“How is she? I heard that girl Yunjin was pushed down the steps?” As soon as he approached, National Mentor An asked Chu Li.

Chu Li nodded, his expression severe as he took the medicine bowl from Zixiang’s hands and walked inside.

In the room, Mu Yunjin was leaning against the headboard with lowered eyes, pondering some matters…

She felt that there was something strange about Madam Yang pushing her down the steps.

That Madam Yang, though arrogant and foul-mouthed, shouldn’t have been bold enough to push her down the steps, should she?

Or was it that Madam Yang was truly angered by her and acted impulsively?

The more Mu Yunjin thought about it, the more her head ached. She couldn’t help but stroke her swollen belly.

Thankfully, the child was unharmed.

As she was thinking, she heard footsteps beside her. Looking over, she saw Chu Li and National Mentor An.

…

…

“Little girl, are you alright?” National Mentor An asked.

“I’m fine,” Mu Yunjin’s lips curved into a slight smile.

National Mentor An nodded, seeing that Mu Yunjin was about to take her medicine, he stood to the side, watching in silence.

Chu Li held the spoon, feeding Mu Yunjin the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine one spoonful at a time until the bowl was empty.

“Lie down and rest a while,” Chu Li put down the medicine bowl and helped Mu Yunjin lie down.

Mu Yunjin lay down smoothly, took a breath, and felt somewhat tired.

National Mentor An looked at Mu Yunjin, then at Chu Li, and spoke softly, “Where is that Madam Yang now?”

“She’s been sent to the imperial prison,” Ding Xian answered.

National Mentor An frowned, “Let’s go take a look.”

With that, National Mentor An walked out.

Chu Li’s brows furrowed slightly as he gave Ding Xian a nod. Ding Xian understood and followed behind National Mentor An.

Just as National Mentor An left, two more sets of footsteps were heard outside, accompanied by a conversation—

“I’m telling you, Northern Qi Lu, why are you so annoying? Why do you keep following me?”

“Who’s following you? I came to see my imperial sister!”

“Couldn’t you come earlier or later? Why must you squeeze in at the same time as me…”

“The Empress Enthronement Ceremony just ended, and I came as soon as it was over. What’s wrong with that?”

“You…”

The two voices grew closer. When Mu Yunjin looked over, she saw Chu Qingyuan and Northern Qi Lu had already entered the room.

“Sixth Sister-in-law, are you alright?!” Chu Qingyuan immediately rushed over, “I was being annoyed by someone earlier and went to Empress Dowager Rui’s place, so I didn’t know such a big incident had happened.”

“That Madam Yang, she truly deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces, she’s courting death!”

Mu Yunjin rubbed her temples.

“Nine, be quiet,” Chu Li, seeing that Mu Yunjin seemed uncomfortable, reminded Chu Qingyuan.

Chu Qingyuan immediately covered her mouth, realizing that she had been speaking in a shrill voice due to her excitement.

“Sister Jinhwa, are you alright?” Northern Qi Lu asked timely.

Mu Yunjin nodded, “I’m fine, don’t worry about me.”

“That’s good, otherwise if Father Emperor found out, he would probably be worried,” Northern Qi Lu said.

At the mention of Northern Tang Wenfeng, Mu Yunjin paused slightly, then spoke, “Let’s not let them know about this, to avoid causing them concern.”

“Yes, this subject-brother understands,” Northern Qi Lu nodded.

Mu Yunjin smiled slightly and said no more.

Chu Qingyuan and Northern Qi Lu stayed for a while before Chu Li politely asked them to leave. They both understood that Mu Yunjin needed rest after the shock, and tactfully left once Chu Li mentioned it.

However, as soon as they were out the door, the sound of their bickering could be heard again, gradually fading into the distance.

“Sigh, I didn’t expect to cause trouble by attending an Empress Enthronement Ceremony. It seems I’m truly not suited for going out,” Mu Yunjin said self-deprecatingly.

Chu Li’s lips curved into a smile, “It’s not that you shouldn’t go out, it’s that I truly shouldn’t have let you leave my sight.”

Mu Yunjin pouted, “These things, no one can predict.”

She had thought that lately Chu Qingqiuye and those villains had been particularly peaceful, so going out for a walk would be fine. Who knew it would be so unpredictable…

Mu Yunjin thought for a while, feeling tired, and gradually fell asleep.

After Mu Yunjin fell asleep, Chu Li tucked her in and quietly watched her sleeping face for a moment.

A moment later, footsteps were heard outside the door.

Hearing the footsteps, Chu Li raised his eyes and walked outside.

…

The people approaching outside were National Mentor An and Ding Xian, who had just returned from the imperial prison.

Before they reached the door, they saw Chu Li coming out.

“How is it?” Chu Li asked with a grave expression.

National Mentor An raised an eyebrow, sat down on a chair in the outer hall, sighed lightly, and pointed to his temple, “That Madam Yang has a small hole in her temple.”

“A small hole?” Chu Li narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.

National Mentor An nodded, “Yes, a small hole, and along with this hole, there was a disgusting discovery.”

Chu Li looked at National Mentor An, not understanding what he meant by “disgusting.”

After speaking, National Mentor An gestured with his fingers to indicate a length, “From the small hole in her temple, a black worm about this long was extracted…”

“That worm is a gu worm,” National Mentor An said.

Gu worm…

Upon hearing these two words, Chu Li’s expression completely darkened. His brows furrowed tightly, and his entire body emanated a murderous aura.

