Mu Yunjin was stunned. She looked sideways at Chu Li for a while before nodding gently. “Mm, understood.”

Chu Li’s eyes flickered, surprised by her obedient response. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words reached his lips and still weren’t spoken.

Mu Yunjin didn’t want to agree with Chu Li’s words, but right now, she urgently wanted to confirm the suspicion in her heart.

And the only person who could dispel or confirm her suspicion was that woman…

“Then I’ll go back first and wait for you at Fengyu Pavilion. You stood me up once last time, so you owe me,” Mu Yunjin looked at Chu Li, curling the corners of her mouth.

“Mm, behave yourself and don’t run around,” Chu Li reached out and pinched her cheek.

Mu Yunjin nodded. “I know. But don’t you dare teach sword techniques to some princess as soon as I leave, or I definitely won’t let you off when I find out!”

Chu Li raised an eyebrow. “Such jealousy.”

“This is just the beginning. You’ve lost your memory now, so you only understand half of me…” Mu Yunjin smiled lightly, raising her eyebrows.

…

…

Chu Li looked at her, and upon hearing the words “lost memory,” he inexplicably began to feel a headache. The more she spoke, the more curious he became about their past.

Curious about just how deep his feelings for her were…

At noon, in the Imperial Tutor’s residence.

“Leaving so soon?” Imperial Tutor An raised his eyebrows in surprise, glancing at Mu Yunjin, then at Chu Li.

Mu Yunjin nodded. “Yes, I just came to check on Chu Li. Now that I know there’s nothing between him and Yun Jialan, I can rest easy.”

“No ambition!” Imperial Tutor An gave her a sidelong glance.

Mu Yunjin smiled, then looked at Chu Li again. “Chu Li, I’m leaving then…”

“Mm, don’t run around anymore,” Chu Li instructed her.

“I know!” Mu Yunjin rubbed her forehead, wondering why Chu Li had become so fussy.

“Huang Yan, keep an eye on her! Don’t follow her foolishness!” Chu Li looked at Huang Yan again, his tone slightly stern.

Huang Yan nodded. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Before I go, give me a hug,” Mu Yunjin extended her arms, blinking at Chu Li.

Chu Li’s body stiffened. Seeing so many people watching, he suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed and wanted to refuse Mu Yunjin’s request. But seeing the expectation in her eyes, his heart wavered.

He approached her, bent down, and gently embraced her.

Mu Yunjin hugged Chu Li, burying her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. At this moment, she felt incredibly secure.

A moment later, Qiqi activated the formless space…

…

Within an hour, they traveled from South Imperial to Zhangzhou City.

“Finally arrived, I’m exhausted,” Qiqi returned to the stream by Fengyu Pavilion and plopped down on the ground. Huaying was similarly tired, panting heavily.

Mu Yunjin caught her breath. After steadying herself, she grabbed Huang Yan and pulled him aside.

“Princess Consort, what’s wrong?” Huang Yan looked surprised.

“I’m asking you, where is Consort Rong?” Mu Yunjin got straight to the point.

Huang Yan immediately shook his head. “Princess Consort, I don’t know!”

“Stop lying to me. What about Chu Li, don’t you know? Quickly tell me, I have urgent business!” Mu Yunjin narrowed her eyes, her tone serious.

“…” Huang Yan pursed his lips.

After a pause, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow and moved closer to Huang Yan. “If you don’t tell me, I’ll make sure Huaying never speaks to you again…”

“You, you, you…” Huang Yan’s eyes revealed his terror. This was truly ruthless!

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Chu Li. You just need to secretly tell me,” Mu Yunjin continued to tempt Huang Yan.

Huang Yan clenched his fists, looked at Mu Yunjin, then glanced at Huaying from the corner of his eye. Steeling himself, he moved closer to Mu Yunjin and lowered his voice. “In the hidden chamber of Shuiyun Temple.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin’s eyes showed surprise.

Indeed, the most dangerous place is often the safest place. After going around in circles, she was still in Shuiyun Temple.

“Princess Consort, what do you intend to do?” Huang Yan looked at Mu Yunjin and asked.

“Nothing, just suddenly curious,” Mu Yunjin said lightly, then turned and walked back toward Qiqi and Huaying.

After returning to Fengyu Pavilion, Mu Yunjin walked toward the residence.

After taking a few steps, noticing that Huang Yan had returned to his cabin, she immediately summoned Qiqi and Huaying.

Qiqi and Huaying quickly came to Mu Yunjin’s side.

“I need to go out to take care of something. Help me find a way to keep Huang Yan occupied. If he asks, say I’m resting in my room. Don’t reveal my whereabouts,” Mu Yunjin said softly.

Qiqi and Huaying immediately nodded. “Mistress, we understand.”

“Mm, you must keep him occupied,” Mu Yunjin instructed repeatedly.

After speaking, Mu Yunjin glanced around, then turned and walked toward the main gate.

“Young mistress,” an elderly voice sounded.

Mu Yunjin halted her steps and turned around. “Hello, Granny Yu.”

Granny Yu, supporting herself with a walking stick, slowly approached Mu Yunjin, smiling warmly at her. “Just returned, and going out again?”

“Yes, I have some important matters to attend to,” Mu Yunjin curled her lips.

Granny Yu nodded, her gaze moving slowly from Mu Yunjin’s face downward, finally settling on her abdomen. “The first three months are prone to miscarriage; you shouldn’t overexert yourself.”

“…” Mu Yunjin pursed her lips.

“Young mistress looks so travel-worn; you must be going to handle something important. Why not let this old woman use spiritual energy to protect your womb? With spiritual energy guarding it, the child in your belly will not suffer any mishaps,” Granny Yu said.

