Bei Tang Wenfeng had originally prepared to return to the palace after being away for so long. Just as he stepped out the door, he saw Mu Yunjin rushing over in a hurry. She grabbed his wrist and brought him back into Jiang Qingxue’s room.

Seeing both of them return, Jiang Qingxue asked, “Why are you two in such a rush?”

“I have something important to tell you both,” Mu Yunjin said with a solemn expression, appearing extremely serious, causing Bei Tang Wenfeng and Jiang Qingxue’s hearts to sink.

“What is it?” Bei Tang Wenfeng glanced at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin sighed softly and told Bei Tang Wenfeng and Jiang Qingxue everything about her sudden purpose for coming to North Ming Country.

“Just now, Huang Yan saw Qiuye and Qin Muyue in the city streets. They’ve already begun to take action. That old fox Qiuye is cunning and highly skilled. Who knows what methods he’ll use this time?” After finishing, Mu Yunjin looked at the two beside her, waiting for their response.

After hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, Bei Tang Wenfeng and Jiang Qingxue’s expressions changed slightly, their previously relaxed features darkening.

Suddenly, Jiang Qingxue looked at Mu Yunjin with concern, “Yunjin, you should pack your things and return to West Yuan Country now. It’s too dangerous here, you can’t stay!”

“Your mother is right. You should leave with your companions now. I will handle things here myself,” Bei Tang Wenfeng shared Jiang Qingxue’s thinking.

Their sudden attitude left Mu Yunjin slightly stunned. Seeing the tension and worry in their eyes, she felt a warmth in her heart. Is this what having a family feels like?

“I nearly died on my way here and haven’t even recovered yet. I’m not going back,” Mu Yunjin said, still feeling pain from the wounds inflicted by the eagles.

“Yunjin, you…” Jiang Qingxue wanted to continue persuading Mu Yunjin to leave, but Bei Tang Wenfeng tugged at her sleeve, and she stopped speaking.

“What do you plan to do now?” Bei Tang Wenfeng changed the subject, smiling at Mu Yunjin.

Regarding the reason he favored this daughter most, Bei Tang Wenfeng now felt it might be half because she was his and Qingxue’s child, and half because of the unique pride and stubbornness she possessed, which made him admire her.

“I need to follow you into the palace to see if there’s anything unusual, but I can’t reveal my identity,” Mu Yunjin said calmly, suddenly feeling the seriousness of facing a great enemy.

“That’s easy. You can disguise yourself as your mother’s maid and enter the palace with her,” Bei Tang Wenfeng smiled at Mu Yunjin. He had wanted her to see the palace for a while now, after all, it was also her home.

“Mm,” Mu Yunjin thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

……

“Huang Yan, come with me to the palace. Qiqi is still injured, so have Lei Yan and the others stay to look after her,” Mu Yunjin said, standing at the doorway of Huang Yan’s quarters.

Leaning against the doorframe, Huang Yan scratched his face and glanced at the few rooms next door before looking at Mu Yunjin with mischievous eyes. “I think it would be better to bring Miss Hua Ying along. She’s skilled with poisons; having her with us would be safer.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin gave Huang Yan a meaningful look. She naturally understood what this boy was planning, but after thinking it through, she couldn’t find fault with Huang Yan’s suggestion, so she nodded in agreement.

Soon after, Mu Yunjin and Hua Ying changed into North Ming palace maid uniforms. After Jiang Qingxue helped them style their hair into palace maid buns, she looked at their appearance and frowned.

“You two are too striking in appearance. Even dressed as palace maids, your brilliance can’t be hidden. Those with keen eyes will see through the disguise immediately,” Jiang Qingxue said helplessly.

Just then, Huang Yan, already changed into a guard’s uniform, saw Jiang Qingxue’s door open and strolled in casually. He had heard her last sentence and, seeing their difficulty, raised his eyebrow and said, “This young master knows the Thousand Faces technique. I can change your faces for you.”

“Oh right! I almost forgot you had that skill. Last time Chu Li said he could do it too, but I forgot to ask him to teach me,” Mu Yunjin exclaimed, then pouted with regret.

“Heh, not to brag, but the young master hasn’t mastered this technique as well as I have! So tell me, what kind of faces do you want?” Feeling his importance, Huang Yan suddenly became smug.

“Just not too ugly,” Mu Yunjin didn’t have many requirements. She was pretending to be a palace maid after all, so the more ordinary, the better.

After hearing Mu Yunjin, Huang Yan narrowed his eyes and walked over to Hua Ying, bending down with a smile. “What about you, Miss Hua Ying?”

“Whatever,” Hua Ying had even fewer requirements.

Seeing Hua Ying’s cold attitude, Huang Yan felt dejected. He raised his wrist, gathering light at his fingertips, then lightly waved it in front of their faces. Their originally beautiful features instantly became ordinary and dull.

Jiang Qingxue watched this scene in disbelief, clasping her hands behind her back and scrutinizing Huang Yan. This technique seemed to be some long-lost illusion art. Where did he learn it from?

Or perhaps his identity wasn’t so simple either.

“How long will these faces last?” Mu Yunjin looked at herself in the mirror from different angles. The reflection now truly looked like a maidservant, no matter how she viewed it.

“At least three days. When your face starts to feel prickly, come find me,” Huang Yan answered.

“Then let’s set off now.”

