Sima Hui smiled and did not deny it.

Having spent quite some time with Chu Lian in the Northern Region, Sima Hui knew Chu Lian's character quite well.

She didn't force Chu Lian to tell her about their relationship. Instead, she changed the topic and said, "Lian 'er, I don't have any other intentions. I'm not a messenger sent by the fourth prince. I'm just here to tell you the truth."

Chu Lian frowned in confusion.

Facts?

Sima Hui saw the confusion on her face and knew that she did not know anything.

She sighed inside her heart. She hated He Changdi for hiding everything from her and suppressing all the bitterness and hatred in her heart. This time, if the situation wasn't special and Prince Jin didn't know the reason, they might really have a grudge against each other.

"He Changdi and Prince Jin's silver mine at the border of the north has been investigated."

Chu Lian's eyes widened in shock.

Was this a joke? Silver mine?

Once this was discovered, it had to be reported to the court immediately. The Ministry of Revenue would immediately draft a memorial and present it to Emperor Chengping. After reading the memorial, Emperor Chengping would have the cabinet pick the most suitable person to lead the team to open the mine.

The Great Wu Dynasty had laws that stated that no one was allowed to mine silver alone, not even the princes!

How could He Changdi be so daring to open a mine with Prince Jin!

Chu Lian thought of He Changdi's elusive subordinates when they were in the north. She was slightly alarmed. It was all her fault that she hadn't finished reading the original text. She didn't know if there was anything else about the silver mine.

No wonder he had been so rich back then, buying her jewelry and giving her a shop. When she asked, he only said that the silver was his and that he hadn't earned it through improper means. It was just that he couldn't tell her how he had gotten it.

Damn, it wasn't that he couldn't tell her. This was silver from a private mine.

If Emperor Chengping really wanted to pursue this, this was a serious crime. It was more than enough to strip him of his official position and title.

"His Majesty knows?" Chu Lian's voice unconsciously trembled as she asked.

Sima Hui nodded sternly. "His Majesty knew before the spring hunt."

Chu Lian immediately realized the seriousness of this matter and her expression darkened.

"Also, Imperial Consort Wei also knows about this." Sima Hui calmly said something that caused Chu Lian to break down even more …

Chu Lian couldn't help but exclaim softly.

"But you don't have to worry too much. His Royal Highness Prince Jin and An Yuan Hou have already suppressed the matter. There are not many people who know about it. The emperor has acquiesced in their transfer of the silver mine to the imperial court."

In the end, he was his own son. Although this incident made Emperor Chengping have a bad impression of the fourth prince, the discovery of a silver mine could be regarded as a great achievement. It could barely be regarded as a merit.

Chu Lian suddenly recalled the morning when He Changdi accompanied Princess Leyao.

Sima Hui seemed to have guessed Chu Lian's thoughts.

"The reason why Marquis Anyuan stayed by Princess Leyao's side for the past two days was because of Emperor Ping's orders and Imperial Consort Wei's threat.

Princess Leyao's leg was crippled by her own willfulness. At that time, Marquis Anyuan was not far from her. Imperial Consort Wei believed that Princess Leyao's leg was crippled because Marquis Anyuan did not save her in time. "

Chu Lian's eyes widened in disbelief.

Were there so many reasons for his coldness towards her these past few days?

But why didn't He Changdi tell her anything? When she wanted to have a good chat with him and open her heart to him, he always avoided her.

It was as if she was some kind of dreadful beast.

Sima Hui saw Chu Lian's head droop slightly, her eyes narrowed, and her red lips tightly pursed. She knew that Chu Lian had listened to her words.

"Alright, I won't say anything else. The two of you can't interfere with each other's affairs. If you have the time, ask him."

Sima Hui stroked Chu Lian's silky hair. She lifted the curtain of the carriage and jumped onto the horse's back. With a crack of the horsewhip, she and her horse dashed to the front of the army.

After the spring hunt entered the Imperial City, everyone returned to their respective homes.

However, the officials following Emperor Chengping had to enter the palace to listen to his orders. Chu Lian originally wanted to wait for He Changdi outside the Black Tortoise Gate, but Lai Yue specially came to inform He Changdi that she should return to the residence first.

Chu Lian thought for a moment and glanced at the respectful Lai Yue. She didn't order the carriage driver or guards to move.

Instead, she asked, "Where did you go two nights ago?"

Lai Yue stilled and hurriedly lowered his head to hide the panic in his eyes. He tried to remain calm and said, "In reply to Third Madam, this lowly one didn't go anywhere. I went back to my room to sleep when it was dark."

Chu Lian's originally clear and limpid almond-shaped eyes were now cold. When they landed on Lai Yue, he felt his body tremble uncontrollably.

Lai Yue lowered his head. Chu Lian didn't ask any more questions and just stared at him.

In the end, Lai Yue couldn't take it anymore and told the truth. "Third Madam, this lowly one deserves to die. I shouldn't have lied.

But it was Third Young Master who gave the order.

That … that night, this lowly one and Third Young Master went to the forest to gather herbs. It wasn't until midnight that we gathered all the herbs Noble Consort Wei needed. "

What!

Chu Lian looked at Lai Yue in shock. Her almond-shaped eyes widened even more than before.

