Mu Yunjin narrowed her eyes with a smile, looking at Xiao Tianqi. “Yes, as long as you agree, I have a way to help you marry Chu Qingchang.”
Xiao Tianqi was stunned. Looking at the smile on Mu Yunjin’s face, he felt a trace of unease and tentatively asked, “You’re both from the royal family. Why would the Sixth Prince’s Consort help me like this?”
“Besides, although this humble one has admired the Fifth Princess for many years, I also know that the Fifth Princess may be married off to another country in the future.”
“Sixth Prince’s Consort, by doing this, wouldn’t you potentially endanger my life? Please don’t involve me in your royal disputes.” Despite this sudden good fortune, Xiao Tianqi was still able to maintain some rationality.
Seeing that Xiao Tianqi was a clever person, Mu Yunjin felt reassured and couldn’t help but smile gracefully. “To be frank, I dislike Chu Qingchang.”
“I came to discuss some matters with you, and I am confident that we will succeed, not fail.”
“So, do you want to give it a try?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.
Xiao Tianqi’s gaze paused slightly. Catching sight of Mu Yunjin’s confident expression, his heart suddenly flashed with excitement, but he still had some hesitation.
“If this succeeds, we both benefit. If by some misfortune it fails, I alone will take responsibility and will not implicate you.” Seeing that Xiao Tianqi was still somewhat hesitant, Mu Yunjin added.
…
…
Xiao Tianqi’s eyes flashed. He immediately made his decision and nodded. “Alright, let’s do as you say.”
…
After reaching an agreement with Xiao Tianqi, Mu Yunjin left through the back door of the gambling house, her lips curving into a captivating smile.
Returning to the main street, Mu Yunjin walked slowly on the path back to the Sixth Prince’s residence. By now, there were several times more people on the streets than when she had left in the morning. Mu Yunjin tried to walk close to the corners to avoid people bumping into her wound.
After turning down another street, moving away from the market center, the number of people on the road noticeably decreased. Mu Yunjin finally took a breath and walked leisurely.
“Yunjin?”
A familiar voice came from behind.
Hearing this voice, Mu Yunjin frowned, didn’t stop, and quickened her pace forward.
“Wait.” The person behind caught up and blocked Mu Yunjin’s path.
Mu Yunjin looked at the shadow blocking her way and spoke impatiently, “Commander Qin, what do you want now?”
“Yunjin, I haven’t heard any news about you recently. Did something happen to you?” Qin Munan lowered his eyes to look at Mu Yunjin, his eyes full of concern.
Mu Yunjin rolled her eyes. “I’m standing perfectly fine in front of you. Do I look like something happened to me?”
Hearing this, Qin Munan nodded with a smile. “I’m sorry, I misspoke.”
Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, unwilling to engage further. She walked around Qin Munan and continued forward.
Qin Munan moved swiftly, blocking Mu Yunjin’s path again, his eyes revealing a hint of hurt. “Yunjin, do you not remember anything from before?”
“Why should I remember?” Mu Yunjin was annoyed and took a slight breath. “Past things are in the past. I’m married to Chu Li now. What do you expect could happen between us?”
“Commander Qin, in the future, if you see me, it’s better not to greet me. I don’t want people to gossip.” Mu Yunjin forced a smile.
Qin Munan froze, not expecting Mu Yunjin to say such heartless words. He instinctively grabbed both her arms, gripping them slightly. “Yunjin, you’re truly heartless!”
“It hurts, let me go!” Mu Yunjin’s wound on her left arm was pulled by Qin Munan. She inhaled sharply and cried out in pain.
“What’s wrong?” Seeing her face suddenly turn pale, Qin Munan’s face was full of concern.
“Release her!”
A cool, chilling voice sounded from the side.
Hearing this voice, Mu Yunjin immediately felt rescued. She shook off Qin Munan’s hand and ran to Chu Li’s side, grabbing his arm.
Chu Li glanced at the hand Mu Yunjin was holding onto, his lips curving into a faint smile, as if pleased by this natural gesture.
“If Commander Qin has important matters to discuss with Yunjin, this Prince wouldn’t mind you coming to the Prince’s residence to talk.” Chu Li looked at Qin Munan expressionlessly.
Qin Munan frowned and stepped forward. “Sixth Prince, is she injured?”
Combining the fact that he hadn’t heard any news about Mu Yunjin for a while with her current condition, Qin Munan’s heart was filled with anger.
“Yunjin has always been mischievous, so it’s inevitable she gets bumps and bruises. Thank you for your concern, Commander Qin.” Chu Li said indifferently, then glanced at Mu Yunjin beside him.
After hearing Chu Li’s words, Mu Yunjin glared at him, seemingly dissatisfied with what he said.
As if anyone would call her mischievous!
This scene, in Qin Munan’s eyes, appeared to be playful banter. His eyes revealed deep hurt. How could he not understand Yunjin’s temperament? How could she be as Chu Li described?
Could it be that during his absence, Yunjin had truly fallen in love with Chu Li and revealed her true personality?
In that moment, Qin Munan began to regret his earlier decision.
“Shall we return to the residence?” Mu Yunjin didn’t want to linger and looked up at Chu Li.
Chu Li nodded and led Mu Yunjin away.
Behind them, Qin Munan watched their retreating figures, his eyes revealing complex emotions…
…
“How did you suddenly appear?” Walking on the way back to the residence, Mu Yunjin strolled, looking at Chu Li.
