Mu Lingzhu was somewhat startled by her thought, remaining slightly dazed for a moment before becoming excited and eager, her eyes revealing a trace of smug satisfaction.

This trip to Water Cloud Temple had truly not been in vain, as she had finally caught Mu Yunjin’s weakness.

Hmph, Mu Yunjin, you say I have the Sixth Prince in my heart and am unworthy to marry other princes, but aren’t you the same?

Let’s see if the Sixth Prince still wants to marry you now!

Mu Yunjin quickly collected her thoughts, putting away the original red ribbon and finding a new one. She picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and messily wrote a few words wishing for good health, then looked at her handwriting with disdain.

Thinking about the four characters she had written unconsciously earlier, Mu Yunjin felt another chill down her spine, and goosebumps rose on her skin.

To think that such an eerie thing could happen at a sacred Buddhist site.

It would be best to visit less often in the future.

Just as she was thinking this, a mocking voice came to her ears, “Oh my, this grieving one thought the Third Miss Mu was toiling away to write some grand aspiration, but it turns out she only wrote these few characters.”

“Let this grieving one see… oh my, what is written here? It’s worse than what a three-year-old child would write…”

Empress Dowager Zheng had somehow appeared beside Mu Yunjin, her gaze falling on Mu Yunjin’s messy handwriting, her eyes full of contempt.

After a pause, Empress Dowager Zheng gave a snide smile, “Ah, but I shouldn’t say that. Everyone in Butterfly City knows that you are illiterate. To have managed to squeeze out these few characters is already quite an achievement for you.”

“When you have time, perhaps you should let Lingzhu, as your younger sister, teach you properly. After all, you’re about to become a Prince Consort, you can’t embarrass Li. If Lingzhu doesn’t have time, this grieving one can ask the Emperor to allow you to enter the palace and study with the young princes under the Imperial Tutor.”

Empress Dowager Zheng’s sarcastic remarks were heard clearly by everyone in the courtyard, and all eyes inevitably fell on the red ribbon on Mu Yunjin’s stone table.

Mu Lingzhu also wore an expression of one watching a good show, her mind contemplating how to reveal the mysterious scene she had witnessed earlier when Mu Yunjin was acting strangely.

Mu Yunjin stood firmly in place, her face calm and unruffled, completely unaffected by Empress Dowager Zheng’s words. From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Empress Qin, who was approaching.

Sure enough, as expected, before she could speak, Empress Qin had already couldn’t help but interject, “Hmph, Empress Dowager Zheng, why do you keep focusing on this aspect of Yunjin?”

“As the saying goes, ‘a woman adorns herself for the one who appreciates her.’ Look at the three thousand beauties in the harem; aren’t the most favored ones still those top-tier beauties! What use is so much scholarship? Do you expect her to enter the court and help the Emperor govern the country?”

“Empress Qin, you’re being outrageous! This grieving one is still the Empress Dowager, while you’re merely an Empress Consort. When speaking to this grieving one, you’d better be more polite!” Empress Dowager Zheng was immediately angered by Empress Qin’s words and glared at her in fury.

Seeing this, Empress Qin sneered and slowly said, “If you can’t play the game, don’t play at all, and don’t act like a cornered dog when you lose. This grieving one is outrageous? I’m sorry, but it’s all because my son, the Emperor, has spoiled me. If you disagree, you can go argue with the Emperor.”

Empress Qin’s words momentarily silenced everyone around, even Empress Dowager Zheng’s angry retorts got stuck in her throat.

Yes, the current Emperor was the son of that despicable woman Empress Qin. Although she was the rightful Empress Dowager, for many years she had been suppressed firmly by this old woman.

Mu Lingzhu hadn’t expected Empress Dowager Zheng to be defeated once again. With a hint of desolation in her heart, she walked to Empress Dowager Zheng’s side and whispered, “Your Highness, I’ve heard that there’s a sea of flowers on the back mountain of Water Cloud Temple, which is quite spectacular and beautiful. Why don’t we take advantage of the good weather today and go have a look?”

Hearing Mu Lingzhu come to her rescue, Empress Dowager Zheng took a slight breath, then nodded and turned to leave.

After Empress Dowager Zheng’s group had left, Empress Qin looked at Mu Yunjin and gave her a proud glance, “Yunjin, wasn’t this grieving one impressive?”

Mu Yunjin gave Empress Qin a thumbs up.

“Hmph, that old woman Empress Dowager Zheng, after all these years, never wins an argument against this grieving one, yet she still dares to provoke me with her vile tongue. She’s truly asking for trouble. That newly acquired Mu Lingzhu, despite having the title of the first talented lady, has murky eyes that betray her devious nature. Birds of a feather truly flock together.”

Listening to Empress Qin’s words, Mu Yunjin smiled and couldn’t help but admire Empress Qin’s insight into people.

Before leaving, as Mu Yunjin reached the gate of the courtyard, she stopped, unconsciously looking back at the ancient tree behind her. She pursed her lips, her hand slipping into her sleeve, gently clutching the red ribbon with those four characters written on it.

I have returned.

Was there something being hinted at in the mysterious workings of fate?

At that moment, on the back mountain of Water Cloud Temple.

Empress Dowager Zheng walked at the front with a face full of anger, her expression gloomy. Looking at the beautifully blooming flowers beside her, she reached out to pick one and crushed it into several petals.

Seeing this, Mu Lingzhu knew that Empress Dowager Zheng had been greatly angered by Empress Qin. She gathered her courage and said, “Your Highness, Lingzhu has something about my sister that I’m not sure whether I should mention…”

“What is it?”

