Hearing this, Mu Yunjin looked down at her blood-stained clothes and pressed her lips together. She found that the places where the eagles had pecked her still hurt a bit, but the bleeding had stopped. The rest of her body felt fine now.

“Just good luck, that’s all. This place isn’t suitable for lingering. Let’s leave first.” Mu Yunjin turned to look back at Pingfeng Cliff in the distance and sighed lightly. She had almost lost her life there.

Everyone nodded and got up to leave.

…

After walking for several li, the group arrived at a small town. Seeing that everyone had depleted some energy along the way, Huang Yan found an inn for everyone to rest a while.

After entering the inn, Mu Yunjin asked the attendant to open a room for her, while the others stayed downstairs to eat.

In the room, Mu Yunjin changed out of her tattered clothes and checked her wounds. She got some hot water to wipe away the dried blood on her body.

Sitting on the bed, as Mu Yunjin’s hand touched her shoulder, she seemed to remember something. She got up and walked to the bronze mirror, turned around, and looked at her back.

After staring for a while, she saw nothing on her back except for a few wounds.

…

…

Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but feel puzzled. She remembered that at the bottom of Pingfeng Cliff, the old woman had initially been determined not to save her. But later, after she and the little girl seemed to see something on her back, they changed their minds and saved her.

With that thought, Mu Yunjin picked up the torn clothes from the floor and examined them, discovering that indeed a piece of fabric from the back had been torn away by the old woman.

Mu Yunjin frowned, her eyes revealing suspicion.

When she went downstairs, the others had almost finished eating. Mu Yunjin walked over and sat down.

“Princess Consort, the Master said you like red bean porridge, but this place only has simple white porridge. Please make do with it.” Huang Yan placed a bowl of white porridge in front of Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin nodded. Hearing Huang Yan mention Chu Li, she asked, “Chu Li said he had some matters to attend to these days. What matters?”

“The Qin family has been making some small moves, and the Master is monitoring them,” Huang Yan answered frankly.

“Hmm.” Mu Yunjin didn’t ask further, but she felt that it probably wasn’t that simple.

After eating, the group continued on their journey.

…

Prince Ning’s Mansion.

“Your Highness, it’s about time. You should go to the palace.” Ding Xian stood outside Chu Li’s bedroom door and reminded him.

A moment later, the bedroom door opened, and a figure of extraordinary grace stepped out slowly, with an indifferent expression and a calm, profound countenance.

“Let’s go,” Chu Li said flatly.

Ding Xian nodded.

When they reached the front hall, Qu Xinyao was standing there with her arms crossed. Her beautiful face was dim, brows furrowed, and her beautiful eyes revealed some impatience, yet her sidelong glances occasionally drifted toward a blue figure nearby.

“Cough, cough, cough.” Xu Heyu automatically ignored Qu Xinyao’s furious gaze and coughed several times, his face somewhat pale.

“The weather has turned cold. City Lord Xu must be chilled. Have some ginger tea to warm up.” Seeing Xu Heyu cough several times early in the morning, Mamma Shen brought a bowl of ginger tea.

“Thank you.” Xu Heyu nodded to Mamma Shen.

On the side, Qu Xinyao snorted coldly upon seeing this scene. “Mamma Shen, he’s sickly like this all year round. Don’t be fooled by him.”

Mamma Shen was startled, knowing that City Lord Qu had a fiery temperament, so she didn’t interject. She smoothed her clothes and walked away.

When Chu Li entered the front hall, he saw Xu Heyu drinking ginger tea, while Qu Xinyao wore an impatient expression, yet her eyes were fixed intently on Xu Heyu.

“His Highness is here. Let’s go.” Xu Heyu set down his bowl and stood up.

“Xu Heyu, hurry up and finish your ginger tea!” Qu Xinyao glanced at the still half-full bowl of ginger tea and spoke irritably, then looked away.

Xu Heyu had no choice but to drink the remaining ginger tea in one gulp.

“Let’s go.” Chu Li was long accustomed to the years of entanglement between these two, and with a faint smile, he walked out.

Xu Heyu followed beside Chu Li. As he passed by Qu Xinyao, he said softly, “It’s a bit cold outside. You’d better bring a cloak.”

With that, he walked out the door.

Qu Xinyao watched Xu Heyu’s retreating figure, her expression somewhat complicated, but she still involuntarily took the cloak hanging on the chair and put it on, following after them.

…

Today in the court, the atmosphere was unusually solemn and grave.

The Western Ming Emperor sat on the dragon throne in the great hall, his hands resting on his knees. He swept his gaze around the hall below, finally resting on the three additional people.

“Minister Yan, you specially summoned the three city lords here today. What is your intention?” The Western Ming Emperor glanced at Prime Minister Yan Qiuhuai.

Originally, Yan Qiuhuai had proposed to have the three city lords attend court for discussion, and he had thoroughly disagreed. But then thinking that Qu Xinyao was also among them, he had nodded and agreed.

“Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report, concerning Prince Ning’s mansion,” Yan Qiuhuai stepped out of line, his face tense and expression extremely serious.

Hearing the words “Prince Ning’s mansion,” everyone instinctively looked at Chu Li.

Chu Li stood silently in place, his lips pressed together, as if unaware of Yan Qiuhuai’s words. His eyes were unfocused, making his emotions impossible to read.

“Proceed,” the Western Ming Emperor frowned, glancing at Chu Li.

Yan Qiuhuai nodded, looked at Old General Qin to the side, then cleared his throat and spoke loudly, “This old minister has heard that Prince Ning…”

“Achoo—” A loud sneeze broke the quiet, eerie atmosphere in the court.

