus Cnidii and thousand-year ginseng in your meals for gradual conditioning."
"That's all?" Long Tianliu raised an eyebrow.
Chu Qianli immediately felt immense pressure. Her fingers wanted to reach for her wrist again.
But Long Tianliu no longer gave her the opportunity.
She withdrew her wrist and smiled, "Divine Doctor Chu, your medical skills are indeed outstanding. Then please go and see how to condition Prince Dingqin's body."
She did not make things difficult for Chu Qianli any further.
Soon, Eunuch An led Chu Qianli and Long Ziyue to Prince Dingqin's temporary sleeping quarters.
"Thank you, Eunuch An. I appreciate your care for His Highness. After I finish examining Prince Dingqin, I will personally return to attend to His Highness."
Eunuch An merely smiled faintly, ignoring her words.
Having delivered the person, he left with his attendants.
Long Ziyue looked somewhat uneasy, "A'li, leaving Prince Wuya in His Majesty's chambers, won't it..."
"That lecher has his eyes on Wuya. Even Long Xinghe has noticed. Long Xinghe likely won't let him stay in the palace, lest he fall victim to that lecher's wicked intentions."
So, this situation, with the balance of power between the two sides, was actually beneficial for Feng Wuya.
Wuya should be safe for the time being.
"A'li, let's quickly go and see Mother," Long Ziyue was extremely anxious.
Chu Qianli nodded and immediately followed her inside.
Prince Dingqin was gravely ill and was still resting in bed.
Upon seeing Long Ziyue bring Chu Qianli in, her eyes widened and she abruptly sat up from the bed.
"Your Highness... Your Highness you..."
Chu Qianli's expression changed slightly, and she immediately stepped forward, cupping her fists and saying, "I am Chu Qianli, Seventh Miss of the Duke's Mansion of Bei Ming. I pay my respects to Your Highness."