When Mu Yunjin woke up, Chu Li was sitting by the bedside, gazing at her intently, his brows slightly furrowed as if deep in thought.

“Chu Li…” Mu Yunjin reached out and gently tugged at his sleeve.

Chu Li was slightly startled. Seeing that Mu Yunjin had awakened, he placed his hand on her cheek, looking at her intently. “Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?”

Mu Yunjin shook her head.

Looking at the time, she realized she had slept until after noon. She was becoming too carefree, able to sleep so long in a dangerous place like Lin Yin City.

After getting dressed, Mu Yunjin walked out of the room with Chu Li.

Outside, Huang Yan and the others were waiting in the courtyard. When they saw Mu Yunjin, their eyes all held a certain complexity.

“Third Sister.” Mu Xiarou approached Mu Yunjin, tears in her eyes as she threw herself into Mu Yunjin’s arms.

Mu Yunjin patted her gently. “Xiarou, why are you crying?”

…

…

“Third Sister, fortunately, you and His Highness came to save my mother and me. Otherwise, we would surely have died at the hands of that bitch Qin Muyue.” Mu Xiarou wiped her tears, her eyes filled with anger as she mentioned Qin Muyue.

“It’s all over now, everything’s fine.” Mu Yunjin smiled, comforting Mu Xiarou.

Luo Ningyu also walked over. Due to her facial injury, she didn’t look well. As she approached, she knelt directly before Mu Yunjin and Chu Li.

Seeing this, Mu Xiarou immediately followed suit and knelt as well.

“Prince Ning and Princess Consort’s great kindness, this humble woman will never forget in this lifetime!” Luo Ningyu said, about to bow her head to the ground.

Mu Yunjin immediately bent down to stop her. “Third Aunt, what are you doing? Quickly, get up!”

Nearby, Huang Yan and the others came forward to help Mu Yunjin raise Luo Ningyu and Mu Xiarou.

After stabilizing Luo Ningyu and Mu Xiarou’s emotions, Mu Yunjin took a breath, then turned to look at Chu Li. “Shouldn’t we return to Zhangzhou City now?”

Chu Li looked at her calmly and nodded.

……

An hour and a half later, they returned to Zhangzhou City.

Huaying and Qiqi returned to Phoenix Feather Pavilion first, while Huang Yan and Ding Xian followed them back. Only Mu Yunjin and Chu Li remained outside to settle Mu Xiarou and Luo Ningyu.

In Zhangzhou City’s black market.

“Third Aunt, Xiarou, you can stay here.”

Mu Yunjin took them to an inn, temporarily settling them there.

Luo Ningyu nodded, initially concerned that the comings and goings at the inn might be conspicuous, but then thought that since it was arranged by Chu Li and Mu Yunjin, it must be extremely safe.

Besides, Lin Yin City had been in chaos these past few days, and she and Xiarou had been on edge for several days. Now they could finally relax a little.

“Prince Ning and Princess Consort have worked hard. You should also go back and rest. Don’t worry about us, mother and daughter, anymore.” Luo Ningyu held Mu Yunjin’s hand, smiling at her.

Mu Yunjin made a sound of agreement. “Then you rest here first. His Highness has arranged for secret guards to be near you. If you need anything, just have the guards inform us.”

“Good, I’ll remember that.” Luo Ningyu smiled.

……

When Mu Yunjin and Chu Li left the inn, the black market was as bustling as before.

“Last time I was here, I met Yun Lianqing…” Before Mu Yunjin could finish speaking, an ice-blue figure approached from ahead.

Seeing this, Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched. Could it be any more coincidental?

“Oh my, I spotted a perfect couple from afar. What a coincidence!” Yun Lianqing’s eyes brightened upon seeing Chu Li and Mu Yunjin, and he quickly walked up to them.

Mu Yunjin looked at Yun Lianqing, frowning. “You’re the Crown Prince of South Court. Why are you always wandering around here? Are you that idle?”

“Tsk, this Crown Prince didn’t come to find you. I came to find my Royal Brother!” Yun Lianqing said, raising his eyebrows at Chu Li.

Chu Li cast a cold glance at Yun Lianqing, his expression unfavorable.

“Royal Brother, don’t be so cold. We brothers share the same blood. This kinship cannot be erased!” Yun Lianqing, ignoring Chu Li’s cool demeanor, winked at him.

Mu Yunjin was startled by Yun Lianqing’s enthusiastic manner. What was this guy up to now?

“Running into each other today is fate. Come, come, this Crown Prince will host. Let’s have a meal together.” As Yun Lianqing spoke, he had already squeezed between Chu Li and Mu Yunjin, pulling them toward a restaurant.

In a private room at the restaurant.

“Come, Royal Brother, let’s drink together.” Yun Lianqing poured wine for himself and Chu Li, then raised his cup, gesturing to Chu Li.

Mu Yunjin rested her chin on her hand, blinking at Yun Lianqing. “Crown Prince Yun, our prince doesn’t like claiming random family relationships.”

“Oh, is that so?” Yun Lianqing awkwardly put down his wine cup, then said, “Then this Crown Prince will first speak with Prince Ning in my capacity as Crown Prince.”

As he spoke, Yun Lianqing turned to look at Chu Li, murmuring, “Royal Brother, although my father is a stubborn man, he is not cold-hearted. I believe that with time, he will soften.”

Chu Li didn’t respond to this.

Yun Lianqing didn’t find Chu Li’s attitude strange, but changed the topic. “Currently, the entire Canghua Continent is in turmoil. Since you are not people of Western Yuan, there’s no need to get involved in the struggle between Chu Qing and the Western Ming Emperor, finding trouble for yourselves. According to information, the other three countries are all in a wait-and-see state.”