Qu Xinyao covered her mouth, and seeing everyone looking at her, her eyes showed apology. She gave an embarrassed smile to the Western Ming Emperor on the throne. “Your Majesty, I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold it in.”

Facing Qu Xinyao, the Western Ming Emperor was always patient. He nodded to her, “It’s fine.”

“Minister Yan, please continue.”

“This old minister has heard that Prince Ning has been in close contact with Master Huaiyuan, the current abbot of Water Cloud Temple, and seems to be plotting something in secret.” Yan Qiuhuai spoke up.

As soon as Yan Qiuhuai finished, the court fell silent again.

The Western Ming Emperor frowned, looking at Yan Qiuhuai. “Minister Yan, do you have evidence for these claims?”

“Of course. Elder Wenyuan and Elder Mingyuan from Water Cloud Temple can testify. They saw Prince Ning frequently having private conversations with Master Huaiyuan. During each conversation, there was a formation set outside the door, and Prince Ning’s guards were standing watch, preventing others from approaching,” Yan Qiuhuai continued.

“Though you say so, you still lack substantial evidence to prove that Prince Ning’s conversations with Master Huaiyuan would endanger our Western Ming Country,” the Western Ming Emperor spoke somewhat impatiently. The thing he hated most in the world was such baseless accusations.

“Exactly! Just talking with no proof or evidence—how can anyone believe what you’re saying?” Qu Xinyao laughed coldly.

Seeing Qu Xinyao supporting his words for the first time, the Western Ming Emperor’s eyebrows rose with pleasure, and he continued along with her words. “Indeed, and considering Prince Ning’s special status as my son, if Minister Yan cannot provide real evidence, then you are wrongfully accusing Li’er. Today I shall have to punish you.”

Yan Qiuhuai opened his mouth and looked toward Old General Qin.

At this moment, Old General Qin stepped out from the line and bowed slightly to the Western Ming Emperor. “This old minister dares to speak. There is a matter I’m not sure if I should mention.”

“You may speak.”

“Does Your Majesty still remember Consort Rong, who is confined in Water Cloud Temple?” Old General Qin asked.

At the mention of Consort Rong, the Western Ming Emperor’s expression darkened. He wanted to get angry but was constrained by Chu Li’s presence. “Why do you bring this up?”

“This old minister has heard that Prince Ning’s wife, Mu Yunjin, has somehow broken the formation using some kind of magic, and has secretly established a sect. The subordinates in this sect all have strange appearances, neither human nor demonic, and they all possess extraordinary skills.”

“Also, not long ago, on the day of the execution of the Sacred Maiden of Southern Court, Prince Ning and his wife secretly appeared in Southern Court and were discovered by the Second Prince of Eastern Frontier, who was also there. The two of them injured the Second Prince severely. If the guards from Eastern Frontier hadn’t arrived in time, I’m afraid…”

Old General Qin trailed off and lowered his eyes, waiting for the Western Ming Emperor’s response.

By now, people in the court had begun to whisper and discuss among themselves—

“Could the Prince Ning’s wife be a demon woman? Do you remember the fire phoenix on her back last time?”

“Prince Ning must have been bewitched by the demon woman, otherwise why would he injure the Prince of Eastern Frontier…”

“…”

As everyone spoke, the Western Ming Emperor’s face turned ashen. He cast a glance at Chu Li. “Li’er, is what Old General Qin said true or false?”

“Your son has never heard of this matter,” Chu Li said coldly, his voice deep.

“After the Second Prince of Eastern Frontier was injured, he had an envoy send a letter over, which was intercepted by the border soldiers and handed to this old minister. I initially wanted to write a letter to comfort the Second Prince privately, but after careful consideration, I thought it would be better to let Your Majesty decide.” Having said this, Old General Qin took out a sealed letter from his sleeve.

Eunuch Lu walked down from the throne, took the sealed letter from Old General Qin, and went up to hand it to the Western Ming Emperor.

The Western Ming Emperor opened the letter and quickly read through its contents. At the end of the letter was the exclusive seal of Eastern Frontier.

“Outrageous!” The Western Ming Emperor crumpled the letter into a ball and pointed angrily at Chu Li. “Last time, when that demon woman Mu Yunjin killed Qing Qiang in the hall, you disregarded my face and took her away privately, defying my imperial decree. I had already swallowed that anger.”

“I didn’t expect that this time you would still follow Mu Yunjin’s reckless behavior and injure the Prince of Eastern Frontier. Did you not think clearly before doing such a thing that harms the relations between our two countries?!” The Western Ming Emperor grew angrier as he thought about it. Originally, Chu Li was his most proud son, and once his most promising successor, but now he was indulging in beauty, being led by the nose by a woman!

After hearing the Western Ming Emperor’s words, Old General Qin’s eyes flashed with a trace of victory. Just as he was about to add a few more words, Chu Li’s clear, deep voice resonated in the hall—

“Your son also has a matter to report.”

Hearing that Chu Li also had something to say, Old General Qin’s expression changed.

“Speak,” the Western Ming Emperor gripped his fists. He had always believed that his kingdom was governed in good order, only to learn today that there were so many things happening beneath the surface that he didn’t know about.

Chu Li nodded, suddenly turning to look at Old General Qin, a very faint smile curving his lips.

This smile from Chu Li made Old General Qin feel a chill rising from the soles of his feet, even gripping his heart with fear.

“Father, look at this…”