Mu Yunjin’s hand paused as she held her teacup, and she secretly sighed to herself—indeed, good news never leaves the door, but bad news travels a thousand miles.

“It wasn’t anything major, just a misunderstanding,” Mu Yunjin said with lowered eyes and a slight smile, not elaborating further.

Upon hearing that it was true, Chu Qingyuan immediately became furious and slapped the table. “These contemptible commoners truly have a death wish, daring to bully the Sixth Prince’s consort! This princess will order an investigation later and certainly won’t let these people off lightly.”

Hearing the title “Sixth Prince’s consort,” Mu Yunjin choked on her tea, coughing several times. From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Chu Li and found no unusual expression on his face.

Seeing that neither Mu Yunjin nor Chu Li spoke, Chu Qingyuan rolled her dark eyes, then suddenly exclaimed, “Oh my! I almost forgot that I promised Fifth Sister to eat vegetarian food at Nine Fragrant Springs today. Why am I still here?”

As she spoke, Chu Qingyuan stood up, making a show of preparing to leave. When she reached the door, Chu Qingyuan paused and looked back at Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.

“Sixth Brother, Sixth Sister-in-law, I’m so sorry! I’ll accompany you another day. You don’t know how bad Fifth Sister’s temper is. If I’m late, Fifth Sister will be unhappy again…”

With that, Chu Qingyuan closed the private room door with a “bang” and left with her attendants.

Mu Yunjin was completely bewildered. Chu Qingyuan’s behavior was so sudden that she couldn’t quite react.

…

…

Wasn’t she invited here for a meal?

What was the meaning of leaving her and Chu Li here like this…

A moment later, Mu Yunjin roughly understood Chu Qingyuan’s intention. She pursed her lips, picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of food, and began eating at a leisurely pace.

“I hear that rumors are spreading throughout the city about this prince not having sent betrothal gifts?” Chu Li glanced at Mu Yunjin, his eyes shrouded in mist, his meaning indiscernible.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin slightly curved her lips, put down her chopsticks, and turned to look at Chu Li. “Since the Sixth Prince is well aware of this matter, perhaps you should explain today.”

“If the Sixth Prince has changed his mind, please announce it to the world as soon as possible.”

Chu Li pressed his thin lips together, his deep and dark gaze resting quietly on Mu Yunjin, his expression between a smile and not a smile. “It seems this prince’s momentary oversight has caused you embarrassment. This prince owes you an apology.”

“Oversight?” Mu Yunjin caught the meaning in Chu Li’s words. Could it be that he hadn’t changed his mind?

Thinking of this, she suddenly felt annoyed. She frowned slightly and spoke through gritted teeth, “Since the Sixth Prince has now remembered, please prepare the betrothal gifts properly. The wedding date is approaching, and I request that the Sixth Prince take this matter more to heart.”

“Hmm.” Chu Li simply responded with a single sound, which served as his answer to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin felt somewhat exasperated. She gave Chu Li a disdainful look, then spoke mockingly, “It’s truly Yunjin’s good fortune to know Your Highness the Sixth Prince. Summer is almost here, but with the Sixth Prince around, Yunjin will surely feel as if it’s winter all year round, each day filled with coldness. Just thinking about it makes me happy.”

Chu Li naturally heard the sarcasm in Mu Yunjin’s words. His gaze fell lightly on her, and he changed the subject, “After we eat, this prince will take you somewhere.”

……

As the two stepped out of the restaurant’s main entrance, passersby all around stopped in their tracks, their gazes falling on the two at the restaurant door.

Was that the Sixth Prince and the Third Miss Mu?

Seeing this scene, people were somewhat jaw-dropped. Wasn’t it said that the Sixth Prince was unwilling to marry the Third Miss Mu, which was why he had delayed sending betrothal gifts to the Minister’s mansion?

But now, why were these two standing side by side?

Moreover, one in splendid purple attire and one in plain elegant clothes, standing together, they didn’t seem out of place at all. Instead, they were dazzlingly eye-catching, making it difficult for people to look away.

These two, it must be said, appeared very well-matched in appearance.

“Where are you taking me?” Mu Yunjin automatically ignored the gazes of the commoners and turned to look at Chu Li beside her.

As Mu Yunjin turned, she suddenly realized that she was a full head shorter than Chu Li. When looking at him, she had to raise her head to see him.

Mu Yunjin felt somewhat displeased. She pursed her lips and muttered to comfort herself, “Well, the owner of this body is only sixteen years old and hasn’t fully developed yet. Sooner or later, I’ll grow taller.”

Thinking this way, Mu Yunjin felt much better.

Soon, Ding Xian drove up in Chu Li’s black xuanmu wood carriage, stopping at the restaurant’s entrance. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, he smiled and said, “Greetings, Third Miss.”

Mu Yunjin approached the carriage, glanced at Ding Xian, and smiled playfully. “So Guard Ding also works as a coachman.”

“Ahem…” Ding Xian cleared his throat lightly, then jumped down from the carriage and bowed. “Third Miss, let this humble one help you onto the carriage.”

“No need!” Mu Yunjin directly climbed into the carriage and sat inside.

Seeing this, Chu Li’s lips curved slightly. “Go to West Street.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Inside the carriage, Mu Yunjin leaned against the carriage wall, arms crossed, curious about where Chu Li was taking her.