After a pause, Yun Lianqing looked at Mu Yunjin. “Your father is also a very interesting person. After Chu Qing’s rebellion, the Western Ming Emperor sent a letter to borrow troops, but was flatly refused by your father.”

At the mention of Bei Tang Wenfeng, Mu Yunjin smiled. It had been several months since she last saw him.

“Yun Lianqing…” Chu Li, who had barely spoken, suddenly called out Yun Lianqing’s full name, his tone carrying a certain solemnity.

“Eh?” Yun Lianqing looked at Chu Li, curious.

Chu Li’s brows furrowed slightly, his gaze cool as he looked at Yun Lianqing. “Your South Court’s three great secret medicines that can bring the dead back to life, where are the other two?”

Chu Li’s question caused both Mu Yunjin and Yun Lianqing to pause momentarily, not understanding why Chu Li was suddenly inquiring about the three great secret medicines.

Despite his curiosity, Yun Lianqing honestly replied, “The Lotus God Pill has been missing for many years. The remaining ones are the Snow Toad Pill and the Snow Soul Pill…”

Mentioning the Snow Toad Pill, Yun Lianqing looked at Mu Yunjin. “By the way, didn’t my princess sister give you the Snow Toad Pill?”

Mu Yunjin’s body suddenly stiffened, and she gave Yun Lianqing a strange look. He really knew how to bring up sore subjects.

She lowered her eyes guiltily, now completely unable to look at Chu Li. Yes, she had the Snow Toad Pill, but she had given it to Rong Jiu…

Yun Lianqing, catching Mu Yunjin’s glance, felt something was amiss, so he didn’t continue. He only sensed that the surrounding air had subtly changed.

Chu Li, upon hearing that the Snow Toad Pill had been given to Mu Yunjin, was somewhat delighted, but when he glanced to the side and saw her hanging her head, his heart sank again.

“The Snow Toad Pill is with you?” Chu Li tentatively asked.

If it were with her, then the so-called gu poison would not be a concern.

Mu Yunjin shook her head, biting her lip. After a moment, she carefully said, “I gave the Snow Toad Pill to Rong Jiu…”

“He was poisoned last time, and there was no Celestial Star Grass…”

Chu Li’s thin lips were pressed together, his face cold, a surge of anger rising in his chest. He wanted to scold her harshly, but just as the words reached his mouth, thinking of her being poisoned with gu, in an instant, his heartache exceeded his anger.

Suppressing his anger, Chu Li said no more.

Yun Lianqing, sitting to the side, as an observer, clearly saw that Chu Li had been furious just now, yet was forcibly restraining his emotions.

His mention of the three great secret medicines must be because something had happened.

“Now only one Snow Soul Pill remains among the three great secret medicines, and it has been strictly guarded by my father. Even this Crown Prince doesn’t know where the Snow Soul Pill is kept.” Yun Lianqing shrugged.

Mu Yunjin pouted, frowning as she gently took Chu Li’s hand. “Chu Li, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

To need a medicine that could bring the dead back to life, how grave a life-threatening situation must it be!

“It’s nothing, just a casual question. Don’t worry.” Chu Li, fearing she would overthink, softened his expression somewhat, holding her hand in his.

Seeing no signs of trouble on Chu Li’s face, Mu Yunjin was slightly reassured.

……

At night.

While Mu Yunjin was bathing, Chu Li approached.

Chu Li drew near her, staring at her exposed skin for a moment, his fingers lightly brushing over her back.

“What is it?” Mu Yunjin turned her head to look at Chu Li.

Not knowing exactly what was wrong, Mu Yunjin felt that Chu Li was a bit strange today, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly how.

“Pregnant women shouldn’t bathe for too long.” Chu Li lowered his eyes.

“Oh, right, I almost forgot.” Mu Yunjin remembered this and stood up from the bathtub.

Chu Li took a dry towel from the side and began to wipe her down, all movements natural and fluid.

After drying her body and changing her into light clothing for sleep, Chu Li carried her back to the bed and laid her down.

On the bed, Mu Yunjin leaned against Chu Li. Having slept for so long during the day, she wasn’t particularly sleepy now.

Chu Li extinguished the candle, and the room fell into darkness.

“Yunjin…” In the darkness, Chu Li called out to Mu Yunjin.

“What is it?” Mu Yunjin asked.

Chu Li paused, then said, “Why did your Divine Decree end up in Chu Qing’s hands?”

Mu Yunjin was slightly startled, but then felt it didn’t matter. She laughed lightly, “Last time I was careless and fell prey to Shen Wanning’s evil magic. In the end, I exchanged the Divine Decree for an antidote.”

“However, I am the master of the Divine Decree. Without my control, they cannot activate it. Besides, I can summon the Divine Decree back at any time.” Mu Yunjin’s tone was relaxed, tinged with laughter.

“Hmm.” Chu Li responded softly, not revealing much emotion.

For some reason, Mu Yunjin’s heart tightened slightly. “Chu Li, do you have something on your mind?”

All day today, she had felt that Chu Li was acting strange.

What exactly was the problem?

“It’s nothing, just tired after traveling for two days…” Chu Li held her tight, his tone full of fatigue.

Mu Yunjin finally realized that Chu Li had indeed not rested well these past two days for the sake of Mu Xiarou and the others.

“Then let’s rest early. I’m tired too.”

“Mm, sleep.”

In the darkness, Mu Yunjin was wide awake, leaning against Chu Li, listening to his heartbeat, one after another. Suddenly, that dream surfaced in her mind again…

She remembered Grandma Yu saying that in the Book Pavilion of Phoenix Feather Pavilion, there might be records of the Death God.

It seemed that tomorrow, she needed to find time to go and search…