The third young lady of the Marquis's mansion was dragged away.
Her desolate cries could still be heard along the way.
She was originally a pampered young lady, spoiled since birth.
Now, not only was her face disfigured, but she was also to be whipped thirty times, and her very body would be ruined.
From a favored daughter of heaven to a cripple, it happened in an instant…
Everyone now looked at Prince Xuan, and no one dared to utter another word.
Even Chu Feiyan instinctively shut her mouth.
She felt a greater sense of fear towards Feng Yexuan.
Long Ziyue also felt a bit uneasy.
She had only heard before that Prince Xuan was cold-hearted and unfeeling, but now she had witnessed it firsthand.
She gently tugged at Chu Qianli's sleeve, hinting that she should not say anything more in front of the Prince, lest she suffer undeserved disaster.
This man was truly not to be trifled with!
Chu Qianli, however, remained calm, perhaps the most composed among all the young ladies present.
Feng Yexuan had avenged her, yet she hadn't even uttered a word of thanks.
It seemed she felt it was all natural and had nothing to do with her.
Feng Yexuan no longer looked at anyone else. He walked to the jade chair prepared by Leng Ji, sat down, picked up the cup, and savored the fragrant tea within.
Feng Wuya glanced at Chu Qianli, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Chu Qianli, however, smiled at him, conveying with her eyes that she was unharmed.
Unexpectedly, after this smile, as she withdrew her gaze, her line of sight accidentally collided with the cold, piercing gaze cast by Feng Yexuan.
Instantly, even her blood felt several degrees colder.
She quickly withdrew her gaze, no longer looking at him.
This man was capricious; it was best to provoke him as little as possible.
Regardless, as long as she lost the competition tonight, there would be no further entanglements in the future.
Feng Wuya walked over and sat beside Feng Yexuan. He took the tea offered by a guard, but did not drink it, merely playing with the cup.
After the two princes were seated, Leng Ji walked to the front of the crowd and announced loudly, "Tonight's competition content is hunting."
Among the young ladies, some began to sob softly.
It was truly hunting!
Entering the hunting grounds at this time was too dangerous!
Why was the Prince so unfeeling towards the ladies?
Leng Ji paid no heed and continued to announce the competition's rules: "You are not allowed to come out before dawn."
"What?" The young ladies exclaimed in unison!
"Staying inside for a whole night, we might… might be bitten to death by wild beasts!"
"It's so dangerous, what if we encounter large wild beasts?"
"What if our faces get injured?"
"Waa, I don't want to go in, I don't want to… boohoo…"
Leng Ji gave them ample time to cry and fuss.
When everyone had made enough noise, he continued, "After dawn, come out, and whoever hunts a good prey will determine the winner by the size of the prey."
Someone finally couldn't hold back, collapsed onto the ground, and burst into tears: "Why is it like this? Why?"
"We are merely weak women, why treat us like this? Boohoo…"
"Your Highness, please, please don't do this, boohoo…"
Those who didn't know might think Prince Xuan had done something to them.
However, staying in the hunting grounds for a night was undoubtedly a matter of life and death.
They did not want to die.
Long Ziyue was also a little worried.
Although the roars of wild beasts sounded quite distant, the hunting grounds were not enclosed, and it was not impossible for large beasts to wander into this area.
She walked to Chu Qianli's side, organizing her quiver, and whispered, "After we go in, don't leave my side."
"What? You're scared and need my protection?" Chu Qianli smiled lightly.
Long Ziyue almost rolled her eyes at her: "I'm afraid you'll be in danger. My archery and riding skills are top-notch."
She expected Chu Qianli to retort, but instead, she said with utmost seriousness, "Alright, I will follow you."
This made Long Ziyue feel a bit awkward: "Actually, my riding and archery skills aren't that good, it's just… just a little bit good…"
"I believe you."
Several young ladies withdrew from the competition on the spot.
Although the temptation to become Princess Xuan was very, very great, they preferred to choose life over it.
After all, they were all young ladies raised in boudoirs since childhood, and not everyone knew archery and riding.
Most only knew qin, go, calligraphy, and painting, and had no strength to even lift a chicken.
Feng Wuya glanced at Chu Qianli, who was still preparing, and couldn't help but say, "Fourth Brother, why isn't it that we come out after hitting the prey? Staying inside for the entire night is indeed… too dangerous."
With too much time, they might encounter attacks from fierce beasts.
"I did not force them to participate in the selection. If they dare not face it, they can withdraw now."
Feng Yexuan remained unmoved, his coldness and detachment inspiring fear.
Feng Wuya knew that few could change his mind once his fourth brother had made a decision.
He could only stop speaking.
Leng Ji, however, explained, "The Prince has lived on the battlefield for many years. In the future, if he chooses a Princess Xuan, she may have to follow the Prince on campaigns."
"If the chosen Princess is too weak, she will not be able to fight alongside the Prince. Then… she would not be qualified to be the Prince's Princess."
His voice was not very loud, but the young ladies could all hear it.
Some of them were invigorated by this, becoming stronger.
The Prince wanted a Princess who could fight alongside him; the Prince did not want a delicate and weak girl!
Therefore, they had to improve their skills!
In the future, they could fight with the Prince and also receive the admiration of the people alongside Prince Xuan!
Just thinking about it made them excited.
Before everyone entered, Leng Ji laid down a few instructions:
First, if you are afraid of danger, do not stray far from the exit of the hunting grounds. Staying nearby, you might still be able to hunt prey; the most important thing is safety.
Second, there will be guards patrolling inside tonight, but they will not venture too deep. As long as you do not go too far, there should not be significant safety issues.
Third, if you wish to hunt larger prey in the interior, then take care of your own safety. They will not be responsible for any incidents that occur.
Finally, the young ladies entered.
Chu Qianli and Long Ziyue indeed walked together.
"You've been to the hunting grounds before. What is the environment like where the large beasts are?" Long Ziyue asked.
"A bit terrifying," Chu Qianli replied, riding her horse beside her and glancing at her.
"Your gaze towards Prince Xuan is not one of the fervent admiration like the other girls. Is your strong desire to become Princess Xuan due to the current difficult situation of Prince Ding?"
Long Ziyue was taken aback, not expecting her to directly state her purpose.
After a while, she nodded: "Yes, my mother instructed me that I must gain Prince Xuan's help."
"If you can take me back to see your mother, perhaps I can help you as well."
"Why?" Long Ziyue was surprised. They were quite far from the exit here.
No one else could hear their conversation.
Long Ziyue finally voiced the doubt in her heart: "Why do you want to approach my mother in every possible way? Who… who exactly are you?"