Tearing the Prince's Clothes after Withdrawing Marriage
Chapter 172: Is This an Opportunity for Me to Stay by His Side?

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Is This an Opportunity for Me to Stay by His Side?

Chu Qianli did not want to talk much with the Empress Dowager.

However, she still asked the Empress Dowager for three days’ time.

So, in the following two days, Chu Qianli indeed had two days of peace.

The Empress Dowager issued an imperial edict, forbidding anyone to disturb her.

Therefore, the people from the Duke Residence had no choice but to become quiet for these two days.

But on the third day, a significant figure arrived at the Duke Residence.

The Li Courtyard where Chu Qianli resided was heavily guarded tonight.

Yet in the side hall, there were only two people.

One was Chu Qianli, who was "invited", and the other was the Emperor, seated on the Jade Chair.

"I’ve heard that the Duke is gravely ill and hasn’t recovered yet?" the Emperor said, gazing at Chu Qianli.

Chu Qianli remained neither servile nor haughty, "If Your Majesty has something to say, please speak frankly."

The Emperor frowned, a trace of displeasure on his face.

Up to this point, only one person dared to show such disrespect before him.

That person was Prince Yexuan, Feng Yexuan.

And this young girl, powerless and without influence, how dare she!

"I must admit, your courage and insight indeed exceed my expectations," the Emperor said.

His face suddenly turned somber as he spoke in a deep voice, "The one who led the Xuanwu Army and eradicated Heihu Stronghold’s forces overnight wasn’t Leng Ji, it was you, wasn’t it?"

Chu Qianli wasn’t surprised that he knew.

If the Emperor didn’t have that much ability, how could he sit securely on this throne of Jiangshan?

"May I know what Your Majesty is seeking by finding me?" Since he had come, he must have an objective.

The Emperor looked at her sideways and said, "Xuanxuan is my most favored son, and it’s highly likely that he will succeed my throne."

He actually shared such important information with her directly.

Chu Qianli showed no excitement, instead, a hint of caution arose in her heart.

"You are indeed exceptionally intelligent," said the Emperor, starting to smile.

He truly had some admiration for her.

After all, there were not many women under the heavens with such capability.

"Your mother, Qin Liuyan, was born of a singing girl, and the daughter of a singing girl cannot become the Empress of our Beiming Country," he stated.

"Therefore, it’s impossible for me to allow you to become Xuanxuan’s Princess. However, if you still wish to stay by Xuanxuan’s side, it’s not out of the question."

Chu Qianli laughed in response, "So, Your Majesty is here to offer me an opportunity, to let me continue staying by Prince Yexuan’s side?"

Now she understood and looked at him serenely, her laugh carrying a touch of scorn:

"Your Majesty regards my abilities in combat and hopes I will assist Prince Yexuan in conquering the world?"

The Emperor was somewhat displeased.

After learning of her legendary exploits in leading troops, he was indeed taken aback.

The Qiongcang Continent is currently unstable, making it a prime time to ambitiously seize control of the world.

His favor toward Feng Yexuan stems from Yexuan’s unparalleled martial prowess among all his sons.

But now, he realized that this obscure young girl before him also possessed such formidable leadership skills!

How could he let go of any talented individual?

"I can grant you to become one of Xuanwang’s concubines in the future..."

"Ha!" Chu Qianli laughed with disdain, "It’s a pity, but I’m not interested."

"You!" The Emperor’s face darkened with anger, nearly giving the order to have her executed on the spot!

This impudent girl, utterly audacious!

"Do you truly not fear death?"

"Who isn’t afraid of death? But, I really do not esteem these ’rewards’ from Your Majesty!"

A mere concubine!

She did not even want to be Prince Xuan’s main wife, so would she desire to be a mere side consort?

"What do you want, then?" the Emperor asked, his expression growing uglier.

Chu Qianli, no longer mincing words with him, stated, "I want a strong and powerful army."

...

That night was the very third night mentioned by Chu Qianli.

Feng Yexuan had yet to regain consciousness, but according to Chu Qianli, his condition had stabilized and he would soon awaken.

The Emperor ordered someone to send him back to Prince Yexuan’s Residence.

