Mu Yunjin carried Zixiang all the way, flying to the courtyard of the Prince’s mansion. After landing steadily, Zixiang’s legs went weak, and she fell on her bottom. Trembling, she pointed at Mu Yunjin with eyes full of shock.

“Miss, you…”

Mu Yunjin made a ‘shh’ gesture, signaling her to be quiet. She bent down and pulled Zixiang up from the ground, whispering, “It’s a secret, remember not to tell anyone.”

Zixiang covered her mouth and nodded, then looked Mu Yunjin up and down.

Mu Yunjin poked Zixiang’s forehead. “Stop staring. I’m still your mistress, the genuine article.”

Zixiang had already encountered many surprising things from Mu Yunjin recently. Hearing Mu Yunjin’s words now, she could calmly digest them.

Thinking about it, she secretly sighed in her heart—this lightness skill was really impressive, flying back from the outskirts in just a short while.

Mu Yunjin was truly tired. She ordered someone to prepare hot water for a bath, and after bathing, she fell into a deep sleep.

……

…

…

When Chu Li walked out of his room in the morning, he glanced at the tightly closed door across from him. Ding Xian came up beside him, reporting the events of the previous night.

“Princess Rong and the Princess Consort completely fell out yesterday. But the Princess Consort has quite a sharp tongue—she cursed the entire Qin family,” Ding Xian said.

Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Chu Li’s lips. “She wouldn’t be herself without that sharp tongue.”

“Indeed, the Princess Consort is not someone to be easily fooled. I expect Princess Rong must be sick with anger for several days.”

Chu Li nodded slightly. After walking out of Liquan Pavilion, he seemed to remember something. His steps halted, and he looked at Ding Xian with a somber expression. “These days, assign another batch of guards to follow Mu Yunjin.”

“Assign more? We’ve already assigned nearly five hundred, more than any princess in the royal family…”

Before Ding Xian could finish, he met Chu Li’s cold gaze and immediately covered his mouth. “This servant will arrange it right away.”

After walking away, Ding Xian let out a relieved breath and looked back at Chu Li. Counting on his fingers, he thought: His Highness has about a thousand purple-armored guards, half of them are with the Princess Consort, and now he wants to assign more. His Highness values the Princess Consort…

Tsk, tsk, tsk, a person who has truly fallen in love is indeed different. Probably before long, all the thousand guards will be assigned to the Princess Consort.

When Chu Li arrived at the front hall, Prince Rong Chu Zhen was hurriedly walking in, his face full of anger. Upon seeing Chu Li, he immediately started cursing.

“How do you discipline your consort? She dares to defy her elders! Shuning’s health had just improved, and early this morning she fell ill with anger again!”

Hearing this, Chu Li didn’t get angry. He sat down, leisurely took a sip of tea, and with a cold gleam in his eyes, said, “Uncle, since when do you have a say in how I handle my woman?”

Prince Rong, stared at by those icy eyes, inexplicably shuddered. Suppressing his anger, he said, “Your uncle was just anxious. But your wife is, after all, younger; how could she make her aunt fall ill with anger? Li’er, you really must control her better.”

Chu Li rubbed his temples. “If you have any complaints, go discuss them with Yunjin directly.”

“This, this, this…” Prince Rong hesitated. He had heard about last night’s events—this little niece-in-law had quite a poisonous tongue, obviously spoiled by Chu Li.

If he had to talk to Mu Yunjin, he wouldn’t go. He’d rather not risk getting his nose bloodied without venting his anger.

As they were talking, Mu Yunjin walked into the front hall from the back garden, stretching lazily. Entering the hall, she narrowed her eyes upon seeing Prince Rong Chu Zhen and laughed lightly.

“Has Uncle come to apologize to me? It’s not necessary. My aunt is indeed somewhat fiery in her actions, but we’re all family. I won’t take this to the Emperor.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Li almost choked on his tea. The corners of his lips curved upward, unable to hide his excellent mood at this moment.

Prince Rong truly felt that he had forgotten to check the almanac before going out today. Looking at the young couple in the hall, so in tune with each other, he felt even more stuffed in his heart. With a flick of his sleeve, he stalked away.

After Prince Rong left, Mu Yunjin poured herself a cup of water and laughed coldly. “What a bizarre family.”

“Mu Yunjin, it seems this Prince’s worries about you were unnecessary,” Chu Li said, his expression bright, with a faint smile.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin blinked at Chu Li. “Of course! It’s because I have a big shot like you covering for me!”

“Stupid.”

“Get lost! You called me stupid again!” Mu Yunjin bristled.

Chu Li narrowed his eyes and spoke coolly, “Say that again?”

“Mamma Shen, I’m hungry. Roll me a couple of eggs to eat…”

……

After finishing breakfast, Mu Yunjin prepared to return to the Prime Minister’s mansion.

Chu Li happened to be going out to handle some matters, so the two parted at the Prince’s mansion gate.

Walking on the street, Mu Yunjin was in an extremely good mood today. She strolled along the way to the Prime Minister’s mansion, and by the time she and Zixiang arrived, her hands were already full of various items.

Mu Yunjin walked in and, seeing no one in the front hall, went directly to Mingzhu Tower.

Halfway there, she met Mu Xiarou and Luo Ningyu.

“Third Sister…” Mu Xiarou’s eyes lit up when she saw Mu Yunjin, and she ran over.

Mu Yunjin made an “mm” sound and nodded to Luo Ningyu beside her in greeting.

“Is Yunjin also here to see Lingzhu?” Luo Ningyu asked cautiously, knowing the relationship between these sisters had never been good. She feared asking the wrong thing.