……

Bei Tang Wenfeng departed discreetly. As they walked out the door, they saw an ordinary carriage parked at the corner, not far ahead.

After boarding the carriage, the Imperial Guard commander, disguised as the driver, drove them toward the palace’s north gate.

A moment later, Mu Yunjin, leaning against the carriage wall, heard bustling and clamorous sounds. Estimating that the carriage was passing through the market streets, she lifted a small corner of the window curtain to peek outside.

“It’s so lively during the day, why does it become so quiet and deserted at night?” Mu Yunjin muttered. Just as she was about to drop the curtain, a figure caught her peripheral vision, causing her to frown.

It was someone wearing a black robe. While wearing black wasn’t unusual, she had glimpsed the person’s eyes, catching a flash of killing intent and ferocity in those deep, dark orbs. Those eyes seemed to have briefly met hers. She wondered if she had seen incorrectly.

“What’s wrong? Something unusual?” Seeing Mu Yunjin suddenly frown, Huang Yan became tense as well.

Mu Yunjin lowered the curtain and turned to find everyone in the carriage looking at her. “Nothing unusual. Don’t be so jumpy.”

Huang Yan nodded.

Soon, the carriage stopped. “Your Majesty, we’ve arrived.”

“Mm,” Bei Tang Wenfeng bent down to exit the carriage, and the others followed.

After standing firm, Mu Yunjin surveyed the surroundings. Jiang Qingxue, noticing her expression, smiled slightly. “This is the most secluded north gate of the palace. Follow me, and I’ll show you around.”

“Alright,” Mu Yunjin returned a smile.

After leaving the vicinity of the north gate and walking a few steps forward, a eunuch holding a horsetail whisk approached, bowing to Bei Tang Wenfeng and Jiang Qingxue.

“Your Majesty, the sedan chair is ready,” the eunuch said, bowing and turning to wave at several smaller eunuchs, who immediately brought over a sedan chair.

After the sedan chair was steadied, the head eunuch walked to Bei Tang Wenfeng’s side, helping him toward it. Noticing Mu Yunjin and the others standing idle, he immediately glared at them. “Useless fools! Why aren’t you helping the Madam into the chair?”

Suddenly scolded, Mu Yunjin was stunned for a moment before remembering her current identity as a maidservant. She approached Jiang Qingxue with a fawning expression, extending her arm. “Madam, come, walk slowly!”

Hearing Mu Yunjin’s ingratiating tone, both Bei Tang Wenfeng and Jiang Qingxue couldn’t help but smile. They sat together in the spacious and exquisite sedan chair, carried by several small eunuchs.

Naturally, Mu Yunjin, Huang Yan, and the others followed on foot.

The palace was vast. Mu Yunjin followed the sedan chair for half an hour without glimpsing Bei Tang Wenfeng’s residence. That was acceptable, but she hadn’t even seen a scenic imperial garden.

Looking at those sitting comfortably in the sedan chair, Mu Yunjin cast a resentful glance at Huang Yan and Hua Ying, whispering, “Had I known, we should have disguised ourselves as imperial concubines. How comfortable that would be.”

Huang Yan winked at her. “It’s not too late if you want to change now.”

“Aiyoh… who’s pinching me?!” Huang Yan had just finished speaking when he felt someone viciously twist his waist, causing him to jolt in pain and cry out in anger.

The surroundings suddenly became very quiet…

“Su Xin, these are all people who serve Qing’er closely. They’ve never been to the palace before and were specifically brought here by Qing’er today. Do not make my Qing’er unhappy,” Bei Tang Wenfeng spoke softly, warning his head eunuch Su Xin.

Hearing this, Su Xin inexplicably felt his legs tremble. Originally, seeing these palace maids and guards lacking in manners, he wanted to show off in front of Madam Qing and had reprimanded them. Who knew the Emperor would even indulge the palace maids and guards around Madam Qing?

Thinking of this, he immediately cast a cautious glance at Jiang Qingxue in the sedan chair. “This servant has failed to recognize the importance. Please forgive me, Madam.”

“It’s alright. Sir Su, just be mindful next time,” Jiang Qingxue replied, her voice also clear and cold.

“Thank you, Madam.”

After speaking, Su Xin’s back was already soaked with cold sweat, his heart still racing, with no sign of calming down. Glancing at Jiang Qingxue’s silhouette, he lamented inwardly.

Ever since that South Ting Country Holy Maiden Jiang Qingxue was beheaded, the Emperor seemed to have suffered a severe shock. He had found a girl called Qing Qing from somewhere who reportedly resembled the late Jiang Qingxue. He kept her by his side, never giving her a concubine title, yet always addressing her as his wife.

Moreover, he specifically allowed Madam Qing to live outside the palace, coming and going freely.

This favor made countless people envious. Should he say this, Madam Qing was fortunate, or should he pity her for being treated as someone else’s shadow?

“Let’s stop here. I want to walk around,” Jiang Qingxue said, seeing Mu Yunjin’s distorted face, she could no longer sit still.

Bei Tang Wenfeng nodded, glancing at Mu Yunjin and curling his lips. “Then you go ahead and walk around. I have some state affairs to attend to, so I won’t accompany you.”

“Your Majesty, take care,” Mu Yunjin waved at Bei Tang Wenfeng.

Bei Tang Wenfeng waved back at her. “Go have fun with your Madam!”