“You…” Qin Muyue hadn’t expected Mu Yunjin to speak to her so sharply. She thought Mu Yunjin must be embarrassed and angry due to her guilty conscience.
So she stepped forward, curling her lips. “Brother Li is a prince, entitled to have three wives and four concubines. How can you so righteously claim him as yours alone?”
Mu Yunjin bit her lip. Her previously calm heart stirred with ripples upon hearing these words, and a layer of bitterness welled up within her.
“Have you had enough?”
Chu Li, who had been silent until now, spoke with a cold, indifferent voice. He reached out and wrapped his arm around Mu Yunjin’s shoulders, declaring his ownership. “Since when has my household matter become a topic for your public discussion?”
The onlookers who had been watching the drama encountered his freezing gaze and tone, and promptly lowered their eyes, not daring to look in the direction of Chu Li and the others.
Qin Muyue stepped forward, frowning. “Brother Li, I…”
“Enough!” Qin Munan was furious. He stepped forward with a solemn expression and bowed to Chu Li and Mu Yunjin. “My sister has been impulsive and presumptuous today. Please forgive her, Sixth Prince and Sixth Prince Consort.”
“Brother, what’s wrong with you?” Qin Muyue’s anger grew stronger. Today she had created such a perfect opportunity for him—perhaps Chu Li would abandon Mu Yunjin because of this—yet her brother Munan remained unmoved.
…
…
But last night, her brother Munan’s face had shown deep lingering affection for Mu Yunjin.
Qin Munan glanced at Qin Muyue with stern eyes, then looked at the spectators on the side, and slowly spoke, “It was I who has admired the Sixth Prince Consort for a long time. She never knew about this.”
“Muyue has been reckless today, making everyone laugh at our expense.”
Qin Muyue had never felt so embarrassed before, nor had she known that Qin Munan’s feelings for Mu Yunjin ran so deep. To preserve Mu Yunjin’s reputation, he had pushed his sister out, turning her into a laughingstock.
Why?
Why was it Mu Yunjin again?
……
On the way out of the palace, Mu Yunjin and Chu Li walked side by side. Neither had spoken a word since leaving the great hall.
“Brother Li, Sister-in-law Yunjin, wait for me!” Qin Muyue’s voice sounded behind them.
The two continued walking, ignoring her.
Qin Muyue quickened her pace and blocked their way. She bowed deeply, “I’m sorry. Today’s incident happened because I didn’t understand the situation clearly.”
“Please forgive Muyue. Muyue will never do this again.”
Mu Yunjin rolled her eyes, secretly sighing at how dramatic this woman was. She walked around her and continued forward.
Seeing Mu Yunjin walk away, Qin Muyue raised her eyes to look at Chu Li. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she spoke with grievance, “Brother Li, Muyue was so confused today only because of you. Sister-in-law Yunjin won’t forgive me, but you must forgive me…”
Chu Li glanced at Qin Muyue, his eyes showing a hint of clarity. “Stop targeting Mu Yunjin.”
“Brother Li.” Qin Muyue frowned, then nodded obediently. “I understand. Today’s incident happened because I didn’t clarify things before acting rashly.”
“You’ll forgive me, won’t you?” Qin Muyue stepped closer to Chu Li, curling her lips, her gaze meeting his with affection.
Chu Li looked at Qin Muyue coldly, turned his sleeve, and walked away. “Stay away from this prince in the future, lest she misunderstands.”
Qin Muyue stood frozen in place, her eyes showing disbelief. Then, unwilling to give up, she bit her lip and chased after him. “Stay away from you? But you still need my help, don’t you?”
“Not anymore.” Chu Li replied coldly. His gaze fell on the somewhat blurry figure ahead, his eyes containing a trace of amusement.
Qin Muyue stamped her foot, watching the two people walking away, one after another. Tears fell continuously from her eyes.
On the side, someone handed her a handkerchief.
“Brother, if the two of us hadn’t chosen to go to battle back then, would we still be in this situation today?”
……
“Young Miss, what’s the matter with you?”
Zixiang stood in the courtyard of Liquan Pavilion, watching Mu Yunjin sitting at the stone table, eating grapes. After eating each grape, she would throw the skin and seeds at Chu Li’s doorway. Zixiang was full of surprise and concern.
“Nothing, just eating grapes.” Mu Yunjin ate another grape and tossed the skin toward Chu Li’s doorway.
In a short time, Chu Li’s doorway was a mess.
A moment later, Mu Yunjin ate a banana and was just about to throw the peel when the door across opened with a creak. The entire banana peel flew into Chu Li’s room.
Chu Li had just finished bathing. Opening the door, he saw the grape skins at his doorway and the banana peel that had fallen into his room. He frowned slightly and looked at the woman sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea and cracking melon seeds.
Seeing this scene, Zixiang shrank her neck and pulled at Mu Yunjin’s arm. “Young Miss, His Highness is coming out…”
Chu Li stepped out of his door and walked to Mu Yunjin’s side, waving his hand at Zixiang.
Zixiang felt as if she had received a pardon and immediately ran away, leaving Liquan Pavilion.
In an instant, only Chu Li and Mu Yunjin remained in Liquan Pavilion.
Chu Li seemed to be in a good mood. He bent down and leaned close to Mu Yunjin’s ear, laughing softly, “What are you upset about?”
“Who’s upset?” Mu Yunjin’s gaze was empty as she lazily cracked melon seeds, not looking at Chu Li at all.
