"So it sounds like these people from the Lan clan are truly formidable."
Consort Ling smiled with a hint of helplessness. "Miss Chu, you don't think I'm from the Lan clan, do you?"
Her lips curved into a deeper smile. "You think highly of me, Miss, but unfortunately, I am just a woman from an ordinary family. Moreover, I'm an orphan. Before I met our Prince, I didn't even have a home."
Chu Qianli smiled faintly. "But I heard the Prince say that you followed him on campaigns and were quite skilled."
"Skilled? What skill?" Consort Ling's smile deepened with helplessness. "It's just that I had to fend for myself since I was young, so my strength is greater than that of ordinary girls. I can even compare with strong men."
"When I was young, following the Prince, I wasn't any worse than his soldiers. That's why the Prince felt I was different from other women and looked upon me with favor."
Speaking of her less-than-ideal background, Consort Ling seemed unfazed, much like Chu Lingyang in her outlook.
She chuckled. "If it weren't for that, I might not have caught our Prince's eye. My Lord is unlike ordinary men; he doesn't particularly like coquettish girls."
"But royalty does. The Emperor back then likely wouldn't have favored a girl of such humble origins."
"That's true. The Emperor indeed didn't think much of me at first."
"I heard that Consort Ling insisted on an audience with the Emperor, and no one knows what you said to him afterward that made him, who was strongly opposed, suddenly change his mind and accept you."
Chu Qianli's gaze remained fixed on Consort Ling.
The smile in her eyes was accompanied by a complex aura. "Even the Prince doesn't know what you said to the Emperor, which caused the Emperor, who was strongly opposed, to suddenly change his mind and accept you."
"Anyone who didn't know would think Consort Ling used soul-capturing techniques on the Emperor."
"Miss Chu, please don't speak such words carelessly, nor should you joke about them."
Consort Ling's expression shifted, not out of guilt, but unease.
"You are still young, Miss, and perhaps don't understand the principle of 'trouble comes from the mouth.' Having lived as long as I have, one must be absolutely careful with their words."
She looked at Chu Qianli earnestly. "Although you are not from the Southern Underworld Kingdom, this is still its territory. Please refrain from saying such things in the future."
Chu Qianli smiled. "I know I was wrong. Consort Ling's teachings are correct."
Consort Ling didn't scold her further, considering she was a guest.
After a few pleasantries, she departed.
Chu Qianli watched her retreating figure.
Fu Ning walked up to her and whispered, "Miss, why have you been suspecting Consort Ling?"
"I saw her in the Lingjiu Hall last night."
"What?" Fu Ning bit her lip, suppressing a gasp.
Chu Qianli looked at the now empty courtyard gate, her lips thinning.
"That Imperial Advisor is too formidable. He can control my mind and soul at any moment. I don't even know when he made his move, but I was almost forced to commit suicide by his soul-capturing technique."
"Miss, you shouldn't provoke that Imperial Advisor anymore." Fu Ning was genuinely worried.
But Chu Qianli remained silent.
Fu Ning knew she couldn't change Chu Qianli's mind once it was made up.
She could only say dejectedly, "Then at least, you must protect yourself."
Suddenly remembering something, she hurried, "That... Qingcheng, he... hasn't eaten or drunk anything. I'm worried if he can hold on. Miss, please go and see him!"
Chu Qianli withdrew her gaze and walked towards the backyard with Fu Ning.
As soon as they entered the backyard, both of them were stunned.
What was going on here?