Mu Yunjin nodded with a smile, proudly lifting her chin. “Yes, I’m back!”

“Miss, Miss…” Zixiang, hearing the voice, rushed in from the back garden, repeatedly calling Mu Yunjin’s name. Just as she was about to throw herself at Mu Yunjin, she suddenly grasped at empty air.

When Chu Li entered, he saw Zixiang rushing forward and abruptly pulled Mu Yunjin into his arms, moving her to his side.

Zixiang awkwardly scratched her head. Noticing Chu Li’s somewhat darkened expression, she immediately bowed to Chu Li and Mu Yunjin. “This servant pays respects to the Prince and Princess.”

Seeing that Chu Li had frightened Zixiang, Mu Yunjin gave him a strange glare, then took her bundle and smiled at Zixiang. “Go prepare hot water for me. I want to bathe first.”

“Yes, Miss.” Zixiang immediately scurried away as if her feet were oiled.

Back at Liquan Pavilion, after entering her room, Mu Yunjin sat at the dressing table and removed the ribbon binding her ponytail. “Zixiang, I should have brought you along. You have no idea how I’ve been going around with a plain face and a simple ponytail every day during this time.”

“Miss, it’s because you secretly followed the Prince and refused to bring this servant along,” Zixiang couldn’t help but smile as she poured a cup of water for Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin took the teacup, drank a few sips, then stretched comfortably before beginning to untie her outer garment. “I’ll bathe first. You may leave for now, and I’ll call you after I’m done.”

…

…

Zixiang nodded and walked out.

……

After bathing, Mu Yunjin went to the couch and lay down. As soon as she lay down and felt the mattress sink, she immediately rolled inward.

Having slept on hard beds in Qingzhou for so long, now returning to the soft couch in the Prince’s mansion felt like sleeping on a cloud, incredibly comfortable.

Mu Yunjin quickly fell into a deep sleep.

When Chu Li came to Mu Yunjin’s room after his bath, he found her sprawled on the soft couch in a most undignified sleeping position, with the blanket messily kicked aside.

Lying down in the space beside her, Chu Li tucked the blanket around her and laughed softly as he listened to her even breathing.

Both slept deeply, and it wasn’t until the next morning that they slowly awoke from their dreams.

Mu Yunjin wanted to turn over but found herself confined in a warm embrace. Opening her eyes, she saw Chu Li’s exceedingly pleasing countenance before her.

Looking around, she realized this was her room and guessed that Chu Li had sneaked in again while she was asleep. She smiled and placed her hand on Chu Li’s cheek.

Chu Li slowly opened his eyes when Mu Yunjin’s hand touched his cheek. As their eyes met, an indescribable sense of spring seemed to be quietly budding.

Mu Yunjin was the first to sit up on the bed. Looking at the time on the water clock, she asked, “By the way, now that you’ve been enfeoffed as a prince, don’t you need to attend the morning court daily?”

“Mm,” Chu Li nodded slightly.

“Then it’s about time. You can get up now,” Mu Yunjin gently kicked Chu Li with her foot under the blanket.

Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin with a smile, kissed her forehead, pinched her face, and then got up, put on his shoes, and walked out.

After Chu Li left, Mu Yunjin touched the other side of the bed, feeling the remaining warmth, and her lips spread into a smile.

When Mu Yunjin had finished washing up and was sitting at the dressing table letting Zixiang arrange her hair, there was a gentle knock at the door, followed by Ding Xian’s voice from outside.

“Princess, may this humble one enter?”

“Come in.”

Upon hearing this, Ding Xian pushed open the door, carrying a large pile of clothes. He walked in and stuffed the clothes into Mu Yunjin’s wardrobe.

“What’s this?” Mu Yunjin was surprised to see that they were all Chu Li’s clothes and looked at Ding Xian with curiosity.

Hearing her question, Ding Xian coughed once. “His Highness said to put some clothes here for his convenience whenever he comes to stay.”

“Huh?” Mu Yunjin’s expression changed instantly.

Ding Xian thought Mu Yunjin was angry and was about to explain on behalf of his master when he heard Mu Yunjin’s indignant voice.

“His room is much bigger than mine, and even has a private hot spring, yet he’s moving to stay here?!”

“Damn, why doesn’t he let me move over there?!”

Ding Xian was shocked by this unexpected train of thought, so he laughed awkwardly, scratched his head, and said, “This humble one will convey the Princess’s wishes to the Prince.”

“Alright, alright, I was just joking. Don’t say anything,” Mu Yunjin glanced at Ding Xian, pressed her lips together, then waved her hand, indicating he should leave.

Ding Xian immediately left.

After Ding Xian left, Zixiang, who was arranging Mu Yunjin’s hair, couldn’t help but laugh. “Miss, it seems your relationship with His Highness has progressed another step.”

Mu Yunjin curved her lips upward, not denying Zixiang’s words.

After dressing and arranging her hair, Mu Yunjin looked at herself in the mirror repeatedly. “Now this looks like a woman.”

Zixiang giggled again. In the past, when her miss had her arrange her hair, she always wanted the simplest ponytail, the more refreshing the better. Now, as soon as she returned, she wanted to wear brocade dresses and arrange her hair. It seemed that many things had indeed happened during the Qingzhou trip.

After finishing breakfast, seeing that Chu Li had not returned, Mu Yunjin couldn’t sit idle and decided to visit the Prime Minister’s mansion.

……

Walking on the street after leaving, Mu Yunjin chatted casually with Zixiang. “Has anything happened recently?”

