Mu Yunjin was slightly startled, then nodded and followed behind Chu Ye, leaving Emperor Ximing’s bedchamber.

As they reached the main hall of Jingming Palace, two figures stepped through the entrance.

Seeing these two figures, Mu Yunjin instinctively lowered her head and curtsied to them. “Greetings, Prince Chen. Greetings, Princess Consort Chen.”

After speaking, Mu Yunjin cursed inwardly. How unlucky to encounter these two people just after entering the palace.

The people who entered were Chu Qing and Qin Muyue.

Upon meeting Crown Prince Chu Ye face to face, they symbolically bowed slightly to him.

After the simple greeting, Chu Qing curled his lips and looked at Chu Ye. “Fourth Brother, how is Father Emperor’s condition?”

“He’s still in a coma, showing no improvement,” Chu Ye frowned, his tone calm.

“That’s troublesome. What are those people at the Imperial Medical Academy doing? They can’t even cure a minor illness! Fourth Brother, you’re currently acting as regent with a pile of state affairs to attend to. As for Father Emperor here, Third Brother will come more often to watch over him.” Chu Qing spoke leisurely, his lips painted with a faint smile, his tone indecipherable.

…

…

Chu Ye nodded lightly. “Then I’ll trouble Third Brother.”

After speaking, Chu Ye added, “This minister brother is going to the Imperial Medical Academy now. Since Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law have come to visit Father Emperor, please go in. Mother Empress is also inside.”

“Mm.” Chu Qing nodded slightly, glanced at Chu Ye, then entered with Qin Muyue.

Only after the two had left did Mu Yunjin slowly raise her head. Thinking of the events of the past two days, she wished she could burn a hole in their retreating backs.

“Let’s go.” Chu Ye suddenly glanced at her and walked out slowly.

Mu Yunjin followed behind.

After leaving Jingming Palace, all the way, Mu Yunjin walked behind Chu Ye, maintaining a distance from him.

But looking at this familiar face, Mu Yunjin unexpectedly pressed her lips together and smiled.

Entering the Imperial Medical Academy, most of the imperial physicians were on standby in Emperor Ximing’s bedchamber. Now only one imperial physician was sitting inside the academy. Seeing Chu Ye, the physician immediately stood up to welcome him.

“Greetings, Crown Prince.”

“Mm, Imperial Physician Li, where is Father Emperor’s medicinal diet plan?” Chu Ye asked.

Hearing this, Imperial Physician Li immediately walked to a nearby table, took a booklet, and handed it to Chu Ye. “This was just written and hasn’t been sent to the imperial kitchen yet. Please review it, Crown Prince.”

Chu Ye took the booklet, sat down nearby, and turned the pages one by one.

Chu Ye turned the pages slowly. After reading for just a short while, a young palace maid walked in from outside. Upon entering, not noticing Chu Ye’s presence, she urgently said, “Imperial Physician Li, the Empress Dowager’s headache has flared up. Please go check on her quickly!”

After speaking, she noticed Chu Ye sitting inside, was startled, and immediately bowed.

Hearing this, Imperial Physician Li cast a glance at Chu Ye.

“Since Grandmother is unwell, you should go and check on her. This Crown Prince will watch over the Imperial Medical Academy for a while,” Chu Ye said, glancing at Imperial Physician Li.

Since it was the Empress Dowager who was unwell, Imperial Physician Li dared not neglect his duty. With Chu Ye’s permission, he took his medicine box and left with the palace maid.

A moment later, only Chu Ye and Mu Yunjin remained in the Imperial Medical Academy.

With a “thud,” Chu Ye threw the medicinal diet plan onto the table, his face tense, his brow furrowed—a sign of anger.

“Who allowed you to come to such a dangerous place?” Chu Ye looked at Mu Yunjin, his clear eyes narrowing slightly.

Although Mu Yunjin had recognized from the first glance that Chu Ye before her was Chu Li in disguise, now that she was completely certain, she couldn’t describe the feeling in her heart, but it was mostly excitement and joy.

After a while, Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes and said in a muffled tone, “Since you also know it’s dangerous, why are you here?”

“…” Chu Li remained silent.

Seeing him not speaking, Mu Yunjin looked around, lowered her voice, and asked, “How did you disguise yourself as Chu Ye? Where is the real Chu Ye?”

“This prince has arranged everything,” Chu Li steadied his emotions. Although he was angry that she had come here without reason, he wouldn’t speak too harshly to her.

Mu Yunjin nodded, looking at Chu Li, feeling somewhat emotional. “I just came here to take a look, who knew I would accidentally run into you?”

Hearing this, Chu Li stood up, walked to her side, looked down at her, and said firmly, “No more mischief. Go back quickly.”

Mu Yunjin pouted, poking Chu Li’s chest with her finger, speaking softly, “Then remember to come back at the end of the month, okay? The New Year is coming, and it’s the first one we’ll spend together. I want to celebrate it with you.”

All of Chu Li’s displeasure instantly vanished upon hearing these words.

He couldn’t help but sigh lightly, bend down, and gently embrace Mu Yunjin, pulling her into his arms. “Remember to behave.”

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin curled her lips into a smile and hugged Chu Li back.

These five words were probably the most touching words Chu Li had said to her since he lost his memory, as if the old Chu Li had returned.

They embraced quietly for a while, until footsteps sounded from outside. Only then did Chu Li release Mu Yunjin and pick up the medicinal diet plan from the table to read again.

Mu Yunjin also stood properly to the side.

That embrace just now made her heart sweet with happiness.

The person who entered was Imperial Physician Li from earlier. After stepping in, he gave a sheepish smile to Chu Li. “When I arrived at the Empress Dowager’s, she said her headache was gone. I checked her pulse and found nothing serious.”

