After Jiang Qingxue took her seat, her gaze inadvertently fell on Mu Yunjin across from her, and she couldn’t help but nod in acknowledgment.

Mu Yunjin smiled back in the same manner.

Prime Minister Mu had been watching Jiang Qingxue from the beginning. Now, seeing her exchange greetings with Mu Yunjin, his heart filled with shock and astonishment, his brow covered with deep concern.

Could it be…

Prime Minister Mu dared not think further.

“Today is Ye’er’s investiture ceremony, and we have honored guests who have traveled from afar, truly a grand occasion for the Western Yuan Kingdom. Tonight, everyone may enjoy themselves freely.” The Emperor of Western Ming raised his wine cup and addressed everyone.

The assembly raised their wine cups.

Mu Yunjin held her cup and leaned toward Chu Li, whispering in his ear, “Where is Chu Ye?”

It was strange that the protagonist of this meticulously prepared investiture ceremony was nowhere to be seen!

…

…

“When the auspicious time arrives, he will appear,” Chu Li said calmly.

Mu Yunjin nodded, indicating she understood.

After drinking a cup of clear wine, Mu Yunjin felt her throat burning. She slightly stuck out her tongue and then took a grape and popped it into her mouth.

Across from her, three gazes of inscrutable meaning fell on Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin looked up and saw Bei Tang Wenfeng watching her with interest. Meeting Mu Yunjin’s gaze, he pursed his lips at her with a mischievous expression.

Rong Jiu’s eyes were clear and gentle. The way Mu Yunjin had just drunk wine and stuck out her tongue seemed incredibly adorable to him.

Jiang Qingxue looked at her daughter, whose every movement seemed somewhat rash, very much like herself in the past. But reality was cruel; she could never acknowledge this daughter.

Moreover, on this trip to the Western Yuan Kingdom, she had unexpectedly encountered several old friends.

Mu Yunjin only glanced across once before withdrawing her gaze, fearing others might notice something. Come to think of it, her prominence was quite notable—the people from the three kingdoms sitting across from her had all previously met her.

“The auspicious time has arrived! Announcing Crown Prince His Highness’s entrance!” Eunuch Lu had been constantly checking the time. Seeing that the auspicious moment had arrived, he immediately shouted.

Everyone simultaneously looked toward the entrance of the banquet hall.

“Wait!”

An urgent and familiar voice came from the entrance of the great hall.

Following this, Chu Qingchi was seen sitting in a wooden wheelchair, pushed by several attendants. Her face was pale and weak as she bit her lip, approaching the center of the hall.

Seeing it was Chu Qingchi, the Emperor of Western Ming’s gaze first fell on her legs, then he roared in anger, “Are the imperial guards all dead? How can anyone just walk in?!”

At his words, numerous imperial guards appeared, making a move to drag Chu Qingchi away.

“Imperial Father, your daughter has important matters to report!” Chu Qingchi struggled, shouting toward the Emperor of Western Ming on the throne.

The Emperor of Western Ming’s expression darkened as he commanded, “Take her away!”

“Imperial Father, listen to me! I’ve come today to report a major matter concerning both the Nanting Kingdom and our Western Yuan Kingdom!”

Hearing this, the hall erupted in commotion.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Empress Dowager Zheng spoke softly, “My son, for Qingchi to suddenly appear like this, she must truly have important matters to report.”

“Then speak!” The Emperor of Western Ming ultimately showed some respect for Empress Dowager Zheng.

Seeing that the Emperor of Western Ming had given her an opportunity, Chu Qingchi was elated. She looked around, her heart filled with barely concealed excitement.

Good, everyone was present!

“Imperial Father, your daughter wishes to report a matter concerning this Holy Maiden Emissary from Nanting who, eighteen years ago, violated her sacred duty by secretly consorting with a man and giving birth to a child.”

Once these words were spoken, the hall fell so silent that not even the slightest sound could be heard.

No one dared to breathe, finding Chu Qingchi’s words incredible.

When Chu Qingchi appeared, Jiang Qingxue had already had a bad feeling. Now, hearing her expose the secret she had hidden for many years, Jiang Qingxue felt as if she could hardly breathe.

Could it be that the secret could no longer be kept?

Chu Li sat still in his place, his eyes now like cold pools, his gaze falling coldly on Chu Qingchi as he slightly clenched his fist, then relaxed it.

Seeing Chu Qingchi causing trouble again, Mu Yunjin only regretted why she hadn’t dealt her a fatal blow that day. This woman was the most fearless person she had ever met!

Prime Minister Mu frowned deeply, his heart sinking heavily.

“This is Nanting Kingdom’s affair, and it will be handled by the ruler of Nanting. It’s not your place to speak!” Although the Emperor of Western Ming was somewhat surprised, this matter indeed did not concern his Western Yuan Kingdom.

“Imperial Father…” Chu Qingchi pushed her wheelchair a few steps forward. “Imperial Father, that secretly born child is in our Western Yuan Kingdom, and is present at this banquet!”

“Fifth Princess, today’s gathering includes people from all over the continent. You cannot speak recklessly!” Old General Qin spoke languidly from among the officials.

Chu Qingchi looked toward the officials’ section. “I am not speaking recklessly!”

After speaking, as if she had waited for a long time and could finally no longer contain her emotions, she pointed toward Mu Yunjin—

“She is the child of this Holy Maiden from Nanting!”

Mu Yunjin’s hand holding the teacup suddenly paused, spilling some on her hand. Just as she was about to wipe it off, Chu Li had already taken hold of her hand, gripping it tightly in his own.

