Xiao Ling just lowered her head and saw the jade.

Not only does it look good, it also looks familiar.

Because she could tell the origin of the jade pendant with just one glance.

That is... her Zi Chen Palace.

This Chu thief actually dared to take things from my Purple Palace. Does he have any shame?

Please, you are the Minister of Personnel, not a street thug, can you please not be so shameless?

For a moment, Xiao Ling didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

What’s funny is that Chu Yi actually thought of giving herself a gift.

Sadly, this gift was stolen from his own palace.

But there was no way. Even though she knew that Chu Yi had taken her good things, she couldn't expose it.

I still have to pretend to be surprised and a little ecstatic.

"Kunshan jade? You actually have such a valuable jade pendant. Could it be a gift from someone else?"

After saying that, Xiao Ling hurriedly took the jade pendant from Chu Yi's hand into his arms and examined it carefully.

Such a good thing must be kept well in the future and must not fall into the hands of the Chu bandits.

Seeing that Xiao Ling was very interested in the jade pendant, Chu Yi's mood improved a lot for a moment.

"Haha, I didn't realize you know so much. Most people don't have this thing. It was given to me by the little emperor."

Xiao Ling: “…”

Listen to your nonsense.

She was really impressed by the Chu thief's shamelessness. She didn't expect him to be so thick-skinned.

Just based on their relationship as king and minister, does it seem like I can give you such a good thing?

You should know that the jade that Chu Yi took was mined in Kunshan and is one of the Twelve Months of Qingyun.

This piece is Zhengjue Jade. The first month is the beginning of the twelfth month, which symbolizes the new beginning of the country and its prosperous fortune.

If he really wanted to give the jade pendant of Qingyun Twelve Months to Chu Yi, the treacherous minister of the court, it would definitely be on the day when Chu Yi was suffering from a terminal illness and was about to pass away.

Xiao Ling had such thoughts in her heart. Although she knew that cursing people was not a good thing, she just subconsciously thought about these things.

At least from the perspective of giving a gift to a woman, this piece of jade is completely inappropriate.

But Xiao Ling changed her mind and realized that she was the empress after all, and Chu Yi was her subject.

From this perspective, she was still very happy to accept the prosperity of the country represented by this jade.

"How is it? Do you like it?" Seeing that she was staring at the jade and couldn't let it go, Chu Yi asked.

"Yeah, I like it."

Xiao Ling forced a nice smile and nodded vigorously.

Little did she know that her back teeth were almost broken.

"I'm glad you like it, but..." Chu Yi hugged her closer and looked at Chen Tang's slightly red cheeks.

"Tang'er, can you give me a reward?"

Xiao Ling: “?”

Not only did I not pursue the crime of stealing from the palace, but you dare to ask for a reward?

I really want to reward you with a big slap in the face.

Although thinking this in his heart, Xiao Ling could only smile awkwardly and put the jade away.

"I already asked you to hug me, what other reward do you want? I... don't have anything to give you."

"Of course there's no need for gifts," Chu Yi smiled. "How about you take the initiative and kiss me?"

He thought in his heart that it would be a very worthwhile enjoyment to make a beautiful woman like Chen Tang fall in love with him and receive a kiss from him.

But when Xiao Ling heard this, her face suddenly turned red, and she felt extremely reluctant in her heart.

She had no choice but to be taken advantage of by the Chu thieves, but how could she take the initiative to please the traitors?

Just as he was thinking this, when he raised his head, he met Chu Yi's domineering gaze.

Xiao Ling panicked and pushed him away, "I don't want to..."

"What?" Chu Yi snorted in dissatisfaction:

"I can kiss you, but you refused when I took the initiative, and you're still shy? What's going to happen if we get married next month? Huh?"

When Xiao Ling heard this, he immediately thought of the rumor Yuzhu had just mentioned and couldn't help but get very anxious.

"What do you mean by marriage? And next month? I haven't even agreed to it!"

Chu Yi refused to give in, but patiently explained: "The marriage must be held. Let's set it in the winter, just before the Chinese New Year."

"After the Lantern Festival next year, it will be the Spring Examination. Everyone will be busy then. Besides, there will definitely be a battle between me and the little emperor next year, so the time will definitely be uneasy."

The spring examination in Da'an starts much earlier, basically after the Chinese New Year, so many scholars have already set out to go to Beijing for the examination before the New Year.

Chu Yi was talking earnestly, and Xiao Ling seemed to have grasped something extraordinary from what he said.

"What do you mean there will be a war between you and the emperor next year? Are you planning to rebel next year? Isn't this... isn't this a bit too hasty?"

Xiao Ling asked subconsciously, and as he spoke, he became worried.

If the Chu bandits are going to take action next year, how should I deal with it?

Could it be that he really wants to sell himself to the Chu thief this year so as to turn this political crisis into a family conflict?

"No, I didn't plan to rebel so early. After all, rebellion is not a game. I have to be fully prepared."

Chu Yi was defending himself, his expression turning cold as he spoke, "The young emperor couldn't help himself and planned to rely on the Yan army to enter the capital to deal with me."

Yan army?

Xiao Ling was stunned for a moment.

Then he thought of something and was frightened again.

Didn’t she just send Mu Ci north to Yan territory? How come the Chu bandits got wind of this so quickly?

However, Mu Ci had run into Chu Yan when he was leaving the city. Perhaps the thief Chu had secretly investigated the movements of the Tianwei.

After all, Mu Ci was leading the crowd northward, and with a little thought one could guess several possibilities.

She also knew that Chu Yi had as much intelligence as Tianwei.

In short, Chu Yi's light words made Xiao Ling feel a little heavy.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Chu Yi gently pinched her waist and asked, "Tang'er, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm just a little worried now that you mention it."

Xiao Ling smiled and put his worries behind him for the time being.

As she spoke, she suddenly leaned forward slightly and took the initiative to leave a light kiss on the corner of Chu Yi's mouth.

It was just a very brief movement, and then she lowered her eyes and looked at Chu Yi tentatively.

"Is this okay?"

Faced with this proactive and bold demeanor that also left a hint of affection and shyness, Chu Yi couldn't help but smile again.

"Okay, of course I can't. But it's too short, Tang'er. Let me teach you."

After saying that, he leaned over and covered her red lips directly.