“It doesn’t hurt,” Mu Yunjin shook her head with a smile.

Seeing her still smiling, Chu Li cast a displeased glance at her. He wanted to call her a fool, but looking at her wounds from the eagle pecks, his heart was filled more with helpless tenderness and pain.

He took out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, opened the lid, and a medicinal scent spread throughout the air. Chu Li dipped his finger in the medicine and carefully applied it to Mu Yunjin’s wounds.

Mu Yunjin’s injuries were no longer serious. That day at the foot of Pingfeng Cliff, after taking the medicine pill given by that old woman, they had mostly healed. However, there were many places pecked by the eagles, leaving numerous scars.

Now, seeing Chu Li furrowing his brow as he carefully applied medicine to her wounds, Mu Yunjin didn’t blink, feeling as if sparks were bursting in her heart. The smile in her eyes was impossible to hide, and she burst out laughing.

Chu Li’s hand paused slightly as he looked up at Mu Yunjin. “What are you laughing at?”

“What kind of medicine is this?” Mu Yunjin couldn’t very well tell Chu Li she was being infatuated with him, so she changed the subject, turning her attention to the medicine he was applying.

“I got it from Qingmeng. It’s for removing scars,” Chu Li answered. He was already annoyed enough after treating several wounds on her front, but when he moved behind Mu Yunjin and saw five or six more wounds on her back, his eyes grew cold with fury.

Mu Yunjin felt the chill coming from behind her and shivered slightly. Fearing Chu Li would take out his anger on Huang Yan, she said, “No one could have predicted the eagle attack on the way. Fortunately, everyone is safe and sound. Please don’t blame Huang Yan. He has been very responsible throughout this journey.”

Chu Li snorted lightly, “Take care of yourself first.”

“Have you met with Huang Yan yet? It’s almost dawn, and I still need to go back to prepare. Today I have to infiltrate the court,” Mu Yunjin said, fastening her clothes after the medicine was applied.

Before Chu Li could speak, Mu Yunjin asked again, “Have you resolved everything in the Western Yuan Kingdom?”

“Xu Heyu and the others are keeping watch,” Chu Li replied. “You don’t need to go to court anymore. Someone will go in your place. You stay and keep this prince company.”

“Huh?” Mu Yunjin thought she had misheard.

Chu Li tapped her head, “You wouldn’t understand anything there anyway. Don’t waste time. Wait for them to return and tell you the situation.”

“Why do I feel like you’re insulting my exceptionally intelligent brain?” Mu Yunjin touched her chin. She had wanted to mention her IQ, but figured Chu Li wouldn’t understand that term.

“This prince can only stay for one morning. I must return to Western Yuan by afternoon. Do you want to go to court, or do you want to be with this prince?” Chu Li glanced at Mu Yunjin, his eyes containing traces of amusement.

Mu Yunjin paused, “You’re leaving so soon?”

She realized she didn’t have much to do in the Northern Ming Kingdom, but with Qiu Ye and the others targeting it, and having come all this way, she couldn’t just completely abandon it, especially since her father and mother were here.

“Mm,” Chu Li held Mu Yunjin’s hand, gently caressing it.

“Then I’ll stay with you.” Mu Yunjin had no more hesitation. She lifted the carriage curtain to look outside. The sky was already brightening. “I’ll take you somewhere.”

After speaking, Mu Yunjin jumped out of the carriage first.

Once out of the carriage, Chu Li leisurely stepped down as well. After surveying the surroundings, his gaze settled on Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin scratched her head. She had originally planned to take Chu Li to the Jinxiu Palace that North Hall Wenfeng had mentioned yesterday. That palace had been bestowed upon her, and since she wasn’t currently residing there, it should be empty.

But how to get to Jinxiu Palace was her dilemma.

“Where are we going?” Chu Li noticed her standing frozen in place and revealed a smile.

“Let’s go outside,” Mu Yunjin suddenly remembered that she had rented a room at an inn yesterday, which would be perfect to take Chu Li to. The streets might be full of Qiu Ye’s spies, making it unsuitable to move around too much outside.

With that, Mu Yunjin took Chu Li’s hand and headed out.

After walking a few steps, Huang Yan and Ding Xian flew in from outside the palace wall. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, Ding Xian bowed to her, “Greetings, Princess Consort.”

“Mm,” Mu Yunjin nodded. Though it had only been a few days since they last met, it felt like half a year had passed.

Upon seeing Chu Li, Huang Yan hid behind Ding Xian.

Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow, “We’ll be going now. It’s in your hands.”

“Ahem, have a pleasant journey,” Huang Yan coughed lightly, automatically avoiding Chu Li’s gaze. After watching Mu Yunjin and Chu Li leave through the North Palace gate, he patted Ding Xian’s shoulder.

“Brother Xian, the young master…” Huang Yan hesitated.

Ding Xian glanced at Huang Yan, “Our Prince only listens to the Princess Consort. Just keep the Princess Consort happy.”

Huang Yan pouted.

…

After leaving the palace gate, Mu Yunjin seemed to remember something and covered her cheek with her hand. Looking up at Chu Li, she asked, “My face right now is changed by Huang Yan’s illusion technique. When you kissed me earlier, weren’t you essentially kissing someone else?”

Chu Li was defeated by her bizarre train of thought. His mouth twitched slightly, “When this prince pulled you into the carriage, I had already changed you back to your original appearance.”

