Yu Linglong's expression changed instantly. "What does it have to do with you?"
After thinking for a moment, although Yu Linglong was unwilling, she managed a dismissive smile.
At least, this wretched woman in front of her had also failed!
It wasn't just her alone who had failed!
"You know Ye Xuan struck me with a palm, so do you also know why he did it?"
She absolutely refused to suffer alone.
Since she was suffering, she had to drag Chu Qianli down with her!
"It was because I injured Chu Huaiyu that he struck me. He never struck me for your sake! Chu Qianli, do you know that in his heart, you are completely inferior to Chu Huaiyu?"
But Chu Qianli didn't care at all. Her gaze remained as cool and indifferent as ever.
"Since you know that the one blocking your path wasn't me, but Chu Huaiyu, then go trouble Chu Huaiyu. What's the point of provoking me?"
Yu Linglong raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't it be interesting? Seeing you in distress makes me incredibly happy!"
Shared sorrow is better than solitary sorrow.
Chu Qianli looked at her calmly.
Yu Linglong sneered, "You don't need to pretend to be calm. In fact, you're suffering immensely in your heart. I know it."
"You're mistaken. I truly am not suffering."
There was no hint of mockery in Chu Qianli's eyes. From beginning to end, her gaze towards Yu Linglong was as placid as water.
Essentially, it held no emotion whatsoever.
Her gaze shifted from Yu Linglong's face to her shoulder.
She said indifferently, "Do you really think the Prince struck you because you harmed Chu Huaiyu?"
"If not for Chu Huaiyu, then for you?" Yu Linglong snorted coldly.
Chu Qianli was unfazed by her sarcasm.
"Yu Linglong, you were a very intelligent person before. At least, when I knew you, your intelligence and talent were among the best for women."
"What do you mean?" The smile on Yu Linglong's lips gradually disappeared.
"Why did he injure your shoulder blade specifically, and nowhere else?"
Chu Qianli turned and walked slowly in another direction.
"Think about it yourself. As for me, I don't care who he did it for. Please don't bother me."
Yu Linglong chased after her.
She was unwilling!
"Impossible! He couldn't possibly have done it to avenge you! If he liked you that much, why would he let you be a concubine!"
"Chu Qianli, do you think you can hurt me like this? Don't be smug, I won't believe it!"
But her voice gradually grew fainter.
The determination in her eyes also slowly faded.
The night before that day, she had met Chu Qianli in the palace and struck her.
Chu Qianli's shoulder blade had already been injured. After being struck by her, the injury was clearly severe, and her face had turned pale.
Yet, that night, Feng Ye Xuan had clearly ignored Chu Qianli.
However, that night, she had used her bewitching guqin music on Chu Huaiyu, and Feng Ye Xuan had already destroyed her guqin with a palm strike.
It could be considered revenge for Chu Huaiyu.
The next day was inexplicable.
If it were truly for Chu Huaiyu, he should have struck harder at that moment.
Moreover, holding a grudge and seeking revenge the next day wasn't Feng Ye Xuan's usual style of doing things.
Him seeking revenge on me the next day... it was obvious he wanted to avenge someone, but didn't want that person to know...
The more Yu Linglong thought about it, the more distressed she became.
She suddenly felt a deep sense of resentment.
If she was inferior to Chu Huaiyu in Feng Ye Xuan's heart, so be it.
After all, Chu Huaiyu was Long Qianyue's daughter.
Moreover, Chu Huaiyu was also one of the three great talents of the imperial city, on par with herself!
Considering everything, Chu Huaiyu's qualifications were indeed depressingly superior!
But how could she be inferior even to Chu Qianli?
The daughter of a mere singing girl!
She absolutely refused to believe it!
"Chu Qianli..."
"Miss Yu? What are you doing here?"
Feng Mingzhu emerged from somewhere, glanced at her, and then chased after Chu Qianli.
"Little Li'er, wait up, hey! I have something to tell you, Little Li'er..."
Yu Linglong was left behind by them.
With Feng Mingzhu here, she could only swallow her words.
Feng Mingzhu caught up to Chu Qianli and patted her shoulder. "What's wrong? You didn't even respond when I called you."
"You are a princess of the royal family. I don't have much need to interact with you," Chu Qianli said indifferently and distantly.
Feng Mingzhu glanced at her, a hint of grievance in her voice. "At least I was trying to help you just now. Although I couldn't help much, it's because I have no power or influence, so you really can't blame me."
"But I tried, Little Li'er. Can you stop being so cold to me? I just want to be friends with you."
"I'm sorry, I have no intention of making friends." Chu Qianli remained very cold.
Feng Mingzhu pouted, looking wronged. "Do you think I'm useless, that even the title of 'talented woman' was bought with money? So, you look down on me like everyone else?"
Chu Qianli paused and looked back at her, almost wanting to laugh.
"Bought with money?"
"You don't know?" Feng Mingzhu's smile returned instantly, and she ran over. "It can't be helped. Who told me I'm not good at anything and yet value appearances!"
But telling others that she bought the title of a talented woman with money, was that really valuing appearances?
Chu Qianli was somewhat speechless.
However, this Princess Feng Mingzhu was indeed different from other royal women.
She wasn't annoying at all.
It's just...
"Most people who get close to me end up with no good outcome. If you want to stay out of trouble, I advise you to stay away from me."
She continued to walk forward.
"Do you think I want to find you? I don't have any friends! Otherwise, I wouldn't be looking for you."
Feng Mingzhu, with a beaming smile, followed closely beside her.
"You are a princess. Even without the title of a talented woman, there are plenty of people willing to befriend you. How could you have no friends?"
"Those people are all after my status. Where is the sincerity?"
"I won't be sincere either." Chu Qianli skirted around a flower bush, still paying her little attention.
"But you are different from them. You are very frank, not hypocritical at all, and unlike them, you only know how to flatter me."
"Are you a victim of Stockholm Syndrome?" Chu Qianli suddenly stopped and turned to look at her.
Feng Mingzhu almost bumped into her, but thankfully, she reacted in time and stopped.
"What is Stockholm Syndrome?" she asked curiously.
"A masochist," Chu Qianli said with a hint of exasperation. "You don't cherish those who treat you well, but you particularly like those who treat you poorly or even abuse you?"
Feng Mingzhu rolled her eyes, wanting to explain.
But Chu Qianli heard a sound, and her eyes darkened slightly.
Her gaze swept past the flower bushes not far away.
She subtly waved her hand. "Alright, whether we become friends or not can be discussed later. But I really don't like being pestered. Ninth Princess, can you leave me to be quiet for a while?"
There seemed to be something... not right behind those flower bushes?