“Who said anything about going to Zhangzhou City? This Crown Prince was just asking casually. Since you’re not returning to Western Yuan Kingdom for now, I’ll have playmates for a while,” Yun Lianqing changed the subject, smiling at Mu Yunjin and Chu Li.

Mu Yunjin felt goosebumps rising from that smile. She crossed her arms and leisurely walked out of Jinghua Temple’s main gate.

Just outside the temple, two palace guards rushed over and addressed Yun Lianqing and Imperial Advisor An, “Reporting to Crown Prince and Imperial Advisor, an epidemic has suddenly broken out in Gushan City. His Majesty summons you both to the palace immediately to discuss countermeasures.”

Hearing this, Yun Lianqing instantly dropped his smile, his expression becoming serious, “Lead the way.”

After speaking, he walked forward a couple of steps, then seemed to remember something and looked back at Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.

“You go ahead with your business,” Mu Yunjin said, glancing at Yun Lianqing. It seemed to be the first time she saw in him the bearing of a future emperor.

Yun Lianqing nodded, then left with Imperial Advisor An.

After they departed, Mu Yunjin turned to look at Chu Li, “We’ve already visited Immortal Mountain Villa, and there doesn’t seem to be much else interesting to see in South Court Kingdom. Do we still need to stay here?”

“In such a hurry to leave?” Chu Li gazed at her.

…

…

“Not particularly,” Mu Yunjin thought before answering.

Chu Li smiled lightly, “Then let’s stay a few more days. It’s rare to have so many leisurely days.”

“Mmm, you’re right about that,” Mu Yunjin pondered and realized it was indeed the case.

……

When the couple returned to the courtyard house, Huang Yan and Hua Ying had been waiting there for a long time. Besides these two, Qiqi and Lei Yan had also come to the South Court Kingdom.

“They’re back, they’re back,” Ding Xian, who had been bothered by them, caught sight of Chu Li and Mu Yunjin entering and immediately called out.

“Master, you’re finally back,” Qiqi spoke, looking at Mu Yunjin.

Seeing them all there, Mu Yunjin stepped forward and asked Qiqi, “Why did you come here?”

“Huang Yan notified us earlier to come drink at his and Hua Ying’s wedding feast, but when I arrived today, this guy said he and Hua Ying had already performed the marriage ceremony the day before yesterday. Is he deliberately fooling me?” Qiqi brought up the matter, angrily glaring sideways at Huang Yan.

“Roar…”

At her glare, the Dark Spirit Beast, which had been crouching obediently in the corner, suddenly opened its mouth and roared at Qiqi.

The roar frightened Qiqi, who quickly hid behind Mu Yunjin with a woeful face, “Everyone’s bullying me now that I don’t have martial arts…”

“I say, little cat, that’s truly unfair of you. I did intend to invite you all to the wedding feast, but who knew I’d get so excited the day before yesterday and rush to hold the ceremony? Not only did you not get to drink at the feast, neither did His Highness and the Princess,” Huang Yan explained.

Qiqi pouted, then timidly glanced at the Dark Spirit Beast, “And what about that… that beast? Where did it come from?”

“It’s a long story. This is my lost and regained treasure, similar to His Highness’s Ink Qilin and the Princess’s Phoenix,” Huang Yan said.

Hearing this, Qiqi sighed, “Master, why do I feel like I’ve gotten the short end of the stick?”

“Saying that, aren’t you afraid of breaking your Lei Yan brother’s heart?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow, looking at Qiqi.

Qiqi pressed her lips into a smile, “I’m just joking, of course.”

Chu Li sat down nearby, and as soon as he did, Huang Yan came over, stared at Chu Li for a moment with a profound look in his eyes, and whispered, “Your Highness, I’ve remembered some things from the past.”

“And then?” Chu Li took a sip of water and responded indifferently.

“And then, calculating by fingers, you and the Princess seem to be my younger generation…” Huang Yan said, his tone tinged with mockery, feeling somewhat satisfied to bring this up.

Hearing this, Chu Li suddenly smiled, “Then think carefully, are we in the previous life or the current one?”

“…” Huang Yan laughed dryly, “I was just joking…”

Chu Li glanced at Huang Yan, then at the Dark Spirit Beast in the corner, his lips curving into a smile, “But finding your companion is certainly a joyous occasion.”

“Yes, having lived for so long, I never expected I’d lose such a segment of memory,” Huang Yan said with emotion. Now recalling that punishment of being burned alive by raging fire, he felt his entire body’s hair stand on end—too frightful to imagine.

After Mu Yunjin met with Qiqi and Hua Ying, the three women moved to a quieter place to chat.

“Hua Ying, you were quite swift this time, so quickly becoming one with Huang Yan.” As soon as they entered, Qiqi teased Hua Ying, since there were no outsiders present, there was no need for much restraint.

Hua Ying’s lips revealed a smile, “The timing was just right, neither too early nor too late.”

“A woman in love, tsk tsk,” Qiqi clicked her tongue.

Mu Yunjin sat to the side, listening to Qiqi’s voice, and recalled something. She turned to look at her, “By the way, Qiqi, has a divine female physician recently come to Zhangzhou City?”

“Hmm? What divine female physician?” Qiqi looked at Mu Yunjin, puzzled.

“A woman with excellent medical skills, probably quite beautiful, and possibly surnamed Bai…” Mu Yunjin stroked her chin, applying all these clues.