Lai Yue thought that Chu Lian still didn't believe him. His voice was sincere and patient. "Third Madam, this lowly one didn't lie. If I did, then tell this lowly one not to …"

"Alright, I understand. I believe you." Chu Lian interrupted him. She let down the curtain of the carriage and returned to her seat.

Noble Consort Wei!

Chu Lian was seething with anger. That woman actually dared to bully her people!

He Changdi was a lunatic. Was he stupid?

How could he agree to such an absurd and obviously torturous reason?

She was so angry.

Although Lai Yue could clearly sense that Third Madam was a bit angry, the carriage parked outside the imperial city didn't move at all.

Was Third Madam going to wait for Third Young Master to return to the estate together?

Lai Yue immediately became happy. During the cold war between Third Young Master and Third Madam, he was the one who suffered the most.

He felt sorry for himself.

He Changdi's back was ramrod straight. He quickly walked up the white jade steps leading out of the palace.

His face was pale. His originally healthy lips were now white and peeling. Sometimes, when he couldn't hold it in, he would cough a few times. It was obvious that he was sick.

However, his temperament was cold and his face was grave and stern. His sickly appearance made him look sickly beautiful.

As he walked through the Black Tortoise Gates, his deep eyes were slightly lowered. Only when he got closer did he raise his eyes slightly.

With just one glance, he saw a familiar carriage parked outside the palace gates. Lai Yue and the estate's guards were standing next to the carriage.

He Changdi's eyes lit up. They were like two glowing lights in a pitch-black night.

His originally cold heart seemed to be instantly enveloped by a wave of warmth. It made him feel so comfortable that he wanted to sigh.

He Changdi couldn't help but quicken his steps.

Lai Yue had seen him from afar. Lai Yue couldn't enter the palace gates right now, so he could only stand there and wave at He Changdi.

He Changdi felt like he had seen the moon after the clouds parted. He didn't mind Lai Yue's silly appearance and went to greet him in a good mood.

As soon as he walked out of the palace gates, Lai Yue smiled and said, "Third Young Master, you've finally come out of the palace. Third Madam has been waiting for you for over an hour!"

He Changdi's eyes were bright, but his expression didn't change. It was still like an ice mountain. He calmly instructed Lai Yue, "After I get on the carriage, tell them to return to the estate."

Lai Yue smiled and agreed.

After He Changdi said this, he immediately turned and quickly got on the carriage.

There was only Chu Lian in the carriage. Wenqing and Wenlan seemed to have expected that he would go back with Chu Lian in the carriage, so they both went out to ride horses.

Chu Lian was lying on her side on the long couch on the side of the carriage. The long couch was covered with a thick and soft cashmere blanket. She was also covered with a small coral colored blanket. Even though she was asleep, her brows were slightly furrowed. It was obvious that she didn't sleep well.

He Changdi took two steps and sat beside Chu Lian. He exerted strength in his arms and pulled her into his embrace.

He asked Chu Lian to sit on his thighs and rest her head on his broad shoulder.

Chu Lian wasn't in a deep sleep, so she woke up the moment he moved.

Seeing her sitting in his embrace in this position and seeing his slightly pale face, she didn't know why her heart ached. Her tears couldn't help but fall.

Chu Lian hugged his neck with one hand and wiped her tears with the other.

She was a little angry with herself. What was wrong with her? Why did she cry so easily? It wasn't like this in the past.

He Changdi's heart was already aching when he saw Chu Lian's tear-stained face that day. Now that she was crying again, how could he bear it?

He reached out and lifted her thin and sharp chin. He used his thin lips to kiss away the tears on her cheeks. Following the tears, he gently kissed the corner of her moist and red eyes.

"Lian 'er, don't cry. It's my fault." He didn't know how to comfort people, so he only said these few words.

However, his deep and emotional voice had a miraculous calming power. Chu Lian's emotions quickly calmed down.

Her tears quickly stopped as she was comforted by this gentle gesture.

Chu Lian sniffled. Then, she hugged He Sanlang's neck with her slender arms and buried her face in He Changdi's chest.

He Changdi called out softly, "Lian 'er?"

"He Changdi, let me lean on you for a while. It's uncomfortable. I don't want to talk right now." Because she was buried in his chest, Chu Lian's voice sounded muffled.

He Sanlang pursed his thin lips. He put his right arm around her waist and hugged her tightly. His left hand gently stroked her back. It was as if he was comforting a child who had been greatly wronged.

At this time, the carriage slowly moved.

He Changdi didn't say anything. He only turned his head from time to time and kissed the hair on top of Chu Lian's head.

He felt the familiar touch of the girl in his arms and the unforgettable taste.

Chu Lian felt suffocated in his chest for a long time. Then, she slowly let go and looked up at He Changdi's face.

She could see that he hadn't been well for the past two days. His green stubble had appeared, and his lips were pale and peeling. There was also a faint green color under his eyes.

Chu Lian couldn't help but raise her head and kiss his stubbled chin. There was a tingling sensation on her lips. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it was very special.

He Changdi's body suddenly froze when Chu Lian took the initiative to kiss him. He stiffened for two seconds. Then, his eyes regained their light. He stared at her, as if the little woman in his arms would disappear if he blinked.