Mu Yunjin imagined what Qingmeng had described and couldn’t help but laugh.
Seeing everyone come prepared, Yellow Flame sighed heavily, then immediately put on a smiling face and looked toward Chu Li. “Master, then…”
“Half.” Chu Li naturally knew what Yellow Flame wanted to say and generously offered him half the profits from Zhangzhou’s black market.
“That works.” Yellow Flame agreed immediately.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but tease Yellow Flame. “Young Master Yellow, didn’t you say your cats are treasures among treasures, priceless?”
“That’s what I said, but these priceless treasures can’t fill my stomach. I still need something truly useful by my side.” Yellow Flame winked at Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin smiled. “This is the first time I’ve heard someone speak so euphemistically about greed.”
“Do you still want a cat, talking like that?” Yellow Flame raised an eyebrow at Mu Yunjin.
“Of course I do. Where are your cats? I’ll go choose one now, pick the ugliest one to give to Empress Dowager Zheng.” Mu Yunjin curved her lips.
…
…
“Master knows. Let him take you there.” Yellow Flame yawned.
Seeing that the matter with Yellow Flame was settled, Chu Li no longer disturbed Yellow Flame’s recovery and led Mu Yunjin outside.
After leaving the courtyard, Mu Yunjin had wanted to see the cats, but Chu Li said they were all in Zhangzhou city, so he sent Song Chun to fetch one.
……
Early the next morning, Mu Yunjin kept hearing cat meows outside her door while still half-asleep. Annoyed by the noise, she sat up in bed and walked toward the door.
In the courtyard of Liquan Pavilion, Zixiang was crouching to one side. Hearing the door open, she stood up and looked toward Mu Yunjin.
“Miss, this is the cat His Highness had brought back.” Zixiang picked up a cage from the ground and pointed it out to Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin walked down the steps to Zixiang’s side and examined the cat in the cage. It had gray fur all over, with emerald green eyes that showed a certain nobility. However, its body was so fat it was almost like a ball, giving it a somewhat adorable, silly appearance.
At the moment, perhaps because it was unfamiliar with its surroundings, the gray cat kept making anxious sounds. Mu Yunjin looked at Zixiang. “Take this cat to the neighboring courtyard and let Yellow Flame have a look.”
Zixiang nodded and carried the cage away.
Mu Yunjin returned to her room and went back to sleep. Accustomed to sleeping until late morning, she slept again until almost noon.
When she woke again, she could hear rain outside. Feeling a hint of coldness, she pulled the blanket tighter and nestled in it, increasingly reluctant to get up.
After entering Liquan Pavilion, Chu Li heard from Zixiang that Mu Yunjin had not yet risen, so he pushed open the door to her room.
Mu Yunjin was sleeping with her head resting on her hand, her back to the door. Hearing someone enter, she turned to look.
Seeing it was Chu Li, Mu Yunjin curved her lips. “You’re back?”
Chu Li nodded, walked over, and sat on the edge of her bed. “You’ve slept so long. Aren’t you getting up?”
“It’s raining outside, and there’s nothing to do anyway.” Mu Yunjin answered lazily.
Chu Li smiled faintly, then took out an envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Mu Yunjin. “This is a letter from your Third Madam.”
Hearing it was from Luo Ningyu, Mu Yunjin took it and opened it. After glancing at the contents, she nodded slightly. “They’ve settled well in Lin Yindu.”
Remembering how Luo Ningyu and Mu Xiarou had almost fallen into Rong Princess’s trap last time, Mu Yunjin still felt lingering fear.
“By the way, has Chu Qing returned?” Mu Yunjin suddenly thought of Chu Qing.
That day in the Southern Court Country, when Chu Li destroyed their undercover agents, Chu Qing should have known about it. By now, the two would likely have their facade of harmony shattered because of this matter.
Chu Li nodded. “He arrived this morning.”
“What about Rong Min? Did he return to Eastern Lin Country, or did he come with Chu Qing?” Originally, Mu Yunjin had been somewhat wary of Rong Min, but after crossing paths with him that day, she found him unremarkable. Still, she remained cautious of him in her heart.
“He stayed in the Southern Court Country to recover from his injuries.” Chu Li said.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh. That day, Rong Min had indeed been given a hard time by Hua Ying.
“Silly.” Seeing her in good spirits, Chu Li couldn’t resist reaching out to poke her cheek, teasing her.
……
The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet.
In the carriage heading to the palace, Mu Yunjin looked at the chubby gray cat in the cage, which was now sleeping after eating its fill. She couldn’t help saying, “This cat is really cute. It seems a waste to give it to Empress Dowager Zheng.”
Following Mu Yunjin’s comment, Chu Li glanced at the cat and curved his lips. “Didn’t you say that after taking advantage of someone, you should return a grand gift? Why are you being stingy now?”
Mu Yunjin recalled her joke from a few days earlier and playfully punched Chu Li, laughing a few times.
Before getting out of the carriage, Mu Yunjin placed the cat in an exquisite gift box, then carried it personally as she disembarked with Chu Li and entered the palace gates.
Arriving at Qinghuan Hall, where the banquet was being held, quite a few people had already gathered inside. As soon as Mu Yunjin stepped in, she attracted everyone’s gaze.
Many officials and consorts looked at her with terror in their eyes. After all, they had all witnessed what happened at Chu Ye’s enthronement ceremony.
Now, seeing Mu Yunjin acting as if nothing had happened, they still found it eerie. Who knew if that fire phoenix might suddenly emerge and bite someone’s neck?
