When they returned to River Moon City, it was already the afternoon hour of Shen.

Mu Yunjin held the Heavenly Mountain Snow Toad Pill in her hand, feeling its weight heavy beside her.

Additionally, she had wanted to see Rong Jiu yesterday, but with Chu Li present, some things were inconvenient to discuss.

“Qiqi, let’s go to the inn first,” Mu Yunjin said, seeing that it was still early. She planned to find Rong Jiu at the inn, but fearing to leave Qiqi alone to return, as this big mouth might reveal her whereabouts and cause Chu Li to misunderstand, it was better to keep her by her side.

Qiqi nodded, following beside her.

The two arrived at the inn where Rong Jiu was staying, but were informed by the attendant that Rong Jiu had already checked out and left.

Left…

Hearing this word, Mu Yunjin’s eyes flickered as she pressed her lips together, pondering for a moment before looking at Qiqi.

“Help me track where Rong Jiu and his group have gone.”

…

…

Qiqi was slightly taken aback, then nodded.

Finding a secluded spot with no one around, Qiqi activated her tracking technique and began to search for Rong Jiu’s whereabouts. After a while, Qiqi gave her answer, “They just left River Moon City not long ago. We can still catch up if we go now.”

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin was relieved, carefully channeling her true energy and flying toward the city gate of River Moon City.

…

When Mu Yunjin saw an exquisite carriage slowly moving along the road, she quickened her pace, flew over, and with Qiqi, stood firmly in front of the carriage, blocking its path.

The person driving the carriage outside was Hong Ling. Seeing the people blocking the way, she stopped the carriage, her gaze at Mu Yunjin complex.

“What is it?” Rong Jiu’s light voice came from inside the carriage.

“Consort Ning is here,” Hong Ling said calmly.

After speaking, the curtain of the carriage was lifted. Rong Jiu sat in the carriage, his gaze quietly looking at the slender, petite figure outside. He smiled slightly, “It’s cold outside. If you have something to say, come in.”

Seeing that Rong Jiu was still treating her with such warmth, Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, approached the carriage, and climbed in.

Qiqi and Hong Ling waited outside.

“Why are you suddenly leaving? Giving up?” After Mu Yunjin sat down, Rong Jiu immediately handed her the hand warmer he was holding.

Warmth spread through her palm, but her heart felt unsettled.

“I apologize on behalf of Hong Ling for what she did wrong,” Rong Jiu sighed softly, his voice low as he looked at Mu Yunjin with eyes gentle as water.

“She was just doing it for your sake, and besides, she didn’t do anything wrong.” The Cliff Grass wasn’t their exclusive right; Hong Ling had simply obtained it first. What was wrong with that?

Rong Jiu smiled faintly, “You’re still the same. Even though you’re furious inside, you never express it.”

Though they hadn’t interacted much or for long, he could somewhat discern her temperament.

“What about you? You initially wanted to be a good ruler, seeking welfare for your people, but now that you can’t find an antidote, you’re giving up? Willing to hand over your kingdom to Rong Min?” Mu Yunjin countered. This Rong Jiu was also a stubborn person.

“At this point, it no longer matters,” Rong Jiu looked at Mu Yunjin with a faint smile.

Hearing such dispirited words, Mu Yunjin felt inexplicably displeased, “So where are you planning to go now that you’re leaving River Moon City?”

“Qing State,” Rong Jiu answered.

The place where they first met.

Hearing these two words, Mu Yunjin was slightly surprised, not knowing what to say. She involuntarily took out the box from her sleeve and directly placed it in Rong Jiu’s hand.

“This is for you.”

Rong Jiu took the box but didn’t open it, turning to look at Mu Yunjin, “What is this?”

“The Heavenly Mountain Snow Toad Pill. I don’t know if it can neutralize your poison, but you can try.”

Mu Yunjin spoke casually, but in her heart, she was anxious for Rong Jiu.

Rong Jiu’s eyes flashed as he slowly opened the box. Upon seeing the crystal-clear pill inside, he looked at Mu Yunjin, “Where did you get this?”

“Someone gave it to me,” Mu Yunjin replied.

Then she asked another question, “Have you heard of this Snow Toad Pill? Can it neutralize your poison? Or is it only possible with Star Grass?”

If the Snow Toad Pill couldn’t neutralize Rong Jiu’s poison, perhaps Xu Heyu could…

She could also take the Snow Toad Pill to ask Hua Ying.

For a moment, Mu Yunjin seemed to see a glimmer of hope again.

At this moment, before Rong Jiu could answer, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and Hong Ling entered the compartment, looking excitedly at the Snow Toad Pill in Rong Jiu’s hand.

“This can also neutralize Your Highness’s poison!” Hong Ling couldn’t hide her excitement and joy, her gaze fixed unblinkingly on the Snow Toad Pill.

“Really? Then why didn’t you say so that day?” Mu Yunjin looked at Hong Ling.

Hearing this, Hong Ling sighed, “This Snow Toad Pill is almost rarer than Star Grass. At that time, we couldn’t even find Star Grass, let alone the Snow Toad Pill.”

“The Snow Toad Pill is a top-tier spiritual pill, extremely rare in the world. I’ve only heard that the royal family of South Ting has one. Apart from that, it’s only been recorded in books.”

Mu Yunjin nodded. The royal family of South Ting—since Yun Shuangleng was a princess of South Ting, she must be referring to this very Snow Toad Pill.

It seemed that, inadvertently, she had obtained another treasure.

“Consort Ning, how did you get it?” Hong Ling asked.

“The Princess of South Ting gave it to me,” Mu Yunjin answered.

Hong Ling was stunned, a trace of admiration showing in her eyes as she looked at Mu Yunjin, surprised that she even knew the Princess of South Ting.

