“Apologize?”

Grand Tutor Zhuang, sitting to the side, spoke up and then unhurriedly took a sip of tea.

Minister Yan nodded in acknowledgment of Grand Tutor Zhuang’s words. Just as he was about to present the gifts in his hands, he heard Grand Tutor Zhuang continue, “Just a simple apology?”

“Last time, Minister Yan said in front of everyone that you would come to apologize with a thorny branch on your back…”

As soon as Grand Tutor Zhuang finished speaking, several officials nearby quickly nodded in agreement.

The faces of Minister Yan and his wife alternated between pale and flushed.

Indeed, they had spoken those words about coming to apologize with a thorny branch on their backs. At that time, they were convinced that Yan Lingshang’s disappearance was related to Prince Ning’s Mansion and had emphasized it several times. The current situation was truly like slapping their faces.

“Grand Tutor still loves to joke. It was all a misunderstanding. Given the circumstances, then, we had lost our daughter and were anxious, which is why we spoke so rashly. Everyone here is a parent, so I’m sure you can all understand how we felt when our daughter went missing,” Madam Yan smiled as she tried to smooth things over.

After a pause, she looked toward Mu Yunjin. “The Princess Consort is about to become a mother herself. Surely you can understand a mother’s feelings?”

…

…

Seeing the conversation shift toward her, Mu Yunjin shrank back slightly and turned to look at Zixiang. “Xiang’er, the weather outside is nice. Let’s go out.”

“Yes, Princess Consort.”

With that, Mu Yunjin stood up, completely ignoring Madam Yan’s words, and walked out with Zixiang.

Outside the mansion, Zixiang walked beside Mu Yunjin and asked curiously, “Miss, why didn’t you stay to watch the fun?”

“It’s not interesting. Minister Yan is still a high official after all. They won’t beat him with a thorny branch, will they? If word got out, it would make our Prince Ning’s Mansion look bad,” Mu Yunjin pursed her lips.

“That’s true, but if we don’t teach Minister Yan a lesson, it’s hard to feel satisfied,” Zixiang said indignantly.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin curled her lips. “When it comes to getting even, His Highness is there. He’s not someone who suffers bullying without consequence.”

“Miss is right. It was my foolishness,” Zixiang smiled.

Mu Yunjin patted Zixiang’s head.

Walking on the street, unlike last time when people would avoid Mu Yunjin upon seeing her, most people who recognized her now came forward to greet her with smiles.

Mu Yunjin responded to each one.

“By the way, I wasn’t at the mansion for the past few days. Has anything happened recently?” Mu Yunjin asked Zixiang as they walked.

Zixiang tilted her head in thought, then shook it. “There hasn’t been anything major recently. Lin Yin City is still in a ceasefire, and the rebel Chu Qing hasn’t made any new moves.”

“The new Emperor has reduced many taxes since his coronation, and the common people are all praising him! Recently, with no wars, everyone has relaxed quite a bit.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin looked around and found it was indeed the case—the commoners all had vibrant expressions on their faces.

However, the mention of Chu Qing brought new thoughts to Mu Yunjin’s mind.

There had been no news of Chu Qing during this period. Who knew what this person was secretly planning?

Now that Autumn Leaf had lost an arm, Black Robe’s fate was unknown, and Qin Muyue was seriously injured, she wondered what Chu Qing could rely on to make a comeback…

Thinking this, Mu Yunjin rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Enough, there was no need to think about such unpleasant matters anymore.

After wandering the streets for a while, they passed a jewelry shop and happened to meet Yan Lingshang just coming out after buying some accessories.

Yan Lingshang saw Mu Yunjin, froze momentarily, then bowed slightly. “Greetings to the Princess Consort.”

“No need for formalities,” Mu Yunjin said indifferently.

Yan Lingshang thanked her, then asked with a smile, “Is the Princess Consort also here to buy jewelry?”

Mu Yunjin shook her head. “I was just passing by.”

“I see. Well, since we’ve met by chance, would the Princess Consort be willing to join Lingshang for a cup of tea?” Yan Lingshang looked at Mu Yunjin with a smile.

Mu Yunjin looked at Yan Lingshang, very much wanting to decline her invitation. But considering that Yan Lingshang’s invitation to tea might have ulterior motives, she nodded in agreement.

Shortly after, they were at the Mingxiang Tea House.

After the tea and snacks were served, Yan Lingshang personally poured a cup of clear water for Mu Yunjin and smiled. “Lingshang was originally going to accompany my parents to Prince Ning’s Mansion to apologize today, but was prevented by my mother, which is why I didn’t go. I never expected to run into the Princess Consort on the street. What a coincidence!”

Mu Yunjin lowered her eyes, slightly curled the corners of her mouth, and used her sleeve to cover the teacup as she slipped a silver needle into it.

In the current world, one has to be cautious about everything.

After confirming there was nothing wrong with the cup of water, Mu Yunjin silently withdrew the silver needle, picked up the teacup, gently blew on it, and took a sip.

“Princess Consort, I’ve recently realized that you’re a particularly good person,” Yan Lingshang looked at Mu Yunjin, her eyes showing a trace of guilt.

Mu Yunjin almost choked on her water. This was the first time she had heard someone evaluate her this way.

A particularly good person…

Was she talking about her?

“Truly, I used to dislike you behind your back, thinking you weren’t worthy of Prince Ning and couldn’t compare to Qin Muyue. Many times I even hoped for your downfall…”

“But after what happened a few days ago, my opinion of you has changed.”

