During dinner, Mu Yunjin leisurely sipped a small bowl of soup. After a few sips, she remembered something.

“You just promised Qin Muyue that you’d meet Yan Lingshang tomorrow. You’re not going to help Chu Ye accept this marriage arrangement, are you?” Mu Yunjin didn’t understand Chu Li’s intention.

Chu Li shook his head with a faint smile. “Of course not.”

Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows, pressed her lips together, and didn’t pursue the question further.

There was no use asking so many questions now. She needed to think of a way to stay and observe the ritual tomorrow, to see what trick Chu Qing was playing.

She absolutely could not be sent back to Phoenix Feather Pavilion by Chu Li, or her curiosity would fester inside her.

With this in mind, Mu Yunjin didn’t say much more and obediently finished her meal.

…

Before bedtime, after Mu Yunjin finished bathing and was about to leave the tub, she suddenly realized she had no change of clothes.

…

…

Mu Yunjin paused slightly and softly called out to Chu Li.

“What is it?” Chu Li’s voice came from the room.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, stood up, and looked at the screen in front of her. “I don’t have any clothes. Lend me something to wear.”

“Mm.” Chu Li responded.

Soon after, a light night robe was hung on the edge of the screen.

After changing, Mu Yunjin slowly walked out from behind the screen. Looking down at the oversized, loose-fitting robe, she realized this might be the first time she’d worn Chu Li’s clothes.

Breathing in the familiar scent of the garment, Mu Yunjin happily slipped under the covers. As soon as she lay down, feeling the warmth emanating from the bed, she looked at Chu Li beside her. “Oh? Did you warm the bed for me?”

“…” Chu Li didn’t respond.

Mu Yunjin suddenly let out a soft laugh, lying flat and moving closer to Chu Li, reaching out to embrace him.

In this moment, she felt inexplicably secure.

These past two days, staying alone in the residence at Phoenix Feather Pavilion, she had spent all day lost in thought, wondering what Chu Li was doing outside and if he was resting well.

Now that she had seen him, her heart could finally relax.

She had never imagined before that she would love someone so much, would be so unable to be apart from someone.

Chu Li, smelling the fresh fragrance beside him, his eyes flickered. These two days had not been easy for him either.

When alone, he would often think of Mu Yunjin, and scattered images would flash through his mind. With each flash of those images, his longing for her deepened.

Seeing her today, though angry, he was also delighted.

He truly missed her.

With this thought, Chu Li turned his head and placed a kiss on her cheek.

Mu Yunjin froze, raising her eyes to look quietly at Chu Li. Their eyes met, full of tenderness.

Chu Li’s lips, carrying a hint of warmth, gently brushed against Mu Yunjin’s cheek, slowly moving down to cover her pink lips.

Mu Yunjin wrapped her arms around Chu Li’s neck, her heart growing increasingly soft.

As their lips and teeth intertwined, they both felt the temperature in the room rising…

Just when Chu Li was about to lose control, he moved away from Mu Yunjin’s lips, breathing slightly heavily, looking down at her. He sighed, “We still have to wait ten months.”

Mu Yunjin was startled at first, but quickly understood Chu Li’s meaning. Her face reddened involuntarily. “Then let’s endure a bit longer.”

Chu Li’s eyes flickered, and he kissed her lips a few more times before smiling lightly. “Get some rest early.”

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin curled her lips upward, burying her head against Chu Li’s chest.

Since Chu Li had lost his memory, going from having no feelings for her to now, she was already very satisfied…

…

The next day, early morning.

“Chu Li, my head is so dizzy, it might be low blood sugar…”

“Oh my, my foot is also cramping. The doctor said pregnant women are prone to cramps.”

“My stomach doesn’t feel well either, I feel like throwing up… ugh…”

To avoid returning to Phoenix Feather Pavilion, Mu Yunjin was now lying in bed, rubbing her temples, appearing to be in great discomfort.

Chu Li, fully dressed, stood by the bedside looking at Mu Yunjin for a good while. He approached her and reached out to massage her head. “Not feeling well?”

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin quickly nodded.

Since learning about her pregnancy, Chu Li had indeed researched some pregnancy-related topics and knew that women often experience the symptoms she described when pregnant.

Although he knew her words might not be entirely true, Chu Li didn’t dare to completely disbelieve them.

“You lie here. This prince will have Qingmeng come take care of you.” Chu Li bent down to tuck the blanket around her.

Seeing that Chu Li had relented, Mu Yunjin’s eyes brightened, and she nodded.

After Chu Li left the room, Mu Yunjin immediately sat up in bed and began washing up and getting dressed. After preparing everything, there was a gentle knock on the door.

“Come in,” Mu Yunjin said.

Qingmeng pushed open the door, and upon seeing Mu Yunjin, smiled slightly at her. “Princess Consort, good morning.”

“Where’s Chu Li?” Mu Yunjin asked.

“His Highness has already gone to the palace. He asked me to stay and look after you. Are you not feeling well?” Qingmeng approached Mu Yunjin, took her wrist, and checked her pulse.

Mu Yunjin looked at Qingmeng. “You said Chu Li has already gone to the palace?”

“Yes, Crown Prince Chu Ye is currently acting as regent and needs to preside over the morning court, so His Highness left early.” Qingmeng lowered her voice.

“Chu Li is now disguised as Chu Ye, so where is the real Chu Ye?” Mu Yunjin asked.

