"Does Your Highness wish to see this concubine for any particular reason?"
Now that Chu Qianli was a princess, things were different. Ling Wangfei, seeing her, was no longer as enthusiastic as she had been at first.
Instead, she was merely gentle and polite, daring not to overstep in the slightest.
"Second Imperial Aunt, I have come to seek your counsel on a matter."
"Your Highness, please speak."
Chu Qianli looked at her, falling silent for a moment before saying, "Does Second Imperial Aunt know of the Shengsi Meng?"
Ling Wangfei, about to pour her tea, paused slightly with the teapot in hand.
Afterwards, she still poured a cup of fragrant tea for Chu Qianli before setting down the teapot and saying, "Naturally, I have heard of it."
Her identity was no longer a secret.
Moreover, the Emperor had promised not to hold her accountable.
In fact, the Emperor had already written to the elders of the Lan clan, requesting a pardon for her crimes.
She now had no psychological burden in revealing her identity.
"The Shengsi Meng is a forbidden technique within our Lan clan. Even Lan Qing has never formally learned it."
"So, even if the Imperial Advisor awakens, he cannot undo it?" Chu Qianli was somewhat disappointed.
Ling Wangfei, observing her expression, grew a little uneasy. "Princess, who exactly has been subjected to the Shengsi Meng?"
Chu Qianli looked at her.
Ling Wangfei then calmed herself slightly and said, "If Your Highness does not wish to say..."
"Lan Fan made me enter into a Shengsi Meng with him."
"Lan Fan and you?" Ling Wangfei looked shocked. "Then he himself has placed his fate in your hands! Why... why would he do this to you?"
Chu Qianli did not reply. She herself did not know the answer to this question.
Lan Fan could have used curses, poison, or any other means to threaten and control her.
But why must he use such an extreme method as the Shengsi Meng?
After all, the Shengsi Meng was mutually destructive. If she were to die one day, Lan Fan would not fare well either.
Was Lan Fan not afraid that she would harm herself to get rid of him?
Ling Wangfei looked at Chu Qianli.
Chu Qianli's features remained as flawless and perfect as ever.
Compared to before, Chu Qianli now seemed even more delicate and beautiful, perhaps due to still being ill and injured.
Could it be that Lan Fan was attracted to her beauty?
However, women were of no importance to Lan Fan. What exactly did Lan Fan want to achieve?
"Second Imperial Aunt," Chu Qianli suddenly called out.
Ling Wangfei's thoughts were interrupted. She quickly said, "My apologies, Princess, where were we?"
To avoid wasting time, Chu Qianli could only be direct. "Second Imperial Aunt, as the successor of the Lan clan, have you perhaps heard of a way to undo the Shengsi Meng?"
"I have no way."
These words caused Chu Qianli a wave of disappointment.
However, Chu Qianli was still not giving up. "Second Imperial Aunt, is there truly no way at all?"
"Your Highness, what does that mean?"
A hint of defensiveness flickered in Ling Wangfei's eyes. "Your Highness is of royal blood. If I had a way, how could I dare to hide it from Your Highness?"
"Second Imperial Aunt..."
"Your Highness, this concubine is tired. I wish to return to my chambers to rest for a moment. Your Highness, please leave."
Ling Wangfei instructed the butler to see her out and turned away.
This attitude was uncharacteristic of her usual politeness.
Ling Wangfei had always been the most gentle and courteous.
"Little Li'er, what exactly did you and Lan'er discuss?" As Chu Qianli was leaving, Chu Lingyang personally saw her off.
Seeing her looking unwell and preoccupied, Chu Lingyang was very worried.
"Little Li'er, did Lan'er say something unpleasant that angered you?"