Unsure of what she saw in her dream, Chu Qianli suddenly reached out and grabbed Feng Wuya's arm.
Consort Yu was stunned. Her son, who detested any closeness from girls.
Although he had suffered from palpitations since childhood, his outstanding appearance had always made countless girls fall head over heels for him.
There were no shortage of girls who threw themselves at him.
Her son detested such behavior the most. He had once kicked a noble's daughter, who had deliberately stumbled towards him, into a pond, nearly drowning her.
Yet now, Chu Qianli was holding his arm, so intimately.
Not only did Feng Wuya not get angry and push her away, but he also gently soothed her, "It's alright, I'm here. I'll watch over you. Sleep peacefully."
The calming melody, though played with one hand, could still easily bring peace to one's mind.
Chu Qianli finally relaxed, her hand slowly sliding off his arm.
Consort Yu even saw her son pick up Chu Qianli's small hand and place it back on the long bench.
He then carefully covered her with his outer robe.
She had never seen such a gentle side to her son!
After an unknown amount of time, Chu Qianli's furrowed brows finally smoothed out completely.
She slept soundly.
Feng Wuya's long fingers, which had been resting on the strings, slowly retracted.
After circulating his energy for a period, his breath was slightly disturbed.
He coughed lightly and got up from Chu Qianli's side.
Suddenly, he sensed an unusual presence outside the pavilion.
Turning around, he saw Consort Yu standing outside the pavilion, staring at them blankly.
Fearing that Consort Yu might wake Chu Qianli, Feng Wuya placed the guqin on the stone table and tiptoed out.
"Mother Consort."
"You two..."
"Mother Consort, A'li just fell asleep. Shall we talk elsewhere?"
He was afraid that their conversation might wake Chu Qianli.
Consort Yu felt a complex mix of emotions.
She waved her hand, signaling the accompanying palace maids to step back.
She and Feng Wuya turned and walked towards another pavilion a little further away.
Tie Xin immediately ordered tea and refreshments to be brought.
Consort Yu noticed that her son looked back several times within moments of sitting down.
"Is Your Highness afraid the wind will blow on Miss Chu?" Consort Yu asked casually.
Feng Wuya, not suspecting anything, couldn't help but look back again and said faintly, "The bench is too narrow. I was just worried she might accidentally roll off."
If he were still under the pavilion, he could have saved A'li if she rolled off.
Now that they were so far apart, if she rolled off, she would truly fall to the ground.
She would inevitably get hurt.
"Wuya," Consort Yu said after a moment of silence, then tentatively asked, "How did you and Miss Chu meet? Why... are you alone together?"
Feng Wuya's gaze sharpened, and he finally realized.
Meeting Consort Yu's gaze, he calmly replied, "My fourth brother brought A'li to treat my illness. Through our interactions, we got acquainted."
"Today, Tie Xin must have seen that I was unwell and invited A'li over."
"She understands medicine?"
"Her medical skills are very good."
Consort Yu said nothing more, but like him, she raised her eyes and looked towards the figure under the distant pavilion.
She lay on the bench, and Consort Yu could not see her face clearly.
She had only heard of this Miss Chu Qianli but had never met her in person.
"I heard that today in the main hall, she voluntarily asked the Emperor to grant her a divorce. Now, she has no more connection with your fourth brother."
Feng Wuya did not understand the meaning of her words: "This son has also heard of this matter."
Such a significant event had instantly spread throughout the entire court, making it impossible not to know.
"So,"
Consort Yu looked at her son for a long time before deciding to get straight to the point: "Miss Chu is now a free woman. Wuya, do you like her?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Wuya was instantly taken aback.
Then, his face flushed, and he quickly explained, "Mother Consort, you misunderstand. My son and A'li are just friends. There is no romantic affection between us!"
"Moreover, A'li belongs to my fourth brother..."
"Didn't Mother Consort just say it? She has no more connection with your fourth brother. Wuya, if you truly like her..."
"Mother Consort, you have truly misunderstood this matter. My son has no improper thoughts about A'li."
Feng Wuya immediately stood up, feeling somewhat uneasy.
But he was still frank: "Mother Consort knows my condition. My life is not long, so how could I think about romantic matters? Wouldn't that harm the young lady?"
"Nonsense! My son is blessed with good fortune and will live a long life!"
Consort Yu's heart ached instantly, and she said urgently, "Wuya, from now on, you are not allowed to say such things. You are like any ordinary man. You can marry and have children, and grow old with your lady!"
Feng Wuya did not retort.
He knew that his words made his mother uncomfortable.
But he also knew his own body. Marriage and children were impossible.
Growing old together was even more out of reach, something he didn't even need to think about.
"Mother Consort, if I said the wrong thing, please don't be angry."
He looked back, his voice still calm: "A'li and my fourth brother..."
"They are divorced and have no relationship whatsoever."
However, Consort Yu did not pressure him, so she immediately changed her tone: "Regardless, it's good to have this young lady stay by your side, since she understands medicine."
Although she was also resistant to Chu Qianli's identity, this was fate.
Her son, who disliked any girl's closeness, cared so much for Chu Qianli. Thus, she had come to terms with it.
As long as her son was happy, she would give him whatever he wanted.
"Wuya, since Miss Chu is still resting, I will not disturb her for now. I will come again another day to have a good chat with her."
Feng Wuya did not try to stop her. After escorting her to the path, he hurried back to the lakeside pavilion.
Consort Yu looked back and could still see him bending down to pick up his outer robe from the ground and cover Chu Qianli with it again.
Even from a distance, she could clearly see her son's careful movements.
"Tie Xin," Consort Yu called out.
Tie Xin, responsible for seeing her out, quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Your subordinate is here."
Tie Xin was a little worried, fearing that Consort Yu would be angry.
After all, Chu Qianli's identity was indeed very awkward.
If possible, Tie Xin did not want to invite Chu Qianli.
However, when the Prince and Miss Chu were together, he was happy.
Besides Miss Chu, no one else could make the Prince happy. What should be done?
Before Tie Xin could prepare his response, he heard Consort Yu say in a deep voice, "From now on, invite Li'er over more often. Let her accompany Wuya more."
Tie Xin was stunned, wondering if he had misheard.
Did Consort Yu want to matchmake the Prince and Miss Chu?
But Miss Chu was... once the woman of Prince Xuan!
Wasn't that the most taboo thing in the palace?
Consort Yu glanced at him sideways and said faintly, "As long as Wuya likes it, I will give him whatever he wants."
Tie Xin thought about it and was instantly moved!
That's right, the Prince's happiness was the most important thing.
As long as the Prince liked it, he would pick the stars from the sky for him, let alone just a girl!
"Tie Xin, tell me, what does this Miss Chu like?"
"Replying to Your Ladyship, Miss Chu doesn't have any particular preferences, she just enjoys good food..."