“Lady Xiao, what nonsense are you spouting?!” Mu Yunjin didn’t call Chu Qingchi by name, her eyes darkening as she glared at her.

Chu Qingchi was well-prepared. She looked toward Jiang Qingxue. “Holy Maiden Emissary, do you dare to remove your veil and let everyone see your face?”

Jiang Qingxue hesitated, instinctively meeting Chu Li’s gaze.

Chu Li nodded slightly to her.

“Of course.” With these words, Jiang Qingxue gracefully removed her veil, revealing her exquisite beauty.

The people in the hall gasped.

They looked alike!

Indeed, they looked too similar!

“To claim they are mother and daughter based merely on similar appearances seems far-fetched,” Qin Muyue mockingly interjected, glancing coldly at Chu Qingchi.

“Naturally, there’s more than just this.” Chu Qingchi spoke with certainty, turning her wheelchair in a circle to look at Prime Minister Mu among the officials.

“Prime Minister Mu should also be privy to this matter, but I estimate he won’t tell the truth.”

“So…” Chu Qingchi paused for effect, feigning profundity. “Bring the person in!”

As she spoke, an old woman with a hunched back was brought in, supported by several attendants.

The Emperor of Western Ming watched all this with displeasure. Today was supposed to be Chu Ye’s investiture ceremony, but it had been interrupted by this disobedient creature. Yet, hearing what she was saying, he couldn’t simply dismiss it, especially since it involved the Prime Minister’s household. He had to clarify the matter first.

“Prime Minister Mu, you must know Granny Lin?” Chu Qingchi looked at Prime Minister Mu.

Prime Minister Mu’s face became deathly pale.

“Granny Lin, tell us yourself. When you delivered the Prime Minister’s Lady’s child, did she give birth to twins or just one child?” Chu Qingchi asked.

Hearing this, Granny Lin seemed to recall, then spoke in a hoarse voice, “It was I who delivered Madam Mu’s child back then. I clearly remember she gave birth to one daughter, not twins.”

“Oh? Then where did the other child come from?” Chu Qingchi raised an eyebrow.

“Not long after delivering the first child, the Prime Minister brought in a baby girl from outside, instructing me to say it was born to the Lady. The next day, it was announced that the Lady had given birth to twin sisters.”

Mu Yunjin leaned back in her chair, listening carefully to Granny Lin’s words. She unconsciously tightened her grip on Chu Li’s hand.

“Fifth Princess, what evidence do you have to claim that child was born to me?” Jiang Qingxue forced herself to remain calm, smiling as she looked at Chu Qingchi.

“Naturally, I have evidence, or I wouldn’t have come to accuse you.” Chu Qingchi sneered, then ordered her attendants to bring in another person.

When Jiang Qingxue saw the newcomer, her brow furrowed slightly. Unconsciously, she bit her lower lip and took a deep breath.

“Aunt Zhang…” Mu Yunjin looked at the person and murmured, feeling that things were moving far beyond her expectations.

“This Aunt Zhang has served in the Prime Minister’s household for twenty years. She left the household ten years ago. The people from the Prime Minister’s household should be familiar with her, right?” Chu Qingchi looked toward the Prime Minister’s section, then turned to Mu Yunjin.

“Princess Ning, seeing your wet nurse, why are you so cold in your attitude?”

Mu Yunjin ignored Chu Qingchi, fixing her gaze on Aunt Zhang. But Aunt Zhang’s eyes darted around, not daring to meet Mu Yunjin’s gaze.

“Lady Qing, do you recognize this old servant?” Aunt Zhang composed herself and turned to smile at Jiang Qingxue. “You’re still the same as you were twenty years ago, not changed a bit.”

Jiang Qingxue forced a smile and shook her head. “I don’t know you.”

“Then Lady Qing must have forgotten.”

“This old servant was by your side, taking care of you for nearly four years. I clearly remember when I helped deliver your baby; there was a faint scar on your abdomen.”

“This old servant also remembers that when you gave birth, you were nearly dying. You named your daughter Yunjin, saying this child was born during the season when hibiscus flowers bloom.”

“Do you remember?”

After hearing everything Aunt Zhang said, Mu Yunjin narrowed her eyes, her gaze falling on Jiang Qingxue across from her.

When Jiang Qingxue met Mu Yunjin’s gaze, she immediately looked away, her eyes filled with guilt.

Mu Yunjin leaned back in her chair, examining Jiang Qingxue’s features, thinking about all the words and details of their recent interactions. Gradually, understanding dawned in her heart.

Heh, for once, Chu Qingchi had gotten something right.

Seeing that the matter was becoming increasingly complex, and fearing that the people from Donglin and Beiming would find it amusing, the Emperor of Western Ming frowned and looked at Prime Minister Mu. “Minister Mu, what exactly is going on? Come out and explain!”

Prime Minister Mu slowly rose. His slightly trembling hands and constantly shifting eyes had nearly betrayed him.

Mu Lingzhu watched Prime Minister Mu walk forward, staring in disbelief at his back, her fingers gripping so tightly they almost drew blood from her palms!

Damn it, so she was the true eldest daughter of the Mu family!

If not for Mu Yunjin’s appearance, she would have been the one sitting beside Chu Li now. All of this should have been hers!

Mu Yunjin had obstructed her good life, stealing everything that should have belonged to her!

All the things she had done before weren’t wrong after all; she was merely fighting to reclaim what was rightfully hers. Mu Yunjin was the despicable one who had taken everything from her!

If not for this, her mother would not have suffered the punishment of being cut in half at the waist, all in an attempt to help her reclaim the title of the Mu family’s eldest daughter, ultimately dying without an intact body!

Mu Yunjin, from now on, it’s either you or me!