Considering what could make so many important people appear in one place at the same time, Consort Rong could only conclude that either Chu Li or Mu Yunjin must be experiencing some problem.
Recalling how National Preceptor An had come to Prince Ning’s residence to find Mu Yunjin, Consort Rong could only direct her suspicions toward Mu Yunjin and the Divine Command Seal.
Tonight, she had come to probe the situation.
“Whether there’s anything wrong or not, it’s none of your business,” Chu Li said, somewhat irritably, his aura suddenly turning cold and harsh. “Stop targeting Yunjin.”
“Otherwise, don’t blame me for being merciless!”
Consort Rong’s breath caught, her fingers gradually tightening. She opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a single word.
“Ding Xian, see the guest out!” Without waiting for Consort Rong to speak again, Chu Li had already dismissed her.
Ding Xian entered the study and made a reluctant gesture of invitation toward Consort Rong.
Consort Rong pressed her lips together and walked out of the study. After leaving, she deliberately glanced toward Mu Yunjin and Chu Li’s room.
…
…
Something she had been hesitating about in her heart now became certain.
This woman was destined to be Chu Li’s downfall.
…
Mu Yunjin slept well through the night.
When she woke in the morning, it was raining outside. With the winter solstice approaching, the weather had turned even colder than the previous days.
Seeing the weather outside, Mu Yunjin was even less willing to move. She hid in the warm blankets, only her head exposed, looking around until her gaze settled on a spot beside her.
Chu Li was sitting in a rocking chair nearby, reading a book. Noticing that Mu Yunjin had awakened, he asked, “Do you want to get up for breakfast?”
Mu Yunjin shook her head. “I’ll lie here a bit longer. I don’t want to move right now.”
“Little lazy bug,” Chu Li chuckled.
Mu Yunjin raised the corners of her mouth, staring directly at Chu Li. Before long, she became lost in thought, her mind wandering.
Tomorrow they would set off for Pingfeng Cliff.
Whether this journey would go smoothly or not would depend on these few days.
“Chu Li, can I have some wine today? The wine you gave to Master yesterday smelled so good, but he didn’t let me have any.” Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows, looking at Chu Li with anticipation in her eyes.
Chu Li’s hand paused on the book, seemingly considering for a moment, then nodded. “You may.”
He had always disliked her drinking too much alcohol and usually wouldn’t allow it, but today, when she made this request, he could indeed make an exception.
Having received permission, Mu Yunjin wanted to smile but didn’t dare make it too obvious. She turned over, facing away from Chu Li, a pleased smile escaping her lips.
Outside the window, the rain continued unabated. Inside the room, a brazier kept them warm. Mu Yunjin, already warm under the blankets, felt the additional warmth from the brazier and soon fell asleep again.
…
When she awoke again, it was already past noon, and the rain outside had stopped.
Mu Yunjin rubbed her eyes and looked to the side, noticing that Chu Li was still sitting in the rocking chair reading, just as he had been in the morning.
Mu Yunjin didn’t speak but lay there a while longer. When she tried to sit up, a wave of discomfort suddenly rose in her chest. Two heart meridians began pulsing rapidly at the same time, causing her entire body to feel anxious and her limbs to tremble.
To prevent Chu Li from noticing anything unusual, Mu Yunjin curled up under the blankets, biting her lip hard, trying to appear as normal as possible.
After a long while, Mu Yunjin tasted a hint of blood on her lips. Only after pressing her lips together did the discomfort in her body gradually subside.
This sudden discomfort had been difficult to endure, and she had broken out in a sweat again.
After licking her lips to ensure no blood remained, Mu Yunjin emerged from under the blankets, got up from the bed, and said, “I’ll go bathe first.”
Chu Li raised his eyes and glanced at her. Seeing her tightly pressed lips, he immediately stood up and walked to her side.
Seeing Chu Li suddenly approach, Mu Yunjin grabbed her clothes and hurriedly tried to walk toward the hot spring pool, but Chu Li caught her arm and turned her body to face him.
“What’s wrong?” Chu Li reached out to touch her lips.
Mu Yunjin felt uncomfortable and lowered her head, avoiding Chu Li’s gaze. “Nothing. I just had a nightmare and broke into a sweat. I feel a bit uncomfortable.”
“A nightmare?” Chu Li cupped her face, bringing it up to face him. “Don’t press your lips together.”
Mu Yunjin obediently relaxed her lips.
Earlier, during her discomfort and trembling, she had been biting her lip fiercely. Now her lower lip was badly bitten, and even after relaxing, fresh red blood still seeped out.
“What happened?” Chu Li wiped the blood from her lips, clearly not believing her nightmare explanation.
Mu Yunjin shook her head, pretending to be relaxed as she shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t worry too much. It’s not a big deal. I just scared myself with a nightmare.”
With that, she freed herself from Chu Li and ran toward the hot spring pool.
Chu Li stood in place, lowering his eyes to look at the blood on his fingertips, his expression somewhat grave.
…
Mu Yunjin sat quietly in the hot spring pool, looking down at her pale face reflected in the water, and sighed softly.
She hoped that in Ghost Valley Cave, she wouldn’t suddenly experience this discomfort. She didn’t want to hold them back.
The door to the inner chamber behind her opened, startling Mu Yunjin. She looked back to see who had entered, then lowered her eyes again.
