Mu Yunjin continued sitting there drinking tea and eating snacks, while Rong Jiu also sat quietly drinking tea, occasionally glancing at Mu Yunjin out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing this scene, Hong Ling grew anxious on behalf of her master and frequently tried to find topics of conversation. “By the way, I heard there’s a Shuiyun Temple here with a thousand-year-old tree. They say wishes made there usually come true?”

“There is indeed an ancient tree, but whether wishes come true or not, I don’t know,” Mu Yunjin said with a pout.

Hong Ling was amused by Mu Yunjin’s words and looked at the time. “I wonder how far this Shuiyun Temple is from here. If it’s close, perhaps the Princess Consort could take us to see it?”

“It’s not close,” Mu Yunjin also glanced at the time. “Today I still need to return to the Prime Minister’s mansion for dinner. Why don’t you find someone else to take you there?”

“That’s alright, we’ll be staying here for some time. When you have time, you can take us there. After all, we’re from Eastern Lin Country, and in this Western Yuan Country, the Princess Consort is the only person we know,” Hong Ling said very sincerely.

Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, suddenly feeling that perhaps her attitude toward them had been too harsh.

After all, they had once saved her.

With this thought, Mu Yunjin’s attitude softened somewhat, and she smiled at them. “I’ll take you there in a few days.”

…

…

“Then it’s a promise,” Hong Ling replied, and then added, “We’re currently staying at the Zuixiang Inn not far ahead. The Princess Consort can find us there.”

“Alright. It’s getting late, so I’ll be going now,” Mu Yunjin stood up to bid farewell to them.

Rong Jiu nodded slightly. “Take care.”

“Yes.”

After Mu Yunjin left, Rong Jiu, who had barely spoken, looked at Hong Ling with approval. “Well done.”

“It’s also fortunate that this Princess Consort has a soft heart, so I could target her weak spot. Otherwise, she would have been unmovable,” Hong Ling said softly.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Bai was somewhat confused. The Princess Consort was already married, so what were the Crown Prince and Hong Ling planning?

Though he had these thoughts, Zhang Bai did not voice them.

……

By the time Mu Yunjin arrived at the Prime Minister’s mansion, the sky had already darkened. The front hall of the mansion was lively, with Chu Li having arrived sometime earlier. He was now seated in the main position, chatting casually with Prime Minister Mu.

Apart from Mu Yunhan, almost all other members of the Prime Minister’s household were seated in the remaining places in the front hall. Mu Lingzhu, having abandoned her thoughts of Chu Li, was dressed rather casually today, with her hair bun slightly disheveled.

Mu Xiarou was carefully dressed up, with much to say but not daring to speak. Luo Ningyu sat beside Mu Xiarou, holding her hand with a hint of warning.

When Mu Yunjin stepped through the door, Chu Li cast her a displeased glance, his eyes moving slightly, his entire demeanor exuding coldness and indifference.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” Mu Yunjin said to Chu Li.

Chu Li nodded lightly. Seeing that she seemed to have walked hurriedly, still slightly out of breath after entering, he handed her the teacup in his hand.

Mu Yunjin naturally took Chu Li’s teacup, drank some water, and then sat down in a vacant chair nearby.

The people in the front hall were somewhat stunned. Although they had recently heard that these two had a good relationship, they hadn’t expected it to be so good that they would drink from the same teacup.

Hadn’t this Prince of Ning previously disliked contact with others the most?

Seeing this, Mu Lingzhu’s eyelids twitched, and she raised a smile, walking over to sit beside Mu Yunjin. “Sister, the trip to Qingzhou seems to have made you lose weight.”

Mu Yunjin glanced at Mu Lingzhu, noting how she now intimately called her simply “sister,” which strangely gave her goosebumps. “Isn’t losing weight a good thing?”

“You were already slim, and now you’re even thinner. Tonight at dinner, you must eat more to regain some flesh,” Mu Lingzhu said casually, with no other discernible emotions.

Mu Yunjin nodded slightly without further conversation.

Nearby, Mu Xiarou, who had been holding back for a long time, now broke free from her mother’s hand and ran over, smiling sweetly at Mu Yunjin. “Xiarou thinks Third Sister looks just right now, with a willow-like waist, so beautiful.”

“What does a child know?” Mu Lingzhu gave Mu Xiarou a reproachful look.

Mu Xiarou snorted lightly, not wanting to pay attention to Mu Lingzhu, and turned with a smile, “By the way, Third Sister, I heard you promised to help me arrange a marriage?”

“There’s no such thing,” Mu Yunjin replied coldly, recalling the conversation among the officials’ wives that day.

Mu Xiarou’s face fell, and just as she was about to speak, Luo Ningyu’s low reprimand came from the side, “Xiaorou, come here, don’t disturb your sister.”

“Yes, Mother,” Mu Xiarou returned to her seat and sat obediently.

……

At the dinner table, Mu Yunjin and Chu Li sat together. Whether due to the large number of people present today or for other reasons, Mu Yunjin and Chu Li sat especially close, their sleeves touching, appearing extraordinarily intimate.

Prime Minister Mu had originally wanted Chu Li to sit in the main position, but Chu Li declined on the basis of being a junior, so eventually Prime Minister Mu took the main seat.

When Zhuang Yuyan and Mu Yunhan came from the back garden, her face had regained its rosy color. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, she nodded with a smile.

After the servants had poured wine into everyone’s cups, Prime Minister Mu raised his cup. Seeing the whole family sitting together, he felt a sense of satisfaction he hadn’t experienced for a long time.

