For three consecutive days, Mu Yunjin remained in Liquan Pavilion without taking a single step outside. Each day, Zixiang brought her meals to her door.

During these three days, Chu Li seemed to have vanished into thin air, with no trace of him to be found.

“Young Miss, news just arrived from the Prime Minister’s Mansion. The eldest young master will be taking a principal wife three days from now,” Zixiang announced hurriedly as she brought in the morning meal.

Mu Yunjin, who had just changed her clothes, paused briefly and looked at Zixiang in surprise. “Three days from now? Why such a rush?”

“Yes, that’s what this servant heard,” Zixiang replied.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunjin quickly instructed Zixiang, “Hurry, do my hair. I need to return to the Prime Minister’s Mansion.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

Half an hour later, the carriage stopped steadily at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Mu Yunjin jumped down from the carriage in haste and quickly walked toward the mansion.

At this moment, in the front hall of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, the Prime Minister and Luo Ningyu were seated inside, holding a red booklet in their hands, discussing various matters.

…

…

Seeing Mu Yunjin return, neither of them seemed surprised. They smiled at her and said, “Ah, Yunjin has returned.”

Mu Yunjin nodded. “I heard that Big Brother is taking a wife in three days?”

“Yes, it was sudden. I’m currently discussing the wedding details with your Third Madam,” the Prime Minister said, his eyes showing hints of joy.

“Which family’s daughter is it?” Mu Yunjin asked curiously.

Luo Ningyu smiled and replied, “It’s Zhuang Yuyan, the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Zhuang.”

Zhuang Yuyan?

Mu Yunjin was somewhat surprised, her eyes turning slightly. “Where is Big Brother?”

“In his pavilion.”

“I’ll go see him,” Mu Yunjin said.

Mu Yunjin headed toward Mu Yunhan’s pavilion. Halfway there, she saw Mu Yunhan sitting in the pavilion where they had met before, drinking tea.

“Brother,” Mu Yunjin called out.

Hearing her voice, Mu Yunhan was slightly startled, then turned around. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, he smiled faintly. “Oh, it’s you.”

Mu Yunjin walked over and sat down across from Mu Yunhan, looking at him intently. “Do you know this, Miss Zhuang?”

“No,” Mu Yunhan shook his head.

“Then why suddenly marry her, and in such a rush—three days until the wedding?” Mu Yunjin asked, puzzled.

Hearing her question, Mu Yunhan smiled and replied calmly, “I secretly received news that Chu Qingchang plans to request the Emperor’s permission this afternoon to appoint me as her Prince Consort. Knowing that Grand Tutor Zhuang had privately wished to match me with Zhuang Yuyan, I met with Grand Tutor Zhuang and arranged the marriage.”

Upon hearing Mu Yunhan’s words, Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows slightly. “You announced the wedding news one step ahead of Chu Qingchang. I wonder if she’s furious to the point of madness now.”

“That’s beyond my control. Compared to Chu Qingchang, I find Zhuang Yuyan more acceptable,” Mu Yunhan said softly, with a trace of melancholy in his brow.

Mu Yunjin sighed slightly. “Born into the Prime Minister’s family, neither of us has much say in our marriages. I only hope this Miss Zhuang has a good temperament.”

“Mm,” Mu Yunhan nodded.

Just as they finished speaking, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Then, dressed in a green brocade dress, Chu Qingchang walked over angrily. Upon seeing Mu Yunhan, she spoke harshly—

“Mu Yunhan, you are not allowed to marry Zhuang Yuyan!”

Seeing Chu Qingchang rush in to confront them, Mu Yunjin smiled faintly and looked toward Mu Yunhan.

Mu Yunhan stood up, bowed to Chu Qingchang, and said with a smile, “Greetings, Fifth Princess.”

“Yunhan, why do you suddenly want to marry Zhuang Yuyan?” Chu Qingchang slightly composed herself, stepped closer, and looked at Mu Yunhan kindly.