At the same time, he issued a secret edict forbidding anyone from mentioning his three-day stay here for treatment.

After all the Imperial Family members had left, Chu Hongtao and the Duchess rushed into the Duke’s courtyard.

Even the families of the second and third uncles had come.

At this moment, Chu Buqu had just finished his medicine and fallen asleep.

Over these three days, Chu Qianli had been tirelessly treating Feng Yexuan, naturally providing Chu Buqu with less care.

Unexpectedly, in her absence for three days, her grandfather’s condition worsened.

"Chu Qianli, come out here!"

"You unfilial daughter, come out now!"

The butler Han Zhan stopped people from going in, so Chu Hongtao and the Duchess could only shout from behind the door.

Chu Qianli didn’t want them to disturb her grandfather’s rest, so she tidied up her clothes, covered her grandfather with a blanket, and then came out.

"Chu Qianli, you unfilial daughter, have you finally decided to show your face?"

Chu Hongtao was so angry his face turned green, "You even took away father’s Token! How dare you commit such an act of theft! I’m going to kill you today, you unfilial daughter!"

Chu Hongtao charged towards her.

Han Zhan stepped forward and blocked him, "Grand Tutor Sir, let’s talk this out peacefully."

"She stole father’s Token and ordered people to lock up our Duke Residence’s storeroom! This is blatant robbery!"

Everyone knew that the storeroom contained the Duke Residence’s most valuable possessions.

It also held the documents for many real estate properties, as well as the deeds to the shops outside!

They had all toiled and fawned over Chu Buqu, all in the hope that one day the keys to this storeroom would fall into their own hands.

But who could have imagined that this wretched girl would monopolize everything while Chu Buqu was critically ill? Where did she get such audacity?

"Who are those people outside the storeroom? If you don’t get them to leave, I’ll have to report this to the Emperor!"

The Duchess also stepped forward, "Wretched girl, hand over the keys and the Token quickly!"

"They are the guards I’ve hired."

They were the Emperor’s men, all experts from within the palace.

But the Emperor had said that he couldn’t be openly involved in the affairs of the Duke Residence.

These guards were a gift from the Emperor to her, but whether she could truly control everything in the Duke Residence in the future would depend on her abilities.

Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

The Emperor had helped her, and naturally, she also had to agree to some of his terms.

Han Zhan hadn’t expected her to be so bold as to actually take the Token and the keys.

"No matter what, the Token and the keys must at least wait until the Duke has fully regained consciousness before a decision can be made about who they should be handed to."

"Are you saying you want me to hand them over as well?"

Chu Qianli gave him a cold smile, but it was a smile without warmth.

Han Zhan was stunned, at a loss for words under her sarcastic smile.

Chu Huaiyu approached Han Zhan, speaking softly, "Fifth Sister, grandfather hasn’t woken up yet, so the keys and the Token should be temporarily kept by grandmother, or at the very least, by father."

"How could... how could it be your turn, Fifth Sister?"

"What’s it to you, you imposter?" Chu Qianli snorted coldly.

Chu Huaiyu was startled, her face reddening instantly.

Then, tears began to well up in her eyes.

"I just... I just don’t want to see you get into conflicts with everyone..."

She turned to look at Han Zhan, her voice husky, "I’m sorry, it’s my fault, I’ve angered Fifth Sister again."

Seeing this, Han Zhan’s heart softened, "Huaiyu, it’s not your fault."

Looking again at Chu Qianli, her expression was cold and indifferent, without a trace of tenderness.

One delicate and vulnerable, the other cold and unfeeling, Han Zhan suddenly felt a jolt in his heart.

Just two days ago, he too was annoyed by Huaiyu because of Chu Qianli.

He realized he had been wrong.

Huaiyu was so kind, why should anyone bully her?

Seeing the tears in Huaiyu’s eyes, Han Zhan felt an aching in his heart and glared at Chu Qianli:

"Huaiyu is right, the keys and the Token should be handed over to the Duchess, it’s not your place, a young miss, to keep them."

"Chu Qianli, if you don’t hand them over, don’t blame me for being rude!"

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