Mu Yunjin was stunned. Following Master Huaiyuan’s direction, she realized that to access the alarm mechanism, one must first pass through the formation.

Getting through infrared beams wasn’t difficult, but the problem was that they were combined with Master Kongshi’s power.

After a while, Mu Yunjin’s face fell, and she shook her head at Chu Li. “The infrared is just one layer. The real challenge lies in Master Kongshi’s power.”

Hearing this, a dark shadow passed through Chu Li’s eyes, and his handsome face was covered with frost.

This formation—he had spent nearly ten years unable to discern any of its mysteries. Now, having finally discovered some insight, he was still helpless.

Ten years… he wondered what his Royal Consort mother looked like now.

Mu Yunjin noticed Chu Li’s change and couldn’t help but sigh slightly. She looked at Chu Li comfortingly. “There’s still time ahead. Let’s go back and think about it carefully. At least we’ve made some progress today, haven’t we?”

Hearing Mu Yunjin’s voice, Chu Li’s eyes showed some doubt. After a moment, he nodded slightly.

…

…

…

It was already midnight by the time they left Shuiyun Temple.

Although summer had arrived, the open countryside outside the city was exposed to the night wind, which carried a hint of coolness.

Mu Yunjin and Chu Li walked side by side, slowly descending the steps outside Shuiyun Temple. Both had their eyes lowered, filled with thoughts.

After a long while, as they stepped down the last step, Chu Li spoke softly, “How did you know about that red light?”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin paused slightly, glancing at Chu Li. Contemplation flashed in her eyes. After a moment, Mu Yunjin curved her lips. “Years ago, I secretly studied some characters.”

Chu Li nodded slightly. Hearing Mu Yunjin’s explanation, he didn’t pursue the matter further.

In the carriage on the way back, Mu Yunjin was already feeling drowsy, yawning from time to time. “By the way, why did those people from East Neighboring Country come to assassinate in the dead of night?”

Mu Yunjin remembered this and asked curiously.

“East Neighboring Country has been making covert moves in recent years. Not just this Prince, but Chu Qing and Chu Ye have also been targeted for assassination,” Chu Li said.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin nodded with partial understanding.

In her mind, the incident with Chu Qingchang and the brothel surfaced, and curiosity welled up. That day, Chu Qingchang had told Madam Li to take her out of Diehua City immediately.

This indicated that the Huayue Tower was not located within Diehua City.

That residence was merely a place for their secret meetings.

With these thoughts, Mu Yunjin wanted to ask Chu Li if he knew which city housed the Huayue Tower, but asking so abruptly might startle him.

Never mind, she’d investigate on her own.

It seemed that the princes and princesses of Western Yuan were all quite extraordinary.

…

The next day, Mu Yunjin slept until after noon before waking up.

As soon as she stirred, Zixiang’s knock came from outside. “Young Miss, the eldest young master and his wife have come to visit you.”

“My brother and Zhuang Yuyan?” Mu Yunjin sat up, her voice showing surprise.

Zixiang nodded. Hearing that Mu Yunjin was awake, she pushed open the door. “Yes, they just arrived. Mamma Shen is receiving them now. Young Miss, please wash up quickly.”

“Alright.”

Soon after, Mu Yunjin was dressed and walked quickly toward the front hall.

When she reached the front hall, she saw Mu Yunhan in elegant light-colored attire and a woman wearing a plum-red brocade dress. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, both stood up.

“Greetings, Sixth Prince’s Consort.”

“Brother, are you trying to shorten my life?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow, then turned her gaze to Zhuang Yuyan.

Zhuang Yuyan’s face was like spring water and white jade, with cherry-like pink lips. Her face had minimal makeup, yet she appeared extremely graceful and charming.

“Greetings, Sister-in-law,” Mu Yunjin grinned at Zhuang Yuyan.

Zhuang Yuyan paused, then bowed again to Mu Yunjin. “Greetings, Sixth Prince’s Consort.”

