Chu Qianli could imagine, with Hu Rong, the last bloodline of Prince Ye in her arms, how she had once endured humiliation for survival to secure a chance for a current Prince Xuan.

She must utterly despise Feng Bufan!

But she had no choice.

During the time Feng Bufan imprisoned her, Fen Jinghua discovered she was pregnant. How could she bear to die?

After all, that was Prince Ye’s only child.

After becoming Hua Rong, she wanted to see her son grow up and protect him, so she couldn’t afford to die even more.

"Then, Fourteenth Lord..." Chu Qianli looked up at Feng Yexuan.

"He is my mother’s and Emperor Jing’s son." Feng Yexuan closed his eyes, slowly adjusting his breath.

"Perhaps the most innocent is Jinrui. He doesn’t understand anything, but he knows that his own mother returned, and he... he was really happy and wanted to properly serve his own mother."

"But your mother... must really dislike... Jinrui, right?" Chu Qianli’s heart felt sour.

Feng Jinrui was the purest and most innocent of all the Princes she had met.

Having lost his biological mother since childhood, Jinrui originally felt filial piety towards Consort Jin, but Consort Jin ultimately disappointed him, even to despair.

And Hua Rong’s appearance must have given Feng Jinrui immense hope.

He must love his mother very, very much.

But he is the son of her enemy.

Chu Qianli could even imagine how many times Fen Jinghua must have been conflicted, wanting to abort the child in her womb while pregnant with Feng Jinrui.

Feng Jinrui surviving might indeed be due to the last bit of mercy Fen Jinghua had towards the child in her womb.

But ultimately, she couldn’t love this child.

After all, to Fen Jinghua, he was the devil’s child!

"Jinrui is my brother, always will be." So, his mother might not love him, but he would certainly protect him well.

"He is also... my brother," Chu Qianli said softly.

Feng Yexuan felt a wave of emotion.

He grasped her shoulders, gently pulling her toward him. He said, "Have you really... decided?"

Chu Qianli met his gaze.

It’s come to this, what else could be done?

Hasn’t he shared all his secrets with her?

"I can’t easily become infatuated with just any man." So doesn’t this prove that Feng Yexuan, in her heart, is a unique existence?

If he’s willing to face his heart honestly, why shouldn’t she?

Let’s both stop avoiding it, alright?

"After returning, I will face these things with you."

"No, you stay in Nanming."

Even though he was truly moved, moved to the point where there was a slight tremble in his heart.

But Feng Yexuan remained rational in the end.

"If my identity is discovered by Emperor Jing, ten thousand Royal Guards will surely hunt me to the ends of the earth."

"If that’s the case, I should face it with you even more!"

"No, you stay here and wait for me." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Feng Yexuan gently held her hand, lowered his head, and pressed a kiss on the back of her hand.

"Give me a year. I will surely reclaim everything for my mother. By then, I’ll come to Beiming to become your Consort Prince and be the man standing behind you for the rest of our lives."

Chu Qianli pouted slightly, the sweetness in her heart indescribable, though her mouth was still a bit unsweetened:

"Does a dignified Prince Xuan really willingly become the man standing behind me?"

"Willingly."

After experiencing so much through storms and hardships, he finally realized that being with her was the greatest pursuit of his life.

Jiangshan, societal affairs, actually, truly aren’t worth a penny.

He once again embraced her.

"In the future, you strategize, and I will fight for you. I am the sword in your hand; point where you will, and I will strike!"