Mu Yunjin was surprised. “Can that be done?”

“Of course,” Granny Yu smiled and nodded.

“That’s wonderful. Since becoming pregnant, my travel and work have been restricted. If spiritual energy can truly protect the pregnancy, that would be perfect,” Mu Yunjin said.

Upon hearing this, a glow appeared in Granny Yu’s hand that was holding the walking stick. Soon, the entire wooden staff began to emit light. When the light was fully radiating, Granny Yu extended the staff, slowly channeling that light into Mu Yunjin’s abdomen.

Mu Yunjin felt continuous waves of warmth flowing into her lower abdomen.

A moment later, Granny Yu withdrew her true energy and retracted her staff.

Mu Yunjin stood in place, placing her hand on her lower abdomen. She could feel a ring of spiritual energy surrounding her womb.

“All done. While the daylight is still good, go attend to your business,” Granny Yu said, then turned and left.

…

After leaving Fengyu Pavilion, Mu Yunjin felt light as a swallow. She rapidly used her lightness skill, speeding toward Diehua City.

Two hours later, in Shuiyun Temple, Mu Yunjin emerged from a secret passage, climbed out of a window, and entered Anxin Hall.

By the time she left Anxin Hall, the sky was approaching dusk.

Mu Yunjin walked toward the hidden chamber. When she reached the front courtyard’s Buddha Hall, she saw two familiar figures from a distance.

Seeing those two figures, Mu Yunjin suddenly frowned and cursed under her breath. What an unfortunate coincidence.

As she was about to turn back and avoid the two, someone had already spotted her from afar—

“Isn’t this Princess Consort Ning?”

Mu Yunjin took a deep breath, meeting their gaze as she slowly walked over, approaching the two figures.

“Prince Chen and Princess Consort Chen, what a coincidence,” Mu Yunjin said with a forced smile.

Chu Qing and Qin Muyue had come to Shuiyun Temple to offer incense today. Having finished, they were leaving the Buddha Hall, and were also surprised to see Mu Yunjin here.

“I heard you left the residence to recuperate. Don’t tell me you’ve come here to become a nun?” Qin Muyue looked coldly at Mu Yunjin, sneering.

“Heh, then what about your appearance here? Are you also becoming a nun? But I see your hair isn’t shaved yet. Perhaps you’re here to sign up?” Mu Yunjin retorted.

Qin Muyue’s eyes widened. She wanted to continue, but was stopped by Chu Qing beside her. “Yue’er, say less.”

Qin Muyue snorted lightly and looked away.

Chu Qing looked at Mu Yunjin, his face showing little expression. “Sixth Sister-in-law looks quite well these days. You must be recuperating nicely.”

“Princess Consort Chen also looks good. It seems Third Brother dotes on you greatly,” Mu Yunjin tugged at the corner of her mouth.

“Heh…” Chu Qing lowered his eyes and laughed softly.

Mu Yunjin stood at the entrance of the Buddha Hall for a while. Gradually, the smoke drifting from inside caused her increasing discomfort. Although Granny Yu had sealed her womb with spiritual energy to protect the child from harm, pregnancy-related reactions still existed.

Feeling that she might retch and dry heave at any moment, Mu Yunjin pursed her lips. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going!”

With that, she moved to walk past the two.

At the same time, a figure descended from above, blocking Mu Yunjin’s path.

“It’s rare to find this demoness alone today. How could we miss such a perfect opportunity?” Daoist Qiuye stood in front of Mu Yunjin, eyes dark, with true energy surging around his body.

Mu Yunjin was stunned, not expecting to encounter Qiuye here.

Looking around, it was now dusk, and there were no longer any worshippers at the entrance of the Buddha Hall.

“Qiuye, what do you want to do?” Mu Yunjin placed her hands behind her back, completely dismissive of Qiuye.

“Naturally, to eliminate you, demoness! You’ve already made the first move, killing old General Qin. Now we’re merely avenging old General Qin. An eye for an eye—very fair!” As Qiuye finished speaking, his five fingers were already curved like hooks, ready to attack Mu Yunjin at any moment.

Qin Muyue and Chu Qing hadn’t expected Qiuye to suddenly appear. Now, after mentioning old General Qin, Qin Muyue’s eyes immediately reddened as she stepped forward. “Right, we must not let her go today! We must avenge Grandfather!”

Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes and smiled self-mockingly. She truly was a trouble magnet. Just back in the Western Empire, and she had already attracted these people.

If Chu Li knew about this, he would scold her again.

“Ugh…” Mu Yunjin couldn’t hold back and involuntarily dry heaved.

Instinctively covering her mouth, Mu Yunjin glanced at the people in front of her, and her eyes darted around. “Old dog Qiuye, can you stand farther away? Looking at you makes me sick…”

“Demoness, die!” Qiuye’s expression darkened, and with those words, he struck out a palm toward Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin dodged, moving away from the Buddha Hall. As she gathered her true energy to counterattack, a palm force had already been unleashed from behind her, targeting Qiuye.

“Hmph, dare to harm my disciple? First, ask if Feng Xuan agrees!”

Hearing this voice, Mu Yunjin’s eyes brightened. “Master!”

Since their parting at Deep Secluded Lake, this was the first time Mu Yunjin had seen Feng Xuan. Seeing that he had recovered from his injuries without issue, a gratified smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.

Feng Xuan stood in front of Mu Yunjin, glancing at her. “Girl, do you remember that your master promised, if you came out of Deep Secluded Lake alive, I would teach you my lifetime of exceptional skills?”