Chu Qingyuan wasn’t done playing yet. She had wanted to tease Jingyang a bit more, but Huang Yan’s sudden appearance had revealed her identity, making it inconvenient for her to continue pretending.

She had no choice but to put on a new expression, looking at Jingyang with deep meaning in her eyes.

Jingyang never expected that this dressed young woman would be the Ninth Princess. She stood frozen at the entrance of Liquan Pavilion, feeling caught in an awkward position.

Thinking of what she had just said to this Ninth Princess, Jingyang suddenly felt embarrassed, her cheeks turning slightly red.

“Why aren’t you speaking now? Weren’t you quite domineering just now?” Chu Qingyuan raised her eyebrows, seeing Jingyang lowering her gaze, neither speaking nor moving.

Jingyang hadn’t experienced such situations much. Her face flushed red as she struggled for words. Though she thought of several polite phrases in her mind, she couldn’t bring herself to say them.

……

After discovering that Jingyang wasn’t in Minglan Court, Aunt Mo hurriedly ran out. Remembering that Jingyang had inquired about Liquan Pavilion’s location yesterday, she followed that direction.

Sure enough, after walking for a short while, she saw Jingyang standing at the entrance of Liquan Pavilion with two people beside her.

…

…

As Aunt Mo approached, she sensed the atmosphere was somewhat delicate. Looking at Jingyang, who was lowering her head with hands clutching her clothes, she pursed her lips and scanned Chu Qingyuan.

After examining Chu Qingyuan’s appearance and dress, Aunt Mo secretly understood something, so she smoothed her clothes and addressed Chu Qingyuan, “This old servant attends to Princess Jingyang. Princess Jingyang is new to Western Yuan and doesn’t understand many things deeply. If there’s been a misunderstanding, I hope the master will forgive her.”

Aunt Mo didn’t know Chu Qingyuan’s identity, but anyone who dared to act so arrogantly in Prince Ning’s mansion must certainly be someone not to be trifled with. Addressing her as “master” was certainly not wrong.

“Hmph, not understanding deeply yet daring to put on airs? On this princess’s territory, you called this princess an insolent commoner—how do you expect me to forgive that?” Chu Qingyuan glared at Aunt Mo. This old woman spoke lightly about forgiveness, but she had been explicitly called an insolent commoner.

Hearing Chu Qingyuan refer to herself as a princess, Aunt Mo secretly thought, “not good.” Then, learning that Jingyang had called her an insolent commoner, she felt a surge of anger.

Just last night, she had advised this young mistress to behave herself, and early this morning she had already caused trouble.

A princess of Western Yuan—that would be Prince Ning’s sister!

Aunt Mo was somewhat distressed. Just as she was about to speak more placating words, two figures emerged from Liquan Pavilion.

“Sixth Brother, Sixth Sister-in-law.” Seeing the two come out, Chu Qingyuan’s eyes brightened, and she ran to Mu Yunjin’s side, taking her arm.

Mu Yunjin hadn’t seen Chu Qingyuan for a long time. After examining her closely, she smiled, “Little Nine seems to be getting more beautiful.”

“Naturally! Little Nine shares the same parents as Sixth Brother. With Sixth Brother being so outstanding, how could Little Nine be much different?” Chu Qingyuan raised her eyebrows, her eyes curved in a smile.

Hearing Chu Qingyuan’s words, Chu Li, who was usually cold and distant toward people, softened his expression, with traces of a smile in his eyes.

Seeing this situation, Aunt Mo walked behind Jingyang and tugged at her clothes, signaling her to greet Mu Yunjin and Chu Li.

Jingyang was most unwilling, but raising her eyes and seeing Chu Li standing before her, her breath caught. Especially when she glimpsed Chu Li looking at Chu Qingyuan, she felt even more resentful.

Gathering courage, she stepped forward, “Sister Jinhua, Brother-in-law…”

Mu Yunjin and Chu Li, while in their room, had already known what was happening outside.

Now, hearing Jingyang’s call, Chu Qingyuan was the first to object, “This is Western Yuan. You should address them as Lady of Prince Ning and Prince Ning!”

“Why? Then why can you call them Sixth Brother and Sixth Sister-in-law? Why can’t I call them Sister and Brother-in-law?” Jingyang was furious. She had waited here early in the morning for a long time without seeing Chu Li. Now that she had finally seen him, this Ninth Princess had spoiled her mood.

Aunt Mo tugged at Jingyang again, her brows furrowed.

“This is Western Yuan. We follow Western Yuan’s customs,” Chu Qingyuan raised her eyebrows.

Jingyang bit her lip, her eyes showing grievance.

Mu Yunjin watched these two girls meet with immediate hostility. She glanced at Chu Li, confirming what he had said—his prince’s mansion was indeed about to be in an uproar.

After a pause, Mu Yunjin glanced at Aunt Mo, “Aunt Mo, take Jingyang back to Minglan Court for breakfast.”

“Yes, Lady.” Aunt Mo promptly reverted to the proper address, walking to Jingyang’s side and taking her arm, gently pulling her.

Jingyang was still reluctant. Why should she alone go to Minglan Court for breakfast? What about the others? Would they be going to the main dining hall of the prince’s mansion?

As she was thinking this, the three people before her had already walked past her, heading toward the front hall.

……

In the dining hall.

“Sixth Sister-in-law, is that Princess Jingyang your sister?” Chu Qingyuan lowered her head, stirring a bowl of porridge with her spoon, casually asking Mu Yunjin.

