Xiao Ya was still left outside the gates of Wuzhou Yuan.
She had only entered this Wuzhou Yuan once, and even then, she was confined to the front courtyard.
Chu Qianli, that deceased maid, seemed to have entered several times.
Xiao Ya naturally harbored resentment. This reflected her young lady's current standing with the Prince, which was temporarily inferior to Chu Qianli's.
However, she believed she would be able to enter soon!
As for Chu Huaiyu, she had followed Feng Yexuan inside and was now waiting for tea in the side hall.
Leng Ji had gone out to investigate matters.
"You want to return to the Duke's Mansion?" Chu Huaiyu's intention surprised Feng Yexuan somewhat.
Chu Huaiyu stood up and inclined her body towards him.
"Sit and talk," Feng Yexuan glanced at her, clearly showing some impatience.
Chu Huaiyu saw this hint of impatience very clearly.
Was he afraid that she would be unwell later and refuse to leave?
Chu Huaiyu's heart was filled with more thoughts at this moment, but before Feng Yexuan, she remained the gentle and charming girl.
She sat back down in her chair and said softly, "I have been troubling you at the Prince's mansion for many days, and it is indeed not appropriate to continue staying."
Feng Yexuan remained silent, his face showing no emotion.
Chu Huaiyu added, "After all, I have no formal title..."
"This Prince has never promised you any title, and this Prince has never concealed this from you."
Therefore, if she intended to use this to coerce him, she could pack her belongings and return to the Duke's Mansion immediately!
"Your Highness misunderstands," Chu Huaiyu smiled faintly, though her smile carried a hint of bitterness.
"Your Highness must also be aware of Huaiyu's feelings."
"You should also be very clear about this Prince's feelings." His words were strong and unyielding! "This Prince has no interest in you."
Chu Huaiyu lowered her head, biting her lip.
Prince Xuan's words were too harsh and hurtful.
But he had indeed expressed himself very clearly from beginning to end.
He had even reminded her several times that if she was well, she should return to the mansion.
"It was Huaiyu who was foolishly infatuated before. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness. Huaiyu has now understood clearly, Your Highness's heart has never rested upon Huaiyu."
This statement, however, caused Feng Yexuan to look at her with a trace more doubt.
It was not like her usual behavior.
Just then, a servant brought tea and snacks, temporarily easing the awkward atmosphere.
Chu Huaiyu adjusted her mood before raising her eyes again, meeting his still cold and unfeeling gaze.
"Your Highness, I know your heart belongs only to my fifth sister."
"It has nothing to do with you."
The topic was once again completely shut down by Feng Yexuan.
Chu Huaiyu sighed inwardly.
He was truly not someone one could converse with. Or rather, she was not the one he was willing to talk to.
She sighed softly, "I truly know my mistake now."
Feng Yexuan did not respond to this, and as expected, she had to continue finding topics herself.
"A forced melon is not sweet. Your Highness, although Huaiyu truly likes Your Highness..."
Feng Yexuan's expression indeed became more impatient.
Chu Huaiyu remained composed, pretending not to see, and continued, "However, Huaiyu also knows that continuing to pester you will only make Your Highness detest me."
"Huaiyu has truly come to her senses. All the past care can be considered as Your Highness repaying the kindness of my mother. Now, this kindness is repaid."
"From now on, Your Highness owes Huaiyu nothing!"
She still stood up, picked up the cup, and held it with both hands. "Your Highness, Huaiyu offers this tea in place of wine. After drinking this cup, we will be just friends, nothing more, alright?"
The word "friends" still made Feng Yexuan somewhat resistant.
He did not need so-called friends, especially not a woman.
However, he did not agree with what she said.
"This Prince owes Madam Long, and will repay it in the future."
However, it was a good thing that Chu Huaiyu could come to her senses.
After all, she was the daughter of Long Qianyue. As long as she did not do evil, he would uphold the promise made at Long Qianyue's grave and protect her for life.
"When do you wish to return to the mansion? This Prince will send you back."
Chu Huaiyu finally saw that Prince Xuan's gaze towards her no longer carried a hint of disgust.
She coughed, wanting to speak, but couldn't help but cough a couple more times.
As if afraid he would misunderstand, after coughing, she quickly said, "I... I didn't intentionally pretend to be sick. I'm fine, really. My illness is cured. Mr. Liu Jin also knows. I really... cough! I'm really cured."
Perhaps it was due to genuine anxiety, the more anxious she became, the more disordered her breathing, and the more severe her cough.
Feng Yexuan frowned slightly and said indifferently, "Someone! Summon Liu Jin here."
"No, no need. I was just too anx... anxious, cough, cough cough... I'm really just... anxious..."
Chu Huaiyu was so flustered that she could barely hold the cup in her hand.
Her face was filled with unease. "Your Highness, there's no need to call Liu Jin. No... cough! I'm really fine. Let me... catch my breath... catch my breath..."
She turned around, covering her face, trying to calm her breathing.
Feng Yexuan waved his hand, calling back the guard who was about to summon Liu Jin.
After a while, Chu Huaiyu finally managed to catch her breath.
After taking a few sips of tea, she finally stopped coughing.
However, when she looked back at Feng Yexuan, her face was still flushed red.
"I was just too nervous. My body is really fine now."
After coughing like that, her voice was now hoarse.
However, even Feng Yexuan could see this time that the severity of her cough was largely due to nervousness and anxiety.
Chu Huaiyu let out a long sigh, then forced a smile. "I'll go back immediately..."
"Leave tomorrow. This Prince will send you off."
Feng Yexuan waved his hand. "Go back and rest."
Chu Huaiyu dared not question him and quickly said, "Alright, I'll rest for another day, and I'll leave tomorrow morning. In the future, I hope I can still be Your Highness's friend."
She inclined her body, and before Feng Yexuan could respond, she turned and left.
This time, she left decisively, without any trace of the feigned weakness she had previously created.
Instead, Feng Yexuan watched her departing back with a hint of doubt.
After she left, Feng Yexuan ordered someone to summon Liu Jin.
Liu Jin roughly described Chu Huaiyu's condition: "She has indeed recovered well, but after all, the poisoning was too deep. Residual toxins remain in her internal organs, requiring slow conditioning."
He looked at Feng Yexuan, somewhat surprised. "Your Highness said she voluntarily proposed to return to the mansion and wants to leave today?"
Feng Yexuan nodded faintly, picked up his cup, and drank tea without speaking.
Liu Jin, however, was puzzled. "Isn't this Miss Chu always wanting to stay in the mansion? Why is she in such a hurry to leave when she's not yet recovered?"
This did not align with Chu Huaiyu's usual behavior!
When she was perfectly fine before, she would feign illness to gain the Prince's sympathy.
Now, with all her ailments, she wanted to leave?
What was her plan this time?