When the carriage entered Diehua City, Mu Yunjin, who hadn’t eaten all day, was famished. Hearing the calls of vendors throughout the streets, she couldn’t help but shout “Stop!” to those outside.
Hearing Mu Yunjin’s call, the carriage immediately halted.
“Do you have money?” Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, feeling her empty pockets as she looked toward Chu Li, who was resting beside her with his eyes closed.
Hearing this, Chu Li lifted his eyelids slightly and replied lazily, “Ask Ding Xian for some.”
“Alright.” Mu Yunjin’s face brightened as she sat up, lifted the curtain, jumped down from the carriage, and extended her hand to Ding Xian. “Give me some small silver.”
Ding Xian pouted, having naturally heard Chu Li’s words earlier. He couldn’t help but take out a money pouch from his chest and place it entirely in Mu Yunjin’s palm.
Mu Yunjin accepted the pouch, took out one small silver ingot, then tossed the pouch back to Ding Xian before running off to a small stall.
Soon, Mu Yunjin returned carrying a package wrapped in oiled paper. Ding Xian had intended to help her up into the carriage, but Mu Yunjin, as if not seeing him, jumped directly into the carriage.
Ding Xian frowned, recalling a similar scene on the outskirts earlier, and couldn’t help but wonder if this Third Miss might possess some martial skills.
…
…
Inside the carriage, as soon as Mu Yunjin was seated, she eagerly opened the oiled paper package to reveal several steaming buns.
Mu Yunjin casually picked up a bun and began eating it with large bites.
Chu Li glanced at the buns, his eyes revealing a hint of disgust. Then, looking at Mu Yunjin eating with such delight beside him, a trace of surprise crossed his mind.
He had never seen a young lady from any noble family eat a few buns with such joy.
“Do you want one?” After finishing one bun, Mu Yunjin finally remembered there was someone else beside her and offered the package.
Chu Li shook his head.
Seeing his response, Mu Yunjin smiled without saying much more. These princes, raised in luxury, would hardly look upon such things with favor.
……
When the carriage stopped at the gate of the Minister’s household, it was nearly dusk. The steward guarding the gate saw a carriage stop and walked over.
Mu Yunjin was the first to descend from the carriage. Seeing the steward approach, she said, “Uncle Wang, please inform Father that the Sixth Prince has arrived at our household.”
Uncle Wang was startled upon hearing this. Looking at the person descending from the carriage behind Mu Yunjin—dressed in fine clothes with an air of refined nobility—wasn’t he indeed the Sixth Prince Chu Li!
With this thought, Uncle Wang nodded and immediately ran into the household.
“Sixth Prince, let’s go in together.” After Uncle Wang left, Mu Yunjin turned to look at Chu Li standing behind her.
“Hmm.” Chu Li responded casually, then walked to Mu Yunjin’s side, and they entered the Minister’s household together.
As the two stepped into the front hall, they saw Minister Mu, Su Biqing, Mu Lingzhu, and others hurrying over. These people didn’t even have time to react to why Mu Yunjin would be with Chu Li before greeting the Prince.
“This old official pays respects to the Sixth Prince.” Minister Mu bowed deeply to Chu Li.
Seeing this, Su Biqing and Mu Lingzhu also curtseyed to Chu Li.
“Minister Mu, there’s no need for such formality. This prince came today at the invitation of the Third Miss. I hope Minister Mu doesn’t find this prince troublesome.” Chu Li spoke coolly, his words humble but his tone far from it.
Hearing that Mu Yunjin had invited Chu Li, Minister Mu and the others were stunned, somewhat surprised at why Mu Yunjin would be with Chu Li.
Especially Mu Lingzhu—the moment she saw Chu Li return with Mu Yunjin, the redness in her eyes could no longer be concealed.
She had originally thought that the black-clad man who took Mu Yunjin away was no good either, but unexpectedly, not only did she return alive, she returned with the Sixth Prince.
Could it be…
Mu Lingzhu considered the possibility but dared not think further.
“Zhu’er, didn’t you and Yunjin attend the poetry recitation gathering together today? Was the Sixth Prince there as well?” Su Biqing was curious about Mu Yunjin and Chu Li standing side by side before her.
Mu Lingzhu bit her lip, pondering how to explain this matter.
She had returned to the household first without mentioning the bandit encounter to anyone, planning to tell her father that Mu Yunjin had run off to play if she hadn’t returned by nightfall.
Who would have thought she would arrive with Chu Li?
“This prince merely happened to encounter the Third Miss on the road.” Chu Li answered Su Biqing’s question.
Hearing this, Su Biqing smiled at Chu Li, with another thought in mind. She had always heard that the Sixth Prince was aloof, often keeping to himself and difficult to approach. She hadn’t expected him to accept Mu Yunjin’s invitation.
If the Sixth Prince truly had taken an interest in Yunjin, what would become of Zhu’er?
……
As night fell, at the dinner table.
Having wolfed down several buns not long ago, Mu Yunjin didn’t have much appetite for the dishes on the table. Instead, she occasionally sipped some tea to moisten her throat while observing the activity around her.
Since being seated, Mu Lingzhu had hardly dared to glance in Mu Yunjin’s direction. Under Su Biqing’s occasional suggestive looks, she continuously helped Chu Li with dishes.
Before long, the small bowl in front of Chu Li was piled like a small mountain.
But Chu Li hadn’t even touched his chopsticks, showing no intention of eating any of those dishes. Mu Lingzhu found herself in an awkward position.