Mu Yunjin nodded and asked as they walked, “How is her condition?”

“The illness is now under control. When she was brought in last night, it was truly frightening. Later, after the doctor prescribed medicine and bandaged the wounds, she got a bit better,” Luo Ningyu said, still in shock.

As they were speaking, the three arrived at the entrance of Mingzhu Tower.

In Mu Lingzhu’s bedroom, three doctors were in attendance. Prime Minister Mu sat in a chair to the side, his face ashen. On the bed, Mu Lingzhu struggled to keep her eyes closed, her arms exposed, covered with pungent medicine.

“Father.” Mu Yunjin approached.

Seeing Mu Yunjin arrive, Prime Minister Mu stood up and beckoned to her. The two walked out.

Outside Mu Lingzhu’s bedroom, Prime Minister Mu frowned and spoke, “Was it you who had Lingzhu sent back last night?”

Mu Yunjin nodded and told Prime Minister Mu everything that had happened at Rong Prince’s mansion the previous night.

“Bang!” Prime Minister Mu slammed the table heavily.

“This is outrageous! The Qin family is too much!” Prime Minister Mu roared, his face turning red.

Mu Yunjin took a sip of water. She wasn’t surprised by Prime Minister Mu’s attitude and spoke calmly, “With Qin Shuning at Rong Prince’s mansion, if Lingzhu returns, it would be like sending her to her death.”

“Then, what do you suggest?” Prime Minister Mu’s words carried deeper meaning.

“Nothing much. It depends on whether Father can be ruthless enough to keep Lingzhu in the mansion.”

“Although she is newly wed, staying in the mansion will certainly ruin her reputation, but for her, this is the best option.”

Prime Minister Mu was stunned. He took a deep breath and, after a moment of silence, clenched his fists and said word by word, “What about eliminating Qin Shuning?”

If Qin Shuning wasn’t eliminated, Zhu’er’s life would be completely ruined. Besides, the Qin family had been repeatedly challenging the Prime Minister’s mansion lately. He had to strike back at least once.

Mu Yunjin shook her head, disagreeing with Prime Minister Mu’s suggestion. “Qin Shuning was born in a military family, so her capabilities are not to be underestimated. Moreover, if anything happens to her at this critical time, the outside world would first suspect our mansion.”

“Qin Shuning is a woman who married out. The Qin family surely doesn’t value her that much. If she dies, the Qin family just loses a chess piece. But our Prime Minister’s mansion might face repercussions affecting the entire household.”

“So there’s no solution at all?” Prime Minister Mu was irritated.

“Let’s wait until Fourth Sister recovers. She has studied for so many years; surely that can be put to use.” Mu Yunjin smiled slightly.

Prime Minister Mu seemed to half-understand. He sighed—at this juncture, he could only swallow this insult for now.

“Princess Consort, Fourth Miss is awake and wishes to speak with you.” Cuiyun walked out and looked at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin made an “mm” sound and got up to enter.

After entering, Mu Lingzhu dismissed all servants, leaving only her and Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin found a chair to sit on and calmly fixed her gaze on Mu Lingzhu, waiting for her to speak.

Mu Lingzhu looked around, struggled to sit up, and after a moment, knelt on the bed and kowtowed to Mu Yunjin three times.

Mu Yunjin watched this scene silently, not saying a word.

“I give you these three kowtows to thank you for saving me last night. Mu Yunjin, I didn’t expect your heart to be not so bad,” Mu Lingzhu said, lying back down.

Mu Yunjin sat with her legs crossed, raising an eyebrow. “No matter how bad I am, I’m not as bad as you. Your heart, if taken out, would probably be black.”

“Didn’t you promise me that day, if I shared a secret with you, you would help me once? Now that you’re so capable, eliminating Qin Shuning shouldn’t be difficult, right?” Mu Lingzhu said matter-of-factly.

Mu Yunjin rolled her eyes. “You only said to help you once. Didn’t rescuing you last night count as helping?”

“This…” Mu Lingzhu narrowed her eyes, biting her lip, her eyes full of unwillingness.

“Once I recover, I absolutely won’t let Qin Shuning off,” Mu Lingzhu said, tightly gripping the quilt.

Mu Yunjin smiled faintly. “That’s right. When it comes to doing bad things, no one compares to you. Dealing with someone like Qin Shuning, I believe you have plenty of methods.”

“You…” Mu Lingzhu naturally heard the mockery in Mu Yunjin’s words. She turned over, her back to Mu Yunjin. “You can leave. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

“Ahem, then I’ll await my sister’s good news. Wishing you an early ascension to the position of Princess Rong.” Mu Yunjin said with a fake smile, walking out.

Leaving the room, she saw the hall outside was full of people.

“Brother, you’re here.” Mu Yunjin looked at Mu Yunhan sitting to the side, not sparing any of the smile on her face.

Mu Yunhan nodded and extended his hand to Mu Yunjin, indicating for her to come closer.

Mu Yunjin approached.

“You girl, forgetting the pain once the wound is healed. You could have saved anyone else, why save that ungrateful wolf!” Mu Yunhan reached out and forcefully poked Mu Yunjin’s forehead.

Prime Minister Mu, sitting to the side, glanced at Mu Yunhan. He naturally knew who the “ungrateful wolf” referred to, but at this moment, he couldn’t speak up for Mu Lingzhu.

Mu Yunjin rubbed her forehead and pouted. “Brother, our family’s internal conflicts are our own business behind closed doors. At this critical juncture, we must present a united front against outsiders!”