The carriage traveled for only about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before stopping. Ding Xian’s voice came from outside, “Your Highness, Third Miss, we’ve arrived at West Street.”

Mu Yunjin was startled and frowned slightly. They had barely gotten comfortable, and they had already arrived?

Stepping down from the carriage, Mu Yunjin immediately saw the three gold-embossed characters “Xi Jin Yuan” (West Brocade Garden), shining brilliantly. Looking ahead, she saw that it was a shop.

After alighting from the carriage, Chu Li strode inside. Mu Yunjin hesitated, then followed behind him.

Stepping through the main door of West Brocade Garden, an old man came forward to greet them, bowing to Chu Li. “Greetings, Your Highness the Sixth Prince.”

“No need for formalities.” Chu Li spoke coolly.

The old man nodded, then turned his gaze to Mu Yunjin, looking her up and down before smiling. “This must be the Third Miss Mu?”

“Yes.” Mu Yunjin nodded and looked around, only then realizing that this was a shop selling jewelry and gold items.

At a glance, these jewelry and gold items were all of transparent quality and exquisite craftsmanship, clearly high-end products.

“There might be something suitable for you here. Feel free to choose anything—consider it this prince’s apology,” Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin and spoke indifferently.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow and pressed her lips together. There was an unfathomable meaning in her starry eyes. So bringing her to this place was to apologize to her.

However, Chu Li seemed to have mistaken her for a vulgar woman who could be appeased with gold and silver jewelry.

The old man stood beside Mu Yunjin and, catching the disdain in her eyes, smiled faintly. “This old man’s West Brocade Garden has been open for fifty years. We never look at price tags but sell only to those with whom there is a connection!”

“What kind of connection?” Mu Yunjin curved her lips and looked at the old man.

Hearing this, the old man stepped forward and touched one by one the jewelry pieces placed in brocade boxes.

“These items, when being polished, were infused with fairy spirits, so each has been given life.”

“Therefore, they can choose their masters—this is the connection.”

Hearing the old man’s words, Mu Yunjin shook her head helplessly. She had expected to hear some principle, but it turned out to be a superstitious old man.

Thinking this, Mu Yunjin took a jade bracelet from a brocade box, placed it in her palm, and examined it carefully, but didn’t see anything special.

“This bracelet seems to have no connection with the Third Miss,” the old man smiled from the side.

Mu Yunjin somewhat boredly put the bracelet back in the jewelry box, rolled her eyes, and clasped her hands behind her back. She turned to look at Chu Li. “This place is boring. Let’s go.”

Seeing that Mu Yunjin was not a very patient person, the old man smiled again. “Since the Third Miss is not interested in this jewelry and gold items, this old man has other interesting things.”

After speaking, the old man walked to another side and lifted a red cloth covering a table. Instantly, a collection of small, exquisite weapons fell into Mu Yunjin’s sight.

Mu Yunjin’s eyes immediately lit up, and she stepped forward.

Indeed, compared to the jewelry, she was more interested in these small weapons.

Casually picking up a small silver dagger, Mu Yunjin weighed it in her hand, then drew it from its sheath. She lightly flicked the dagger with her hand, and it made a crisp sound.

Mu Yunjin was immediately delighted.

Just as she was about to take the dagger, the old man came over and shook his head. “This dagger has no connection with the Third Miss.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunjin immediately glared at the old man.

Chu Li sat on a chair nearby, his casual gaze fixed on Mu Yunjin. Seeing her ignore the jewelry and lovingly handle a dagger, his eyes were filled with thoughts.

After selecting several daggers in succession, the old man shook his head at Mu Yunjin each time, telling her there was no connection.

Mu Yunjin was now fuming, her patience seemingly exhausted. Her expression darkened as she threw down the dagger in her hand and prepared to leave.

“Chu Li, don’t bring me to this awful place again!” Mu Yunjin spoke discontentedly, not even noticing that she had blurted out Chu Li’s name.

In all his life, Chu Li seemed to have never heard anyone directly call him by his name. He frowned slightly, but in his heart, he didn’t seem to resent it; rather, there was a bit of… pleasantness to it.

“Since you find it boring, let’s go back.” Seeing that Mu Yunjin had gained nothing and was leaving empty-handed, Chu Li also felt somewhat helpless and spoke indifferently.

Mu Yunjin nodded. Just as she was about to step away, her wrist was suddenly bound by something, causing her to pause. Looking down, she saw a small golden whip wrapped around her wrist.

“Look, this is the item with which you have a connection.” The old man was delighted to see this scene, suddenly feeling vindicated after being disdained by Mu Yunjin for so long.

Mu Yunjin looked at the golden soft whip and couldn’t help but find it somewhat magical. She usually preferred daggers, so when selecting weapons earlier, she hadn’t noticed this whip.

Now, looking at this small and cute whip, she felt somewhat pleased.

“Third Miss is amazing. This Phoenix Tail Whip has been placed here for decades, and today someone will finally take it away,” Ding Xian couldn’t help but comment as he looked at the whip.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin lowered her gaze to look at what Ding Xian called the Phoenix Tail Whip, her eyes filling with joy. “Since that’s the case, it’s too kind to refuse. Sixth Prince, please pay up.”