“Your Highness, this subordinate has already investigated but found no trace of that item. Once again, we received false information.”

“Hmm.”

“What should we do next?”

“Continue waiting.”

Hearing the voices from inside, Mu Yunjin paused slightly, unconsciously pondering these two familiar voices.

After some thought, Mu Yunjin bit her lip as she suddenly recognized the owners of these voices, which were none other than…

Mu Yunjin didn’t continue the thought, suddenly feeling this was not a place to linger. Just as she was about to leave, her foot accidentally stepped on a twig, making a crisp sound.

Mu Yunjin inwardly cursed her bad luck. At the same time, a purple figure emerged from the palace and stood before her.

It was indeed the Purple-Clad Man she had encountered at Shangwen Tower that day.

…

…

Seeing the newcomer, Mu Yunjin instinctively wanted to greet him, but immediately caught herself and bit her lip.

Fortunately, she had been wearing a veil that day, so he shouldn’t recognize her now.

While lost in thought, Mu Yunjin felt a scrutinizing gaze upon her, accompanied by a terrifying chill.

The aura of numerous guards surged in the surroundings, making Mu Yunjin realize she was in a dangerous situation.

What exactly were they plotting just now?

After a moment’s hesitation, before the Purple-Clad Man could speak, Mu Yunjin revealed a smile and bowed slightly to him. “Um, I was invited by Empress Qin to attend a banquet. I just got lost. Could you tell me how to get to Plum Blossom Pavilion?”

Hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, the Purple-Clad Man’s eyes darkened, his entire being radiating coldness. He narrowed his eyes slightly, looking Mu Yunjin up and down.

Meeting this profound gaze, Mu Yunjin’s heart skipped a beat. Her hand, hidden in her sleeve, was already tightly clenched, ready to engage in battle at any moment.

After a while, the Purple-Clad Man still hadn’t spoken.

“Ahem, since you don’t know the way either, I’ll take my leave.” Mu Yunjin spoke first, turning to hurry away.

After just a few steps, a surge of energy suddenly came from behind her. Mu Yunjin’s body froze, involuntarily stepping backward.

By the time she regained her senses, a pair of hands had already gripped her fair neck.

Mu Yunjin felt suffocated, frowning as she grabbed the Purple-Clad Man’s hands. “I just asked for directions. Was it necessary to grab my neck?”

Hearing this, the Purple-Clad Man looked at Mu Yunjin with a calm gaze, his thin lips pressed together, indicating his displeasure.

“Your Highness.” Ding Xian emerged from the palace and, seeing the scene before him, was immediately shocked with his mouth agape.

Ding Xian walked to the Purple-Clad Man’s side, pointing at Mu Yunjin, then at the Purple-Clad Man, somewhat bewildered. “Your Highness, she…”

Before Ding Xian could finish, the Purple-Clad Man had already released Mu Yunjin and turned to leave.

“Head south directly. Plum Blossom Pavilion.”

Leaving those words behind, he gave Mu Yunjin only his back.

Feeling the guards leaving with the Purple-Clad Man, Mu Yunjin rubbed her neck, the corner of her lips curling slightly.

It seemed she had almost stumbled upon someone’s big secret, or else they wouldn’t have nearly silenced her.

Meanwhile, Ding Xian followed beside the Purple-Clad Man, frowning with concern. “Your Highness, how much do you think she overheard?”

Hearing this, the Purple-Clad Man’s ink-black pupils tightened slightly. He took out a jade-white pendant from his sleeve, gently rubbing it with his fingertips. Then, as if remembering something, he slowly spoke.

“Why did my grandmother invite her to the palace?”

Hearing that the Purple-Clad Man hadn’t responded to his question, Ding Xian shrugged and rubbed his nose. “She came to arrange a marriage for Your Highness.”

…

At that moment, in Plum Blossom Pavilion.

“What’s going on? Wasn’t Yunjin supposed to come with you? Where is she?” Empress Qin, dressed in dark red brocade, sat in the main seat of Plum Blossom Pavilion, glancing at the three ladies before her, then turned her gaze toward Mamma Qu.

Mamma Qu lowered her head, her expression troubled. The Third Miss Mu had entered the palace with them, so how could she have disappeared?

Though Mu Lingzhu appeared anxious on the surface, her heart was filled with excitement. This fool knew how to create trouble for herself.

Now that she had upset Empress Qin, let’s see what punishment awaited her.

Just as she was thinking this, a figure in light green appeared before everyone’s eyes—it was Mu Yunjin, who had been missing for quite some time.

Seeing this, Mu Lingzhu instinctively glanced at Empress Qin, expecting her to reprimand Mu Yunjin. Instead, she heard an extremely affectionate voice:

“Jinner, you little girl, come quickly to this old one.”

Jinner…

Mu Lingzhu almost twisted her nose in anger, her hands tightly gripping her handkerchief. Such an intimate nickname—what spell had this Empress fallen under to favor this fool?

Just as Mu Yunjin entered Plum Blossom Pavilion, she heard Empress Qin’s voice. Looking over, she saw Empress Qin smiling and beckoning to her, her expression incredibly warm.

Instinctively, Mu Yunjin formed a good impression of Empress Qin.

