Northern Qi Lu was indeed different from what Mu Yunjin had imagined. She initially thought that with a mother like Yang Qingning, his character wouldn’t be particularly good, perhaps even arrogant and domineering. But after today’s interaction, she discovered he was simply a child with a pure heart.

On their way to the grand hall where today’s Empress Enthronement Ceremony would be held, the square outside the hall was already filled with people. At a glance, most faces seemed familiar.

Chu Li kept a firm grip on Mu Yunjin’s hand. Seeing the crowd outside, he avoided walking toward them, fearing that Mu Yunjin might get jostled in the comings and goings.

“Oh, it’s Prince Ning and Princess Ning…”

From behind, a warm voice sounded.

Mu Yunjin turned to look and saw Madam Li in formal attire standing behind her, accompanied by several officials’ wives.

Today was Li Yingxuan’s Empress Enthronement Ceremony, and Madam Li had also become the center of attention among these officials’ wives. Those both familiar and unfamiliar were all following by her side today.

After meeting Mu Yunjin’s gaze, Madam Li bowed slightly to her.

The officials’ wives beside her also bowed in turn. Last time, Mu Yunjin had helped them find the antidote for the poison, and they hadn’t yet formally thanked her.

…

…

“Ladies, there’s no need for such formality,” Mu Yunjin said with a smile.

Madam Li nodded and stepped closer, glancing at Mu Yunjin’s protruding belly, and curled her lips into a smile. “Looking at the shape of the belly, it seems like a boy!”

Once this topic was initiated, those officials’ wives immediately opened their floodgates of conversation—

“Yes, this pointed shape, it looks like you’re having a boy!”

“Princess Ning’s face shows great fortune; it must be a boy.”

“Yes, yes, Prince Ning and Princess Ning are both exceptionally good-looking, the boy they have will certainly be handsome and dignified, who knows how many girls he’ll attract in the future…”

“…”

Each of the officials’ wives spoke enthusiastically, regardless of whether the belly looked like it would produce a boy or girl. By focusing on the point of it being a boy, they assumed Chu Li and Mu Yunjin would be pleased.

In this world, a mother’s status was elevated by her sons, so of course having a basketful of boys would be best.

While they thought this way, Mu Yunjin felt extremely awkward, already sensing the low pressure emanating from a certain someone beside her.

But on an occasion like today, it was inevitable that they would see these people again, and making things too awkward wouldn’t be good.

So Mu Yunjin forced a smile and smoothed things over, “We would be happy with either a boy or girl, as long as the child is born safely.”

“Princess Ning is right, the child’s safety is what matters most,” Madam Li, noticing that Chu Li seemed somewhat displeased, immediately followed Mu Yunjin’s lead.

Speaking of which, the Li family’s current status was partly thanks to the Prince Ning’s Residence.

If Mu Yunjin hadn’t helped her and her daughter at Plum Blossom Pavilion that day, she and her daughter might have suffered physical harm.

Moreover, it was precisely because of that incident that Chu Ye seemed to notice her daughter…

And her husband’s promotion from a seventh-rank county magistrate to a first-rank Right Chancellor was also largely due to Chu Li’s recommendation.

Thinking of these things, Madam Li felt increasingly grateful to Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.

“Princess Ning, there’s still some time before the auspicious hour for the enthronement ceremony. With your pregnancy, perhaps you’d like to rest for a while in the pavilion over there,” Madam Li suggested warmly.

Mu Yunjin was indeed getting tired from standing for so long and couldn’t help but look up at Chu Li.

Chu Li nodded, and just as he was about to lead Mu Yunjin away, a figure came running over from the side. “Prince Ning…”

It was Head Eunuch Lu.

“Prince Ning, His Majesty requests your presence to discuss some matters,” Eunuch Lu said.

Upon hearing this, Chu Li’s brows slightly furrowed. “Tell him to wait…”

“Your Highness, you should go,” Mu Yunjin quickly interrupted before Chu Li could finish.

Chu Li paused momentarily, looking at the distance to the pavilion.

“I’ll wait for you in the pavilion. It’s just a few steps away; nothing will happen,” Mu Yunjin said.

“Hmm, then be careful, don’t wander off,” Chu Li instructed.

Mu Yunjin nodded.

Afterward, Chu Li pressed his thin lips together and left.

After Chu Li left, Mu Yunjin headed toward the pavilion. Zixiang, who had been silently following behind, was about to step forward to support Mu Yunjin, but Madam Li had already done so.

“The path ahead is cobbled with pebbles; Princess Ning, please be careful,” Madam Li said with concern.

“Chancellor’s Lady, there’s no need for such formality.” Mu Yunjin withdrew her hand and gave Zixiang a look.

Understanding, Zixiang immediately stepped forward to support Mu Yunjin.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, several people were already seated inside. Mu Yunjin looked over and immediately spotted Madam Yan, accompanied by several other women, including Madam Yang.

Madam Yan’s first glance fell not on Mu Yunjin but on Madam Li beside her.

Originally, she was seven ranks higher than Madam Li, as the wife of the Prime Minister, but now they were equals as the wives of the Left and Right Chancellors.

Additionally, now that Li Yingxuan had been selected as Empress, she had fallen from this equal position, becoming far inferior to Madam Li.

Sigh, her daughter Lingshang wasn’t inferior either, so why couldn’t she find a suitable match?

