Hearing the words “Princess Consort Ning,” the tailor shop owner was startled. Just as she was about to bow in greeting, she heard Mu Yunjin say to the person who had spoken—
“Miss, you’ve mistaken me for someone else.”
But as soon as Mu Yunjin finished speaking, she had already walked out of the tailor shop with the woman who had called out to her.
Seeing this, the shop owner inhaled sharply with a puzzled expression. Did these two know each other or not?
…
Mu Yunjin hadn’t expected to encounter Hong Ling on the streets of River Moon City. After their last parting, she thought she would never see Hong Ling again in this lifetime.
“Hong Ling, how did you come to be in the Western Yuan Kingdom?” Mu Yunjin walked side by side with Hong Ling on the street.
Hong Ling pressed her lips together, revealing a gentle smile, though her eyes betrayed a hint of sorrow. “Naturally, I came with the Crown Prince.”
“Rong Jiu is here too?” Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows. A few days ago, she had heard from Chu Qingyuan that Rong Jiu was to ascend the throne before the new year. How had he suddenly come to River Moon City?
…
…
“Princess Consort Ning, the Crown Prince, is staying at the inn ahead. Since you are acquainted with him, why not go see him?” Hong Ling spoke softly, her words carrying a tone of pleading.
Mu Yunjin didn’t want any entanglement with Rong Jiu and instinctively wanted to refuse. But when she glimpsed the desolate emotion in Hong Ling’s demeanor, she bit her lip, feeling an ominous premonition.
“Has something happened to your prince?” Mu Yunjin asked tentatively.
Hearing this, Hong Ling turned to look at Mu Yunjin, then gently nodded.
“Then I’ll go see him.” Mu Yunjin thought that she had nothing else to do, and besides, she was probably the only person Rong Jiu knew in the Western Yuan Kingdom.
They had saved each other’s lives before, so although neither owed the other anything, upon hearing that Rong Jiu was in trouble, she still wanted to see if she could help.
“I’ll take you there; it’s just ahead.” Seeing that Mu Yunjin had agreed to meet Rong Jiu, Hong Ling immediately pointed forward and led the way.
Not far behind them, two figures stood watching the direction in which Mu Yunjin and Hong Ling had departed.
“Your Highness, isn’t that the Princess Consort?” Huang Yan pointed at Mu Yunjin’s retreating figure. They had been searching for her since they left the mansion, and now they had finally found her.
But…
Why had the Princess Consort entered an inn…
Specifically, an inn for lodging…
Just as he was thinking this, Chu Li had already started walking toward the inn.
Seeing this, Huang Yan hurriedly followed.
…
“We’re here.”
Hong Ling brought Mu Yunjin to a room on the second floor, then knocked on the door. “Your Highness.”
After a moment, a response came from inside: “Come in.”
Hong Ling pushed open the door, glanced at Mu Yunjin beside her, then walked in.
Mu Yunjin followed behind Hong Ling. Upon entering, she saw a figure in white, eyes closed, leaning back in a reclining chair in the spacious guest room.
Still as she remembered, Rong Jiu wore a moon-white brocade robe, his complexion as fair as snow and as beautiful as silk brocade. He resembled the crescent moon in the night sky—clear and serene. His entire being radiated nobility and elegance, yet with a subtle hint of gentle refinement.
Looking at Rong Jiu, Mu Yunjin noticed he had lost weight since their last meeting, and beneath his eyelids hovered a shade of darkness, suggesting some physical ailment.
“Your Highness, look who’s here.” Hong Ling smiled as she spoke, seeing that Rong Jiu’s eyes were closed.
Hearing this, Rong Jiu, who had been resting with his eyes closed on the chair, slowly opened them. Seeing the figure standing before him, he trembled slightly, his gaze fixed steadily on Mu Yunjin.
It’s her.
It was her…
After staring at Mu Yunjin for a long while, Rong Jiu finally spoke slowly, his tone gentle, “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it’s been a long time.” Mu Yunjin looked at Rong Jiu, noticing that when he spoke, his breath lacked strength. After opening his eyes, he appeared even more frail.
“Please, sit.” Rong Jiu noticed that her complexion wasn’t good either, and gestured for her to sit down.
Hong Ling poured a cup of water for Mu Yunjin and handed it to her. “Princess Consort Ning, have some water.”
Mu Yunjin accepted the teacup and thanked her.
“I heard you’re about to ascend the throne. Congratulations.” After taking a sip of tea, Mu Yunjin offered her congratulations to Rong Jiu.
With these words, the atmosphere in the room grew tense and somber.
Mu Yunjin hesitated, feeling a bit awkward. “What… what’s wrong?”
“Our secret journey to River Moon City is to find a medicinal herb.” Hong Ling lowered her eyelids and sighed softly.
“Medicinal herb?” Mu Yunjin stiffened, looking at Rong Jiu again. “Is there something wrong with your health?”
As she spoke, Mu Yunjin instinctively examined Rong Jiu more carefully. Noticing again the dark shade beneath his eyes, a thought formed in her mind.
“Have you been poisoned?” Mu Yunjin asked.
She remembered that Rong Min was also skilled in using poisons.
“I’m fine.” Rong Jiu spoke in a hoarse voice, not wanting her to see him in such a wretched state upon their first meeting.
Mu Yunjin ignored Rong Jiu and turned to Hong Ling. “What medicinal herb are you looking for?”
