Leng Ji led his men to the beast zone to search for Long Ziyue.
Chu Qianli was thrown out of the hunting zone and ordered to return to her residence.
Due to Long Ziyue's disappearance, the selection大会 for the Xuan Prince's Consort was announced to be suspended.
The young ladies no longer needed to stay at Yuhua Palace and were to return to their respective residences.
They would only return to Yuhua Palace to participate when the competition resumed.
Chu Qianli was also escorted back to the Duke's mansion by guards. Although she was very anxious, the Prince had given a strict order forbidding her from going to the hunting grounds to search for him.
If she went now, she would be disobeying his command.
Chu Qianli was not afraid of defying Feng Yexuan. In fact, how many times had she defied him since they met?
However, the Xuan Prince's men were currently wholeheartedly searching for Long Ziyue.
If a portion of their strength was diverted to stop her, it would inevitably weaken their search efforts.
"Miss, please don't worry. Eldest Brother has also brought the Iron Cavalry to the beast zone to search for people. They will definitely find Princess Pingyue soon."
Fu Ning had no other recourse and could only comfort her.
Chu Qianli did not speak. After alighting from the carriage, she was about to head towards Liyuan.
But as she took a step, she suddenly caught a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance.
It was a very light medicinal scent. Because it was some distance away, by the time it reached her nose, most of the fragrance had already dissipated.
However, she had always been sensitive to medicinal smells. Even though it was very faint, she could still vaguely detect it.
Was this the same scent she had smelled earlier by the cliff on the mountaintop?
Chu Qianli frowned, looked up, and saw Xiao Ya supporting Chu Huaiyu as she alighted from the carriage.
Han Zhan stood guard beside them.
This medicinal scent…
Chu Qianli suddenly quickened her pace, sniffing intently.
The medicinal scent was coming from Chu Huaiyu!
Chu Qianli's expression darkened, and she angrily said, "Chu Huaiyu, where were you last night?"
Chu Huaiyu seemed startled and immediately retreated, hiding in Han Zhan's embrace.
"What do you mean? Are you trying to bully our Miss again!" Xiao Ya was both angry and fearful of Chu Qianli.
She had almost been killed by this crazy woman last time, and she still felt lingering fear whenever she saw her.
However, she couldn't let her bully their Miss so easily!
"Chu Huaiyu, I ask you, were you near the edge of the beast zone last night?"
"I don't know." Chu Huaiyu looked up at Han Zhan, seemingly seeking protection.
Han Zhan's gaze fell on Chu Qianli. As she was about to approach Chu Huaiyu again, he raised his hand and blocked her.
He didn't use too much force, but he still managed to stop Chu Qianli.
"What is it?" he asked, trying to keep his tone calm.
Ever since that night with Chu Huaiyu, seeing Chu Qianli again made Han Zhan's heart feel as if it were being twisted by a knife.
But now, he could only tell himself that Chu Qianli and he were long past any connection.
No matter what he was thinking in his heart, he had to protect Chu Huaiyu first.
Huaiyu was his only responsibility in this life.
"I just want to ask where she went last night."
Chu Qianli stared at Chu Huaiyu's face, her eyes deep: "Were you anywhere near the beast zone?"
"I don't know." Chu Huaiyu clutched Han Zhan's sleeve, her gaze towards Chu Qianli filled with meekness.
"I know Princess Pingyue is missing, and everyone suspects you, but you can't frame me to clear your name."
She looked at Han Zhan, her voice hoarse, "I'm not familiar with the terrain, and I don't know where I went while chasing prey. Han Zhan, I want to go back."
Han Zhan nodded, his gaze towards Chu Qianli filled with a warning: "Your matters have nothing to do with Huaiyu. If you have any suspicions, please go to Prince Xuan."
"You can't leave!" Chu Qianli stepped forward, blocking their path.
Han Zhan said unhappily, "Huaiyu is not like you, involved with so many people. She is just honestly participating in the competition. Why can't you let her go?"
She wouldn't let Chu Huaiyu go?
Chu Qianli's expression turned grim.
This Han Zhan's eyes were becoming increasingly blind. His ability to discern people was truly not to be complimented.
"Please move aside!" Han Zhan pushed her.
Chu Qianli lost her balance and almost fell to the ground.
Han Zhan protected Chu Huaiyu and left.
Xiao Ya followed behind them, turning back to glare fiercely at them, then smiling dismissively.
How could this slut compete with their Miss?
Didn't she know that Han Zhan only had their Miss in his heart?
"Miss, do you really think Chu Huaiyu is involved?"
Fu Ning walked to Chu Qianli's side and asked in a low voice.
"Since I've already alerted the snake, I'll know soon if she's involved." Chu Qianli's expression was somber.
She had deliberately alerted the snake, and it was for a reason.
Chu Huaiyu would definitely come to find her.
Fu Ning didn't understand, but since Chu Qianli didn't want to say, there was no point in asking.
That night, Chu Qianli found an excuse to send Fu Ning away, remaining alone in her room.
Chu Huaiyu did indeed come.
"If you want to know where Long Ziyue is, then follow me."
With those words, Chu Huaiyu immediately headed towards the back mountain.
But Chu Huaiyu soon discovered that Chu Qianli was not following her.
She walked towards the back mountain alone, like a fool.
After walking for a long time, she realized she was still alone!
This slut! How dare she play a trick on her!
Chu Huaiyu immediately turned back. This time, she didn't go directly to find Chu Qianli, as she didn't know if Chu Qianli had set a trap or an ambush.
She used her Qinggong and quickly landed on the roof of Chu Qianli's room.
Chu Qianli was reading a book, engrossed in it.
Chu Huaiyu carefully observed the surroundings and, seeing no ambush, lightly landed at the door and pushed it open!
"Slut! Don't you want to know her whereabouts?"
"Would you tell me easily?" Chu Qianli did not put down the book in her hand. She glanced at Chu Huaiyu, seemingly not very concerned.
Chu Huaiyu walked in. Her usual gentleness was now replaced by coldness, and the undisguised killing intent in her eyes.
"I thought you were really good friends with Princess Pingyue. I didn't expect your concern was all fake."
"Whether I'm good friends with her or not is none of your business."
Chu Qianli looked at her and sneered, "But I know very well that you invited me out just to frame me. Why should I listen to you and jump into the trap myself?"
Chu Huaiyu's face immediately darkened again.
She hadn't expected this slut to be so clever!
"Even if you knew it was a trap, would you really dare not come?"
She slowly retreated, saying, "Slut, if you don't come, tonight I will cut off her hand and send it to you!"
"Is that so?"
Chu Qianli's thin lips curved into a smile as she looked at Chu Huaiyu and said, "In that case, then... I'll cut off your hand first!"