The current Emperor…

Chu Ye?

Mu Yunjin looked at Lady Li and shook her head. “I don’t know him well.”

“I see.” Lady Li had been looking at Mu Yunjin with hopeful eyes, but upon hearing this response, she opened her mouth slightly, her tone somewhat disappointed.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, not asking for details.

After a moment, Lady Li began speaking unprompted, letting out a sigh. “Xuan’er has been in the palace for quite some time, yet until now, she hasn’t been favored by the Emperor…”

Hearing Lady Li’s words, Mu Yunjin wasn’t surprised.

Chu Ye had established an Empress merely to silence the world’s gossip. Now that an Empress was installed, if he truly disliked her, not favoring her would be entirely normal.

But this matter, which seemed perfectly ordinary to Mu Yunjin, was a great source of worry for Lady Li.

…

…

Lady Li had originally planned to become better acquainted with Mu Yunjin today, hoping to perhaps get some intelligence about Chu Ye. But Mu Yunjin had blocked all her questions with just three words: “I don’t know.”

“In that case, I won’t trouble you further.” Lady Li gave an awkward smile, stood up, and bid farewell to Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin nodded.

After Lady Li left, Mama Shen came over. “What was wrong with that Lady Li? She left with such a sour face.”

Mu Yunjin pouted. “Troubled by her family affairs.”

“Her husband has been promoted to Right Minister, and her daughter is now the Empress. What family affairs could trouble her? I think she’s just bored…” Mama Shen covered her mouth after speaking, then lightly patted it.

“Oh my, this servant has spoken out of turn.” As she aged, she became increasingly loose-tongued. Regardless of Lady Li’s situation, it wasn’t her place to comment.

Mu Yunjin curved her lips in a smile.

……

In the afternoon, Mu Yunjin sat in the pavilion, embroidering as she had been doing for the past few days.

Halfway through her embroidery, she heard footsteps slowly approaching.

Mu Yunjin raised her head and glanced to the side, seeing Jiang Qingxue walking slowly toward her. When their eyes met, Jiang Qingxue’s lips curved into a smile.

“Yunjin…” Jiang Qingxue smiled.

“Mother, why are you here?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes brightened as she put down what she was holding and stood up, preparing to walk toward Jiang Qingxue.

Jiang Qingxue approached her first, seeing Mu Yunjin with her protruding belly, and helped her sit down. “Sit properly, don’t be so careless all the time.”

Mu Yunjin sat down and then gestured for Jiang Qingxue to sit as well.

“Mother, has your health fully recovered?” Mu Yunjin asked with concern.

In her mind, she recalled the last time they parted, when Jiang Qingxue had appeared weak.

Jiang Qingxue smiled and nodded slightly. “I’m much better now. I heard from the Second Prince who returned to Northern Ming Country that you were doing well, and I couldn’t resist coming to see you.”

“How have things been recently?” Mu Yunjin asked.

“All is well.” Jiang Qingxue smiled, then continued speaking with a tone of reflection. “Lately, it seems everyone has been living particularly peacefully.”

Mu Yunjin curved her lips slightly, then thought of Bei Tang Wenfeng. “How are things between you and my father?”

At the mention of Bei Tang Wenfeng, the smile on Jiang Qingxue’s face dimmed. “It’s the same.”

Mu Yunjin understood the general meaning and didn’t pursue the topic further.

“By the way…” Mu Yunjin remembered something.

“Hmm?” Jiang Qingxue looked up at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, then spoke softly. “That day at Wind Moon Cliff, Mother, why did you have spiritual energy?”

Since regaining her memories, she had become particularly sensitive to spiritual energy. She clearly remembered that day at Wind Moon Cliff when Jiang Qingxue’s body had emanated spiritual energy.

Spiritual energy wasn’t something just anyone could possess.

Jiang Qingxue was slightly taken aback by Mu Yunjin’s question. Then she curled her lips into a slight smile. “It’s related to the cultivation technique I practiced. It was also because of this that I became the Holy Maiden Envoy of the Southern Court.”

“I see.” Mu Yunjin understood.

“During this time, it seems Chu Li has been taking good care of you.” Jiang Qingxue looked Mu Yunjin up and down, her lips revealing a smile.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin instinctively touched her face and pouted. “Mother, are you saying I’ve become fat?”

“Being a bit plump is good. Pregnancy is a blessed event. Enjoy your pregnancy.” Jiang Qingxue smiled.

Mu Yunjin curved her lips, agreeing with this statement.

With Jiang Qingxue’s company, the afternoon passed quickly.

“Princess, His Highness and Crown Prince Yun will both remain at the palace for dinner. His Highness asked you not to wait for him.” When it was time for dinner, Ding Xian returned to report.

Mu Yunjin nodded and sighed. “How busy he is.”

“He’ll only be busy for about a year or so. Are you worried he won’t have time for you in the future?” Jiang Qingxue comforted Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin’s lips twitched as she took Jiang Qingxue’s arm. “Since Chu Li won’t be back for dinner, let’s go eat first.”

“Mm.” Jiang Qingxue nodded with a smile.

At the dinner table, Mu Yunjin had thought that with Chu Li absent, she could eat a bit less. She hadn’t expected that Jiang Qingxue and Chu Li would be the same type of person.

Looking at the dishes continuously being added to her bowl, Mu Yunjin felt somewhat distressed.

……

After dinner, Jiang Qingxue was tired from traveling all day and went back to her room to rest.