“I suppose so. Her mother is the Empress of Northern Ming,” Mu Yunjin replied.

Chu Qingyuan nodded in understanding, then asked, “Then why did she come here alone? From the looks of it, she doesn’t seem very close to you!”

“Who knows?” Mu Yunjin’s words were helpless.

“It’s certainly nothing good. Sixth Sister-in-law, you should be careful. That old nanny beside her is quite formidable,” Chu Qingyuan was young, but having grown up in the palace, she had learned a set of methods for judging people.

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin nodded in agreement.

Chu Li, listening to their exchange, curled his lips in a faint smile.

“By the way, Sixth Brother, I suddenly remembered something…” Halfway through breakfast, Chu Qingyuan recalled something, immediately losing her appetite and putting down her spoon.

Chu Li looked at her, “What is it?”

“Yesterday, I heard my palace nanny say that Father Emperor intends to match me with the Crown Prince of South Court Nation, someone called Yun Lianqing…” Chu Qingyuan spoke in a muffled voice.

Crown Prince of South Court Nation…

Hearing this figure mentioned, both Mu Yunjin and Chu Li’s expressions changed. In the end, Mu Yunjin was the first to recover, softening her tone, “Aren’t you still too young for marriage?”

“Yes, I heard it would be in two years. I don’t know if it’s true, but if it is, wouldn’t I have to marry far away to another country?” Chu Qingyuan sighed. She had previously mocked Chu Qingrang’s marriage to the Second Prince of Eastern Lin, and now it had fallen upon her.

“Don’t think too much about it. This isn’t settled yet, and there are princesses older than you in the palace,” Mu Yunjin stroked Chu Qingyuan’s head.

In two years’ time, the Canghua Continent would likely undergo enormous changes.

……

After breakfast, Chu Qingyuan wanted to have a private conversation with Mu Yunjin, so she took Mu Yunjin’s arm and said to Chu Li, “Sixth Brother, let me borrow Sixth Sister-in-law for a while.”

“Mm, this prince needs to visit the palace. You two behave yourselves.”

Seeing the two of them together, Chu Li was somewhat concerned.

“Sixth Brother, don’t worry!” After speaking, Chu Qingyuan waved at Chu Li.

Seeing this, Mu Yunjin curled her lips and imitated Chu Li’s tone, “Mm, Little Nine and I will go first. Be well-behaved in the palace.”

Chu Li gave her a cool glance.

Mu Yunjin was led by Chu Qingyuan to the garden. They had intended to sit in the pavilion and chat for a while, but as soon as they stepped into the pavilion, a cold wind blew, making both of them shiver involuntarily.

“Let’s go to the side hall. It’s too cold here,” Mu Yunjin couldn’t stand it, shrinking her neck and walking toward the side hall.

The side hall was located in the direction of the back garden. On their way, they had to pass by the entrance of Minglan Court. Before Mu Yunjin and Chu Qingyuan got close to the Minglan Court, they heard the sound of things being smashed inside.

“What’s going on?” Chu Qingyuan stopped, looking toward Minglan Court.

Mu Yunjin also frowned, pausing for a moment. The sounds of smashing didn’t diminish; instead, they were now accompanied by a few shrill, angry curses.

“Let’s go see.” Mu Yunjin walked toward Minglan Court.

Inside Minglan Court, there were many guards and palace maids that Jingyang had brought with her. When they saw Mu Yunjin and Chu Qingyuan, they all bowed slightly, greeting them respectfully.

Ruyue stood with a troubled face in a room. Seeing Mu Yunjin approach, she immediately ran over, “Greetings to the Lady.”

“What’s happening here? Is Jingyang throwing a tantrum?” Mu Yunjin asked in a low voice.

Ruyue nodded, whispering, “Princess Jingyang, for some unknown reason, went out early this morning and came back crying and making a scene. She refused to eat breakfast and is now crying, saying she wants to return to Northern Ming. Aunt Mo is inside trying to comfort her!”

As Ruyue finished speaking, a door behind her opened, and Aunt Mo walked out. Seeing Mu Yunjin standing outside, she was momentarily startled, then approached.

Mu Yunjin glanced at Aunt Mo, then stepped toward the room. As soon as she entered, she stopped again, her face tense as she surveyed the surroundings.

Prince Ning’s mansion had many empty pavilions and courtyards. Although usually uninhabited, they were all fully equipped, lacking nothing.

Now, in the room where Jingyang was staying, the dressing table, bronze mirror, and various decorative vases and porcelain had all been smashed on the floor. Even the bedding and pillows on the bed had been thrown to the ground. The entire room was in disarray.

And Jingyang was sitting on a chair, her head buried on the table, shoulders shaking, accompanied by intermittent sobbing.

“Princess, stop crying. The Princess Imperial has arrived,” Aunt Mo cautiously walked in, approaching Jingyang’s side and speaking softly.

Jingyang remained motionless.

Mu Yunjin crossed her arms, her eyes darkening, “You’re demanding to return to Northern Ming? Fine, if you want to leave, I won’t stop you!”

“But before you go, you must restore this room to its original state, find identical replacements for all the porcelain vases, and put them back! This Prince Ning’s mansion is not a place where you can act wild at will. Do you think you can come when you want and leave when you want?”

Mu Yunjin was furious. She now considered Prince Ning’s mansion her home, and to have her home turned into such a mess—she absolutely could not swallow this anger!

Moreover, it was Jingyang who had done this. Her coming to Western Yuan was already perplexing enough, and now, having been here for just one day, she was throwing tantrums in her mansion. It was simply intolerable!