After returning to Diefeng City, Mu Yunjin first went to the Minister’s mansion, only to find that there were heavy guards stationed at the entrance.
Those guards saw Mu Yunjin and blocked her outside.
“Why won’t you let me in?” Mu Yunjin glanced askance at the guards at the door, her tone cool.
“The Sixth Prince Consort now belongs to the Sixth Prince’s household and has no connection with the Minister’s mansion. The Emperor has ordered that during the confinement period for all members of the Minister’s household, they are not allowed to go out, nor is anyone allowed to visit them,” the guard said sternly.
Mu Yunjin drew in a sharp breath and took out a token from her sleeve that Chu Li had given her before she got off the carriage. “Can I go in now?”
Those guards, upon seeing the token, changed their expressions and immediately bowed, making a gesture of invitation toward Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin entered the Minister’s mansion. As she walked in, she saw guards standing in every corner of the mansion, which displeased her. She walked toward the front hall.
The front hall was empty at this moment.
Mu Yunjin then went to the back garden. In the pavilion there, she saw Minister Mu and Mu Yunhan, father and son, playing chess.
“Father, Elder Brother.” Mu Yunjin walked closer and called out.
Seeing Mu Yunjin, the two stopped their chess game. Minister Mu stood up excitedly, his voice trembling, “Yunjin.”
Mu Yunjin made an affirmative sound, then looked at Mu Yunhan, who had a calm expression, showing no unusual change in his face.
After sitting down, Mu Yunjin slowly spoke, “Do you have any solutions?”
Hearing this, Minister Mu frowned, “I have been a minister for so many years, and this time I’ve stumbled badly. Old Qin Feng, that old scoundrel, has been out of court for many years, but I didn’t expect him to still be so cunning and treacherous.”
Seeing that Minister Mu seemed to have no idea, Mu Yunjin looked to Mu Yunhan, “Brother, what about you?”
Mu Yunhan lowered his eyes, playing with the chess piece in his hand. He looked at Mu Yunjin and smiled, “Yunjin surely has an idea.”
“You’re so certain?” Seeing Mu Yunhan’s calm expression, Mu Yunjin slightly raised her eyebrows, the corners of her lips curving upward.
“Brother believes in you,” Mu Yunhan said, giving Mu Yunjin a meaningful look.
Mu Yunjin smiled, took a sip of water, stood up with her hands behind her back, and swaggered away. “Wait for my good news.”
Minister Mu stared at Mu Yunjin’s back, somewhat stunned, then turned to look at Mu Yunhan, “Yunhan, Yunjin, she…”
“Father, you’ve raised a pearl as if it were a fish eye for so many years. Do you still remember who her mother is?”
Minister Mu opened and closed his mouth, unconsciously taking a step back, a trace of desolation passing through his eyes.
Yes, Yunjin was her daughter, and how could her daughter be an ordinary woman…
After leaving the Minister’s mansion, Mu Yunjin headed directly toward the imperial palace. After successfully entering the palace gates, Mu Yunjin saw the person she least wanted to see in the Imperial Garden.
“Mu Yunjin…”
She had intended to pretend not to see and walk away, but was called by Chu Qingcang, who then dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs behind her, and slowly walked toward Mu Yunjin alone.
“Fifth Princess, what’s the matter?” Mu Yunjin glanced at Chu Qingcang.
“What else could I be looking for you about? Shouldn’t you know it in your heart?” As Chu Qingcang spoke, she reached out to touch a strand of Mu Yunjin’s hair.
Mu Yunjin impatiently swatted away Chu Qingcang’s hand. “I have matters to attend to, no time to deal with you.”
“Oh, matters? Just returned from Diefeng City and rushing into the palace, could it be for the Minister’s mansion affairs? Don’t be in a hurry about the Minister’s mansion affairs for now. This princess has something more important to tell you.” Chu Qingcang pursed her lips, ignoring her hand that had been painfully slapped by Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin laughed coldly, meeting Chu Qingcang’s profound gaze, lowering her eyes. “Don’t we have an agreement to let each mind our own business? I don’t want to bring this up. Does the Fifth Princess want to discuss this matter with me?”
Hearing this, Chu Qingcang was slightly taken aback, looking at Mu Yunjin’s jesting face, which didn’t seem to be fake.
How could it be?
How could Mu Yunjin be so kind-hearted? She had already sent assassins to take her life; how could she still possibly abide by the promise?
Besides, her affair with Rong Min was no small matter.
“Do you mean what you say?” Chu Qingcang, somewhat incredulous, asked quietly again.
“I’m trying my best to keep to my side of the bargain. I hope Fifth Princess will keep her promise as well. After all, as a princess of Western Yuan, being tainted with such a scandal would involve the affairs of two countries…”
With that, Mu Yunjin put away her smile and walked toward Plum Garden.
Behind her, Chu Qingcang looked back at Mu Yunjin’s retreating figure, biting her lip, her eyes revealing contempt and disdain.
She reached out to pluck a brilliantly blooming peony flower nearby, tore the petals into several pieces, and laughed coldly. “Only the dead don’t speak…”
Arriving at Plum Garden, Mu Yunjin walked toward Imperial Consort Qin’s palace. Mamma Qu, standing guard at the door, smiled upon seeing Mu Yunjin. “The Sixth Prince Consort has arrived.”
Mu Yunjin nodded. “Is Imperial Consort present?”
“Imperial Consort has not been well recently and has been resting in bed. Let this old servant bring the Prince Consort in.” Mamma Qu led Mu Yunjin into Imperial Consort Qin’s chambers.