Mu Yunjin also returned to her room. She had just entered and hadn’t yet sat down when there was a gentle knock on the door. “Princess…”

The voice of a young maid came from outside.

“Come in,” Mu Yunjin said.

The young maid pushed open the door and bowed to Mu Yunjin. “Madam Qing is bathing and says she forgot to bring her sleeping clothes. She asks if the Princess could lend her a set.”

Mu Yunjin understood and walked to the cabinet, taking out a new set.

Just as she was about to hand it to the young maid, Mu Yunjin paused and said, “I’ll take it to her myself.”

Then, Mu Yunjin stepped out of the room.

Shortly after, she arrived at an empty pavilion next door. Mu Yunjin walked to Jiang Qingxue’s door and knocked gently.

“Who is it?” Jiang Qingxue’s vigilant voice came through.

“It’s me,” Mu Yunjin replied.

Hearing it was Mu Yunjin, Jiang Qingxue immediately relaxed. “Come in quickly.”

Mu Yunjin pushed open the door. As soon as she entered the room, she saw steam rising from behind the screen and walked over with the clothes.

“Mother, I’ve brought your clothes.”

Since they were both women, Mu Yunjin wasn’t shy and walked behind the screen, placing the clothes on a nearby chair.

Jiang Qingxue had almost finished bathing. Seeing the clothes had been brought, she stood up and took a dry towel to dry her body.

Mu Yunjin glanced at Jiang Qingxue and was about to step away when her footsteps suddenly halted. She turned to look at Jiang Qingxue, her gaze falling on her chest…

This…

Mu Yunjin bit her lip, her eyes revealing a hint of shock and disbelief.

Then, Mu Yunjin frowned and pointed at Jiang Qingxue. “Mother, what’s that red mark on your chest?”

“This is my birthmark.” Jiang Qingxue looked down and then smiled lightly.

A red birthmark…

Mu Yunjin’s frown deepened.

This red birthmark was not unfamiliar to her; she had just seen it on Shen Wanning’s chest.

However, Shen Wanning’s had been created by her needle, while Jiang Qingxue’s was a genuine birthmark.

What did this mean?

Were Murong Rusu and Jiang Qingxue mother and daughter?

Mu Yunjin felt confused. How could these two people, who seemed to have no connection whatsoever, be mother and daughter?

Heavens…

Her brain couldn’t process it all.

After Jiang Qingxue had changed and come out, Mu Yunjin was still sitting in her room, showing no intention of leaving.

“Mother, why have you never mentioned your family?” Mu Yunjin suddenly spoke, looking at Jiang Qingxue.

At the mention of family, Jiang Qingxue smiled, appearing unconcerned. “As far back as I can remember, I was an orphan. I don’t know who my birth parents were.”

“Then…” Mu Yunjin drew out the word. “When did your memories begin? Who were the people around you?”

Hearing Mu Yunjin’s questions, Jiang Qingxue assumed she was curious about her background. She sat down nearby and began to speak slowly.

“Do you remember Old Madam Ye?” Jiang Qingxue asked.

Mu Yunjin thought for a moment, remembering the old woman who had looked after the Qing Mansion, and nodded.

“My earliest memories are from around five years old, living in a mountain estate. The owner of the estate had the surname Jiang and was my adoptive father. He guarded a place called Qing Yin Pavilion. My adoptive father was usually busy and didn’t have much time for me. Most of the time, it was Old Madam Ye who took care of me, until I was sixteen when my adoptive father passed away. I took over Qing Yin Pavilion, and later, by accident, became the Holy Maiden of the Southern Court…”

As Jiang Qingxue mentioned her adoptive father, tears still faintly glistened in her eyes.

Beside her, Mu Yunjin latched onto one detail—five years old.

That time coincided almost perfectly with when Senior Murong’s daughter had disappeared.

Moreover, Shen Wanning and Jiang Qingxue were also of similar ages.

The more Mu Yunjin thought about it, the more incredible it seemed. After all these twists and turns, Senior Murong’s biological daughter was her mother…

“Yunjin, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t you go rest?” Jiang Qingxue asked with concern, noticing her large belly.

Mu Yunjin snapped back to reality, nodded, and left the room.

……

When she returned to Liquan Pavilion, Chu Li had just come out and was changing clothes, preparing to bathe.

Hearing the door open, he turned to look.

“Chu Li, I’ve made a major discovery.” Mu Yunjin looked at Chu Li with a serious expression.

Chu Li had just removed his outer robe. Hearing her words, he stopped what he was doing and looked at Mu Yunjin solemnly. “What major discovery?”

“Go bathe first, and we’ll talk properly afterward.” Mu Yunjin’s eyes flickered.

Chu Li curved his lips, wrapped an arm around her waist, and led her toward the hot spring pool. “Let’s talk while bathing.”

Shortly after, in the hot spring pool.

Mu Yunjin told Chu Li everything about the birthmark incident in detail.

“Don’t you think this is remarkable?” Having finished, Mu Yunjin sat at the edge of the hot spring, raising an eyebrow as she looked at Chu Li.

Chu Li leaned against the pool wall. Everything Mu Yunjin had just told him was truly beyond his imagination.

Yunjin’s mother was his master’s daughter…

This was a scenario he wouldn’t have imagined even in his wildest dreams before.

“So that Shen Wanning is completely an impostor.” Mu Yunjin said confidently.

After a pause, Mu Yunjin spoke again, “Do you think we should tell Senior Murong about this?”