Yun Jialan’s eyes brightened with amazement.

Then, realizing her inappropriate reaction, her face flushed red and she looked away. “I accept the loss of our bet.”

Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow, and now there was a hint of admiration in her eyes as she looked at Yun Jialan. Not bad, she was a person with a backbone after all.

It seemed that the princesses of the South Imperial weren’t so terrible.

…

On the carriage leaving the outskirts, after sitting for a while, Yun Jialan asked Ding Xian, who was driving, to stop the carriage. “We’ve reached the market area. This Princess will get off here.”

After speaking, Yun Jialan bent down and exited the carriage.

Mu Yunjin watched her leave, then turned to look at Chu Li. “That little girl impressed me.”

“She’s the same age as you…” Chu Li reminded her leisurely.

…

…

“Ahem…” Mu Yunjin suddenly coughed lightly, having once again forgotten the age of this body’s original owner.

Upon arriving at Chu Li’s guest residence, they had just sat down when a guard entered from outside the door. He bowed slightly to Chu Li. “Greetings to Prince Ning and Princess Consort Ning.”

“The Emperor is hosting a banquet at the palace tonight. Prince Ning and Princess Consort Ning are requested to arrive at Mohlan Palace during the hour of You (5-7 pm).”

“Mm.” Chu Li nodded in agreement.

After the guard left, Mu Yunjin pouted. Why was she being dragged into this again?

“Prepare some food,” Chu Li glanced at Mu Yunjin and spoke to Ding Xian, who was standing nearby.

Ding Xian immediately understood and walked away.

At this moment, another figure appeared at the entrance of the guest residence. “Your Highness, Princess Consort…”

Hearing the voice, Chu Li and Mu Yunjin turned their heads to see that it was Huang Yan.

Upon seeing Huang Yan, Chu Li frowned with displeasure and shot him a cold glance, frightening Huang Yan, who immediately forced an awkward smile. “Your Highness, could you not look at me like that?”

Mu Yunjin suppressed a laugh and looked at Chu Li. “Don’t blame him. I insisted on coming here myself; he couldn’t stop me.”

“Huang Yan, have you all settled in at the Imperial Tutor’s residence?” Mu Yunjin asked.

“We’ve already settled in. I found this place by asking Imperial Tutor An,” Huang Yan replied.

Mu Yunjin nodded slightly.

…

At the dining table.

Mu Yunjin was truly hungry now, eating much faster than usual, almost wolfing down her food.

Chu Li sat beside her, quietly pouring her a cup of water and placing it in front of her.

Mu Yunjin took a sip of water. After finishing a bowl of rice, she felt much better and began to eat more slowly.

“Western Emperor sent you here to ease relations. Have you made any progress with the Emperor of South Imperial these past two days?” Mu Yunjin looked at Chu Li, asking about official business.

Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin and shook his head. “This Prince isn’t here to cajole him.”

“Hmm?” Mu Yunjin didn’t immediately understand Chu Li’s meaning.

“This Prince is here to confirm something,” Chu Li said, his eyebrows slightly raised, his tone light as if discussing something extremely trivial.

Mu Yunjin didn’t understand what Chu Li was talking about and didn’t press further. After all, Chu Li would be staying here for five days. Tomorrow she would persuade him, by hook or by crook, to let her stay here, and then return with him.

After the meal, Mu Yunjin leaned back in her chair and let out a long sigh.

“Princess Consort, your calming soup is ready…” Huang Yan carried a small bowl, walking out from the direction of the kitchen.

Smelling the familiar medicinal scent, Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched as she looked at Huang Yan. “You brought this medicine with you?”

“Of course. This is important—how could I not bring it?” Huang Yan finished speaking and glanced at Chu Li.

Chu Li’s expression had softened considerably as he stared at Mu Yunjin’s medicinal soup.

Mu Yunjin took the bowl of medicine, initially wanting to use the excuse that it was too hot and she needed to wait, but it was clear that Huang Yan had prepared it some time ago. The bowl was only moderately warm to the touch.

Seeing no way to avoid it, she had no choice but to drink the pregnancy-stabilizing medicine in one go.

After drinking the medicine, Mu Yunjin put the bowl aside. She noticed Chu Li’s gaze, which startled her slightly.

She then looked away, lowering her eyes, and secretly placed both hands on her lower abdomen. In her heart, there was some sorrow—when would she be able to tell Chu Li about her pregnancy without any worries?

But with the current chaotic situation, revealing her pregnancy would indeed invite trouble.

Mu Yunjin found this thought headache-inducing.

“Go and rest for a while,” Chu Li said, looking at her.

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin nodded. She was indeed feeling a bit sleepy now, full and drowsy. She realized she was becoming increasingly lazy.

With that thought, she stood up and looked at Chu Li. “Where is your room?”

“The first one in the back courtyard,” Chu Li replied.

Mu Yunjin smiled and walked toward the back courtyard.

After she left, Chu Li turned his gaze to Huang Yan.

Huang Yan stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Yun Lianqing has also returned to South Imperial. He had already returned to the palace before I came to the guest residence.”

“Mm.” Chu Li nodded. “It seems that what this Prince wants to know, he is also curious about.”

“Yun Lianqing is a capricious person. He seems interested in allying with Your Highness, yet he maintains contact with Chu Qing’s side,” Huang Yan said.

Chu Li narrowed his eyes, his tone cold. “It doesn’t matter, as long as he stays away from Mu Yunjin.”

