These people, one by one, were all looking at Chu Qianli.
Even the Emperor was.
However, others just wanted to see Chu Qianli make a fool of herself.
As for the Emperor, he more wanted to see how Chu Qianli would cope in such a desperate situation.
Old Master Qin was also at a loss. In fact, he had tried to dissuade her when they came.
Prince Xuan was prickly, not someone to be easily appeased.
But Little Li'er was determined to come, so he could only trust that she had her own ways.
Qin Xiao, however, truly couldn't bear it. He quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Ye Xuan, since Little Li'er is willing to come, then... it's just one participation slot. Give it to her."
Feng Ye Xuan sneered, "Wasn't it you who advised this King ten days ago to find a Princess Consort who could be of help to this King?"
"Her," his cold eyes fixed on the girl standing not far in front of him, the smile on his lips grew colder, filled with sarcasm, "how can she be of help to this King?"
"Ye Xuan, this..." Qin Xiao's face immediately flushed.
Those were indeed words he had spoken, but now, he felt sorry for Little Li'er!
After only a few days of interaction, Qin Xiao perhaps began to understand why Feng Ye Xuan had liked Little Li'er so much before.
This little girl was tenacious. She appeared cold and unfeeling, but in reality, she was kind and generous.
She was indeed a girl worth liking.
The words he had spoken now slapped him in the face, stinging painfully.
"Ye Xuan..."
"Your Highness." Chu Qianli took a step forward, this time, even closer to Feng Ye Xuan.
Leng Ji watched with some nervousness.
There were too many malicious gazes, and the mocking laughter, though somewhat suppressed, could be heard by everyone.
It wasn't just the young ladies who were laughing; even the guards were enjoying the show.
In such a predicament, Miss Li'er's pressure was unimaginable.
If the Prince were to truly say "scram," Miss Li'er would truly become a laughingstock in the Imperial City from then on.
"Your Highness, I requested the royal annulment because my status was awkward at the time."
Facing all the malicious gazes, Chu Qianli's expression remained calm, neither flustered nor humble.
She said faintly, "I was officially married into the Prince's household as the Princess Consort, yet I was demoted to a concubine by Your Highness. In fact, a concubine has no right to request a royal annulment."
"Since you know this, you still dare to claim merit and expect recognition. Are you trying to use the annulment letter to slap this King in the face?"
However, when Feng Ye Xuan said this, his tone was flat, and there was no indication of anger.
But precisely because he wasn't angry, Chu Qianli felt uncertain.
If he were angry, it would mean he still cared somewhat, and perhaps, out of past affection, he would give her a slot.
She didn't ask for much, just an opportunity to get closer to Long Yue.
But Feng Ye Xuan now, neither warm nor cold, neither enthusiastic nor indifferent, was more unfathomable.
She also began to see through him.
"Your Highness, I am not trying to slap your face. I just want... after the annulment, I will be a free person, and I... can also participate in the selection, honorably, and let Your Highness see me again."
"Guess if this King believes you?" Feng Ye Xuan picked up his cup again, slowly sipping the slightly cooled tea.
Chu Qianli lowered her head, suddenly feeling the pressure.
When this man was no longer willful like a child, she realized she couldn't see through him at all.
She didn't know if he would give her a chance.
Cold sweat slowly beaded on her forehead.
Just then, she heard Feng Ye Xuan's voice, laced with coldness and a hint of sarcasm, ring out again:
"So Miss Chu also has moments of unease. This King thought you were audacious, fearing nothing!"
"Your Highness flatters me. I am merely a weak woman..."
"But this King does not want a weak woman."
The crowd rejoiced inwardly.
It seemed Prince Xuan was determined this time, no longer giving Chu Qianli any opportunity.
Chu Qianli closed her eyes, feeling a bit disheartened.
She really wanted to lose her temper and leave.
...Calm down, calm down!
"Your Highness, I..."
"Leng Ji, announce today's competition items."
Feng Ye Xuan ignored Chu Qianli, not saying whether he allowed it or not, leaving her aside.
As Leng Ji was about to speak to everyone, Chu Qianli stood in front of them, appearing somewhat... in the way.
Leng Ji cleared his throat and was about to say something.
He saw Chu Qianli had already retreated to the side, not far from Feng Ye Xuan.
Leng Ji felt some gratitude and some pity.
But he dared not disobey the Prince's orders.
He stepped forward and introduced the competition items for the day.
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Several daughters of officials almost burst into tears on the spot.
They had to cross mountains and ridges, and also ride horses.
What kind of excellent riding skills would be required to achieve this?
"Wh-what should we do? I don't know how to ride a horse."
"I... my dress..."
"What to do?"
The young ladies looked troubled, one by one.
Looking at their long dresses, which almost touched the ground for the sake of beauty.
How could they ride horses in these dresses? Let alone gallop over mountains.
It was simply an impossible task.
However, some people immediately became excited.
Chu Feiyan turned and left. She was, of course, prepared. Her carriage was just outside the line, and Ghost Pupil was waiting there.
Everyone else seemed to remember something, and those who were prepared immediately returned to their carriages to change.
For those who had no other choice, they could only find a way to shorten their dresses.
The elegantly dressed, heavily made-up young ladies performed impromptu costume changes.
To become the Princess Consort, everyone was truly giving their all.
Chu Huaiyu also returned to her carriage and immediately began shortening her dress.
Xiao Ya said with resentment, "Prince Xuan is truly something. How could he come up with such a task? Who doesn't know our young lady is delicate and tender? How can she compete with those rough girls?"
"Xiao Ya, shut up." Chu Huaiyu's expression was calm, showing neither joy nor anger.
But Xiao Ya was still indignant, "Miss, you are so frail, how can you ride a horse over mountains and ridges? Why don't we go and plead with Prince Xuan? Let's not participate in this item, and directly participate in the next one, alright?"
"Or, Miss, you can talk to him and change the item? In terms of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, in which are our young lady not proficient?"
"Do you think Prince Xuan's tasks can be changed just like that?"
Chu Huaiyu finally finished preparing herself and alighted from the carriage.
Han Zhan still stood by, silent.
She walked up to Han Zhan and said softly, "I can do it. Don't worry about me."
Han Zhan seemed to be looking somewhere else. Hearing her words, he finally came back to his senses.
He merely nodded slightly and said faintly, "En."
Everyone finally finished preparing and returned to the open space in front of the forest.
However, Chu Qianli was still standing not far from Feng Ye Xuan, she still hadn't left.
Truly shameless!
Even the Emperor couldn't stand it any longer. "Old Master Qin, since today belongs to the young people, there is no need for Us and you to interfere. Why don't you accompany Us back to the palace for a cup of tea?"
This meant he would not concern himself with Chu Qianli's affairs.
He also hoped that Old Master Qin would not interfere further!