That afternoon, Chu Qianli received some news.
The Emperor intended to select a consort for Prince Xuan.
Hearing this news from the recording pen delivered by Fulong, Chu Qianli was stunned for a while.
But in fact, she didn't know what she was thinking.
It was as if, for a period of time, her mind went blank.
Him selecting a consort, wasn't that a normal thing?
He was the Emperor's most valued son, and likely heir to the throne in the future.
Even Chu Huaiyu might not satisfy the Emperor.
Therefore, selecting a better consort for him, perhaps a princess from a neighboring country, would also be beneficial to him.
Expected matters did not require energy to address.
Every extra second was a waste of time.
Yet, she seemed to have spent an unknown amount of time in a daze.
"Miss Li..."
"What is your name?" Chu Qianli asked, looking at the woman before her.
The woman cupped her hands and said, "My name is Funing. Fulong is my elder brother."
"A person of the martial world?" Judging by her posture of cupping her hands, she didn't seem like a young lady from a respectable family.
Her demeanor was forthright and heroic, which Chu Qianli found very pleasing.
Funing quickly replied, "Not exactly a person of the martial world. I've been following the镖局 (biao ju - escort agency) since I was fourteen..."
"Watch this!" Something appeared out of thin air in Chu Qianli's hand and was flung forcefully at Funing.
Funing's heart leaped in surprise, not expecting such a sudden attack. She immediately retreated.
Her movements were as fluid as flowing clouds. When she rose from the ground, there was no sound of her inhaling.
Light and airy, as if she had floated up in an instant!
This qinggong (lightness skill) was truly astonishing!
The object Chu Qianli threw landed not far in front of Funing. It was just a small bead.
Funing picked it up, walked up to Chu Qianli, and returned it to her.
Chu Qianli sighed softly, "Fulong's qinggong is far inferior to yours!"
Funing did not pretend to be modest and spoke the truth, "Although my martial arts skills are not particularly good, qinggong is easy for me to pick up. As for the formidable figures in the martial world, I can learn their footwork after just one glance."
Chu Qianli nodded.
Fulong had sent her such a formidable person.
A master of qinggong was incredibly useful to her.
"Good."
Chu Qianli turned and walked away. Not long after, she returned the recorded recording pen to Funing, "Can you move freely within the palace?"
With this qinggong, it should not be a problem.
Among the people Chu Qianli had encountered, perhaps only Feng Yexuan's qinggong could surpass hers.
Even Han Zhan might not be her match in qinggong.
Funing accepted the pen with both hands and nodded, "It's not a problem. I'll send it to my elder brother now."
Funing took a few steps away, then paused, as if remembering something, and looked back at Chu Qianli.
"Big brother said that the concubines in the harem have been restless these past few days, and they should be returning to the Empress Dowager to present beauties to Prince Xuan. Miss..."
She looked at Chu Qianli, but could not detect any emotional fluctuation in her eyes.
Funing found it very strange. Her elder brother had said that Miss Li was Prince Xuan's woman.
Why was Miss Li so indifferent to Prince Xuan's selection of a consort?
"I'm just mentioning this to you, Miss. Whether you want to inquire about it or not is up to you. I'll take my leave now!"
Funing departed.
Chu Qianli watched her retreating figure, her thoughts drifting.
The concubines were all going to present beauties to the Empress Dowager. Those without sons, or whose sons were not promising, all wanted to seize this opportunity to establish a connection with Prince Xuan.
So, wouldn't Consort Jin also have to return to the palace tonight or tomorrow?
A withered leaf fell onto her hand.
Chu Qianli clasped the leaf in her palm, and gradually, it crumbled into dust...
...
"She refuses to let you take her pulse?" Feng Yexuan set down his cup, his dark, ink-like sword eyebrows furrowing slightly.
"Yes," Liujin nodded helplessly. "The moment she realized I was going to take her pulse, she even tried to attack me."
"The acupoints I sealed on her should not have been released yet. You can't even touch her?"
The more she concealed, the more suspicious Feng Yexuan became.
What was she hiding? Why was she so resistant to letting Liujin take her pulse?
Suddenly, he turned his head sharply, staring at Liujin, "Could it be that she is indeed seriously injured?"
Liujin thought for a moment and shook his head, "Although Miss Li's complexion does not look good, and her body clearly lacks some vitality, it does not appear to be a serious injury."
Not a serious injury, yet she refused to let Liujin take her pulse.
What was that woman thinking?
Liujin moved his lips, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
He had some things to say, but felt it was too early to do so.
Most importantly, he could not be certain if that pool of blood was indeed Chu Qianli's.
What if it wasn't hers at all?
If he were to voice his suspicions now, the Prince might truly fly into a rage.
Seeing Chu Qianli interacting with the Fifth Prince today, she indeed appeared relaxed and at ease.
The two seemed very close, but there was no hint of ambiguity in their interactions, which was why Liujin felt at ease returning.
Their relationship seemed more like that of a brother and sister.
He had never seen Chu Qianli so relaxed in Prince Xuan's mansion.
"Your Highness, since Miss Li seems to be fine, perhaps we should put this matter aside for now."
"It's rare for Your Highness and Miss Li's relationship to have slightly improved. At this moment, it might be good to be patient."
