Yun Shuangleng’s heart leaped with joy. “Princess Ning, do you truly agree to help me awaken Feng Che?”

Mu Yunjin glanced at her and pursed her lips. “First, find a way to bring him here. Now that Black Robe knows we can perform hypnosis too, they might already have taken their next step.”

“Alright.” Yun Shuangleng’s face could barely contain her excitement as she looked gratefully at Mu Yunjin. “Princess Ning, thank you!”

“No need for thanks. Consider it repayment for guiding us through the swamp.” Faced with Yun Shuangleng’s gratitude, Mu Yunjin felt somewhat awkward, not knowing how to respond, so she casually made up a reason.

Yun Shuangleng paused for a moment, but still nodded woodenly. “Well, time is of the essence. I’ll find a way to bring Feng Che here, and then contact Princess Ning again.”

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin nodded.

After the brief conversation with Yun Shuangleng, Mu Yunjin asked Zixiang to escort Yun Shuangleng away. After Yun Shuangleng had left, she headed toward Liquan Pavilion.

……

Just as Chu Li returned to Liquan Pavilion, a familiar figure flashed into the courtyard.

…

…

Inside the study at Liquan Pavilion.

“Why have you come?” Chu Li coolly glanced at Consort Rong, who had suddenly arrived.

Consort Rong looked at Chu Li, tugging at the corner of her mouth, her eyes showing slight discomfort. “It’s like this—I’ll be returning to Southern Court Country in a couple of days. Before I leave, I’d like to see young Qingyuan once more. Given my current status, it’s inconvenient, so I was hoping you could help by bringing Qingyuan to your residence, allowing us to catch up and say a proper goodbye.”

After a pause, Consort Rong added, “This time when I return to Southern Court Country, barring unforeseen circumstances, I likely won’t be coming back…”

Hearing this, Chu Li’s expression grew complex. After a long moment, he softly grunted an affirmation.

Seeing that Chu Li had agreed, Consort Rong curled her lips slightly and continued, “By the way, you and Mu’er have been married for quite some time now. I suspect good news will come soon. These past few days, I’ve been idle and have knitted several small garments. My technique is clumsy, and they’re not particularly attractive, but I hope you won’t find them disagreeable…”

As she finished speaking, Consort Rong opened a small bundle she had brought, revealing several exquisite, delicate sweaters before Chu Li’s eyes.

When Chu Li heard the words “Mu’er,” the rigid lines of his face had already softened somewhat. Now, these small garments touched the softest part of his heart.

“Mother, thank you.” Chu Li’s lips formed a faint curve as he raised his gaze to look at Consort Rong.

That single word “Mother” made Consort Rong’s nose suddenly sting with emotion, her heart filled with bitterness. During this period, Chu Li’s attitude toward her had always been lukewarm, with barely a few words exchanged, let alone a smile.

But now, finally hearing him call her “Mother,” it was all because of Mu Yunjin.

“No need for thanks. All these years, I haven’t been by your and Qingyuan’s side, failing in my responsibility as a mother. I hope you can treat Mu’er well; she’s a good girl.” Consort Rong spoke with a smile.

Regarding Consort Rong’s sudden change in attitude toward Mu Yunjin, Chu Li didn’t think too much about it, assuming that Consort Rong had simply come to terms with things herself.

So he nodded slightly, accepting Consort Rong’s words.

As they were talking, footsteps were heard outside Liquan Pavilion. Hearing these familiar footsteps, Chu Li immediately stood up and prepared to walk outside.

Before leaving, he looked back at Consort Rong. “It’s getting late. Find an empty pavilion to stay in. This prince will send someone to invite Xiao Jiu over tomorrow.”

“Very well, go ahead with your business.” Consort Rong nodded with a smile.

After Chu Li left, Consort Rong’s expression instantly darkened. She pressed her lips tightly together, her hands clenched into fists.

……

When Mu Yunjin returned to the room, Chu Li followed her in.

“Eh? Where did you go?” Mu Yunjin turned to look at Chu Li. She had been in the side hall for quite some time and had thought Chu Li would be waiting for her in the room.

“Mother has arrived and wants to see Xiao Jiu,” Chu Li replied, moving closer to Mu Yunjin.

Hearing that Consort Rong had come, Mu Yunjin frowned slightly. Recalling what Consort Rong had mentioned to her recently about cutting out her heart, she felt uneasy.

Why would she come now, not earlier or later, but precisely when she had obtained the crocodile pearl?

“Where is she now?” Mu Yunjin asked.

“This prince has let her find an empty pavilion to stay in. Tomorrow morning, Xiao Jiu will come to see her,” Chu Li said, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her forehead, adding, “After meeting with Xiao Jiu, she will return to Southern Court Country.”

Chu Li’s words made Mu Yunjin’s heart sink further. The extent of Consort Rong’s obsession with the Divine Command Token was something Chu Li might not fully grasp, but she knew it all too clearly.

For the Divine Command Token, Consort Rong had become almost manic. How could she possibly give up so easily?

Thinking this, Mu Yunjin looked up at Chu Li, blinking her eyes, and held out her hand. “Those two pearls, let me keep them for now.”

Tomorrow was the day to merge the crocodile pearl, and tonight, Consort Rong was staying here. If the two pearls weren’t by her side, she truly wouldn’t feel at ease.

And tonight, she suspected she wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly, needing to remain vigilant of any movement around her.

Chu Li understood what Mu Yunjin was worried about, but naturally, he wouldn’t let Consort Rong upset Mu Yunjin. Seeing Mu Yunjin extend her hand, he took out the two pearls without hesitation and placed them in her palm.

