After leaving West Brocade Garden, Mu Yunjin sat in the carriage playing with the Phoenix Tail Whip, somewhat reluctant to put it down.

“Third Miss, we’ve arrived at the Minister’s mansion.”

The carriage soon stopped, and Ding Xian’s voice came from outside.

Mu Yunjin hummed in acknowledgment, lifted the curtain to look outside, and seeing that the carriage had stopped at her family’s gate, she glanced at the sky.

Then she turned to look at Chu Li and smiled, “It’s almost dark. The Sixth Prince should return early to rest.”

Hearing Mu Yunjin’s voice, Chu Li’s clear gaze fell on her. Seeing that she was speaking to him without her usual barbs for once, he thought that the Phoenix Tail Whip had indeed hit her sweet spot, so he nodded faintly.

……

After saying goodbye to Chu Li, Mu Yunjin walked toward the mansion gate.

Just as she stepped through the main gate of the Minister’s mansion, the steward came forward to greet her, bowing with a face full of joy. “Congratulations, Third Miss.”

…

…

Mu Yunjin paused, raised an eyebrow, and unconsciously touched the Phoenix Tail Whip wrapped around her wrist—news had spread so quickly?

So she also smiled at the steward, “Thank you, Uncle Wang.”

After speaking, Mu Yunjin walked toward the front hall. Once inside, she was startled by the sight of gift boxes wrapped in red silk filling the entire room.

The gift boxes filled the entire room, completely blocking her path back to the rear garden.

Looking at the red silk wrappings, could it be…

Mu Yunjin paused, glanced around, and only then noticed that the front hall was now full of people. Even Su Biqing and Mu Lingzhu, both still ill, had been helped to seats inside.

Everyone had different expressions upon seeing Mu Yunjin.

“Yunjin is back.” Minister Mu spoke first, looking at Mu Yunjin with a rare gentle smile on his face.

“Yes, what are these things?” Mu Yunjin nodded, then her gaze fell on the gift boxes.

Hearing this, Minister Mu could hardly contain his smile. “These are the betrothal gifts the Sixth Prince had sent over earlier. There are a full sixty-eight varieties, several times more than the customary betrothal gifts, truly showing his sincerity.”

Mu Yunjin was stunned, her brow slightly furrowing. She had been with Chu Li all afternoon yet hadn’t heard him mention that he had prepared betrothal gifts.

It seemed that this time, the marriage was truly unavoidable.

Thinking this, Mu Yunjin casually took out a jade ruyi scepter from one of the gift boxes, held it in her hand to examine it, then sighed inwardly—indeed, all were valuable items.

This Chu Li, just how many private businesses did he have? Not only could he readily produce thirty thousand taels of gold to buy her jade pendant, but he could also bring out so much gold, silver, jewelry, and precious paintings for betrothal gifts at once. It was truly extraordinary.

However, it was somewhat regrettable that these things had now fallen into Minister Mu’s hands.

“Originally, I was concerned that the Sixth Prince might give us a hard time because of Yunjin’s previously poor reputation, but now it seems I worried unnecessarily,” Su Biqing spoke, looking at the betrothal gifts that nearly filled the entire room, feeling an inexplicable anger building inside her.

Seeing Su Biqing taking another jab at her, Mu Yunjin curved her lips, then frowned slightly, looking toward Minister Mu with concern. “Father, the other day Mother said that because I still have two younger sisters, there wouldn’t be much of a good dowry for me when I marry. Now that the Sixth Prince has sent so many betrothal gifts at once, we can’t be too shabby on our end, can we?”

Minister Mu paused, hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, his gaze sweeping somewhat displeased over Su Biqing, then turning back to Mu Yunjin. “Rest assured, you are the first daughter of our Mu family to marry, and you’re marrying into the royal family. How could I let people laugh at us for nothing?”

“With Father’s word, Yunjin is at ease.” After Mu Yunjin spoke, she shot a smug look at Su Biqing.

Mu Lingzhu, who had been silent all this time, was still physically weak. Looking at the room full of betrothal gifts, she felt as if her heart had shattered.

This scene, which she had imagined countless times, had now come true, but it wasn’t happening to her.

She understood Chu Li somewhat—when he liked someone, he liked them; when he didn’t, no one could force him. Now these room-filling betrothal gifts were enough to represent his feelings for Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin…

Mu Lingzhu gritted her teeth, looking at the face before her that was smiling like a flower, her eyes full of coldness. Had her years of diligent study and earning the reputation of the First Talented Lady still not been enough to overcome a beautifully exquisite face?

How could she resign herself to this?

At this moment, Mu Xiarou, who had been watching the excitement for a long time, suddenly spoke up, running to Mu Yunjin’s side and intimately hooking her arm. “Congratulations, Third Sister. It seems that after marriage, His Highness the Sixth Prince will especially dote on his sister.”

Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched slightly, and she pursed her lips—she could do without the doting…

“Yes, Yunjin’s face shows she’s a fortunate person. Now Third Madam is truly happy for you,” Luo Ningyu also spoke timely, her gaze gentle as she looked at Mu Yunjin.

Hearing Luo Ningyu’s voice, Mu Yunjin glanced at her.

This Third Madam was usually low-key, with a gentle temperament, yet she had raised such a calculating child as Mu Xiarou. One couldn’t help but wonder if this Third Madam’s private personality was the same as what she showed publicly.

……

Upon returning to Shihua Pavilion, Zixiang immediately rushed out from the inner room, loudly saying to Mu Yunjin, “Congratulations, Miss! Felicitations, Miss!”