“We’re family. Sister-in-law need not be so formal. Like my brother, you can just call me Yunjin.” Mu Yunjin invited Zhuang Yuyan to sit.

After the three were seated, Mu Yunjin calculated the date and felt somewhat curious. “Isn’t today supposed to be Sister-in-law’s return to her maiden home? Why has Brother brought you here?”

“It’s already past noon. We’ve already had lunch at the Grand Tutor’s Mansion. Passing by here on our way back, I thought to bring Yuyan to meet you,” Mu Yunhan said with a calm expression.

Mu Yunjin nodded in understanding, instinctively checking the time, only to realize she had again slept until so late.

After these thoughts, Mu Yunjin looked at Zhuang Yuyan again. She saw Zhuang Yuyan sitting upright, with proper posture, pressing her lips in a gentle smile—the standard demeanor of a young lady from an elite family.

Indeed, her grandfather was Grand Tutor Zhuang, a role model for others. Naturally, he would have been strict with his granddaughter from a young age.

At this moment, Mamma Shen brought in several plates of snacks and some tea. “These are made by this servant’s own hands. Since it’s the first visit of Master Mu and Madam Mu to the mansion, please try this servant’s cooking.”

“Yes, the osmanthus cake that Mamma makes is the most delicious,” Mu Yunjin said with a smile, picking up a piece of cake and eating it with delight.

Hearing this, Mamma Shen gave Mu Yunjin a smiling glance, then excused herself.

After Mamma Shen left, Mu Yunhan took a sip of tea. “Seeing you getting along so well with everyone in this mansion, your brother is relieved.”

Mu Yunjin also felt some emotion. “This mansion truly has no one who makes things difficult for me. It’s much more comfortable than the Prime Minister’s Mansion.”

Hearing Mu Yunjin say this, Zhuang Yuyan smiled with pressed lips. “They say the Sixth Prince is aloof by nature, but he seems especially good to Sister Yunjin.”

“Oh? What makes Sister-in-law say that?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow. Especially good? Not to that extent, surely.

“That day at the palace banquet, the Sixth Prince didn’t hesitate to mock and ridicule Consort Li publicly to help Sister Yunjin out of a difficult situation. This news has spread throughout the outer circles,” Zhuang Yuyan said.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, somewhat embarrassedly tugging at the corner of her mouth.

In the time that followed, after chatting with Mu Yunhan and Zhuang Yuyan for a while, Zhuang Yuyan and Mu Yunjin became more familiar with each other, no longer as formal as when they first entered.

“Meeting Sister Yunjin for the first time today, I find we have quite a connection. I truly look forward to seeing Sister Yunjin again,” Zhuang Yuyan said with a smile.

Mu Yunjin curved her lips slightly. “I’m idle in this mansion all day. Sister Yuyan can come find me anytime.”

Mu Yunjin had become familiar with Zhuang Yuyan, even changing her form of address from “Sister-in-law” to “Sister Yuyan.” She felt that calling her “Sister-in-law” made the other person seem old.

But she was only slightly older than Mu Yunjin.

“Yes, good,” Zhuang Yuyan nodded with a smile, glancing at the time. “By the way, Ruhuan said she’d come to the Prime Minister’s Mansion to find me later. I should head back now.”

Hearing it was Wen Ruhuan, Mu Yunjin frowned slightly for some reason.

When she first met Wen Ruhuan, she was with Yan Lingshang, both extremely polite and flattering toward Mu Lingzhu, who was renowned throughout the land at that time.

But that day at the teahouse when she set up Mu Lingzhu and Mu Yiyang, Wen Ruhuan and Yan Lingshang showed nothing but mockery and disdain for Mu Lingzhu.

It seemed this person had no sincerity, merely good at putting on a superficial performance.

From their interaction so far, Mu Yunjin had found Zhuang Yuyan to be a person of simple and pure thoughts, truly considering Wen Ruhuan as a sister.