Chu Li lowered his eyes to look at her. “A chance encounter.”
Mu Yunjin nodded, thinking to herself how fortunate that was; otherwise, she would have been ensnared by Qin Munan for who knows how long.
As the two entered the residence, Mamma Shen saw them return and immediately came forward, her lips curved in a smile. “This servant thought it would be a while. I didn’t expect His Highness to find the Prince’s Consort so quickly.”
“…” Chu Li’s mouth twitched slightly.
Mu Yunjin looked at Mamma Shen, then at Chu Li, and burst into laughter. Seeing that a certain someone’s face had already darkened, she pursed her lips, suppressing her amusement.
“What, what’s wrong?” Mamma Shen didn’t quite understand the meaning, looking at Mu Yunjin, then at Chu Li.
“Mamma, do we have live ducks in our residence? I wonder which has a harder mouth, a live duck or a dead duck…”
“Mu Yunjin!” Chu Li spoke with a hint of anger.
Mu Yunjin was not afraid at all. She walked to Chu Li’s side, wrapped her arm around his, leaned her head against him, and spoke teasingly, “Your Highness, so you were specifically looking for me. I’m truly touched…”
“…”
Everyone in the room twitched their mouths.
During dinner, Mu Yunjin felt particularly good. Beside her, Chu Li ate his meal silently, not saying a word.
While eating, Mu Yunjin occasionally cast interested smiles at Chu Li. For a moment, she felt that continuing like this wouldn’t be so bad.
But then she remembered that their marriage was fake, and they would eventually part ways.
Thinking this, Mu Yunjin put down her chopsticks, sighed heavily, and lost her appetite.
Beside her, Chu Li noticed her suddenly sorrowful face and frowned slightly, but didn’t ask the reason.
After dinner, Mu Yunjin and Zixiang walked on the path back to Li Quan Pavilion.
“Miss, you don’t look well?” Zixiang walked alongside and asked.
Mu Yunjin shook her head. “It’s hot, isn’t it?”
“Huh? It’s already early autumn, and in a while, we’ll need to wear thicker clothes. How can Miss still feel hot?” Zixiang was completely puzzled.
Mu Yunjin stopped and poked Zixiang’s forehead. “You, silly girl!”
“Miss, this servant…” Zixiang’s eyes were full of grievance.
“Prince’s Consort.” Qingmeng’s voice came from the side.
Mu Yunjin turned and saw Qingmeng carrying a medicine box. Understanding Qingmeng’s purpose, she looked at Zixiang. “I’d like some floral tea. Could you prepare some for me?”
“Yes, Miss.” Zixiang nodded and immediately headed toward the kitchen.
After Zixiang left, Mu Yunjin took Qingmeng to her room.
“This servant has come to check the recovery of the Prince’s Consort’s wound. Please roll up your sleeve.” Qingmeng sat down in the room and smiled at Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin nodded, rolled up the sleeve of her left arm, revealing the still somewhat ghastly wound.
Qingmeng carefully examined Mu Yunjin’s wound, then applied some unknown medicinal liquid to it, and smiled. “It’s healing very well. The wound has closed, but you should still avoid large movements.”
“Mmm, I understand.” After a pause, Mu Yunjin suddenly asked, “By the way, what poison did I have that day? You helped me neutralize it, right?”
Hearing this, Qingmeng’s expression stiffened. She pulled at the corner of her mouth. “Yes, it was a minor poison, not difficult to neutralize.”
“Mmm.” Mu Yunjin nodded. “Thank you, Sister Qingmeng. Thank you for taking care of me during this time.”
“The Prince’s Consort jests. This servant is a medical professional. Saving people is this servant’s duty.” Qingmeng spoke, then added, “But this servant feels that the Prince’s Consort should properly thank the Sixth Prince.”
“During this time, he has been quite worried about your affairs.” Qingmeng winked at Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin pursed her lips and thought carefully, realizing that she had indeed been quite troublesome for Chu Li recently.
Seeing Mu Yunjin deep in thought, Qingmeng was about to continue when there was a gentle knock on the door. “Miss, the floral tea is here.”
“Come in.” Mu Yunjin lowered her sleeve and looked toward the door.
Zixiang entered carrying a pot of floral tea and a plate of fruit. After placing them on the table and seeing the medicine box, she looked at Mu Yunjin with concern. “Miss, are you not feeling well?”
“No, just having a health check.” Mu Yunjin said.
Zixiang nodded, poured a cup of floral tea for Mu Yunjin and Qingmeng, then tactfully left.
Qingmeng took a sip of tea and praised, “This tea is indeed excellent.”
“Yes, it’s fragrant and delicious.” Mu Yunjin also took a sip, chatting casually with Qingmeng.
Qingmeng smiled at Mu Yunjin, finding her peculiar personality truly interesting. “By the way, let me tell you a secret. The Sixth Prince’s hot spring pool contains rare and precious medicinal herbs. You should soak in it more often when you have time. It’s very good for your health.”
“Oh?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes lit up. Though she knew Chu Li’s hot spring pool had medicinal properties, she hadn’t expected them to be such precious herbs.
“Well, this servant can’t stay too long. I still need to dry medicinal herbs.” Qingmeng packed up her medicine box, bowed to Mu Yunjin in farewell.
Mu Yunjin nodded, watching Qingmeng leave, her mind lingering on that hot spring pool.
It was indeed very comfortable…