Empress Dowager Zheng on the dais hadn’t failed to notice the suspicion and displeasure on Rong Princess Qin Shuning’s face. But recent events, especially the deaths of Empress Qin and Chu Qingchang, had given her much to reflect upon.

At her age, how many more years could she live?

Why not honestly enjoy some peace and comfort, instead of always getting involved in those thankless plots and schemes?

Though she disliked Mu Yunjin, the birthday gift she had prepared today was truly delightful and showed thoughtfulness. Why should she stubbornly hold a grudge?

In the time that followed, everyone noticed the change in Empress Dowager Zheng’s attitude toward Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin had just sat down after successfully delivering the cat, a weight lifted from her heart, and was taking a sip of tea when she heard the Rong Princess’s voice again from the side.

“By the way, I recall that when my little niece-in-law was confined at Shuiyun Temple recently, she was required to copy Buddhist scriptures three hundred times. Why not take advantage of Mother Empress’s birthday banquet today to present them to her as well?” the Rong Princess said with a smile.

Never mind that Mu Yunjin had only been confined for a few days—how could she have copied the scriptures three hundred times? Moreover, this uncultured simpleton probably couldn’t even write properly.

With the Rong Princess’s words, certain people who had been disappointed at not seeing a good show earlier now eagerly awaited what would happen next.

…

…

Mu Yunjin truly felt exhausted. These women always enjoyed playing these little games, smugly thinking themselves clever, and she was tired of indulging them.

Beside her, Chu Li curved his lips slightly, glancing at Mu Yunjin with a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.

Noticing Chu Li’s expression, Mu Yunjin silently reached out and pinched him.

Before leaving that morning, Chu Li had reminded her to bring the copied scriptures, saying someone might make a big deal out of it. She hadn’t taken it seriously at first, but after thinking about it, she had brought them along before leaving.

Unexpectedly, Chu Li’s guess had been correct.

Now, Mu Yunjin once again rose from her seat, glanced at the Rong Princess, raised an eyebrow at her, and revealed a hint of smugness in her eyes.

The Rong Princess’s heart immediately sank.

Mu Yunjin, satisfied with seeing the Rong Princess’s darkened face, then took out a booklet from her sleeve and handed it to Eunuch Lu, who had come down. “The three hundred copies of the scripture are all here.”

“But my handwriting is poor, please forgive me, Mother Empress,” Mu Yunjin added.

Empress Dowager Zheng was still holding and constantly petting the cat Mu Yunjin had given her. How could she complain about poor handwriting? Her face filled with smiles. “It doesn’t matter. Your thoughtfulness is what counts.”

Hearing this, the Rong Princess almost choked with anger.

Eunuch Lu handed the booklet to Empress Dowager Zheng. She accepted it and gently opened it. Beside her, the Western Ming Emperor couldn’t help but glance over.

After turning to the first page, Empress Dowager Zheng paused, then laughed dryly. “Your copying method is unique.”

“Writing several copies together makes it more profound,” Mu Yunjin said, telling a blatant lie.

The Western Ming Emperor merely glanced at the handwriting, then looked away, not bothering to take a second look. The writing was truly unrefined, just as expected.

The Rong Princess gripped her teacup. She had hoped to catch Mu Yunjin in a lie about the scriptures, but that little wretch had completed them. She couldn’t help feeling irritated and cast a glance at Qin Muyue sitting among the officials.

Qin Muyue now had a gloomy expression, her hands touching her cheeks as shooting pains returned, her eyes turning bloodshot.

……

Empress Dowager Zheng’s banquet didn’t end until after midnight. On the way out of the palace, Mu Yunjin regretted eating too much all evening and now kept yawning from drowsiness.

Seeing her lazy appearance, Chu Li simply pulled her into his arms, letting her lean her weight against him.

The path leaving the palace was crowded with people. Many were shocked to see Chu Li and Mu Yunjin’s intimate posture, as if they were oblivious to everyone around them.

In their impression, Chu Li had always presented a cold face to the world, allowing no one to get close to him, let alone holding a woman in public like this.

It seemed that the old saying was true: even heroes fall before beautiful women.

Not far behind them, the Rong Princess walked slowly. Beside her, Mu Lingzhu, seeing the Rong Princess’s bad mood, put on a flattering smile. “Sister, don’t be angry. There’s still time; we’ll eventually bring her down.”

The Rong Princess glanced sideways at Mu Lingzhu, naturally knowing what kind of person she was. When the Prime Minister’s residence hadn’t fallen, she had clung to Mu Yunjin’s side. Now that the Prime Minister’s residence had just collapsed, she had scurried back to the Rong Prince’s residence.

With these thoughts, the Rong Princess seemed to think of something and sighed slightly, looking at Mu Lingzhu. “Pearl, have I mistreated you recently at the Rong Prince’s residence?”

“No, of course not,” Mu Lingzhu immediately waved her hand.

“Good.” The Rong Princess curved her lips. “This princess gives you five days. Find a way to discover the whereabouts of that mother and daughter.”

The mother and daughter she referred to were Luo Ningyu and Mu Xiarou.

Mu Lingzhu was startled, knowing this was not a good assignment. But since Qin Shuning had given the order, she dared not refuse and could only reluctantly say, “That mother and daughter must be carefully hidden by now. I might not be able to find out…”

“Hmph…” the Rong Princess laughed lightly. “Aren’t you best at playing the victim? Go beg that good sister of yours.”