As soon as she stepped into Imperial Consort Qin’s palace, she was met with the smell of medicinal herbs.
“Cough, cough, cough…” Imperial Consort Qin lay on the bed, coughing with effort, her face pale and bloodless.
“Imperial Consort, the Sixth Prince Consort has come to visit you.” Mamma Qu approached Imperial Consort Qin, helping her sit up, gently patting her back.
Imperial Consort Qin caught her breath and looked at Mu Yunjin standing in the room, her eyes calm. She lay back down. “All of you, leave us.”
“Yes, Imperial Consort.” Mamma Qu led all the servants out.
Only Mu Yunjin and Imperial Consort Qin remained in the chamber. Imperial Consort Qin looked at Mu Yunjin and pointed to a chair nearby. “Sit down.”
“No need.” Mu Yunjin stood by the bedside, looking at Imperial Consort Qin, who indeed seemed very ill, yet she felt not the slightest compassion in her heart.
“You’ve come here because you have something to ask of this palace, right?” Imperial Consort Qin took a sip of water and smiled gently.
Mu Yunjin nodded and spoke somewhat playfully, “Yes, Imperial Consort is so powerful, surely you can guess what Yunjin is asking for.”
“This palace doesn’t quite like your prickly manner. The old Jiner was better.” Imperial Consort Qin said.
“The old Jiner was only good to those who were sincere to her. For those with false hearts, why should they be treated with sincerity? Imperial Consort, don’t you agree?” Mu Yunjin smiled, her gaze sweeping over Imperial Consort Qin.
Imperial Consort Qin laughed lightly, nodding in understanding. “Yes, you’re right.”
“The Qin family, which you’ve always been most concerned about, has already been making moves behind the scenes. My father has been a minister for so many years—whether he’s loyal or treacherous, I think Imperial Consort should know in your heart.”
“Since you are wholeheartedly trying to help the Emperor consolidate the throne of Western Yuan, please keep your eyes clear and don’t allow treacherous officials to run rampant in court.”
“You should know that my father is utterly loyal to Western Yuan. If he is brought down by the Qin family this time, then the next shield of the Qin family will be aimed at Grand Tutor Zhuang. If Grand Tutor Zhuang falls, I fear there will be no one in court who can contend with the Qin family.”
“At that time, what will the court look like? Can Imperial Consort imagine it?”
Mu Yunjin’s blunt words left Imperial Consort Qin momentarily speechless. After a while, she coughed a few times and slowly said, “This palace really can’t tell at all that you’re here asking for a favor!”
“I’m not begging you. I’m just analyzing the situation for you to hear. Standing from the position of a child of the Minister’s household and the current Imperial Consort, you and I should be on the same side.”
“So, Imperial Consort should have no reason to watch loyal officials suffer persecution, and even less reason to let treacherous officials advance step by step!”
“Hahaha…” Imperial Consort Qin suddenly burst into laughter, shakily pointing at Mu Yunjin. “Yunjin, this palace misjudged you before.”
“So now, do you see clearly?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow, showing not the slightest fear.
Coming to see Imperial Consort Qin today, she was fully confident.
“What do you want this palace to do?” Imperial Consort Qin paused, lying back down, her eyes vacant.
“Have the Emperor withdraw the officials surrounding the Minister’s mansion, return justice to the Minister’s household, and declare the innocence of the Minister’s family to the world.” Mu Yunjin said.
“Your demands are quite high.” Imperial Consort Qin spoke faintly.
Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes with a smile, suddenly changing her tone to one of mockery. “So, Grandmother, can you accomplish this?”
“Go back and wait for this palace’s good news.” Imperial Consort Qin, unwilling to talk further with Mu Yunjin, waved her hand, asking her to leave.
This “good news” was exactly what Mu Yunjin had been waiting for. She looked at Imperial Consort Qin, then turned and strode away.
After Mu Yunjin left, Imperial Consort Qin leaned weakly against the bed and called out to Mamma Qu outside the door.
Mamma Qu immediately entered. “Imperial Consort…”
“Help this palace get up and dress. This palace wants to see the Emperor.” Imperial Consort Qin extended her hand, indicating Mamma Qu to help her up.
“Imperial Consort, your health…” Mamma Qu frowned with concern, looking at Imperial Consort Qin, who could barely stand now.
This serious illness had come on so strangely.
“This palace needs to discuss some important matters with the Emperor. This palace fears that if not now, there won’t be another chance.” Imperial Consort Qin got down from the bed and specifically chose a bright red silk gown.
Shortly after, Imperial Consort Qin was dressed in finery, her hair arranged in a high bun. She refused anyone’s support, holding a golden scepter, and slowly walked toward Longxiang Palace.
Mu Yunjin, standing behind a rockery, watched Imperial Consort Qin walking so ceremoniously toward Longxiang Palace. Her eyes glistened as she turned and left.
In the evening, Mu Yunjin sat in the courtyard of Liquan Pavilion, enjoying the night breeze and the full moon, leaning her head on her hand at the stone table, her fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.
“Miss, Miss…” Zixiang ran in hurriedly from outside, calling out excitedly, “The Emperor has lifted the confinement of everyone in the Minister’s mansion!”
Mu Yunjin nodded, her eyes showing no ripples. “Just lifting the confinement? Is there anything else?”
“The Emperor specially apologized to the Minister and bestowed many treasures, saying this matter was all a misunderstanding.”
“Oh, and he also penalized Old General Qin with three months’ salary!”
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin’s lips curved slightly upward. Thinking of the lonely figure of Imperial Consort Qin that afternoon, she felt an indescribable feeling in her heart.