No sooner had the two returned to the prince’s manor than imperial guards from the palace surrounded the entire residence, making it impenetrable. Old General Qin had personally requested permission to come and arrest Mu Yunjin.
Arriving outside the manor, they found the main gate of Prince Ning’s residence tightly closed with no one standing guard. Old General Qin stepped forward onto the stairs, but after a few steps, he was suddenly repelled by an invisible barrier and forced to retreat several steps.
“This youngster Chu Li has set up a formation,” Old General Qin’s expression darkened as he turned to look at an imperial guard beside him. “Return to the palace and request an imperial edict to arrest both Mu Yunjin and Chu Li.”
“Yes!” After receiving these instructions, the imperial guard rushed toward the imperial palace.
…
After returning to the manor, Mu Yunjin had taken a quick hot bath before falling into a deep sleep.
Chu Li tucked in her blanket, stood by the bedside watching her sleeping face for a while, then left the room and walked to his study.
In the study, Huang Yan had been waiting for a long time.
“Master, everything has been taken care of. The several hundred thousand troops under that old schemer Qin Feng have been divided into three factions. Their morale is scattered, and all have been systematically dismantled,” Huang Yan said with a smile as he looked at Chu Li.
…
…
Seeing Chu Li’s expressionless face, Huang Yan added, “The leaders of all three factions have accepted our benefits and are willing to serve Master for life.”
“So now, Master, you are the one who holds military power.”
“That old schemer Qin Feng is still unaware.”
Ding Xian glanced at Huang Yan, and seeing that Huang Yan had completed everything, he naturally didn’t want to be outdone. “Your Highness, Manor Lord Qu is requesting an audience outside.”
“Let her in.”
Ding Xian nodded and ran out.
Soon, Qu Xinyao’s characteristically gorgeous figure appeared in Chu Li’s study. As soon as she entered, she smiled and sighed, “Your manor is surrounded inside and out. It took quite some effort for me to get in.”
“Please sit,” Chu Li said politely.
Qu Xinyao sat down, her lips carrying a hint of a smile. “You predicted everything that happened today. I’ve followed your instructions and set fire to Autumn Leaf Mountain. I expect that old dog Autumn Leaf will soon be unable to restrain himself from showing up.”
“Thank you for your trouble,” Chu Li replied softly.
“It’s no trouble, but now that the Phoenix Lady identity of Prince Ning’s wife has been revealed before everyone, the Western Bright Emperor won’t let this matter rest,” Qu Xinyao poured herself a cup of water and took a few sips.
Hearing this, Chu Li seemed unconcerned. “Let them be.”
“Hmm?” Qu Xinyao caught another layer of meaning in his words. “Do you mean you’re preparing to break away from the Western Bright Emperor?”
Chu Li was someone she had known as a good friend for many years. She understood his temperament and ambitions to some extent. Chu Li had always hidden himself deeply, preventing others from glimpsing his true heart.
He appeared indifferent, neither competing nor grasping, yet within him lurked a massive vortex capable of devouring people completely at any moment.
Today, with the fall of the Mu family and Mu Yunjin’s murder in the imperial court, people from all three kingdoms had witnessed it. The Western Bright Emperor had completely lost face, and if he wanted to maintain his standing in the Canghua Continent, he would never let Mu Yunjin go.
“Manor Lord Qu, our Master has never truly integrated, so how can there be talk of breaking away?” Huang Yan joked from the side.
Qu Xinyao was momentarily stunned, then understanding, she winked at Huang Yan and raised her teacup. “A wise person! Let this tea be wine!”
…
The next day, when Mu Yunjin awoke, she felt as if she had had a very long dream that left her completely drained. But after opening her eyes, her mind was in such chaos that she couldn’t recall the dream’s content.
“You’re awake?” Chu Li’s voice came from within the room.
When Mu Yunjin looked over, Chu Li was sitting in the rocking chair in the room, currently staring at her.
“Mm.” Mu Yunjin nodded, lowering her eyes slightly, then seemed to remember something. “How is the Mu family now?”
“Mu Yunhan has taken care of Minister Mu’s funeral arrangements,” Chu Li said calmly.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together. “The Mu family members weren’t implicated?”
“No,” Chu Li shook his head, rose, and walked closer to Mu Yunjin, reaching out to caress her cheek. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m fine.” Mu Yunjin had little appetite at the moment.
Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Ding Xian’s voice came from outside. “Your Highness…”
“You go back to sleep for a while longer,” Chu Li glanced at Mu Yunjin and walked out.
After leaving the room, Ding Xian frowned and spoke, “Eunuch Lu has brought an imperial edict and is outside the manor.”
“Mm.” Chu Li acknowledged with a sound and walked toward the manor gate.
…
Outside Prince Ning’s manor, not only was it surrounded by imperial guards from the palace, but many onlookers had also gathered there.
Early this morning, they had heard about Minister Mu’s suicide the previous night, and various rumors were circulating. Now, seeing that Chu Li’s manor was surrounded, everyone rushed over to watch the spectacle.
The manor gate was slowly opened.
Eunuch Lu, holding the imperial edict, finally saw Chu Li’s figure. He wanted to step forward but was still repelled by the barrier. He couldn’t help but give Chu Li a strange look, wondering what bizarre technique he was practicing.
“Read the edict,” Chu Li’s lips formed a straight line as he looked at Eunuch Lu with a heavy expression.
Eunuch Lu was frightened by this chilling tone. He then took out an imperial edict from his bosom. He had brought two edicts today, but according to the Emperor’s intentions, he was to read the first one first.