“Keep them safe, don’t lose them,” Chu Li cautioned her. She had been rather absent-minded lately, seeming a bit foolish.

However, he adored this sweet, endearing side of her.

Mu Yunjin tucked away the two pearls, lowered her gaze to look at them, and curved her lips slightly. “Mm, I understand.”

“My beloved, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t we do something before retiring early?” Chu Li gently patted the back of her head, leaning in closer, his gaze tender, with hidden meaning.

Mu Yunjin’s face suddenly flushed red. Chu Li’s change of topic was truly unexpected. Remembering the marks on her neck, Mu Yunjin spoke in a muffled tone, “No!”

“In this matter, this prince decides, and you have no say…” With those words, Chu Li simply hoisted her up and carried her toward the soft couch.

……

All night, Mu Yunjin slept extremely uneasily, fearing that Consort Rong might attempt something underhanded. But it wasn’t until daybreak when she awoke that she realized her worries might have been unnecessary.

Perhaps she had overthought things?

Two days after returning from Ghost Valley Cave, Mu Yunjin had been in a state of catching up on sleep. Now, early in the morning, she changed her usual pattern and got up early.

“Sixth Brother, Sixth Sister-in-law, the sun’s shining on your bottoms!” Outside came a knocking sound, accompanied by Chu Qingyuan’s playful laughter.

Mu Yunjin had already changed her clothes but hadn’t yet done her hair. Hearing Chu Qingyuan’s voice, she walked to the door and opened it.

She had thought only Chu Qingyuan would be outside, but after opening the door, she was surprised to find Consort Rong there as well.

Seeing Consort Rong, Mu Yunjin’s expression became somewhat unnatural. She merely glanced at her lightly, without saying a word.

“Sixth Brother, Sixth Sister-in-law, hurry up and get ready to come out. Today’s breakfast was personally prepared by Mother. I’ve been drooling for ages, but Mother insisted on waiting for you both,” Chu Qingyuan pouted, almost like she was throwing a tantrum.

Beside her, Consort Rong also curved her lips into a smile, looking at Chu Li and Mu Yunjin. “Don’t listen to Qingyuan’s nonsense. How could what I make be better than what the royal chefs prepare?”

“Mother…” Chu Qingyuan held onto Consort Rong’s arm, not letting go at all.

“You two go to the dining hall first. This prince and Yunjin will be there shortly,” Chu Li glanced at the two standing at the door.

“Alright!” Chu Qingyuan replied, leading Consort Rong away.

Mu Yunjin watched the two receding figures, feeling that Consort Rong was very strange, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was strange about her.

The first time she had met her in Southern Court Country, she had been an elegant and beautiful woman who never dirtied her hands with labor. How had she suddenly changed character today, moving in the direction of a good mother?

It was bizarre!

Though she thought this, she couldn’t say much in front of Chu Li. She could only call Zixiang in to help her with her hair.

……

After finishing a simple small bun, Mu Yunjin and Chu Li left together.

“When are we merging the crocodile pearl today?” Mu Yunjin turned to ask Chu Li. The Divine Command Token inside her body felt like a ticking bomb; she desperately wished to extract it right away.

“Tonight at Water Cloud Temple,” Chu Li answered her.

Mu Yunjin nodded slightly.

Arriving at the dining hall, they found a bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup on the table in front of each of them.

After they both sat down, Mu Yunjin lowered her gaze to look at the lotus seed soup before her. The presentation wasn’t the work of the royal chefs, so it must have been made by Consort Rong.

“Sixth Brother, Sixth Sister-in-law, don’t you think Mother is playing favorites? She made lotus seed soup specially for you two, saying it’s to help you have children soon! Xiao Jiu wants some too, but she told me she’ll make it for me only after I get married,” Chu Qingyuan began to complain as soon as they sat down.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised the corner of her lips. “If you want it, you can have my bowl.”

With that, she prepared to push the bowl toward Chu Qingyuan.

“No, no, that won’t do. I’m also hoping to become an aunt soon!” Chu Qingyuan looked at Chu Li and Mu Yunjin with a beaming smile. “Hurry and eat while it’s hot!”

Consort Rong pursed her lips and glanced at Chu Qingyuan. “Qingyuan, you’re still a child yourself. Don’t corrupt your little nephew when the time comes.”

“Mother…” Chu Qingyuan pouted, furrowing her brow.

Mu Yunjin stared at the bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup before her, somewhat hesitant. But seeing that Chu Li beside her had already picked up his spoon and was eating methodically, she figured there probably wasn’t any issue.

So, she likewise picked up her spoon and began to eat slowly. As the first spoonful of lotus seed soup entered her mouth, she found the taste surprisingly good.

At this moment, Consort Rong lowered her eyes, a fleeting coldness passing through them.

……

Mu Yunjin suspected she had risen too early today, as her appetite wasn’t very good. She had only eaten half a bowl of lotus seed soup when she felt her stomach becoming sickeningly sweet. She drank two cups of clear tea in succession.

“Not to your liking?” Consort Rong looked at Mu Yunjin, noting she had only eaten half a bowl of lotus seed soup, her eyes showing concern.

Mu Yunjin shook her head. “I can’t eat anything too sweet in the morning.”

After speaking, she ladled herself a bowl of plain rice porridge from the side and began eating it slowly with a few small dishes.

Plain porridge and simple dishes—comfortable.

Chu Li turned to look at Mu Yunjin, slightly furrowing his brow. He had been with her for some time now and had become familiar with many of her habits. In all this time, today was the first time he had seen her eat plain porridge for breakfast.

Usually, she never got tired of red bean porridge, eating it every morning.

Why the change today?