Mu Yunjin ignored Consort Rong.

Consort Rong stood beside her, anxiously waiting. Seeing that Mu Yunjin wouldn’t answer her question, she inwardly estimated that there was almost certainly something wrong with the Divine Decree.

However, regarding the Divine Decree, her understanding was far less than what State Preceptor An knew.

Now with neither of them talking, no matter how much she guessed, she couldn’t discern the reason.

“By the way, there’s something I’m curious about,” Mu Yunjin glanced at Consort Rong, suddenly thinking of something.

“Speak,” Consort Rong’s eyes showed surprise.

Mu Yunjin looked directly at Consort Rong. “Back then, how did you come to take charge of Phoenix Feather Pavilion?”

The last time she was in Southern Court, she had asked Consort Rong why she had given her this Phoenix Feather Pavilion. She remembered Consort Rong answering that she was safekeeping it for her.

But how had this Phoenix Feather Pavilion come into her hands?

…

…

“Go ask that An fellow. He’s the one who told me to pass it on to you,” Consort Rong replied. As she answered this question, she suddenly realized that State Preceptor An was truly capable.

Mu Yunjin pouted. Again, it was related to State Preceptor An.

This guy had really become an old mystical figure, knowing everything—from astronomy above to geography below…

“Mu’er, what exactly did State Preceptor An tell you yesterday?” Consort Rong asked again, not giving up.

“Nothing.” Mu Yunjin still wouldn’t tell her.

Consort Rong’s face grew cold, and she felt somewhat irritated inside. This Mu Yunjin was only so arrogant and domineering because Chu Li now loved her.

If she were an ordinary woman with the Divine Decree hidden in her body, Chu Li would probably take it out without hesitation.

But as it was, Chu Li had developed feelings for her.

In this world, emotions caused the most dilemmas…

Consort Rong looked at Mu Yunjin’s face, her hands tightly gripping her sleeves. In a flash, a strange and bold thought crossed her mind—

What if Li’er no longer remembered this person, Mu Yunjin?

……

Consort Rong didn’t speak for a while, and Mu Yunjin ignored her, just looking around the ancient tree stump as if Consort Rong didn’t exist at all.

“Mu’er, you just said Qingyuan is here?” Consort Rong didn’t leave, but changed the subject.

“Yes, at the incense offering place in front,” Mu Yunjin answered.

Consort Rong nodded. Yesterday I had intended to find you at Prince Ning’s mansion, but unexpectedly, Qingyuan was there too. We’ve been separated for over ten years as mother and daughter; it’s touching that this child still remembers me.”

“Little Ninth is a pure-hearted girl. As her mother, you should treat her well,” Mu Yunjin said, then paused as she remembered something. “By the way, I heard Little Ninth say that Emperor Ximing intends to match her with the Crown Prince of Southern Court.”

“If she marries into Southern Court, your identity as a consort in Southern Court probably won’t remain hidden,” Mu Yunjin looked at Consort Rong, suddenly realizing that in this Changhua Continent, no matter how one turned, no one could escape from each other.

Upon hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, Consort Rong’s eyes flickered slightly. Her heart felt bitter, and she smiled wryly. “If that’s the case, there’s nothing to be done. Qingyuan is a royal child; her marriage is not hers to decide.”

“Li’er was also once forced to marry you, wasn’t he? And now you’re both doing well.”

Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched, and she cast a displeased glance at Consort Rong. “Forget it, I won’t bother talking with you anymore. You’ve killed the conversation.”

With those words, Mu Yunjin walked out of the courtyard.

After leaving the ancient tree courtyard, Mu Yunjin looked back and, seeing that Consort Rong hadn’t followed, let out a long sigh.

Why had Consort Rong also become so strange lately? When she first met her in Southern Court, she thought Consort Rong seemed formidable and difficult to deal with…

Since learning about the Divine Decree in her body, Consort Rong’s entire person had become obsessed.

……

Arriving at the incense offering place, Mu Yunjin discovered that there were indeed many people there today. Walking up the steps toward the Buddhist hall, she found people almost everywhere. She walked around inside but didn’t see Chu Qingyuan and Jingyang.

Master Huaiyuan was also near the Buddhist hall today. Seeing Mu Yunjin walking alone in this direction, he apologized to the person beside him and walked toward Mu Yunjin.

“Consort,” Master Huaiyuan greeted as he approached Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin smiled and nodded. “It’s unusual to see the Master around this Buddhist hall today.”

“This old monk received news that Empress Dowager Zheng and the Empress would be coming to Water Cloud Temple to offer incense later, so I’m waiting here,” Master Huaiyuan explained.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow. “They’re coming here?”

Master Huaiyuan nodded.

“Has the Master seen the Ninth Princess and the others? I came with them,” Mu Yunjin looked around again.

“The Ninth Princess has already offered incense and has gone to the back mountain,” Master Huaiyuan answered.

“Then I’ll go look for them.” With those words, Mu Yunjin was about to walk toward the back mountain.

“Wait, Consort,” Master Huaiyuan called to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin turned her head to look at Master Huaiyuan. “What is it?”

“Today, Abbot Kongshi and Consort Rong are both here. Consort should be very careful and vigilant,” Master Huaiyuan lowered his voice, warning her.

“Yes, I understand,” Mu Yunjin smiled and walked toward the back mountain.

Just as Mu Yunjin had left, the carriages of Empress Dowager Zheng and the Empress stopped at the entrance of Water Cloud Temple. The two of them, surrounded by palace maids, eunuchs, and guards, walked gracefully toward the Buddhist hall.

