"A few days ago, I was unwell and hadn't had the chance to host Prince Li..."
"Li'er and I are deeply in love, and Li'er wishes to return soon to see my father."
Before the Emperor could finish speaking, Chu Minghao interrupted him.
Chu Minghao leaned slightly towards the Emperor and smiled, "I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
He and Chu Qianli, deeply in love?
Although he knew this was Chu Minghao's excuse to refuse the Emperor's request to keep Chu Qianli, once these words were spoken, they had to be taken seriously.
At the very least, with Chu Minghao's words today, countless rumors would immediately spread everywhere.
Words could not be spoken carelessly.
It seemed that Young Master Hao was determined to take Chu Qianli back to Nanming.
Since they had made arrangements beforehand, the Emperor naturally couldn't stop them.
However, if he let Chu Qianli leave in his current condition, what would happen if his illness recurred later...
Unexpectedly, Chu Qianli suddenly spoke, "Your Majesty, this medicine you have, you only need to take one pill daily. At this dosage, it will last for at least half a year."
"I am merely accompanying Young Master Hao to Nanming to see Prince Yu. After meeting Prince Yu, it is not impossible that I will visit Beiming."
The implication was that these two bottles of medicine were enough for the Emperor to wait for her return.
Of course, whether she would actually return later was uncertain.
However, at least for the next six months, the Emperor's illness would be stable.
Although the Emperor's expression remained unchanged, still with a gentle smile, he was somewhat relieved in his heart.
This persistent illness would not claim his life for the time being.
But when the pain struck, it was truly excruciating.
"Since His Highness Prince Li has made up his mind, I will not force the issue. However, after meeting Prince Yu, you must remember to visit Beiming, so that I may host you properly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Chu Qianli cupped her hands, coughed lightly a couple of times, and then fell silent.
The Empress, seated on the imperial chair, coughed again, seemingly trying to remind Feng Qihe of something.
But Feng Qihe's expression was somber, as if he were contemplating something, and he didn't notice.
The Empress coughed twice more.
Feng Qihe still showed no reaction.
The Emperor's expression, however, turned somewhat displeased. "If the Empress is feeling unwell, she should return to rest early."
Ever since Chu Qianli treated the Empress that day, and the Emperor happened to witness it.
After being repelled by the overwhelming stench, the Emperor now felt a vague aversion whenever he saw the Empress.
This look of disdain, which he couldn't hide, was naturally understood by the Empress.
However, she could only pretend not to know.
The Empress smiled and said, "It's just a slight cough, nothing serious. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Without giving the Emperor a chance to dismiss her again, the Empress quickly added, "I didn't expect His Highness Prince Li and Young Master Hao to be so deeply in love."
As she spoke, her gaze occasionally drifted towards her son.
She had always said that Chu Qianli was unreliable, promiscuous, and fell for whoever she pleased!
It should be said that she was with whoever was beneficial to her!
How could her He'er still be infatuated with such a woman? It was simply absurd!
The Empress quickly added, "Young Master Hao and His Highness Prince Li have finally found a happy union, which is truly cause for celebration... However, He'er, do you also have something to say to your father?"
Feng Qihe, having been called out, was somewhat impatient.
He really didn't want to say this.
But, at this point, not saying it was no longer an option.
He looked up to meet the Emperor's gaze and said indifferently, "Father, your son has long admired Princess Feiyan. I wish to request Your Majesty's decree to escort Princess Feiyan back to Nanming, and at the same time, to propose marriage to Prince Yu of Nanming."