Zixiang tilted her head to think, then shook it. “Nothing major has happened recently. The biggest news would be Miss Qin being dismissed from her position and confined to the Qin Mansion.”

Mu Yunjin nodded. “Nothing happening at the Prime Minister’s mansion?”

“Nothing much, except I heard that the Princess of Prince Rong sent someone to invite Fourth Miss back to Prince Rong’s mansion a while ago, but was refused by the Prime Minister,” Zixiang said.

Mu Yunjin smiled.

When she arrived at the Prime Minister’s mansion, the Prime Minister was not at home. Luo Ningyu was sitting in the front hall, drinking tea with several unnamed officials’ wives.

Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, she immediately stood up and bowed to her. “Greetings to Princess Ning.”

“Third Concubine, please don’t stand on ceremony,” Mu Yunjin glanced at the people in the front hall and slightly curved her lips. “Continue with your business. I’m just here for a casual visit.”

After speaking, she walked toward the back garden.

After Mu Yunjin left, one of the officials’ wives immediately sighed with relief. “This Princess Ning is not to be trifled with now. I heard that in Qingzhou, Prince Ning treasured her dearly.”

“Yes, I heard that too. Afraid that the muddy road would dirty her after rain, Prince Ning even carried her on his back!”

Hearing this, Luo Ningyu laughed dryly. “Cloud Jin married well. As her mother, I naturally feel at ease.”

“Indeed. Prince Ning is usually such a cold person and never shows interest in women. Third Miss Mu truly made the right match.”

“I heard that the Crown Prince now occupies the Eastern Palace, but the Eastern Palace still lacks a mistress. If Fifth Miss could secure that position, it would be perfect.”

Luo Ningyu was startled, then lowered her eyes with a smile. “Sisters are joking. Xiarou hasn’t even reached her coming-of-age yet. Besides, how could she aspire to the Crown Prince?”

“How is that aspiring above her station? Prince Ning and the Crown Prince are brothers. Third Miss Mu is now Princess Ning, and Prince Ning is especially fond of her. Why not have Princess Ning whisper in her husband’s ear at night and see…”

……

When Mu Yunjin reached the back garden, she saw Zhuang Yuyan sitting alone in a pavilion, lost in thought. A cup of tea sat before her, which had been there for who knows how long and had completely cooled, with not even a wisp of steam rising.

“Sister Yuyan,” Mu Yunjin went over to greet Zhuang Yuyan.

Hearing Mu Yunjin’s voice, Zhuang Yuyan nodded slightly and forced a smile. “Sister Yunjin, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”

Mu Yunjin then noticed that Zhuang Yuyan’s face was very pale and couldn’t help but ask, “Sister Yuyan, are you unwell?”

“No, just feeling a bit weak lately,” Zhuang Yuyan pulled her cloak tighter around herself.

“All of you, leave us,” Zhuang Yuyan suddenly said to the maids standing nearby.

The maids bowed and immediately dispersed.

With only Mu Yunjin and Zhuang Yuyan left in the pavilion, Mu Yunjin, seeing that Zhuang Yuyan had deliberately sent the maids away, asked, “Does Sister Yuyan have something to tell me?”

Zhuang Yuyan nodded, lowering her eyes, and took a sip of the now-cold tea. “Sister Yunjin, what kind of person is your brother?”

“My brother?” Hearing this, Mu Yunjin realized that there must be problems between Zhuang Yuyan and Mu Yunhan.

“Initially, he suddenly came to the Zhuang mansion to propose marriage, asking me to marry him within three days. But now, what does all this mean?” Zhuang Yuyan’s eyes reddened as she slowly pulled up her sleeve.

Mu Yunjin followed Zhuang Yuyan’s movement and saw a bright red守宫砂 (virginity mark) on her arm.

This…

Mu Yunjin was at a loss for words.

“After marriage, he has never touched me. His attitude toward me is indifferent, without any intimacy. I cannot integrate into his life at all,” Zhuang Yuyan said, biting her lower lip, her already pale face becoming even more ashen.

Mu Yunjin didn’t know how to respond. Although she knew that Mu Yunhan’s hasty marriage was due to Chu Qingchang’s pressure, forcing him to hastily choose Zhuang Yuyan, she hadn’t expected their situation to be the same as hers.

However, she and Chu Li had reached a mutual agreement, while Zhuang Yuyan was kept in the dark.

“Sister Yuyan, don’t be upset. I haven’t seen my brother for a long time either. When I see him, I’ll ask him what’s going on,” Mu Yunjin could only offer verbal comfort to Zhuang Yuyan for now.

Hearing this, Zhuang Yuyan nodded slightly, lowering her eyes. “Sister Yunjin, my situation and family background do not allow me to be abandoned by my husband. It would tarnish the Grand Tutor’s mansion’s face and affect the relationship between the Prime Minister’s mansion and the Grand Tutor’s mansion.”

“But I cannot bear to be left hanging in this Prime Minister’s mansion for the rest of my life. Even if Yunhan doesn’t love me, he should at least give me a child to give me the courage to live the rest of my life…”

“I understand,” Mu Yunjin smiled at Zhuang Yuyan. “The weather is getting cold. Sister Yuyan must take care of your health.”

Zhuang Yuyan nodded, looking calmly at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin stayed a little longer before making an excuse to leave, heading toward Mu Yunhan’s courtyard.

……

At this moment, in Mu Yunhan’s courtyard:

“Yunhan, Yunjin has grown up, and she has Prince Ning Chu Li, who is capable of protecting her completely. You can now retire from your mission.”