C330 The Disaster in Hengzhou

Yu Longchen knew nothing about Yun Xi leaving the manor. He was busy with matters in the Imperial Court, so he took some time every day to go to the roof and look at Mu Ruqing who was in the courtyard. It would take one to two hours for him to see her.

Huatine had come to the study to find him a few times. He was not willing to disagree with Yun Xi. Perhaps holding Yun Xi's life was the last thing he would do to her.

Time always passed very quickly. Mu Ruqing had more than five months of health.

The matter of the ore mine in Hengzhou had also been resolved. After resolving the matter of the officials in the province, Yu Longtang had clearly listed the ore mines in Hengzhou under his banner.

It was no longer under the control of the Fang family. Yu Longtang was acting on his own this time. Initially, Yu Longchen did not support him, but Yu Longtang did not listen to him. Faang Zijun had also given it to him, so Yu Longchen could not say anything more.

There was still more than a month before Yu Longchen's confinement was lifted. Regarding matters in the Imperial Court, he had always wanted to be powerless. There were not many officials that he could rope in, and the position he held was not high either. For a moment, he could not say anything.

"Your Highness, Lord Xing is here." A middle-aged man followed Changxu into the room.

He was slightly plump, a little short, with a square face and a heroic look in his eyes. He was the best official on Yu Longchen's side. He was only below Minister of Justice in the Ministry of Justice.

"This official greets the prince." Lord Xing bowed respectfully, while Yu Longchen was worried. Something must have happened in the court.

"Sit." Yu Longchen gestured to Lord Xing.

Before Lord Xing could take a seat, he said, "Something happened in the ore mine of Hengzhou Prefecture."

“ Oh? " Yu Longchen put down the teacup he had just picked up.

"The tunnel collapsed, and more than 40 people died. More than 20 of them went missing, and more than 30 of them were disabled." The more Lord Xing spoke, the more depressed his expression became. As an official, no one wanted to see so many casualties amongst the people.

"Can we find out the cause of the collapse?" Yu Longchen felt terrible.

"The survivors said that it was because of the supporting pillars in the tunnel. The tunnel was damp, and it was corroded all year round. In addition, during the rainy season of Hengzhou, accidents happened during the mining."

"Impossible." Yu Longchen stood up and said angrily, "The wooden pillars in the tunnel will be changed every year."

"This official also knows what His Royal Highness said, but it can't be investigated. This morning, he received a report from the Hengzhou Prefecture, which was calculated according to the distance. The incident in the Hengzhou Prefecture was already six days ago, even if it was done by someone... If he were to investigate now, it would be a matter of many days later in Hengzhou. The traces have long been erased." Lord Xing put his hands on his knees, looking like he was in a difficult situation.

" Does Royal Father suspect that the Crown Prince is involved in this matter? " Yu Longchen frowned deeper and deeper. If his guess was correct, it was Yu Yulong who did it.

"The Emperor was furious and went into a rage in the Imperial Court. He directly denounced the Crown Prince and stripped the Crown Prince of his right to manage the administrative matters. He scolded the Crown Prince for a good while!" Lord Xing's tone and tone were all down as if it happened in his eyes.

"This matter can no longer be remedied." Yu Longchen sighed and said, "That day, the Crown Prince told me that he wanted to seize the Hengzhou mine, and I didn't agree to it. If something happens today, Royal Father will punish him. King Yi will definitely divulge the news to Royal Father. "

"Since the Royal Highness has already said so, this matter can only be resolved." Lord Xing lowered his head and sighed, "It has affected those suffering civilians. I don't know how many parents and families will be in extreme pain."

