Resisting the Wind and Splendor

The Empress did not continue the topic of the Third Prince of Dongzhou.

Instead, she sighed and changed the subject, saying, "Ali, when your mother was alive, she was a rare heroine."

"Although I live deep within the palace, I often hear stories of your mother and your father, the Marquis of Loyalty and Bravery, fighting on the battlefield. I have long admired your mother, but it is a pity that I have not had the opportunity to get to know her properly."

Chu Yueli didn't speak, but listened quietly.

The Empress knew that this girl was meticulous, so she smiled and said, "Ali, don't worry. I just really like you. What you said at the banquet that day really touched my heart."

"Your Majesty flatters me," Chu Yueli said softly.

The Empress sighed, seemingly helpless: "What you said is exactly what I wanted to say too. How could any man in the world understand the sorrows of the inner palace?"

Chu Yueli fell silent again.

As the empress held a noble status, and the object of her criticism was the emperor, there were certain things she could not say, or even agree with.

Disaster comes from the mouth.

The Empress looked at her deeply again before smiling and saying, "I know you have just gone through a great ordeal, and now you are very careful in everything you do, and you dare not open your heart to me."

She took Chu Yueli's hand, her smile growing even gentler: "It's alright, A-Li. From now on, I will take good care of you for your mother. Time will tell, and one day you will understand my affection for you."

Chu Yueli quickly replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

On the way back from leaving the palace, Zisu kept reporting: "Today, Her Majesty the Empress gave us many rewards, but they weren't gold, silver, or jewels. Instead, they were some medicinal herbs. I thought about it, and besides expensive tonics, there were also some... rare herbs to strengthen men's bodies."

Zisu had been by Chu Yueli's side for many years. Chu Yueli was knowledgeable in various fields, including the study of medicinal herbs.

It should be said that the young lady in the past was deeply in love with Prince Jin. She would study and train herself diligently in anything that could help Prince Jin.

Their young lady is incredibly knowledgeable and proficient in everything.

Otherwise, how could Prince Jin have achieved what he has today and become the renowned war god of Dongling?

It's just that Miss never liked to show herself off, content to be the person behind Prince Jin, and no one knew how capable she was.

Over time, even Prince Jin himself didn't realize that everything had become so commonplace that it had become taken for granted.

But Zisu was thinking about something else: "Miss, why is the Empress suddenly being so nice to you?"

"So you know the Empress is trying to please me?" But Chu Yueli still remembered to say to Chu Yi ahead, "Watch your surroundings."

"I've been keeping an eye on things, Miss, there's no need to worry," Chu Yi quickly replied.

Zisu spoke very softly, but she lowered her voice again: "Miss, can you guess the Empress's intention?"

Chu Yueli closed her eyes and leaned against the car wall to rest: "I have no evidence, so I don't want to guess."

So I stopped asking about Zisu.

The next morning, Chu Yi drove the carriage to the courtyard of Wangyue Pavilion: "Miss, the young master is ready and can depart for the palace at any time."

"Did you practice your gun all night, brother?" Today is the day of the martial arts competition, and Chu Yue Li knows better than anyone how nervous Chu Xiao He is.

Chu nodded, his expression somewhat grave: "Young Master... that spear slipped from your hand several times last night."

His wrist strength is indeed far less than before. He has mastered the moves, but he lacks the strength. The spear slips from his hand. How can he break out of this predicament?