Mu Yunjin’s trip to Mingzhu Tower yielded unexpected rewards. She had originally intended to merely exchange some verbal barbs with Mu Lingzhu and make a few sarcastic remarks, unaware that the mother-daughter pair had devised yet another scheme to harm her.

However, she was truly curious—was she Su Biqing’s biological daughter?

They say even tigers don’t eat their young, yet what Su Biqing had attempted today was hardly something a mother would do to her flesh and blood.

This matter warranted further investigation another day.

On her way back to Shihua Pavilion, Mu Yunjin encountered several house servants gathered together, whispering among themselves. With her excellent hearing, she managed to catch some information—

“I heard that the Second Young Master was severely injured and can no longer perform his manly duties.”

“Really? Is it that serious? Then who’s left to continue the Mu family line besides the Eldest Young Master?”

“Don’t mention it. The Second Madam is nearly crying herself blind, and the master is so angry he could kill someone, but they simply can’t find the true culprit.”

“Sigh, what a pity. It seems someone is deliberately working against the Mu family.”

…

…

Hearing this information, Mu Yunjin bit her lip, suppressing her amusement as she quickened her pace back to Shihua Pavilion.

Seeing Mu Yunjin return safe and sound, Zixiang immediately breathed a sigh of relief and asked with concern, “Young Lady, you left in such a hurry earlier without eating anything. You must be hungry now?”

“Hmm? Why don’t you think I might have eaten something at Mingzhu Tower?” Mu Yunjin blinked at Zixiang, somewhat curious.

“Young Lady, I’ve been by your side since I was little. How the Fourth Young Lady and the First Madam treat you—no one knows better than this servant,” Zixiang said with her head lowered, her tone subdued.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin was momentarily at a loss for words. She smiled and walked toward the inner chamber.

On the table inside was a simple bowl of plain porridge and two small dishes. Mu Yunjin glanced at the sky, which was approaching dusk, then looked at the food on the table.

It seemed that life as the Third Young Lady of the Mu family was indeed difficult.

With this thought, Mu Yunjin picked up a spoon and began to eat leisurely.

……

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Mu Yunjin, who was sleeping deeply, was gently awakened by Zixiang, who whispered in her ear, “Young Lady, today is the day to meet Empress Qin in the palace. It would be best not to be late.”

Though still surrounded by drowsiness, Mu Yunjin obediently got up and began to wash and dress.

“Young Lady, which one will you wear?” Zixiang took out two presentable brocade dresses from the wardrobe, smiling as she helped Mu Yunjin choose.

Mu Yunjin looked at these two garments, adorned with patterns and ribbons, slightly furrowed her brow, and shook her head. She sat up and selected a relatively simpler, more elegant outfit from the wardrobe.

“Young Lady, going to the palace to see the Empress Dowager dressed so plainly doesn’t seem appropriate?” Zixiang was somewhat surprised to see Mu Yunjin take out a light green brocade dress from the wardrobe.

Mu Yunjin acted as if she hadn’t heard, and after putting on the dress, smiled at Zixiang. “It’s fine, simpler is better. In case I cause trouble, I can run faster.”

“…” Zixiang was speechless. Though she wanted to say more, she couldn’t find any words to argue with, so she could only follow Mu Yunjin’s wishes and arrange her hair into a simple bun.

After finishing washing and dressing, Mu Yunjin took Zixiang and headed toward the front hall.

Just as she reached the front hall, Mu Yunjin saw that Mu Lingzhu was already standing there, wearing a pink lotus brocade dress, her hair styled impeccably, adorned with several pearl hairpins.

Mu Lingzhu glimpsed the dressed Mu Yunjin, her eyes revealing a hint of contempt. She cast a white-eyed glance at Mu Yunjin, then looked away, as if she hadn’t seen her at all.

“Fourth Young Lady, it’s getting late. Let’s depart.”

Shortly after, an elderly woman came forward and respectfully addressed Mu Lingzhu, completely ignoring Mu Yunjin, who stood on the other side.

Mu Lingzhu nodded and, surrounded by a group of people, walked toward the main gate.

“Young Lady, Empress Qin invited you and included the Fourth Young Lady as an afterthought. How has she turned the tables like this?” Zixiang, seeing her mistress being ignored, silently felt indignant.

Mu Yunjin’s gaze lingered on Mu Lingzhu’s back, and she smiled. “You’re right. She’s just an attachment.”

After speaking, she also walked toward the main gate.

Outside the mansion, a rosewood carriage was waiting. Mu Lingzhu, supported by the elderly woman, got into the carriage. After Mu Lingzhu was seated, the elderly woman, as if not seeing Mu Yunjin who had just stepped out, called to the driver, “Let’s go.”

The driver nodded upon hearing this and picked up the whip, just about to set off when an urgent female voice called out, “Wait, the Third Young Lady hasn’t boarded yet!”

Zixiang immediately rushed over to stop the driver.

The elderly woman, hearing this, suddenly covered her mouth with a laugh and looked sheepishly at Mu Yunjin, who was slowly approaching. “Oh my, look at my old age—my memory is failing. I forgot that Empress Qin also invited the Third Young Lady today.”

“So Elder Sister hasn’t boarded yet? Nanny Li, this is your oversight. After all, Empress Qin also invited her sister today.” Mu Lingzhu, sitting in the carriage, lifted the curtain and coquettishly reprimanded Nanny Li outside the carriage.

“Yes, the Fourth Young Lady is right. This old servant is indeed getting old, with a poor memory. However, considering that the Third Young Lady has never ridden in this most precious rosewood carriage of the mansion, it’s understandable that I momentarily forgot about her,” Nanny Li replied.

