After entering the private room, Mu Yunjin and Qiqi exchanged glances, then pressed their ears against the wall to listen to the activity next door.

Earlier, when walking by the door, they could faintly hear Shen Wanning’s voice, but now, despite listening against the wall for a long time, they heard nothing from the other side.

Before long, Mu Yunjin lost patience and looked at Qiqi, whispering, “Has she left?”

Qiqi frowned and shook her head. “I don’t know either.”

Just then, someone gently knocked on their door.

“Come in,” Qiqi said directly, thinking it was a waiter.

But when they turned around and saw who pushed open the door, they both froze momentarily, then revealed vigilant expressions.

Shen Wanning was now standing at their door, a faint smile on her face. Noticing their expressions, she closed the door and sauntered in.

Qiqi immediately moved to stand in front of Mu Yunjin, her expression serious. “What do you want?”

…

…

Shen Wanning smiled slightly, sat down, and glanced at them. “You don’t mind if I come for a cup of tea, do you?”

“Not at all.” Mu Yunjin gently patted Qiqi’s shoulder, then walked from behind her toward the tea table and sat down across from Shen Wanning.

Qiqi immediately followed and sat down as well.

Initially, Mu Yunjin had only intended to eavesdrop on Shen Wanning, but now, facing her directly, she somehow felt less confident.

Sigh, she was becoming more and more timid!

“Have some tea.” Mu Yunjin picked up an empty teacup, poured tea for Shen Wanning, and, now at close range, carefully examined Shen Wanning’s face.

Dignified, gentle, demure, and serene—she looked like a mild-mannered and virtuous woman. No one would associate her with the title “Grass Ghost Witch.”

Thinking of the Grass Ghost Witch, Mu Yunjin suddenly became even more wary of Shen Wanning, fearing she might cast a spell on her when she wasn’t paying attention.

“Just now, you were pressing against the wall—what were you trying to hear?” Shen Wanning took a sip of tea, getting straight to the point as she smiled at Mu Yunjin.

Looking at this harmless smile, Mu Yunjin felt it concealed daggers, and she resorted to playing dumb. “It’s my first time having tea at this teahouse. I found it novel, so I looked around and happened to test the soundproofing.”

“I see. Then I misunderstood and drank your tea for nothing. This meal is on me.” Shen Wanning put down her teacup.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow, finding this woman exceedingly strange.

But since she had discovered them, she probably knew Mu Yunjin’s background. There was no point in beating around the bush now.

“Why isn’t Elder Black Robe with you today?” Mu Yunjin blew on the hot tea, looking at Shen Wanning.

Shen Wanning curled her lips. “He’s gone to deal with your Prince Ning’s affairs. He doesn’t even have time to accompany me.”

Damn, there were daggers in her smile.

Mu Yunjin cursed inwardly.

“Ah, that’s unfortunate. After all, ‘you were not born when he was born, and when you were born, he was already old.’ Now he can’t accompany you, and in the future, he might not be able to even if he wants to.” As Mu Yunjin finished speaking, she also flashed a beautiful smile.

Shen Wanning’s eyes flickered, and the smile on her face disappeared. She gripped her teacup tightly. “You peeked at my lantern?”

“No, did you see me peek?” Mu Yunjin feigned innocence, blinking at Shen Wanning.

Shen Wanning forced a small twist of her lips. “You’re quite interesting, much more so than Qin Muyue.”

“Naturally.” Mu Yunjin rested her chin on her hand. “By the way, the gu poison that Qin Muyue gave to Empress Qin—that was from you, wasn’t it?”

“Was it from me? But today I heard people saying it was done by Prince Ning’s mansion. They say it was because Prince Ning’s mansion feared that the Empress would reveal the wordless book, so you deliberately killed her to silence her. Some even say that Princess Consort Rong, Qin Shuning, was executed for this last time—what an unjust death…”

Mu Yunjin narrowed her eyes. How could such false accusations be thrown at them?

But when Qin Shuning was executed because of Empress Qin’s affair, it was Qin Muyue herself who reported it…

Had everyone forgotten that now?

Truly, a fallen tiger gets bullied by dogs!

“Alright, I was just making conversation. Don’t take it to heart. I’ve had my tea and made your acquaintance. Now I need to go to the outskirts to see if General Qin’s madness has worsened today.” Shen Wanning stood up, smiled at Mu Yunjin, took out a silver ingot from her purse, placed it on the table, and prepared to leave.

Seeing that she had come just to mock Prince Ning’s mansion, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but smile. As Shen Wanning reached the door, she suddenly spoke to Qiqi.

“By the way, when we were in North Ming Country last time, we were also in a teahouse. At that time, Elder Black Robe was embracing a beautiful young girl. Do you remember?”

After speaking, she winked at Qiqi.

Qiqi was stunned, then immediately understood. “I remember! That young girl was sitting on Black Robe’s lap. They were so intimate.”

“What are you talking about?!” Shen Wanning suddenly turned around, glaring at Mu Yunjin and Qiqi.

Hearing her voice, Mu Yunjin startled and immediately covered her mouth. “You’re still here? I thought you had left…”

“We didn’t say anything. It’s a misunderstanding. There was no young girl…” Qiqi waved her hand.

Shen Wanning gave them a suspicious look, then walked out and closed the door.