"King Yi always does things ruthlessly, how could he possibly think of such things? This time, it was this king who was careless. I didn't think that King Yi would make such a fuss. I only thought that he wanted that mine. I never thought that... He is waiting for the Crown Prince here. " Yu Longchen's heart ached for those commoners. But now, apart from sympathizing with them, there was no other way to remedy it, "There must be someone on the Crown Prince's side who is in charge of this matter. Did you find out? "

"Not yet. Crown Prince doesn't seem to care about this matter. After the morning court session, he only saw that he was a little depressed." Lord Xing was thinking about how he saw Yu Longtang today.

"Never mind." Yu Longchen wanted to, but lacked the strength. "You just need to advise the Crown Prince. As for whether he will listen or not... You don't have to worry about that. Find the spy as soon as possible. Those people must not be put in an important position by the Crown Prince. They must have other thoughts."

"Yes." Lord Xing listened as he pondered what he should do. "Your Highness, there is a saying that this official does not know whether to speak or not?"

"Speak." Yu Longchen looked at Lord Xing with a dignified expression.

"There are rumors outside that there is a problem with the relationship between the Royal Highness and the Princess. The Royal Highness only favours Lateral Consort Yun..."

As Lord Xing spoke, he received Yu Longchen's gaze and was somewhat flustered. He raised his hands and waved them twice. "This official was rude. But the Princess was Prime Minister Mu's direct daughter after all, and was deeply doted upon by Prime Minister Mu. Since this official heard about it, Prime Minister Mu must have heard a lot about it. Prime Minister Mu was like the sun in the sky in the court and was still the target of King Yi and the Crown Prince's roping. If the Royal Highness really neglected the Princess, I am afraid Prime Minister Mu..."

"How long has this matter been spread?!" Yu Longchen's voice became louder, and he looked like he was about to slam the table.

"A few days ago. The rumors were just vague. Recently, the rumors have become ridiculous. " Lord Xing felt Yu Longchen's anger, so he arranged his hands neatly and spoke with more respect.

"King Yi..." Yu Longchen placed his hand on the coffee table and supported his chin.

"Does the prince have any other orders?" After Lord Xing finished reporting the matter, he stood up and bowed to Yu Longchen.

"Thank you, Lord Xing." Yu Longchen stood up and came back, "Once there are any clues regarding the investigation, inform this king. As for the rest, I will do it."

"Understood. Your subordinate will take his leave."

Changxu sent the Punishment Master out of the palace.

"Something has happened in the Imperial Court." Mu Ruqing quietly walked in. Yu Longchen did not expect her to come back. He was a little surprised and happy.

"Why are you here?" Yu Longchen always hid his emotions, so in Mu Ruqing's eyes, he was cold.

"I am here to help His Royal Highness solve his problem." Mu Ruqing sat beside Yu Longchen. This way, she could easily pull him over. "Besides, it is not a rumor outside... Ah... No, it's not a rumor. The news of the Imperial Residence had already spread. The Royal Highness' reputation is worrying. "

"It's you?" When Yu Longchen heard her words, he looked at Mu Ruqing in disbelief.

"This is the truth." Mu Ruqing admitted it. At first, what she said was not as bad as what was spread outside. Later on, she did not know who exaggerated it.

"How can you..."

"What's wrong with me?"

Mu Ruqing snatched Yu Longchen's words. Yu Longchen stared at her with wide eyes and looked at her as she spun around.

Mu Ruqing pulled his hand and placed it on her stomach. "Royal Highness, don't be angry. Feel the child's breath..."

Yu Longchen seemed to have discovered a new continent. His expression was as surprised as a child eating the first mouthful of sugar.

"Can I hear it?" Yu Longchen felt that touching was not enough, so he stood in front of Mu Ruqing and requested in a low voice.

Mu Ruqing saw his silly and careful look and suddenly felt happy. They should have been like this.

Thinking about it, the corner of her mouth curled up and she nodded at Yu Longchen.

Yu Longchen half squatted and looked at Mu Ruqing's bulging stomach. He smiled happily and moved his ear over as if he had slowed down his movements.

After listening carefully, he seemed to hear a weak but strong heartbeat.

"Plop plop plop..."