……

When Mu Yunjin arrived at the back mountain, she indeed saw Chu Qingyuan and Jingyang playing in a flower field. Huang Yan and Song Chun were following not far behind.

“Sixth Sister-in-law is here!” Chu Qingyuan was the first to spot Mu Yunjin and waved at her.

Mu Yunjin walked closer and looked around at the plum blossom field. Previously, peach trees had been planted here, but they had been damaged when she was looking for Empress Qin’s belongings, so plum trees were planted instead.

“Why did you come here? Aren’t you cold?” Mu Yunjin crossed her arms. She didn’t know if it was because this body was too frail or for some other reason, but this year she was particularly afraid of the cold.

“It’s fine. The sun is nice today, and running around doesn’t make us feel cold,” Chu Qingyuan broke off a plum branch and handed it to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin took it and gently sniffed it. Seeing Chu Qingyuan about to break another branch, she stopped her. “Qingyuan, the flowers are blooming beautifully, so don’t break too many.”

“Alright,” Chu Qingyuan listened to Mu Yunjin.

“I just heard from Master Huaiyuan that Empress Dowager Zheng and the Empress have also come to offer incense,” Mu Yunjin said.

Chu Qingyuan paused, then spoke lightly, “I won’t go see them, to avoid being told I’m playful and mischievous again.”

“Then be a bit careful not to be seen by them. If they’re offering incense, they shouldn’t need to queue, and they might come here soon,” Mu Yunjin remembered that in the past, when Mu Lingzhu was around, she often accompanied Empress Dowager Zheng on walks on this back mountain.

Thinking of Mu Lingzhu made her sigh. It felt like she was a person from a very long time ago.

“Then let’s change locations. Nianyi, let’s go walk somewhere else. Chu Qingyuan and Jingyang had become even closer in this short time.

Jingyang made a sound of agreement. “I’ve heard there’s a famous thousand-year-old tree here. I wonder where it is?”

“The ancient tree withered and died not long ago,” Mu Yunjin answered Jingyang’s question.

“…” Jingyang couldn’t find words to respond.

Mu Yunjin curved her lips. It was indeed cold outside, and she thought of a comfortable place. “Let’s go to Tranquil Heart Garden to eat vegetarian food. Their vegetarian dishes are good, and so is their flower tea.”

“Yes, that sounds nice. I’m a bit thirsty anyway,” Chu Qingyuan readily agreed.

Naturally, Jingyang had no objections either.

……

When they arrived at Tranquil Heart Garden and sat down at a table, Mu Yunjin looked over at Huang Yan and Song Chun. “You two come sit with us too.”

Privately, she had long considered them her friends.

Huang Yan naturally didn’t refuse and walked over to sit in an empty spot. Song Chun was still a bit hesitant, but was pulled by Huang Yan and sat down beside him.

“Princess Ning, would you like the same vegetarian dishes as before?” A monk approached to ask.

Mu Yunjin nodded.

After the monk withdrew, Chu Qingyuan leaned toward Mu Yunjin, frowning. “Sixth Sister-in-law, you’ve secretly come here many times, huh? They even know what you want to eat.”

“I’ve always come openly,” Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows, her eyes showing pride.

“That’s too bad, never bringing me along,” Chu Qingyuan propped her chin, glaring at Mu Yunjin.

Hearing this, Jingyang pressed her lips together and smiled. “Sister Jinhua comes with Prince Ning. Why would she bring you? You’d just be in the way.”

“Bei Nianyi, you…”

The atmosphere in Tranquil Heart Garden was harmonious.

When the vegetarian dishes and tea were served, Mu Yunjin first took a sip of tea. Just as she was about to pick up her chopsticks, two uninvited guests walked in through the door.

Wenquan and Mingyuan.

Mu Yunjin looked away, secretly lamenting her bad luck. How was it that every time she came to Tranquil Heart Garden to eat vegetarian food, she would encounter these two unfortunate fellows!

Wenquan and Mingyuan also saw Mu Yunjin. Having suffered great losses at her hands the past few times, they now sat far away from her and didn’t dare to glance in her direction.

“This vegetarian food is so bland. Don’t they use salt at all?” Chu Qingyuan took a bite of white tofu and put down her chopsticks, really not used to the taste.

Jingyang was equally unaccustomed.

“Both of you eat everything. You can’t go home until you finish it all,” Mu Yunjin warned the two, suddenly realizing that bringing them out made her feel like an old nanny, having to manage everything.

Her age here was only two years older than theirs…

……

On the other side, after Wenquan and Mingyuan sat down at a table, two more monks soon entered through the door and sat opposite them.

After the four were seated, they looked at each other, their eyes showing deep meaning. The four didn’t speak a word, just sitting quietly and eating vegetarian food.

Huang Yan sensed something strange and off about the atmosphere after the two monks entered Tranquil Heart Garden.

Especially knowing that the first two had previous conflicts with Mu Yunjin, he was particularly vigilant. He noticed that after sitting for the time it took to drink a cup of tea, those behind them just ate their vegetarian dishes silently, with no one speaking a word.

But occasionally, several gazes would seemingly inadvertently look in their direction.

To call it a coincidence seemed forced.

Huang Yan gave Song Chun a look, thinking about the situation.

Then, lowering his head, pretending to eat, he secretly transmitted a message to Song Chun—

“Be vigilant of those people behind us.”