Method

At that thought, she hurriedly shook her head.

Even doing that would not be enough to sever this marriage alliance. After all, it had already been negotiated between the two dynasties and could not be violated.

Even if the Twelfth Princess were punished, his status as Imperial Son-in-Law could not be revoked.

If he did not become the Twelfth Princess's Imperial Son-in-Law, he would still have to become the Imperial Son-in-Law of some other princess of the Phoenix Dynasty.

Chu Zhiyuan looked at Youlan. "For the next few days, do not receive outside visitors."

"Yes," Youlan answered.

Chu Zhiyuan snorted. "These next few days, they'll definitely all want to come mooch off us and get some benefits."

"Your Highness, actually..."

"Ignore them." Chu Zhiyuan waved a hand. "Even if we give them something, they won't remember it kindly."

"Yes." Youlan understood what he meant and did not try to persuade him further.

She had originally wanted to advise Chu Zhiyuan to take this opportunity to use those exotic flowers and fruits to ease his relations with the other princes and improve his own circumstances.

Chu Zhiyuan said, "Auntie, there's no need to think so much about them. We're leaving anyway."

"Your Highness, our roots are still here, after all."

"You think your roots are here, but they don't." Chu Zhiyuan said flatly.

"...Imperial Consort is still here." Youlan spoke softly.

She stared blankly at Chu Zhiyuan's calm, indifferent expression, her heart aching for no reason.

His Highness was truly too pitiful.

The only people in the world who genuinely cared about him were Imperial Consort, Chu Zhen, and Chu Qiao.

The Emperor had never concealed his dislike for His Highness. It came from the very marrow of his bones.

And the Emperor's attitude influenced the attitudes of those around him,