After a moment of stunned silence, Consort Yu said, "Are you referring to Miss Long Qianyue, the daughter of the Marquis of Dingbei, who later married into your Duke's mansion?"
Chu Qianli did not know, she had never seen a portrait of Long Qianyue.
Grandfather said that Qianyue disliked having her portrait taken, and was even strongly opposed to it.
Therefore, there were no遗像 (yíxiàng - posthumous portrait) of Long Qianyue in the mansion.
She didn't understand why before, but after she learned of Long Qianyue's identity, she understood.
Long Qianyue's identity forced her to keep herself hidden, and it was likely difficult for her to go out often.
As for Feng Yexuan being able to receive Long Qianyue's favor under such circumstances, it could be considered a form of destiny.
Consort Yu, unaware of her thoughts, simply smiled faintly and said, "It's not the young lady of the Long family. I've also heard of the young lady from the Long family, but she never attended royal banquets, so I've never seen her true face."
"Then the person in the painting..."
"She is just an old acquaintance of mine."
Consort Yu sighed softly and walked with her slowly to the backyard.
Everywhere were flowers and plants, and the fresh air slightly eased Chu Qianli's anxiety.
Consort Yu looked at the distant horizon and said softly, "We met many years ago, when I was not yet in the Northern Underworld Kingdom."
"Not in the Northern Underworld Kingdom?" Chu Qianli's heart stirred.
If it wasn't Long Qianyue she knew, then could it be... Long Xiyue?
Could she have known her mother in the past?
"When I was young, I was quite a wanderer of the martial world. Later, I met the Emperor who was traveling incognito, and that's how Wuya came to be."
Chu Qianli was willing to believe her words because she often dropped the term "this consort."
Indeed, she didn't seem like a consort who quietly fought for power in the harem.
No wonder there was always a hint of deep emotion in her brows.
So she was from the martial world.
"Even after giving birth to Wuya, I would still sneak out occasionally to wander the martial world."
However, the smile on Consort Yu's lips slowly disappeared.
"It wasn't until Wuya suddenly experienced severe chest pain and collapsed when he was young, and the imperial physicians diagnosed him with heart palpitations, that I finally stayed quietly in the palace to care for my son."
"So, the woman in the painting is a friend you met when you were wandering the martial world?"
"Friend?"
Consort Yu paused, her lips trembling slightly, as if she had something to say.
In the end, she did not speak it.
She nodded and smiled again, "You could say that."
"What... what is her name?" Chu Qianli asked tentatively.
Consort Yu looked at her with some confusion, "Why are you so interested in her affairs?"
Chu Qianli didn't know how to respond and could only make up a casual lie, "I just felt that the woman was very beautiful..."
Consort Yu suddenly stared at her, scrutinizing her more closely.
"What... what is it? Is there something on my face?" Chu Qianli calmed herself instantly, trying to appear composed.
"If Your Highness dislikes talking about the past, I won't bring it up."
Consort Yu continued to stare at her face.
Before, she hadn't thought much of it, but now, with her being linked to the woman in the painting, she suddenly realized, it seemed!
It really seemed!
Why did she look more and more alike?
Consort Yu shook her head, and after looking again, she still felt some resemblance.
However, too much time had passed, more than ten years, and the face in her memory had long since become blurred.
After a moment of thought, she withdrew her gaze and said in a low voice, "It's nothing, Little Li'er... you are also very beautiful."
But Chu Qianli knew that she had something on her mind.
Was the woman in the painting really Long Xiyue?
Did Consort Yu know Long Xiyue before she transformed into Long Qianyue?
She wasn't from the Northern Underworld Kingdom, so could she also be from the Dragon Ascent Kingdom?
However, Chu Qianli suddenly understood when Consort Yu stared at her just now.
Did she also feel that the woman in the painting bore some resemblance to her?
That's right, that was Chu Qianli's first impression when she saw the woman in the painting.
She also felt that the woman in the painting was very much like herself!
"Let's go sit under the pavilion." Consort Yu ordered someone to bring tea and snacks.
"You won't feel constrained here, will you?" Several lanterns were lit around the pavilion, and the light was not as bright as indoors.
Therefore, here, one's facial expressions and demeanor would not be particularly clear.
This would not give people a sense of oppression.
Chu Qianli's heart was still occupied by the two people in bed, so she had no leisure to chat with her.
However, she was indeed extremely curious about matters concerning Consort Yu and Long Xiyue.
She cared inexplicably about everything related to Long Xiyue.
She had no mother in both lifetimes, and Long Xiyue was at least the only mother she knew of.
"Your Highness..."
"The tea and snacks have arrived, Little Li'er, please try them." After Consort Yu had the palace maids place the tea and snacks down, she dismissed them.
Consort Yu looked at Chu Qianli and smiled, "Why are you still uncomfortable? Is my hospitality not good enough?"
"No..."
"Little Li'er, what do you think of our Wuya?" Consort Yu suddenly asked.
Chu Qianli was a little slow to react and didn't know what she meant by asking this.
She didn't overthink it, but truthfully replied, "He's a good person, just a bit too reserved and unwilling to interact with others."
In the end, Feng Wuya was somewhat autistic.
However, there was no concept of autism in ancient times.
"But I feel that when he is with you, he is not too reserved. I even saw him willing to smile at you."
"Perhaps I'm more suited to being a friend." Chu Qianli didn't overthink it.
Although Consort Yu's words sounded like she wanted to set her up with Feng Wuya.
But, let alone in ancient times, even in modern times, no elder would want their son to associate with their son's brother's woman.
This was even more so in ancient times.
A man like Feng Wuya, who was like an immortal, and whose status was extremely noble, Consort Yu would naturally seek a woman of exceptional standing to be his wife.
Most importantly, she had to be pure and chaste.
She was not suitable, nor did she have the qualifications.
Therefore, Chu Qianli didn't think much of it.
Consort Yu smiled and said, "Wuya has always disliked interacting with people since he was young. He only speaks more with one or two of his own brothers. Even when facing me..."
Consort Yu's words trailed off here, not continuing.
However, Chu Qianli could see the dimness in her eyes.
Was Consort Yu's relationship with Feng Wuya not good?
But from their previous interactions, they seemed to be very polite.
Consort Yu smiled again, "Our Wuya, in fact, has no attachments. To put it bluntly, he has no will to live..."
"Your Highness..."
"I'm serious. I truly hope someone can make him care, someone who can give him the motivation to live."
Consort Yu suddenly raised her hand and reached towards her.
Chu Qianli instinctively leaned aside, wanting to dodge.
Consort Yu smiled, "Why are you so careless? There's pastry on your hair. Don't move, I'll pick it off for you."