Hearing that Rong Min had arrived, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow. “He found his way here so quickly…”

Hearing this, Rong Jiu immediately understood.

He turned to look at a small palace maid standing nearby. “Take her to rest first and get something to eat.”

The palace maid nodded and stepped forward to Mu Yunjin, bowing slightly. “Noble guest, please follow this servant.”

Mu Yunjin responded with a sound of acknowledgment and rose to follow the small palace maid inside.

After Mu Yunjin left, Rong Min walked slowly into the great hall, his gaze falling meaningfully on Rong Jiu.

“Greetings to Imperial Brother,” Rong Min approached and gave Rong Jiu a formal bow.

Rong Jiu sat down on the main seat and glanced at Rong Min. “It’s past midnight. Why is Marquis Han not staying properly in his residence but running here instead?”

Hearing this, Rong Min’s gaze intentionally scanned a recently used teacup on the side seat. He laughed lightly. “Just now, an assassin from this minister’s residence has fled into Imperial Brother’s palace.”

…

…

“I wonder if Imperial Brother has seen this person?” Rong Min asked.

Hearing this, Rong Jiu smiled faintly. “Since when has catching assassins become something I need to do personally?”

“So Imperial Brother hasn’t seen anyone?” Rong Min raised an eyebrow.

Rong Jiu smiled lightly but said nothing.

After a pause, Rong Min sighed, walked to the side seat, and picked up the used teacup. “Imperial Brother, this minister knows you have someone in your heart, but that person is, after all, a married woman, and I hear she’s even pregnant now…”

“If word got out that the two of you were meeting privately in your sleeping quarters at midnight, I wonder what the world would think? Surely it wouldn’t become another joke twenty years later about an Eastern Lin Country heir being lost in Western Yuan Country!” Rong Min’s lips curved into a smile.

Hearing this, Rong Jiu’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “You are welcome to test whether your speed at spreading news is faster than your speed at losing your life.”

“It was just a joke. Why is Imperial Brother so agitated?” Rong Min changed his tone.

“However, I advise Imperial Brother: that woman is a big trouble, not to be trifled with.”

After speaking, Rong Min turned and left the great hall.

Behind him, Rong Jiu’s gaze shifted to a corner, signaling to someone hidden there.

That person understood and followed Rong Min out of the great hall.

…

“I truly never expected that our Eastern Lin Country would receive such a rare guest as you,” in the rear hall, Hong Ling spoke with a smile as she applied acupuncture to Mu Yunjin’s sore arms.

Mu Yunjin sat in a rocking chair and sighed. “I never expected to flee here either.”

“I’ve examined Young Master Huang Yan’s condition. His body shows no abnormalities. He’s in a coma but will wake up at the right time,” Hong Ling said.

Mu Yunjin nodded.

“You’re pregnant…” After checking Mu Yunjin’s pulse, Hong Ling spoke with surprise.

At the mention of pregnancy, Mu Yunjin smiled and nodded, her eyes unable to hide her happiness. “Yes, over three months now.”

“So that means you were already pregnant when we met in River Moon City,” Hong Ling calculated the days and smiled.

Mu Yunjin made a sound of confirmation.

As the two chatted, a figure in white walked in from outside.

Seeing Rong Jiu, Hong Ling bowed to him. “Sovereign, I have treated the Princess Consort of Ning. Her body has no major issues.”

Rong Jiu nodded, his gaze falling on Mu Yunjin’s belly. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” Mu Yunjin replied with a gentle smile.

At that moment, a flash of pink light appeared in the hall, and the figures of Qiqi and Ding Xian materialized.

“Phew, Master, you scared me to death! When I heard that Rong Min’s residence was on fire, I thought they had done something to you! I almost rushed out, but fortunately, Guardian Ding stopped me!”

As soon as she was stable, Qiqi couldn’t help but spill out a stream of words.

After finishing, she glimpsed the people in the hall and was startled. “Oh, isn’t this Crown Prince Rong and Miss Hong Ling? Ah, no, it should be Sovereign now…”

Seeing Rong Jiu, Ding Xian immediately showed caution but still bowed slightly to him.

Rong Jiu nodded, acknowledging the greeting.

“Master, is Huang Yan alright?” Qiqi asked.

At the mention of Huang Yan, Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, her tone sullen. “Of course he’s fine. I’m the one who nearly broke down!”

As she spoke, Mu Yunjin glanced at the silver needles in her two arms.

Learning that everyone was safe, Qiqi and Ding Xian finally relaxed.

“Master, how did you rescue Huang Yan from Black Robe’s hands?” Qiqi moved closer to Mu Yunjin, her face full of curiosity.

“I started a fire in Rong Min’s residence and took advantage of the chaos to bring Huang Yan out. As a result, a group of hidden guards from Marquis Han’s residence chased me. Carrying Huang Yan, I coincidentally saw the Imperial Palace and ran in,” Mu Yunjin explained simply.

At once, everyone in the hall imagined the scene of petite Mu Yunjin carrying the tall-framed Huang Yan while running frantically.

Ding Xian silently mourned for Huang Yan.

If His Highness found out about this, Huang Yan would certainly suffer.

“Princess Consort of Ning, you’re pregnant and still daring to risk your life like this!” After listening, Hong Ling instinctively looked at Mu Yunjin’s belly.

But on second thought, she recalled Mu Yunjin’s healthy fetal image, which showed no signs of damage.

This wasn’t normal. Typically, a pregnant woman who exerted herself like this would have already miscarried, yet Mu Yunjin remained unharmed.

Truly a remarkable woman.

Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows proudly but didn’t mention the spiritual power protecting her fetus.

