Imperial Tutor An lowered his eyes and shook his head. “I am not omnipotent. I cannot help you with this matter; it’s beyond my abilities.”

After speaking, he was unwilling to say more to Imperial Consort Rong and turned to leave with light steps.

For many years, Wanyue had been obsessed with the Divine Mandate, which had become her mental demon. Now that she knew the Divine Mandate was hidden inside Mu Yunjin’s body, she would likely not let the matter rest.

The one who ties the bell must be the one to untie it.

Only Chu Li could resolve Imperial Consort Rong’s mental demon; no one else could interfere.

It was the first time Imperial Consort Rong had seen Imperial Tutor An refuse to act according to her wishes. She slightly clenched her fist, thought for a moment, and still followed behind Imperial Tutor An.

She knew clearly that Imperial Tutor An was her greatest support.

If she lost Imperial Tutor An’s protection, there were many things she could not accomplish. So at this critical juncture, she still had to be patient.

At least she now knew the whereabouts of the Divine Mandate.

…

…

…

After Imperial Consort Rong left, a figure stood in a corner to the side.

Daoist Feng Xuan had also returned to Western Yuan Country with them. He knew that Rong Wanyue had been searching for the Divine Mandate all along, and now that she knew the Divine Mandate was with that troublesome girl, she would take action.

Indeed, she had already begun to set her sights on the Divine Mandate inside the troublesome girl’s body.

However, the only thing that comforted him was that fellow Kong Shi had not lost his conscience for this woman.

With these thoughts, a trace of worry appeared between Daoist Feng Xuan’s brows.

The Divine Mandate was hidden at the troublesome girl’s heart. To extract the Divine Mandate, one would have to cut out her heart…

Kong Shi must also be aware of this.

Rong Wanyue and Qiuye would likely figure it out sooner or later. With chaos reigning in the world, the appearance of the Divine Mandate would arouse the covetousness of countless people.

After considering this, Daoist Feng Xuan no longer hesitated. He flashed toward Prince Ning’s mansion, but after a few steps, he looked at the sky and turned back, finding a place to rest, planning to go once daylight came.

…

The next day, inside Prince Ning’s mansion.

Chu Li, who was embracing Mu Yunjin in sleep, opened his eyes with a “swoosh” upon hearing a faint sound. He glanced at Mu Yunjin, who was still in deep sleep, and got up to go outside.

Behind the most secluded artificial mountain in the mansion, Daoist Feng Xuan was sitting on a rock. Catching sight of Chu Li approaching, he spoke, “How is that girl?”

“She’s much better now,” Chu Li replied.

Daoist Feng Xuan nodded, paused for a moment, and then turned to look at Chu Li. “The Divine Mandate is in that girl’s body. What do you plan to do?”

He knew that Chu Li had also been searching for the whereabouts of the Divine Mandate all these years.

Chu Li’s brow sank, the hand behind his back tightening slightly, his pupils narrowing. His entire expression did not look good.

The fact that the Divine Mandate was inside Mu Yunjin’s body was beyond his expectation.

He now also knew what consequences this would bring to Mu Yunjin.

“Qiuye and his people have now withdrawn from Northern Ming Country. The appearance of the Divine Mandate has disrupted all their original plans. Their next targets will likely be aimed at the Divine Mandate…”

Daoist Feng Xuan spoke indifferently, then felt that what he said was redundant. These matters—how could someone as intelligent as Chu Li not have figured out?

So, changing the subject, “You returned to Western Yuan Country much earlier than we. Have you already…”

Daoist Feng Xuan extended the last syllable, examining Chu Li’s expression.

Chu Li glanced at Daoist Feng Xuan, his eyes churning with clouds and mist. He nodded slightly, then dropped a sentence, “She seems to be awake. This prince will go check on her.”

With those words, Chu Li turned and left.

Daoist Feng Xuan remained in place, leaning against the artificial mountain rock, his gaze distant, thoughts surging.

…

When Mu Yunjin woke up, she was alone in the room. Looking at the bright daylight outside the window, she supported her body to sit up from the bed, put on her shoes, and walked out.

Winter had arrived. Although the sun was out, the moment Mu Yunjin opened the door, she still shuddered from the cold wind that rushed in.

She stood by the door with her arms wrapped around herself for a while before hearing Zixiang’s voice in front of her.

“Miss, you’re up.” Zixiang had been planning to go to Liquan Pavilion to check on Mu Yunjin’s condition. Seeing her leaning against the doorframe, she ran over excitedly.

Mu Yunjin nodded, looking at Zixiang in front of her. She reached out and pinched her small face. “How come you’ve lost so much weight in just a few days?”

“Miss, look who’s talking—you’ve lost a lot of weight too. His Highness previously said you went to Northern Ming Country to visit relatives and told this servant not to spread the word. This servant was longing for your return every day, not knowing that Miss would return from Northern Ming Country ill.” Thinking of this, Zixiang’s impression of Northern Ming Country worsened.

It was one thing to abandon Miss in the Prime Minister’s mansion without caring before, but now that they had acknowledged Miss and conferred the title of Princess, how could Miss go to Northern Ming Country once and return thinner and ill…

“It’s just an illness, not a big deal. Help me comb my hair. I still think the hairstyles you do for me look the best.” Mu Yunjin curved her lips. This little maid Zixiang was the easiest to coax.

