Witch Tribe…
At the mention of these words, Chu Li’s gaze paused slightly. Instead of answering Mu Yunjin directly, he asked, “Why do you ask?”
“I heard Qiqi and the others mention it yesterday. Just curious,” Mu Yunjin smiled faintly, not elaborating further. Chu Li would only be staying for half a day, so there was no need to make him worry about other matters.
“Mm,” Chu Li responded lightly, then spoke to Mu Yunjin in a calm, gentle voice, “Come rest with this prince for a while.”
Mu Yunjin’s heart fluttered as she walked over, removed her shoes, and lay down beside Chu Li. As soon as she did, she was drawn into a warm embrace.
Though Mu Yunjin hadn’t felt particularly sleepy before, now being held in Chu Li’s arms, she inexplicably felt at ease. She wrapped her arms around him in return, and before long, drowsiness overtook her and she fell into a deep sleep.
The room was peaceful and tranquil.
…
After some time, Mu Yunjin heard a knocking sound. When she slowly opened her eyes, Chu Li had already gotten up and walked to the door. Just before opening it, he glanced back at Mu Yunjin.
“Huang Yan and the others are here,” Chu Li said.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin’s drowsiness mostly vanished. She sat up on the bed, tidied her disheveled hair, put on her shoes, and sat on the edge of the bed.
Seeing her in this state, Chu Li curled his lips in a faint smile and opened the door.
Huang Yan and Ding Xian entered together. Upon noticing Mu Yunjin sitting on the edge of the bed, Huang Yan scratched his head and glanced at Chu Li, lamenting inwardly if he had interrupted something between them.
“Did you learn anything at court?” Mu Yunjin didn’t understand why Huang Yan’s eyes were darting around as soon as he entered, so she questioned him directly.
Upon hearing this, Huang Yan nodded, “Today at court, Prime Minister Yang specifically requested that the Northern Ming Emperor punish Lady Qing and give justice to the injured Princess Jingyang.”
“Hmm? Just that?” Mu Yunjin was surprised. “Could you tell who was disguised as Prime Minister Yang?”
After Mu Yunjin’s question, Huang Yan looked toward Ding Xian.
Catching Huang Yan’s glance, Ding Xian stepped forward and addressed Chu Li and Mu Yunjin, “Prime Minister Yang showed no signs of disguise, but his eyes were vacant, and there was a faint black malevolent energy between his brows. He appears to be under someone’s mental control.”
“So Prime Minister Yang submitted a petition requesting punishment for Lady Qing. What did the others say?” Mu Yunjin didn’t bother guessing who was controlling Prime Minister Yang’s mind and turned her gaze back to Huang Yan.
“Some officials who are usually close to Prime Minister Yang echoed his sentiments, but since this young master was also present, I naturally couldn’t let them have their way. After arguing with them for a while, the matter was eventually dropped. Oh, and the Northern Ming Emperor also decreed that Prime Minister Yang is forbidden from meeting the Empress in private, or he will be charged with causing disorder in the imperial harem,” Huang Yan reported the situation to Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin frowned, crossing her arms, “You said Prime Minister Yang’s mind was controlled, yet he specifically called for punishing Lady Qing. Have they perhaps already grown suspicious of Lady Qing’s identity?”
“The fact that Lady Qing is the Holy Maiden of Southern Ting cannot be concealed for long from those who have seen the Holy Maiden before. I think they targeted Lady Qing today, knowing full well that the Northern Ming Emperor wouldn’t agree to punish her. If someone were to spread rumors among the common people afterward, the Northern Ming Emperor would appear to be a ruler who neglects his duties for the sake of beauty,” Huang Yan said.
“There’s another possibility—they might be trying to draw out the snake,” Chu Li calmly interjected, his clear gaze falling on Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin pouted, glancing sideways at Chu Li, “I’m not afraid of confronting them directly. What I fear is that I can’t defeat that old man Qiu Ye…”
She trailed off, feeling particularly cowardly.
Among those people, she could handle Qin Muyue if she tried her best, and the old fox Qin with his aging bones might also be manageable in a direct fight, but Qiu Ye alone…
She couldn’t gain any advantage against him!
Chu Li stroked her head, staring at her for a long time before raising his eyebrows, his eyes filled with amusement, “Don’t worry about him.”
“Why not?” Mu Yunjin blinked, not understanding Chu Li’s meaning.
Chu Li smiled lightly, “Because this prince has invited your master, one of the Three Great Masters, to come and assist you.”
What?
Mu Yunjin was momentarily stunned. After carefully processing Chu Li’s words, a wave of wild joy surged within her.
“You invited that old man? Where is he?” Mu Yunjin craned her neck, looking in all directions. Just a few days ago, she had regretted not asking Feng Xuandaoren to come along. Now that Chu Li had invited him, it was like being given a huge reassurance.
Seeing her looking around everywhere, almost as if she would search under the bed, Chu Li couldn’t help but tap her head, “This prince arrives and doesn’t see you this excited?”
“You and I? What’s there to be excited about?” Mu Yunjin batted her eyelashes flirtatiously at Chu Li, bumping his arm as she spoke.
“Heartless,” Chu Li glared at her, his tone ominous.
Mu Yunjin had long since stopped fearing Chu Li’s intimidation tactics. She returned a brilliantly radiant smile, grabbing hold of his arm, no longer looking around. If that old man knew how eagerly she awaited his arrival, his tail would probably be high in the sky with pride.
“It’s getting late. This prince needs to return,” Chu Li glanced at the water clock, a flash of coldness passing through his eyes as he spoke with particular reluctance.
