Mu Yunjin looked over as Yun Guangyao, dressed in imperial dragon robes, and the Queen of South Imperial, in a red phoenix-embroidered dress, entered the great hall and walked toward the main seats on the dais.
After the two sat down, everyone in the hall immediately stood up and bowed to them.
“You may all rise,” Yun Guangyao said with a smile.
After everyone in the hall had resumed their seats, Yun Guangyao glanced around, turning toward Yun Lianqing, who sat at the forefront of the left side, and smiled. “Qing’er, what have you gained from your travels outside the country?”
Upon being addressed, Yun Lianqing narrowed his peach blossom eyes and smiled. “In reply to Imperial Father, during my recent journey through the other three countries, my greatest gain was making the acquaintance of Prince Ning and Princess Consort Ning beside me.”
“Oh? What do you mean by that?” Yun Guangyao raised an eyebrow.
“While in the Western Empire, I was fortunate to receive the care of Prince Ning and Princess Consort Ning. I learned many useful skills that would take too long to explain now. When there’s time in the future, I will elaborate to Imperial Father in detail.” As Yun Lianqing finished speaking, he cast a glance toward Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.
But the two were sitting there attending to themselves, not even sparing Yun Lianqing a glance.
Mu Yunjin had been trying hard to suppress her urge to snicker since hearing Yun Lianqing’s words. This South Imperial Crown Prince certainly had quite the talent for telling blatant lies.
…
…
“Come, Prince Ning, Princess Consort Ning, this Crown Prince offers you a toast.” With these words, Yun Lianqing raised his wine cup and turned to face Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.
Since Yun Lianqing had made such a gesture, Chu Li and Mu Yunjin naturally gave him face. Both raised their wine cups and made a remote toast with Yun Lianqing.
Seeing this, Yun Guangyao smiled slightly. “Today, you two are distinguished guests of my South Imperial, and also good friends of Qing’er. There’s no need to be too formal; please consider yourselves at home.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
…
When the South Imperial banquet ended, Mu Yunjin felt an incredible feeling.
In the past, during banquets in the Western Empire, there wasn’t a single one that she had gotten through peacefully. Regardless of big or small matters, there were always people who would direct accusations at her and Chu Li.
Today, from beginning to end, apart from occasional caring words from Yun Guangyao, there were no other incidents.
It was as if they had attended an ordinary banquet.
As they stood up at the end, Mu Yunjin let out a long sigh of relief.
“It seems I was too nervous. Nothing happened at all,” she said quietly to Chu Li as they walked out of Mohlan Palace.
Chu Li glanced at her sideways. “You’re also afraid of trouble?”
“With you around, I’m not afraid,” Mu Yunjin blurted out, holding onto Chu Li’s arm.
Chu Li seemed pleased by her words, his lips curving slightly upward.
Upon leaving Mohlan Palace, Mu Yunjin’s peripheral vision caught a burst of strong light.
Looking toward the light, she saw quite a few people standing in the corridor nearby. Focusing her vision, she saw Yun Guangyao, who had been the first to leave Mohlan Palace, standing in the center, seemingly talking to some official.
Beside Yun Guangyao stood many eunuchs and palace maids, each holding a small lantern, illuminating the already bright corridor as if it were daylight.
The strong light Mu Yunjin had noticed earlier came from these small lanterns.
Involuntarily, Mu Yunjin frowned, her gaze flitting over the lanterns hanging above the corridor, then falling on the small lanterns in the hands of the eunuchs and palace maids.
This scene…
It seemed somewhat familiar.
With this thought, Mu Yunjin’s heart trembled, and she turned to look at Chu Li.
Chu Li’s expression was calm, his gaze directed elsewhere. Sensing Mu Yunjin’s eyes on him, he lowered his gaze to look at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, let’s go back.” Mu Yunjin shook her head, forcing a smile.
“Mm.” Chu Li nodded.
Before leaving, Mu Yunjin glanced once more at Yun Guangyao. By now, he had finished talking with the official and, surrounded by his entourage, was walking toward the end of the corridor. The burst of strong light also gradually disappeared with him.
Mu Yunjin unconsciously clenched her fists as a startling and frightening thought formed in her mind…
After returning, Mu Yunjin went to bed early, her mind filled with the scene from when they left the South Imperial Palace.
Connecting the fact that Consort Rong was from South Imperial with what Yun Lianqing had said before they came to South Imperial, Mu Yunjin felt extremely anxious.
At this moment, Chu Li, having finished bathing, walked to the bedside. Seeing Mu Yunjin staring at the ceiling with her eyes open, he spoke in a soft, light voice, “You’re troubled?”
“No.” Mu Yunjin immediately denied it.
Chu Li lay down beside her, his brow slightly furrowed as if extremely tired, his tone lazy. “Mm, rest early.”
Mu Yunjin slightly furrowed her brow, reached out to embrace Chu Li, and closed her eyes without saying a word.
Chu Li extinguished the candle, tucked the blanket around her, and held her as they fell asleep.
In the darkness, the room was quiet, with no sound except for the gusts of cold wind outside.
On the bed, neither of them felt sleepy.
…
The next day, after Mu Yunjin and Chu Li finished their breakfast, South Imperial’s Grand Marshal Mo Jinglun came to the guest residence to speak with Chu Li.
Seeing Mo Jinglun arrive, Mu Yunjin made an excuse about going to the Imperial Tutor’s residence to pack her belongings, telling Chu Li to wait for her at the guest residence. When she left, she didn’t even take Ding Xian with her, departing alone.
After leaving the guest residence, Mu Yunjin headed toward the Crown Prince’s mansion in the eastern part of the city.
