Feng Yexuan simply stopped outside the door, showing no intention of entering.
Chu Huaiyu alighted from the carriage behind him and quickly walked to Grand Tutor Chu, bowing. "Father."
She then glanced behind him, her gaze sweeping over Qin Liuyan, but without any sign of greeting.
Expectation flickered in Qin Liuyan's eyes, but in the end, she dejectedly lowered her head.
She was now the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion, of noble status, and naturally, she wouldn't expect a concubine to offer greetings.
There was a distinction between status.
After greeting Grand Tutor Chu, Chu Huaiyu hurriedly turned back and said to Feng Yexuan, "Your Highness, please don't misunderstand. I did not leak the news!"
It seemed she was very afraid of him misunderstanding.
Feng Yexuan's handsome face remained unreadable, showing no hint of emotion.
He merely glanced at her, then said to Grand Tutor Chu, "Miss Chu has been safely returned by this prince. I bid you farewell."
"Your Highness, you... you're leaving?" Grand Tutor Chu was astonished. Wasn't he supposed to come in, have some tea, and chat leisurely?
Feng Yexuan ignored him and walked directly towards his carriage.
His demeanor was so aloof that it inspired awe and fear.
No one found him rude; on the contrary, everyone trembled.
Had they done something wrong to anger His Highness?
Grand Tutor Chu grabbed Chu Huaiyu and whispered, "Huaiyu, you cannot let His Highness leave now. If he doesn't enter after arriving, won't people laugh?"
"Your second and third uncles' young maids and boys are all watching from the shadows, waiting to see a good show!"
Chu Huaiyu felt somewhat helpless and had to turn back to catch up with Feng Yexuan.
"Your Highness."
"Is there something else?" Feng Yexuan's impatience was evident.
"Your Highness, please don't misunderstand. I'm not looking for an excuse to return to the Prince's mansion with you. Your Highness, I've truly come to my senses and won't pester you anymore. Really, please believe me this once."
Chu Huaiyu was very uneasy and distressed. "It's just... it's just... if Your Highness acts like this, my father... my father is afraid people will make fun of us."
"What concern is that of this prince?" When had he ever cared about others' opinions?
Chu Huaiyu said helplessly, "Could you... give my mother some face and go in to see grandfather? Even just a glance would be good. Don't... don't leave me at the door and walk away. I will... be subject to gossip."
Although Leng Ji did not like her.
However, it wouldn't be good to ruin a young lady's reputation.
"The Duke seems to have been unwell recently. Your Highness, why not visit the Duke?"
To make the Prince more attentive, Leng Ji whispered, "Your Highness, it seems that Miss Li is currently taking care of the Duke's illness."
Feng Yexuan suddenly turned and walked towards the Duke's mansion gate.
He was not well acquainted with Chu Buqu and had not interacted much with him before.
However, he was, after all, that woman's grandfather...
Seeing him return, Grand Tutor Chu's face lit up with joy, and he personally invited him in.
However, Prince Xuan's attitude remained lukewarm, and he paid little attention to what they said.
Soon, everyone knew that the Prince had entered the mansion and was heading for the Duke's chambers.
Chu Huaiyu followed and said, "I haven't seen grandfather for a long time either. Your Highness, your people are all over the courtyard, and it's said that others are not allowed in..."
"You come in with this prince."
Feng Yexuan said nothing more and strode into Mingzhe Yuan.
A flicker of hope finally returned to Chu Huaiyu's eyes as she followed him in.
The Grand Tutor and the others were stopped at the courtyard gate, unable to enter, just as usual.
But at least Chu Huaiyu managed to get in.
Chu Buqu seemed to have good spirits today. The pallor that had plagued his face for days was replaced by a hint of a smile.
Although he was somewhat surprised to see Chu Huaiyu and Feng Yexuan enter together,
he quickly calmed down.
"How is Xiao Qi doing at the Prince's mansion?" Chu Buqu asked.
Before Feng Yexuan could speak, Chu Huaiyu reminded him, "Grandfather, Fifth Sister is doing very well at the Prince's mansion. His Highness dotes on her greatly, please rest assured."
Chu Buqu managed a weak smile, his gaze still fixed on Feng Yexuan. "Your Highness..."
"How are you feeling, Duke?" Feng Yexuan's face finally showed a little less coldness when he addressed him.
"Very well. With Xiao Qi... Li'er's medicine, I, this old man, have managed to cling to life."
He glanced outside.
Seeing no one else, he looked somewhat disappointed. "Did Li'er not come?"
"She went to visit Fifth Prince's mansion," Feng Yexuan did not conceal it.
Chu Buqu wanted to ask why, but seeing that Prince Xuan did not seem inclined to talk much, he did not press the matter.
Conversing with Prince Xuan was quite stressful.
This young man, only twenty-three years old, was already so mature and indifferent, habitually keeping people at a distance.
He hadn't been there long, and after confirming that Chu Buqu's health had improved considerably, he prepared to leave.
Chu Buqu personally escorted him to the courtyard gate, and everyone finally got a glimpse of his true appearance.
After not seeing him for many days, it was unexpected to see him looking so well!
It seemed he would fully recover soon?
Everyone had their own thoughts...
...
Meanwhile, at the逍遥王府 (Xiaoyao Prince's Mansion), the day was clear and serene.
Under a pavilion by the lake, Feng Wuya was still examining the harmonica that Chu Qianli had given him when the guard Tie Xin hurried over to report, "Your Highness, Mr. Liujin from Prince Xuan's mansion requests an audience with Miss Li."
Chu Qianli, leaning by the pavilion and feeding fish, was slightly taken aback and looked back at Feng Wuya.
Feng Wuya asked, "Do you want to see him?"
"He's someone from Prince Xuan's mansion. If I refuse to see him, I'll likely suffer later. Can I refuse?" she tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Feng Wuya, however, chuckled. "Fourth Brother is not an unreasonable person."
Chu Qianli squinted at him, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Does Your Highness truly believe your Fourth Brother is a reasonable person?"
Feng Wuya was stunned. He couldn't refute that statement.
Fourth Brother was sometimes... well, he did seem a bit barbaric.
"Mr. Liujin is a good person," he said with a smile, waving his hand.
Tie Xin immediately went down and, after a short while, led Liujin over.
Seeing Chu Qianli lounging on a chair, listlessly feeding fish, her languid demeanor caused Liujin to pause slightly.
Here at Prince Xiaoyao's mansion, Miss Li seemed... quite relaxed and at ease.
Hadn't they only met recently? Why did it seem now as if there was no restraint between them at all?
Liujin approached them, bowed to Feng Wuya, and then smiled at Chu Qianli. "Miss Li, how have you been feeling recently?"
"What does that have to do with you?" Chu Qianli remained perched on the chair, gazing at the fish in the lake.
Liujin walked slowly towards her and smiled. "I have been by the Prince's side for many years, and I have always been the one to check the pulse of the masters in the mansion. Therefore, I would also like to check Miss Li's pulse to see if she is in good health."
As he spoke, he reached out to grasp Chu Qianli's wrist.
The Prince had said there was a pool of blood in her room, a very large one.
As a physician, Liujin's thoughts went deeper than anyone else's.
If there had been a lot of bleeding without any visible wounds, then for a young lady, there was another possibility.
That was, a miscarriage!
As long as he could check her pulse, everything would become clear!