Everyone grasped different points from Chu Qianli's words.
However, Chu Huaiyu's statement, "Han Zhan was the man Chu Qianli loved most before," was enough to enrage Duke Chu Buqu.
With Prince Xuan present, Chu Huaiyu's words were simply outrageous!
Chu Buqu looked at Chu Huaiyu and snorted coldly, "Nonsense! Go back and reflect in isolation!"
Chu Hongtao wanted to explain for his daughter, but Chu Buqu's eyes were icy.
A single glance from him left Chu Hongtao daring not to speak despite his anger.
Chu Huaiyu knew her grandfather had always been biased, simply because Chu Qianli's mother, Long Qianyue, was Chu Hongtao's legal wife!
Prince Xuan respected Marquis Dingbei, Long Ye, and was also very fond of Long Qianyue.
Long Qianyue had been deceased for many years. Chu Hongtao had brought up the matter of elevating Chu Huaiyu's mother to his wife several times, only to be coldly refused by Chu Buqu each time.
This was because, in Chu Buqu's heart, only Long Qianyue was qualified to be the daughter-in-law of his Duke's mansion!
Chu Qianli was Long Qianyue's only daughter and the sole legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion.
No matter how unruly she was, or how many times she disappointed Chu Buqu, in his eyes, this legitimate granddaughter was still the only one!
Chu Huaiyu suppressed her heartache and said softly, "Yes, Grandfather. Huaiyu will go back and face the wall now."
Lowering her head again, she saluted Feng Yexuan, "Your Highness, Huaiyu will now..."
"Return with this Prince!" Feng Yexuan's voice was icy as he turned to leave.
Chu Huaiyu looked astonished.
Why would Prince Xuan ask her to accompany him back?
Could it be that the Prince fancied her too?
But she and Han Zhan...
"Your Highness, Huaiyu does not know... does not know under what pretense to accompany Your Highness..."
Chu Qianli walked past her, almost rolling her eyes, "Sister, he's calling me."
It was utterly exasperating. Were all beautiful women this prone to self-pity and wishful thinking?
Chu Huaiyu froze completely.
How could this be?
She was standing right in front of Feng Yexuan, and had just been speaking with Prince Xuan.
The Prince's words were clearly directed at her, so why...
However, when she looked up, she actually saw Feng Yexuan turn back, staring at Chu Qianli, who was walking as slow as a turtle.
His dark, thick eyebrows furrowed, "Do you want this Prince to carry you?"
Chu Qianli looked speechless, "Aren't I following? Why the rush?"
The two of them eventually walked further away.
Chu Buqu quickly followed, intending to keep Prince Xuan at the mansion for a good talk tonight.
Prince Xuan's insights on battlefield strategies were truly brilliant and novel; Chu Buqu still hadn't heard enough!
"Your Highness, why not stay at the mansion for the night? Little Seven has finally returned, perhaps she could catch up with her sisters. Your Highness..."
The Duke's other two sons also hurried after them, all trying to persuade Feng Yexuan to stay.
Chu Hongtao, unwilling to be left behind, wanted to follow.
But seeing his daughter so awkward and wronged, he couldn't help but advise, "I've heard Prince Xuan has a rather eccentric temper. Don't take it to heart."
This remark, rather than helping, only made Chu Huaiyu's face turn even redder.
As one of the three great talents of the imperial city, she truly couldn't afford to lose face like this.
"He was really talking to me just now, Father. It's just... it's just that my sister butted in."
"Father knows."
Chu Hongtao couldn't stand seeing her upset, so he quickly comforted her, "Take Han Zhan back to get his wounds bandaged first."
Chu Huaiyu bit her lip, then nodded, "Yes, Father."
Chu Hongtao quickly followed.
He couldn't let his own two younger brothers get all the favor with Prince Xuan; he was the Prince's father-in-law!
Chu Huaiyu looked back, "Han Zhan..."
She saw Han Zhan staring in the direction Feng Yexuan and Chu Qianli had left, lost in thought.
Chu Huaiyu's brows immediately knitted tightly, "Han Zhan, what are you looking at?"