Han Zhan's heart suddenly felt as if it had been struck by something, causing a dull ache.
He looked at Chu Qianli again, a sense of unease rising from the depths of his heart.
Had he… truly wronged her?
Now, the door to Chu Qianli's room was kicked in by him, yet the entire courtyard remained empty, not a single servant in sight.
Her return to the Duke's mansion had truly been… lonely.
The only one who doted on her, the Duke, was also bedridden with illness.
She appeared utterly without kin.
What was wrong with him? Hearing a few words from those people, he had immediately concluded she was the culprit.
But now, she looked more desolate than anyone else…
"Li'er… Miss…"
"If you still have a shred of sense, then get lost and don't bother me."
Chu Qianli knew he had come to his senses, but she didn't want to hear any words of pity from him.
"If you still believe I'm responsible for this, then do as you please, beat me or kill me. I can't fight you anyway."
She lay down.
Her shoulder ached terribly! She could only lie on her side.
The pain was so intense she wished she could just faint!
Han Zhan looked at the slender figure on the bed and suddenly felt a pang of regret.
What if he had indeed wronged her… Whether wronged or not, her current lonely appearance was truly heart-wrenching.
"Your injury… do you want to see a doctor?"
"Crying crocodile tears, I don't need it. Get out!"
"You!" Han Zhan was both angry and heartbroken!
That's right! He suddenly realized that the reason Chu Qianli was always wronged was because her personality was too proud!
So stubborn and aloof, who could tolerate that?
Being wronged, and unwilling to explain further!
If she had explained earlier, as she had just done, perhaps he would have understood sooner.
The person from that night certainly couldn't have been arranged by Huaiyu herself; he firmly believed in Chu Huaiyu's kindness.
But he understood now that it was highly unlikely to be Chu Qianli's doing.
It was likely someone trying to frame her.
Han Zhan was about to say something more when the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the courtyard outside.
Soon after, a guard arrived at the door, saying urgently, "Miss Li'er, the Duke's condition has taken a turn for the worse. Steward Han requests your presence!"
Chu Qianli rushed to Chu Buqu's chambers without delay, enduring the pain in her shoulder blade.
Han Zhan once again witnessed her formidable willpower.
Despite her pale face from the pain, upon hearing of the Duke's predicament, her slender body immediately straightened.
Currently, Chu Qianli was administering acupuncture to Chu Buqu.
Steward Han, having heard about the events in Li Yuan, pulled his son aside to a corner and couldn't help but reprimand him:
"How could you be so foolish? If Miss Li'er had truly done it, with her intelligence and resourcefulness, would she have let those people see through her?"
Han Zhan lowered his head and whispered, "I… my vision was clouded by anger just now. I truly… was wrong."
Steward Han sighed deeply, glared at him, but was also helpless.
He knew clearly that his son had always disliked Miss Li'er.
There was nothing he could do about it.
"Don't be so reckless when you do things in the future!"
"Yes."
"Steward Han," Chu Qianli called from inside the room.
Steward Han immediately entered.
Han Zhan followed behind him.
To his surprise, Chu Qianli's expression turned grim as soon as she saw him enter: "Steward Han, there are some things I can only say to you."
Han Zhan's face flushed. How could he not understand such an obvious dismissal?
This woman didn't trust his loyalty to the Duke!
Steward Han bowed slightly and looked back at Han Zhan, shaking his head: "Your heart is only for Miss Huaiyu. Miss Li'er will not trust you. You should leave."
"My feelings for Huaiyu are just…" But Han Zhan didn't know why he felt compelled to explain.
In the end, he nodded slightly and withdrew.
Outside, the wind was a little chilly.
Suddenly, he felt a sense of loss, a pang of emptiness in his heart.
She didn't trust him… Why was she so fixated on this matter?
No one in the room paid attention to Han Zhan's thoughts.
Because what lay before them was a more important matter.
"The poison has worsened?" Steward Han looked incredulous. "Miss Li'er, the Duke's daily life and meals have been entirely managed by me!"
He had barely left the Duke's side recently!
"Miss Li'er, you don't… suspect me, do you?"
"I don't suspect you." Trusting those you employ, Chu Qianli believed in her own judgment.
"However, that person is more cunning than I imagined. I still haven't figured out their method of poisoning."
The situation was serious. If the culprit wasn't found soon, her grandfather would truly be in danger.
"Then, how is the master now?" Steward Han looked at Chu Buqu's pale face, his heart heavy.
"I've already administered acupuncture and medicine. He's fine. Just ensure the pills I've given you are administered to the Duke on time."
Chu Qianli handed him a handful of pills and then said, "Now that I have complete control of the storeroom, that person is likely getting desperate! You must be extra careful during this period and absolutely must not let Grandpa be harmed again."
"I know! I will do my utmost to protect the master."
However, he felt his strength was insufficient.
Steward Han hesitated for a moment before saying, "Miss Li'er, actually, Zhan'er… he is also loyal to the master. He has no ulterior motives."
"I know."
"Then, Miss Li'er, perhaps he could…"
"No, he trusts Chu Huaiyu too much and is unreliable."
Hearing this, Steward Han could only sigh.
Han Zhan wasn't like this before. For some reason, during this period, his hostility towards Miss Li'er had deepened.
He lost control too easily in front of Miss Li'er!
For now… he was indeed unreliable.
"Miss, rest assured, I will protect the master well."
"Mm." Chu Qianli stood up, explained the method and timing for taking the medicine, and then left.
Returning to her chambers, she had just reached the bedside when her legs gave way, and she collapsed.
It hurt so much!
The injury to her shoulder blade felt as if it were tearing, causing excruciating pain.
But she could only endure it.
After applying some medicine, she fell into a deep sleep.
…The Duke's mansion was calm that night.
In the Xuan King's mansion, the undercurrents had just begun.
Consort Jin and Yu Linglong were both present.
But this time, Yu Linglong dared not utter a single word.
Having offended the Xuan King's Consort previously, she was much more obedient in front of Feng Yexuan now.
The Empress Dowager was also there.
The Xuan King had finally woken up, and even the Emperor was on his way.
This showed how much the royal family valued this Prince.
As soon as Qing Ming returned, he recounted everything he had witnessed at the Duke's mansion.
Feng Yexuan remained expressionless.
This was the second time he had regained consciousness since his severe illness.
The first time, he was groggy and insisted on finding Chu Qianli.
Now, for the second time, his entire body was cold, and a chilling aura emanated from him.
"Your Highness, I indeed saw Chu Qianli with Han Zhan with my own eyes. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can ask the Second Prince!"