From the moment she entered, Mu Yunjin had completely ignored the Emperor of Nanting and the Tenth Princess Yun Jialan. Now, with her blunt question thrown out, all attention turned to Chu Li.
Yun Jialan was quick to speak, her tone disdainful, “Addressing him directly by name, truly lacking in manners and upbringing. This Princess thinks…”
“Shut your mouth! Stop with your ‘this Princess’ every other word. Is being a princess so great?” Mu Yunjin angrily turned to glare at Yun Jialan.
She was just the Tenth Princess of Nanting; what airs was she putting on? Mu Yunjin was talking to Chu Li—since when was it her turn to butt in?
Manners and upbringing? She dared speak of these?
She wanted to slap someone!
“You…” Yun Jialan, having never been confronted so directly before, was about to walk toward Mu Yunjin when she was stopped by Yun Guangyao’s look.
Yun Jialan halted in her tracks and let out a heavy snort.
…
…
Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin, his tense expression gradually softening. He reached out to gently brush away the strands of hair falling across her forehead, curling his lips slightly, “Who told you that this Prince was going to marry another woman?”
No wonder she had entered looking like a pitiful little thing—she had rushed here after hearing rumors.
What should he say to her?
“Isn’t it true?” Mu Yunjin couldn’t fathom the meaning behind Chu Li’s words.
“Having one of you in the mansion gives this Prince enough headaches. Adding another would truly be unbearable,” Chu Li said with a hint of helplessness in his voice. After speaking, he let out a light sigh, as if he’d genuinely been exhausted.
Hearing this affirmative answer, the sweetness in Mu Yunjin’s heart suddenly expanded. How could she love Chu Li’s seemingly disdainful attitude toward her so much?
For a moment, Mu Yunjin felt as if the old Chu Li had returned.
“Ahem…” Emperor Yun Guangyao coughed.
Hearing the sound, Mu Yunjin realized she had ignored the Emperor of a country for too long, and had even been unfriendly to his daughter in front of him…
It seemed she had made another mess…
With this thought, Mu Yunjin walked over and slightly bowed to Yun Guangyao, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“No need for formalities,” Yun Guangyao looked at Mu Yunjin, his tone mild, with no discernible emotion.
Meeting Yun Guangyao’s gaze, Mu Yunjin properly saw his appearance. He appeared to be around the same age as Emperor Ximing, yet he had a dignified presence and exuded a sharp vitality. Even his appearance looked much younger than Emperor Ximing’s. It wasn’t hard to see that he had been a handsome man in his youth.
Thinking of this, Mu Yunjin mused secretly, no wonder he could produce a bewitching character like Yun Lianqing.
“Old An, how did you come to be with her?” Yun Guangyao looked toward Imperial Mentor An.
“We happened to meet at the palace gate,” Imperial Mentor An replied.
Yun Guangyao nodded lightly, “I see.”
After speaking, he turned to look at Mu Yunjin, “Young lady, you’re the eldest daughter from Brother Beitang’s family, aren’t you?”
“Mm,” Mu Yunjin nodded.
Hearing this, Yun Guangyao sneered, “You two, one is Rong Wanyue’s son, the other is Jiang Qingxue’s daughter. You’re truly determined to vex me.”
Mu Yunjin was startled, not knowing how to respond.
“Very well, since you’re here, I will naturally treat you with courtesy. Let Old An show you around,” Yun Guangyao said, rising and walking out of the dining hall.
After Yun Guangyao left, Yun Jialan also stood to leave. As she passed by Mu Yunjin, she shot her a fierce glare, then with a cold snort, walked out.
After Yun Guangyao and Yun Jialan left, the atmosphere in the dining hall did not improve.
“Mu Yunjin, who allowed you to come here recklessly?” Chu Li’s brows furrowed tightly as he looked down at Mu Yunjin, his tone displeased.
Mu Yunjin pouted, “Who told me I’d heard news of you marrying the Nanting Princess? Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come here.”
“You believe whatever others say?” Chu Li narrowed his eyes, reaching out to lightly tap her forehead.
“How would I know if you’d find the princess beautiful, get moved, and marry her?” Mu Yunjin replied huffily.
Hearing this, Chu Li raised his eyebrows, “Is this Prince such a superficial person?”
“I could guarantee you weren’t before, but now I can’t be sure about you,” Mu Yunjin pursed her lips and smiled lightly, feeling much more relaxed now that she knew Chu Li wouldn’t marry Yun Jialan.
Chu Li felt he would be aggravated to death by her.
…
Leaving Zhenghe Hall, Mu Yunjin looked around and spoke softly, “Chu Li, how much longer will you stay here?”
“About five days,” Chu Li replied.
“Then I’ll stay for a few days and return with you, alright?” Mu Yunjin probed.
Chu Li glanced at her and immediately rejected her idea, “You’ll rest here for one night and return to Fengyu Pavilion tomorrow.”
“…” Mu Yunjin looked up at Chu Li, wanting to refuse, but seeing his displeased expression, she bit her lip and remained silent.
Beside them, the previously silent Imperial Mentor An suddenly chuckled, “If you make this girl leave tomorrow, I’m afraid she’ll just worry and overthink after she returns…”
…
Reaching the palace gate, Mu Yunjin saw two carriages waiting. She turned to look at Chu Li, “Are you staying in that courtyard house again this time?”
She remembered that last time in the Nanting Kingdom, Chu Li had his residence.
Chu Li shook his head, not at all surprised that Mu Yunjin knew about that secret courtyard, “I’m staying at the guest house in the market street.”