Zixiang immediately beamed with joy. Following Mu Yunjin into the room, she only then realized this was Chu Li’s room, and there was no dressing table or accessories.

“Miss, why don’t we go to your room?” Zixiang suggested.

Mu Yunjin shook her head. “Go find some people to move my dressing table and accessories here.”

Zixiang was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood. The smile on her face deepened as she responded and ran out.

When Chu Li entered Liquan Pavilion, he heard Mu Yunjin instructing Zixiang to find people to move her dressing table to his room. His previously gloomy mood after talking with Daoist Feng Xuan immediately lightened considerably.

Indeed, they no longer needed to sleep in separate rooms now.

When Chu Li walked in, seeing Mu Yunjin sitting on a chair, his expression once again filled with seriousness.

This fool was just sitting there wearing only a light shirt.

Wasn’t she afraid of catching a cold again?

Forgetting the pain once the wound is healed—that’s exactly what this silly woman was doing!

“You’re back! Where did you go so early? I didn’t even know when you left.” Mu Yunjin turned her head and smiled at Chu Li as he entered.

Chu Li sighed, reached for a cloak nearby, walked behind Mu Yunjin, and draped it over her.

As he lifted a strand of her hair, gently rubbing it between his fingers, Chu Li wanted to tell her about the ancient tree at Shuiyun Temple, but several noisy voices came from the doorway.

Zixiang had gone around looking for people to move Mu Yunjin’s dressing table from her room. She happened to meet Ding Xian and directly grabbed him to help move the dressing table.

Ding Xian couldn’t manage it alone, so he also called Song Chun to help. Song Chun happened to be talking with Huang Yan, who had just returned to Western Yuan Country, so he also brought Huang Yan along.

Now, three grown men—one carrying the dressing table, one holding various jewelry boxes large and small, and one directly moving Mu Yunjin’s entire wardrobe from her room—had arrived.

Mu Yunjin was surprised to see Song Chun manually carrying in her large wardrobe, her eyes widening. “I only asked you to move the dressing table. Why did you bring my wardrobe as well…”

The usually honest and straightforward Song Chun scratched his head. “This subordinate thought, since there are many people, we might as well move it all at once, to save the Princess from having to find people to move it later.”

Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched.

Chu Li looked at Song Chun, a trace of appreciation appearing in his eyes.

…

Chu Li’s room was originally spacious and open. Now, with Mu Yunjin’s things added, not only did it not feel cramped, but it also added a touch of domestic warmth.

“Alright, it’s all done.” Huang Yan clapped his hands, stood with his hands on his hips, and looked around Chu Li and Mu Yunjin’s room.

Mu Yunjin sat at the dressing table with Zixiang, combing her hair. Through the bronze mirror on the table, she looked at Huang Yan behind her. “Huang Yan, have Qiqi and the others gone back?”

“Yes, they’ve all returned to Phoenix Manor,” Huang Yan replied.

“What about the rest of the people?” Mu Yunjin frowned slightly, asking about Jiang Qingxue and Bei Tang Wenfeng, not sure if Huang Yan would understand her meaning.

Huang Yan was the most quick-witted and cunning person under Chu Li’s command; how could he not understand her question?

“Madam Qing has also left Northern Ming Country. She didn’t say where she was going. The ruler of Northern Ming Country remained in Northern Ming…” Huang Yan said.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, her eyes revealing no emotion.

But the atmosphere in the room had become more somber.

“Miss, this box of accessories was placed in your room by His Highness a few days ago. Would you like to try them on?” Zixiang, focused solely on helping Mu Yunjin with her hair, hadn’t noticed the change in the room’s atmosphere. She opened a new brocade box on the table and handed several hairpins to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes to look at the hairpins in the new brocade box. They were all simple yet elegant styles, so she smiled and nodded. “Help me put them on.”

Hearing this, Zixiang reached for a hairpin, ready to help Mu Yunjin put it on.

“Hey, little Zixiang, wait. Our Prince is right here. Let him practice helping our Princess with the hairpins. Didn’t they say the Princess is the most important person in the mansion? This skill of serving people should be learned.” Huang Yan boldly spoke up, his eyes revealing mischief. It was only when targeting Mu Yunjin that they dared to tease Chu Li.

Zixiang understood, lowered her head with a smile, put down the hairpin in her hand, and honestly stepped aside.

Mu Yunjin became interested in Huang Yan’s suggestion, her eyes showing amusement. Through the bronze mirror, she met Chu Li’s gaze behind her. Suddenly, she remembered when she was in Northern Ming Country, she had told Bei Tang Wenfeng that helping her draw her eyebrows and apply lip rouge was Chu Li’s privilege.

Now was the perfect opportunity…

With this thought, she reached for a box of lip rouge and an eyebrow pencil, placing them on the table, and said with a smile, “By the way, help me draw my eyebrows and apply some lip rouge too.”

After she spoke, several suppressed chuckles sounded around them.

Chu Li raised his chin and swept his gaze toward the several chuckles. Those voices, perhaps relying on Mu Yunjin’s presence, not only didn’t stop but changed from suppressed laughter to outright laughing at Chu Li.

Chu Li was annoyed. These people were increasingly disregarding him…

Walking leisurely to Mu Yunjin’s side, Chu Li bent down, bringing his head close to her ear, and spoke softly, “So do you want to wear the hairpin first, or draw your eyebrows?”

“You decide. Today, I’m all yours!”