Soon, at the entrance of the Crown Prince’s mansion.
Mu Yunjin walked up the steps. Before she could ask the guards at the door to announce her arrival, an elderly man walked out from the side and bowed slightly to Mu Yunjin. “Might you be Princess Consort Ning?”
Mu Yunjin nodded.
“Crown Prince issued orders early this morning that if Princess Consort Ning came, she should be admitted directly without need for announcement,” the elderly man said.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin gave a light laugh and clenched her sleeves. It seemed Yun Lianqing had anticipated that she would come to find him.
With this thought, Mu Yunjin stepped forward and entered the Crown Prince’s mansion.
The elderly man followed Mu Yunjin into the mansion, leading her to an elegant courtyard at the back. Before Mu Yunjin even stepped into the courtyard, she heard several laughing voices coming from inside.
Upon entering the courtyard, she saw Yun Lianqing sitting inside, having breakfast, with two beautiful women in his arms—one feeding him porridge, the other feeding him snacks.
Mu Yunjin looked at this scene with extreme disgust. This man was not only enchantingly handsome but also so promiscuous.
“Greetings, Crown Prince Yun.” Mu Yunjin approached, smiling at Yun Lianqing.
Yun Lianqing looked up at Mu Yunjin, immediately displaying a wicked smile. “The sun must be rising from the west today for Princess Consort Ning to grace my humble abode.”
“Let’s skip the pleasantries. Ask them all to leave,” Mu Yunjin sat down, glancing at the two women beside Yun Lianqing.
“All right, whatever you say.” After Yun Lianqing spoke, he winked at the two women.
The two women understood and immediately rose and left.
Soon, only Mu Yunjin and Yun Lianqing remained in the courtyard.
“One doesn’t visit the temple without a reason. Princess Consort Ning coming so early must have something important to discuss?” Yun Lianqing tugged at the corner of his mouth, reaching out to pour a cup of water for Mu Yunjin and placing it on the table in front of her.
Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, her gaze fixed on Yun Lianqing. “Do you know something?”
“Hmm? What thing?” Yun Lianqing blinked, his smile widening.
“What do you think?” Mu Yunjin asked.
Yun Lianqing lowered his eyes and curved his lips. “Oh, that matter. This Crown Prince does indeed know something.”
“Then let’s hear it.” Mu Yunjin took a sip of water, smiling faintly.
“The matter you’re referring to is something that could shock the entire Canghua Continent. If it were to be revealed, I’m afraid the consequences would be unimaginable…” Yun Lianqing said with a smile, his captivating peach blossom eyes now gleaming with points of light.
Mu Yunjin bit her lip. “But now, it’s just speculation, isn’t it? This matter isn’t certain, is it?”
“Whether it’s speculation or not, revealing such a thing never brings any good. Don’t you agree?” Yun Lianqing continued.
“Princess Consort Ning, have you mentioned the matter the Crown Prince discussed with Prince Ning? While there’s still room for maneuver in any situation, it’s better to make preparations early.
“Otherwise, when you become the target of all arrows, it will be too late for regret…”
Mu Yunjin narrowed her eyes, glaring at Yun Lianqing. “Threatening me again.”
“Call it what you will. You have no choice now. The matter this Crown Prince discussed with you brings you no harm at all.” Yun Lianqing shrugged, his words light.
Mu Yunjin took a sharp breath, her eyes gradually darkening.
“If I hadn’t come to find you today, what would you have done?” Mu Yunjin asked again.
“You’re a clever person. This Crown Prince had already anticipated you would come, so I sent the steward to wait at the door early. I didn’t expect you to be so urgent, coming so early.” Yun Lianqing replied.
Mu Yunjin laughed coldly. “Fine, everything is clear now. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving.”
“You must seriously consider what this Crown Prince has discussed with you. Otherwise, when this Crown Prince gets angry, things will become troublesome.” Yun Lianqing took a sip of tea, his tone growing cold.
“Understood.”
…
After leaving the Crown Prince’s mansion, Mu Yunjin’s heart became even more chaotic.
Walking on the streets of South Imperial, hearing the calls of various vendors, Mu Yunjin had no mood to stop and wander around.
Heaven truly wouldn’t let her or Chu Li live in peace.
Previously, the matter of Consort Rong serving two husbands had already made Chu Li the subject of ridicule by many. Now, if things were as she suspected…
Mu Yunjin could hardly imagine the consequences.
…
Returning to the guest residence, she found that Mo Jinglun had already left.
Chu Li was sitting in the main hall. Seeing Mu Yunjin return empty-handed, he slightly furrowed his brow.
“Chu Li…” Mu Yunjin approached Chu Li.
“Hmm?” Chu Li looked at her.
Mu Yunjin curved her lips into a smile, sat down beside him, and said in a low voice, “Chu Li, last night when the South Imperial Emperor was leaving the banquet, those small lanterns carried by the eunuchs and palace maids around him were quite beautiful, small and exquisite. Did you notice them?”
“No,” Chu Li replied indifferently.
“If you like them, I can have Ding Xian buy a few for you later,” Chu Li added, his expression calm.
Mu Yunjin was slightly startled, gave an awkward smile, and lowered her eyelids, feeling conflicted about whether to tell Chu Li her thoughts and suspicions.
But with no evidence at present, would rashly sharing her suspicions provoke Chu Li’s displeasure and aversion?
After all, the incident with Consort Rong had just happened, and now to question his origins…
With this thought, Mu Yunjin decided to swallow her words for now.
“Mu Yunjin, after noon, have Huang Yan escort you back to Western Empire…”