"Grandmother knows that Yi'er has suffered a lot, but as the old saying goes, 'No pain, no gain.' As the Crown Prince, Yi'er has to endure even more hardship than others. Grandmother is happy to see her grandson succeeding." The Empress Dowager patted the Crown Prince's hand and said encouragingly.

The crown prince's eyes reddened, and he choked out, "Grandson can endure hardship, so Grandmother, please don't worry."

Anyone can say they can endure hardship, but he alone is experiencing the greatest suffering in the world, and he is not yet of legal age.

The Empress Dowager nodded emphatically, feeling sorry for her forbearing grandson. He was her only grandson. Although the crown prince was to be chosen by the most capable, her grandson was in no way inferior. Everyone was attacking him, yet he was still alive and well. This showed that her grandson was far superior to those treacherous villains!

"Yi'er, rest assured and recover from your injury. With your grandmother here, no one can harm you. Relax and don't worry about anything, no matter how big the matter is. Just focus on recovering. Some things can't be kept, so we must find the best way to get rid of them. Do you understand?" the Empress Dowager said lovingly.

The Crown Prince understood that this meant they were now safe and there was no need to use the gold mine as a means of survival. The Emperor was currently vying for power with powerful families and nobles, and it was the time to use silver. If they could obtain the gold mine, it would definitely be of great help.

He didn't intend to seize the gold mine for himself. After all, he was the crown prince, the throne would be his in the future, and the world would be his. Why would he care about a mere gold mine? But now his leg was injured, and the physician Ouyang Ping was dead. Would the world still be his? He almost forcibly cut off the ambition that belonged to the 'crown prince' in his heart. At this moment, he was just an ordinary person who had suffered a setback.

Very well, sacrificing oneself for the country is the duty of the royal family. He knew what to do. He took out a letter from his pocket, which he had already written, and handed it to the Empress Dowager. “Grandmother, I have surveyed the area. If it is fully mined, the quantity will be incalculable. Please give it to Father safely and do not forget that I have been protecting it with my life for so long.”

Gold mines can yield tens of thousands of tons of gold. To put it in perspective, one ton is one thousand kilograms. An average family could squander a hundred taels of gold for decades, let alone a gold mine measured in tons.

Everyone would be scrambling to buy it.

The Empress Dowager took the letter, opened it on the spot, read the contents in silence, put it back in her wide sleeve, and said, "Yi'er is a hero of Dayong. Our ancestors will thank you, and future generations will also thank you. My Yi'er is a good man. Take good care of your injuries. Don't worry, your father will definitely deal with those villains."

"Grandson understands, Grandmother, please don't worry. I am guilty for causing you worry." The Crown Prince used to make a few jokes in his conversations, but now he was extremely respectful, humble, and rigid.

The Empress Dowager sighed inwardly. Her own grandson, a living, breathing person, had been tortured into such a ghostly state. In her entire life, who could defeat her but herself? Those who dared to defeat her were suffering day and night. After not moving for many days, people assumed she had grown old. Out of consideration for the Crown Prince, she suppressed the murderous intent that was about to burst forth from her eyes.

She gently tucked the blanket around the Crown Prince, saying, "Yi'er, rest now. I'll come see you again tomorrow." She then placed the Crown Prince's hand under the blanket before leaving.

Zhao Yi thought of bowing, but was stopped by her. Just as she got up to leave, Liu Huan and Peng Rui arrived outside, saying, "Greetings, Empress Dowager."

The Empress Dowager had other important matters to attend to, so she didn't say much to Liu Huan and the other man. She nodded and left.

After respectfully seeing the Empress Dowager off, Liu Huan and Peng Rui entered together, saying, "Your Highness, your humble servants pay their respects."

"Please rise, both of you," the Crown Prince said, forcing himself to stay alert.

The two exchanged a glance, knowing that the Crown Prince was still very weak and listless. However, the matter was urgent, and they didn't have much time, so they decided to keep it brief. Liu Huan spoke first: "Your Highness, I must return to the capital soon. The Empress Dowager has given me half a month to find the true culprit. It's too late for me to go to Jiangnan; I can only start from elsewhere. Your Highness can entrust this matter to me. I only beg Your Highness to recover. I will await Your Highness's triumphant return in the capital." He then glanced at Peng Rui, walked to the Crown Prince, and whispered, "Your Highness, I think the Sun family's daughter is extremely suitable to be the Crown Princess."

After saying this, he saw that the Crown Prince blushed. He chuckled mischievously and took his leave of Peng Rui and the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had nothing to say. Now that his leg injury had not yet healed, everything was just a mirage.

If Liu Huan can hold onto what he already has, that would be best. If he can't, he won't force it. Although everyone comforts him by saying he can get better, he knows for sure that he probably can't.

In the empty hall, only Peng Rui and the Crown Prince remained. Peng Rui was about the same age as the Crown Prince, but a little older. Looking at the Crown Prince, who was not very old but had been subjected to inhuman torture, Peng Rui's compassion, which he had not felt for many years, suddenly burst forth.

The atmosphere seemed a little awkward. Peng Rui coughed, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, I will stay in Guanzhou to protect you. Rest assured, I will not let even a fly in. If you have any orders, please feel free to ask, and I will do my best to fulfill your instructions."

The Crown Prince was extremely envious of Peng Rui. He was dashing and heroic, able to ride a horse and fight, while Peng Rui could only lie here like a cripple. Everyone pitied him and even hesitated to speak, afraid of hurting him. Why should he suffer such treatment that only the weak receive?

He hated himself for being useless, and he hated those people for daring to hurt him. But what was the use? He was already crippled. He was no longer the Crown Prince who could look down on everyone. He was a useless person, a useless person!

Seeing the Crown Prince becoming increasingly dejected, Peng Rui didn't know how to comfort him and paced anxiously in circles.

Just then, a melodious zither tune drifted over, flowing smoothly through the doors and windows of the main hall. It came gently on the breeze, like a clear, tranquil stream flowing through a mountain ravine, or like the faint fragrance of orchids wafting through the valley. The music seemed to possess a power that cleansed the soul, soothing all the hardships of life and the relentless marks of time. The heart gradually found peace in the gentle melody.

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