Chu Feiyan knew that Chu Minghao indeed deserved his punishment.

But she had already lost her father, and she was very afraid that even this elder brother would be gone too.

"Your Highness the Princess, elder brother was severely poisoned. Though fortunately treated in time by Your Highness, and his life was saved, at this moment, it’s as if he’s lost half his life."

Disfigurement, perhaps to a man, isn’t considered a fatal wound.

But he lost his leg.

Back then, he was so deeply poisoned that even Chu Qianli was at wit’s end. In the end, Chu Qianli took a risky move, forcing all the poison in his body to his leg, after which it was amputated to save his life.

His life was saved, but with a leg amputated, the man was rendered crippled.

In addition, after surviving a great ordeal, Chu Minghao’s health deteriorated significantly, becoming very frail.

In such a condition, being exiled to the frontier, Chu Feiyan was very worried that elder brother might not survive the journey and die halfway.

"Your Highness, I know my request is difficult, but..."

"Though Chu Minghao was not the mastermind, he always assisted the Yuwang, harming the people. The punishment I gave him is already considered lenient."

Chu Qianli seemed to have no intention of relenting.

Chu Feiyan felt a sinking feeling, knowing she had no right to be saddened, yet she couldn’t hide her disappointment.

Beside her, Xi Jiu advised, "Haoshi Zi... Chu Minghao’s crime, not being executed is already the greatest grace given, Feiyan, don’t make it difficult for the Princess."

It was Chu Qianli who, hearing this, couldn’t help but give them a second glance.

Feiyan, this form of address seemed somewhat overly intimate.

Could it be that something indescribable had happened between the two without her knowledge?

Chu Feiyan seemed to heed Xi Jiu’s words very much. Upon hearing, she nodded and didn’t say anything more.

After bowing to Chu Qianli, she turned and walked toward the distant Chu Minghao, to bid him farewell.

Xi Jiu watched her departing figure, unable to retract his gaze.

Afterward, Chu Qianli’s voice sounded behind him: "Being together for so long, you somewhat developed feelings, haven’t you?"

Xi Jiu was startled, and after understanding who the words were directed at, his bronze-colored face instantly turned red.

"Princess... what are you talking about?"

"Wasn’t I clear enough? You’ve fallen for Chu Feiyan?"

Chu Qianli laid it out completely, and Xi Jiu’s face turned as red as if smeared with pig blood.

"I... how could I? That... that woman’s bad... bad temper, I..."

"Feiyan, how did you get hurt?" Chu Qianli suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

Xi Jiu was shocked, and without thinking, he leaped to Chu Feiyan in the distance, grabbing her hand: "Where are you hurt?"

Chu Feiyan was at a loss: "Who got hurt?"

"You..." After a moment of surprise, Xi Jiu immediately realized that he had been duped.

Attempting to clarify the relationship, but it was already too late.

He was still holding Chu Feiyan’s hand!

Quickly, he let go, his face turning so red it seemed it could bleed.

"Ha, still stubborn like a dead duck?" Chu Qianli strolled over.

Xi Jiu was so embarrassed he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

Chu Feiyan still didn’t understand what was going on, but seeing Chu Qianli, that smile inexplicably made her blush.

Chu Minghao and Ruji quickly bowed to Chu Qianli: "Greetings, Princess."

"One of you is injured, and the other is with child, no need for formalities, rise quickly."

Chu Qianli waved her hand, her gaze falling on Ruji’s belly: "Looks like, it must be four months along?"

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