No one in the Prime Minister’s mansion questioned Mu Yunjin’s words.
After chatting for a while, Mu Yunjin made an excuse to return to the Prince’s mansion. Before leaving, she could feel her status in the Prime Minister’s mansion rapidly rising.
Walking on the street, Zixiang was especially happy for Mu Yunjin. “Miss, we can truly say our bitter days have turned sweet.”
“Mm.” Mu Yunjin nodded, pursing her lips, unable to hide her good mood.
……
Upon returning to the mansion, just as Mu Yunjin stepped through the main gate, a green figure ran toward her, moving so quickly that it pounced in her direction.
Mu Yunjin immediately dodged, then heard an “ouch.” Glancing sideways, she saw Chu Qingyuan had fallen to the ground, wailing.
“Qingyuan, it’s you?” Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched, and Zixiang hurriedly went to help Chu Qingyuan up.
Chu Qingyuan patted the dust off her clothes and pouted. “Sixth Sister-in-law, you didn’t even catch me.”
…
…
“…” Mu Yunjin’s lips twitched again. “Why are you here?”
Hearing Mu Yunjin’s question, Chu Qingyuan immediately became excited. She pulled Mu Yunjin aside and said, “Sixth Sister-in-law, let me tell you…”
Yesterday, Father summoned me privately and said that Fifth Sister will be married off to the Eastern Lin Kingdom in the future, and Seventh Sister might be betrothed to the South Ting Kingdom or the North Ming Kingdom. Only I am still young, and as his most beloved daughter, I might be matched with Brother Munan.”
Chu Qingyuan spoke with great joy, not noticing that Mu Yunjin’s expression was gradually changing.
Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes slightly, then looked at the innocent-faced Chu Qingyuan beside her and sighed. “Do you really like General Qin that much?”
“Of course! Sixth Sister-in-law, you don’t know how many officials’ daughters are secretly seeking introductions to Brother Munan. But Little Nine is a princess—I can win over them.”
Mu Yunjin listened as they walked inside. “Have you told your Sixth Brother about this?”
Chu Qingyuan stopped in her tracks.
Mu Yunjin also stopped, turning to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
“When Little Nine was in the palace, I heard some rumors about the Qin family, so I haven’t dared to tell Sixth Brother about this yet.” Chu Qingyuan recalled Chu Li’s chilling gaze when he inquired about this matter that day, and even now, she still felt a chill.
“If you’re set on marrying General Qin, you should hear your Sixth Brother’s opinion. After all, you share the same mother, and he certainly wouldn’t harm you.”
Chu Qingyuan naturally understood this. She bit her lip and grabbed Mu Yunjin’s sleeve, saying pitifully, “I came today to speak to Sixth Brother about this matter.”
“But I don’t dare go alone, so Sixth Sister-in-law, please help me!”
Mu Yunjin sighed slightly, looking at Chu Qingyuan with regret. “Qingyuan, I really can’t help you with this. Your Sixth Brother’s temperament is unfathomable to anyone…”
“Sixth Sister-in-law…”
……
The two walked to Liquan Pavilion.
Seeing the plaque of Liquan Pavilion, Chu Qingyuan was so frightened that she hid behind Mu Yunjin, not daring to go in.
Mu Yunjin crossed her arms, thinking that from her position, she naturally couldn’t stop Chu Qingyuan from liking Qin Munan, but Chu Li should have a way.
She initially intended to bring Chu Qingyuan in with her, but fearing that Chu Qingyuan might discover that she and Chu Li slept in separate rooms, she told her to wait in the garden pavilion instead.
Chu Qingyuan obediently nodded.
Mu Yunjin entered Liquan Pavilion and walked toward Chu Li’s door. Before she got close, Ding Xian’s figure appeared from the side.
“Princess Consort, are you looking for His Highness?”
“Yes, is he inside?” Mu Yunjin asked.
Ding Xian nodded and said meaningfully, “But it seems he’s currently bathing…”
“All right.”
Ding Xian thought Mu Yunjin would wait outside for a while, but to his surprise, she immediately pushed open Chu Li’s door and walked in.
Seeing this, Ding Xian was startled and immediately dodged to the side to avoid any potential fallout.
Mu Yunjin looked at the quickly disappearing Ding Xian and pouted. What’s the big deal about taking a bath? It’s not like she hadn’t seen Chu Li bathing before…
Mu Yunjin walked to the small door of Chu Li’s bedroom, cleared her throat, and called through the door, “Chu Li, are you in there?”
After a while, a faint “mm” came from inside.
“I have something to discuss with you. Is it convenient for me to come in?” Mu Yunjin said this with her hands already on the door.
“Come in.” Chu Li’s calm voice came through.
Mu Yunjin pushed the door open. What greeted her eyes was the same hot spring pool she had seen before. Now, mist swirled around the pool, and she could only see Chu Li’s silhouette leaning against the pool wall.
“In broad daylight, you’re certainly enjoying yourself,” Mu Yunjin teased, not moving closer.
“What urgent matter is there?” Chu Li laughed softly, his back to Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin’s expression grew somber. “Little Nine has fallen for Qin Munan.”
Upon hearing this, Mu Yunjin saw Chu Li’s back stiffen against the pool wall. He remained silent for a while, lowering his eyes as if deep in thought.
“Go out first,” Chu Li said.
“Mm, come out quickly then. Little Nine is waiting for you in the garden.”
Mu Yunjin walked out, but before leaving, she stood on her tiptoes and stretched her neck to look ahead. However, the mist was too thick, and she couldn’t see anything.
Mu Yunjin walked away, feeling dispirited.
