Mu Yunjin left wearing only a straw raincoat. For some reason, she particularly wanted to see Chu Li. After leaving through the back gate of the prince’s residence, she used her qinggong to travel toward Shuiyun Temple outside the city.

After passing through the city gate, the rain grew heavier. Mu Yunjin slowed her pace, suddenly regretting not having sent for a carriage from the residence.

Under a large tree on the other side, Mu Lingzhu had been dragged outside the city by the servants from the Ning Prince’s residence. After making an excuse to dismiss them, she now found herself stranded in the heavy rain, barely able to move. She could only seek shelter under a large tree.

Just as she was contemplating how to approach Mu Yunjin, she caught a glimpse of a familiar figure from the corner of her eye. Mu Lingzhu looked over and saw Mu Yunjin using qinggong to rush in a certain direction.

“In such heavy rain, where could she be going alone?” Mu Lingzhu furrowed her brow, then sensed something was amiss. Taking advantage of Mu Yunjin’s reduced speed, she lifted her soaking wet skirt and followed in the direction Mu Yunjin had gone.

The sound of the pouring rain masked many other noises, so Mu Yunjin didn’t notice someone following her.

Having visited Shuiyun Temple multiple times, Mu Yunjin was quite familiar with its terrain. She flew directly to the back mountain of Shuiyun Temple. In a deserted spot, she removed her raincoat and walked toward Master Huaiyuan’s meditation courtyard.

Mu Lingzhu followed to the outside of Shuiyun Temple, nearly out of breath. She leaned against a stone pillar, biting her lip and secretly marveling at how Mu Yunjin had acquired such skills!

For a moment, Mu Lingzhu felt that learning martial arts was much more useful than learning poetry and literature.

…

…

With that thought, Mu Lingzhu tidied her clothes and entered through Shuiyun Temple’s main gate.

……

On her way to the meditation courtyard, Mu Yunjin walked very cautiously the entire time. She couldn’t quite explain this feeling herself.

It seemed like she was afraid of being spotted by Chu Li.

Standing at the base of the courtyard steps, Mu Yunjin looked up and saw no guards at the entrance. She bit her lip, then stepped forward and walked toward the courtyard.

She entered Master Huaiyuan’s meditation courtyard without any hindrance, but when she was some distance from Master Huaiyuan’s room, Mu Yunjin sensed the presence of spiritual energy around her.

Mu Yunjin stopped, reached out to touch the air in front of her, and, feeling an invisible barrier, she realized there was a formation set up all around. No wonder there were no guards at the courtyard entrance.

Now Mu Yunjin was even more surprised. What could they be discussing that required setting up a formation?

After thinking for a moment, Mu Yunjin left the courtyard and changed direction, heading toward the back.

Mu Lingzhu had been searching for Mu Yunjin since entering Shuiyun Temple. Like a blind cat catching a dead mouse, she finally spotted Mu Yunjin’s hurried figure near the meditation courtyard.

Mu Yunjin took a roundabout route and finally crouched down at the back window of Master Huaiyuan’s meditation room. Although she could sense that the entire room was protected by a formation, crouching at the back window allowed her to faintly hear some voices.

Mu Yunjin calmed her mind and moved closer to the back window, trying her best to hear more clearly. Soon enough, conversation sounds came through—

Inside the meditation room.

“Master, we’ve confirmed that the National Advisor of Southern Court Country is indeed Master Kong Shi. Should we ask him to remove Concubine Rong’s formation?” Yellow Flame sat on a soft couch, his injuries not yet fully healed, looking somewhat fatigued.

Chu Li’s cool eyes narrowed slightly, as if pondering something, then he shook his head and said flatly, “No need.”

“Abbot Kong Shi is the only person who has seen the Divine Decree. I wonder if the token is now in his hands,” Master Huaiyuan sighed.

“That’s unknown, but one thing is curious—why would he go to Southern Court Country to serve as National Advisor? Could he have secretly received benefits from the Southern Court ruler and is now working for them?” Ding Xian asked with puzzlement.

“Master, what do you think?” After listening to everyone, Yellow Flame still felt it was best to hear Chu Li’s thoughts.

“He has already shown half his fox’s tail. For the rest, let’s wait and see.” Chu Li’s voice was deep and clear, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Hearing this, the people in the meditation room nodded.

Master Huaiyuan paused for a moment, then spoke again with a hint of hesitation, “Then… does the Princess know National Advisor An’s true identity? After all, last time, she was also involved in searching for the Divine Decree. It’s quite possible that National Advisor An revealed it to her.”

“Moreover, her purpose in seeking the Divine Decree may not be the same as ours,” Master Huaiyuan said.

With these words, a dead silence fell over the room.

In Southern Court Country, National Advisor An had inexplicably summoned Mu Yunjin twice. And earlier, when Master Kong Shi had left clues to break the formation, they had all been stumped, yet Mu Yunjin had been able to solve them easily.

It was difficult to imagine what situation might arise if Kong Shi and Mu Yunjin were conspiring together.

After hearing Master Huaiyuan’s words, Yellow Flame also felt a sense of alarm. Right now, they couldn’t tell whether this National Advisor An was friend or foe. If a friend, that would be fine, but if an enemy…

Then it would be problematic.

Chu Li’s expression turned cold, his hand gently caressing a black chess piece, his thoughts becoming oddly complex.

