Chu Qianli paused, then turned back.
She had originally just wanted to tell him that she was truly not interested in him.
But at that moment, her eyes lit up, and she immediately forgot what she was going to say.
Before her was no longer a middle-aged man.
Instead, it was an incredibly handsome man, appearing to be under thirty, with breathtaking beauty.
Unlike Feng Yexuan's refined handsomeness, this man possessed a mature charm in his features, tinged with the passage of time.
Yet, within that maturity, there was a hint of unrestrained, jovial laughter.
Despite being devastatingly handsome, he carried none of the airs typically associated with such beauty.
His smile was approachable, his gaze clear, and his eyes piercing!
If not for his good relationship with Feng Yexuan, Chu Qianli believed she would have been very willing to befriend such a person.
Appetite and beauty are inherent.
"Although... your appearance exceeded my expectations, I am still not interested in you."
Trying to seduce her with beauty was a tactic that would absolutely not work on her.
She could remain unmoved even by Feng Yexuan, a top-tier handsome man.
A honey trap would have no effect on her.
"Heh." Chu Wang laughed with great amusement.
He had truly never encountered such an amusing young girl.
"You think I revealed my true appearance to seduce you?"
In his twenty-eight years of life, this was the first time he had been suspected of using a honey trap.
Chu Qianli remained silent, merely observing him.
Chu Wang smiled, "I genuinely wished to befriend you, which is why I showed my true face. My identity is somewhat sensitive, and I have enemies in the imperial city, hence the disguise."
"The royal family of the Southern Ming Kingdom?" Chu Qianli raised an eyebrow.
Upon hearing this, Chu Wang nearly knelt before her.
"Did I inadvertently reveal it again?" This girl's mind was terrifyingly meticulous!
"You mistook me for someone named Mingyue and asked if I had a daughter for your imperial brother."
Chu Qianli tilted her head, appraising his handsome face.
"The Chu clan of the Southern Ming Kingdom's royal family. The original third prince became emperor, and you are most likely the youngest Fourth Prince, Prince Jing, Chu Wang."
Chu Wang rubbed his forehead, a hint of helplessness in his voice, "Little girl, I only wish to be friends with you, not to be your enemy."
"But I don't wish to make friends right now."
She hadn't expected that Prince Xuan would have such a close acquaintance with Prince Jing of the Southern Ming Kingdom.
If any ill-intentioned individuals discovered they met privately so often, they might report it to the Emperor.
Especially now, with the First and Second Princes being the most obvious contenders against Prince Xuan.
She said calmly, "I have always kept my distance from people of royal families like you, so there's no need for us to become close friends. Farewell."
"Does Qingming often bully you?" Chu Wang suddenly asked.
Chu Qianli, who was about to leave, stopped once more and turned to look at him.
"Actually, Qingming isn't a bad person, just a bit stubborn. However, it's unbearable to see a grown man bully a young girl like you."
Chu Wang beckoned, "I'll teach you a few moves, specifically designed to counter his techniques in a short time. Interested?"
Chu Qianli narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him deeply once more.
"Don't worry, I have no other motives. It's just that you bear a certain resemblance in spirit to a dear friend of mine..."
"That young lady named Mingyue?" Chu Qianli wasn't particularly curious about other people's little secrets.
However, if she could truly learn moves that countered Qingming...
"Are you absolutely sure there are no other ulterior motives?"
"Do I look like a bad person?" He was such a refined and handsome gentleman; he clearly looked like a good person!
"Would a bad person have the word 'bad' etched on their face?" Chu Qianli sneered.
"Don't be so cold and distant. Being too wary will make life very tiring."
Chu Wang beckoned again, "Come, I'll take you for a bowl of noodles first, and then teach you some moves to counter Qingming. I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"
...
When Chu Qianli returned to Prince Xuan's manor, it was already two hours later.
Qingming was sweating profusely from anxiety.
Knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, he had just ordered someone to inform the Prince.
He was now preparing to lead a large contingent to search for her.
He wondered if the Prince himself would go out to search.
But Qingming hadn't expected that as soon as he stepped out of the manor gates, he would see Chu Qianli returning leisurely.
"Where did you go?" Seeing her relaxed demeanor, Qingming was furious.
He leaped off his horse and quickly walked up to her.
"You dared to leave without permission! I will definitely report it to the Prince! Your Duke's manor might not be spared because of you!"
"Besides threatening me with the Duke's manor, what else can you do?"
Chu Qianli glanced at him with disdain, "Just like your master, no class!"
"You..."
"Take this!"
Unexpectedly, Chu Qianli suddenly threw a punch at Qingming.
Qingming, of course, hadn't anticipated her sudden attack.
However, Chu Qianli's martial arts were far inferior to his.
He didn't take it seriously at all.
He casually pushed out a palm, merely intending to deflect her move.
After being stabbed by her today, he inexplicably felt a sense of caution towards this vixen.
This vixen was mad; she wouldn't even care about her own life for revenge.
If he accidentally injured her again, he didn't know what method she would use to retaliate next time.
He couldn't afford to provoke her, nor did he want to!
He just wanted the Prince to quickly divorce her and kick her out of the manor!
But Qingming never expected that his palm strike would be so easily neutralized by Chu Qianli.
Chu Qianli spun and kicked out.
Qingming immediately sidestepped to dodge.
However, Chu Qianli seemed to know his moves in advance. The moment he sidestepped, she swept out a whirlwind kick.
Qingming was startled and almost failed to dodge.
He quickly raised his palm to block, and with great effort, managed to evade Chu Qianli's kick.
But today, Chu Qianli was as if she had been granted a cheat code.
As he tried to block, her palm had already reached Qingming's face.
Qingming's heart tightened, and he immediately raised the palm he had lowered.
But the moment he raised his palm, the one Chu Qianli had extended had already retracted.
Simultaneously, the whirlwind kick she had just retracted swept out again.
This time, Qingming was caught off guard and couldn't dodge at all.
With a *thwack*, his tall frame crashed heavily to the ground!
Qingming was utterly dumbfounded! How could this be?
This damned girl's every move was clearly designed to counter his!
How could her martial arts have progressed so rapidly in just an hour or two?
Chu Qianli clapped her hands and looked down at him, "Are you convinced yet?"
"You!" Qingming gritted his teeth in anger.
In front of his subordinates, being kicked down by a young girl whose martial arts were far inferior to his, he had never felt so humiliated in his life!
Qingming leaped up, about to make another move.
Behind him, on the steps not far away, a cold voice suddenly rang out, "Can't even defeat a little girl, and you still think you haven't embarrassed yourself enough?"