Hearing this, Qingmeng curled her lips. “Crown Prince Ye is also in the Crown Prince’s mansion, but due to special circumstances, he doesn’t show himself.”

“I see…” Mu Yunjin sighed.

“Your pregnancy is stable, but you should still be careful. However, when I just checked your pulse, I felt spiritual energy protecting you.” Qingmeng smiled at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin curled her lips. “Yes, an elderly expert used spiritual energy to seal my belly. As long as the spiritual energy doesn’t dissipate, my child won’t be harmed by anything.”

Hearing this, Qingmeng reached out to touch Mu Yunjin’s abdomen. “I look forward to the birth of your and His Highness’s child.”

“I’m looking forward to it too, though I’m even more looking forward to everything being peaceful by the time the child is born.” Mu Yunjin sighed slightly.

…

Although Chu Li had Qingmeng look after Mu Yunjin, she still managed to slip out of the Crown Prince’s mansion when Qingmeng wasn’t paying attention, and entered the palace.

In the palace, due to today’s ritual to exorcise Emperor Ximing, many officials had not returned to their mansions after the morning court, but instead went to Jingming Palace, where Emperor Ximing resided.

When Mu Yunjin, with her disguised face and wearing palace maid clothes, appeared outside Jingming Palace, she saw that the open space outside was filled with people.

Scanning the surroundings, she spotted several familiar faces.

Finally, Mu Yunjin focused her gaze on Chu Li, Chu Qing, and others who were surrounded by people.

At the moment, Yan Lingshang was standing beside Chu Li.

Yan Lingshang had carefully dressed up today. Standing beside Chu Li, she frequently cast coquettish glances at him and occasionally exchanged a few words with him.

Chu Li tilted his head to listen to Yan Lingshang and occasionally responded.

Mu Yunjin knew that Chu Li was impersonating Chu Ye, but seeing this scene still made her uncomfortable.

Just as she was thinking this, Chu Li had already noticed her. He frowned slightly and gave her a meaningful look.

Mu Yunjin understood and walked over to him, standing behind him.

Getting closer to Chu Li, Mu Yunjin could now clearly see the scene before her. In the center of the open space was a table laid with numerous talismans and ritual tools.

At the same time, a black figure descended from the sky.

Seeing the newcomer, Mu Yunjin was slightly startled. Clad in a black robe, who else could it be but Black Robe?

Chu Qing had indeed brought Black Robe.

The Empress and Empress Dowager Zheng, supported by several palace maids, now walked out of Jingming Palace. Their eyes were red, clearly having just cried.

As Empress Dowager Zheng approached, she looked at Black Robe, her tone carrying a hint of plea. “I heard from Qing’er that the Master is highly skilled. Please do your utmost today, Master.”

“Empress Dowager, please be at ease.” Black Robe bowed slightly to Empress Dowager Zheng.

Empress Dowager Zheng nodded and sat down nearby.

“Master, can we begin now?” Chu Qing addressed Black Robe.

Hearing this, Black Robe calculated the time. “The auspicious hour has not yet arrived. We need to wait another cup of tea’s time.”

“Very well.” Chu Qing nodded.

Hearing that they needed to wait another cup of tea’s time, though not very long, it caused many people who had been on edge for a long time to relax a bit and begin to gather in small groups to chat.

Mu Yunjin kept her head lowered, pretending to be a meek little palace maid, fearing that she might be discovered if she wasn’t careful.

…

A cup of tea’s time quickly passed.

Black Robe walked to the center of the table, and seeing this, everyone’s expressions turned serious.

This was Mu Yunjin’s first time witnessing a ritual. It was similar to what she had seen on television—muttering some incantations mysteriously, sprinkling water everywhere mysteriously, and pasting talismans.

After a long while, a peach wood sword in Black Robe’s hand flew up and pointed toward Chu Qing’s direction.

Everyone was startled, not understanding what it meant, but all looked toward Chu Qing.

Chu Qing seemed to be taken aback, looking at the peach wood sword.

“Master, what does this mean?” Empress Dowager Zheng anxiously spoke, looking at Black Robe.

Black Robe put away the peach wood sword and smiled at Empress Dowager Zheng. “Just now, while this humble one was performing the ritual, I sensed that the Emperor’s sudden illness is indeed due to an evil energy entering his body, but this evil energy is extremely powerful, and this humble one cannot dispel it.”

“What can be done?” The Empress also grew anxious.

“Empress, don’t worry. Just now, this humble one performed divination to see if anyone nearby could dispel the Emperor’s evil spell. The peach wood sword gave this humble one the answer: Prince Chen.” Black Robe pointed at Prince Chen, Chu Qing.

Chu Qing also looked surprised. “This prince?”

“That’s right, none other than Prince Chen!” Black Robe’s tone was firm.

“Then how should this prince remove Father Emperor’s evil spell?” Chu Qing inquired.

Mu Yunjin watched this self-directed and self-performed drama from the side, strongly resisting the urge to snicker. How had Chu Qing, after spending so much time with Qin Muyue, become so shameless?

Wasn’t he embarrassed by such a deceptive trick?

Next, would Chu Qing be the hero who removes Emperor Ximing’s evil spell?

Then Emperor Ximing would wake up, cry tears of gratitude, and pass the throne to Chu Qing?

With this thought, Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows. She could write such a clichéd script herself!

“For Prince Chen to remove the evil spell that the Emperor has fallen under, he still needs the Crown Prince’s cooperation…”