“I have reached the age for marriage, and coincidentally, Yuyan’s character and appearance are to my liking. There seems to be no reason not to marry her,” Mu Yunhan replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Chu Qingchang bit her lip, her face breaking into a cold smile. “What if this Princess forbids it?”

“On what grounds, Fifth Princess?” Mu Yunhan asked.

“You’re a clever man. You should know Princess’s feelings for you. Mu Yunhan, this Princess will not allow you to marry any other woman,” Chu Qingchang’s eyes were filled with pride.

Listening from the side, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but click her tongue. “Fifth Sister, that’s not right. Big Brother and Sister Yuyan’s marriage has already been announced. How can it be arbitrarily withdrawn?”

Chu Qingchang glared at Mu Yunjin. “Mu Yunjin, you have no say in this matter!”

After a pause, Chu Qingchang slightly raised her chin, meeting Mu Yunhan’s gaze, and continued, “If you must marry Zhuang Yuyan, that’s acceptable, but she can only be a concubine.”

“The position of your principal wife must be reserved for this Princess.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunhan’s expression darkened further.

“Why must Fifth Princess make such unreasonable demands? Do you think you can’t find a husband? Besides, making Sister Yuyan a concubine, would the Grand Tutor agree to that?” Mu Yunjin spoke mockingly.

From what she knew, the Grand Tutor had served two emperors and had been the current Emperor’s tutor, earning great respect from the Emperor. In Western Yuan, his position was of utmost importance.

Mu Yunhan’s acceptance of Grand Tutor Zhuang’s olive branch of marriage alliance was likely due to the Zhuang family’s status in the Western Yuan, which could restrain this arrogant Fifth Princess.

Sure enough, Chu Qingchang’s expression changed. Mu Yunjin’s words had indeed hit her weakness.

She had initially planned to personally seek the Emperor’s intervention, but upon reflection, she realized the Emperor would certainly not agree to her interfering in the marriage alliance between the Mu and Zhuang families. However, the thought of the man she had set her heart on marrying another woman was truly infuriating.

“Yunhan, do you truly have no feelings for this Princess?” After a moment, Chu Qingchang looked intensely at Mu Yunhan.

Mu Yunhan bowed slightly and said, “This humble one is unworthy. I believe the Princess will surely meet her destined one.”

“Hmph, destined one…” Chu Qingchang sneered, her gaze wandering around before finally resting on Mu Yunjin, her eyes flashing with jealousy and hatred.

Then, with a flick of her sleeve, she turned and left.

Walking on the path out of the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Chu Qingchang’s eyes were filled with gloom. She asked her maid, “Wanxiu, which family’s daughter is Zhuang Yuyan closest to?”

“It seems to be Miss Wen from the Wen family…”

Seeing that Chu Qingchang had been easily dismissed, Mu Yunhan glanced at Mu Yunjin. “Little girl, that sharp tongue of yours has truly become formidable.”

“To be safe, I think it would be better to have Zhuang Yuyan stay in our mansion for these three days.”

“Women can be terrifying when jealous,” Mu Yunjin said with a smile, looking at Mu Yunhan.

Mu Yunhan sighed slightly and nodded.

…

After leaving the mansion, Mu Yunjin intended to depart in the Sixth Prince’s carriage, but suddenly Wanxiu’s voice came from nearby, “Sixth Prince’s Consort, the Princess invites you for a heart-to-heart conversation.”

Mu Yunjin paused, realizing that Chu Qingchang’s carriage was still parked at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s Mansion and had not left.

With that thought, she walked forward.

Behind her, Zixiang tugged at Mu Yunjin’s sleeve, looking at her with concern.

“Don’t worry,” Mu Yunjin gave Zixiang a reassuring look.

After Mu Yunjin entered Chu Qingchang’s carriage, she saw Chu Qingchang sitting inside with a cold face, looking at Mu Yunjin with disdain.