On second thought, Hong Ling added, “I’ve heard that the royal family of South Ting has three secret medicines, all with the effect of bringing the dead back to life. They are the Snow Toad Pill, the Lotus Spirit Pill, and the Snow Soul Pill.”

“A few years ago, I heard that the Lotus Spirit Pill was suddenly stolen, and the culprit has not been found to this day. Now the Snow Toad Pill is here, and of the three secret medicines, only the Snow Soul Pill remains.”

Mu Yunjin listened to Hong Ling’s words and nodded, finding that these people were all very knowledgeable.

“Since the Snow Toad Pill can neutralize the poison, to avoid delays, you should take it now! After detoxification, you probably shouldn’t travel far. You should turn back and rest in River Moon City for a few days,” Mu Yunjin looked at Rong Jiu.

Rong Jiu looked at the Snow Toad Pill and curled his lips slightly, “You’ve saved my life once again.”

“Who asked you to be poisoned because of me? Between us, neither owes the other.” Having just clarified the matter of favors with Yun Shuangleng, she didn’t want to be in a situation of mutual indebtedness with Rong Jiu again.

One matter should be settled as one matter; it was better to clarify everything.

“But when I saved you, you were unaware. It was my one-sided decision,” Rong Jiu added.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin pouted and crossed her legs, “Then give me some treasure in exchange for my favor!”

“‘Also’?” Rong Jiu caught this word.

“Of course, otherwise why do you think the little princess of South Ting would give me such a precious Snow Toad Pill?” Mu Yunjin glanced sideways at Rong Jiu.

Rong Jiu chuckled and agreed to her words. From his waist, he took out a token, “This is for you.”

“What is this?” Mu Yunjin took it, and upon seeing the words on it, she was slightly surprised, “Military token?”

“Yes. If you ever have an urgent matter, you can use this token to mobilize all soldiers of East Limin for your use. You can also use this token to enter any place in East Limin, including the imperial palace,” Rong Jiu said.

Mu Yunjin bit her lip, suddenly feeling that the object in her hand was heavier than the Snow Toad Pill. Holding this military token felt like the entire East Limin was placed in her hands.

Hong Ling was also astonished. She naturally understood what this military token represented—it was supreme authority.

His Highness giving such an important item to Mu Yunjin showed how significant she was in his heart.

However, the Consort had saved His Highness’s life twice, which indeed qualified her for this military token!

Mu Yunjin looked at the military token, feeling a bit uneasy, “Forget it, I don’t want this. It’s too important. If it gets lost and someone picks it up, it would be a huge problem.”

Mainly, she was afraid of Chu Li seeing it…

“Then I have nothing else to give you. If you don’t accept it, I’ll continue to owe you a favor,” Rong Jiu slowly said.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin glared at Rong Jiu, “How did you also learn to be sneaky?”

“I’ve always been like this,” Rong Jiu said.

“Then I’ll keep it for now. If it gets lost one day and someone picks it up, don’t blame me,” Mu Yunjin put away the military token, holding it in her palm.

Rong Jiu nodded, quietly looking at her, his lips curling slightly upward.

…

By the time they returned to the City Lord’s Mansion, it was completely dark.

Before returning, Mu Yunjin had specifically instructed Qiqi to absolutely not reveal that they had met Rong Jiu today. Qiqi had repeatedly nodded in promise.

Now, as the two entered the main hall, everyone was present.

“Consort, you’re back. Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something first?” Qingmeng was especially concerned, seeing her, a pregnant woman, rushing about all day.

Mu Yunjin shook her head, sat down, and took a sip of water.

“Consort, how come meeting Yun Shuangleng took so long? Did that Feng Che wake up?” Huang Yan asked.

“He did,” Mu Yunjin answered.

After a pause, she raised her eyes and glanced at Chu Li, whom she had ignored since entering. With a mischievous smile at the corner of her lips, she said, “Today, I also happened to take care of some household matters for Prince Ning.”

Chu Li was taken aback and turned to look at her, “What matters?”

“It’s about your imperial mother. She left that Yun Mu’er in the Prince’s Mansion and arranged an empty pavilion for her to live in, saying she was the future Secondary Consort of Ning.” Mu Yunjin spoke casually. Nearby, Ding Xian and Huang Yan felt a chill down their spines, sensing a cold wind all around.

Chu Li’s brow imperceptibly furrowed. Before he could speak, Huang Yan had already weakly asked, “Is Yun Mu’er still alive?”

Given Mu Yunjin’s temperament, this woman probably…

“Of course she’s alive. She’s the Secondary Consort candidate appointed by Concubine Rong. How would I dare do anything to her? I don’t want to commit one of the seven grounds for divorce and be gossiped about,” Mu Yunjin repeated Concubine Rong’s words, changing the tone.

Upon hearing her words, Chu Li’s brow furrowed even more. What did this woman mean? Did she agree to him taking a secondary consort? Even if she agreed, why did she seem so happy?

With these thoughts, Chu Li inexplicably felt a heaviness in his heart, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what he was unhappy about.

“Ding Xian, the sun didn’t rise from the west today, did it…” Huang Yan was continually astonished. This wasn’t Mu Yunjin’s usual character.

Ding Xian shrugged, indicating he didn’t understand either.

“However, since she is a secondary consort, as the primary consort, I should teach her some rules. I heard she unwarrantedly scolded servants in the mansion and privately used money from the accounting room. As the primary consort, I gave her a bit of education…” Mu Yunjin changed her tone, her eyes glancing over at Chu Li.

Huang Yan’s mouth twitched, “How did you educate her?”

Qiqi, rubbing her chin, now picked up the conversation, “Master didn’t educate her much, just gave her a few dozen slaps, kicked her a few times, and whipped her once… Don’t worry, she’s still alive!”