Chu Li crouched down beside the edge of the pool, frowning slightly. “Turn around.”
Mu Yunjin obediently turned.
Chu Li was holding a porcelain bottle. After Mu Yunjin turned around, he opened the lid and poured some white powder onto his fingertip, then gently applied it to Mu Yunjin’s bitten lip.
“Ssss…” As the medicine touched her wound, Mu Yunjin drew in a sharp breath, feeling a burning pain on her lips.
“It hurts a bit. Bear with it.” Chu Li carefully applied the medicine for her. After finishing, he put away the porcelain bottle and added, “No wine today.”
With those words, Chu Li walked out.
Mu Yunjin sighed mournfully, watching Chu Li’s retreating figure with a pitiful expression. He was making a big deal out of nothing—it was just a bitten lip, yet he wouldn’t even let her drink!
…
After changing clothes, Mu Yunjin returned to the room. Chu Li had gone somewhere and wasn’t in the room.
“Zixiang…” Mu Yunjin called.
Hearing her voice, Zixiang pushed open the door and entered. “Miss, you’re awake.”
“Did Chu Li just leave?” Mu Yunjin asked, turning her head.
“Yes, he seems to have gone to the empty pavilion next door,” Zixiang answered, stepping forward to help Mu Yunjin arrange her hair.
After finishing her grooming, Mu Yunjin walked out of the room and headed outside the Liquan Pavilion. The heavy rain from the morning had now cleared.
Leaving Liquan Pavilion, Mu Yunjin paused, wondering whether to go to the pavilion next door to take a look.
Just as she was considering this, Ding Xian suddenly appeared, walking to Mu Yunjin’s side and respectfully saying, “Princess Consort, His Highness asks you to come over.”
“Mm.” Mu Yunjin nodded and followed behind Ding Xian.
Arriving at the pavilion where Qu Xinyao and Xu Heyu were currently staying, Ding Xian led her into the main hall. As soon as Mu Yunjin stepped inside, her pupils contracted slightly.
What a gathering—everyone was here!
Mu Yunjin looked around. Qu Xinyao, Xu Heyu, Huang Yan, Daoist Feng Xuan, and Master Huaiyuan were all seated inside. What surprised her most was that National Preceptor An and several subordinates from Phoenix Feather Pavilion, including Qiqi, were also present.
“Come and sit.” Chu Li beckoned to her, indicating the empty seat beside him.
Mu Yunjin walked over. She was familiar with all these people, but now that they had all gathered because of her, she couldn’t help feeling embarrassed!
“Now that everyone is here, let’s discuss how to arrange the Ghost Valley Cave expedition,” Daoist Feng Xuan spoke first. Today his expression was particularly serious, without any trace of his usual teasing of Mu Yunjin.
As the only person present who had been to Ghost Valley Cave, Feng Xuan’s words caused everyone to hold their breath and listen attentively, afraid of missing any important details.
“There are two ways to enter Pingfeng Cliff. One is by water, from the eastern end of Liuxi Lake, all the way to the bottom of Pingfeng Cliff. The other is to descend from the top of Pingfeng Cliff. To ensure the plan proceeds smoothly, we need to divide into two teams, taking the eastern and western routes, and then meet up at the bottom of Pingfeng Cliff.”
After speaking, Daoist Feng Xuan swept his eyes over everyone. “After gathering at the bottom of Pingfeng Cliff, I’ll lead you into Ghost Valley Cave. During this time, without my permission, no one is to act rashly!”
Everyone nodded.
“Now, let’s determine the two teams. Kong Shi and Huaiyuan won’t go. For the rest, I’ll make the assignments.” Daoist Feng Xuan narrowed his eyes, looking around.
Finally, he first pointed at Mu Yunjin. “The stinking girl will be on my team, along with City Lord Qu and several Phoenix Feather Pavilion disciples. The rest will follow Chu Li, including that Yun, whatever Holy Maiden.”
“Why separate the young couple?” Qu Xinyao didn’t understand why Mu Yunjin and Chu Li couldn’t act together.
“They can’t be placed together. This young couple, when together, often lets emotions dictate their actions in critical situations. Only by separating them will they strive with all their might to overcome every obstacle to see each other again, and thus achieve the ultimate goal.” Daoist Feng Xuan raised his eyebrows.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin pouted and gave Daoist Feng Xuan a worshipful look. Old ginger is truly spicier!
“As for that Yun, whatever Holy Maiden, being on Chu Li’s team makes it easier for him to observe her every move, since we still don’t know if she’s reliable! If we put her with the stinking girl, she’s too stupid to notice anything unusual.” Daoist Feng Xuan continued.
Mu Yunjin had always thought herself quite clever, but lately, with Chu Li occasionally calling her “foolish” and Daoist Feng Xuan frequently using terms like “stinking girl” and “too stupid”…
She was starting to question her life!
But never mind. Once they reached Ghost Valley Cave, she would make these people look at her with new eyes!
After all, she was a former special agent. She had experienced countless wilderness survival adventures. This time too, she would fight brilliantly!
“That’s all for now. There’s no point saying more specifics—you won’t be able to comprehend what I’m saying anyway. Once we enter Ghost Valley Cave, we’ll act according to the situation! Everyone try not to separate, understand?”
Everyone nodded.
“Stinking girl, do you understand?” Daoist Feng Xuan asked Mu Yunjin separately.
Mu Yunjin was instantly exasperated…