Hearing this, Mu Lingzhu slightly curled her lips, smiling with contempt. “Right, Nanny is correct. I’m sure sister won’t hold it against you.”

Listening to this mistress and servant play off each other, Mu Yunjin’s lips curved upward, but coldness gradually rose in her eyes.

These servants who relied on their masters’ power—it would be too inconsistent with her usual style not to teach them a good lesson.

“Zixiang, what time is it now?” Mu Yunjin suddenly spoke, turning her gaze to Zixiang.

Zixiang paused, then replied, “There’s still about a quarter-hour until the Chen hour.”

Mu Yunjin nodded and directed her gaze back to Nanny Li, then spoke as if throwing a tantrum, “Empress Qin ordered my sister and me to appear at the Chen hour. Now, we’re about to be late. Don’t you know that if we’re late, Empress Qin will punish both my sister and me!”

“Third Young Lady, this…” Nanny Li, faced with Mu Yunjin’s sudden display of temper, couldn’t quite react, but the coldness that flashed in Mu Yunjin’s eyes made her heart tremble.

“I remember Father saying that those who make mistakes should be punished. You’ve caused my sister and me to be late today, so you should be slapped ten times on the face,” Mu Yunjin said. Without waiting for Nanny Li to speak, she raised her hand and delivered a heavy slap to Nanny Li’s face.

The force was so great that Nanny Li lost her balance and immediately fell to the ground, seeing stars. She almost passed out from Mu Yunjin’s slap.

When Mu Yunjin was about to deliver a second slap, Nanny Li was so frightened that she retreated. “Third Young Lady, it’s this old servant’s fault. Please go quickly, or you’ll really be late.”

“Hmph, I’ll settle accounts with you when I return. If Empress Qin punishes my sister and me today, I’ll beat you to death when I come back!”

With that, Mu Yunjin boarded the carriage.

Nanny Li, sitting on the ground, seeing that Mu Yunjin had boarded, immediately spat, “Pah! Little cheap hussy, speaking and acting so crudely. She doesn’t have even a fraction of the Fourth Young Lady’s gentle nature!”

In the carriage, Mu Lingzhu leaned against the side, frowning, continuously rubbing her temples.

The scene of Mu Yunjin and Nanny Li at the mansion gate kept replaying in her mind, making her feel that coming out with an empty-headed fool like Mu Yunjin was such an embarrassing thing.

Mu Yunjin leaned against the other side of the carriage, examining Mu Lingzhu. Seeing that she had come out with her face still bearing some scars, she couldn’t help but become curious about the so-called Sixth Prince again.

What kind of person would make Mu Lingzhu insist on entering the palace even with an injured face?

“Mu Yunjin, remember, when we enter the palace shortly, speak as little as possible. Do you understand?” Mu Lingzhu suddenly spoke, looking at Mu Yunjin with displeasure.

Mu Yunjin slightly raised her eyebrows, displaying an innocent expression. “Why?”

“Just speak less, don’t embarrass our Minister’s household. Otherwise, when we return, Father and Mother certainly won’t let you off,” Mu Lingzhu said.

Mu Yunjin nodded slightly and spoke with a smile, “Speaking of Mother, what exactly happened to her yesterday?”

“Shut up!” Mu Lingzhu glared at Mu Yunjin, then turned her head away, ignoring Mu Yunjin completely.

Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, very much wanting to laugh out loud, but she managed to hold it in.

She suddenly discovered that pretending to be foolish and naive was quite entertaining.

Soon, the carriage stopped at the palace gate.

After Mu Yunjin and Mu Lingzhu alighted from the carriage, they found two other carriages waiting at the palace gate. Two women stepped down from these carriages, both dressed in vibrant attire, appearing to be the daughters of some officials.

“Sister Lingshang, Sister Ruhan…” Mu Lingzhu seemed to recognize these two women and walked over to greet them.

Seeing Mu Lingzhu, the two women slightly curtsied, then smiled, “Sister Lingzhu, it’s been a long time. Are you also here by invitation from Empress Qin today?”

Mu Lingzhu nodded.

With that, the three of them immediately formed an intimate group and headed toward the palace gate.

At the palace gate, Empress Qin had already arranged for people to receive them. Upon seeing the arrivals, they respectfully said, “Young Ladies, Empress Qin has prepared a banquet at Plum Blossom Courtyard. Please follow this old servant.”

After that, everyone followed the escorts into the palace.

Mu Yunjin walked at the very back, watching the three women ahead putting on airs, feeling quite uncomfortable, and unconsciously slowed her pace, falling further and further behind.

The group ahead maintained a brisk pace, gradually leaving Mu Yunjin quite a distance behind.

Mu Yunjin didn’t bother to catch up and instead leisurely followed at the back, occasionally looking around to admire the so-called imperial palace.

As Mu Yunjin’s gaze fell upon a certain section of the wall, she suddenly glimpsed a black shadow flipping over the wall from outside. The movement was extremely fast—if Mu Yunjin hadn’t received special training, she might have thought it was a hallucination.

Seeing this, Mu Yunjin’s curiosity was immediately piqued. She glanced at the group ahead, who had already walked far away, then darted in the direction where the black shadow had disappeared.

After running for a while, Mu Yunjin stopped in front of an abandoned palace hall, looked around, but didn’t see the black shadow from earlier.

Just as she was about to leave, her ear lobe twitched slightly as a faint sound came from inside the palace hall—