“Yunjin pays respects to Empress Qin.” Mu Yunjin approached the table and bowed to Empress Qin.

“No need for formalities. Come sit here quickly.” Empress Qin pointed to the position beside her.

Mu Yunjin nodded, automatically ignoring Mu Lingzhu’s murderous gaze, and sat down on the chair beside Empress Qin.

“It’s still early. Why don’t you all accompany this old one for some refreshments?” Empress Qin pointed to the table full of pastries, addressing everyone.

“Thank you, Empress Qin.” Mu Lingzhu was quick to respond, giving Empress Qin an especially obedient look.

Empress Qin nodded and smiled, “I heard you just missed the title of top scholar this year. Don’t be discouraged. Eat more and try again next year.”

“Thank you, Empress Qin.” Mu Lingzhu lowered her eyes, feeling uncomfortable as Empress Qin brought up this topic.

“By the way, you still have some scars on your face. Are those from the injuries you received during the competition?” Empress Qin pointed at Mu Lingzhu’s cheeks.

Made uncomfortable by Empress Qin’s words, Mu Lingzhu, usually so articulate, seemed to have forgotten all her rhetoric. Unable to say anything, she could only nod.

Mu Yunjin happily ate her pastries, hearing the entire conversation between Empress Qin and Mu Lingzhu. The corner of her lips curled up as she wondered silently whether Empress Qin’s words were intentional or not.

Throughout the meal, Mu Yunjin ate with great satisfaction.

“Empress Qin, the Third Prince, and Eighth Prince have arrived,” Mamma Qu bent down and pointed ahead.

Empress Qin paused, raised her eyes to look, and seeing several elegant figures walking toward her, her face bloomed with joy.

Mu Yunjin followed Empress Qin’s gaze, taking a blurry glance. Seeing no sign of the Purple-Clad Man, she felt relieved.

Just as she was about to pick up a soup spoon for some sweet soup, her sleeve was suddenly pulled by Mu Lingzhu. She saw that Mu Lingzhu and the two other young ladies had already stood up, preparing to bow to the princes.

Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, inwardly cursing the inconvenience, but still rose and followed the crowd in bowing.

“Eh…” A surprised sound suddenly came forth.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised her eyes to see Third Prince Chu Qing looking at her, his eyes full of mischief.

“Qing’er, what’s wrong?” Empress Qin was puzzled.

Chu Qing curled his lips, narrowed his eyes slightly, and spoke mockingly, “Nothing. This son just thinks Miss Mu moves quite quickly.”

“Hmm? What does that mean?” Empress Qin was even more confused by Chu Qing’s words.

“It’s nothing serious. It’s just that when this son and Eighth Brother passed by Chengjing Palace earlier, we saw Miss Mu talking with Sixth Brother. And now, in such a short time, she’s sitting here. So I’m just marveling at that.”

As soon as Chu Qing finished speaking, everyone present turned their gaze toward Mu Yunjin.

Even Mu Yunjin herself felt a boom in her head as she processed Chu Qing’s words.

Chengjing Palace…

Sixth Brother…

So, that Purple-Clad Man was Sixth Prince Chu Li?

Damn!

Mu Yunjin wanted to curse out loud, but given the situation, she could only keep her mouth tightly shut.

“Jinner, you arrived late because you were meeting with Li’er?” Empress Qin’s face revealed joy as she stared at Mu Yunjin.

“I took a wrong turn and happened to meet the Sixth Prince to ask for directions. It wasn’t a deliberate meeting,” Mu Yunjin explained.

Mu Lingzhu, sitting to one side, had nearly ground her teeth to pieces. This damned fool had luckily encountered the Sixth Prince.

That was the person she had been yearning for.

If only she had slowed her steps earlier, perhaps she could have met the Sixth Prince too.

The more Mu Lingzhu thought, the more she regretted.

“Miss Mu, there’s no need to be shy. You and Sixth Brother are already betrothed. We all saw Sixth Brother gently caressing your neck earlier. It seems you two already have a private connection, hahaha.” Eighth Prince Chu Xin smiled mischievously, casually picking up a pastry and eating it leisurely.

“Cough, cough, cough—” Mu Yunjin, who had just taken a sip of tea, choked on it.

Gently caressing her neck?

How could they fabricate something so outrageous?!

She had almost been strangled to death by Chu Li! And they called that gentle caressing?

Nonsense!

“So that’s how it is! Wonderful! This old one initially thought that arranging your marriage so abruptly might leave you both with reservations, but now this old one can finally rest assured. Once you come of age, Yunjin, this old one will speak to the Emperor and have him grant your marriage!”

Empress Qin spoke with animated joy, her face unable to hide her delight.

Mu Yunjin frowned. This sudden turn of events was beyond her expectations. Displeased, she raised her eyes to look at Chu Qing.

Chu Qing was also looking at Mu Yunjin at that moment. He raised his eyebrows at her and smiled, “Then we’ll wait to drink Sixth Brother’s wedding wine.”

Mu Lingzhu could no longer bear to listen. After enduring for a long time, she finally couldn’t help but say, “Lingzhu understands my sister. Sister would never lie, so just now, she must have truly lost her way and happened to meet the Sixth Prince.”

Sister is shy. Everyone, please don’t joke about her.”