Hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, Qingmeng nodded understandingly, “So that’s it…”
“Now that you’re further along in your pregnancy, while you need to be careful with everything, there’s no need to be overly anxious. Just maintain a calm mindset,” Qingmeng instructed Mu Yunjin. Since the fetus appeared normal, she didn’t even prescribe any medicine.
Mu Yunjin gave a sound of acknowledgment, unconsciously stroking her belly, the strange red light flashing in her mind.
Hopefully, she was just overthinking…
After Qingmeng left, Mu Yunjin changed into new clothes and lay back down on the bed.
“Is there anywhere else you feel uncomfortable?” Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin, his deep eyes concealing worry.
Mu Yunjin shook her head, “I’m fine now, don’t worry too much. Let’s go back to sleep.”
Hearing this, Chu Li finally relaxed and lay down with Mu Yunjin.
In the latter half of the night, Mu Yunjin remained awake. It wasn’t until nearly the fourth watch that drowsiness overtook her, and she gradually fell asleep.
…
…
…
When Chu Li woke up in the morning, Mu Yunjin was still in deep sleep.
He gently touched her forehead, and finding her temperature normal, Chu Li put his mind at ease and left the room alone.
After leaving, Ding Xian approached him, “Your Highness, in Eastern Lin, Rong Min has already raised troops in rebellion. It’s said he has Eastern Lin’s military command token and can control all of Eastern Lin’s soldiers.”
“Mm,” Chu Li nodded faintly, his expression calm.
“Also, it’s said that the soldiers Chu Qing took away earlier have now joined with Rong Min’s troops,” Ding Xian said.
“Understood,” Chu Li replied lazily.
Seeing Chu Li’s unperturbed demeanor, Ding Xian scratched his head, “Your Highness, the enemy now has the military power of one and a half nations…”
“What does that have to do with me?” Chu Li asked.
After speaking, Chu Li looked at Ding Xian and added, “Eastern Lin’s military command token was given to Yunjin by Rong Jiu half a year ago.”
With that, Chu Li walked out of Liquan Pavilion.
Ding Xian stood in place, momentarily stunned, then immediately came to his senses, his eyes filled with disbelief.
The military command token, such an important item—how could Rong Jiu have given it to the Princess?
Heavens, what exactly were his intentions toward the Princess…
…
When Mu Yunjin woke up, it was already past noon.
“Princess, you’re awake. The Prince guessed correctly that you would wake up after noon,” Mamma Shen said as soon as she stepped into Mu Yunjin’s room, already chattering away.
She then walked to the cabinet to select a light spring garment for Mu Yunjin.
“Is the Prince in the residence?” Mu Yunjin asked Mamma Shen while changing her clothes.
During this period, Mamma Shen had been the one attending to her, as Chu Li felt that she was older and more experienced.
“The Prince went to the palace early this morning. He just sent word back that he’ll return to the residence later,” Mamma Shen replied.
Mu Yunjin nodded in understanding.
“By the way, the Empress sent over many things just now, all tonics and medicinal herbs, saying they were to console the Princess,” Mamma Shen remembered.
At the mention of Li Yingxuan, Mu Yunjin paused slightly, only saying she understood, without much reaction.
After washing up and leaving the room, the midday sun was just right.
Mu Yunjin sat down on a stone chair in the courtyard of Liquan Pavilion, and Mamma Shen instructed several maids to bring the midday meal.
Soon, the table was filled with dishes.
“Mamma, please sit down too.” Mu Yunjin looked at Mamma Shen standing beside her.
Mamma Shen nodded and sat down.
As soon as she sat down, Mamma Shen couldn’t hold back from speaking again, “Princess, this morning I looked at the auspicious dates coming up. They are the eighth and twentieth of next month, and the first and ninth of the month after… all suitable for weddings. Do you have any thoughts?”
“There aren’t many days left this month, and the eighth of next month might be a bit rushed. How about the twentieth of next month?” Mu Yunjin suggested.
“That’s fine. They’re all good days. Now that it’s decided, let’s quickly arrange the wedding, to avoid any unexpected changes,” Mamma Shen said enthusiastically.
Mu Yunjin smiled, agreeing with Mamma Shen’s words.
“Then, as Zixiang’s family, the Princess should also prepare a dowry for her,” Mamma Shen reminded Mu Yunjin.
“Dowry…” Mu Yunjin drew out the word, “I’ve already prepared it for Zixiang.”
She never intended to keep Zixiang by her side forever. Such a good girl shouldn’t be held back, so she had prepared a dowry for Zixiang from the beginning.
It was all packed in a chest.
At the mention of chests, Mu Yunjin paused slightly, suddenly remembering that she hadn’t opened the brocade box from Rong Jiu yet.
She put down her chopsticks, stood up, and walked back to her room.
Upon entering the room, Mu Yunjin looked around, then walked to the dressing table, opened a drawer, and took out the box she had casually placed there that day.
Mu Yunjin looked at the box, then slowly opened it…
It was a crystal-clear night pearl.
Mu Yunjin took out the night pearl. Though it looked small and delicate, it felt heavy in her hand, and even in daylight, it couldn’t hide the radiance it emitted.
“Wow…” Mamma Shen, who had followed Mu Yunjin into the room, exclaimed upon seeing the night pearl.
Hearing Mamma Shen’s voice, Mu Yunjin put the night pearl back in the box.
