Chu Qianli felt quite awkward.
While others were dressed neatly, she was disheveled and sprawled across the man's lap.
Her struggle earlier had inadvertently caused her collar to open.
In comparison, she suddenly felt like a concubine being doted upon by the master of the house.
The saying "a wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a secret affair" flashed through her mind.
She felt goosebumps rise all over.
"Let go of me!" This time, she pushed with all her might, finally managing to shove away the hand that rested on her.
Of course, it was only because Feng Yexuan's mood had been disrupted by the intruder that she had the chance to get up.
"What do you want from this king?" Feng Yexuan looked at Chu Huaiyu, his brows slightly furrowed.
The passion he had felt moments ago was completely extinguished.
He was displeased, angry at his own loss of control.
Why was his body so easily uncontrollable when he was with this woman?
On a cool autumn day, he felt as if he were burning.
"Huaiyu... Huaiyu just wanted to pay her respects to Your Highness, I didn't mean... to disturb Your Highness."
Chu Huaiyu lowered her head, her face turning from red to pale.
She adopted the posture of a frail, pitiable young woman, on the verge of fainting.
She whispered, "I'm sorry, Your Highness. Huaiyu won't dare to do this again..."
"If you are unwell, you should rest more. There's no need to come and pay your respects to this king."
Feng Yexuan suppressed his anger.
The daughter of Long Qianyue... her demeanor was indeed too humble.
It was a world apart from Chu Qianli.
He remembered Long Qianyue's kindness to him and had never intended to make things difficult for Chu Huaiyu.
"When you are feeling better, this king will personally escort you back to your residence. Go back and rest."
The woman was standing aside, tidying her clothes.
Her appearance truly made it seem as if she were a young maid being doted upon by him.
He wanted to tease her further, but his peripheral vision caught Chu Huaiyu still standing in the room.
The light in his eyes instantly dimmed again.
He shouldn't be focusing his attention on this woman. His only purpose in bringing her back was punishment!
How could he let her live so comfortably!
Feng Yexuan put down his military treatise and his gaze turned cold. He glanced at Chu Qianli:
"From now on, without this king's permission, you are not allowed to seduce this king outside! Scram!"
Chu Qianli was so angry she wanted to tear his face apart.
But, for the sake of her mission, she endured!
"I want to return to the Duke's mansion to see my grandfather!" she said in a deep voice.
"What has that got to do with this king?" Feng Yexuan remained unmoved.
Chu Qianli bit her lip, her eyes turning red with anger.
After serving him and being taken advantage of, she was still not allowed to leave.
This scoundrel!
"What? You're looking at me like that? Do you want to fight this king?"
Feng Yexuan's handsome star-like eyes held a hint of a mocking smile: "Before you act, you'd best consider if you have the ability."
Chu Qianli clenched her fists.
She knew she lacked the ability now!
But that didn't mean she always would!
One day, she would trample this scoundrel under her feet!
Finally, Chu Qianli left without a word, turning to walk away.
Since she wasn't allowed to leave anyway, why should she stay and endure his temper?
"Princess Consort..." As soon as she stepped out of Wuzhou Yuan, Qian'er gently tugged at Chu Qianli's sleeve.
"Don't call me Princess Consort! That scoundrel said I'm no longer your Princess Consort, didn't you hear him clearly?"
Chu Qianli was still fuming.
Qian'er pouted her little lips and whispered, "In Qian'er's heart, you are the Princess Consort. No one can replace you."
"Don't pledge loyalty to me. I'm out of favor, and your loyalty to me will only harm yourself."
Chu Qianli walked faster and faster.
Qian'er, however, had a cheerful smile on her face, "Princess Consort, you seem much better today."
"Really?" Chu Qianli looked down at herself.
Her shoulder didn't feel as uncomfortable today.
Last night, she dreamt that someone was constantly massaging her shoulder and applying hot compresses with palm force. Was it real?
But Qian'er didn't know martial arts...
"You served me all night last night?" Chu Qianli couldn't help but ask.
Qian'er shook her head, "They wouldn't let me see the Princess Consort last night. I only came this morning."
"Then, was anyone by my side last night?"
"Your... Your Highness... and Mr. Liujin." The Princess Consort must have been tormented by His Highness to not even know who was by her side.
"Liujin?"
"He is the physician of the Prince's mansion, with excellent medical skills."
Chu Qianli nodded.
So, it was Mr. Liujin who had massaged and applied hot compresses to her wound.
Her recovery was so fast, Mr. Liujin's medical skills were indeed not bad.
As for the thought that flashed through her mind just now... that scoundrel massaged her all night?
It was indeed only a dream.
The thought of it felt unreal!
Qian'er looked at her with great concern, "Princess Consort, please don't anger His Highness anymore. Actually, as long as you are obedient, Qian'er can see that His Highness still dotes on you."
Although she had waited outside just now and dared not peek inside,
she could always hear their conversations.
His Highness must still have feelings for the Princess Consort, otherwise, how could he allow the Princess Consort to be so unrestrained on his lap?
The Princess Consort might not know, but their Prince never got close to women.
The Princess Consort was the first, and the only one!
"You didn't see how cruelly he hurt me." Is this what you call doting on her?
Not only did he hurt her, but he also humiliated her!
A concubine! No different from a maid!
"Don't talk to me about that scoundrel. I don't want to hear anything about him!"
Chu Qianli quickened her pace towards the Prince's mansion gate.
The scoundrel wouldn't let her leave, but she couldn't just sit here and wait for death.
She only wanted to return to the Duke's mansion now to see if her grandfather's condition had improved.
She didn't care what the scoundrel was thinking.
Qian'er watched her retreating figure and couldn't help but mutter,
"When His Highness was hurt by you, Princess Consort, you didn't see how heartbroken His Highness was either."
However, the Princess Consort didn't want to discuss these matters with her.
Qian'er helplessly quickened her pace to follow, "Princess Consort, His Highness has forbidden you from leaving. You won't be able to get out. Why don't we return to Qianyun Pavilion, Princess Consort..."
An hour later, Qian'er was dumbfounded.
Chu Qianli was also stunned.
She had actually managed to walk out of Prince Xuan's mansion.
Where were the guards who had tried to stop her?
Had they slacked off?
Chu Qianli's heart leaped with joy, and without a second thought, she rushed towards the Duke's mansion.
"Princess Consort, Prince Xuan's mansion is very far from the Duke's mansion. It would take at least half a day to walk there."
Qian'er chased after her, panting.
"How about... how about we go back to the mansion and take a carriage..."
"Are you silly? I finally managed to escape. If I go back now, will I be able to come out again?"
Chu Qianli not only didn't look back but even quickened her pace.
She didn't know what was going on with those guards, but she knew very well that if she missed this opportunity, it would be difficult to get out again.
"Princess Consort..."
Qian'er still wanted to persuade her.
Unexpectedly, a group of people emerged from the Duke's mansion not far behind them.
In the blink of an eye, they were galloping towards them...