……
Shortly after, Mu Yunjin and Chu Qingyuan, sitting in the garden, saw Chu Li approaching with measured steps.
Upon seeing Chu Li, Chu Qingyuan felt like she couldn’t catch her breath. She nervously gripped Mu Yunjin’s hand, looking pitiful and distressed.
Mu Yunjin squeezed her hand back, signaling her to stay calm.
Chu Li walked into the pavilion, his slender eyes half-narrowed, his gaze falling on Chu Qingyuan. His expression was cold but contained a trace of an extremely faint smile.
“Little Nine, you have feelings for Qin Munan?”
The icy tone made Chu Qingyuan’s legs inexplicably tremble. She was grateful that Mu Yunjin was sitting beside her, helping to calm her nerves.
So, taking several deep breaths, she summoned her courage and spoke, “Yes, Sixth Brother. That day, Brother Munan saved me. Little Nine feels he is a person worthy of entrusting my life to.”
“Besides, he has won so many battles and is a great hero of the Western Yuan. Little Nine likes such heroes.” As Chu Qingyuan spoke, her head lowered more and more, and her voice grew softer and softer.
Sixth Brother’s expression was truly terrifying.
“Not allowed.” Chu Li said these two words extremely flatly, directly rejecting Chu Qingyuan’s passionate feelings.
Chu Qingyuan was stunned. She hadn’t expected Chu Li to reject her outright and couldn’t help standing up. “Sixth Brother, why not?”
Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin.
Meeting Chu Li’s gaze, Mu Yunjin immediately understood. She pulled Chu Qingyuan to sit down. “Qingyuan, your Sixth Brother only has your best interests at heart. You’ve also heard that the Qin family is not stable right now. If they truly rebel in the future, it would endanger your father’s throne.”
“I…” Mu Yunjin’s words struck at Chu Qingyuan’s heart.
But the more she thought about it, the more upset she became, and she couldn’t help sniffling. “But what if he doesn’t rebel? Wouldn’t I have missed out…”
Mu Yunjin was amazed by Chu Qingyuan’s peculiar train of thought. Not knowing how to console her, she turned her gaze back to Chu Li.
Chu Li sighed helplessly. “If you don’t want to be married off to another country, give up your thoughts of Qin Munan.”
“Sixth Brother, you…” Chu Qingyuan stomped her foot in anger but knew that her Sixth Brother always meant what he said, so she dared not continue.
Never mind, she thought. It’s pointless to discuss this with Sixth Brother and Sister-in-law. I’ll find an opportunity to speak with Brother Munan myself…
With that thought, Chu Qingyuan bit her lip and lowered her head in submission. “Little Nine knows her mistake.”
“Then Little Nine will go back first and visit Sixth Brother and Sister-in-law again in a few days.” After speaking, without waiting for Chu Li and Mu Yunjin to respond, Chu Qingyuan ran away as if her feet were greased.
Chu Li summoned Ding Xian, his eyes dark. “Go keep an eye on Little Nine. Don’t let her approach anyone from the Qin family.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
In the pavilion, Mu Yunjin sighed, poured herself a cup of water, and after taking a sip, collapsed limply on the table.
“The Qin family is already so troublesome. It would be better if they just kept fighting at the border and never came back.” Mu Yunjin reflected that most of the recent problems had been caused by the Qin family.
Chu Li glanced at her and shook his head helplessly.
……
As night fell, Qin Munan came to the mansion.
Mu Yunjin was sitting with Chu Li in the dining hall, eating. When she heard that Qin Munan had arrived, she felt inexplicably guilty and glanced sideways at the figure walking into the dining hall.
“Sixth Prince, Sixth Princess Consort.” Qin Munan entered and greeted Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin kept her head down, eating, pretending not to hear.
Chu Li took a sip of tea and spoke coolly, “General Qin, a rare guest. What brings you here?”
“I’ve come to see Yunjin.” Qin Munan smiled, pointing at Mu Yunjin beside him.
Chu Li’s brow furrowed slightly. Hearing the words “Yunjin” from Qin Munan’s mouth felt particularly grating to his ears. He glanced sideways at Mu Yunjin.
Seeing that playing dead had failed, Mu Yunjin impatiently asked, “General Qin, what business do you have with me?”
Today, the servants were cleaning and found this item. After thinking it over, I decided it’s best to return it to you.” As Qin Munan spoke, he took out a brocade box and placed it in front of Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin could feel the gazes from around her and the chill emanating from beside her. She reached out and opened the brocade box.
Inside the box was a pair of pearl and jade earrings.
Seeing the earrings, Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched. Such an intimate item…
A moment later, Mu Yunjin sneered coldly, took the pearl earrings from the box, crushed them to powder in her palm, and mercilessly threw them to the ground.
“Mamma Shen, remember to clean this up later.”
Qin Munan’s expression stiffened.
“Since you’ve delivered the item, General Qin may leave. In the future, for such small matters, send a servant to report. No need to trouble yourself,” Mu Yunjin said.
Qin Munan looked at the earrings reduced to powder on the ground, his eyes holding deeper meaning, then turned and left.
After Qin Munan’s departure, the gaze lingering on Mu Yunjin remained.
In her heart, Mu Yunjin cursed Qin Munan’s ancestors. This fellow’s visit today was intentional, publicly revealing their previous relationship!
With something like earrings, she couldn’t clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
“I’m done eating.” Mu Yunjin didn’t explain. She put down her chopsticks and walked out, stepping on the powder on the ground as she left.
Chu Li watched Mu Yunjin’s retreating figure, his eyes filled with desolation.