Involuntarily, Mu Yunjin felt concerned for Zhuang Yuyan and spontaneously blurted out, “I was just about to return to the mansion to discuss something with Sister Xiarou. Let’s go together.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunhan’s face showed a strange expression, with contemplation in his eyes.

…

After returning to the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Wen Ruhuan was already waiting for Zhuang Yuyan in the front hall.

As soon as Zhuang Yuyan saw Wen Ruhuan, her face broke into a smile. She immediately walked over and chatted intimately with Wen Ruhuan.

Mu Yunjin and Mu Yunhan were still outside. At this moment, Mu Yunhan slightly lowered his eyes to look at Mu Yunjin. “You’ve never been close with Fifth Sister. You wouldn’t come back specifically to find her.”

“Do you think there’s an issue with this, Miss Wen?” Mu Yunhan asked.

Hearing Mu Yunhan say this, Mu Yunjin gave him a thumbs up. “Brother, could you be less perceptive?”

“It’s not that I’m perceptive. It’s just that in the past, Miss Wen has visited our mansion several times, always to see Lingzhu. But since Mother’s incident, I haven’t seen Miss Wen visit again, which indicates she’s an opportunistic person.”

“Though we now have leverage over Chu Qingchang, it doesn’t mean she won’t act through others. During this period, I must be vigilant.”

Mu Yunjin crossed her arms, listening to Mu Yunhan’s clear explanation, and raised her eyebrows slightly. “It seems I’ve come for nothing today.”

“It’s fine. You’re all young women, it will be easier for you to blend in. Later, please keep a close watch on that Miss Wen for your brother. Don’t let her harm Yuyan in any way,” Mu Yunhan said.

“I understand,” Mu Yunjin curved her lips.

Hearing this, Mu Yunhan smiled slightly, then walked in another direction.

Mu Yunjin stepped into the front hall.

At this time, Wen Ruhuan and Zhuang Yuyan were already engaged in an animated conversation. Seeing this scene, Mu Yunjin knew that Zhuang Yuyan and Wen Ruhuan were indeed close.

“Why is the Sixth Prince’s Consort here as well?” Catching sight of Mu Yunjin, Wen Ruhuan blurted out.

Then, immediately realizing her impropriety, she stood up. “Greetings, Sixth Prince’s Consort.”

“Miss Wen, please rise.”

Mu Yunjin found a chair and sat down.

“Ruhuan, this is Yunhan’s sister, Yunjin. You two should have met before, right?” Zhuang Yuyan smiled, helping to connect the two.

Wen Ruhuan nodded, but ever since glimpsing Mu Yunjin, her eyes had been somewhat evasive. “Yes, I’ve met the Sixth Prince’s Consort several times.”

“That’s good. From now on, the three of us can keep each other company. We’re all around the same age, so we should have similar topics to discuss,” Zhuang Yuyan said.

Sitting there, Mu Yunjin caught all the unnatural expressions on Wen Ruhuan’s face. She looked Wen Ruhuan up and down, her gaze somewhat playful.

Then, squeezing out a harmless smile, she said, “Indeed, I’ve seen Sister Wen a few times before, but we never had a chance to talk. Today is a good opportunity.”

Seeing Mu Yunjin’s warm smile, Wen Ruhuan relaxed slightly, curved her lips, and nodded to Mu Yunjin in a friendly manner.

“Yuyan, it’s been so long since I’ve had your homemade water chestnut cake. I wonder if I’m fortunate enough to taste it today? I’ve been thinking about it for so long…” Wen Ruhuan changed the subject, speaking coquettishly to Zhuang Yuyan, her face beaming with a radiant smile.

Hearing this, Zhuang Yuyan curved her lips slightly and gave Wen Ruhuan a smiling glance. “You always pester me to make water chestnut cake whenever you visit. But since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll make some for you. It’s perfect timing with Sister Yunjin here as well…”