“What?!” Mu Yunjin touched her face again, then raised her chin, “Your Thousand Faces technique is so unfair. I want to learn it too!”

Chu Li curled his lips, “That depends on your performance.”

“How stingy! Aren’t husband and wife supposed to share both fortune and hardship? You won’t even fulfill this small request!” Mu Yunjin crossed her arms and glared at Chu Li.

She had been itching to learn this Thousand Faces technique for a long time. The ability to change one’s appearance without using human skin masks was incredibly convenient!

Chu Li was pleased by Mu Yunjin’s use of the term “husband and wife,” and the amusement in his eyes deepened. But considering that the Thousand Faces technique would deplete her internal energy, he still didn’t agree to her request.

“Didn’t you say we haven’t officially performed the marriage ceremony, so we’re not truly husband and wife?” Chu Li teased her.

Hearing Chu Li bring this up, Mu Yunjin suddenly remembered how she had threatened Chu Li before: if he didn’t welcome her into his home with proper ceremony, he shouldn’t even think about crossing the final line of defense.

Now this guy was throwing it all back at her.

“Hmph, then I won’t learn it,” Mu Yunjin tossed her braid and walked forward a few steps on her own. When they were still some distance from the inn, she used her lightness skill to fly toward the back window they had used the previous night.

Chu Li followed behind her, and the two easily entered the inn room.

Not far away, two figures emerged from the shadows, gazing in the direction where Chu Li and Mu Yunjin had disappeared. One of the figures sighed, “That child Li has indeed been dragged into Northern Ming’s mess again. This palace truly doesn’t know what to do with that girl Mu. Are you certain she won’t harm Li?”

“You’re overthinking this. Prince Ning’s heart is now completely devoted to Mu, and with the Northern Ming Emperor being Mu’s father, how could he not intervene?”

The two speakers were Consort Rong and Imperial Tutor An, who had rushed over from the Southern Ting Kingdom.

“At this point, this palace can only listen to you. This time, even that boy Yun Lianqing has gotten involved, which is beyond this palace’s expectations. Does he think being the Crown Prince of Southern Ting is too boring and wants to find something to do?” When mentioning the current Crown Prince of Southern Ting, Yun Lianqing, Consort Rong’s eyes were full of disdain.

Imperial Tutor An had been reluctant to come to Northern Ming, and now, seeing Consort Rong simply going back and forth with complaints, he was overwhelmed. “You’ve seen Prince Ning. We should return now. Northern Ming is currently full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. It’s not suitable to stay long.”

“Since when have you feared such things?” Consort Rong had known Imperial Tutor An for many years and was naturally aware of his abilities.

“It’s not fear, but concern that with all of us gathered in Northern Ming, some might take advantage of the situation behind our backs. If you’re worried about your son, you’d be better off returning to Southern Ting to keep an eye on that boy Yun Lianqing. This alliance of Qiu Ye and the others might seem secretive, but anyone with a discerning eye has already noticed.”

In Western Yuan, Prince Ning’s subordinates are monitoring Chu Qing and the Qin family’s movements. The Crown Prince of Eastern Lin, Rong Jiu, is also a meticulous person. Rong Min previously attempted to assassinate him, so he has likely already taken note of Rong Min’s little maneuvers. Now, only Southern Ting remains. As for that boy Yun Lianqing, you, as his mother, should watch over him on behalf of Prince Ning!”

Imperial Tutor An’s words struck at Consort Rong’s heart. She nodded woodenly, then glanced once more in the direction of the inn.

“Don’t forget one last thing: Mu Yunjin is the Phoenix Lady,” Imperial Tutor An reminded Consort Rong.

“Fine, since you’ve said so much, this palace will stop worrying. Let’s return to Southern Ting now. As for Northern Ming, let that girl, Princess Jinhua, handle it herself.” With these words, Consort Rong sighed and turned to leave.

Imperial Tutor An walked behind her, chuckling softly with his hands behind his back. He calculated a divination with his fingers, and his expression darkened slightly.

Great calamity!

…

“I randomly rented a room here last night to search for clues about Qiu Ye and the others. Who would have thought it would be for you?” Mu Yunjin sat in a chair, eating the food brought up by the waiter from downstairs. Her gaze occasionally fell on Chu Li, who was resting with his eyes closed on the bed.

Upon hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, Chu Li merely nodded faintly, without even lifting his eyelids.

Mu Yunjin rested her chin on her hand. Seeing him so exhausted, her heart fluttered. Chu Li must have rushed over immediately after learning about her being injured by the eagles.

Ah, this man…

Fortunately, he probably didn’t know she had fallen off a cliff, too, right?

Thinking of the master and disciple at the bottom of the cliff, Mu Yunjin blinked, curious about their identities and the “old ghost” the old woman had mentioned, who raised the eagles.

Old ghost, eagles, blood bats…

Mu Yunjin frowned, inexplicably linking the blood bats with those eagles. At the same time, the image of a black-robed figure with bloodthirsty, piercing eyes seemed to appear before her.

Mu Yunjin’s heart suddenly sank.

“What are you thinking about?” Though Chu Li was very tired, with Mu Yunjin present, he hadn’t allowed himself to fall asleep and had been resting with his eyes closed. When he suddenly couldn’t hear her speaking, he opened his eyes to look at her and saw her staring blankly, lost in thought.

Hearing Chu Li’s voice, Mu Yunjin was startled, “Do you know about the Witch Tribe?”