To this point, if Feng Yexuan still couldn't understand, it would be too far-fetched.
He understood now.
But, his ever-changing, frozen face remained expressionless.
"This King is already married."
The words were spoken lightly, but their meaning was unmistakable.
Yu Linglong's heart trembled, and her feet stumbled, nearly causing her to fall.
This was the first time he had personally admitted to being married.
And it was solely to reject her.
Yu Linglong felt a pang of pain. She said softly, "Actually, with Your Highness's abilities, you could have definitely avoided Miss Chu's peach blossom trap that night."
How could someone like him be easily ensnared?
Feng Yexuan remained silent.
Yu Linglong lamented, "Your Highness knew he was walking into a trap, yet you didn't withdraw. You allowed the rumors to engulf you, all for her."
Yu Linglong's voice was very, very soft.
But she knew Feng Yexuan could hear every word clearly.
"The peach blossom trap was set, and Miss Chu's reputation is ruined. If Your Highness had left, Miss Chu would have borne all the slander alone."
"Your Highness chose to stay and fall into her trap, merely... to repay a debt of gratitude."
"What exactly do you know?" Feng Yexuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze unfathomable.
Yu Linglong knew he was displeased, but she still mustered the courage to look up at him.
Yu Linglong said in a small voice, "It's because Miss Chu's mother, Long Qianyue, saved Your Highness back then."
"Since you know, you should understand that even if this King dislikes her, he will not abandon her."
Feng Yexuan turned away, his back incredibly cold.
"Miss Yu, you have diligently treated the Empress Dowager all these years, and this King is very grateful. However, my feelings for you are only this much."
"This King will pretend he never heard Miss Yu's words tonight. In the future, Miss Yu will meet someone who cherishes you. Farewell."
He took a step to leave.
Yu Linglong chased after him, saying urgently, "If she weren't Long Qianyue's daughter, would Your Highness still protect her like this?"
Feng Yexuan did not answer this question.
In his world, there was never such a thing as "if."
Yu Linglong stopped, watching the tall, slender figure disappear into the night.
The gentle sorrow in her eyes slowly turned into a thick layer of ice.
It was precisely because of her mother's past kindness that Chu Qianli could marry Feng Yexuan.
This woman was too despicable!
She would not allow Chu Qianli to continue to harm Feng Yexuan!
She had to save Prince Xuan from this sea of suffering!
...
Not long after Feng Yexuan left the entrance of Wuxia Pavilion, he stopped.
This was on a tree-lined path, some distance from Wuxia Pavilion.
He said lightly, "Still not coming down? Do you want this King to come up and personally drag you down?"
The woman in the tree grumbled resentfully, swayed slightly, and landed gracefully before him.
"When did my Princess Consort learn martial arts?" Feng Yexuan narrowed his eyes.
How many more secrets was his Princess Consort hiding?
"There's still much I can do, and what does that have to do with Your Highness?"
Chu Qianli said with a playful smile, completely unfazed by the anger in his eyes.
"As for Your Highness, a beauty throws herself at you, and you remain unmoved? Is Your Highness... incapable?"
Feng Yexuan's expression darkened.
This woman, tonight, not only her behavior but also her attitude towards him had changed.
Even her speech had become so bold and presumptuous!
It was as if she had become a different person!
He snorted coldly, "Whether this King is capable or not, does the Princess Consort wish to personally find out?"