Outside, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly echoed.
A group of people was rapidly approaching.
"Your Highness, Prince Yu and Prince He have arrived!" a guard reported.
Leng Ji was startled, his face changing: "Your Highness, this..."
Feng Yexuan's indifferent gaze interrupted his words.
Leng Ji remained deeply uneasy; the situation was now crystal clear.
As soon as the incident occurred, someone had immediately gone to inform Prince He and Prince Yu. This affair had been premeditated.
"Fourth Brother, I heard something happened to the Ping Yue County Princess," Prince Yu said as he dismounted, rushing into the small wooden hut.
Prince He arrived a step behind.
Seeing Chu Qianli, who was kneeling on the ground, desperately trying to save Long Ziyue with Liu Jin, his eyes darkened slightly.
"What does this mean? Who did this?" Prince He's voice was cold.
"It was... it was Chu Qianli..." Dan Qing, who had just regained consciousness, saw the two princes and felt as if she had found saviors.
She pushed Leng Ji aside and rushed to Prince He, kneeling before him: "Your Highness, both Your Highnesses, please, save our County Princess!"
Although Prince Yu could not clearly see Long Ziyue's condition, the pool of blood on the ground made the situation all too clear.
"Someone reported to Father Emperor that Chu Qianli murdered the Ping Yue County Princess. Fourth Brother, we must take Chu Qianli back with us now and imprison her in the celestial prison to await Father Emperor's judgment!"
The crime of murdering the Ping Yue County Princess was heinous, a matter that could instantly plunge two nations into conflict and could not be taken lightly!
Chu Qianli glanced at Liu Jin.
Liu Jin looked troubled; he might not be able to save the Ping Yue County Princess from her injuries.
But he understood Chu Qianli's meaning. Since the Emperor and the two princes had been alerted, it would be difficult for the two princes to explain to the Emperor if she were not taken back now.
However, the Ping Yue County Princess had to be personally cared for by Feng Yexuan. Otherwise, if she fell into the hands of the two princes, she would trust no one.
Liu Jin finally nodded.
Chu Qianli withdrew her silver needles, handed him a packet of medicine, and then stood up.
"Alright, I'll go back with you."
"Miss Chu!" Leng Ji was anxious.
"A'Li!" Fu Long was also anxious.
The crime of murdering the Ping Yue County Princess was a capital offense, one that could even implicate the entire Duke's Mansion.
If others were harmed, the Emperor might handle it discreetly for certain reasons.
But given the Ping Yue County Princess's status, that was impossible.
If Chu Qianli returned with them and fell into the Emperor's hands, her fate was uncertain.
No matter how much the Emperor valued talent, he would not destroy the hard-won diplomatic relations between two countries for the sake of one woman.
Leng Ji immediately looked at Feng Yexuan: "Your Highness, this matter has not yet been investigated, and Miss Chu..."
"Very well, Chu Qianli will go back with you. I will take the Ping Yue County Princess back for treatment."
Feng Yexuan glanced at Liu Jin.
Liu Jin immediately picked up Long Ziyue.
"Hold on!" Prince Yu stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Father Emperor has ordered that the Ping Yue County Princess be sent back to the palace. Even for treatment, the palace has imperial physicians."
"I said, I will take the person back to my manor. No one is allowed to stop me!"
Feng Yexuan rarely showed such resolve in front of the two of them, but this time, he was completely unyielding.
"Prince Xuan, you cannot..." Dan Qing had no confidence in him at all now.
His heart clearly leaned towards Chu Qianli. What was the difference between the County Princess falling into his hands or Chu Qianli's?
Although she still did not understand why Chu Qianli would want to kill the County Princess, everyone had witnessed that she was the murderer.
But this time, Feng Yexuan clearly gave no room for negotiation.
With a wave of his long sleeve, a surge of powerful palm wind swept everyone in front of him aside.
Prince Yu couldn't help but retreat several steps.
Prince He's eyes darkened, and he voluntarily stepped back.
Feng Yexuan, with Liu Jin carrying Long Ziyue, left with the Xuan Prince Manor entourage.
Leaving Chu Qianli alone in this place.
How familiar was this scene?
"A'Li..." Fu Long was torn.
He was worried about A'Li, but he also wanted to see the Ping Yue County Princess.
Just now, the Ping Yue County Princess's complexion, he had seen it with his own eyes, it seemed... it seemed there was no hope of saving her.
"I didn't harm her. A clear conscience fears no slander. You don't need to worry about me."
Chu Qianli walked towards Prince Yu.
Prince He's face darkened: "Come with me!"
"I'll go back with Prince Yu," she said with a faint smile, looking at Prince Yu: "Please."
Prince Yu glanced at Feng Qihe, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, then smiled faintly and said, "Miss Chu, then... please excuse me!"
"Guards, apprehend her!"
"Second Brother!" Feng Qihe stepped forward but could only watch as Prince Yu's men placed handcuffs on Chu Qianli!
These handcuffs and chains, weighing over ten catties, were not something an ordinary young woman could bear!
Chu Qianli had not expected that having her hands shackled would be so uncomfortable.
Especially since Prince Yu's men were escorting her, not giving her a moment's rest, and pushing her along.
Just walking out of the small wooden hut, several times, the chains were pulled, and Chu Qianli almost fell to the ground.
Prince Yu glanced at her, then looked at Feng Qihe and said with a smile, "Eldest Brother, in that case, I will take the prisoner Chu Qianli back to see Father Emperor first!"
He leaped onto his horse, personally holding the chain that bound Chu Qianli, and spurred his horse: "Giddy up!"
The horse immediately galloped away.
This action was beyond everyone's expectations.
It was too cruel for a young woman!
Chu Qianli had not expected it either.
Pulled by him like this, she immediately fell to the ground. Fortunately, she quickly sprang up.
But she could only chase after the horse, narrowly avoiding falling again.
However, she still had the strength now to chase the horse for a distance.
Once her strength was depleted, she would not be able to keep up!
She would be dragged by Prince Yu, all the way.
"A'Li!" Fu Long, disregarding everything else, chased after them: "Prince Yu, before the matter is investigated, A'Li is not a prisoner. You cannot treat her this way!"
"A suspect is half a criminal. Why can't I?" Prince Yu had no intention of stopping.
Fu Long continued to chase behind.
Seeing Chu Qianli using her Qinggong, his face turned pale, and he became even more anxious: "A'Li, you are injured internally?"
Chu Qianli could not speak.
She had been struck by a palm from a black-clothed man last night and was already injured.
Now, using Qinggong required internal energy, worsening her injuries. She could not hold on much longer.
This Prince Yu, how cruel his heart was!
Looking like a gentle and courteous person, she never expected him to be so wicked at heart.
"Ugh..." Distracted for a moment, Chu Qianli's mouth opened, and a mouthful of blood gushed out.
"A'Li!" Fu Long's hand instinctively went to his waist, almost drawing his sword!
"Fu Long!" Chu Qianli, while chasing Prince Yu's horse, called out hoarsely, "Go back and watch Ziyue. Make sure Liu Jin saves her! Otherwise, no one will clear my name!"