“Yes, I understand,” Huang Yan said with a smile.

“By the way, regarding tonight’s banquet, you…”

…

Mu Yunjin slept for more than two hours. When she opened her eyes, she was still so drowsy that she didn’t know where she was.

She lay in bed for quite some time before realizing she was in South Imperial, currently in Chu Li’s guest residence.

“Awake?” A deep, pleasant voice sounded in the room.

Mu Yunjin looked up and saw that Chu Li was sitting in a chair nearby, his gaze fixed on her.

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin got up and looked at Chu Li. Seeing that he was already properly dressed with his hair secured in a crown, she instinctively checked the time. Seeing it was almost the hour of You, she immediately got out of bed.

“Oh no, I didn’t bring any clothes!” Mu Yunjin looked at the brocade dress she was wearing. It was not suitable for a palace banquet.

And her accessories—she hadn’t brought those either.

Chu Li looked at her and smiled. “Everything has been prepared for you.”

Mu Yunjin was surprised at his words. Following Chu Li’s gaze, she saw a light purple embroidered brocade dress and some exquisite, delicate hair ornaments placed nearby.

“Then I’ll change now.”

…

Half an hour later, in front of Mohlan Palace.

“Chu Li, this is so awkward. I don’t know anyone here. Being mixed in here feels so strange…” Mu Yunjin clung to Chu Li’s arm, suddenly regretting her impulsive entry into the palace to find him earlier that day.

Chu Li looked down at her hand gripping his arm. She was holding on very tightly, showing she truly felt uncomfortable here.

“It’s all right. Just stay with this Prince,” Chu Li comforted her in a low voice.

Mu Yunjin nodded and followed him into Mohlan Palace.

Inside Mohlan Palace, many South Imperial officials, princesses, and princes were already seated. When Chu Li and Mu Yunjin entered, they were met with strange gazes from everyone.

But most of these gazes, after a moment, changed from initial curiosity to admiration, even envy…

Although the South Imperial and Western Empire were thousands of miles apart, some rumors, when spread enough, would eventually reach all corners of the Canghua Continent.

For instance, it was rumored that the Western Empire’s most brilliant Sixth Prince, Chu Li, had married the most useless and talentless daughter of Minister Mu. People had assumed that after their marriage, it wouldn’t be long before Chu Li would gather many concubines or marry the rumored Miss Qin.

But unexpectedly, after marriage, Chu Li not only doted on Mu Yunjin in every way but also severed ties with Miss Qin, having no further contact with her, which left many people bewildered.

Now, seeing such a stunning and well-matched couple walking together, many couldn’t help but sigh in admiration—these two were truly a perfect match!

As soon as Mu Yunjin sat down, the gazes directed at her made her uncomfortable. When she glanced toward the officials’ seats, she caught sight of Yun Lianqing entering through the main door, dressed in splendid attire.

Mu Yunjin’s heart sank. Why had this enchanter returned as well, and so quickly?

With this thought, Mu Yunjin recalled that Yun Lianqing had already noticed Chu Li’s blindness. She lowered her eyelids, feeling an extra layer of caution about tonight’s banquet.

“Ten thousand years to Crown Prince!” When those in the hall saw Yun Lianqing, they immediately stood up.

“You may rise,” Yun Lianqing said without even looking at them, his gaze fixed directly on Chu Li and Mu Yunjin as he walked quickly toward them.

Standing in front of Mu Yunjin and Chu Li, Yun Lianqing smiled and said, “How are my two old friends?”

“Hello, Crown Prince!” Mu Yunjin also displayed an extremely ‘enthusiastic’ smile.

“Oh, such politeness makes this Crown Prince nervous,” Yun Lianqing pretended to be afraid.

Mu Yunjin’s smile deepened. “Of course, this is, after all, the Crown Prince’s territory. I must be respectful to the Crown Prince.”

“No, don’t smile at this Crown Prince like that. It’s frightening,” Yun Lianqing waved his hand, as if truly scared.

“…” Mu Yunjin rolled her eyes and decided to ignore him.

Seeing that Mu Yunjin was no longer responding to him, Yun Lianqing turned his attention to Chu Li. “Why doesn’t Prince Ning speak?”

Chu Li had been ignoring Yun Lianqing all along. Only now, upon hearing his voice, did he lazily look up and glance at Yun Lianqing. “Greetings, Crown Prince Yun.”

“Hahaha, why are you both being so formal with this Crown Prince today? It’s not like we’re meeting for the first time. Besides, who knows, we might even become close friends in the future!” When Yun Lianqing said the last sentence, he deliberately lowered his voice and mysteriously winked at the two.

Mu Yunjin almost couldn’t maintain her composure, feeling as if she’d been struck by those peach blossom eyes. She immediately looked away. “Crown Prince Yun, please sit elsewhere. Standing here is making me dizzy.”

“All right, as you wish.” As Yun Lianqing finished speaking, he promptly sat down in the seat beside Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin was startled. Looking sideways, she realized that Yun Lianqing’s Crown Prince seat was right next to their seats.

This…

It was deliberate!

After sitting down, Yun Lianqing remained quiet for a while and didn’t continue speaking.

…

A moment later, an announcement sounded at the entrance of the great hall—

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives—”

“Her Majesty the Queen arrives—”

With these two announcements, surrounded by a group of eunuchs and palace maids, a figure in imperial yellow and another in red slowly entered through the hall’s entrance…