Entering the room, Chu Li was sitting in a rocking chair, reading a book. Hearing the door open, he looked up toward the entrance.

As soon as Mu Yunjin entered, she met Chu Li’s gaze. She curled her lips in a smile and walked toward him. “Have you been in the mansion all day?”

“Yes.” Chu Li nodded, glancing at Mu Yunjin. “Are you hungry?”

Mu Yunjin shook her head. Remembering that there might still be bloodstains on her clothes, she said to Chu Li, “I’ve been out all day and I’m a bit tired. I’ll take a bath first.”

After speaking, she walked to the wardrobe, picked out clean clothes, and headed toward the hot spring pool.

…

After changing her clothes and entering the hot spring, Mu Yunjin reached down to touch the spot on her side where she had been injured by spiritual energy earlier that day. Indeed, it didn’t hurt at all—there wasn’t even a bruise or wound left.

Thinking of this, Mu Yunjin cupped her cheeks with her hands, happily imagining that if the Heaven God Token wasn’t an evil object and could remain hidden in her body, healing her wounds at any time, it would be quite nice…

But that was truly just wishful thinking…

…

…

After soaking for a while, the door to the small room behind her opened. Without turning around, Mu Yunjin knew it was Chu Li who had entered.

But then, remembering the Xuanling True Scripture she had brought in with her, Mu Yunjin suddenly turned around, her hands gripping the edge of the hot spring as she looked up at Chu Li expectantly.

“What is it?” Chu Li leaned down, moving closer to her, and reached out to wipe the water droplets from her face.

“Join me in the bath!” Mu Yunjin grabbed Chu Li’s sleeve and blinked at him.

Some things were easier to discuss in certain settings…

Oh dear, she was really developing bad habits…

Chu Li was usually defenseless against her sugar-coated attacks, but her sudden, unusual behavior today made him particularly vigilant. He raised an eyebrow at her. “What trouble have you gotten into now?”

“Am I that kind of person?” Mu Yunjin glared at him indignantly, appropriately releasing her grip on his sleeve.

Chu Li looked at her silently, his expression gentle.

In the end, Mu Yunjin couldn’t hold back anymore. She furrowed her brow and said, “I have something to tell you, but you must promise not to get angry!”

“Alright, this prince promises,” Chu Li nodded in agreement without hesitation.

“Really?” Mu Yunjin sought confirmation once more.

“Really.”

Since Chu Li had said so, Mu Yunjin naturally relaxed a bit and said softly, “Today at Shuiyun Temple, I met Master An, and he gave me another… Xuanling True Scripture.”

Hearing this, Chu Li’s expression remained calm. He nodded lightly. “Do you want to practice it?”

Mu Yunjin was confused by Chu Li’s indifferent attitude. Was this guy angry or not?

And asking if she wanted to practice it…

Was he sincerely asking her, or deliberately trying to trap her?

“Master An said that because I’ve seen some techniques before, I’ve already learned a bit. He said I could try to practice it properly so I can protect myself.” Mu Yunjin shifted all the blame to Master An first.

“Hmm, then practice it.” Chu Li patted her head and smiled faintly.

Mu Yunjin was stunned, momentarily believing she was hallucinating. When she looked up and caught the faint smile on Chu Li’s face, her mind wavered, filled with astonishment.

This was strange—Chu Li was being so agreeable?

“Where is the scripture?” Seeing her dumbfounded expression, Chu Li asked.

“Under my clothes.” Mu Yunjin pointed to one side.

Upon hearing this, Chu Li walked in the direction she indicated, moved aside Mu Yunjin’s clothes, and indeed found a booklet underneath.

The cover page of the booklet had no words, and it was extremely new, as if it had never been handled before.

Chu Li opened to the first page and quickly scanned the techniques described there. Then he turned to the second page, similarly browsing quickly, and continued page by page until the end.

After closing the booklet, Chu Li looked at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “If you want to learn this, in the future you should sleep less and make time to practice.”

“You agree?” On the way back, Mu Yunjin had worried for a long time, imagining countless ways Chu Li might respond, but she hadn’t expected him to be so forthcoming.

“Yes.” Chu Li nodded.

After the incident in the Ice Cave, he was too afraid of losing her.

Indeed, he couldn’t guarantee that he could keep her by his side at all times, and with various forces eyeing them covetously from the outside world, plus Mu Yunjin having made too many enemies, she could fall into trouble at any moment. Now, the only thing that could set his mind at ease was for her to become stronger herself, so she could fully protect herself.

“That’s great! There are still some parts I don’t understand. You can give me some pointers when the time comes.” Mu Yunjin exclaimed excitedly. Once she mastered the techniques in the Xuanling True Scripture, she would have more confidence in herself.

“Alright. When you’re done bathing, come out and prepare for dinner.” Chu Li looked at her, his voice deep and pleasant.

“Okay.” Mu Yunjin nodded and stood up, stepping out of the hot spring.

Chu Li watched as she stood naked before him and dressed. He narrowed his eyes slightly as a certain heat gradually emerged within him, suddenly giving him a sense of desperation.

This woman was like poison…

Mu Yunjin had just put on her robe when Chu Li pulled her into his arms. Soft kisses fell on her lips, and after a moment of dizziness, she found herself being carried to the bed in the room.

In the end, they had their evening meal delivered to the room.