“Ah, it’s Princess Ning and Madam Li, please come and sit, please come and sit,” despite her inner displeasure, Madam Yan’s face showed no trace of it as she stood up to make room.

Mu Yunjin walked over and sat down without hesitation.

Madam Li still maintained some modesty, “Madam Yan, please sit as well.”

“Ah, good,” Madam Yan curled her lips slightly and sat down.

Madam Yang stood to the side, silently rolling her eyes several times and cursing countless times in her heart. In her view, the Li family had simply stepped in dog shit and gotten lucky!

That Li Yingxuan, who knew how long she could hold the position of Empress!

Time would tell!

“Quick, pour some tea for Princess Ning and Madam Li,” after sitting down, Madam Yan instructed her little maidservant.

The little maid immediately stepped forward, took the teapot from the stone table, and poured tea for Mu Yunjin and Madam Li.

Mu Yunjin didn’t dare drink carelessly outside, so after accepting the teacup, she just pretended to blow on it without taking a single sip.

Madam Li, who had received many hints and suggestions before leaving home today, also claimed she wasn’t thirsty and didn’t drink the water.

In Madam Yan’s eyes, this was Mu Yunjin and Madam Li blatantly disrespecting her, which only fueled her inner anger.

“Little girl,” at this moment, National Mentor An’s voice came from outside the pavilion.

Hearing this voice, Mu Yunjin raised her eyes and, seeing the unfamiliar person standing outside the pavilion, was momentarily stunned before realizing that National Mentor An had changed his appearance today.

That made sense—National Mentor An was also the Great Master Kong Shi of Western Yuan, and many people would have seen his original appearance.

Coming to Western Yuan today as an envoy from the Southern Court, he needed to change his appearance to avoid unnecessary trouble.

“Greetings, National Mentor An,” Mu Yunjin blinked at National Mentor An.

“Mm, I was passing by and happened to see you,” National Mentor An said.

Mu Yunjin smiled, “What a coincidence.”

“Indeed,” National Mentor An joked.

Beside them, Madam Yan spoke up, “National Mentor An? Are you the National Mentor from Southern Court?”

National Mentor An glanced at Madam Yan and nodded slightly.

“Oh my, I’ve heard that Southern Court’s National Mentor knows astronomy above and geography below, excels in martial arts, and is a legendary figure in Southern Court. I never thought I’d have the fortune to meet you today,” Madam Yan said with a bright smile and sparkling eyes, staring at National Mentor An.

“Yes, I’ve heard of National Mentor An’s reputation. They say the National Mentor can predict celestial phenomena—how amazing!” another lady said.

“I’ve heard too, I’ve heard too!”

Mu Yunjin watched this scene with amusement, raising an eyebrow at National Mentor An and sending a secret message, “Not bad, at your age, you can still attract so many fangirls.”

“Are you sure they’re fangirls and not square-dancing aunties?” National Mentor An replied with the same secret technique, his tone helpless.

Pfft…

Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hey, National Mentor An, since you can tell fortunes, could you read one for me?” Madam Yan asked.

“I’m sorry, but I need to meet with your Western Yuan ruler now. Please excuse me,” National Mentor An apologetically declined before walking away.

After National Mentor An left, the group of ladies sighed with disappointment.

“Princess Ning, how do you know Southern Court’s National Mentor?” Madam Chen asked curiously.

“I…” Mu Yunjin began.

After saying just one word, she heard a piercing female voice, “Are you stupid? What’s the relationship between Prince Ning’s Residence and the Southern Court? What’s strange about knowing Southern Court’s National Mentor…”

The speaker was Madam Yang.

As soon as her words were out, a deathly silence filled the pavilion.

Everyone knew what the relationship was between Prince Ning’s Residence and the Southern Court, but who would dare to bring it up openly?

This Madam Yang would one day be the death of herself with that mouth of hers!

Mu Yunjin also fell silent, slightly curling her lips and glancing at Madam Yang.

Madam Yang, meeting Mu Yunjin’s cold gaze, felt her heart suddenly tremble. She immediately realized she had misspoken, and her face changed.

But if she were to apologize to Mu Yunjin in front of so many people, she would lose too much face…

“Slap her!” Zixiang, as Mu Yunjin’s head maid, stepped forward first, pointing at Madam Yang.

Madam Yang’s eyes widened instantly. She wanted to scold Zixiang but then thought better of it, remembering the saying about not hitting a dog without considering its master. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down.

“Princess Ning, I…”

“Princess Ning is here!” Before Madam Yang could finish, several voices came from outside the pavilion.

Everyone looked outside again to see several envoys from other countries.

Those envoys entered the pavilion, and the one in the lead bowed to Mu Yunjin, “Greetings, Princess Ning. I am Zhang Kui, Chancellor of Eastern Lin.”

After speaking, Zhang Kui took out a brocade box, “This is a gift prepared by our ruler specifically for Prince Ning’s little heir.”

Another gift…

Mu Yunjin smiled and accepted the brocade box from Zhang Kui’s hand, “Please thank your ruler on my behalf.”

“No need for thanks. Our ruler has been busy with state affairs lately, so he only entrusted me to deliver this to Princess Ning while I was here. Please understand,” Zhang Kui said.

Mu Yunjin nodded.

After delivering the gift, Zhang Kui left the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, a group of gossiping women gathered around again, starting to chatter—

“Does Princess Ning also have a private friendship with the ruler of Eastern Lin?”