Daoist Feng Xuan originally didn’t want to engage further with the black-robed man, but upon hearing the three words “Qing Feng Island,” his form stiffened, and his eyes changed slightly.

“That girl must have caught my wife’s eye. Otherwise, of the countless people who have died on Qing Feng Island over the years, only this girl was able to leave alive. You two still have such similar tastes when it comes to selecting people.” The black-robed man spoke with a hint of playfulness.

“Silence!” Daoist Feng Xuan shouted angrily at the black-robed man, his face darkening. “Don’t mention her in front of me. I have no relationship with her.”

“And you, Feng Lan, back then you secretly studied witchcraft and were expelled from our sect. We are no longer brothers. Meeting now, we are at our worst enemies. Before things escalate, if you mend your ways, we can let bygones be bygones. But if you remain obstinate, then the next time we meet, either you die or I perish!”

“Take care of yourself!”

After finishing his words, Daoist Feng Xuan had nothing more to say to Feng Lan and used his lightness skill to fly away.

Feng Lan watched Daoist Feng Xuan’s retreating figure, his fist tightly clenched. Using a secret sound transmission technique, he spoke to Feng Xuan, “Senior Brother, we’ll see who makes it to the end!”

Daoist Feng Xuan seemed not to hear and continued without pause.

……

…

…

Mu Yunjin hurriedly entered through the North Palace Gate.

She initially wanted to use her lightness skill to go directly to Bei Tang Wenfeng’s location, but due to the many eyes in the palace, she had to switch to walking.

It was hard to say whether today was unfortunate or just plain unfortunate. After passing by the entrance to Jingyang’s palace, she happened to run into Empress Yang Qingning coming from the opposite direction.

Yang Qingning’s entourage was as grand as ever, with a large wave of eunuchs and palace maids following behind her. Upon seeing Yang Qingning, Mu Yunjin was slightly taken aback, but then decided to pretend she hadn’t seen her and continued walking forward.

Yang Qingning’s resentment from yesterday had just barely subsided, and now, seeing Mu Yunjin, a mere maid, alone and daring to ignore her like this, her anger flared up again.

“Stop right there!” Yang Qingning called out to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin paused her steps. Huang Yan, beside her, also stopped. The two just stared directly at Yang Qingning, neither showing any intention to greet or pay respects to her.

Although Yang Qingning hadn’t left the palace all morning, she hadn’t missed any news from outside, especially the rumor about Madam Qing being the reincarnated soul of a holy maiden from the Southern Court.

Just moments ago, someone had reported to her that servants of Madam Qing had killed many commoners, and the streets were now in chaos. Many citizens had already gathered at the palace gates, demanding that the sovereign deal with that vixen Madam Qing.

Hearing this news, Yang Qingning couldn’t help but exclaim that even the heavens were helping her now.

Now, encountering these two servants of Madam Qing, she no longer had yesterday’s concerns about Bei Tang Wenfeng’s warning. That Madam Qing was already struggling to save herself, so who would pay attention to these two servants?

Thinking of this, Yang Qingning’s gaze fell on Mu Yunjin, her eyes sharp. She remembered that this little girl had been quite clever and arrogant yesterday.

“What is your name?” Yang Qingning looked at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin glanced at Yang Qingning and replied flatly, “Mu’er.”

“Mu’er…” Yang Qingning repeated the name, and in a moment of confusion, recalled the recently titled Princess Jinhua, who seemed to be called something like Mu something Jin.

Hmph, it seemed that Madam Qing had prepared thoroughly, intent on replacing Jiang Qingxue’s position.

Unfortunately…

“Ahem…” Huang Yan, seeing that he and Mu Yunjin had been held up by the Empress, couldn’t help but cough lightly, reminding Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin glanced at Huang Yan, naturally understanding that she had important matters to attend to. She was unwilling to be further entangled with Yang Qingning, so she directly stepped around her and continued forward.

Yang Qingning was stunned by their bold behavior, turning around in rage and shouting, “Guards, beat these two insubordinate creatures to death!”

As soon as she spoke, waves of guards emerged from all directions, surrounding Mu Yunjin and Huang Yan.

Mu Yunjin and Huang Yan exchanged a glance, both with somewhat speechless expressions.

Especially Mu Yunjin, whose temper had always been volatile. Having just been infuriated by that black-robed man outside, and now being interfered with by Yang Qingning, anger was boiling inside her!

But at this crucial moment, with wild rumors outside about her and Huang Yan causing trouble at the teahouse and injuring so many commoners, if they were to attack these guards now, it would undoubtedly confirm their guilt.

Just as Mu Yunjin was having difficulty deciding what to do, an urgent voice came—

“You two little ones, why are you still here? The sovereign has been waiting for you for a long time. Why are you still dawdling here?”

Everyone turned to look. It was the head eunuch Su Xin from Bei Tang Wenfeng’s side.

Hearing this voice, Mu Yunjin felt for the first time that a duck-like voice could sound like heavenly music. This Eunuch Su had arrived at such a perfect time!

Su Xin pushed aside several guards and walked into the crowd. He slightly nodded and bowed to Yang Qingning, “Greetings, Empress.”

“Mm.” Yang Qingning’s face had already turned cold, naturally understanding that with Su Xin’s appearance, she would not be able to accomplish anything again.

