Tearing the Prince's Clothes after Withdrawing Marriage
Chapter 259: Who Shed So Much Blood?

Chapter 259: Chapter 259: Who Shed So Much Blood?

Feng Yexuan left.

Although filled with rage, after returning, he personally carried the Emperor back to the bedroom.

After the Imperial Physician took the Emperor’s pulse, his face became somber.

"Your Majesty, forgive this lowly official’s boldness in speaking frankly, but if the medication continues to be administered forcibly, it will accelerate the illness," the physician warned.

Imperial Physician Qin had attended to the Emperor for many years and was one of the few who dared speak the truth at the Emperor’s side.

The Emperor leaned against the head of the bed, his face still showing the remnants of anger.

Eunuch Qing and Imperial Physician Qin exchanged glances, and Eunuch Qing shook his head.

Imperial Physician Qin, unaware of what had transpired, could only bow and say, "I shall take my leave to prepare the medicine for Your Majesty."

Eunuch Qing, supporting the Emperor, suggested, "Dawn is approaching, Your Majesty, why not..."

"I am resolute in my decision, the consort selection banquet must take place!" the Emperor’s face remained full of anger.

Eunuch Qing felt a sudden pang of worry in his heart, this time, the Emperor had truly set his heart on this and could not be persuaded otherwise!

But... "Prince Yexuan has a stubborn nature, I fear he will not easily compromise, Your Majesty..."

"Then we’ll remove Chu Qianli!" What he declared was an Imperial Decree.

His decision was the law of the land!

It could never be wrong!

"Your Majesty, must you really resort to such drastic measures? In case, the Prince would rather perish together..."

"He wouldn’t dare!" the Emperor retorted.

The Emperor, in anger, began to wheeze once again.

Eunuch Qing hurriedly soothed him, "Your Majesty, calm your anger, please!"

After much effort, the Emperor’s breathing slowly eased.

He looked at Eunuch Qing, his expression gradually becoming much more composed.

"Do you think I truly wish to break with him? My son is my own flesh and blood, do I not know what he’s like?"

"What I truly fear is him, for the sake of a woman, giving up on Jiangshan itself!"

"Your Majesty..." Eunuch Qing hesitated for a good while before saying, "Then, if the Prince truly does not cooperate..."

"He wouldn’t dare, unless he really wishes to end Chu Qianli’s life," the Emperor said confidently.

"But Your Majesty, doesn’t this situation seem very contradictory?"

Eunuch Qing sighed deeply, a look of helplessness on his face, "The Prince is proud by nature, and getting him to compromise is extremely difficult! If he truly compromises for the sake of Chu Qianli, then it would prove even more how much he cares for that woman!"

The Emperor coughed twice, his mood indescribably gloomy.

This damned kid!

Not compromising would be the death of his old father!

Compromising would be even more infuriating!

No matter what, it would upset him!

"Your Majesty, this old servant does have an idea," Eunuch Qing’s eyes flickered with a trace of light.

"Speak!"

Eunuch Qing hastened to say, "Your Majesty, the Prince is ruled by his emotions. Is it not because Chu Qianli stands out among all the officials’ daughters for her different temperament that she has won his exclusive favor?"

"If we follow the traditional customs for this consort selection, I’m afraid the lady chosen still won’t be to the Prince’s liking."

The Emperor pondered for a moment, seemingly agreeing with Eunuch Qing’s point.

"So, what you’re suggesting is..."

"This old servant believes that the Emperor may consider a different approach—this consort selection should aim to find someone who excels in all areas, not just a fragile girl who only knows about music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and composing poetry."

"Your Majesty, why not open up the Imperial announcement even wider, without regard to family background, allowing girls from all walks of life to participate?"

"In the end, if Your Majesty dislikes the chosen lady’s background, bestowing her as a Concubine or side wife to the Prince would suffice."

"With several selected to attend the Prince, his attention would be divided, and he surely wouldn’t focus all his thoughts on Chu Qianli, Your Majesty. What do you think?"

The Emperor brooded, for he was always resistant towards ladies of inferior birth.

But, at that moment, considering awarding titles upon them such as Concubine or side wife, it might be acceptable.

If Xuanxuan ascends to the throne in the future and these women enter the palace, granting them titles like Noble Lady or Talented Lady could be tolerated.

What is most crucial now is to distract Xuanxuan’s thoughts from Chu Qianli.

That woman is cunning and prideful, stubborn to a fault, beyond his control.

A single misstep, and she may one day bring calamity upon the Imperial Family.

He absolutely cannot allow Xuanxuan to continue being infatuated with such a woman!

"Very well, issue an imperial edict immediately to select a consort for Prince Xuan. Disregard her status and temperament; so long as she is attractive and has her strength, she may join the selection!"

...

Leng Ji knew the Prince was in a very bad mood.

Since leaving the palace, the Prince had a face as dark as iron and didn’t utter a word.

No matter what he said to the Prince, there was not the slightest response.

Leng Ji was dying of curiosity about what the Emperor had said to the Prince, but he didn’t dare to ask.

Thus, they returned to the Prince Residence in silence, before the sky had brightened.

But it looked as though dawn was about to break.

They had been busy the entire night.

"Prince, why not return to your chambers to rest?"

Once back, the Prince dismounted and started walking through the front courtyard, making his way to the back courtyard.

Did he not plan to rest?

The eastern sun was hidden under thick clouds, and at this time, even the servants appeared to have just woken up.

The entire back courtyard was still quiet and peaceful.

Caught between the pre-dawn and early morning, the coldest and quietest time of the day.

The Prince just walked on the path, seemingly without any intention of resting.

It looked like his mood was indeed very heavy...

"Prince..."

"You go back and rest, don’t disturb me," Feng Yexuan quickened his pace.

He walked along the lakeside, moving forward.

Wasn’t that the direction to Qianyun Pavilion?

If the Prince wasn’t resting, how could Leng Ji dare to go back to sleep?

He could only follow along the way.

Feng Yexuan indeed stopped outside the Qianyun Pavilion.

There were no guards at the door today, and the great doors of Qianyun Pavilion were slightly ajar.

Feng Yexuan stepped forward, and Leng Ji, quick to react, immediately pushed the doors open.

In the courtyard, fallen leaves covered the ground, a picture of desolation.

Without Chu Qianli, the entire courtyard truly had no sign of life left.

Leng Ji’s nose tingled with an inexplicable sense of sorrow.

Qianyun Pavilion had become so desolate.

Was this really a place for the living?

Not a single servant was in sight.

Wasn’t the Prince a bit too harsh on Miss Chu?

Feng Yexuan walked in with mixed feelings, moving slowly.

The courtyard of the dead woman was indeed... quite desolate.

Walking down the corridor, he headed straight for Chu Qianli’s bedroom.

The bedroom was still as it had been, which he had already seen when he last visited.

After Qianqian was gone, Chu Qianli must have cleaned it herself, but it seemed, rather carelessly.

The last time he visited, she wasn’t in the room, so he didn’t look closely and went to the back garden to find her instead.

He hadn’t examined the room closely.

This time, knowing full well Chu Qianli wasn’t there, he came specifically to see her bedroom.

"Prince!"

Leng Ji suddenly discovered something, stepped in quickly, and his face showed shock!

"Prince, you, you see, on the ground... why is there so much blood on the ground?"

A pool of blood, though obviously someone had tried to wipe it away, it seemed they had done so hastily.

He hadn’t come in last time and hadn’t seen it clearly!

Judging by the area...

My God, there’s no small amount of blood spilled here!

What happened? Whose blood is this?