After Dugu Ling finished speaking, he realized that the three people eating were all looking at him with very strange expressions.

Even the old woman Ji, who was serving nearby, had a strange expression on her face.

Dugu Ling stammered, "Wh...what's wrong?"

He didn't know how his grandmother had managed to persuade his father to ask to take Ji Yun to the Hall of Mental Cultivation!

What kind of place is the Hall of Mental Cultivation? It's the Emperor's bedroom!

If they really go, will they be able to come back?

In a moment of panic, he blurted out what he had just said.

Seeing everyone's expressions of "Has he taken the wrong medicine?", Dugu Ling suddenly became a little uncertain. Could it be that he misheard?

"Father, you...you just said you were going to take Ji Yun to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, right?" Dugu Ling couldn't help but ask.

Dugu Tianxiong paused for a moment, then nodded, "Yes, that's right."

Your grandmother loved growing vegetables, and Ji Yun asked to help with the management. Your father was worried that she wouldn't be able to do it well since she had no experience with these things, so he asked her to fetch the book "Essentials of Agricultural Administration".

Is there a problem?

Having finally heard the entire context, Dugu Ling was speechless.

"No, no problem." He stammered again.

However, after several days of inner turmoil and longing, Dugu Ling had no desire to move an inch when she saw Chu Yuan again.

He shamelessly sat down next to Chu Yuan and said, "I'm also a little hungry, so let's try some of the vegetables grown by my imperial grandmother."

The Empress Dowager glanced at her grandson and said, "The others were pulled up long ago. Of all the dishes on this table, only the stir-fried vegetables in front of you are made from the tender leaves that were recently added after the soil was changed. If you want to eat them, then eat more."

Dugu Ling, who absolutely dislikes eating vegetables, was speechless.

He felt that the palace today was largely incompatible with him.

After finally finishing a meal of lush green vegetables, the Empress Dowager still made Chu Yuan read scriptures.

Dugu Ling listened for a while, but couldn't sit still any longer. He stood up abruptly and said, "Grandmother, I have something to say to Ji Yun. Can we stop reading for today?"

He glanced at the water clock in the room out of the corner of his eye, his mind in turmoil, worried that if he delayed any longer, Dugu Jue's thing would come out before dark!

The Empress Dowager was clearly surprised, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? What are you talking about with Ji Yun?"

What is it that I can tell you?

Dugu Ling's voice froze for a moment, "Anyway, I have something to do, so please don't ask so many questions, Grandmother!"

The Empress Dowager rarely saw her grandson speak in such an angry tone, especially since he had been appearing in the palace so frequently lately.

In the past, I would not see him for more than a month at a time, and whenever someone was sent to inquire, I would say he was sick.

I'm afraid I've been to the palace four or five times this month.

The Empress Dowager's solemn gaze swept across Chu Yuan's face, a thought flashing through her mind. She waved her hand, "Alright, go. But you're not allowed to bully Ji Yun, understand? You're the Crown Prince, you can't act like Yue'er, or I won't forgive you!"

Dugu Ling clenched her hands together excitedly. Finally, she could speak to Ji Yun alone. She immediately nodded and said, "Grandmother, don't worry. I'm not as bored as Yue'er."

It was the word "bully" that made Dugu Ling's mind wander.

He turned around, his gaze burning with passion, and he almost couldn't resist taking Chu Yuan's hand.

Because the Empress Dowager was still there, he forcibly restrained himself and shook his head at Chu Yuan, "Let's go, let's talk in the Imperial Garden."

Chu Yuan had sensed that Dugu Ling was acting strangely since the start of dinner.

But he's a mentally ill person, so I guess he wasn't exactly normal to begin with.

As soon as the two left, the Empress Dowager looked at their departing figures with a deep gaze. "Granny Ji, why do I have this feeling that sometimes the flowers I plant with care don't bloom, while the willows I plant without intention thrive?"

The latter placed her hands on her lower abdomen, bowed slightly, and stepped forward. "Your Majesty, are you referring to Consort Ji Yun and His Highness the Crown Prince...?"

The Empress Dowager nodded, then shook her head after a moment, "No rush, let's wait and see."

If Ling'er really takes a liking to Ji Yun, it wouldn't be a bad thing, would it? Just now, looking at the two children, they seem to be a perfect match in terms of height, appearance, temperament, and looks.

The key is that Ling'er has always been sullen and often stays in the Crown Prince's residence without going out. If Ji Yun can brighten him up, that would be a wonderful surprise!

Just thinking about it made the Empress Dowager feel happy. With the help of Granny Ji, she walked around the palace to digest her food. Her eyes were bright and alert, and there was no trace of the dejection of a patient.

Here, Dugu Ling led Chu Yuan to the pavilion from last time. It was getting cold, and the pavilion was covered with cloth. Charcoal was burning inside, and the small crackling sound was particularly clear in the quiet environment.

The two maids and servants stood guard outside. Chu Yuan took a sip of hot tea and looked at the awkward man. "Speak, what is it?"

The latter opened his mouth for a long time but couldn't utter a single word.

Chu Yuan finished her cup of tea, her patience exhausted. She stood up, patted her bottom, and said, "Your Highness, if you have nothing else to do, I need to go back and rest. I used my brain a lot today and need to sleep to replenish my energy."

【Hey cutie, what were you thinking about?】Baba suddenly popped out.

Chu Yuan thought for a moment, then said confidently, "Let's watch the show!"

Baba: [...] That's really something.

"Wait a minute!" Seeing Chu Yuan about to leave, Dugu Ling became anxious and immediately stood up from the stool. "Ji Yun, you've gone to great lengths to please the Empress Dowager, is it all for the sake of restoring your kingdom? If your goal in restoring your kingdom isn't to compete with Hua Xu for the world, then I'll help you!"

Dugu Ling thought that perhaps no condition could be more tempting for the former princess of Ji Yun Kingdom.

And that's exactly what he can give her.

Chu Yuan heard every word clearly, but she still couldn't help but be slightly surprised. She suddenly turned around and looked into Dugu Ling's eyes, "What did you say?"

As soon as I finished speaking, I felt myself being pulled into a very warm embrace.