“Sigh, they weren’t just intimate. They even stayed together at night. I wonder which clueless girl would fall for such an old man…”

As Mu Yunjin spoke, she watched the shadow standing at the door, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.

Since she hadn’t gained any advantage from Shen Wanning, she naturally wouldn’t let her leave comfortably.

Even if Shen Wanning didn’t believe it, hearing such words would inevitably make her uncomfortable for a while.

After all, most women are blind when it comes to matters of the heart.

After Shen Wanning left, Mu Yunjin and Qiqi also went downstairs. Granny Fish and Huaying were still sitting in the main hall. Seeing the two come down, they got up and left the teahouse together.

Walking along the street, Granny Fish looked at Mu Yunjin and smiled. “You drove her away, didn’t you?”

“Did I? I didn’t say much.” Mu Yunjin curled her lips, her mood quite good now.

But catching sight of those wanted notices again, her heart immediately felt as disgusted as if she had swallowed a fly.

Mu Yunjin looked away and thought carefully about what Shen Wanning had just said. First, she learned that Empress Qin’s death had been blamed on Prince Ning’s mansion, and second, that Qin Munan’s madness had worsened.

“Granny, could I… go to the imperial palace in Diehua City?” Mu Yunjin stopped walking, looking at Granny Fish with an extremely grave expression.

If she remained confined for eight more days, she would go mad.

Granny Fish looked at her quietly. “Are you sure about this?”

“I just want to take a look. I’ll come back right after…” Mu Yunjin said softly.

In the past, no one could stop her when she wanted to do something, but now, for the sake of the bigger picture, she feared that her impulsiveness might ruin things.

“This old woman will go with you,” said Granny Fish.

“Can we go?” Mu Yunjin couldn’t believe it.

Granny Fish nodded and turned to look at Huaying and Qiqi. “You two go back first. This old woman will go along with the young mistress.”

Qiqi and Huaying nodded in agreement.

…

At first, Mu Yunjin thought Granny Fish was just bluffing, but now, standing in the imperial palace, she felt somewhat surreal.

Granny Fish’s formless space was more powerful than Qiqi’s. It had taken only half an hour to travel from Zhangzhou City to the imperial palace.

Now Mu Yunjin had knocked out a palace maid who was delivering medicinal soup to Emperor Ximing, changed into the palace maid’s clothes, and had Granny Fish help her with a disguise. She was filled with joy.

After Granny Fish had injected some spiritual energy into Mu Yunjin’s abdomen, she let her go alone.

Mu Yunjin picked up the medicinal soup and walked toward Jingming Palace, where Emperor Ximing resided.

Upon arriving at Jingming Palace, the head eunuch, Eunuch Lu, saw her figure and immediately walked over, scolding angrily, “Tired of living? Coming only now? Quickly serve it to the Emperor!”

Mu Yunjin adjusted her clothes, then carried the medicinal soup into Emperor Ximing’s bedchamber.

Entering the bedchamber, she saw that there were still many people inside, and the Empress was sitting by Emperor Ximing’s bed.

Seeing Mu Yunjin bring the medicinal soup, the Empress extended her hand. “Give it to me.”

“Yes.” Mu Yunjin carefully handed the soup to the Empress, then retreated to the side.

From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Emperor Ximing on the bed. His face was haggard, his eyes closed, his mouth slightly open, occasionally emitting some painful soft groans.

When Mu Yunjin heard the common people mention it, she thought it was just anger-induced illness, some minor ailment that would heal with rest. But seeing this scene now, it gave her the feeling that Emperor Ximing’s life was coming to an end…

Inexplicably, Mu Yunjin felt a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.

“Imperial Physician Li, the Emperor cannot drink the medicine. What should we do?” The Empress’s voice suddenly sounded, filled with worry.

Mu Yunjin looked over and saw that all the medicinal soup the Empress had fed him had been spat out by Emperor Ximing, flowing down to his neck.

The Imperial Physician, who was addressed immediately, approached, checked Emperor Ximing’s pulse again, and then sighed. “His Majesty lacks energy, cannot drink medicine or eat food. This cannot continue…”

“Alas, how did things come to this when he was perfectly fine?” The Empress frowned.

At this moment, a deep voice sounded from the doorway of the bedchamber. “Prop up Father Emperor and force the medicine down.”

Hearing this voice, everyone was startled and looked toward the door.

“Greetings, Crown Prince…” A group of people bowed to the newcomer.

Mu Yunjin looked up at Chu Ye, who was dressed in an ink-colored brocade robe. She was just about to bow in greeting when she caught his gaze and suddenly froze, an extremely familiar feeling spreading in her heart.

Chu Ye had also noticed Mu Yunjin. A flash of astonishment passed through his eyes, but he quickly recovered, coldly averted his gaze, and walked toward the bedside.

Mu Yunjin stared unblinkingly at Chu Ye’s back, involuntarily clenching the sleeves of her clothes, increasingly incredulous in her heart.

By the bedside, Chu Ye propped up Emperor Ximing’s body and then reached for the medicine bowl. “Trouble Mother Empress to support Father Emperor.”

The Empress immediately nodded and supported Emperor Ximing.

Chu Ye raised Emperor Ximing’s head slightly and fed him the medicine from the bowl, spoonful by spoonful.

When the bowl was empty, Chu Ye set it aside and glanced sideways at Mu Yunjin. “You, follow this Crown Prince to the Imperial Medical Academy.”