Mu Yunjin found an empty spot to sit. As soon as she sat down, the carriage began to move.

“What does Fifth Princess wish to discuss with me?” Mu Yunjin asked directly, her tone cold.

Looking at Mu Yunjin, Chu Qingchang sneered, “Mu Yunjin, you’ve had quite a hand in the matters between this Princess and your brother, haven’t you?”

“Fifth Princess is overthinking,” Mu Yunjin lowered her gaze.

“This Princess sees that you siblings have a good relationship, which is somewhat surprising. Why is it that among blood sisters, Yunhan seems to dislike the top talent Mu Lingzhu, yet is so close to you, a good-for-nothing? Could it be, as Third Brother said, that all the rumors about you in Diehua City for so many years are completely false?”

Mu Yunjin leaned against the carriage, though not understanding the meaning behind Chu Qingchang’s words, she still smiled faintly and said, “Rumors are just rumors. As they spread, the truth becomes indistinguishable from falsehood.”

“Hmph, well said—unable to distinguish truth from falsehood,” Chu Qingchang laughed mockingly. “Do you think that now that you’ve married Chu Li, your days will be peaceful?”

“Is Fifth Princess planning to bring up the legendary Miss Qin again?” Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows.

Seeing Mu Yunjin’s nonchalant attitude, Chu Qingchang’s anger grew stronger. Her lips twisted into a sneer, “No, there’s no need for Muyue. To deal with you, Mu Yunjin, this Princess is enough!”

“Princess, we’ve arrived,” Wanxiu’s voice came from outside.

The carriage stopped.

Mu Yunjin frowned slightly and lifted the carriage curtain, only to see that the carriage had stopped at a secluded residence.

Mu Yunjin stepped down from the carriage and looked around, discovering that the area outside the residence was almost completely desolate. Inside the residence, there was a building with its doors tightly closed.

Zixiang ran up to stand beside Mu Yunjin, speaking somewhat timidly, “Young Miss, as we traveled, I noticed we were heading into increasingly remote areas. I wanted to tell you, but Wanxiu wouldn’t let me speak.”

As Zixiang finished speaking, the main door of the residence opened, and a lavishly dressed woman walked out, followed by more than ten robust men, each carrying clubs.

“Greetings, Fifth Princess,” the woman bowed directly to Chu Qingchang.

Chu Qingchang curved her lips, her eyes on Mu Yunjin filled with killing intent. “Mu Yunjin, this Princess is not a fool. This Princess understands clearly that Mu Yunhan’s marriage matter was your doing behind the scenes.”

“You dare to scheme against this Princess, so this Princess will let you taste the consequences.”

“Madam Li, today I’ve brought you a fine commodity who will become the top courtesan of your Huayue Tower,” Chu Qingchang covered her mouth and smiled coquettishly at Madam Li.

Hearing Chu Qingchang’s words, Zixiang trembled in fear, clutching Mu Yunjin’s garment tightly, never imagining that Chu Qingchang’s invitation for a conversation was a plot to send her mistress to a brothel.

“Thank you, Princess, for supporting my business. Madam Li’s Huayue Tower has flourished for so many years thanks to the Fifth Princess’s backing,” Madam Li smiled happily, glancing at Mu Yunjin with a hint of amazement in her eyes.

“Fifth Princess, you cannot do this! How will you explain this to the Sixth Prince?” Zixiang knelt, pleading desperately.

“The Sixth Prince’s Consort has mysteriously disappeared, and this Princess is also anxious about it,” Chu Qingchang spoke with feigned regret.

Mu Yunjin crossed her arms, looking at the somewhat insane Chu Qingchang, understanding that this woman’s mind had been clouded by the matter with Mu Yunhan.

What was even more surprising was that as a royal princess, who should be privileged and pampered, she was secretly involved in the brothel business.

Didn’t she fear that if this matter were exposed, she would become the disgrace of the royal family?

Chu Qingchang, you are digging your own grave!