“It’s good that Grandmother is well,” Chu Li raised his eyes to glance at Imperial Physician Li, then placed the diet plan on the table. “There’s nothing wrong with this medicinal diet.”

After speaking, Chu Li stood up and walked out.

Mu Yunjin immediately followed.

“This minister respectfully sends off the Crown Prince…” Imperial Physician Li bowed slightly.

…

After leaving the Imperial Medical Academy, they passed many places where there were numerous eunuchs and palace maids. Mu Yunjin very much wanted to walk closer to Chu Li and talk with him, but due to the people around, she could only follow behind in frustration.

Passing through the Imperial Garden, they encountered Chu Qing and Qin Muyue again.

Mu Yunjin secretly rolled her eyes. These two were like persistent ghosts—they ran into them everywhere!

So annoying!

“Father Emperor’s condition is truly not optimistic. Could it be that some evil entity has entered his body? Perhaps we should invite a spiritual master to perform a ritual?” As he approached, Chu Qing spoke to Chu Li.

“Mm, Third Brother can take charge of this matter,” Chu Li looked at Chu Qing.

Chu Qing smiled. “Very well. This prince happens to know a powerful exorcist. Tomorrow, I’ll invite him into the palace to perform a ritual for Father Emperor, to dispel the evil energy.”

Chu Li nodded.

To the side, Qin Muyue, who had been silent until now, smiled gracefully and looked at Chu Li. “The Crown Prince has yet to establish a Crown Princess. With Father Emperor’s health failing and the possibility of abdication at any moment, the Crown Prince should quickly establish someone worthy of being the mother of the nation.”

“Yue’er is right. It might also cheer Father Emperor up,” Chu Qing smiled.

Listening to the two of them playing off each other, Mu Yunjin wondered what scheme they were plotting now. By “powerful exorcist,” were they referring to Black Robe?

If it were Black Robe, wouldn’t he be entering the palace tomorrow?

Thinking of this, Mu Yunjin turned her thoughts, sensing a whiff of conspiracy.

Emperor Ximing falling gravely ill so suddenly was already suspicious, and now Chu Qing was suggesting an exorcism…

At this moment, Chu Li suddenly spoke. “Third Brother and Sister-in-law are right. But this minister brother has not met any young ladies from noble families. I wonder if Third Brother and Sister-in-law have any recommendations?”

“In Diehua City, among the unmarried noble ladies from prestigious families, the most suitable would be the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Yan, Yan Lingshang. The Crown Prince must have met her before,” Qin Muyue immediately replied.

Hearing this, Chu Li nodded slightly. “When you perform the ritual tomorrow, Third Sister-in-law, please bring Miss Yan to the palace as well, so this minister brother can take a careful look.”

“Good, that’s no problem.” Qin Muyue curled her lips, glancing at Chu Qing from the corner of her eye.

Chu Qing also wore a smile.

After Chu Qing and Qin Muyue left, Mu Yunjin couldn’t contain herself. She stepped forward to Chu Li’s side and said, “They just finished dealing with Prince Ning’s mansion, and now they’ve set their sights on Chu Ye.”

Chu Li suddenly smiled. “I was afraid they wouldn’t make a move.”

“Oh? So you were prepared for this?” Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows, feeling somewhat relieved hearing Chu Li’s words.

“You can go back now. You’re not allowed to stay here anymore.” Chu Li composed himself, looking sternly at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin’s heart sank as she stared pitifully at Chu Li. “Can I stay here and leave after the ritual is performed tomorrow?”

“No.” Chu Li refused outright.

“But it’s getting dark, and I sent the Phoenix Feather Pavilion people away. If I go back now, I’ll have to travel for more than two hours on the road. I’m pregnant and shouldn’t travel too much…” Mu Yunjin blinked at Chu Li, looking like a pitiful little thing.

Chu Li felt completely defeated by her.

“Just one night. Leave tomorrow morning.” Chu Li relented slightly, his tone brooking no refusal.

“Okay, okay, okay!” Mu Yunjin had been waiting for these words and hurriedly nodded in agreement with a smile.

Seeing eunuchs and palace maids approaching in the distance, she quickly stepped back and said to Chu Li, “Crown Prince, please walk slowly.”

Chu Li glanced at her sideways, muttering with displeasure, “Fool.”

After speaking, he walked toward the exit of the Imperial Garden.

…

In the evening, Mu Yunjin followed Chu Li out of the palace to the Crown Prince’s residence.

As they entered the front hall, Huang Yan emerged from inside. Just as he was about to speak to Chu Li, he caught sight of the person beside him and was slightly stunned.

After looking for a good while, he skeptically scratched his head. “Princess Consort?”

“Hmph.” Mu Yunjin snorted lightly, looking away, ignoring Huang Yan.

The other day, this fellow had doubted her mother, and she still hadn’t gotten over it. She wouldn’t acknowledge him now.

“What’s wrong?” Chu Li, having changed back to his original appearance, looked down at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin pouted, staring straight at Huang Yan.

Huang Yan uncomfortably touched his nose and stammered, “Um, Princess Consort, I’m sorry. I was too impulsive that day and spoke without thinking. Please be magnanimous and don’t take it to heart, okay?”

“You should say that to my mother.” Mu Yunjin knew Huang Yan was just being protective of his master. She wasn’t going to make things too difficult for him and directly gave him a way out.

“Next time I see Madam Qing, I will apologize properly.” Huang Yan smiled.

Chu Li seemed to have picked up on some information. He glanced at Huang Yan and said, “Go prepare a meal for the Princess Consort.”

“Yes, my lord!” Huang Yan immediately ran off after speaking.