“Ten more days,” Qiqi calculated the date and replied to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes. Ten more days meant she would have to wait here for Chu Li for that long.

In ten days, it would not only be their appointed meeting date but also New Year’s Eve.

It would be the first year-end they would spend together.

Mu Yunjin took a deep breath, stood up, and smiled gently at Qiqi and Huaying. “I’m going back to rest.”

After speaking, she slowly walked back toward her room.

Qiqi and the others watched her retreating figure with concern, then approached Daoist Wind Xuan. “Elder, will the mistress be alright?”

“I’ll stay here to watch over her these days. You all can go about your business and need not worry too much,” Daoist Wind Xuan told Qiqi.

Qiqi nodded.

…

…

Mu Yunjin returned to her room, lay on the bed, and stared at the ceiling, thinking about everything that had happened today.

Chu Li’s background had been exposed, the prince’s mansion burned down, and everyone from the mansion imprisoned in the Court of Judicature…

Each problem was more troublesome than the last.

She wondered where Chu Li had gone alone. If he didn’t bring her along, what he was doing likely involved some risk.

After thinking this, Mu Yunjin sighed and placed her hand over her lower abdomen.

After a pause, suddenly remembering that the spiritual energy in her abdomen had disappeared, Mu Yunjin sat up in bed, put on her shoes, and walked out the door.

Leaving the residence, Mu Yunjin stood halfway up the mountain and looked down at the people of Phoenix Feather Pavilion.

After scanning the area, she spotted Granny Fish and walked back down the mountain.

At the bottom, Mu Yunjin saw Granny Fish bending over by a small stream, feeding the fish. Daoist Wind Xuan stood beside her.

Both of them glanced at Mu Yunjin when they saw her approach.

“Master, Granny Fish,” Mu Yunjin greeted them.

Granny Fish smiled and nodded at her. “Does the young mistress need something from this old woman?”

“Yes.” Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, covering her lower abdomen. “The previous spiritual energy has disappeared. Could Granny help transfer some more spiritual energy to me?”

Hearing this, Granny Fish curled her lips into a smile. “That’s certainly no problem, however…”

Granny Fish dragged out the last word. “You’re not leaving the pavilion recently, and staying here shouldn’t cause any issues. Let’s wait a few days before transferring it to you.”

“…” Mu Yunjin was stunned.

“Girl, stay put, honestly, here to avoid getting spiritual energy transferred and then bouncing all over the place!” Daoist Wind Xuan glanced lightly at Mu Yunjin, with his hands behind his back in a leisurely manner.

Mu Yunjin pouted. She had originally planned to get the spiritual energy transferred and then find an opportunity to sneak out of Phoenix Feather Pavilion to look around.

It seemed the old were indeed more cunning.

Without spiritual energy to protect her pregnancy, she didn’t dare act rashly.

“The day after tomorrow, we plan to go out to buy some New Year goods. Would the young mistress like to join us?” Granny Fish looked at Mu Yunjin with a smile.

Mu Yunjin’s eyes brightened, and she immediately nodded. “Yes, of course!”

The day after tomorrow, even if she couldn’t leave this place, going outside would at least allow her to get some news.

Thinking of this, Mu Yunjin felt quite satisfied.

For the next ten days, she would honestly stay here and wait for Chu Li.

She believed he wouldn’t break his promise.

That night, Mu Yunjin sat on her bed, carefully turning the pages of the True Classic of Mysterious Spirit one by one. She had forgotten about this scripture long ago, but after National Preceptor An’s hint, she felt she should study the contents of this scripture more carefully.

Leaning against the headboard, Mu Yunjin felt something enter her mind with each page she turned.

Before long, she felt dizzy and rubbed her temples.

After resting for a moment, Mu Yunjin reopened the True Classic of Mysterious Spirit…

By the time the sky began to lighten, Mu Yunjin had fallen asleep leaning against the headboard, still holding the True Classic of Mysterious Spirit in her hands.

At the same time, a heaven-defying red light descended from the sky and shot into Mu Yunjin’s residence…

…

Mu Yunjin stayed in her residence for two days, finally reaching the day to leave Phoenix Feather Pavilion.

After changing clothes and leaving her room, Mu Yunjin felt as if she had been under house arrest for ten days.

When they reached the entrance of Phoenix Feather Pavilion, those going out together included Granny Fish, Qiqi, and Huaying. Daoist Wind Xuan remained at Phoenix Feather Pavilion.

Soon after, they were on the main street.

With the New Year approaching, many roadside stalls were selling festive ornaments and spring couplets.

Mu Yunjin walked beside Granny Fish, strolling together. Granny Fish occasionally stopped at small stalls to select trinkets.

Mu Yunjin, however, focused her attention on the surrounding crowd, hoping to hear if anything important had happened in the past few days.

Sure enough, after a while, as they passed by a teahouse, Mu Yunjin’s keen hearing caught some conversations from inside:

“These days, the Emperor must be worried to death. Prince Ning was ruthless, burning the mansion completely, leaving no incriminating evidence behind.”

“Sigh, after such a major incident at Prince Ning’s mansion, with so many people imprisoned in the Court of Judicature, only Prince Ning and his consort are nowhere to be seen. Now the streets are filled with wanted notices and Imperial Guards, making everyone nervous.”