“Can I stay there today too?” Mu Yunjin looked at Chu Li.
“Mm,” Chu Li nodded in agreement.
Getting an affirmative answer, Mu Yunjin looked toward Imperial Mentor An, “You should go back first. Let Qiqi and the others stay at your place!”
“Alright, you troublesome girl. My stomach is still empty. Remember to treat me to a meal sometime,” Imperial Mentor An sighed, heading toward his carriage.
“No problem!” Mu Yunjin immediately agreed.
After Imperial Mentor An left, Chu Li and Mu Yunjin walked to the other carriage.
The person sitting at the front of the carriage was Ding Xian, who now looked somewhat perplexed as Mu Yunjin approached, “Princess, when did you come here?”
“Just arrived recently,” Mu Yunjin replied with a smile.
Ding Xian nodded in understanding and lifted the carriage curtain.
Just as Mu Yunjin was about to bend down to enter, there was a commotion from the palace gate behind her. Looking back, she saw it was Yun Jialan whom she had met earlier in Zhenghe Hall.
Yun Jialan had changed her clothes and was walking slowly toward the palace gate, surrounded by several eunuchs and palace maids. She stopped only when she reached Mu Yunjin and Chu Li.
Ignoring Mu Yunjin, Yun Jialan curled her lips into a smile and looked at Chu Li, “Prince Ning promised Jialan yesterday to teach swordsmanship. Has Prince Ning forgotten?”
Teaching swordsmanship?
Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, glaring at Chu Li in displeasure.
Today, Jialan happens to have time. Why not take advantage of the good afternoon weather to fulfill your promise? Jialan has even brought the Silver Treasure Sword bestowed by Father Emperor,” Yun Jialan said, taking the sword carried by a palace maid and opening the scabbard.
Mu Yunjin scrutinized Yun Jialan, knowing this woman was doing this on purpose. Knowing that she had come to find Chu Li, she deliberately chose this moment to request swordsmanship lessons.
Since Yun Jialan was intent on getting close to Chu Li, she absolutely wouldn’t go easy on her.
“Chu Li, since the Tenth Princess wants to learn swordsmanship, you should teach her well,” Mu Yunjin said, already bending down to enter the carriage.
Chu Li had become fairly familiar with Mu Yunjin’s temperament over this period. Hearing her words, he knew she was plotting something, so he glanced at Yun Jialan and nodded in agreement.
…
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was strange.
Mu Yunjin sat next to Chu Li. Due to her long journey, she felt somewhat fatigued. Now sitting in the carriage, that discomfort became more intense, so she tilted her head and leaned on Chu Li’s shoulder.
“Not feeling well?” Chu Li noticed her discomfort and naturally pulled her into his arms, lowering his head to ask her softly.
“No, just a bit tired,” Mu Yunjin replied casually.
Across from them, Yun Jialan watched the cuddling couple, finding it particularly irritating, especially seeing Mu Yunjin’s fragile appearance. She couldn’t help but mock, “This Princess remembers Prince Ning saying yesterday that he doesn’t like frail women. Was that a lie to this Princess?”
Chu Li gave Yun Jialan a bland look without responding.
Mu Yunjin, however, raised an eyebrow and looked at Yun Jialan, “Does Princess Jialan know martial arts?”
“Of course. Otherwise, how would this divine weapon, the Silver Treasure Sword, be in this Princess’s hands!” Yun Jialan said while playing with the sword tassel.
After a pause, she addressed Mu Yunjin again with disdain, “You’re so delicate. Do you still want to follow Princess and Prince Ning to practice swordsmanship?”
With Yun Jialan’s constant remarks about weakness and delicacy, Mu Yunjin could barely hold back her laughter.
Since when had she become the Lin Daiyu type in others’ eyes!
“Hey, let’s go to the outskirts. There’s an open space there, suitable for sword practice,” Yun Jialan suddenly lifted the curtain and presumptively spoke to Ding Xian outside.
Ding Xian was a bit startled, but seeing Chu Li had no objection, he nodded in agreement.
“Prince Ning, can you teach me hands-on later? I’ve never handled a sword before and fear I might hurt myself…” Yun Jialan blinked at Chu Li, feigning innocence.
“Then what martial arts have you learned?” Mu Yunjin interjected. Earlier, hearing her talk, she had thought Yun Jialan had mastered some extraordinary skill!
Although Yun Jialan was displeased at Mu Yunjin’s interruption, due to Chu Li’s presence, she wanted to show off “Lightness skill, and some mystic arts… You know, learning mystic arts isn’t easy. It takes great effort. Now that this Princess has established a solid foundation, learning swordsmanship will be easier.”
“Princess Jialan is truly remarkable,” Mu Yunjin praised with a smile.
“Naturally. This Princess knows martial arts and won’t burden Prince Ning. Unlike you, who floats when walking—apart from bearing children, what use are you?” Yun Jialan looked at Mu Yunjin, increasingly dissatisfied, feeling that Mu Yunjin was unworthy of Chu Li, no matter how she looked at her.
…
On the outskirts.
Mu Yunjin got out of the carriage and, seeing the nice sunshine, leaned against a tree, propping her head with her hand, and yawned.
At this moment, Yun Jialan suddenly approached Mu Yunjin like a gust of wind, crouched down in front of her, and grabbed her wrist.
“Isn’t this the divine weapon, the Phoenix Tail Whip? How did it end up with you?”
Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes, looking at her exposed wrist, then at the astonished Yun Jialan in front of her, “Why can’t it be with me?”