Seeing Mu Lingzhu supporting Mu Xiarou as they left Shihua Pavilion, Zixiang pinched herself hard. Realizing she wasn’t dreaming, she cast an astonished look at Mu Yunjin.

“Young Miss, you…” Zixiang approached Mu Yunjin, hesitating.

Mu Yunjin lifted her eyelids slightly. “Just say it.”

Zixiang pressed her lips together, paused for a moment, but still couldn’t help speaking, “Young Miss, you never dared to defy the Fourth and Fifth Young Misses before, allowing them to…”

Allowing them to bully you.

Zixiang stopped herself at the right moment, not daring to continue.

Mu Yunjin naturally knew what Zixiang wanted to say next, so she curved her lips into a smile and patted Zixiang’s shoulder. “In the past, I was indeed foolish to let those two bully me without resistance.”

“When you think about it, although Father has confined me, I am still the eldest daughter of the Mu family, their elder sister. How could I allow them to bully me?”

“Today I merely taught them a small lesson. If they dare to come and bully me again, I will tear them apart!”

…

…

Mu Yunjin’s words left Zixiang completely stunned. She glanced at Mu Yunjin, feeling that something had changed, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.

But it was indeed a good thing that the Young Miss had learned to fight back.

“By the way, who is Empress Qin?” Just as Mu Yunjin was about to leave the bedroom, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zixiang.

Zixiang was startled, once again revealing a gaze of surprise. “Young Miss, you don’t remember Empress Qin?”

Mu Yunjin slightly curved her lips. Although she had some of this body’s memories, they were merely scattered fragments. How could she know everything in detail?

“I’m afraid it’s a side effect from when Aunt Su drugged me with sleeping incense when she snuck into my room last night.” Mu Yunjin rubbed her temples and spoke with resignation.

Zixiang nodded, then walked to Mu Yunjin’s side, helped her sit down, and poured her a cup of tea.

“Empress Qin is the birth mother of the current Emperor. Although her status is below the Empress Dowager, she can be considered equal to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.” Zixiang spoke in a low voice.

“Is she on good terms with me? She even bestowed upon me a jade hairpin.” Mu Yunjin removed the jade hairpin from her hair and weighed it in her hand.

Seeing that Mu Yunjin had completely forgotten everything from before, Zixiang sighed slightly but still explained everything in detail.

“Empress Qin and our mansion’s Big Madam were once good sisters. When they were young, they made a promise to each other that by their grandchildren’s generation, the Sixth Prince would marry the eldest daughter of Minister Mu’s household.”

“So, Young Miss, as the eldest daughter of Minister Mu’s household, you are naturally especially favored by Empress Qin.”

After hearing Zixiang’s words, Mu Yunjin’s brows furrowed. “If Empress Qin likes me so much, then where did my father find the courage to confine me here? Isn’t he afraid of Empress Qin’s displeasure?”

Mu Yunjin was somewhat confused but generally understood the direction of things.

So, her identity in this world came with a marriage agreement, and it was with the Sixth Prince.

Hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, Zixiang’s face immediately fell. She stamped her foot and whispered, “Young Miss, the Minister has concealed it well. Empress Qin does not know about your confinement.”

“Oh?” Upon hearing this, Mu Yunjin immediately became interested. “In that case, I need not fear my father’s confinement order at all.”

With those words, Mu Yunjin lifted her foot and walked toward the exit of Shihua Pavilion.

Zixiang was frightened and immediately rushed forward to grab Mu Yunjin. “Young Miss, please don’t run off! If the Minister discovers this, you’ll face family punishment.”

“Family punishment?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow. “Let him try!”

After speaking, Mu Yunjin ignored Zixiang’s hindrance and walked out of Shihua Pavilion. Zixiang’s face turned pale with fear, full of worry.

The Young Miss had only been affected by sleeping incense, yet her entire personality had changed drastically. If the master caught the Young Miss randomly leaving Shihua Pavilion, it would be terrible!

Despite these thoughts, Zixiang still followed behind Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin sauntered out of Shihua Pavilion. Just a few steps outside, the servants passing by saw Mu Yunjin’s figure and showed strange expressions, though they dared not say anything.

With her good hearing, Mu Yunjin even caught some of their whispers as she passed by several servants.

“Which direction is Mu Lingzhu’s residence?” Mu Yunjin asked.

Zixiang paused, then pointed westward. “In Mingzhu Tower over there.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows slightly. Mingzhu Tower, Shihua Pavilion—such favoritism…

“You go back first. I’ll walk alone.” Mu Yunjin said to Zixiang.

Zixiang was startled and was about to speak, but after meeting Mu Yunjin’s gaze, she nodded. Before leaving, she added worriedly, “Young Miss, please be careful and don’t do anything rash.”

Mu Yunjin smiled and nodded.

After Zixiang left, Mu Yunjin headed straight toward the most prosperous area. Initially, she had thought that her residence in Shihua Pavilion was decent enough, but after seeing several other residences, she realized that her place was nothing more than a “doghouse.”

As she passed by the entrance of a courtyard, Mu Yunjin suddenly heard a faint voice from inside—

“Mother, in three more months, daughter will come of age. At that time, the palace will bestow marriage upon the sister and the Sixth Prince. What shall we do?”

Mu Lingzhu’s voice came from inside.

Hearing Mu Lingzhu’s voice, Mu Yunjin immediately stopped and leaned against the doorway, listening to the voices from within.

“Pearl, we can’t rush this matter. Let mother think of a way.” A middle-aged woman’s voice also came out.

“Mother, you know that since her daughter first saw the Sixth Prince at the palace when she was eight, she has always had her heart set on him. It’s been a full eight years now. It’s just a pity that you gave birth to me one step too late. If I had been born before my sister, I would be the eldest daughter of the Mu family.” Mu Lingzhu’s voice carried a hint of tears.

Outside the door, Mu Yunjin carefully digested Mu Lingzhu’s words, finally understanding why Mu Lingzhu was bold enough to send Aunt Su to eliminate her.

So, only if she died could Mu Lingzhu naturally become the eldest daughter of the Mu family and marry the Sixth Prince.

What a ruthless woman—willing to eliminate her sister to marry a man. This Mu Lingzhu was truly not a small character.

“You wretched thing, who gave you permission to go out!”