“Early this morning, the sovereign ordered these two to fetch some items from Madam Qing’s residence. Now the sovereign has been waiting for a long time, so this servant came out to find them.” Su Xin explained to Yang Qingning.

Hearing the three words “Madam Qing,” Yang Qingning raised an eyebrow. “These two have been insubordinate, disrespecting me. What does Eunuch Su think should be done?”

“Such matters of insubordination should naturally be handled according to palace rules. However, the sovereign is currently waiting. In this servant’s opinion, after they see the sovereign, the Empress can deal with this matter. How does that sound?” Su Xin once again brought up Bei Tang Wenfeng, secretly mocking Yang Qingning for her lack of discernment.

Yesterday her phoenix crown had been knocked off, and today she was causing trouble again.

“Very well then. Later, I will visit the sovereign. Yesterday’s incident was Jingyang’s fault, and the sovereign has already punished her. Today’s insubordination is a separate matter. I must deal with it, otherwise, even servants will dare to offend me, and the palace will be in chaos!”

After speaking, Yang Qingning snorted lightly and walked toward Jingyang’s palace.

Seeing that Yang Qingning had left, Su Xin waved his hand, signaling the guards to leave.

Once the surroundings had calmed down, Su Xin smiled at Mu Yunjin and Huang Yan, then made a ‘please’ gesture, indicating for the two to go first.

This small incident had again wasted quite a bit of time.

By the time they arrived at Bei Tang Wenfeng’s palace, Mu Yunjin was already familiar with the layout. She went directly to the door of the imperial study and knocked.

“Come in.”

Hearing Bei Tang Wenfeng’s voice, Mu Yunjin pushed open the door.

Upon entering, Mu Yunjin saw Bei Tang Wenfeng sitting at his desk reviewing memorials, with no one by his side, not even an attendant.

“Um, I… where is Madam Qing?” Mu Yunjin felt awkward, still unable to call her “mother.”

Bei Tang Wenfeng raised his eyes, putting down the memorial in his hand. “She is in the residence outside the palace.”

“What?” Mu Yunjin was surprised, then tiredly moved a chair for herself and poured herself a cup of water.

“I have already received news of the events outside the palace. Qing’er knows as well.” Bei Tang Wenfeng leaned against his chair, his tone flat, but his brows tightly furrowed.

Mu Yunjin nodded, her calm gaze falling on Bei Tang Wenfeng. At this moment, looking at Bei Tang Wenfeng, she inexplicably felt that his figure had taken on an air of loneliness and gloom.

“Do you have a solution?” Mu Yunjin spoke.

“Your mother told me to announce her execution to the public, to appease the people.” Bei Tang Wenfeng said quietly.

Mu Yunjin’s brow furrowed, and she opened her mouth but couldn’t speak.

Bei Tang Wenfeng sighed heavily, reaching out to toss a sealed document onto the table next to Mu Yunjin. Rubbing his temples, he said, “This is the abdication edict I just drafted.”

Abdication edict…

Mu Yunjin’s eyes flashed, and she looked over at the document beside her, her gaze somewhat complex.

“If this is Qiuye and his group’s plot, then I admit defeat.”

“In nearly twenty years, what I regret most is initially focusing on contending for the Crown Prince position, to later secure the throne of Northern Ming. But once the throne was secure, I found that life had become dull, without even a confidant to talk to.”

“Fortunately, heaven has been kind to me, allowing me to meet Qing’er again, and to learn of your existence as her daughter.”

“Yunjin, you see, I have already lost you both once. How can I now watch history repeat itself?”

“The throne, I can do without. Life is short, just a few decades. I should spend some days living as I please.”

Mu Yunjin lowered her gaze, pursing her lips, momentarily speechless.

Huang Yan somewhat regretted coming in with Mu Yunjin. Now, having heard Bei Tang Wenfeng’s words, sitting here as an outsider was quite awkward.

The imperial study remained silent for a long while.

“Now is not the time for you to do as you please. Since you once chose the throne, you should think of the welfare of your Northern Ming subjects. Now you want to abdicate for a woman? Do you think my mother will be moved by this deep affection of yours?”

“In your harem, the oldest prince is only fifteen, a mere child who knows nothing about governance. Do you want him to ascend the throne only to die at the hands of Qiuye and his group?”

Mu Yunjin spoke calmly, expressing her thoughts. Glimpsing the edict from the corner of her eye, she reached out to take it. Without any hesitation or deliberation, she tore the edict into several pieces and threw them onto the clean floor of the imperial study.

“Yunjin…” Bei Tang Wenfeng looked up at Mu Yunjin.

“I don’t understand why someone your age is being so childishly willful!”

“You stay here and reflect on your actions!”

“Huang Yan, let’s go!”

Mu Yunjin glanced at Bei Tang Wenfeng, her face calm and composed, then rose and walked out of the imperial study.

Huang Yan followed her out, but his face held a barely suppressed smile.

Their Princess Consort was truly formidable. Not only had she tamed their Young Master into complete submission, but now she dared to point a finger at her father! And her father was an emperor, the ruler of a nation!

Long after Mu Yunjin had left, Bei Tang Wenfeng’s face still showed a hint of shock and surprise…

Willful, reflect…

This was truly the first time someone had spoken to him like this.