Empress Dowager Zheng’s heart trembled at these words. Her gaze fell upon the Princess Consort of Prince Rong, her heart suspended in alarm. “Shuning, are you suggesting treason?”

“Mother, the word ‘treason’ is a bit severe,” Princess Consort Rong smiled. “For all these years, when that old woman Empress Qin was alive, she relied on her son being Emperor to flaunt her power everywhere, forcing you, Mother, despite being the Empress Dowager, to still bow your head to her.”

“Now that Empress Qin is dead, if the highest leader of Western Yuan becomes one of our people, from now on, why should we have to mind others’ feelings?”

“Mother, don’t you agree?”

Empress Dowager Zheng’s body trembled slightly. Undeniably, the Princess Consort’s words held tremendous temptation for her.

But on second thought, though she was advanced in years, she wasn’t so muddled as to not understand the crime of plotting against the current Emperor. That would invite eternal condemnation.

“Shuning, this matter is too significant to be managed by just us two of us. Zhen is already accommodating you in everything now. You should be content with your life as Princess Consort and not dwell on this matter anymore.” Empress Dowager Zheng declined gently.

With Empress Qin dead, her greatest rival was gone. The rest no longer mattered.

Princess Consort Rong’s expression gradually cooled. She grasped the Empress Dowager’s hand, applying a bit more pressure. “Mother, have you considered that I, as a daughter married out of the Qin family, no longer count as a member of the Qin clan? Currently, my father is making numerous moves behind the scenes. If the Qin family were to stage a rebellion in the future, your position as Empress Dowager and my position as Princess Consort would both cease to exist…”

…

…

“Shuning!” Empress Dowager Zheng grew irritated, rubbing her temples. “I already have one foot in the grave. What’s the point of discussing these matters with me? Besides, since ancient times, when have women been able to control imperial politics?”

“Even though you’ve married into another family, you still bear the Qin surname. Even if the Qin family rules over the entire Western Yuan in the future, it would never affect you adversely.”

“I’m tired. You may leave.” Empress Dowager Zheng waved her hand dismissively.

Princess Consort Rong kept her gaze lowered, not saying anything more. She bowed slightly to the Empress Dowager and left the grand hall.

Behind her, Empress Dowager Zheng’s expression gradually became grave. After a long moment, she gave a light chuckle. “Qin Xiangxian, oh Qin Xiangxian, look at the current state of the court. Your early death, how could it not be a kind of blessing…”

……

The next day, Mu Yunjin slept until late morning. Opening her eyes drowsily, she rubbed them and sat up in her bed, stretching her somewhat sore neck.

Glancing sideways at the time, she immediately jumped up, not even bothering to put on her shoes as she rushed out the door.

Zixiang, who was guarding the door, was startled by the sudden sound of it opening. She hurriedly approached Mu Yunjin. “Young Miss, you’re awake.”

“Is there any news from outside today?” Mu Yunjin asked, her heart anxious about the secret imperial edict.

Zixiang tilted her head in thought. “There is one thing—today the Xiao family was supposed to hold a wedding to marry the Fifth Princess, but it happened to coincide with Empress Qin’s funeral, and several guards disrupted the wedding.”

“Anything else?” Mu Yunjin had no interest in Chu Qingqiang’s affairs at the moment.

Zixiang shook her head. “Nothing else.”

“Oh, just now someone from the palace came to report that today is the day to pay condolences, requesting Young Miss to arrive early.”

Mu Yunjin gave a slight nod, relieved to hear no news about the secret edict. “Where is Chu Li?”

“His Highness went to the palace early this morning. Young Miss should be able to meet him there,” Zixiang said.

Mu Yunjin nodded.

“Young Miss, these are the mourning clothes and white flowers sent uniformly from the palace. Please put them on.” Zixiang handed over a white garment.

Mu Yunjin took a slight breath and waved her hand. “I won’t wear that.”

She then took out a plain white silk dress from the cabinet. It’s simple style would suffice for the occasion.

After arranging her hair briefly, Mu Yunjin ate something and then left.

Mu Yunjin chose to walk to the palace.

After leaving her residence, she strolled toward the imperial palace, carefully listening to what the passing commoners were discussing. Walking down one street, almost everyone was talking about the Xiao family’s marriage.

Not hearing anything about the secret edict, Mu Yunjin felt strangely relieved.

It seemed the secret edict had not yet spread.

……

Entering the imperial palace, Empress Qin’s former chambers had been arranged as a funeral hall. The coffin was placed in the center, with many people gathered around. Mu Yunjin immediately spotted people from the Minister’s mansion.

“Father.” Mu Yunjin approached Minister Mu.

Minister Mu had already paid his respects and was preparing to leave. Seeing Mu Yunjin arrive, he nodded slightly.

Nearby, Zhuang Yuyan’s eyes were red as if she had just been crying. Seeing Mu Yunjin arrive, she wiped the corners of her eyes. “Sister Yunjin.”

“Sister Yuyan.” Mu Yunjin greeted Zhuang Yuyan and looked around. “Mu Lingzhu didn’t come?”

Zhuang Yuyan nodded. “Yes, the Fourth Young Miss was afraid of encountering Princess Consort Rong’s people, so she didn’t come.”

“Greetings, Sixth Prince Consort.” Yan Lingshang’s voice came from the side.

