"Princess, the common folk outside don't know that the person who came this time is not the Grand Tutor."
Chu Lingyang felt a bit uneasy about this.
"Princess, I'm just afraid..."
He hesitated, then stopped.
"Second Imperial Uncle, we are all family. If you have something to say, please speak freely," Chu Qianli said.
Chu Lingyang glanced at her, still hesitant. After a moment, he said, "I'm afraid Chu Minghao might make some move."
"Why do you think so?" Chu Qianli raised an eyebrow.
She seemed busy tonight, engrossed in studying something Chu Lingyang couldn't understand.
It looked like a weapon?
He couldn't help but look a few more times, but since he couldn't figure it out, he didn't dwell on it.
"Young Master Hao is no longer as humble as he used to be. Especially today, he has been openly defiant towards you, Princess."
He had watched Chu Minghao grow up. Although he didn't have much affection for him, he was still a child of the royal family.
Chu Lingyang frowned and said, "He used to be polite and courteous. While I knew most of it was an act, now he doesn't even bother to pretend. He's so rude to you, Princess. I'm afraid..."
"I'm afraid their arrival this time will be a public provocation against you, Princess."
Seeing that Chu Qianli remained unfazed and was still examining the item in her hand, Chu Lingyang said helplessly, "Princess, I'm not gossiping behind anyone's back. I just hope you'll be more vigilant."
Hearing this, Chu Qianli couldn't help but smile faintly. Then she looked at him and said, "Second Imperial Uncle, if I weren't vigilant, I wouldn't have survived this long."
Chu Lingyang felt a pang of sadness.
What kind of words were those! They sounded so pitiful.
The smile on Chu Qianli's lips deepened. "Second Imperial Uncle, I'm just stating facts, not seeking your pity. Why are you pitying me?"
Chu Lingyang didn't know how to respond to this.
Indeed, he had felt a moment of sadness.
"Alright, Second Imperial Uncle, don't worry. I've been wary of Chu Minghao and Lan Fan. Although I don't know what moves they'll make, we'll deal with whatever comes our way. I'll be prepared."
Chu Lingyang's mood remained heavy.
"It's all my fault. I even thought back then that perhaps... perhaps I could..."
"Perhaps you could stand with Prince Yu, is that it?"
"Your Highness, Princess! I deserve to die! I will never again..."
Chu Lingyang almost knelt, but Chu Qianli quickly went over and helped him up from his half-kneeling position.
"Actually, Second Imperial Uncle, you were only acting for the sake of the country and the people, making what you believed to be the right choice."
Chu Qianli looked at him, her gaze and tone sincere, without any trace of pretense.
"Second Imperial Uncle, if I were in your shoes, facing an Emperor with no heirs and who could disappear at any moment, I would also choose Prince Yu."
"Princess..."
"Although Prince Yu is brutal in his methods, in your heart, at least he is good to the country and its people. A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day, and some choices must be made."
"Princess, I truly didn't expect... didn't expect..."
Chu Qianli's words made Chu Lingyang feel even more ashamed.
To think that such a young girl, only sixteen or seventeen, possessed such magnanimity was truly admirable.
However, he suddenly seemed to detect something amiss.
Did the Princess's words have another meaning?
Had he been mistaken all along? Was Prince Yu not what he thought he was?