Chu Li couldn’t help but laugh. He reached out and took a strand of her hair, bringing it to his fingertips and sniffing it gently. “Were the grapes earlier too sour and upset you?”
“Hmph.” Mu Yunjin pulled back her hair from Chu Li’s grip, stood up, pursed her lips, and prepared to return to her room.
Chu Li grabbed Mu Yunjin’s arm, frowning. “This prince has no relationship with Qin Muyue.”
“Who’s talking about that?” Mu Yunjin spoke irritably, but then had a thought, and her eyes rolled. “Are you explaining yourself to me?”
Hearing this, Chu Li’s expression became somewhat unnatural. After a moment, he smiled faintly, his eyes containing tenderness. “Yes, I’m explaining.”
Mu Yunjin’s depressed and irritated mood disappeared completely upon hearing these four words. She sat down again and then spoke somewhat awkwardly, “Why are you explaining to me? It’s not like we have a relationship.”
The smile in Chu Li’s eyes deepened. “Can this prince interpret this to mean you’re asking to confirm our husband and wife status?”
“You…” Mu Yunjin gritted her teeth and glared at Chu Li. “Don’t be so full of yourself. Who wants to confirm a husband and wife relationship with you?”
With that, Mu Yunjin walked away angrily.
Hearing the heavy sound of the door closing behind him, Chu Li looked again at the mess at his doorway and called for Ding Xian.
“Your Highness.”
“Clean it up.”
After speaking, Chu Li got up and walked toward Mu Yunjin’s room.
Ding Xian stood in place, watching as Chu Li directly pushed open Mu Yunjin’s door and entered. He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Why bother cleaning up? He might as well just stay in the Prince Consort’s room.”
……
In the room, Mu Yunjin had just lain down on the bed, preparing to take a nap, when she heard the door open again. Looking over, she saw the very person who had just irritated her walking slowly toward her.
“What are you doing here?” Mu Yunjin spoke impatiently.
However, Chu Li ignored her. He simply pushed her body further into the bed, then took off his shoes and lay down on the outer half of the bed.
Mu Yunjin, who had been lying down, immediately sat up in alarm. She frowned at Chu Li beside her and pushed him. “Why are you sleeping in my room?”
“Thanks to you, this prince’s room needs cleaning.” Chu Li closed his eyes, his voice carrying a hint of weariness.
Mu Yunjin bit her lip and glared at Chu Li. She had only thrown grape skins at his doorway, not into his room. This man’s obsession with cleanliness was too extreme.
“This prince is tired. Don’t disturb me.” Sensing that Mu Yunjin was about to speak, Chu Li closed his eyes and frowned slightly.
Mu Yunjin was startled. Looking at Chu Li’s sleeping face with closed eyes, she suddenly remembered the secret edict. Her mood plummeted again. She wondered if, after the secret edict came to light, they would still have moments of peace like this. Suddenly, her gaze at Chu Li contained more sympathy and regret.
Mu Yunjin took a slight breath and lay back down, sharing half of her blanket with Chu Li.
These days her mind had been preoccupied with worries, but perhaps because Chu Li was beside her now, Mu Yunjin’s heart gradually calmed. Smelling the faint incense in the air, she quickly entered dreamland.
The room was peaceful and tranquil.
……
“Let me see Brother Li…”
“All of you step aside. I’ve come to apologize to Brother Li. Don’t block me.”
The next day, as dawn’s light shone into the room, noisy sounds came from outside. When Chu Li slightly opened his eyes, he felt something pressing on his body.
Then, as if remembering something, he looked at the person sleeping in a sprawled position beside him and chuckled a few times. He moved the leg that was resting on him and slowly rose.
After opening the door, he saw Qin Muyue carrying several gift boxes, making a commotion at the entrance of Liquan Pavilion. Several maids, including Zixiang, were blocking Qin Muyue from entering.
Seeing Chu Li open the door, Qin Muyue became excited. She immediately pushed past the maids and ran to the doorway. “Brother Li, I’ve come specifically to apologize to Sister-in-law Yunjin.”
At this moment, Mu Yunjin, who was still in her dreams, was also awakened by the noise. Frowning with displeasure, she shouted toward the door, “If there’s any more noise, you’ll all be dragged out and beaten to death!”
Qin Muyue at the door was startled. She hadn’t expected Mu Yunjin to be inside, and that Chu Li had just walked out from there. Her eyes showed surprise.
The intelligence she had received earlier indicated that since their marriage, they had always slept separately. Why…
A trace of desolation flashed in Qin Muyue’s eyes. She bit her lip secretly, her heart filled with jealousy.
“I’ll wait here for Sister-in-law Yunjin to get up.” Qin Muyue composed herself, smiled at Chu Li, stepped back, sat at the stone table, and placed the gift boxes on the table.
Chu Li ignored her, turned around, entered Mu Yunjin’s room, and closed the door.
After Mu Yunjin’s angry outburst, she had gone back to sleep. Chu Li walked to the bedside, tucked the blanket around her, sat nearby, and gazed quietly at her serene, beautiful sleeping face, his eyes thoughtful.
……
Outside the door, Qin Muyue waited from morning until past noon. Seeing that the two people inside the room still hadn’t come out, her face gradually turned as white as paper.
Just as she was about to lose patience and leave, the door slowly opened.
Qin Muyue immediately stood up and walked over.
As she approached the doorway, she heard Mu Yunjin’s coquettish voice from inside, “Chu Li, why were you staring at me like a ghost just now? You scared away all my sleepiness.”