After speaking, Yan Lingshang touched her face. “I heard about the skin-peeling incident.”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin smiled indifferently. “It’s not a big deal, no need to dwell on it. Besides, I wasn’t the one who saved you.”

If Huang Yan hadn’t taken responsibility for this matter, she and Chu Li might not have bothered with Yan Lingshang’s situation at all. So she shouldn’t be credited as being a good person.

Hearing this, Yan Lingshang also understood Mu Yunjin’s meaning. She pulled at the corner of her mouth and sighed lightly. “I don’t know why Qin Muyue has become like this…”

She used to be that high and mighty female general of Western Yuan Country, admired and pursued by thousands…

How had she become a murderous madwoman?

Mu Yunjin was becoming restless. Sitting face to face, drinking tea with someone unfamiliar held little interest for her. So she took advantage of Yan Lingshang’s momentary distraction to glance at Zixiang.

Zixiang caught Mu Yunjin’s eye and immediately understood. She rolled her eyes slightly, bent down, and said to Mu Yunjin, “Miss, it’s getting late. We still need to go to the Water Cloud Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings!”

“Oh, right, I almost forgot about that…” Mu Yunjin exclaimed.

Hearing this, Yan Lingshang’s eyes brightened. “Is the Princess Consort also going to the Water Cloud Temple?”

Also?

Mu Yunjin’s heart sank when she heard this word.

“Today is the seventh day of the month, especially suitable for burning incense and praying for blessings. I happen to want to dispel my recent bad luck. Why don’t we go together?” Yan Lingshang said with a smile.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together. It was indeed the seventh day of the month, but she hadn’t planned to go burn incense…

But on second thought, it was just going to the Water Cloud Temple, not a big deal. So she nodded to Yan Lingshang.

…

Half an hour later, at the Water Cloud Temple.

There were indeed many commoners burning incense today. By the time the carriage stopped at the temple entrance, the queue for burning incense had almost reached the front gate.

Seeing so many people, Yan Lingshang spoke to her maid Cailu, “Wait in line for me and the Princess Consort first. We’ll walk around for a bit.”

Cailu nodded and joined the queue.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, secretly channeling her true energy toward the direction of the meditation room, sending a secret message: “Master, please help me get rid of someone.”

Then, Mu Yunjin walked toward the meditation courtyard.

As she stepped onto the courtyard stairs, she saw a young monk hurriedly walking out from inside. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, he immediately approached her.

“Greetings to the Princess Consort.”

Mu Yunjin nodded to the young monk.

“The Abbot requests the Princess Consort’s presence in the meditation courtyard for a conversation,” the young monk said.

“Did he only invite the Princess Consort?” Yan Lingshang asked.

The young monk nodded.

Seeing this, Yan Lingshang gave an awkward smile and looked at Mu Yunjin. “Then the Princess Consort should go to the meditation courtyard first. I’ll go queue for burning incense.”

Mu Yunjin smiled faintly.

After watching Yan Lingshang leave, Zixiang couldn’t help but speak up. “Miss, if you don’t like her, why not directly refuse her invitation?”

“She praised me as a good person, and I couldn’t bear to disappoint her too harshly,” Mu Yunjin shrugged. Her biggest flaw was having soft ears, unable to resist kind words…

Zixiang burst into laughter. “So where are we going now?”

“Over there,” Mu Yunjin pointed toward the thousand-year-old tree.

…

Moments later, Mu Yunjin stood in the courtyard with the ancient tree, her gaze fixed on it, motionless.

Her mind was filled with images of the past.

“Miss, Miss…” Zixiang gently pushed Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin came back to her senses and walked toward the ancient tree. As she approached, she gently placed her hand on the trunk, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips.

Floating Life Tree, thank you for preserving the memories of Fu Huan and Si Qing.

As she thought this, a gentle breeze arose around her, causing several leaves to fall from the tree onto her shoulders.

Mu Yunjin picked up a leaf and held it in her palm.

For the time that followed, Mu Yunjin sat beneath the tree, leaning against the trunk, arms wrapped around herself, passing the time.

After sitting for who knows how long, a purple figure slowly entered the courtyard.

“Miss, His Highness is here,” Zixiang said softly.

Mu Yunjin was startled and looked up to see Chu Li approaching gracefully. Her eyes suddenly brightened.

“Why did you come here?” Mu Yunjin asked.

“I came to see Master Huaiyuan for some matters. What about you? How did your street stroll bring you here?” Chu Li asked in return.

Mu Yunjin pursed her lips. “It’s a long story.”

“Get up, come with me,” Chu Li extended his hand to her, wanting to help her up.

Mu Yunjin reached out, and as soon as she touched Chu Li’s hand, her heart began to race. She stared at Chu Li, her lips curving slightly. “Sit here with me for a moment.”

“Hmm?” Chu Li didn’t understand Mu Yunjin’s meaning.

Mu Yunjin patted the space beside her and pulled on Chu Li’s arm. “Quickly, sit down.”

Chu Li didn’t know what she was up to, but still sat down beside her.

As soon as he sat down, Mu Yunjin took hold of Chu Li’s arm, leaned against his shoulder, and couldn’t suppress her joy, laughing out loud.

This was exactly the feeling…

Under the Floating Life Tree, nestled together like this.

“Whose honey have you been stealing, to be so happy?” Chu Li turned his head to look at Mu Yunjin’s smiling face and laughed lightly.