On her way out of the imperial prison, Mu Yunjin’s mind was filled with the image of Consort Rong sitting there stunned, her eyes red, in silent despair as she left.

Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but sigh. When she reached the entrance, she saw Master An sitting there, his gaze vacant. Only upon hearing her footsteps did he slowly turn to look at her.

Mu Yunjin glanced at Master An and laughed lightly. “Weren’t you supposed to have returned to Nanting? Why are you here?”

“I heard the news and came to see for myself.”

Mu Yunjin grew cautious and glanced around. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

…

“What do you think about Consort Rong’s situation?” Outside the imperial palace, Mu Yunjin leaned against a tree trunk and looked at Master An.

Master An shrugged indifferently. “I warned her countless times. In the past, she would listen to me, but ever since she saw the Divine Token in your possession, she became obsessed. Now, I couldn’t care less whether she lives or dies.”

“You speak so lightly of it. If you truly don’t care, why come all this way?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.

…

…

“I came to bring her a dagger, advising her that if she doesn’t want to die in front of the entire city, she should take her own life sooner.” Master An’s tone was flat, devoid of any emotion.

Mu Yunjin was startled, then curved her lips. “So you aren’t going to help her?”

“When I say I won’t intervene, I mean it,” Master An raised his eyebrows.

“Fine then, I’ll head back first.” Mu Yunjin didn’t know what else to say.

Master An looked at her, then at her belly, and before leaving, reminded her, “Don’t take anything lightly these days.”

“Yes, I understand,” Mu Yunjin nodded, accepting Master An’s advice.

…

Back at the manor, when Jiang Qingxue saw Mu Yunjin and Qiqi return, she immediately rose and walked to Mu Yunjin’s side, carefully helping her sit down and lowering her voice. “How is Rong Wanyue?”

“Still the same, stubborn as ever,” Mu Yunjin didn’t know what else to say.

After speaking, she took out the Divine Token, placed it in her palm, and examined it. “This thing truly brings nothing but harm.”

“Rest a while first, then go keep Chu Li company,” Jiang Qingxue said to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin put away the Divine Token, nodded, and sighed softly. “Since Chu Li lost his memory, I can’t fathom his thoughts anymore. I don’t know what he’s planning.”

Even as she spoke, Mu Yunjin had already stood up and was about to walk toward the door.

“Be careful,” Jiang Qingxue remained standing in place, reminding her.

Mu Yunjin responded with a sound of acknowledgment and pushed open the door.

After leaving, she noticed the sky had already darkened. Outside, the large contingent of imperial guards still stood motionless, showing no sign of withdrawing.

Just as Mu Yunjin reached the entrance to the study, the door opened.

Chu Li walked out from inside.

Mu Yunjin paused, standing before Chu Li, and looked deeply into his eyes.

“Why are you here?” Chu Li took two steps forward, coming to her side, and lowered his gaze to look at Mu Yunjin.

“I came to check on you,” Mu Yunjin slightly curving the corner of her mouth.

Chu Li stared at Mu Yunjin for a moment, then his gaze swept over her abdomen. “Have you eaten?”

“Not yet,” Mu Yunjin shook her head.

Chu Li frowned slightly, withdrew his gaze, and walked forward. “Come along.”

Seeing Chu Li suddenly walk away, Mu Yunjin looked up at his retreating figure, then hurriedly followed.

Ahead, Chu Li heard her light footsteps and stopped, turning around. His clear, cold eyes revealed a displeased expression.

Encountering this gaze, Mu Yunjin was startled. What was wrong?

After she drew near, Chu Li didn’t speak to her but turned and continued walking toward the room, though his pace was much slower.

After entering the room, it wasn’t long before the door opened and several maids brought in the meal, placing everything on the table before withdrawing.

Mu Yunjin sat down at the table, looking at the full spread of dishes, then at Chu Li beside her, still with a cold expression. She pursed her lips and didn’t pick up her chopsticks.

Seeing she wasn’t moving, Chu Li spoke, “Eat quickly.”

Hearing Chu Li’s words, Mu Yunjin immediately nodded, picked up her chopsticks, and began eating slowly.

Throughout the meal, neither of them spoke.

At this moment, Mu Yunjin couldn’t gauge Chu Li’s thoughts and didn’t dare rashly bring up Consort Rong, fearing it would anger him.

But sitting in silence was also uncomfortable for her.

As the meal was nearly finished, there came a knock at the door. “Your Highness.”

After entering, Ding Xian lowered his voice and looked at Chu Li. “Prince Yun Lianqing of Nanting has arrived and is waiting in the front hall. He wishes to see Your Highness and the Princess.”

“Instead of drinking at Prince Chen’s wedding, why is he running over here?” Mu Yunjin said irritably.

Chu Li stood up and glanced at Mu Yunjin. “You stay here and rest.”

After speaking, he left with Ding Xian.

Mu Yunjin remained in the room, knowing that Yun Lianqing’s visit surely meant nothing good. After thinking for a moment, her eyes darted around, and she rose and left the room.

The path from Liquan Pavilion to the front hall was also occupied by imperial guards. The once spacious Prince Ning Manor was now filled with people, and as Mu Yunjin walked, she felt her breathing becoming labored.

Reaching the entrance to the front hall, Mu Yunjin hid in a corner, listening to the activity inside. The many imperial guards outside stared at this scene, but none dared to speak.