Mu Yunjin had never liked Yan Lingshang. She gave a slight nod without even looking directly at her.

Yan Lingshang felt awkward, but upon seeing someone entering the doorway, the awkwardness immediately vanished from her face. “Greetings, Miss Qin.”

Hearing that someone from the Qin family had arrived, Minister Mu’s face immediately darkened. Mu Yunjin naturally noticed her father’s expression change and slightly curled her lips. “Father, let’s go outside to talk.”

Minister Mu agreed, and as the three were about to leave, Qin Muyue’s voice sounded from one side. “Sister-in-law Yunjin, why are you leaving just as I arrive?”

“We came early, and you came late,” Mu Yunjin replied with a faint smile.

Qin Muyue raised an eyebrow, glancing at the people standing in the great hall—concubines, officials, and daughters from various families, all quite complete.

So she curved her lips into a smile and spoke loudly, “Since everyone is here today, Muyue has something to say, seeking justice for Brother Li.”

Hearing it concerned Chu Li, everyone turned curious gazes toward Qin Muyue.

Mu Yunjin was especially curious, crossing her arms and looking at Qin Muyue with an amused expression, wondering what kind of justice she wanted for Chu Li.

“Minister Mu, isn’t it a bit much for your family to conceal the fact that the Third Young Miss Mu has lost her memory?”

Mu Yunjin was startled.

Minister Mu was equally surprised, frowning as he looked at Qin Muyue. “Miss Qin, what nonsense are you talking about? When did our Yunjin lose her memory?”

“Minister Mu, please don’t deny it. Last night I heard the Third Young Miss Mu say so herself.”

Nearby, others looked curiously at this scene. Mu Yunjin’s memory loss wasn’t such a big deal—why was Miss Qin making such a grand display of it?

Seeing that Qin Muyue came looking for trouble today, Mu Yunjin laughed coldly. “And then what? Even if I did lose my memory, what does that have to do with Chu Li?”

Everyone was surprised again when they heard Mu Yunjin directly address Chu Li by name.

“Of course it matters. Before you lost your memory, you and my brother were lovers. Now you’ve used your memory loss as an excuse to marry Brother Li, which is simply damaging his reputation.” Qin Muyue stated directly.

As she finished speaking, a figure in moon-white was slowly walking into the hall from outside. His expression was solemn, and he had heard the last sentence spoken in the hall, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Seeing Chu Li suddenly arrive, the hall immediately became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

“Brother Li, you’ve come at the perfect time. Today I’ll expose this woman’s true face to you.” Qin Muyue pointed at Mu Yunjin, her eyes containing a hint of strange delight.

After she spoke, another figure in silver entered. After coming in, he looked around and spoke with some annoyance, “Muyue, what are you doing?”

Qin Muyue glanced at Qin Munan, thinking to herself that today truly had perfect timing, with everyone arriving at just the right moment.

With a light laugh, Qin Muyue quickly moved to Qin Munan’s side and pulled off the sachet hanging at his waist, gripping it tightly in her hand. “This sachet was personally embroidered by the Third Young Miss Mu for my brother before she lost her memory.”

As Qin Muyue finished speaking, she forcefully tore open the sachet. Qin Munan tried to stop her, but it was a step too late—the herbs mixed inside the sachet had already scattered on the ground.

“Look at this.” Qin Muyue displayed the inside of the sachet. Inside, the characters ‘Yun Jin’ were embroidered.

A commotion broke out in the hall. No one had expected to see such a drama when they came to pay their respects.

Everyone knew of the Third Young Miss Mu’s poor reputation, yet who would have thought that even General Qin could fall for her. Truly, even heroes can’t resist beautiful women.

“Muyue, stop being willful.” Qin Munan gritted his teeth, his brows furrowed, his eyes heavy with warning.

Nearby, Mu Yunjin and Chu Li looked at this scene with perfect composure, their expressions calm, showing no other emotions.

“Just like that, this proves I was once your brother’s lover?” After a while, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.

“Don’t you think it’s enough?” Qin Muyue retorted.

Mu Yunjin found this extremely amusing and laughed lightly, her eyebrows full of mirth. “I could embroider a cartload of sachets with names on them. Does that mean if some street ruffian wears a sachet embroidered with Miss Qin’s name, Miss Qin was his lover?”

“Mu Yunjin, don’t try to shift the focus. Everyone’s embroidery style is different. Whether this is your work or not, you know in your heart.”

“I brought this up today entirely because I felt it wasn’t fair to Brother Li after learning about this. Since you were once my brother’s lover, why did you marry Brother Li? Mu Yunjin, you’re simply ruining Brother Li’s reputation and toying with my brother’s feelings.” Qin Muyue spoke with an aggrieved tone, looking at Chu Li with slightly watery eyes.

Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “You feel it’s unfair to Chu Li? From what perspective do you feel it’s unfair to him?”

“I like Brother Li—this is known to everyone. Don’t use that sarcastic tone to mock me.” Qin Muyue spoke righteously.

“So that’s how it is.” Mu Yunjin nodded in understanding, stroking her chin. “Nowadays, under the banner of bold love, one can freely interfere in others’ family affairs? Right in front of me, the Sixth Prince Consort, you openly declare your affection for my husband, claim to seek justice for him, and forbid me from mocking you.”

“Qin Muyue, who gave you such audacity?”