Mu Yunjin spent the entire day at the inn, talking with Daoist Feng Xuan for a long time.

She had already imagined the journey to Ghost Valley Cave as extremely dangerous, but after hearing Daoist Feng Xuan’s description, her heart sank even further. She no longer had the courage even to imagine it.

“Don’t worry. We’ll all go together on this journey. With so many of us there, getting the Crocodile Pearl shouldn’t be a problem,” Daoist Feng Xuan softened his tone, fearing he had truly frightened Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin raised the corners of her lips. “I’m not worried. It’s fine.”

“As long as you’re fine. It’s getting late, hurry back to the residence, lest that young Chu Li worry about you again.” Daoist Feng Xuan waved at Mu Yunjin, signaling her to leave.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together and stood up. Just as she was about to leave, she paused in her steps. “By the way, Grand Master Kong Shi gave me the Xuanling True Scripture.”

“Mm.” Daoist Feng Xuan nodded slightly. From the first day he met Mu Yunjin, he had known that the Qi condensation method she used was from the Xuanling True Scripture.

“Why such a cold reaction?” Mu Yunjin pouted, studying Daoist Feng Xuan’s face.

Hearing this, Daoist Feng Xuan frowned with displeasure as he looked at her. “You stinking girl, the cultivation method you’re learning isn’t from your master’s lineage, yet you expect your master to be enthusiastic?”

…

…

“Well, who told you not to teach me!” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.

“Fine then. Today, your master will make a statement: as long as you can survive Ghost Valley Cave and successfully obtain the Crocodile Pearl, your master will impart all of his lifelong skills to you.”

“Really?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes brightened, and she spoke excitedly.

Daoist Feng Xuan snorted. “Of course it’s true. Otherwise, who knows if you’re short-lived? If you die in Ghost Valley Cave, teaching you would just be wasting energy!”

“…”

Mu Yunjin nearly spat out blood in anger.

…

On the way back to the residence, Mu Yunjin calculated the days. Going to Pingfeng Cliff would take about a day, plus they needed to scout the terrain around Ghost Valley Cave in advance. She estimated they could depart in two more days.

“Miss, why do you look so preoccupied?” Zixiang followed beside her, concerned as she noticed Mu Yunjin’s downcast face since leaving the inn.

Mu Yunjin paused, then curved her lips into a smile. “I’m not. I was just lost in thought.”

Zixiang nodded.

By the time they returned to the residence, it was already nearly dark.

Qu Xinyao’s fever had subsided, but she refused to stay in her room. At the moment, she was in the front hall, laughing and talking with Qingmeng.

Xu Heyu was also in the front hall, discussing matters with Chu Li. Huang Yan had joined them, and all three were speaking in low voices, their expressions far from relaxed.

When Mu Yunjin entered, she suddenly felt that the prince’s residence hadn’t been this lively for a long time.

“The Princess Consort has returned!” Mamma Shen was the first to notice Mu Yunjin, smiling as she went to greet her.

Everyone in the front hall turned to look at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows and walked to Qu Xinyao’s side. “Sister Xinyao, are you feeling better?”

“Mm, much better.” Qu Xinyao smiled at her, though her voice was still hoarse and her complexion somewhat pale.

“That’s good.” Mu Yunjin smiled as well, then walked over to Chu Li.

Seeing her approach, Chu Li handed her a cup of hot tea that he had just poured. “Are you hungry? Do you want to eat first?”

“A little.” Mu Yunjin took a sip of tea. She had spent the whole day chatting with Daoist Feng Xuan and hadn’t eaten much.

“Bring the meal!” Hearing this, Chu Li addressed Mamma Shen.

Mamma Shen immediately understood and walked toward the kitchen at the back.

“Cough, cough, cough. I’ll go back to rest first. I’m a bit tired. I need to nurse myself back to health these next few days.” Qu Xinyao stood up, her steps still somewhat unsteady.

Xu Heyu glanced at her. “I’ll accompany you back.”

“I don’t need your company. I know the way.”

“Don’t try to be tough.”

“…”

Mu Yunjin watched their retreating figures and sighed softly.

“I also need to set off for Zhangzhou City soon. I’ve been going to the black market less this month, so I need to collect some profits first.” Huang Yan wasn’t idle either.

“It’s already dark. You’re going to Zhangzhou City now?” Mu Yunjin looked at Huang Yan strangely.

Huang Yan smiled mysteriously. “Princess Consort, the darkness makes it easier to disguise oneself.”

“Your Highness, Princess Consort, I’ll take my leave now.” After saying goodbye, Huang Yan disappeared from the front hall.

Seeing everyone leaving, Mu Yunjin glanced at Chu Li. “Chu Li, let’s go back to our room for the meal!”

“Mm.”

…

Inside Liquan Pavilion.

While eating, Mu Yunjin told Chu Li everything Daoist Feng Xuan had said today. “If he describes Deep Gloomy Lake as the eighteenth level of hell, how dangerous must it be…”

“Don’t worry about this matter.” Chu Li ladled another bowl of soup for her and placed it in front of her.

“Mm, I won’t think about it now.” Mu Yunjin smiled faintly. Future matters could be dealt with later; she would focus on the present first.

Chu Li’s lips curled upward, his eyes full of doting affection as he stroked her head. “Eat your meal properly first.”

Mu Yunjin nodded.

The meal left Mu Yunjin feeling somewhat stuffed. She wanted to go outside for a walk to aid digestion, but she was afraid of the cold, so she could only pace back and forth in the room.