“This night pearl is truly beautiful,” Mamma Shen marveled.
Mu Yunjin’s lips curved into a smile. Just as she was placing the night pearl back in the box, she suddenly felt something bounce inside it.
Mu Yunjin frowned slightly and experimentally took out the night pearl, shaking it. Indeed, something was rattling around inside…
Seeing this, Mu Yunjin examined the night pearl once more.
“Princess, let’s go eat first. The food is getting cold,” Mamma Shen reminded, seeing that Mu Yunjin had been staring at the pearl for a long time.
Mu Yunjin made a sound of acknowledgment but didn’t put the night pearl back in the box. Instead, she kept it close to her body.
…
In the afternoon, with nothing to do, Mu Yunjin practiced needlework with Mamma Shen again.
Lately, she had no desire to go out for casual strolls. With her inherent ability to attract trouble, it was best for her to stay away from crowds.
To avoid inexplicably getting caught in the crossfire again…
“Princess, you’re improving so quickly. You’ve only been learning for a few days, and you can already embroider so well,” Mamma Shen couldn’t help but praise as she looked at the peony Mu Yunjin had newly embroidered.
Mu Yunjin looked at the pattern on the embroidery cloth and smiled, “Really? I still feel it’s lacking something…”
“It’s alright, take it slowly. Embroidery tests patience above all,” Mamma Shen said.
Mu Yunjin nodded.
After some time, a little maid from the residence approached. Walking to Mu Yunjin’s side, she bowed slightly, “Princess, there’s a man and a woman outside requesting to see you. They said that once they mentioned their surname, you would know who they are. They claim to be surnamed Yun.”
“Yun? Is the man very enchanting-looking?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.
The little maid thought for a moment, then nodded, “Indeed, that’s him.”
“Let them in,” Mu Yunjin said. A man and woman surnamed Yun—she guessed it was Yun Lianqing and Yun Shuangleng.
Soon, two figures entered the back garden. Sure enough, it was Yun Lianqing and Yun Shuangleng.
As soon as Yun Lianqing saw Mu Yunjin, he immediately sighed, his peach blossom eyes narrowing with displeasure, “Imperial Sister-in-law, what’s going on with you all now?!”
“What is it?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow.
“This Crown Prince came specially to Western Yuan to visit you, a pregnant woman, but before I could get near your Prince Ning’s Residence, more than a dozen guards suddenly surrounded me. They insisted on coming in to report to you first before letting this Crown Prince enter.”
After speaking, Yun Lianqing pointed to his face, his tone full of grievance, “This Crown Prince has such an unparalleled face, yet no one in your residence recognized me just now…”
Mu Yunjin laughed lightly, “Please sit down.”
Yun Lianqing hummed and sat down nearby.
Mamma Shen immediately stood up, tidied up the needlework on the table, and left the courtyard to prepare tea and snacks.
“It’s been a few months since I’ve seen you, and your belly has grown so big. Almost time to give birth, right?” Yun Shuangleng asked, looking at Mu Yunjin’s swollen belly after sitting down.
Mu Yunjin smiled and nodded, “About three more months.”
“No wonder your Prince’s Residence is so tightly guarded now. So it’s because you’re about to give birth,” Yun Lianqing sighed.
“Did anyone see you entering the residence so conspicuously?” Mu Yunjin remembered this point.
Yun Shuangleng smiled, “No, we covered our faces when we entered.”
Mu Yunjin smiled faintly.
“Is this peony embroidered by you?” Yun Lianqing suddenly grabbed the nearly completed peony embroidery cloth from Mu Yunjin.
“Who else?” Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows.
Hearing this, Yun Lianqing repeatedly clicked his tongue, “This is truly bizarre. In the past, your silver needles were only used to kill people, but now you’re using them to embroider flowers. Are you accumulating merit for the child in your belly?”
“Stop it! Keep talking nonsense and I’ll sew your mouth shut!” Mu Yunjin glared at Yun Lianqing with displeasure.
Yun Lianqing grinned sheepishly.
At this moment, Mamma Shen entered with tea, poured for Yun Lianqing and Yun Shuangleng, and then withdrew.
Yun Lianqing took a sip of tea and said unhurriedly, “Don’t you feel that things have been very peaceful lately…”
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin looked up at Yun Lianqing, “Isn’t peace good?”
“Peace is good, but when it’s this eerily peaceful, it’s a bit creepy,” Yun Lianqing said, rubbing the goosebumps on his arm.
Mu Yunjin put down her embroidery cloth, leaned against the chair, took a sip of water, her eyes containing a hint of deeper meaning.
“By the way, have you heard about the matter in Eastern Lin?” Yun Lianqing suddenly brought up Eastern Lin.
“What matter?” Mu Yunjin was somewhat confused.
Yun Lianqing sighed languidly, “That Rong Min somehow got hold of the military command token from Rong Jiu’s side. Now he’s using it to control all of Eastern Lin’s soldiers, preparing to force Rong Jiu to abdicate!”
“Military command token?” Mu Yunjin frowned, for a moment thinking she had misheard.
Yun Lianqing nodded, “Yes, the military command token.”
“How many of these tokens are there?” Mu Yunjin asked curiously.
“Are you silly? For something like a military command token, of course, there’s only one!” Yun Lianqing said.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin’s lips flattened, and she pulled something out from her sleeve, placing it in her palm, “But Eastern Lin’s military command token is here with me…”