Feng Qihe left, taking Chu Qianli's portrait with him.
He did not permit Chu Qianli to participate in the selection.
His attitude was so resolute!
The Empress watched her son's retreating back until he was far away, yet she still couldn't snap out of her daze.
What… what did this mean?
Chu Qianli was participating in the selection for the Xuan King's consort, why was her He'er so angry?
This… this was clearly…
"Nanny Ni, Nanny Ni, what's wrong with He'er? He… he and Chu Qianli…"
"Your Majesty, please calm yourself."
Nanny Ni took her hand and led her back to sit on the chair.
Nanny Ni glanced again in the direction He Wang had left. Although equally shocked, she was far calmer than the Empress.
"I fear that Prince He also views that woman named Chu Qianli differently."
"That's impossible! How can that be? That woman is a discarded wife that the Xuan King no longer wants! How can my He'er like such a wilted flower!"
The Empress was almost scared to death.
Her son was so outstanding and noble; he could like any woman, and she could find a way to bring them to him.
But her son had never been interested in women; women were merely tools for him to vent his desires.
Yet now, he was actually angry because Chu Qianli was participating in the selection for the Xuan King's consort?
"That woman is truly shameless, going back on her word, and utterly despicable!"
The Empress looked at Nanny Ni, still feeling a bit uneasy. "When did Prince He get involved with Chu Qianli? Quickly send someone to investigate!"
Nanny Ni nodded. "Yes!"
The Empress clutched her handkerchief, her face grim.
Even if it was just for fun, she would never let Chu Qianli get close to He'er.
That dirty woman, who knew how many men she had slept with.
How could she let her defile her son?
If Chu Qianli dared to provoke He'er again, she would definitely kill without mercy!
...
One night passed in the blink of an eye.
When Han Zhan woke up, the sky had already brightened.
Before he even opened his eyes, he heard a young woman sobbing softly not far from him.
"Li'er!"
Had he done something foolish last night?
In his memory, he had held Chu Qianli in his arms, but he couldn't recall what happened afterward.
"Li… Huaiyu?"
Upon clearly seeing the young woman sitting on his bed, Han Zhan jolted and sat up abruptly.
His head ached terribly!
His whole body felt unwell.
But none of it compared to the shock, and… despair, he felt upon seeing her.
Chu Huaiyu was in his bed!
Her clothes were clearly thrown on haphazardly, her attire disheveled. Most terrifyingly… her clothes were torn!
How could it be her? How could this have happened?
"Wuwu…" Chu Huaiyu hugged her legs, curled up into a ball.
Looking at Han Zhan, her eyes were already red and swollen from crying.
"Huaiyu, I… what did I do to you?" Han Zhan still held a sliver of hope.
Even though he knew it was impossible.
Chu Huaiyu said nothing. She merely looked at him, then at the bedsheet, before burying her face in her knees and sobbing softly.
Han Zhan followed her gaze to the bedsheet.
On the sheet, a few crimson bloodstains stung his eyes.
He had actually done such a beastly thing to her!
Although he had drunk too much, and couldn't remember what happened afterward.
However, these few drops of blood, her current state… with the facts laid bare, what else was there to argue?
He had been foolish while drunk and committed such a monstrous act!
All the light in Han Zhan's eyes vanished instantly upon seeing those drops of blood.
His vision was now dim.
Chu Huaiyu clutched the hem of her clothes, a flash of anger in her eyes.
He was disappointed!
Why should he be disappointed!
Hadn't he always liked her?
Did he truly have no lingering feelings for her now that he had Chu Qianli in his heart?
She didn't believe it!
"Han Zhan, we… this has happened, what should we do? If Father finds out, he'll beat me to death! He still wants me to be the Xuan King's consort."
Chu Huaiyu withdrew her gaze filled with hatred and said hoarsely, "What about me? What am I going to do?"
She cried and moved closer to Han Zhan, hugging his arm.
"Han Zhan, I… I have disappointed Father. I am not a good daughter."
Han Zhan's mind was in turmoil.
Half guilt, half disappointment filled his heart.
But since it had happened, no matter how disappointed he was, he had to take responsibility.
"Don't cry, I… I will go and propose to the Grand Tutor immediately."
"No!" Chu Huaiyu shook her head violently, crying even more profusely.
"It won't do. Father wants me to participate in the selection for the Xuan King's consort. I can't… If I don't become the Xuan King's consort, Father will definitely beat me to death, wuwu…"
In the past, Han Zhan would have doted on her and coaxed her whenever she cried.
But now, looking at her tears, Han Zhan only felt annoyed and restless.
However, having done this, as a man, he had to shoulder his responsibility.
"This is my fault. I will personally apologize to the Grand Tutor."
"You can't, Han Zhan. Even if not for myself, I must consider Father."
Chu Huaiyu moved closer again.
Han Zhan subconsciously wanted to pull away.
Chu Huaiyu's eyes darkened, and she gripped his arm even tighter, even subtly pressing her body against his arm.
"The Duke's estate has lost its influence. My father is bullied relentlessly in court. Only if I become the Xuan King's consort can my father hold his head high."
"You are already my person, how can you still go and participate in the consort selection?"
"As long as you don't say anything, no one will know."
"You…" Han Zhan looked at the bloodstains on the bedsheet and suddenly felt disgusted.
"By doing this, you are deceiving the Xuan King!"
Chu Huaiyu bit her lip, looking at him with tear-filled eyes. "For the Duke's estate, for Father, I am willing to sacrifice everything."
"Han Zhan, if you truly care for me, don't say anything about today. I… I will find a way."
Her voice gradually became gentler.
Her body also moved closer to him. "Han Zhan, I am yours, and I will always be yours. Even if I marry the Xuan King, I will still be yours."
"You will protect me and cherish me for a lifetime, won't you?"
Han Zhan pursed his lips, his heart ashen.
After a long while, he said, "I will take responsibility."
Chu Huaiyu could clearly see his reluctance.
But what did it matter? She knew Han Zhan's personality better than anyone.
Having done this to her, no matter who he had in his heart now, he could only support her from now on.
Don't be angry, don't lose composure.
What she wanted was to firmly grasp him.
With time, his heart would eventually return to her.
"Han Zhan, do you want me?"
Chu Huaiyu leaned into him. "I am already yours. From now on, whatever you want to do to me…"
"It's dawn."
Han Zhan, however, rolled off the bed.
Although he refused, his attitude was even gentler than before. "Tidy yourself up, I'll escort you back."
His gaze drifted towards the window.
The sunlight outside was bright, but his life, from this day forward, was already shrouded in darkness…