So, all eyes turned to Feng Jinrui.
Feng Jinrui clenched his fist, not wanting to say a word.
But his expression couldn't hide anything.
Everyone saw it and understood completely.
He, too, had witnessed it firsthand.
Consort Jin glanced at Feng Yexuan, wanting to speak but fearing her words would displease her son.
After some thought, she could only hold back.
Yu Linglong also dared not speak much.
It was already a great fortune for her to step into the Xuan Wang Manor again.
Now, she only wished to take good care of the Prince and win his affection.
As for other matters, she would not get involved for the time being.
After all, with Qingming around, she didn't need to say much.
The Empress Dowager sighed softly and looked at Feng Yexuan, "Xuan'er, you just focus on recovering. As for the rest..."
Unexpectedly, before she could finish speaking, Feng Yexuan said faintly, "I went to the Duke's manor and saw her!"
This was not a question, but a statement of fact.
Although he had been delirious with illness, he was certain that he had indeed gone to the Duke's manor and seen the woman.
There was no mistake!
Everyone was stunned, not expecting him to remember even in his injured state!
"Ruier, go see if your father has arrived. Hurry and welcome him," Consort Jin immediately said.
Feng Jinrui nodded, turned, and left.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Jin, naturally understanding her intention.
Feng Jinrui would not lie, and keeping him here would not help conceal the truth.
After Feng Jinrui left, the Empress Dowager said, "You went to the Duke's manor specifically to find Chu Qianli."
Feng Yexuan remained silent.
He only remembered going to the Duke's manor and seeing the woman.
He had no recollection of what happened afterward.
The only thing he remembered was that the woman had promised to return with him once he recovered.
She had promised!
But why hadn't he seen her when he woke up?
"Did you drive her away?" His gaze finally fell upon the Empress Dowager.
"Imperial Grandmother, tell me!"
"This Empress has not, nor has anyone here, driven her away."
Although the Empress Dowager felt a pang of sympathy, she could not disobey the Emperor's decree.
No one was allowed to mention that Prince Xuan had recuperated at the Duke's manor for three days. For these three days, everyone had to insist that it was Yu Linglong who had treated him at the Xuan Wang Manor!
The Empress Dowager's words were not a lie.
"Chu Qianli did not return with you. Xuan'er, are you still being stubborn?"
Feng Yexuan's expression was blank, but his fingertips slowly tightened.
"My Lord, my Princess... Miss Chu truly does not wish to return. I can stake my life on it, and if I speak any falsehood, may I be struck by lightning and die a terrible death!"
Qingming knew best that Chu Qianli did not wish to return.
He had personally witnessed Chu Qianli consorting with Han Zhan!
"Xuan'er, if you believe we are all deceiving you, then... when you are well, you can ask Miss Chu yourself."
The Empress Dowager sighed softly.
She truly couldn't bear to lie to him.
However, Chu Qianli had indeed stated in person that she did not want to be with Xuan'er.
The Empress Dowager could tell that her words that day were genuine.
That girl, Chu Qianli, had no desire for the position of Xuan Wang Consort!
The Empress Dowager had only met her a few times, but for some reason, while everyone spoke ill of her, she couldn't bring herself to dislike her.
Instead, she always felt that Chu Qianli possessed a certain aura that others lacked.
This aura was inexplicably captivating, making one want to draw closer to her.
Unfortunately, the royal family disliked her, and the Emperor would never allow the daughter of a singer to become the future Empress of the Northern Ming Kingdom.
And Chu Qianli, with her stubborn and unyielding nature, would never compromise herself to become Xuan'er's concubine.
Therefore, there was no future for her and Xuan'er.
It was better to cut ties decisively.
"Xuan'er, when you are well, go and ask her. This Empress will not stop you, nor will anyone else, will they?"
Feng Yexuan's eyes darkened, and his gaze gradually turned cold and emotionless.
He had known long ago that the woman was unwilling to return with him!
That day, when he was delirious with illness, she had indeed been deceiving him!
She was unwilling to return!
The divorce decree in his hand was gradually clenched tighter, and a wisp of smoke slowly began to rise.
Yu Linglong saw this and immediately became anxious, "My Lord, you cannot use your internal energy! Your injuries have not yet healed!"
The Empress Dowager and Consort Jin also panicked at this sight.
Consort Jin's tears finally couldn't be held back and rolled down, "Xuan'er, don't hurt yourself! Is it worth it for a woman who doesn't care about you?"
The Empress Dowager immediately reached out to hold his large palm, but as soon as she touched it, she recoiled, her hand burned.
Seeing that the divorce decree was about to be burned by his palm force, everyone panicked.
"Xuan'er, if you desire it, you can choose any woman in the world. Why must you insist on someone who dislikes you?"
Someone who dislikes him...
Feng Yexuan's eyes deepened, and the hand he had clenched slowly relaxed.
The divorce decree had already been half-burned by his palm force.
But the remaining corner clearly bore her name – Chu Qianli!
Chu Qianli!
Good! Very good!
Feng Yexuan suddenly waved his hand, and the gauze curtain on the bed was pulled down by his palm wind.
"Xuan'er..."
"Your grandson is tired," came his low, emotionless voice from within the curtain. "Tonight, your grandson wishes to see no one."
"Xuan'er, your father..."
But he lay down, refusing to utter another word.
The Empress Dowager and Consort Jin exchanged glances, and Consort Jin shook her head.
This was Xuan'er's temperament. If he refused, even the Emperor himself could not persuade him.
If he didn't want to see someone, he wouldn't.
Even if the Emperor punished him for disrespect, he would not compromise.
This was Prince Xuan!
The Empress Dowager sighed silently, and finally, along with Consort Jin and Yu Linglong, they left.
Qingming saw them off and then stood guard outside.
After an unknown amount of time, Feng Yexuan's icy eyes slowly opened.
"Did you truly see them together with your own eyes tonight?"
This question sent a chill to the bone!
Even through the screen, Qingming could feel his violent aura.
Qingming felt a chill down his neck, his blood almost freezing.
He immediately knelt down and said in a deep voice, "My Lord, your subordinate saw with his own eyes Chu Qianli embracing Han Zhan in disarray. If I have spoken a single falsehood, may I be struck by lightning and die a terrible death!"
Feng Yexuan said no more.
His cold eyes slowly closed.
A trace of blood slowly slid down the corner of his lips.
...
For the next three days, Chu Qianli finally enjoyed a period of peace.
Neither Han Zhan nor Chu Huaiyu bothered her again.
On the third day, the Duke's manor suddenly became bustling, with everyone busy from early morning.
By evening, Chu Qianli learned what everyone was so busy with.
It turned out that the Empress had suddenly arranged a banquet to invite them, the young ladies and gentlemen.
Everyone was busy preparing for the evening's feast, wanting to present themselves in the most perfect light to the Empress and the princes and nobles.
Only Chu Qianli received no notification and no preparations were made for her.
She had initially intended not to go, but the messenger stated that the Empress had specifically requested that the young ladies from the Duke's manor attend.
She wondered what kind of trap awaited her.
Chu Qianli casually changed into a different dress, too lazy to even bother with her hairstyle. She got into the carriage and hurried to the palace.
However, upon arriving at the palace, before she could reach the Empress's banquet hall, she encountered the person she least wished to see in the imperial garden...