“Stop! Don’t mention this matter to me again—my head hurts!” Mu Yunjin made a pause gesture toward Zixiang, then stretched lazily and worked her neck.

Zixiang smiled with pressed lips. After so many days of interacting with Mu Yunjin, she had thoroughly understood her temperament, so she wasn’t afraid of Mu Yunjin now and continued, “The Sixth Prince’s betrothal gifts filled an entire room. This will surely infuriate Big Madam and Fourth Miss!”

“And those who used to bully Miss, even with hundreds of times more courage, would never dare to bully you again!” As Zixiang spoke, there was a trace of pride in her eyes.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin sighed somewhat helplessly, then poked Zixiang’s forehead. “You naughty girl, why are you speaking so loudly? Are you afraid others won’t hear?”

“Be careful, one day when I’m not around, someone might skin you alive!” Mu Yunjin deliberately intimidated Zixiang.

Hearing this, Zixiang was so frightened that she immediately covered her mouth, no longer daring to speak too much. “Miss, I won’t talk nonsense anymore. Let me prepare hot water for your bath.”

“Mm.” Mu Yunjin nodded with satisfaction.

Behind the bedroom screen, Mu Yunjin leaned lazily against the bathtub. The Phoenix Tail Whip was still wrapped around her wrist, and no matter how she tried to remove it, it wouldn’t come off.

Zixiang stood nearby, occasionally sprinkling flower petals into the bathtub. Seeing the Phoenix Tail Whip on Mu Yunjin’s hand, she curiously asked, “Miss, where did this bracelet come from? It’s uniquely designed and truly beautiful.”

Bracelet?

Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow, looking at the little whip that had contracted into a ball, her eyes thoughtful. This Phoenix Tail Whip truly seemed to have some spirit, just as the old man had said.

“Chu Li gave it to me,” Mu Yunjin touched her wrist and spoke softly.

Hearing this, Zixiang covered her mouth and smiled. “The Sixth Prince is so good to Miss. I’m curious how far Miss and the Sixth Prince have progressed!”

“Gossip!” Mu Yunjin criticized upon hearing Zixiang’s words.

“Gossip? Miss, did you also go to a fortune teller with the Sixth Prince?”

……

Early the next morning, Mu Yunjin was gently pushed awake from her sleep.

When she opened her eyes, Zixiang was standing beside her bed, speaking softly, “Miss, wake up, Mamma Qu has arrived.”

Mu Yunjin was slightly startled, thought for a moment, and then remembered that Mamma Qu was someone from Empress Qin’s side. She sat up, yawned, and asked, “What business does Mamma Qu have?”

“Today, Empress Qin and Empress Dowager Zheng are going to Water Cloud Temple to offer incense. Empress Qin has specially invited Miss to go along. Mamma Qu has come to the mansion first to relay the message,” Zixiang said.

Mu Yunjin nodded. At the mention of Water Cloud Temple, she couldn’t help but recall the thousand-year-old tree Zixiang had mentioned.

She wondered if she would have the chance to see it today.

Just thinking about the thousand-year-old tree, Mu Yunjin felt a strange palpitation in her heart. That mysterious force surged again, pulling her tightly.

……

When Mu Yunjin stepped into the front hall, all eyes were drawn to her.

She was wearing a light water-green dress, her hair simply styled in a small bun with a jade hairpin. Her simple attire made her look elegant and serene, yet vibrant.

“Hello, Mamma Qu. Sorry to keep you waiting.” As soon as Mu Yunjin entered, she greeted Mamma Qu, who was sitting there, directly ignoring Su Biqing, who was in the main seat.

Mamma Qu nodded with a smile, stood up, and curtsied to Mu Yunjin. “Third Miss is too polite.”

Mu Yunjin smiled, only then noticing that beside Mamma Qu sat another elderly woman with a serious expression. She sat there formally, showing no intention of greeting her.

After a pause, Mu Yunjin thought for a moment. This person seemed to be Mamma Yang from Empress Dowager Zheng’s side.

Could it be that Mamma Yang had come to invite Mu Lingzhu?

Just as she thought this, Mu Lingzhu walked in from the rear garden. It was evident that she had carefully dressed up, wearing a light pink brocade dress with gold trim. The dress was embroidered with large lotus flowers, and her hair was adorned with a colorful butterfly hairpin, making her appear radiant.

Looking at Mu Lingzhu’s brocade dress, Mu Yunjin then looked down at her dress, which was made of somewhat old fabric, and sighed once more—differential treatment, differential treatment indeed!

Su Biqing sat in the main seat, her gaze sweeping over Mu Lingzhu. Seeing her attire today, admiration flashed in her eyes.

“Pearl, Yunjin, today you two will accompany the Empress Dowager and the Empress to offer incense at Water Cloud Temple. You must behave properly and not cause any trouble for the Empress Dowager and the Empress, understand?” Su Biqing said.

Hearing this, Mu Lingzhu nodded and smiled. “Mother, rest assured, Pearl will not cause any trouble for the Empress Dowager.”

“Madam can rest assured. In the entire Butterfly City, everyone knows that the Fourth Miss has the gentlest temperament. Ever since the Empress Dowager met the Fourth Miss last time, she has constantly praised the Fourth Miss and thinks of her often!” Mamma Yang spoke timely, smiling at Su Biqing.

Su Biqing nodded, her eyes also unable to hide her pride.

Nearby, Mamma Qu smiled faintly, looked at the time, and said to Mu Yunjin, “Third Miss, the carriage is already prepared outside the mansion. Shall we set off first?”