Qin Muyue, listening to their conversation and knowing the Rong Princess wanted to target the mother and daughter, couldn’t help but curl her lips. “Yes, if Concubine Mu could once make Mu Yunjin forgive her, there must be a second chance.”

“My aunt and I await your good news,” Qin Muyue said, taking the Rong Princess’s arm, preparing to walk ahead.

The Rong Princess paused, turned to look at Mu Lingzhu beside her, her eyes containing a smile but her tone ice-cold. “Five days later, if you fail to complete what this princess has commanded, you can join your father underground!”

Mu Lingzhu trembled with fear.

After the group walked away, Yan Lingshang emerged from a corner. She hadn’t heard everything the Rong Princess and Mu Lingzhu had discussed, only the last sentence.

Looking at Mu Lingzhu’s expression now, she had been threatened with something.

Seeing this, Yan Lingshang couldn’t help but laugh softly, guessing that the Rong Princess’s instructions were most likely related to Mu Yunjin.

Hah, dogs biting dogs—how entertaining!

……

Mu Yunjin had already fallen asleep in the carriage on the way back. After carrying her to her bedroom, Chu Li turned and left, returning to his room.

The next day, Mu Yunjin was awakened by a series of urgent knocks on her door.

“Miss, Miss…” Zixiang’s voice came from outside.

“Come in,” Mu Yunjin said, squinting her eyes.

Zixiang rushed in, hurrying to Mu Yunjin’s bedside with a frown. “Miss, it’s raining heavily outside!”

“…” Mu Yunjin frowned, puzzled. “And then?”

“Fourth Miss is covered in injuries and has fainted at our Prince’s residence gate. It’s still raining outside, and there are many onlookers from the public,” Zixiang said.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin didn’t even lift her eyelids. She yawned. “Tell someone to throw her back to the Rong Prince’s residence gate!”

“Yes, Miss.” With that, Zixiang ran out.

After Zixiang left, Mu Yunjin was no longer sleepy. She opened her eyes wide, staring at the ceiling, her lips curving into a mocking smile.

This blind fool Mu Lingzhu might as well be dead.

……

Mamma Shen stood at the residence gate, looking at the motionless person lying on the ground not far away, anxiously pacing back and forth. Unfortunately, Chu Li had left the residence early, so only the Princess could make decisions about residence matters.

Soon, seeing Zixiang running toward her, Mamma Shen immediately stepped forward. “What did the Princess say?”

“The Princess said to find someone to throw her back to the Rong Prince’s residence!” Zixiang announced loudly.

Mamma Shen had been waiting for just this answer. To faint at the residence gate early in the morning, half-dead, was truly inauspicious, especially for someone as shameless as Fourth Miss Mu.

“Someone come, throw her back!” Mamma Shen ordered several servants.

Lying on the ground, Mu Lingzhu felt she could hardly hold on any longer. Today, she had deliberately played the victim, even injuring herself all over, just to beg Mu Yunjin to see her.

Having interacted with Mu Yunjin for a period before, she knew that Mu Yunjin wasn’t hard-hearted and could be coaxed with a few nice words. But now, hearing her order servants to throw her back to the Rong Prince’s residence, Mu Lingzhu was shocked.

Then she felt three or four servants with umbrellas running out, grabbing her by the arms and dragging her away from the front of the Ning Prince’s residence.

Mu Lingzhu’s mind was in chaos. That old wretch Qin Shuning only knew how to threaten her, and Mu Yunjin’s attitude was equally firm. Could it be that she had once again chosen the wrong path?

……

When Mu Yunjin arrived at the front hall, she heard Mamma Shen cursing and complaining. Seeing Mu Yunjin, Mamma Shen cursed even more vigorously. “Princess, tell me, fainting at our door so early in the morning—isn’t that bringing bad luck to us?”

“She just loves to create drama,” Mu Yunjin tilted her head, now without a shred of sympathy for Mu Lingzhu.

“Hmph, who does she think we are! Fortunately, His Highness isn’t in the residence now. If he were, he might have ordered her beaten to death on the spot!” Mamma Shen said.

“Has Chu Li gone to court?” Mu Yunjin checked the time.

Mamma Shen paused, then shook her head. “This morning I heard Ding Guard chatting with His Highness. It seems he went to Shuiyun Temple.”

“Shuiyun Temple?” Mu Yunjin was surprised. Why go to Shuiyun Temple so early in the morning? Especially when it was raining!

“Yes, I think that’s what they said,” Mamma Shen wasn’t entirely sure.

Mu Yunjin sat in a chair, her thoughts somewhat distracted. Originally, she wouldn’t have thought much about going to Shuiyun Temple, but ever since learning about the secret plots between Concubine Rong and Master Kong Shi, Mu Yunjin couldn’t feel at ease.

Involuntarily, Mu Yunjin bit her lip. “I’ll return to Liquan Pavilion first.”

Mu Yunjin stood up and walked toward the back garden.

“Miss, this isn’t the way to Liquan Pavilion.” Zixiang saw Mu Yunjin taking another small path and couldn’t help but speak up.

Mu Yunjin smiled faintly. “I’m going to see Huang Yan.”

Zixiang nodded silently.

After arriving at Huang Yan’s courtyard, Mu Yunjin found it empty. She then walked to Huang Yan’s door and knocked gently.

There was no response from inside.

Mu Yunjin frowned, then pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing the empty bed, her lips pressed into a line, and she quickly walked out.

“Miss, what’s wrong?” Zixiang was confused.

“I’m going out for a while.”