“Celestial Star Grass, an herb that can counteract poison. It’s said to be extremely rare. We’ve searched every corner of the Eastern Lin Kingdom but couldn’t find it. After a long secret investigation, we heard that the last Celestial Star Grass was discovered within River Moon City’s boundaries, so we came here in secret.” Hong Ling told Mu Yunjin directly, disregarding Rong Jiu’s wishes.
“So that’s it.” Mu Yunjin nodded and looked at Rong Jiu. “How long have you been poisoned?”
Rong Jiu pressed his lips together and remained silent.
Seeing that he wouldn’t answer her, Mu Yunjin turned to Hong Ling again. “How long has he been poisoned?”
Hearing this, Hong Ling looked at Mu Yunjin with a meaningful expression, then slowly replied, “Over a month now.”
“That’s already quite long.” Mu Yunjin thought of Xu Heyu, who had the poison integrated into his bones and blood because he had been poisoned for too long. Now Rong Jiu had also been suffering for over a month; the situation was likely dire.
“I know a master of poison antidotes. Why not let her help examine you?” Mu Yunjin recalled how Hua Ying had easily defeated Rong Min before, estimating that perhaps she could also counteract Rong Jiu’s poison this time.
Hearing this, Rong Jiu raised his eyes to look at Mu Yunjin, a flash of something unusual in his gaze. “Why are you in River Moon City as well?”
He remembered that the imperial city of the Western Yuan Kingdom was Butterfly Flower City.
“Same as you, looking for medicinal herbs.” Mu Yunjin shrugged, feigning nonchalance.
“Are you… ill?” Rong Jiu’s face was pale as he looked at Mu Yunjin with concern.
Mu Yunjin shook her head. “Not me, a friend.”
“Mm.” Rong Jiu’s heart relaxed. He glanced at the time and quietly said, “It’s getting late. Let Hong Ling escort you back.”
“Then I’ll bring someone to see you tomorrow.” Mu Yunjin stood up. Since Rong Jiu had asked her to leave, she naturally wouldn’t linger any longer.
Rong Jiu nodded slightly without speaking.
…
When Mu Yunjin and Hong Ling reached the ground floor, she realized that Rong Jiu had brought only Hong Ling on this journey. Curious, she asked, “What about that personal guard called Zhang Bai? Didn’t he come with you?”
Hearing this, Hong Ling faltered, her eyes suddenly rimmed with red as she struggled to control her emotions. “He’s dead…”
“…”
Mu Yunjin was stunned. She had just asked casually, not expecting such an answer.
Recalling Rong Jiu’s weakened state, and now hearing from Hong Ling that Zhang Bai had died, Mu Yunjin’s heart tightened. She dared not imagine what they had gone through a month ago.
“I’ll head back now; you don’t need to see me out.” Feeling somewhat awkward, Mu Yunjin bid farewell to Hong Ling when they reached the inn’s entrance.
Hong Ling paused. Just as she was about to speak, she caught sight of a figure outside the inn. Understanding dawned in her heart, and she nodded gently.
“Goodbye,” said Mu Yunjin.
“Goodbye.”
…
As soon as she stepped out of the inn, Mu Yunjin saw Chu Li’s figure in the night. He stood alone across from the inn, his gaze fixed directly on her.
Mu Yunjin looked around. The Fireworks Festival had ended, and no one was setting off fireworks on the street anymore. At this hour, only a few shops still had candles lit.
“Why are you here?” Mu Yunjin approached Chu Li and asked.
Chu Li lowered his gaze to look at Mu Yunjin, his eyes flickering, his tone displeased. “Do you know what time it is now?”
“Yes, I do.” Before coming down, Mu Yunjin had specifically checked the time; it was only just approaching the hour of Hai (9-11 PM).
“Are you sure you know?” Chu Li raised an eyebrow, his cool tone carrying a hint of mockery.
Mu Yunjin also raised an eyebrow, folding her arms and looking Chu Li over. “What exactly does Prince Ning want to say to me?”
Seeing her clever and defiant manner, Chu Li felt frustrated. Lowering his voice, he spoke angrily, “You, a married woman, running to an inn to meet another man in the middle of the night—aren’t you taking this prince too lightly?”
A married woman…
The middle of the night…
Mu Yunjin’s lips twitched. It was only about nine in the evening, yet Chu Li had exaggerated it to “the middle of the night.”
But then another thought occurred to her, so she deliberately tilted her head to look at Chu Li, revealing a sweet smile as she moved closer to him, gently tracing circles on his chest with her finger.
“Is Your Highness jealous?” Mu Yunjin blinked, staring at Chu Li with an innocent expression.
Hearing the word “jealous,” Chu Li suddenly felt embarrassed. Uncomfortable under Mu Yunjin’s gaze, he swatted her hand away, his tone impatient. “Mu Yunjin, mind your place!”
Mu Yunjin had originally thought Chu Li was truly jealous and felt secretly delighted. Now, with him directly pushing her hand away and speaking in such an impatient tone, she realized he was only concerned about his face.
She looked down at her hand. Chu Li’s force when he pushed her away had not been gentle; the back of her hand was already reddening, accompanied by a burning pain.
Thinking of how the previous Chu Li had always spoken to her in a low, coaxing tone, Mu Yunjin felt a sense of grievance rise in her heart.
Not wanting to deal with Chu Li anymore, she turned and walked toward the Governor’s Mansion without so much as a glance back.
Chu Li watched her leave with her head hanging low. Recalling how he had swatted her hand away in a moment of sudden irritation, he realized his force might have been excessive, possibly hurting her…
With this thought, he gazed at Mu Yunjin’s retreating figure, his expression gradually growing complex…