After walking a few steps, her peripheral vision caught sight of the Xuanling True Scripture by the pillow. Mu Yunjin went over and picked it up, turning to the second form, and began walking while studying the key points and incantations.

The second form was the Red Flame Fire that she had inadvertently used before. At that time, she had the image of this second form in her mind, and on a few occasions in moments of crisis, she had been able to condense her true qi into this Red Flame Fire.

But she couldn’t control it skillfully every time.

However, after trying it a few times before, she found this Red Flame Fire quite powerful.

“Miss.” There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.” Mu Yunjin put away the Xuanling True Scripture and looked toward the door.

Zixiang pushed open the door. Seeing Chu Li inside, she didn’t enter but stood at the doorway looking at Mu Yunjin and Chu Li. “Your Highness, Miss, there’s a young woman named Yuan Xia requesting to see you.”

Yuan Xia…

Mu Yunjin thought about the name—wasn’t she Yun Shuangleng’s maid?

“Where is she?” Mu Yunjin asked.

“She’s outside the residence gate. Since we didn’t know her identity, we didn’t dare let her in rashly.” Zixiang said.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin turned to look at Chu Li. “It’s probably Yun Shuangleng sending her to ask about yesterday’s matter. Should we agree?”

Chu Li nodded slightly, acknowledging with a moderate tone, his eyes clear, showing no discernible emotion.

“Zixiang, just give her our answer. Tell her that the Prince and I agree.” Mu Yunjin looked at Zixiang.

“Yes, I’ll go right away.” With these words, Zixiang closed the door and left Liquan Pavilion.

Now only Mu Yunjin and Chu Li remained in the room. Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow. “Why did you agree to let Yun Shuangleng come with us?”

“An ally appearing out of nowhere—if she truly seeks revenge, we gain an extra helper, which isn’t a loss. If she has other schemes, keeping her by our side allows us to play along with her.” Chu Li broke into a smile, raising his eyebrows at Mu Yunjin.

“Impressive. Prince Ning truly doesn’t make losing deals.” Mu Yunjin lightly punched Chu Li.

She had been somewhat conflicted about Yun Shuangleng’s request. After all, she had never interacted with Yun Shuangleng before and didn’t know her background. She had genuinely hesitated about taking Yun Shuangleng along rashly.

Now that Chu Li had expressed his thoughts, she only needed to maintain a half-trusting attitude toward Yun Shuangleng. She didn’t need to rack her brains thinking too much about it.

“I’m tired. I’ll bathe first, then sleep.” Mu Yunjin stretched lazily and walked toward the inner chamber.

Chu Li gave her a deep look, his eyes filled with smiling affection, following her steps toward the hot spring pool.

Two hours later, Mu Yunjin nestled in Chu Li’s embrace, lazily closing her eyes. “At this rate, won’t I get pregnant soon?”

As she spoke, Mu Yunjin also touched her lower abdomen.

Since taking that step with Chu Li, she was devoured by him almost every night. At this frequency, she could become pregnant at any time…

“Probably.” Chu Li couldn’t be certain about such things, but hearing her mention pregnancy, his eyes also revealed a hint of anticipation.

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin nodded, feeling somewhat sleepy. “Then don’t forget, you still owe me a grand wedding.”

Chu Li lowered his head, kissed her forehead, and held her tighter. “I won’t forget.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Mu Yunjin laughed lightly, turned over, and fell into a deep sleep with her eyes closed.

Chu Li’s lips curled slightly as he gently embraced her, not feeling sleepy at the moment.

…

After some unknown time, Chu Li, who had not yet fallen asleep, heard the light sound of footsteps landing on the roof in the peaceful and comfortable darkness.

Chu Li’s eyes flickered slightly, but he remained lying still.

After a while, Ding Xian, who was guarding outside Liquan Pavilion, sensed something amiss and flew toward the roof. After landing steadily on the roof, there was a moment of silence.

From Ding Xian’s reaction, Chu Li could roughly guess who had come.

By the dim candlelight in the room, Chu Li carefully sat up from the bed, dressed himself, then covered Mu Yunjin with the blanket before slowly walking out.

The courtyard outside Liquan Pavilion was brightly lit. After Chu Li left the room, his gaze coolly turned toward the roof. Seeing the person on the roof, his eyes lowered.

The visitor was Consort Rong.

Consort Rong flew down from the roof and walked to Chu Li. Just as she was about to speak, Chu Li said coldly, “Don’t wake her up.”

With those words, he walked toward the study.

Consort Rong followed behind Chu Li, heading to the study.

…

In the study, Chu Li glared at Consort Rong with a gloomy face, his eyes slightly narrowed, emitting a dangerous light. “Sneaking into Prince Ning’s residence at night, what are you plotting now?”

“I have no other intention. It’s inconvenient for me to appear here during the day, so I can only come at night to see you.” Consort Rong curved her lips into a gentle smile, quietly looking at her son.

Chu Li gave her a bland look without speaking.

“Li’er, has something happened to Yunjin recently?” Consort Rong asked probingly.

These past few days, she had noticed that not only had National Preceptor An remained at Water Cloud Temple instead of returning to South Court Nation, but even Feng Xuan, who usually resided in Xinxiao City, had stayed in Diehhua City for several days.

Not only that, but the city lords of Xinxiao City and Heyue City had also gathered at Prince Ning’s residence…