Before sleeping, Mu Yunjin lay in Chu Li’s arms, pursing her lips before speaking softly, “What about the Crocodile Pearl?”

Master An had said this matter needed to be prioritized.

“This prince has heard that Feng Lan retreats to Ghost Valley Cave from the Winter Solstice until the Great Cold every year. This year, there are still seven days until the Winter Solstice. We will set out in seven days.” Chu Li held her, confining her in his embrace.

Mu Yunjin nodded. With seven days to go, her body should be fine.

“Alright, I’m going to sleep.” Mu Yunjin was exhausted. She yawned and closed her eyes to sleep.

Chu Li tucked the blanket around her and embraced her as they slept together.

…

When Mu Yunjin woke up the next day, she was once again alone in the room.

She sat up on the bed and looked at the time on the water clock. It was almost noon. Mu Yunjin pouted. Yesterday he had spoken so nicely about getting up early to practice the Xuanling True Scripture!

“Zixiang…” Mu Yunjin called out for Zixiang.

Zixiang pushed open the door and, seeing that Mu Yunjin was awake, first opened the wardrobe to help select clothes for her, as usual.

“By the way, Miss, Princess Jingyang has been waiting since early morning. She said that the three-day period you gave her is up, and she needs to return to the Northern Ming Kingdom.” Zixiang selected the clothes and approached Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow. “Three-day period?”

“Yes, didn’t you write in your letter to the Northern Ming Kingdom that Princess Jingyang was only allowed to stay for three days? Today happens to be the deadline.” Zixiang explained.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin thought for a moment and remembered that there was indeed such a matter.

Although Jingyang’s personality had changed considerably and she was quite likable, it was too dangerous here, and she certainly couldn’t stay long.

After some thought, Mu Yunjin first got dressed, then walked to the cabinet, rummaged around for a while, and pulled out a set of jade-green hairpins.

“Miss, what are you doing?” Zixiang asked, puzzled.

“I’ll give these to Jingyang later. She came all this way, and I don’t have anything good to give her.” Mu Yunjin examined the jade hairpins and closed the lid.

Zixiang nodded and helped Mu Yunjin arrange her hair. “Also, the Holy Maiden from the Southern Pavilion Kingdom has arrived in Butterfly Flower City and has already entered the palace.”

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin didn’t have much of a reaction.

“The palace has already sent someone with an oral decree. Tomorrow evening there will be a banquet at Qinglan Hall.” Zixiang added.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows. “Is that so? I’d like to see what this Holy Maiden from the Southern Pavilion Kingdom looks like. Chu Li praised her as the foremost beauty of the Southern Pavilion Kingdom, and I’m not convinced.”

“Miss, His Highness must have said it casually. Don’t take it to heart.” Zixiang couldn’t help but laugh. Given the current state of the relationship between His Highness and her mistress, how could His Highness sincerely praise another woman’s beauty? He must have been teasing his mistress.

“Hmph, but I’m taking it seriously.” Mu Yunjin snorted, looking at herself in the bronze mirror, and couldn’t help but marvel at the good looks of the body’s original owner.

After completing her toilette, Mu Yunjin left the room and headed toward Minglan Pavilion.

…

“Nian Yi, can’t you stay a few more days? You’re leaving so soon, and this princess will be bored again.” Chu Qingyuan held Jingyang’s arm, appearing reluctant to part.

“I can’t help it. I’m from the Northern Ming Kingdom, and my father and mother won’t allow me to stay here too long. But Qingyuan, you can come visit the Northern Ming Kingdom.” Jingyang smiled at Chu Qingyuan. After getting along for these two days, she found Chu Qingyuan much more fun than those sisters in the Northern Ming Kingdom.

Aunt Mo stood to the side, seeing that on this trip Princess Jingyang had not only won over the Princess Imperial but had also established a good relationship with the Ninth Princess of the Western Yuan Kingdom. She felt somewhat gratified.

In the future, the Princess Consort Ning would surely be of great help.

Just as she was thinking this, she saw Mu Yunjin enter the room. Aunt Mo immediately bowed upon seeing her.

“Sister Jinhua.” Jingyang also approached when she saw Mu Yunjin.

“Mm, you’re returning today?” Mu Yunjin looked around, noticing that the luggage had all been packed, and new replacements had indeed been arranged for the previously broken items.

Jingyang nodded, obediently lowering her head. “I’ve troubled Sister Jinhua these past two days.”

“It’s no trouble at all.” Mu Yunjin smiled, taking the brocade box from Zixiang’s hand and presenting it to Jingyang. “This is for you.”

Jingyang was surprised. She reached out to take the brocade box, opened it, and looked inside, her eyes lighting up. “Is this really for me?”

Mu Yunjin nodded.

“Thank you, Sister Jinhua!” Jingyang hadn’t expected to receive a gift from Mu Yunjin before leaving and was delighted.

Seeing this, Aunt Mo also stepped forward and slowly said, “Princess Imperial, it’s getting late. The journey back to the Northern Ming Kingdom is long, and this old servant and the princess should set off.”

“Remember to write to me when you reach the Northern Ming Kingdom.” Mu Yunjin spoke softly, her smile gentle.

Aunt Mo nodded.

…

Watching Jingyang’s carriage fade into the distance, Mu Yunjin and Chu Qingyuan both sighed. Chu Qingyuan’s eyes were red as she pouted, “Now it’s back to Little Nine being all alone…”