“I didn’t expect that while these people have seemed peaceful lately, they’ve already set up ambushes around us. This Madam Yang is the first to be exposed,” National Mentor An gave a self-mocking smile.

“So what do we do now? We can’t just sit and wait for death,” Ding Xian spoke up excitedly.

National Mentor An looked at Chu Li, “Chu Li, what do you think?”

Chu Li clenched his fists, his thin lips pressed tightly together, “Yunjin has just over three months before she gives birth. Before she safely delivers the child, I won’t actively seek out those people.”

“I understand,” National Mentor An could particularly comprehend Chu Li’s current thoughts.

After all, those people were rather troublesome and couldn’t be eliminated in a short time. If something were to happen around the time of Mu Yunjin’s delivery, that would be a major problem.

“That being the case, it’s best not to let the girl Yunjin go out during this time. Let her stay safely in the prince’s residence until she delivers the child safely,” National Mentor An said.

Chu Li nodded slightly.

After speaking, National Mentor An stood up, “I guess the banquet is about to begin up ahead. How annoying. I’ll go over first. I’m representing Southern Court this time, what a hassle…”

With that, National Mentor An left.

Seeing that National Mentor An had left, Ding Xian also looked at Chu Li, “Your Highness, I just met Eunuch Lu at the entrance. Eunuch Lu conveyed His Majesty’s verbal order for you to try to attend the Empress’s banquet.”

“Understood,” Chu Li felt somewhat irritated.

“Clang, clang…”

“Aooo…”

At this moment, the red phoenix and ink qilin, who had been wandering around the palace, returned, each making a cry.

Chu Li looked at them and beckoned to them.

The red phoenix and ink qilin immediately trotted over excitedly.

“I’m going out for a while. You stay here and don’t wander off,” Chu Li reached out and stroked the heads of the red phoenix and ink qilin.

The two divine beasts understood Chu Li’s words and nodded repeatedly.

Afterward, Chu Li walked out.

After Chu Li left, the red phoenix used its wing to push open the door and flew in, sitting down to guard beside Mu Yunjin’s bed.

The ink qilin also followed.

The two divine beasts looked at each other, silently communicating with their eyes—

Red Phoenix:墨墨 (Momo), poor 欢欢 (Huanhuan).

Ink Qilin: Indeed, she’s pitiful. But 青鸾 (Qingluan), can you not call this divine beast by such a vulgar name as 墨墨 (Momo)?

Red Phoenix: I like it, you can’t stop me.

Ink Qilin: Then I’ll call you 红毛 (Hongmao/Red Hair)…

Red Phoenix: No! You want a beating?!

Ink Qilin: Then change how you address me…

Red Phoenix: I won’t!

Ink Qilin: Red Hair…

Red Phoenix: …

…

Half a month has passed since the Empress Enthronement Ceremony.

During this half month, Mu Yunjin had truly stayed obediently in the residence, without any intention of going out.

In her leisure time, she had started learning needlework from Mamma Shen.

“Ah, why is this so complicated…” After embroidering all morning, looking at the crooked threads on the red cloth that showed no discernible pattern, Mu Yunjin was somewhat frustrated.

Mamma Shen sat nearby, smiling, “Princess, this can’t be rushed. You need patience and careful attention.”

After speaking, Mamma Shen displayed her morning’s work in front of Mu Yunjin.

Looking at it, Mu Yunjin could roughly make out a pair of mandarin ducks from the outline.

“These hands of mine seem unsuited for needle and thread…”

They’re suited for knives…

Mu Yunjin said silently to herself.

“Don’t think that way. Take a new piece of cloth and continue. Once you learn these skills, you’ll be able to make things for the little heir or little princess with your own hands,” Mamma Shen said with emotion.

Then, she sighed, “I’ve been confined in this palace all my life, missing the opportunity to leave the palace and marry. Lately, I’ve often been thinking, if I had left the palace back then, I might have grandchildren by now.”

Hearing these words, Mu Yunjin also felt somewhat emotional, “It seems I should hurry and marry off that little Zixiang. I can’t keep her by my side and delay her marriage.”

“Zixiang…” At the mention of Zixiang, Mamma Shen’s eyes lit up, “Isn’t there something going on between her and our residence’s Guard Song?”

“Song Chun?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.

Mamma Shen covered her mouth with a laugh and lowered her voice, “Yes, that young Song Chun.”

“I’ve seen it several times. Song Chun is secretly giving snacks to that girl Zixiang. If there wasn’t something between them, how could that blockhead Song Chun do such a thing?”

Now Mu Yunjin was intrigued. Thinking back, she had indeed seen Zixiang and Song Chun meeting alone a few times, but she truly didn’t know about this gift of snacks.

“I say, the weather is good lately, and early summer is approaching. Our residence hasn’t had a happy event for a long time. Why not arrange it soon?” Mamma Shen suggested.

Mu Yunjin stroked her chin, “Shouldn’t we ask for their own opinions on this matter?”

“Well, let’s ask Zixiang’s opinion later. I’m sure this will work out!” Mamma Shen winked at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin smiled.

As they were chatting, Zixiang was approaching with a fruit platter from afar, “Miss, stop embroidering for now and have some fruit.”

Mu Yunjin and Mamma Shen both stared at Zixiang without blinking.

Zixiang felt uncomfortable under their gaze and swallowed, “What, what is it?”