Qiqi frowned, tilted her head in thought for quite a while, then seemed to recall something, her eyes flickering, “After Qiu Tianhuai, the original city lord of Zhangzhou City, was secretly disposed of, the newly appointed city lord is surnamed Bai. This Lord Bai’s daughter is said to be skilled in medicine, though few people know about this.”

“How do you know that?” Hua Ying asked on behalf of Mu Yunjin.

“I’m not an ordinary person. After this, Lord Bai succeeded to the position of city lord. I secretly investigated him and found that this family had all studied medicine before, with a clean background and nothing unusual.”

After a pause, Qiqi continued, “As for the Bai lady Master mentioned, it could be the city lord’s daughter, Bai Qinghuan.”

“Bai Qinghuan…” Mu Yunjin silently repeated this name, and just hearing it, an image of an elegant figure in white formed in her mind.

“Yes, if I remember correctly, that’s the name,” Qiqi said.

After speaking, Qiqi looked at Mu Yunjin with surprise, “Why is Master suddenly asking about this? Could there be something wrong with the Bai family?”

“No, I just heard Yun Lianqing mention a divine female physician and was curious,” Mu Yunjin replied, without elaborating on Yun Lianqing’s situation.

Qiqi propped up her head, blinking, “Crown Prince Yun?”

Mu Yunjin nodded.

“I did see Crown Prince Yun in Zhangzhou City a few days ago, but his leg didn’t seem healed yet—he walked with a limp. However, I was busy shopping at the time and didn’t greet him,” Qiqi casually mentioned.

Mu Yunjin curled her lips, secretly thinking that Qiqi truly deserved her reputation as a knower of all things. With just a casual inquiry about the divine female physician, they immediately had a lead.

With this lead, if Yun Lianqing was serious, he now had a direction to pursue.

Hua Ying, sitting to the side listening to the general content, had a question: “If the Bai family used to study medicine, why did they suddenly go to Zhangzhou City to become the city lord?”

“This time, the position of Zhangzhou City’s lord was recruited through various assessments. Therefore, those who came to participate in the assessment weren’t previously officials. They probably entered the selection for city lord out of boredom. Besides, the city lord receives a monthly salary—what a good position,” Qiqi leaned back in her chair, just thinking about it made her feel delighted.

With Qiqi’s explanation, Mu Yunjin and Hua Ying understood and no longer dwelled on the matter.

“Hua Ying, aren’t you and Huang Yan planning to hold a wedding banquet?” After discussing the Bai family, Qiqi turned to Hua Ying and asked about the marriage.

“We performed the ceremony the night before last and drank the ceremonial wine. We’re already truly husband and wife, so we probably won’t hold a banquet,” Hua Ying smiled.

Qiqi frowned, “Looks like I was tricked by Huang Yan.”

“Master, don’t you think Huang Yan is too mean? He knew I had lost my inner power and couldn’t activate the formless space. Coming to South Court Kingdom takes two days by carriage—he must have done this deliberately,” Qiqi complained to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin lowered her eyelids and sighed softly, “How nice…”

“Hmm? Master, what’s nice?” Qiqi didn’t understand what Mu Yunjin meant.

Mu Yunjin shook her head and reached out to poke Qiqi’s cheek, “You’re about to get married yourself, aren’t you afraid of having no wedding feast to drink at?”

“Mmm, that’s a different matter.”

“Knock knock…”

As they were chatting, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

After receiving permission, the door opened, and several men walked in. Huang Yan was the first to speak to Hua Ying, “Just now, a message came from Imperial Advisor An saying that an epidemic has suddenly broken out in Gushan City to the west. Several imperial physicians were sent but couldn’t determine the cause. He wants you to help take a look.”

Hua Ying nodded, taking this life-and-death matter seriously without any hesitation. She stood up, “When do we go?”

“Imperial Advisor An’s messenger is waiting outside. We can go now,” Huang Yan said.

“Let’s go then,” Hua Ying agreed, checking the medicines she had with her before following Huang Yan out.

Chu Li leaned against the doorframe, looking at Mu Yunjin, “We’ll go too.”

“Hmm?” Mu Yunjin was slightly surprised, “But we don’t know anything about medicine.”

“Imperial Advisor An said this epidemic came suddenly and might be suspicious, so he asked us to go along,” Chu Li explained.

Mu Yunjin made a sound of agreement and nodded.

……

The four quickly boarded the carriage arranged by Imperial Advisor An to go to Gushan City. Qiqi and Lei Yan stayed at the courtyard house to help look after little Mu’er, and Ding Xian also remained behind.

An hour later, the carriage stopped at Gushan City’s gate.

Due to the sudden outbreak of the epidemic, the entire city had been sealed off—people outside couldn’t enter, and those inside couldn’t leave.

After the carriage stopped, the four got out.

Imperial Advisor An had been waiting at the city gate for a while. Upon seeing the four, he walked up and handed each a handkerchief, “Cover your nose and mouth with these. None of the imperial physicians have been able to diagnose this epidemic yet—it might be difficult to deal with.”

The four took the handkerchiefs. Hua Ying frowned and looked at Imperial Advisor An, “If this epidemic contains poison, I can sense it immediately. But if it’s truly an epidemic, I’ll be powerless.”

“Mmm, let’s go in and see. Crown Prince Yun is already in the city.”