“Sixth Prince, are the dishes not to your liking?” Minister Mu, seeing Chu Li’s immobile chopsticks, asked with some concern, fearing he had done something to offend this important guest.
Hearing this, Chu Li’s expression remained calm as he glanced at Minister Mu before his thin lips parted slightly. “Minister is overthinking.”
Chu Li’s response left Minister Mu momentarily speechless. Indeed, among all the princes, only Chu Li’s preferences were unfathomable.
At this moment, however, Chu Li was contemplating something else.
From the seating arrangement at the dinner table, one could see the status of each person in this household. Minister Mu, being the master of the house, naturally occupied the host’s position.
On either side of him sat Big Madam Su Biqing and Fourth Miss Mu Lingzhu.
Next to Su Biqing and Mu Lingzhu sat the Third Madam and Fifth Miss.
Only the eldest daughter of the Mu family was arranged to sit at the very edge of the table.
But looking at the carefree little fox beside him, Chu Li could only think of five words:
A wolf in sheep’s clothing.
It seemed the rumors that the Third Miss Mu was not favored were true, but her reputation as a simpleton was false.
After sitting for a while, Ding Xian observed the sky and then bent down to whisper to Chu Li, “Your Highness, it’s getting late.”
Hearing this, Chu Li glanced at the sky outside and nodded.
Seated next to Chu Li, Mu Yunjin naturally heard Ding Xian’s voice and asked, “Is the Sixth Prince returning to the palace?”
“Hmm.” Chu Li made an affirmative sound as he stood up and spoke coolly, “It’s late. This prince shall take his leave now. Thank you for your hospitality today, Minister.”
“Not at all, the Sixth Prince is too kind.” Minister Mu also stood up, then addressed Mu Yunjin, “Yunjin, escort the Sixth Prince out.”
Mu Yunjin nodded.
Seeing this, Su Biqing immediately winked at Mu Lingzhu and said, “Lingzhu, accompany your sister in seeing the Sixth Prince off.”
“Yes, Mother.”
On the way to the main gate, Ding Xian asked the steward for a large lantern, holding it to light Chu Li’s path and occasionally reminding him to be careful and walk slowly.
Seeing this, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but roll her eyes skyward. The Minister’s household was hung with lanterns, brightly illuminating everything. Ding Xian was being unnecessarily cautious by seeking out a large lantern to light the way.
After leaving the gate, Mu Yunjin stopped, thinking they had escorted him far enough, but then saw Mu Lingzhu call out to stop Chu Li.
“Your Highness, Sixth Prince, Lingzhu has something to ask.” Mu Lingzhu stepped forward, approaching Chu Li with lowered eyes and a shy expression.
Mu Yunjin crossed her arms, watching this scene with interest, waiting for Mu Lingzhu’s next words.
“What is it?” Chu Li glanced at Mu Lingzhu indifferently, his tone cold and even carrying a hint of impatience.
“Lingzhu has heard that the Sixth Prince once studied a branch of metaphysics. Lingzhu has several questions and wishes to seek guidance from the Sixth Prince. Would the Sixth Prince be willing to spare some time to instruct me?” Mu Lingzhu’s eyes flickered as she anxiously awaited Chu Li’s answer after finishing her question.
“No.”
These simple, clear two words shattered all the hopes in Mu Lingzhu’s heart. She had never imagined that Chu Li would refuse so bluntly, without any face-saving courtesy. Her eyes widened in astonishment.
Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but snicker, giving an appreciative look to Chu Li’s back as he walked toward the carriage. This ice-cold man seemed quite amusing after all.
At the carriage, Chu Li seemed to remember something. He paused, turned his gaze toward Mu Yunjin, who was still smiling, and said seriously, “Mu Yunjin, this prince will come to see you in three days.”
“Alright.” Mu Yunjin nodded, unable to hide her excitement at the thought of receiving thirty thousand taels of gold in three days.
After these words, Chu Li boarded the carriage. Seeing this, Ding Xian carried the lantern and trotted to Mu Yunjin’s side, shoving the large lantern into her hands. “Thank you for the lantern, Third Miss.”
Mu Yunjin frowned, looking disdainfully at the large lantern in her hands and muttering, “I didn’t lend you the lantern, why are you thanking me?”
After Chu Li’s carriage departed, Mu Yunjin returned her attention to Mu Lingzhu beside her, who was biting her lip tightly. A mocking light flashed in Mu Yunjin’s eyes.
“Little sister, seeing me return safe and sound today, aren’t you extremely disappointed?” Mu Yunjin laughed coldly.
Hearing this, Mu Lingzhu naturally understood what Mu Yunjin meant. Thinking of Chu Li’s attitude earlier, a wave of anger surged within her. She gritted her teeth and said to Mu Yunjin, “Yes, extremely disappointed. You slut, why didn’t you die out there? Why did you have to come back alive?”
“Oh my, that’s hardly my fault. If you want to blame someone, blame the Sixth Prince.” Mu Yunjin walked to Mu Lingzhu’s side and whispered, “Because the black-clad man who rescued me was none other than Guard Ding from the Sixth Prince’s side.”
“What?” Mu Lingzhu stumbled, her eyes widening in disbelief as something in her heart seemed to drop to the bottom of a valley.
Then, Mu Yunjin’s mocking laughter followed, particularly cold and piercing: “In vain have you loved him for eight full years. When danger approached, he didn’t care whether you lived or died, yet he rescued me…”
“Hahaha, Mu Lingzhu, I truly feel sorry for you!”