Tearing the Prince's Clothes after Withdrawing Marriage
Chapter 165: Shallow Moon, She Finally Qualifies to Fulfill Your Last Wish

Chapter 165: Chapter 165: Shallow Moon, She Finally Qualifies to Fulfill Your Last Wish

Butler Han stared at Chu Qianli, speechless for a long time.

This was not the Seventh Miss he knew, yet, this was indeed the Seventh Miss.

Butler Han had watched her grow up since she was a child, so he would certainly not mistake her identity.

Yet the Seventh Miss had only left the Duke Residence for barely half a month, so why did it suddenly seem like she had completely changed?

Could it be that a woman’s temperament really changes after marriage?

"Butler Han, what will you do? Will you help Chu Hongtao and Chu Huaiyu, or help me and Grandfather?"

"Miss Lili, you align yourself with the old master, how could I not help you?" Butler Han said somewhat helplessly.

This family, although known for its deep undercurrents, has never been like it is now.

Now, these undercurrents have all surfaced.

At last, Chu Qianli smiled, "Good, Butler Han, from today onwards, we are family. However, your son is not, do not mix that up."

...That night, a dark figure appeared on the roof of the Marquess Residence.

Chu Qianli trod upon the evening breeze, flitting across the rooftops.

At first, the guard seemed extremely strict, but after a while, it gradually became sparse.

Finally, upon reaching the courtyard where Marquess of Dingbei Long Ye resided, there wasn’t even a guard in sight.

Her journey here was far too smooth.

Long Ye was reading in his bedroom.

Chu Qianli watched from the rooftop for a moment, then lightly drifted to the ground and pushed the door open.

Seeing the figure that walked in, Long Ye was somewhat surprised, yet it was somewhat expected as well.

"Lili, close the door."

Chu Qianli immediately turned to shut the door, then slowly approached him.

"I want to call you Grandpa, but I don’t understand why Grandpa doesn’t want me?" she bit her lip.

From the time in the palace to now, a whole night was about to pass.

At this moment, the sky was still dark, the entire canopy heavy and gloomy.

Her grievances, after being repressed for most of the night, now seemed uncontrollable.

Long Ye looked up at her, the words "why does Grandpa not want me" suddenly made him feel so distressed he nearly burst into tears.

"Grandpa... has never thought of not wanting you," Long Ye’s voice was indescribably hoarse.

But Chu Qianli burst into tears with a sob.

He finally admitted it, he was still her grandpa!

She had held it in all night long, acting strong and indifferent in front of everyone.

But deep down, she felt aggrieved.

Very, very aggrieved!

Her grievance was that she knew Grandpa was lying, but she couldn’t expose him.

Because she knew, once exposed, Grandpa would be in a lot of trouble.

Yet in the Imperial Palace’s grand hall, she truly endured all the grievances.

Long Ye was overwhelmed with distress and hurriedly dropped the book he was holding, taking quick steps to embrace her in his arms.

"It’s all Grandpa’s fault, all my fault, Lili, Grandpa... Granda has his unspeakable difficulties, but Grandpa will always be your grandpa, always!"

Chu Qianli did not speak, only leaning against Grandpa’s shoulder, wiping away tears.

She seldom cried.

But she also seldom felt genuine affection.

She had never known what maternal or paternal love was, growing up all alone, never having anyone to dote on her.

Ever since that day at the Prince Residence, when Grandpa and Grandfather both knelt down to plead with the Emperor for her, even willing to give up their lives for her.

From that moment on, she had recognized Grandpa and Grandfather.

She had accepted them, feeling like she finally had real relatives!

But today, in front of everyone, Grandpa recognized another girl.

How could she not care?

She wanted to cry at that moment!

"Lili, don’t cry, my good Lili, please don’t cry, Grandpa really... really..."

As Long Ye spoke, he too couldn’t help but wipe away a tear.

This made Chu Qianli feel even worse. She pulled up her sleeves and wiped his face.

"Grandfather is the Marquess of Dingbei, a great hero revered by thousands. Even you shed tears, if word gets out, people will laugh."

"Then... if Grandfather doesn’t cry, Lili won’t cry either, okay?"

Long Ye also wiped away her tears.

In the end, they looked into each other’s eyes and, seeing the tear beads still clinging to their eyes, this scene seemed somehow comical.

Unable to help themselves, they both laughed.

Long Ye led her to sit down behind the office desk, and from atop the desk, he took several books and placed them before her.

"Military strategy books?" Chu Qianli was puzzled.

Normally, the books elders give to girls surely wouldn’t be military strategy books.

These were meant for the boys in the family!

In the era they were living in—a patriarchal society—most women would never have the chance to set foot on the battlefield.

So, giving her military strategy books seemed rather odd.

"Lili, don’t mind what Grandfather said in the main hall today, and don’t ask about it either."

"I won’t ask," Chu Qianli obediently held the military strategy books in her hands, "I know Grandfather will give me a reasonable explanation someday."

Hearing this, Long Ye struggled to keep back tears that he had only just repressed; they nearly rolled down again.

This child, so well-behaved!

"You’re really different from before; my Lili has truly grown up. You’re just like your mother now, aren’t you?"

Chu Qianli remained silent; whether it was so or not, Grandfather knew.

"Here, these military strategy books were your mother’s favorites. Grandfather should have given them to you sooner, but before..."

"It’s not too late to give them now." The Chu Qianli from before, let’s pretend she never existed.

"Good, good, now is also not too late."

Long Ye shared the same sentiment.

The Lili of the past, who was without learning, was indeed very different from Long Qianyue.

But the Lili of now truly resembled Qianyue’s daughter.

"If there’s anything you don’t understand in the future, come and ask Grandfather anytime."

"Why do you want me to read military strategy books? Isn’t it true that women can’t go to the battlefield in this era?" She still voiced the doubt in her heart.

"Not entirely," said Long Ye as he looked out the window, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "Do you know about Longteng Country?"

"Of course, the only nation ruled by an Empress."

"That’s right, Longteng Country, don’t they also have many female generals? So, Lili, it’s good to learn more. You never know when it might come in handy."

"I understand now." The title of female general sounded very impressive.

Chu Qianli put away the military strategy books, "Grandfather, since you have acknowledged Chu Huaiyu at the court, I might not come to visit you often during this period."

He had his reasons; if she kept visiting and someone found out, it would always arouse suspicion.

Though Grandfather was reluctant to explain, that didn’t mean she would be giving up.

She would find her own way to uncover the whole story and its reasons.

"Grandfather, I’m leaving."

"Be careful!" Long Ye personally escorted her to the door.

Watching her leave, his gaze was full of reluctance.

Qianyue, this girl has truly grown up completely.

The mission you couldn’t complete, maybe, this girl can do it on your behalf.

Long Ye didn’t know whether what he was doing was right or wrong.

But the Chu Qianli of today truly made him no longer feel disappointed.

The situation that had seemed hopeless after Long Qianyue’s death now seemed to have a glimmer of dawn rekindled.

Lili, may you fulfill your mother’s wishes this time.

And then return with your mother’s glory to the place where you belong...

...Just as Chu Qianli had left the Marquess Residence and was still navigating over the rooftops of the civilian houses,

a chill breeze swept over from behind her.

Already on guard, Chu Qianli flicked her wrist, and several silver needles flew out from the tips of her fingers...