The fire raged fiercely, burning throughout the night. By dawn the next day, it was finally brought under control.
However, even with the blaze contained, the entire back courtyard had been utterly destroyed.
The front courtyard had also suffered significant damage. While not as severe as the back, it was no longer habitable.
"Xiao Xuanzi, how could you let Xiao Li'er come here?"
Chu Wang, arriving a step behind, looked at Chu Qianli, who lay weakly in Feng Yexuan's arms, his heart aching.
"Xiao Li'er, how are you feeling? Shall I have the imperial physicians examine you immediately?"
"No need. Liu Jin has already seen her," Feng Yexuan glanced down at Chu Qianli.
She continued to stare at the ruins ahead, her eyes vacant.
Prince Yu was ruthless. This great fire was naturally the work of his men.
The people within, though not related to him by blood, were the women of his own son.
Yet, in Prince Yu's eyes, these women were as fragile as paper, worth less than an ant!
"Xiao Li'er, don't be like this."
Seeing the lifelessness in Chu Qianli's eyes, Chu Wang felt a deep sorrow. "Seeing you like this makes my heart ache."
"I'm fine. Fourth Uncle, you don't need to worry. I'm just tired."
She was truly exhausted, lacking the strength to even sit up straight. She could only lean into Feng Yexuan's embrace, at least to rest and regain her strength.
She could not fall. This battle had just begun.
"Prince Yu is more formidable than I imagined. While imprisoned, he can still command the entire situation."
How many of Prince Yu's people remained within the palace grounds was now impossible to ascertain.
But the fact remained that Prince Yu, from his dungeon, could still obscure half the sky with his influence.
"He has been developing his power in Nanming for so many years; his influence is bound to be greater than we imagine," Feng Yexuan attempted to comfort her.
However, he was not a man of many words and didn't know how to offer solace.
Still, this girl didn't truly need others to comfort her; she understood things better than anyone.
The arm around her waist tightened slightly.
A flicker of surprise crossed Chu Qianli's eyes.
Though he spoke no unnecessary words, his action seemed to convey a great deal.
Was he trying to tell her that no matter how powerful Prince Yu was, she didn't need to panic as long as he was there?
Chu Qianli couldn't help but look up at him.
Feng Yexuan's arm tightened a little more.
It didn't cause her discomfort but made her feel a sense of security.
By late morning, Leng Ji, Xi Jiu, and the palace guards had made a rough assessment of the situation in the back courtyard.
"There are thirty-six bodies, and countless injured. We've had the surviving members of the Prince's Mansion identify them. Currently, the identities of six bodies are unknown."
"Why unknown? Have the missing persons been checked?" Chu Qianli, supported by Feng Yexuan, dismounted from the horse.
"Princess, your subordinate has investigated. Among the thirty-six bodies, apart from the six that were burned beyond recognition and whose identities are completely unclear, the remaining thirty include three of Prince Hao's concubines."
"The others are servants, maids, and guards."
Chu Qianli looked up at the ruined and chaotic back courtyard.
"Princess, they couldn't identify those six bodies. However, a concubine named Ru Ji from the back courtyard is missing."
"Ru Ji?" The name was unfamiliar, but a thought crossed Chu Qianli's mind.
"That's right, Ru Ji," Yang Xun nodded and said, "It is said she is the concubine Prince Hao has favored most recently."