Xie Yunqi walked out slowly, his jawline was taut, his face was still a little pale, but he did not lose his elegance at all. When he saluted Chu Lang, the light mole at the end of his eye sparkled in the candlelight.

Chu Lang's eyes flashed with a hint of darkness, and then he smiled and said, "Thank you, Prime Minister, there is no need to be so polite. I should have come to visit you earlier, but unfortunately I was busy with court affairs and have been delayed until now."

He took a step forward and said sincerely, "Prime Minister Xie's injuries have not healed yet. The hot spring villa outside the city has just been renovated recently. The spring water is very effective in healing injuries. Why don't you go there to recuperate?"

That farm was Concubine Xie's dowry. It is said that it is connected to an underground mountain range of active fire that has existed for thousands of years. The spring water is a natural "eye of the spiritual vein" and is rich in various rare minerals. Soaking in it can not only cure diseases and strengthen the body, but also has miraculous effects on old injuries.

Even Chu Qingluan was a little surprised.

It is said that even Concubine Xie has never been to this manor, but now they invite Xie Yunqi to recuperate there, which shows how much they value him.

However, Xie Yunqi's expression did not change, and his eyes were distant: "Your Highness's kindness, I appreciate it, but the imperial physician has instructed that I need to rest and not move."

Chu Lang frowned.

He had heard that Xie Yunqi was arranged to stay in the most remote courtyard of the princess's mansion. That place was cold and damp. How could it be suitable for recuperation?

It was obvious that Chu Qingluan was deliberately ignoring me.

“Why are you being so formal, Prime Minister Xie?” Chu Lang glanced at Chu Qingluan meaningfully, “Hanzhu Garden is located in a remote area. I’m afraid it’s not conducive to recovery from injuries. My manor…”

"Your Highness, you are worrying too much." Xie Yunqi interrupted him, "The quiet and secluded Hanzhu is just what I want, not to mention..."

He raised his eyes, a hint of dark joy flashed in his eyes: "I still need to cooperate with the princess in investigating the case. I am afraid it will be inconvenient for me to go outside the city."

The smile on Chu Lang's face was a little hard to maintain.

Xie Yunqi actually rejected him in front of Chu Qingluan. He was the crown prince, and now he had condescended to invite him, and he was still putting on airs?

Chu Lang was very unhappy.

There was a sinister flash in his eyes, and his hand holding the teacup tightened unconsciously.

But he still needs to rely on the Xie family in the future, so naturally he cannot offend Xie Yunqi for this.

So he suppressed the anger in his heart and smiled again: "Since Prime Minister Xie is injured, I naturally can't force him."

He put down the teacup and said in a gentle tone, "It's just that the hot spring manor is indeed very effective in healing injuries. If Prime Minister Xie changes his mind, he can send someone to the East Palace to pass on the message at any time."

Xie Yunqi nodded slightly: "Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness."

Chu Lang's eyes moved between Xie Yunqi and Chu Qingluan, and he said meaningfully: "Speaking of which, I heard that the husband of the emperor's sister who was a commoner has now moved into the princess's mansion? But after all, there is a difference between men and women. The emperor's sister will choose a prince consort in the future. Don't you care about your reputation?"

Chu Qingluan paused, raised her eyes and looked at him, "Royal brother is well-informed."

"Don't blame me, my sister. I am just concerned about you." He pretended to be concerned. "After all, it would not sound good for a princess to leave a husband in her mansion."

"An ex-husband?" Chu Qingluan chuckled. "My royal brother must have remembered it wrongly. The divorce agreement clearly stated that it was I who divorced him."

Xie Yunqi raised the corners of his eyes slightly, and a happy arc appeared at the corners of his lips.

Chu Lang was choked for a moment, but still refused to give up: "But now he lives in the princess's mansion again..."

"What? My royal brother is even asking about the servants in my palace?" She suddenly interrupted Chu Lang, her eyes were as sharp as knives, and she glanced at Xie Yunqi beside her.

"Or... Brother, are you afraid that I will get too close to Prime Minister Xie and ruin your plan to win over the Xie family?"

Chu Lang's face suddenly changed!

Chu Qingluan stood up and adjusted her sleeves slowly, "Don't worry, my royal brother. I have no interest in the Xie family."

She glanced at Xie Yunqi and curled her red lips slightly: "But your good third brother, I heard that he has been very close to the Gu family recently."

Chu Qingluan felt that what Xie Yunqi said made sense. Chu Lang was so free, and instead of letting him stare at her all day and cause trouble, it would be better to take the initiative to find something for him to do, such as letting him focus his firepower on her third brother. It would be a good choice.

——

After coming out of the princess's mansion, Chu Lang was in a bad mood.

After returning to the palace, he went straight to Concubine Xie's palace. The servants saw that he had a sullen face and immediately left. Concubine Xie was leaning on the couch sipping tea. Seeing him like this, she couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Why, did you run into trouble with Chu Qingluan again?"

"Mother!" Chu Lang paced back and forth in the palace in anger, "Xie Yunqi, he actually rejected my invitation in front of Chu Qingluan today, and said that the Princess's Mansion is quiet and secluded, which is just what he likes."

Concubine Xie was stunned at first, then her brows slightly frowned.

"Mother, do you think the Xie family will side with Chu Qingluan?"

Concubine Xie shook her head, her voice firm: "Silly child, you haven't figured out yet that Yun Qi is trying to test Chu Qingluan's background for you."

"Details?" Chu Lang looked confused.

Concubine Xie put down the teacup, a shrewd gleam in her eyes.

"Think about it carefully, why did Yun Qi insist on living in the princess's mansion, and in Hanzhu Garden?"

Chu Lang frowned and thought, "Isn't it because..."

"Although Hanzhu Garden is located in a remote area, it is also sparsely populated. I heard that His Majesty secretly gave the northern border defense map to Chu Qingluan a few days ago and hid it in the princess's mansion."

Chu Lang took a breath and said, "What mother means is..."

"Yun Qi is paving the way for you." Concubine Xie said confidently: "The old lady of the Xie family sent someone to the palace to express her loyalty the day before yesterday, saying that the Xie family will always stand by your side. Don't you even trust your own cousin?"

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