Upon hearing these words, Mu Yunjin was also startled. Her grip on Chu Li tightened, her gaze lowering slightly as an emptiness suddenly filled her heart.
She had just seen him, and now they had to part again…
At this moment, Mu Yunjin was very unhappy.
Huang Yan and Ding Xian perceptively walked out, closing the door behind them.
“Why so clingy now?” Chu Li drew her into his embrace, his lips holding a smile. Though he was reluctant to part from her, they had to separate temporarily.
However, upon suddenly discovering this little woman’s strong reluctance to part from him, he felt somewhat pleased in his heart.
Mu Yunjin’s lips were slightly pursed as she leaned against Chu Li’s chest, her eyes gradually reddening. Over this period, she had grown accustomed to having such a person by her side, someone who arranged everything for her and didn’t let her worry about anything.
But after being away from him for just a few days, she discovered that facing these matters alone was quite exhausting.
Chu Li said she was clingy, so she would be clingy. She wished to cling to him tightly for this entire lifetime.
“Silly girl,” Chu Li lowered his head to kiss her lips, noticing her reddened eyes. His heart tightened again, and he teased, “Don’t tell this prince that the woman warrior is about to cry?”
Mu Yunjin’s emotions had been on the verge of breaking down. If Chu Li had continued to comfort her gently, she might have indulged in a sentimental crying session in front of him.
But with that one phrase, “woman warrior,” he effectively stemmed the tide of her tears.
“Cry, my foot!” Mu Yunjin pushed Chu Li away, sniffling slightly as she looked up and glared at him. “You can go now. I’ll return once I’ve finished here.”
Chu Li’s eyes flickered as he stroked her face again. Just as he was about to speak, a voice from outside the window shattered the mood—
“Oh my goodness! It’s not like you’re parting forever. Look at you two being all lovey-dovey. This old man can’t stand it anymore!”
Hearing this voice, Mu Yunjin trembled slightly, a trace of joy seeping into her heart, but her mouth remained sharp, “You old man, if you’re capable, go find someone to be lovey-dovey with yourself!”
“Hmph, you ungrateful girl. I was invited by your husband to help you. If you don’t say something nice to me now, I might just leave!” Feng Xuandaoren’s slightly threatening voice came through as the window opened, revealing the Daoist in his blue robe standing in the room.
Mu Yunjin hadn’t seen Feng Xuandaoren for a long time. Seeing him standing before her now, she looked him up and down and smiled, “Master, the weather is getting cold. Why don’t I take you to buy some thicker clothes for winter later?”
Feng Xuandaoren glanced at her sideways and extended his hand, “I don’t want anything unless it’s made of snow brocade!”
“Whatever you say. After all, Prince Ning is paying. Buy to your heart’s content!” Mu Yunjin couldn’t even stand her fawning demeanor.
Upon seeing Feng Xuandaoren, Chu Li nodded slightly in greeting, “These next few days, I leave Yunjin in your hands, elder. If she misbehaves in any way, feel free to discipline her. You may scold or hit her, just leave her enough breath to live!”
“Get out of here! Leave quickly! Whose wife am I, anyway?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes were wide and round as she pinched Chu Li’s arm.
Chu Li laughed softly, gazing down at Mu Yunjin, “Remember to behave. This prince really must go now.”
“Mm,” Mu Yunjin’s elevated mood suddenly dropped again as she nodded slightly.
Chu Li didn’t linger any longer. After exchanging a meaningful glance with Feng Xuandaoren, he turned and walked out.
Mu Yunjin’s gaze remained fixed on Chu Li’s back. As Chu Li reached out to open the door, her heart suddenly ached inexplicably, causing her to take two steps forward as if to follow him.
But after those two steps, Mu Yunjin stopped, her gaze fixed on Chu Li’s figure as it disappeared from her sight.
Unable to help herself, she placed her hand over her heart, feeling a sense of panic and trembling overflow from within.
“What drama are you performing, girl?” Feng Xuan had never seen Mu Yunjin in such low spirits before. Even when he saw her injured by Qiu Ye in Qingzhou, she hadn’t shown such an expression.
“It’s nothing,” Mu Yunjin shook her head and called Huang Yan in.
When Huang Yan entered, he saw that the rims of Mu Yunjin’s eyes were red. Just as he was about to inquire, he saw Mu Yunjin point to her face.
Huang Yan immediately understood and raised his hand to change Mu Yunjin’s appearance.
Witnessing this, Feng Xuandaoren glanced at Mu Yunjin’s face, then at Huang Yan, and remarked quietly, “Impressive skill, young man.”
“Just a minor technique. I wouldn’t dare show off in front of an elder like yourself,” Huang Yan knew that Feng Xuandaoren was a formidable character. Though he had seen him a few times when following Chu Li before, they had never truly interacted.
“Young man, you’re too modest!” Feng Xuandaoren smiled lightly and then headed for the door. After a few steps, he turned back to see Mu Yunjin still standing dazed, causing him to furrow his brows.
“Didn’t you say you were going to buy winter clothes? Are you trying to go back on your word, girl?”
“Do I look like someone who goes back on their word?” Mu Yunjin looked at Feng Xuandaoren with puffed cheeks before walking out, “Come on, I’ll take you shopping right now!”
“That’s more like it. But first, take me to eat. I’ve been traveling all night, and these old bones of mine are exhausted!”
“I got it!”
“What kind of attitude is that, girl? As soon as Chu Li leaves, you show your true colors…”