After taking their seats, Mu Yunjin caught a glimpse of a figure not far from her side. Turning to look, she saw Yan Lingshang sitting in the Prime Minister’s designated area.
Suddenly, Mu Yunjin thought of Yan Lingshang’s father, Yan Qiuhuai, who had now been promoted to the position of Prime Minister. Naturally, they were seated in the front among the officials.
Yan Lingshang also noticed Mu Yunjin looking at her and chose to stand up and walk over. She bowed to Mu Yunjin and Chu Li. “Greetings to His Highness the Ning Prince and the Ning Princess.”
Chu Li naturally couldn’t be bothered to acknowledge her. Mu Yunjin tugged at the corner of her mouth and said, “No need for formalities.”
Yan Lingshang smiled.
At this moment, several more figures approached from the side. Mu Yunjin didn’t need to look up; just from the overwhelming scent of cosmetics wafting toward her, she knew who they were.
“Greetings to the Rong Princess, General Qin, and Concubine Mu.” Yan Lingshang noticed the people beside her and likewise bowed in greeting.
Rong Princess Qin Shuning was dressed in a magnificent green brocade outfit today, standing between Qin Muyue and Mu Lingzhu. Her presence completely overshadowed the two beside her.
Now, seeing Yan Lingshang bow to them, she was naturally polite in response. “No need for formalities, Miss Yan. Now that you’re the Prime Minister’s daughter, you’re still so courteous. It shows how well Prime Minister Yan has taught you.”
Mu Yunjin sat motionless, listening to the Rong Princess’s pointed remarks, and couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
But in the next second, Mu Yunjin suddenly remembered something and immediately raised her head to look at Qin Muyue. She recalled hearing that Yellow Flame had used magic to change Qin Muyue’s face to look like Old General Qin’s, and she wondered what the situation was now.
As she looked up, Mu Yunjin met Qin Muyue’s furious gaze.
Her face had returned to normal.
Mu Yunjin secretly thought, “How boring!”
“Little niece-in-law, what good things have you prepared for the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet today?” The Rong Princess’s gaze fell on the gift box beside Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin pursed her lips. “You’ll find out soon enough. What’s the point of asking?”
The Rong Princess’s expression froze. Recalling how Mu Yunjin had tied up her child to help Luo Ningyu and the others escape, she felt another wave of anger.
This little wretch, there’s just no way to deal with her.
Beside her, Qin Muyue glared at Mu Yunjin, her face stinging again. After being put under that illusion by that unknown person that day, she had gone to Autumn Leaf Mountain to find the Autumn Leaf Daoist. They had tried many methods but couldn’t remove the illusion.
After several days, the illusion had automatically disappeared, but her face still experienced waves of stinging pain. It had affected her eating and sleeping these days, and drinking many medicinal soups had proven useless. It was pure suffering for nothing!
Mu Lingzhu, knowing she couldn’t match Mu Yunjin, stood quietly to the side without saying a word.
The Rong Princess and her group didn’t want to argue with Mu Yunjin at this moment, especially with Chu Li sitting there. They were still somewhat cautious, and many words and matters were inconvenient to discuss.
After the group left and returned to their seats, Mu Yunjin sat down, moving her chair closer to Chu Li, and whispered, “Aren’t these women just hateful?”
“Mm.” Chu Li nodded, his hand under the table holding Mu Yunjin’s hand, rubbing it in his palm.
Mu Yunjin smiled. “I want to ask Yellow Flame to teach me that face-changing method, but it’s that kid’s unique secret technique. He definitely won’t teach me.”
Hearing this, Chu Li’s lips curved into a smile as he looked at her and leaned closer to Mu Yunjin. “Why don’t you ask this prince if he knows it?”
“Do you know it?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes brightened.
Before Chu Li could answer, a teasing voice came from in front of them. “Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law are so affectionate, whispering sweet nothings here!”
Hearing this voice, Mu Yunjin felt a chill down her spine. Looking up, she saw Chu Qing standing before them, a mischievous smile on his lips, but his eyes filled with deep meaning.
“Are you jealous?” Mu Yunjin asked in return, pretending to be relaxed.
Chu Qing laughed and sat down in the empty seat beside them. Now that they had all been titled princes, their seating was naturally arranged together.
“Of course I’m jealous. This prince is still all alone!” Chu Qing laughed self-mockingly.
Hearing the words “all alone,” Mu Yunjin became somewhat curious. Chu Qing was the third in line, several years older than Chu Li, yet he still hadn’t taken a proper consort.
Beside her, Chu Li pressed his thin lips together, gripping Mu Yunjin’s hand a bit tighter.
Feeling her hand being squeezed painfully, Mu Yunjin naturally understood Chu Li’s meaning and stopped engaging with Chu Qing, sitting quietly and drinking her tea.
Strangely, Mu Yunjin felt surrounded by wolves and tigers.
To the left were the seats of the Rong Prince’s residence, and to the right was Prince Chen Chu Qing’s seat. Today’s birthday banquet for Empress Dowager Zheng would inevitably bring another storm.
Not wanting to cause trouble, Mu Yunjin could only hope in her heart that this banquet would end quickly.
“His Highness the Crown Prince arrives—”
An announcement came from outside the door. Mu Yunjin looked toward the sound and saw Chu Ye enter the grand doors of Qinghuan Hall, surrounded by a group of people. Dressed in a black dragon robe, he appeared imposing and extraordinary.
“Fourth Brother…” Chu Qing suddenly called out, stopping Chu Ye, who was originally heading toward the Crown Prince’s seat.
Chu Ye paused, then walked over.