Everyone else was sent away by Chu Hongtao.
The people from Second Uncle and Third Uncle's households also left, their spirits dampened by the Prince's departure.
As the music faded and the crowd dispersed, only Chu Hongtao's household remained in the venue.
"Grand Tutor, the Princess Consort belongs to the Prince. Even if she is to be punished, it should be the Prince himself who steps forward, not you, Grand Tutor!"
With the Prince and Qingming gone, Chu Qianli was instantly at a disadvantage.
Although Xi'er tried to speak up for Chu Qianli, she was merely a maid with no influence.
As soon as Xi'er finished speaking, someone stepped forward and swung a slap towards her.
"A mere maid dares to talk back to the Grand Tutor? You must be tired of living!"
Chu Feixue's forceful slap swung viciously towards Xi'er.
However, before her fingers could touch Xi'er's face, they were caught by Chu Qianli.
"Ah!" Chu Qianli's grip tightened, and Chu Feixue let out a pained scream.
"Father... Father, this wretched girl... this wretched girl hit me!"
When Chu Buqu was not around, no one in the Duke's mansion would protect Chu Qianli.
With Chu Feixue's cry, Chu Hongtao's suppressed anger flared up instantly.
"Guards, seize this wretched girl for me!"
From not far away, several guards immediately emerged, surrounding Chu Qianli.
Xi'er realized then that these people were truly crazier than the last!
"If you dare to touch the Princess Consort, the Prince will not let you off!"
"Unfortunately, the Prince doesn't care about this wretched girl at all!"
The Second Madam smiled disdainfully. "Master, my third sister and I watched throughout the banquet. The Prince never even glanced at this girl."
Hearing this, Chu Hongtao's arrogance grew even more pronounced!
"Take her down. If this wretched girl dares to resist, beat her!"
"You..."
"Seize this lowly maid as well!"
Two burly men immediately stepped forward in front of Xi'er, quickly subduing her.
The remaining guards were pressing in on Chu Qianli.
"How can you do this? She is the Xuan Prince Consort!"
Xi'er truly did not expect these people to be so wicked as to gang up on the Princess Consort!
How much suffering had the Princess Consort endured in this household before?
The entire family was mad!
"Father, the Prince actually doesn't like this wretched girl at all. He only married her to save face for the royal family."
Chu Feixue's eyes sparkled with a calculating smile.
"Father, keeping this wretched girl in the Xuan Prince's mansion will only embarrass the Prince. Why don't we help the Prince?"
Seeing that Chu Qianli had made a move and that the sober Qingming had not intervened, it was enough to prove that everyone in the Xuan Prince's mansion detested her.
They were probably only keeping her in the mansion due to the imperial decree of marriage.
Chu Feixue leaned closer to Chu Hongtao and whispered, "If this wretched girl makes a mistake, the Prince will have a legitimate reason to divorce her."
"At that time, as compensation, Father can arrange for Sister Huaiyu to marry him. Wouldn't that be... a happy ending for everyone?"
The light in Chu Hongtao's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Chu Qianli felt like laughing.
She understood lip-reading and naturally knew what scheme Chu Feixue was proposing.
"Why bother with such trouble?" she smiled, her expression as light as the wind. "Just say... I got drunk and accidentally fell into the lake and drowned."
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly waved her hand.
The two guards holding Xi'er felt a sharp pain in their wrists, as if they had been pricked by needles. They instinctively let go.
The next second, Xi'er was pulled by Chu Qianli as they leaped up.
Then, with a splash, the two of them fell into the nearby lake, disappearing completely beneath the surface...