After a series of thorough investigations and comparisons in the examination room, the conclusion was that the deceased in the imperial prison was indeed Consort Rong.
This result was most difficult to accept for Qin Muyue and the others.
Consort Rong was Chu Li’s mother. Given Chu Li’s personality, how could he possibly stand by and do nothing?
There must be something strange going on.
After leaving the examination room, Wan Hongyuan addressed Emperor Ximing, who walked at the front, “Your Majesty, how should we handle the corpse?”
“Such an adulterous woman does not deserve to enter the imperial tomb. Just throw her in the wasteland burial ground!” Emperor Ximing waved his sleeve and strode away.
After Emperor Ximing left, the Empress followed him out, leaving only General Qin, Chu Qing, and a few others in the prison.
“Minister Chen truly deserves his position as Chief Justice, always upholding justice in everything,” General Qin looked at Chen Pu with an enigmatic smile.
Chen Pu naturally understood what General Qin was implying and bowed slightly, “General Qin speaks truly. As long as I remain Chief Justice for even one day, I will handle cases with integrity and never bend the law for personal gain.”
…
…
“Hahaha, then this old man shall see just how long Minister Chen can keep his official hat.” Withx those words, General Qin walked out.
Qin Muyue glanced at Chen Pu and snorted coldly, “Minister Chen, the wise adapt to circumstances—that’s an eternal truth.”
“Let’s go,” Chu Qing said to Qin Muyue with a faint smile as he walked toward the exit.
After everyone had left, only Chen Pu and Wan Hongyuan remained in the prison.
Wan Hongyuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and frowned as he looked at Chen Pu, “Minister Chen, what should we do now?”
“For many years, we have loyally served His Majesty, but now villains dominate the court and persecute loyal ministers. If we don’t seek protection from a strong backer, I fear our future looks grim…” Chen Pu sighed after speaking.
“Then what does the Minister suggest?” Wan Hongyuan lowered his voice, looking at Chen Pu.
Chen Pu clasped his hands behind his back and turned his head to look at Wan Hongyuan, “Find an opportunity to meet with Prince Ning.”
Wan Hongyuan was startled, but nodded in agreement.
…
Mu Yunjin had been resting in bed continuously, not daring to get up and move around without Qingmeng’s permission.
When Jiang Qingxue entered with a bowl of ginseng chicken soup, Mu Yunjin turned to look at her, her gaze first falling on her original appearance, “Eh? Are the imperial guards all gone outside?”
“They were withdrawn this morning.” Jiang Qingxue approached her and placed the ginseng chicken soup beside Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin frowned slightly, “Why did Emperor Ximing suddenly change his mind?”
“Rong Wanyue bit her tongue and committed suicide in prison yesterday,” Jiang Qingxue explained.
“Suicide?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat before she reconsidered, “A real death or a fake one?”
Jiang Qingxue shook her head, “That’s unknown, but after a thorough investigation by the Ministry of Justice, the conclusion was that the person who died in the imperial prison was indeed Rong Wanyue.”
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin bit her lip, “Where is Chu Li?”
“In the pavilion outside.”
Mu Yunjin made a sound of acknowledgment and reached for the ginseng chicken soup, drinking it slowly.
“Yunjin, when do you plan to tell Chu Li about your pregnancy? You can hide it in the early stages, but what will you do when your belly grows larger?” Jiang Qingxue looked at Mu Yunjin’s stomach with a slightly furrowed brow.
“I don’t know either. We’ll take it one step at a time,” Mu Yunjin pursed her lips.
Jiang Qingxue smiled lightly.
After finishing the ginseng chicken soup, Mu Yunjin rubbed her waist and glanced toward the door. “Can I go out for a walk?”
“Qingmeng said you need to stay in bed these few days,” Jiang Qingxue replied.
“But lying here is so boring,” Mu Yunjin leaned against the headboard, realizing that forcing someone as restless as herself to rest in bed was truly a torturous thing.
Seeing her dejected expression, Jiang Qingxue smiled slightly, “Alright, I’ll go call Chu Li to come in and keep you company.”
With that, Jiang Qingxue stood up and walked out.
Not long after, the door opened again.
Mu Yunjin looked at the figure walking in and smiled gently. Her mother was truly capable, having summoned Chu Li so quickly.
After entering, Chu Li walked to Mu Yunjin’s bedside, “You want to go out?”
Mu Yunjin paused, quickly glancing up at Chu Li before nodding.
“Don’t even think about it,” Chu Li flatly refused.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow at Chu Li, “I didn’t realize you cared about me so much. Have you fallen in love with me?”
“Then go ahead and leave,” Chu Li abruptly changed his tone, knowing full well that without Qingmeng’s medical approval, she wouldn’t dare get out of bed and go out.
Upon hearing Chu Li’s words, Mu Yunjin snorted coldly and spoke with displeasure, “Is it so difficult to admit you like me?”
“If there’s nothing else, this prince will leave first,” Chu Li said with clear eyes, turning to leave as he finished speaking.
Mu Yunjin’s heart soured, “Wait.”
Chu Li stopped and turned to look at her.
“I heard Consort Rong committed suicide in prison?” Mu Yunjin asked him.
“Yes,” Chu Li nodded.
Mu Yunjin frowned, “She really died?”
“No,” Chu Li looked at her, “Focus on recovering your health first. Don’t get involved in these matters.”
Chu Li knew her emotions shouldn’t fluctuate too much. Some things were better kept from her if possible, to prevent her from overthinking alone.