At this moment, Chief Eunuch Sui Yang entered and bowed to Rong Jiu. “Sovereign, that young man has awakened.”

“Let’s go see,” Rong Jiu said.

Hearing that Huang Yan was awake, Mu Yunjin immediately stood up and followed behind Rong Jiu.

…

After opening his eyes, Huang Yan looked at the unfamiliar surroundings, feeling a severe headache.

At that moment, the door was opened, and several footsteps approached his bedside, one after another.

“Huang Yan, you’re awake!” Qiqi bounced to Huang Yan’s bedside. Seeing him with open eyes, she spoke with a beaming smile.

Seeing Qiqi, Huang Yan was stunned for a moment, then looked at the people surrounding his bed: Mu Yunjin, Ding Xian, Rong… Rong Jiu?

So this is… Eastern Lin Country?

“What happened to you? Weren’t you impersonating Yan Lingshang to rescue someone? How were you discovered by Black Robe?” Mu Yunjin crossed her arms, raised her eyebrows, and looked at Huang Yan.

Upon hearing these words, Huang Yan’s originally pale face suddenly flushed red, along with his ears.

“Why are you embarrassed? Could it be that Black Robe wanted to sleep with this ‘young lady’?” Ding Xian couldn’t help but tease Huang Yan.

“Get lost!” Huang Yan glared at Ding Xian.

He had wanted to avoid the topic, but seeing everyone looking at him, he had no choice but to speak honestly. “After I returned that day, I entered Yan Lingshang’s room. After dark, I discovered someone had sneaked into my room…”

“Seeing that woman Shen Wanning was about to drug me unconscious, I couldn’t help but attack her. Then Black Robe, who was guarding the door, discovered something was wrong and rushed in…”

“Then, two against one, I couldn’t hold out and passed out…”

After finishing, Huang Yan immediately turned his face away, feeling his lifetime reputation had been ruined.

Had he known, he would never have taken on that troublesome matter. Whether Yan Lingshang lived or died had nothing to do with him. He had delivered himself to trouble for no reason.

The more he thought about it, the more Huang Yan regretted it.

Listening from the side, Mu Yunjin strangely recalled Black Robe and Shen Wanning’s mention of Dark Spirit Energy. Inadvertently, her eyes were covered with a layer of profound light.

“Well, it’s good that everything is fine now. Since you’ve come to Eastern Lin Country, why not stay a few more days?” Hong Ling looked at Mu Yunjin with a smile.

Mu Yunjin was slightly stunned and shook her head. “No need. We must leave for South Court Country at daybreak.”

After she spoke, Huang Yan and Ding Xian looked at Mu Yunjin with confusion, not understanding why they needed to go to South Court Country.

“Black Robe and Rong Min plan to go to South Court Country to find the Snow Soul Pill to save Qiuye,” Mu Yunjin said.

Right now, Chu Li was also in South Court Country looking for the Snow Soul Pill, and it was unknown how things were going on his end.

If Black Robe went to compete for it, the chances of obtaining the Snow Soul Pill would be even smaller. Moreover, Yun Guangyao was already cold and indifferent toward Chu Li. He might, in a moment of confusion, give the Snow Soul Pill to Black Robe and his group.

“That’s a pity. Since you’ve finally come once, I wanted you to stay a few more days,” Hong Ling secretly lamented and carefully glanced at Rong Jiu.

Rong Jiu, as if not seeing Hong Ling’s glance, smiled warmly. “Since you need to set out at daybreak, there are still a few hours until dawn. You should rest first.”

“Mm,” Mu Yunjin nodded.

Rong Jiu smiled slightly. “Then I’ll leave first.”

After speaking, he left the side hall.

Hong Ling looked at Rong Jiu’s departing figure and sighed, saying to Mu Yunjin and the others, “There are several prepared empty rooms here. Feel free to choose any to stay in. If you need anything, just instruct the palace maids and eunuchs here.”

After Hong Ling finished speaking, she followed Rong Jiu’s footsteps out.

Once outside, Hong Ling approached Rong Jiu. “The person the Sovereign has longed for has finally come once. Why did the Sovereign leave first?”

Rong Jiu stopped, turned to look at Hong Ling, and smiled faintly. “In this life, she is destined to be only the person I think of day and night.”

Desire without possession.

Hearing this, Hong Ling’s footsteps halted, her face showing a measure of helplessness.

…

Just as the sky began to lighten, Mu Yunjin and her group prepared to leave Eastern Lin Country.

Before leaving, Mu Yunjin specifically went out to find Rong Jiu to say goodbye.

Rong Jiu was just about to leave for the morning court at this hour. Stepping out of the main hall and seeing the person approaching, he was slightly startled, his eyes clear and calm as he looked at Mu Yunjin.

“Um, we’re leaving now,” Mu Yunjin, facing Rong Jiu alone, actually felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Rong Jiu nodded and extended his hand toward Sui Yang, standing nearby.

Sui Yang understood and immediately walked to the side, brought over a food box, and presented it to Mu Yunjin.

“These are fresh pastries the Sovereign ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare this morning,” Sui Yang explained.

After Sui Yang finished speaking, Rong Jiu laughed lightly. “Since you don’t wish to stay for breakfast, take this to eat on the road. You’re pregnant, remember to take good care of yourself.”

“Rong Jiu, thank you.”

Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes and reached out to accept the food box.

“No need to thank me. Between us, I’ll always owe you more. Compared to you saving my life twice, what I’ve done for you has never been much,” Rong Jiu looked down at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin smiled awkwardly. “You’re wrong. As we clarified last time, neither of us owes the other anything.”

Hearing this, Rong Jiu raised his lips slightly. “Yes, you’re right. I forgot.”

“Then I’m leaving…”

“Take care.”