“Hehe, that can’t be helped. Our Emperor raised someone else’s son for so many years; he must be furious now.”

“…”

Mu Yunjin stood at the entrance listening for a while, feeling irritated. But when she heard the words “wanted notice,” her heart trembled, and she instinctively covered her face.

Fortunately, she had worn a veil when going out.

“I’ll go look ahead,” Mu Yunjin said to Granny Fish, who was still selecting items.

Granny Fish looked at her and nodded.

Mu Yunjin walked forward and, after a few steps, truly saw two portraits on the wall of the market street.

The people in the portraits were her and Chu Li.

Mu Yunjin’s eyes reddened with anger. Looking around further, she saw wanted notices posted at the entrances of many shops.

It seemed Emperor Ximing was serious this time.

Mu Yunjin bit her lip. Chu Li could change his appearance and could disguise himself, so she wasn’t worried about him.

But she would need to be extra cautious while moving around Zhangzhou City.

Thinking this, Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes and walked back to Granny Fish.

“Mistress, do you think these look good?” Qiqi saw Mu Yunjin return and held out two red Fu dolls to her.

Mu Yunjin nodded and smiled. “Yes, they look nice.”

Hearing this, Qiqi moved closer to her and lowered her voice, “Mistress, there are not only Imperial Guards patrolling nearby, but also many secret guards hidden around. You must be very careful.”

“I will,” Mu Yunjin responded quietly.

After Granny Fish finished selecting items and paying, she continued forward with her cane. “Young mistress, you didn’t eat much this morning. Let’s sit down and have something to eat now.”

After speaking, Granny Fish had already turned and entered the teahouse they had just passed.

Mu Yunjin followed her inside.

In the teahouse, Granny Fish sat directly in the main hall on the first floor. Mu Yunjin, Qiqi, and Huaying sat on each side.

Granny Fish and Mu Yunjin sat facing each other. Once seated, Granny Fish sent a secret message to Mu Yunjin:

“Secret guards have already noticed your veil. This old woman has used spiritual arts to change your appearance. You can remove it with ease.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow and immediately removed her veil.

After removing the veil, Mu Yunjin picked up her teacup and lowered her eyes to drink. As she raised it, she could see her changed appearance reflected in the tea.

Strangely, Mu Yunjin felt that learning these disguise techniques was very necessary!

With her appearance changed, Mu Yunjin boldly looked around and indeed saw people occasionally glancing her way, then quickly averting their eyes when they saw her face.

The Imperial Guards might have been sent by Emperor Ximing, but these secret guards likely came from someone else.

While they were eating snacks, several new customers sat at the neighboring table. As soon as they sat down, one of them began chattering away.

“I’m exhausted. Just got back from Diehua City this morning. It’s chaotic there now.”

“Zhangzhou City has been chaotic these past few days, too, but not as chaotic as Diehua City. Tell us, what’s happening in Diehua City now?” a companion asked.

After speaking, the first person looked around, leaned closer to his companions, and said quietly, “Let me tell you, my brother who serves in the palace told me that because of Prince Ning’s matter, the Emperor has fallen ill from anger these past two days. He’s taken a lot of medicine without effect. Crown Prince Chu Ye might ascend the throne early. They say the Crown Prince has been handling imperial edicts on the Emperor’s behalf these past few days…”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow. After listening to so many rumors, she had finally heard the most valuable one.

Emperor Ximing had fallen gravely ill.

Chu Ye might ascend the throne early.

Given the temperaments of Chu Qing and the Qin family, they would likely move against Chu Ye soon.

She wondered if Chu Ye was prepared.

“Mistress, look quickly…” Qiqi suddenly kicked Mu Yunjin’s foot lightly, gave her a meaningful look, and glanced toward the entrance.

Mu Yunjin was startled and followed Qiqi’s gaze to the entrance, where she saw Shen Wanning entering the teahouse alone and slowly walking up the stairs to the second floor.

Shen Wanning…

Lately, whenever she saw her, Mu Yunjin would think of the deranged Qin Munan.

But at this critical juncture, she really couldn’t concern herself with Qin Munan.

Why was Shen Wanning here now, though?

Could Black Robe be here too?

Considering this possibility, Mu Yunjin felt restless.

“I want to go up and see…” Mu Yunjin said quietly.

“Me too…” Qiqi agreed.

Granny Fish looked up at Mu Yunjin, then at Qiqi, and chuckled, “If you want to go, then go. Better than returning with a mind full of speculation.”

Hearing Granny Fish’s permission, Mu Yunjin’s eyes brightened. Without hesitation, she stood up and went upstairs with Qiqi.

After Mu Yunjin and Qiqi went upstairs, Huaying propped her chin and looked at Granny Fish. “Why did Granny agree to let them go up?”

“Fuhuan is our master. Although I receive respect from the young mistress due to my age, as subordinates, we cannot go against her wishes. The mission of everyone in Phoenix Feather Pavilion is to clean up after the young mistress and protect her safety,” Granny Fish said, her aged voice filled with emotion.

…

At this moment, Mu Yunjin and Qiqi had reached the second floor. The two of them wandered around the doors of many private rooms, and upon detecting which room Shen Wanning was in, they immediately entered an empty private room next door.