“Your Highness, if the Princess is truly allied with National Advisor An…” Master Huaiyuan hesitated to continue.

“…”

……

Whether due to the rain or something else, Mu Yunjin now felt cold all over. She bit her lip hard, suppressing her emotions.

The Divine Decree…

So Chu Li had known all along.

They also knew National Advisor An’s identity.

She desperately wanted to know how Chu Li would answer Master Huaiyuan’s final question.

But after waiting for a long time without hearing a response, Mu Yunjin suddenly laughed mockingly at herself. What did the no answer represent?

Wasn’t it that he half-distrusted her?

Mu Yunjin suddenly felt as if her heart had shattered halfway. She had always known that Chu Li kept some things from her, and she had thought that perhaps he didn’t want her to step into those circles.

But she never imagined they would suspect her.

Now Chu Li was the person she trusted most, but today she had heard them doubting her. How could she face Chu Li in the future?

What would Chu Li be thinking when facing her?

Mu Yunjin truly hated this feeling of mutual suspicion. Her gaze gradually became unfocused as she moved away from the window.

At that moment, from inside the window came Chu Li’s voice, filled with absolute certainty—

“She would never betray this prince.”

……

Mu Lingzhu had been waiting for Mu Yunjin near the meditation courtyard. Growing impatient and about to leave, she spotted Mu Yunjin looking somewhat lost and dazed.

What happened?

Mu Lingzhu was surprised, then her eyes shifted thoughtfully before she stepped out to directly confront Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin’s mind was buzzing, her heart a tangled mess, feeling depressed and suppressed with no outlet. As she walked, someone blocked her path.

Looking up, she met Mu Lingzhu’s smiling face. “Sister, what a coincidence! I happened to come to Shuiyun Temple to offer incense, and I ran into you.”

Seeing it was Mu Lingzhu, Mu Yunjin grew even more irritated and walked around her to continue forward.

Mu Lingzhu naturally wouldn’t let Mu Yunjin leave. She followed beside her, smiling as she spoke, “Sister, what’s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?”

“None of your damn business. Get lost!” Mu Yunjin snapped angrily, glaring at Mu Lingzhu as she strode forward.

“Stop right there!” Remembering the Rong Princess’s warning, Mu Lingzhu decided to go all in. “You were sneaking into the meditation courtyard earlier. What are you plotting?”

Mu Yunjin halted her steps.

Seeing her stop, Mu Lingzhu continued, “Sister, today I have something to ask of you. If you don’t have the patience to listen, then I’ll just wait here and see who comes out of the meditation courtyard later.”

Mu Yunjin turned around, suppressing her anger. “What do you want to say?”

“Let’s talk privately,” Mu Lingzhu looked at Mu Yunjin with a smile, as if she had already achieved her goal.

Mu Yunjin patiently walked with Mu Lingzhu to a corner, crossing her arms with a gloomy face. “Speak.”

“Sister, I returned to the Rong Prince’s residence because I was devastated by my father’s death. But after these days, I understand…”

“What did Qin Shuning send you to do?” Mu Yunjin had no patience for Mu Lingzhu’s hypocritical words and got straight to the point.

Mu Lingzhu was startled, not expecting Mu Yunjin to be so direct. After carefully examining Mu Yunjin’s expression, she felt a flash of surprise.

“Hurry up and speak. If you don’t, I’m leaving!” Mu Yunjin suppressed her anger.

“Do you know the whereabouts of Third Madam and Fifth Sister?” Mu Lingzhu asked cautiously.

Mu Yunjin laughed coldly. “No.”

After speaking, finding it boring, she couldn’t be bothered to deal with Mu Lingzhu anymore.

“Sister…” Mu Lingzhu couldn’t miss this opportunity to speak with Mu Yunjin. She hurriedly caught up, then knelt directly in front of Mu Yunjin, clutching her skirt tightly.

“Sister, please save me. I’m truly afraid of Qin Shuning. Living with her, I’m on edge every day. Can you help me one more time?” Mu Lingzhu pleaded tearfully.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, glancing down at Mu Lingzhu. Just as mocking words were about to leave her mouth, Mu Lingzhu continued, “Father died because of you, and our elder brother has disappeared. The Third Madam and the Fifth Sister have left too. The entire Mu family collapsed overnight. If your father knows from the underworld, he would want you to help me. After all, I am his flesh and blood, and he raised you…”

Hmph…

Emotional blackmail?

Mu Yunjin felt her mood was truly awful today. She clenched her fists tightly, then slowly crouched down, her gaze level with Mu Lingzhu’s.

Mu Lingzhu felt frightened under Mu Yunjin’s cold stare.

“If father truly knows from the underworld, he would certainly want me to send you down to accompany him.” Mu Yunjin suddenly flashed a beautiful smile, slowly placing her hand on Mu Lingzhu’s delicate neck.

Mu Lingzhu felt Mu Yunjin grip her neck. Her body suddenly trembled as she sensed the hand tightening, as if it could snap her neck at any moment.

“You…” Mu Lingzhu was terrified.

Mu Yunjin laughed bitterly. “Do I look easy to bully? Why does everyone treat me like a fool? Do I need to start killing before you all realize that I…”

That I once sincerely considered you all as my family.

But how did you all repay me?

What do you all take me for?