In the past, Mu Yunhan was often not at home, and Yunjin was confined, so the family rarely had a reunion meal. Now things were better; troublemakers in the household had been removed, the remaining children’s grudges had diminished, and they all got along passably well. This was the best state the Prime Minister’s mansion had been in for many years.

“Let’s all drink together,” Prime Minister Mu said, raising his wine cup.

Everyone was particularly obliging, raising their cups and clinking them with Prime Minister Mu’s.

Mu Yunjin rarely drank alcohol, but now with a cup of clear wine in her stomach, she felt warm inside, and her mood improved considerably.

Chu Li glanced sideways at Mu Yunjin, whose cheeks were already slightly flushed after just one cup of wine. A very faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips as he picked some dishes for her bowl, then quietly instructed her, “No more wine.”

Mu Yunjin nodded, had someone pour her a cup of tea, and began to eat the food in her bowl.

The intimate gestures between the two were enviable to others. Although Mu Lingzhu had given up on Chu Li, seeing this scene still made her feel somewhat jealous.

Mu Yunjin was truly fortunate, not only marrying Chu Li but now having him treat her so well.

But what about herself?

“Sister Yunjin, these are water chestnut cakes I made. You didn’t get to taste them last time, so you must try them now,” Zhuang Yuyan pointed to a plate of water chestnut cakes on the table, smiling at Mu Yunjin, with some remorse in her heart toward Mu Yunjin.

A few days ago, she had misjudged Yunjin. How could she have thought so badly of her? Thinking about it now, she truly owed her an apology.

Mu Yunjin nodded, and seeing that Zhuang Yuyan’s expression had returned to normal, she graciously picked up a piece of water chestnut cake and ate it methodically.

“The other day, when Yunjin returned to the mansion, she praised the Prince of Ning extensively in front of me, her brother. Today, since the Prince of Ning has honored us with his presence, I must toast him. Mu Yunhan raised his wine cup, looking at Chu Li.

Chu Li picked up his wine cup, clinked it with Mu Yunhan’s, took a sip of wine, and then lightly patted the back of Mu Yunjin’s head. “My beloved consort, how did you praise this prince? Let’s hear it.”

“Go away, my brother is talking nonsense, and you believed him,” Mu Yunjin said without looking up, elbowing Chu Li’s chest.

“Yunjin, don’t be insolent!” Prime Minister Mu put down his chopsticks, somewhat alarmed by Mu Yunjin’s rude gesture.

To his surprise, Chu Li unusually smiled at him. “It’s alright, this prince is used to it.”

“Did you hear that?” Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows triumphantly toward Prime Minister Mu, then looked at the smiling Chu Li, her smile widening. “The Prince of Ning said that in the Prince’s mansion, I, the Princess Consort, have the highest authority.”

Everyone was shocked.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Chu Li looked at his beloved consort with exceptional fondness and chuckled. “Yes, my beloved consort speaks the truth.”

The jaws of the Prime Minister’s household seemed about to drop!

The cold-faced Chu Li could smile?!

And he smiled so tenderly at a woman, even declaring Mu Yunjin’s status in his household.

Immediately, the looks in everyone’s eyes as they regarded Mu Yunjin gained several degrees of admiration.

……

The dinner was enjoyed immensely.

When it was time to return, Mu Yunjin and Chu Li decided to walk back to the prince’s mansion, since it was located in the market area, not far from the Prime Minister’s mansion.

By the time they left, the sky had completely darkened. Ding Xian was beside them, carrying a lantern.

Chu Li glanced at the lantern in Ding Xian’s hand, then looked down at Mu Yunjin, who was nestled in his arms. “Would you like this prince to carry you on his back?”

“Hmm?” Mu Yunjin was startled, then immediately nodded. “Yes, I’d like that.”

“Come on up,” Chu Li bent slightly.

Mu Yunjin jumped onto Chu Li’s back, leaning against him and wrapping her arms around his neck, thoroughly content.

Ding Xian immediately understood and quietly walked to Mu Yunjin’s side, reaching out to poke her arm. “Princess Consort, here.”

“What?” Mu Yunjin frowned.

“This servant seems to be in the way and won’t intrude on your private world. Here’s the lantern for you. Please trouble yourself to hold it for His Highness.” With these words, Ding Xian pushed the lantern into Mu Yunjin’s hand and, in the next moment, departed using lightness kung fu.

Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched as she held the somewhat heavy lantern, continuing to lazily lean on Chu Li’s back, one arm around his neck, the other holding the lantern.

The sky was now dark, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the street. Chu Li, whether due to the darkness making it difficult to see or for other reasons, was not walking quickly.

Mu Yunjin rested on Chu Li’s shoulder, recalling what Mamma Shen had said during the day. She sighed slightly and tightened her arms around Chu Li.

“What’s wrong?” Chu Li sensed the change on his back and spoke softly.

“Are you tired of carrying me?” Mu Yunjin forced a smile.

Chu Li paused his steps, and after a moment of silence, his lips curved into a smile. “If you give this prince a kiss, then this prince won’t be tired.”

“And if I don’t?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow in challenge.

“This prince is very tired, and you should get down and walk yourself.”

Seeing that he was deliberately teasing her, Mu Yunjin wasn’t angry. Instead, a sweetness welled up in her heart. She suddenly laughed a few times, moved closer to Chu Li, and reluctantly kissed him on the cheek.

“Are you not tired now?”

“Still tired.”

“What do you want then?”

“A few more kisses.”

“Chu Li, you’re so childish!”