If the first one didn’t work, then he would read the second.
“By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: Prince Ning’s wife, Mu Yunjin, was murdered in the imperial court last night, killing the Fifth Princess and injuring Deputy General Qin. Her behavior is extremely vicious. She is to be immediately sent to the imperial prison to await punishment according to the law by the Court of Judicature! By imperial order!”
From the crowd came a wave of exclamations, as people seemed unable to believe that Mu Yunjin could do such a thing.
After the commotion died down, everyone turned their attention to Chu Li, waiting for his response.
“Prince Ning, please accept the edict,” Eunuch Lu put away the scroll, bowed slightly, and extended the yellow imperial edict.
“I refuse,” Chu Li replied casually, glancing at the bright yellow edict before turning to go back inside.
Seeing that Chu Li refused to accept the edict, Eunuch Lu was greatly alarmed and shouted at Chu Li’s retreating figure, “Prince Ning, please don’t be foolish!”
“Please listen to the second edict…”
“Bang!”
The gate of Prince Ning’s manor had already been firmly shut.
Old General Qin hurriedly arrived at this moment. Before coming, he had calculated the timing perfectly. Now, seeing Eunuch Lu standing outside the manor with the imperial edict in hand and the manor gate closed, he spoke with a hint of delight, “Prince Ning has defied the imperial edict?”
Eunuch Lu nodded pitifully.
“Prince Ning deliberately shelters a murderer. Could it be that he intends to rebel?” Old General Qin deliberately raised his voice so that all the common people present could hear clearly.
“This old servant will return to report to His Majesty and await His Majesty’s decision on this matter,” Eunuch Lu, having served in the palace for decades, knew well the dangers of the imperial court. He was unwilling to say more to Old General Qin, lest he be implicated.
After Old General Qin and Eunuch Lu dispersed from the gate of Prince Ning’s manor, a white figure emerged from a corner nearby.
“Crown Prince, it’s not our place to intervene in this matter.” Red Ling stood beside Rong Jiu, noticing that his expression had been poor since last night, knowing he was concerned about Mu Yunjin’s safety.
“She doesn’t have it easy in this Western Yuan Nation,” Rong Jiu sighed slightly, furrowing his brow.
Red Ling also sighed, looking at the imperial guards before them. “Miss Mu is too prominent, and with Prince Ning’s affection, she’s bound to encounter those who envy and are jealous of her.”
“Crown Prince, this matter is of great importance and beyond our ability to interfere. Trust that Prince Ning will surely protect Miss Mu well,” Red Ling consoled Rong Jiu.
Rong Jiu nodded slightly, feeling a sense of powerlessness for the first time in his life.
“Your Highness, look over there!” Zhang Bai, who had been standing vigilantly behind the two, was constantly scanning the surroundings. When he spotted a familiar figure, he immediately exclaimed in shock.
Rong Jiu looked in the direction Zhang Bai was pointing, and his expression darkened, his usually clear eyes filling with a rare murderous intent.
“Why is the Second Prince here?” Red Ling was equally surprised, looking at Second Prince Rong Min, who was holding a folding fan and striding along the street.
“Return to Yilan Hall first,” Rong Jiu ordered.
“Yes!”
…
Mu Yunjin had gotten up and was sitting in her room drinking porridge when she saw Chu Li return from outside. “What’s the situation now?” she asked.
“Nothing to worry about,” Chu Li looked at her, his eyes containing a faint smile.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin put down her spoon and raised her eyes to meet Chu Li’s gaze. “Don’t lie to me. After such a major incident, how could there be no reaction from the palace?”
“Mu Yunjin, do you trust this prince?” Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin, his eyes deep.
Mu Yunjin nodded solemnly. “I trust you.”
“Then stay obediently in the manor for the next few days.” Chu Li patted her head.
Mu Yunjin’s heart sank as she bit her lip, secretly thinking that something had indeed happened. But the fact that Chu Li was telling her this—did it mean he could resolve the matter?
Mu Yunjin’s head ached slightly.
“I understand. I’ll listen to you,” Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, then reached out to wrap her arms around Chu Li’s waist, seeking a sense of security.
Chu Li embraced her and smiled faintly.
…
Nightfall, in Yilan Hall.
“My Lord, someone has delivered something outside.” North Lord Wen Feng was lying on a soft couch with his eyes closed, resting. A small palace maid stood nearby, massaging his temples.
“Bring it in,” North Lord Wen Feng raised his eyes slightly, seeing an attendant present a brocade box.
“Open it,” North Lord Wen Feng commanded the attendant.
The attendant nodded and slowly opened the brocade box. A beam of white light spilled out from within.
Inside the box was a moon-white jade pendant, emitting white light. Within it, one could faintly see the characters “Yun Jin” engraved.
As soon as North Lord Wen Feng’s gaze fell upon the jade pendant, he immediately sat up from the couch in shock. He reached for the jade pendant in the box, placed it in his palm, his brows furrowed tightly together, suddenly feeling his heart begin to tremble uncontrollably.
Then, North Lord Wen Feng rose, not even taking time to put on his shoes, and ran out of his courtyard, rushing toward another courtyard to the west.
“My Lord, My Lord…” The guards and attendants North Lord Wen Feng had brought were greatly alarmed and followed behind him, running all the way.
“Bang—”
A door in the western courtyard was kicked open with such force that the entire door fell.
Jiang Qingxue lay on the bed, her face pale, her eyes filled with undisguised sorrow and despair. Hearing the sound of the door being kicked open, she turned to look.