“Just now in the courtyard with the ancient tree, Lingzhu saw my sister…”

Mu Lingzhu honestly recounted to Empress Dowager Zheng what she had seen earlier. Upon hearing this, there was a thoughtful look in Empress Dowager Zheng’s eyes.

After a moment, Empress Dowager Zheng swept her sleeve, “Return to the palace!”

Upon returning to the mansion, Mu Yunjin immediately took out the ribbon hidden in her sleeve and placed it over a candle flame until it was completely burned.

Sitting in a rattan chair, Mu Yunjin still felt somewhat troubled in her heart. Thinking about the strange event that happened during the day, she couldn’t help but stretch out her hand and examine it carefully.

Zixiang poured a cup of water for Mu Yunjin and looked at her, thinking she was still upset about being ridiculed by Empress Dowager Zheng earlier in the day. She couldn’t help but say, “Miss, please don’t take Empress Dowager Zheng’s words to heart. Empress Dowager Zheng has always been at odds with Empress Qin, so it’s normal that she can’t say anything nice.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin curled her lips and withdrew her hand, “I wouldn’t bother with her. She’s nearly toothless already; how many more years can she live?”

“Miss speaks truly. However, in this mansion, there are often people who come to provoke you. I wonder if things will be more peaceful after Miss marries the Sixth Prince.”

Hearing Zixiang’s words, Mu Yunjin sighed slightly and pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

In the following days, Mu Yunjin stayed in Shihua Pavilion, sitting in the courtyard all day, basking in the sunshine and drinking tea, living quite contentedly.

“Miss, Lin from the Liuli Pavilion has brought you fine garments,” one day, Zixiang walked into Shihua Pavilion from outside, followed by a seamstress carrying two pieces of brocade clothing.

Mu Yunjin raised her eyelids slightly to look at the seamstress behind Zixiang.

The seamstress, meeting Mu Yunjin’s gaze, curtseyed to Mu Yunjin, then stepped forward, “The Third Miss’s coming-of-age ceremony is approaching, coinciding with her wedding to the Sixth Prince. Today, Madam Lin has sent me to deliver to the Third Miss the fine garment for the coming-of-age ceremony, as well as the wedding dress.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin directed her attention to what the seamstress called the wedding dress, raising her eyebrows slightly and sitting up.

Seeing Mu Yunjin rise, Zixiang immediately took the top colorful brocade garment from the seamstress’s hands and spread it open. The colorful garment had edges adorned with gold beads and tassels, and the skirt was embroidered with light gauze that trailed on the ground, bright and vibrant.

“How beautiful!” Zixiang couldn’t help but exclaim.

Hearing this, the seamstress smiled, “This garment was commissioned by the Minister half a month ago. Later, people from Empress Qin’s side also came to give instructions, so I didn’t dare to be negligent and worked for several nights to rush it. I wonder if the Third Miss is satisfied?”

“Yes, it’s very beautiful,” Mu Yunjin nodded. At least it was several times better than what she was currently wearing.

However, the garment was extremely luxurious, and probably after wearing it once on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, there would never be another opportunity to wear it again.

Seeing that Mu Yunjin was satisfied with the ceremonial garment, Zixiang put it aside and took a blood-red wedding dress from the seamstress’s hands.

When the wedding dress was spread out, this time even Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but be dazzled, reaching out to touch the wedding dress.

The wedding dress was as red as fire, made entirely of top-grade brocade. On the surface of the brocade, a pair of faintly visible mandarin ducks was embroidered with bright red thread. The entire dress was gorgeously magnificent, elegant and lively, immediately outshining the previous garment.

Seeing that Mu Yunjin was also satisfied with the wedding dress, the seamstress smiled and said, “This wedding dress was commissioned by the Ninth Princess. The one that the Minister had asked me to make was already half-completed, but it was firmly rejected by the Ninth Princess.”

“Qingyuan got involved too?” Mu Yunjin was somewhat surprised, not expecting Empress Qin to have a hand in the ceremonial garment and Chu Qingyuan in the wedding dress.

The seamstress nodded, then said, “Since the Third Miss is satisfied with these two garments, I am relieved. I won’t disturb the Third Miss any longer; I’ll take my leave now.”

With these words, the seamstress curtseyed to Mu Yunjin and turned to leave.

After the seamstress left, Zixiang picked up the two garments again and excitedly said to Mu Yunjin, “Miss, these two are truly beautiful, and they’re made of precious materials. They’re also made by Liuli Pavilion, the top clothing workshop in Butterfly City. I can’t even imagine how magnificent Miss will look when wearing them.”

“By the way, what needs to be done for the coming-of-age ceremony?” Mu Yunjin asked curiously.

“According to our Western Yuan country’s traditions, on the coming-of-age day, a banquet needs to be set up in our mansion, and you must perform a thanksgiving ceremony to the Master, Madam, and other elders. Finally, the First Madam will perform the hairpin ceremony for Miss, which completes the coming-of-age ritual,” Zixiang explained.

Hearing Zixiang’s words, Mu Yunjin’s brows furrowed slightly, “Su Biqing will perform the hairpin ceremony for me?”

“Yes, although Miss has already worn hairpins, they have all been simple ones. After the coming-of-age ceremony, you can wear those pearl and gem hairpins, signifying that you’ve become a young lady.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin’s face fell slightly, “Given Su Biqing’s nature, she might even put poison on the hairpin!”

“Miss, that day is also your wedding day with the Sixth Prince. Surely the First Madam wouldn’t dare to do such things,” Zixiang smiled after a moment’s thought.

“Let’s hope so,” Mu Yunjin smiled at Zixiang, never having imagined that the ancient coming-of-age ceremony could be so troublesome.