Hearing this, Feng Yexuan finally picked up his cup again, holding it in his hand and unconsciously squeezing it.
Then, he let out a cold snort, "Why should I care about my relationship with her?"
Liujin felt like laughing.
If he didn't care, why would he be doing so many things behind the scenes?
However, the Prince was just being proud, and there was no need to expose this lie.
Just as he was about to say something, footsteps were heard from outside. Leng Ji had arrived.
"Your Highness, Consort Jin sent someone to deliver a message, saying she will be returning to the palace tomorrow morning and wishes for Your Highness and Prince Fourteen to join her for dinner at her courtyard."
Consort Jin was returning to the palace.
For some reason, Feng Yexuan had never cared about such matters before. Prince Xuan's mansion was open to her at any time, and he never inquired.
But now, Consort Jin said she was returning to the palace, and inexplicably, he felt a sense of relief.
He waved his hand, "Alright, I will go with Jin Rui tonight."
...During dinner.
Consort Jin had long ordered a feast to be prepared, awaiting her two sons.
The first to arrive was Feng Jin Rui, always the cheerful and handsome young man.
However, tonight, in Consort Jin's eyes, this young man seemed to be growing up.
Not long after Feng Jin Rui arrived, Feng Yexuan entered with steady steps.
Consort Jin looked on with immense pride.
Although Prince Xuan was not raised by her, she essentially held the title of adoptive mother.
Prince Xuan had not been close to her since childhood; in fact, he wasn't close to anyone.
For a period, he went out to study under a master, and upon his return, he went to the battlefield at the age of twelve.
In short, he had very little time to spend with Consort Jin.
However, Consort Jin was, after all, his adoptive mother and bore the title of Prince Xuan's mother.
Thinking of how outstanding her son was, Consort Jin's heart was filled with joy.
Becoming Prince Xuan's mother had become her greatest achievement in life.
Prince Xuan had no birth mother. If her Xuan could become Emperor in the future, she would be the Holy Empress Dowager.
Once she found an opportunity to eliminate the current Empress, she would truly be the Empress Dowager!
At that time, the entire harem would be her domain.
Those concubines who had once looked down on her and bullied her, she would break their hands and feet and put them in jars!
Let them never find peace in their lives, and make their lives worse than death!
Consort Jin became more excited the more she thought about it, and immediately stood up, beckoning her two sons.
After several rounds of wine, Consort Jin couldn't help but smile and say, "Xuan'er, I heard the Emperor has already decreed the selection of a consort for you. This time, there will likely be many princesses from neighboring countries."
"I have already shortlisted several for you. They are all princesses greatly favored by the emperors of neighboring countries. You..."
"Fourth Brother, you are selecting a consort?" Feng Jin Rui was always slow to catch on to such matters, his news habitually lagging.
He looked at Feng Yexuan, somewhat stunned.
"If you are selecting a consort, what about Fourth Sister-in-law?"
"Rui'er!" Consort Jin's face darkened, and she immediately interrupted him, "That woman is not your Fourth Sister-in-law!"
Really, why bring up the one thing that shouldn't be mentioned? This brat had no idea how to read people's expressions!
Consort Jin now hated mentioning Chu Qianli's name the most.
She wished that woman would completely disappear from Xuan'er's life!
The thought of it made her feel extremely uncomfortable, as if she had eaten a fly!
She glared at Feng Jin Rui, then turned to Feng Yexuan and smiled, "Xuan'er, you must seize this opportunity during this selection of a consort. You must choose a consort who can help you."
"I have screened those princesses from neighboring countries for you. Why don't you take a look..."
"If Mother Consort has finished eating, your son will take his leave." Feng Yexuan's indifferent gaze slowly swept over the dishes on the table.
He seemed to be putting down his chopsticks.
Consort Jin immediately put on a smiling face, "We've barely eaten anything! I'm still hungry! Xuan'er, you should eat more too. You haven't eaten much, ha, ha..."
How awkward. Why was this son still the same, giving her no face at all?
To ease the awkwardness, Consort Jin immediately called out, "Jing'er, quickly pour them some wine."
The palace maid named Jing'er immediately held a wine pot and walked to Feng Yexuan's side.
The first time she poured wine for him, she almost dropped the cup. Feng Yexuan didn't pay attention.
This was the nth time. Why was she so timid every time, unable to even hold the wine pot steady?
Feng Yexuan suddenly looked up and glanced at her, "Am I that terrifying?"
He wasn't confused by the young palace maid's fear of him, but rather, this fear was too abnormal!
Many ordinary palace maids feared him, but none feared him to this extent!
He didn't know why, but a trace of doubt suddenly crossed his mind.
This palace maid...
"The night Chu Huaiyu fell ill, I confined Li'er to Qianyun Pavilion. I heard you accompanied Mother Consort to see her?"
With a clang, the wine pot in Jing'er's hand fell onto the table.
She was even more flustered and knelt on the ground with a thud, trembling with fear, "Your Highness, spare my life! Your Highness, spare my life!"
Consort Jin's expression also changed instantly. Why would Feng Yexuan suddenly bring up that night's events at this time?
Hadn't the matter been completely resolved?
Consort Jin's heart fluttered, and she quickly glared at Jing'er and said angrily:
"You useless wretch, why are you kneeling? Quickly clean up and get out of here!"