Getting Chu Li’s definitive answer, Mu Yunjin’s heart relaxed a little. Suddenly remembering something else, she said, “On the day of Qin Muyue and Chu Qing’s wedding, I was also being hunted in Heyue City.”
“This prince already knows,” Chu Li’s dark eyes sank, “Recently, don’t leave this place arbitrarily.”
“Have the Qin family and Chu Qing begun their next plan?” Mu Yunjin looked at him.
Chu Li shook his head, “This prince will handle it properly.”
“Chu Li, don’t shoulder everything yourself. We are husband and wife, we should be of one heart,” Mu Yunjin smiled, pretending to be relaxed as she winked at Chu Li.
When Chu Li caught this dazzling smile, he was slightly stunned. Those two words, “one heart,” inexplicably touched something deep within him.
This foolish woman.
He stared at her for a while, his gaze falling on her pink, moist lips. In his mind, he slowly recalled that sweet and lingering kiss in Heyue City.
Seeing Chu Li looking at her, Mu Yunjin seized the opportunity to reach out and hold his hand, “What are you thinking about?”
Hearing her voice, Chu Li was slightly taken aback, feeling somewhat uncomfortable as he averted his eyes, “Nothing.”
“Really?” Mu Yunjin noticed Chu Li’s ears turning red and grinned mischievously, moving closer to him.
“Lie down properly,” Chu Li grew irritated seeing her emerge from the blankets in her thin clothes.
Mu Yunjin smiled, “Then give me a kiss.”
“What did you say?” Chu Li frowned, momentarily wondering if this woman could read minds.
“I told you to kiss me,” Mu Yunjin said, pointing to her cheek.
Chu Li’s face darkened further as he made to turn and leave.
The moment Chu Li turned around, Mu Yunjin crawled out from under the blankets and jumped onto his back, her arms around his neck and legs wrapped around his body.
“Mu Yunjin!” Chu Li was immediately furious, veins bulging on his forehead. He grabbed her wrists, wanting to pull her off but afraid of hurting her, “Get down right now!”
“Stingy! You won’t even give me a kiss. It’s not like we haven’t kissed before. Weren’t we kissing just fine in Heyue City?” Mu Yunjin deliberately teased Chu Li, tightening her arms around his neck.
Chu Li’s mouth twitched, truly at his wit’s end with her. Suppressing his anger, he said, “Go back and lie down.”
“No,” Mu Yunjin pushed her advantage, having already figured out Chu Li’s state of mind during this short time, realizing he wouldn’t simply throw her down.
“Fine then, if you like this, this prince won’t force you,” Chu Li said, allowing her to cling to him as he walked toward the door.
Mu Yunjin frowned. Was Chu Li going to go outside like this? No, no, he must be trying to provoke her. She wouldn’t fall for it!
But it wasn’t until Chu Li opened the door and stepped out of the room that Mu Yunjin realized Chu Li had been serious.
Dressed in her thin clothes, the biting cold wind outside made her body shiver as soon as they went out. Instinctively, she held onto Chu Li even tighter.
Chu Li ignored her reaction and continued walking. It wasn’t until they were about to leave Liquan Pavilion that he heard Mu Yunjin’s miserable, pleading voice, “I was wrong! Let me go back!”
“Do you truly admit your mistake?” Chu Li raised an eyebrow, his eyes showing a trace of satisfaction.
“Yes,” Mu Yunjin lowered her head.
Seeing her begging, Chu Li stopped tormenting her and quickly walked back to the room, afraid she might truly catch a cold.
Returning to the bedside, Mu Yunjin immediately released Chu Li and climbed back under the blankets by herself, with only her eyes exposed, staring at Chu Li, who stood by the bed.
“Rest well,” Chu Li looked down at her, and upon seeing her pitiful gaze, his heart tightened.
He then sighed helplessly and bent down slightly to place a fleeting kiss on Mu Yunjin’s forehead.
“Bang bang bang—” An urgent knocking broke the tender tranquility of the room.
Both Mu Yunjin and Chu Li were startled, frowning in unison as they looked toward the door.
“Come in,” Chu Li called.
Ding Xian pushed open the door and, upon encountering two murderous gazes, shrank his neck and said, “Your Highness, Princess…”
“What is it?” Chu Li asked with displeasure.
“News just came from outside that the King of Nanting Country, Yun Guangyao, has proclaimed to the world, stating that the Emperor of Western Yuan killed the Consort of Nanting, and henceforth Nanting will sever diplomatic relations with Western Yuan, declaring them irreconcilable enemies!” Ding Xian announced.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin exclaimed in surprise, apparently not expecting such an attitude from the King of Nanting. She had originally thought he would strongly support Emperor Ximing’s decision.
But after a moment’s reflection, Mu Yunjin understood the King of Nanting’s actions.
Although Consort Rong had served two men, she was genuinely the King of Nanting’s consort in Nanting Country. Now Emperor Ximing had ordered her execution on his authority without informing the King of Nanting, which was essentially a severe slap in the face to the King of Nanting.
After all, she was his woman. Even if she had made mistakes, the mighty King of Nanting hadn’t called for her punishment, so what right did Emperor Ximing have to deal with her privately?
Thinking of this, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but laugh.
“After the King of Nanting’s proclamation, the King of Eastern Lin also added his position, stating that he supports Nanting’s stance!” Ding Xian continued.
Hearing that the previously harmonious four countries had suddenly turned hostile, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help asking, “What about Northern Ming? Have they taken a position?”
“The King of Northern Ming stated that since Princess Jinhua is the wife of Western Yuan’s Prince Ning, they will certainly do their utmost to support Western Yuan.”