Resisting the Wind and Splendor

The Empress personally escorted Chu Yueli to the gate of Qiankun Palace.

"It's the middle of the night, and I can't see you off too far, lest I cause you trouble, Ali. However, I haven't been feeling well lately. Ali, you've read so many medical books, so remember to come and visit me often so I can share some health tips with you."

Chu Yueli quickly replied, "Okay, A-Li will remember."

After Chu Yueli left, Granny Lan helped the Empress back to her room. Granny Lan couldn't help but sigh, "Consort Rui and Prince Jin are truly foolish. They don't know how to cherish such a good Princess Jin!"

"I'm afraid Consort Rui cherishes it very much, but that Prince Jin is really useless!"

He abandoned Chu Yueli for a country girl; he will regret it later.

"Your Highness," Granny Lan dismissed everyone and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, is this really necessary? Won't the Fourteenth Prince be displeased?"

"He's still young and doesn't understand these things. Once the world is at peace, what's meant to be his will eventually belong to him."

But Chu Yueli really pointed out a clear path for her, a path she had never even considered before.

The current situation is extremely unfavorable for her; this path may truly be the only bright road she can take.

"Granny, prepare some pastries for tomorrow and have the Eighth Prince come to have breakfast with me."

"Yes, madam!"

……

Zisu followed behind Chu Yueli, not daring to utter a single word the entire way.

It wasn't until they returned to the Duke's mansion and walked along the road that Zisu dared to speak: "Her Majesty the Empress seems to be in a very good mood."

They actually personally escorted their young lady out. Who else but the Emperor and Empress Dowager could receive such treatment?

"Miss, did you promise her something?"

Chu Yueli shook her head: "She is the Empress. If she wants me to do something, why would she need my consent? She can just force me."

"Then she..."

"I just gave a reminder; I didn't actually do anything."

The two returned to Wangyue Pavilion, only to find Chu Yi guarding the courtyard.

Seeing them return, Chu Yi hurried over and said, "Miss, the young master has been waiting for you in the side hall all night."

Consort Rui invited Chu Yueli to the palace, but Chu Xiaohe, being a man, could not accompany her.

But he knew that Consort Rui harbored ill intentions towards Chu Yueli, and he couldn't sleep until A-Li returned.

Seeing that Chu Yueli was safe and sound, Chu Xiaohe breathed a sigh of relief, but was still somewhat uneasy: "Did Consort Rui come to see you about the Autumn Hunt?"

“Yes, but I refused.” Chu Yueli sat down in the chair.

I'm a bit tired after running around all night.

Chu Xiaohe looked into her eyes, which reflected a faint weariness: "Consort Rui will not give up easily."

"She said she'd give me a day to think about it." Chu Yueli closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

Chu Xiaohe really didn't want to put her in a difficult position: "Ali, how about I join the Prince Jin's group? Although our Duke's Mansion and the Prince Jin's Mansion are unlikely to be on good terms in the future, there's no need for us to become enemies..."

"Brother, when Tuoba Feiyuan hurt you, Lu Fengjin also intervened, didn't he?"

She suddenly opened her eyes and stared at his face, which had turned pale in an instant: "So, I only took revenge on Tuoba Feiyuan, but never sought justice from Lu Fengjin, is that right?"

"Ah Li, this matter... has nothing to do with Prince Jin." He turned his face away, not daring to look at her.

"My elder brother insists that it has nothing to do with Lu Fengjin, but he is afraid that I will seek revenge on him. However, you know that the strength of our Duke's Mansion is far less than before. Going against Lu Fengjin is undoubtedly like throwing an egg against a rock."

Chu Yueli took a deep breath; her chest still ached terribly!

I feel pain because of my brother's grievances!

"You were afraid of affecting my relationship with Lu Fengjin, so you were willing to swallow all the grievances and not want to create a rift between us, right? But you never expected that even though you suffered all the grievances and didn't say a word, he still did whatever he wanted, got together with other girls, and abandoned me."