As expected, when Chu Chenyi finished speaking, he was met with silence.
"You all are ignoring me like this, making me quite embarrassed. Isn't there anyone who can tell me what you were just talking about?"
Chu Chenyi patiently asked again. If no one answered him this time, he would truly be in an awkward situation.
"It's nothing really, we were just talking about..."
"We were talking about... about this tea. Sister Feng Jin said this tea tastes good..."
Lin Yuwei blurted out before Feng Jin, worried that Feng Jin might accidentally reveal something if she spoke.
"Since it's just about tea, why were you worried about being overheard?"
Chu Chenyi clung to what he had just heard, determined to get to the bottom of it. He had a feeling the two of them were discussing something clandestine.
"You two lovebirds have your own matters to discuss behind closed doors. We won't disturb you further and will be leaving now."
Feng Jin stood up and said. Their marital issues were for them to resolve; she had no intention of getting involved any further.
"Sister Feng Jin..." Lin Yuwei grabbed Sister Feng Jin's hand, her eyes full of worry. "We were just..."
Feng Jin stepped forward and whispered in Lin Yuwei's ear, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else."
Lin Yuwei's eyes overflowed with gratitude. Indeed, best friends were always more reliable than men. Having a good friend like Feng Jin was truly her fortune.
"Alright, no need to see us off. We're leaving."
After saying goodbye to Lin Yuwei, Feng Jin left in a hurry.
"Stop looking, they're already out of sight?" Chu Chenyi observed Lin Yuwei's lingering gaze, his tone slightly sour.
He had never seen Lin Yuwei look so reluctant to see him off before. But now, seeing her look so unwilling to part with Feng Jin, her eyes practically glued to Feng Jin, as if she might just follow her.
Suddenly, a fire seemed to build in Chu Chenyi's chest. His gaze towards Lin Yuwei turned displeased.
"When have I ever wished for you to leave? How could I feel reluctant?"
"What do you mean by that? Clarify what you're saying before you go. Also, what exactly were you talking about with Feng Jin just now? Were you badmouthing this prince..."
Chu Chenyi persistently followed Lin Yuwei, interrogating her relentlessly, determined to get a clear answer.
...
"Ever since we left the Jing Prince's mansion, you've been staring at me. If you have something to say, just ask me directly."
Feng Jin felt increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze. She put down her book and looked directly at Ling Mohan, wanting to see what he had to say.
His gaze was revealed, and Ling Mohan finally shifted his eyes away. He cleared his throat and asked in a deep voice, "What exactly did you say to Lin Yuwei just now?"
It would be a lie to say he wasn't curious. He had wanted to ask since they left the Jing Prince's mansion, but he had suppressed it until now.
Feng Jin raised her eyelids and looked at Ling Mohan. "When did you become so gossipy? Haven't you heard the saying, 'Curiosity killed the cat'?"
"Are you going to tell me or not?"
Without engaging in idle chatter with Feng Jin, Ling Mohan got straight to the point and inquired.
"I promised Lin Yuwei I wouldn't tell. One must keep their word!"
Feng Jin declared, then stood up and walked towards the bed, sprawling out on it. The bed was indeed the most comfortable place. Lying flat felt so good.
"You really won't tell me?" Ling Mohan asked persistently, lying down beside Feng Jin.
"No. Give up on that idea. However, I can tell you something else that might interest you."
"What is it?"
As if doused with a bucket of cold water, Ling Mohan's voice lacked any energy.
"It's about matters in the Third Prince's mansion. You really have no interest at all? If you truly don't want to hear it, then I won't say anything else. I find it tiring."
Seeing his listless and dispirited demeanor, Feng Jin felt annoyed and simply turned away, ignoring him.
Ling Mohan, who had been lacking energy, instantly perked up upon hearing this. He jumped up, grabbed Feng Jin's hand, and urged, "Tell me quickly, what's going on?"
He had heard Chu Chenyi babbling for a long time at the Jing Prince's mansion, but couldn't get a clear answer, which had piqued his curiosity. Now, he wanted Feng Jin to explain it clearly.
"Didn't you not want to listen just now? Why did you change your mind?"
Feng Jin asked in a sarcastic tone, then sighed helplessly. Finally, she patiently recounted everything that had happened at the Third Prince's mansion that day to Ling Mohan, word for word.
"However, what surprised me the most was that despite how much the Empress disliked Feng Ruoyan, she still chose to save Feng Ruoyan's life. This shows how deeply the Empress loves Chu Yanxi. Even if Feng Ruoyan is saved, she won't live much longer."
At most ten years, at least three to four years. Who could guarantee? In the end, she was at the end of her rope, and every extra day was a day snatched from the clutches of death.
"To maintain their mother-son bond, the Empress would never let Feng Ruoyan die like this. It's within expectation. Once Feng Ruoyan is dead, Chu Yanxi, with his temperament, will naturally become more suspicious. Investigating further would ultimately be disadvantageous to the Empress. It's better to do this as a favor and strengthen their mother-son relationship."
Ling Mohan explained calmly. He hadn't expected the Third Prince's mansion to be so lively, making him want to witness it firsthand.
"The Empress and Liu Meng Han are both thinking this way. It's truly difficult for Chu Yanxi, having to live under the schemes of these women every day. He's truly somewhat pitiful..."
Feng Jin worried for Chu Yanxi, who probably had to guard against being schemed against at any moment.
"Sun Shi's death has completely provoked Feng Ruoyan. She will definitely pester Chu Yanxi to investigate this matter. We need to be extra careful these few days and prevent him from investigating us."
Sun Shi ultimately died in the Ling manor, so it was best to be cautious and avoid unnecessary trouble.
Ling Mohan sneered, "There's no need to worry about that. Even if Feng Ruoyan wants to investigate, Prime Minister Feng will not agree. Naturally, someone will step forward to resolve this matter. You don't need to worry too much."
Now that Feng Yuanping's injuries had mostly healed, he was to be sent back to the mansion today. Judging by the time, it should be about right. Not long from now, Feng Yuanping would personally visit the Third Prince's mansion to handle this matter.
"You mean Prime Minister Feng... Prime Minister Feng will prevent Feng Ruoyan from continuing her investigation."