…

Inside the front hall.

A man dressed in an ice-blue snow-silk robe sat in the side position. His captivating peach blossom eyes were slightly upturned, his lips slightly raised, revealing an alluring curve. His skin was white as snow, and his beautiful face was even more enchanting than a woman’s.

Chu Li sat in the main seat, casting a cold glance at Yun Lianqing. Especially after glimpsing Yun Lianqing’s face, which was more gorgeous than a woman’s, his eyes revealed utter disgust.

“Where is the Princess of Ning?” During the day at Prince Chen’s manor, Yun Lianqing had already encountered Chu Li, so now he was immediately familiar, dispensing with formalities.

“What brings the Prince of Nanting here?” Chu Li didn’t engage with Yun Lianqing’s topic.

Yun Lianqing rested his chin on his hand, his lips curling into a wicked smile. “I’ve heard she’s quite an extraordinary woman. This Prince wanted to meet her.”

“Ding Xian, see the guest out!” Chu Li stood up, his face tense, ignoring Yun Lianqing.

“Prince Ning truly loves his wife to death, not even allowing a glance. Back when this Prince took a fancy to my uncle’s concubine, he didn’t hesitate to send her to my bedchamber…” Yun Lianqing’s lips revealed a playful smile, his peach blossom eyes narrowing as he gauged Chu Li’s expression.

Chu Li’s face darkened. Just as he was about to personally throw Yun Lianqing out of the manor, an indignant voice came from the doorway—

“You shameless effeminate fop!”

Shameless…

Effeminate fop…

Who else but Mu Yunjin could say such things?

Everyone in the front hall looked toward the sound. There stood Mu Yunjin, hands on her hips, puffed up with anger at the doorway, her round eyes fixed fiercely on Yun Lianqing.

Originally, she had wanted to eavesdrop to find out what this person was up to, but after hearing those improper words, she couldn’t hold back and burst out.

At this moment, Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin, the corner of his lips rising in a barely perceptible curve.

Yun Lianqing, on the other hand, dropped his smile, full of displeasure, his face dark as he stared at Mu Yunjin. “Shrew!”

“Better a shrew than an effeminate fop. It’s not your fault you’re prettier than a woman, but speaking so flirtatiously is your problem.” Mu Yunjin looked disdainfully at Yun Lianqing.

This was Yun Lianqing’s first time meeting Mu Yunjin, but not the first time he had heard her name. Back in Nanting, spies had told him that Princess Ning, Mu Yunjin, was quite an extraordinary woman.

At that time, he hadn’t taken it seriously. How extraordinary could she be?

But seeing her now, she was merely a woman with a fiery temperament, seemingly not as remarkable as rumored.

“Is this how Xiyuan treats its guests? This Prince is truly impressed.” Yun Lianqing’s lips curled into a smile, his face showing amusement, but his eyes concealed surging depths.

“Stop putting on airs. You’re just the Prince of Nanting. I’m the Princess Imperial of North Ming!” After speaking, Mu Yunjin sat down in the other main seat.

Glaring at Yun Lianqing, she said, “Say what you have to say quickly, then get out!”

“Prince Ning, your Princess is riding all over you. Aren’t you going to do something about it?” Yun Lianqing turned to look at Chu Li.

Chu Li sat down, slightly raising his chin. “In this Prince’s manor, trivial matters are all handled by the Princess.”

Yun Lianqing’s expression froze. Was this implying that he was considered a trivial matter?

No wonder that Qin Muyue girl, had tried to stop him from coming to Prince Ning’s manor alone. It seemed she had suffered quite a few losses at the hands of this Mu Yunjin.

“Interesting,” Yun Lianqing laughed softly, then looked intently at Chu Li. “Regarding today’s matter with the Moon Consort, this Prince must apologize. Who would have thought no one would inform this Prince beforehand?”

Yun Lianqing’s words were full of provocation and mockery.

“This matter is of great importance. There’s no need to inform trivial individuals,” Chu Li responded coldly, his expression remaining calm.

Mu Yunjin suppressed a smile, wondering if Yun Lianqing had come specifically to be ridiculed.

“Then there’s nothing more to say. I’ll take my leave,” Yun Lianqing said, standing up.

Before he could walk out the door, Chu Li and Mu Yunjin had already risen first and were walking toward the back garden.

Yun Lianqing’s mouth twitched, his gaze fixed on the backs of Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.

When he noticed that as soon as Chu Li entered the back garden, a guard approached with a large lantern, his eyes suddenly flickered, and he instinctively looked at the surrounding light.

…

On the way back to the room.

“Didn’t this Prince tell you to stay in the room and rest? Why did you come out?” Chu Li turned to look at Mu Yunjin beside him, his tone displeased.

The night air was heavy with chill, and her body had been weak these past days. If she caught a cold, she would suffer again.

“I was worried, so I followed to take a look,” Mu Yunjin answered, lowering her gaze, her hands tightly clasped together from the cold.

“Foolish,” Chu Li uttered this single word.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin suddenly raised her head, her eyes bright as stars. She moved in front of Chu Li, blocking his path. “What did you call me?”

Chu Li halted, seeing her completely serious expression. Thinking she was angry, he was unsure how to respond when Mu Yunjin suddenly stepped forward and embraced him.

“That’s wonderful! You used to call me foolish all the time…”