At the sound of “Huan’er,” the last bit of Mu Yunjin’s rationality instantly vanished.

Si Qing…

You’ve finally returned…

At this moment, she couldn’t tell if she felt joy or sorrow, only that the current situation seemed to mirror a scene from the past.

Here, Mu Yunjin held the severely injured and unconscious Chu Li with one arm and her newborn child with the other, her heart filled with emotion.

On the other side, the three people who had just been thrown through the wall were slowly getting up and walking toward Mu Yunjin.

Just as Mu Yunjin was preparing to hand the child to Hua Ying and tell her to find a way to escape first, Huang Yan, Ding Xian, and Song Chun returned from outside, followed by the Ink Qilin.

As soon as the Ink Qilin entered, it positioned itself in front of Mu Yunjin and Chu Li to protect them.

Seeing the scene in the room, accompanied by the scent of blood, Huang Yan furrowed his brow, but as he glanced sideways and caught sight of the child in Mu Yunjin’s arms, he breathed a slight sigh of relief.

…

…

Ding Xian surveyed the room, his brow similarly furrowed.

Only Song Chun kept his gaze fixed on Qingmeng, who was approaching.

He never could have imagined it would be her…

The elder sister they had trusted for many years had brutally destroyed their lifelong happiness.

Now, the three of them plus the Ink Qilin stood guard in front of Chu Li and Mu Yunjin. Chu Qing, Qiuye, and the others, wary of the Ink Qilin, didn’t immediately approach.

During this standoff, Mu Yunjin spoke first, looking at Qingmeng, “Why was it you?”

Addressed by name, Qingmeng laughed coldly, surveying the situation around her. Since everything had been exposed, there was nothing left to hide.

“Why was it me?” Qingmeng echoed, her lips curled in mockery.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, clutching the child in her arms tightly, fearing he might fall into the hands of these villains again.

The child was a tiny bundle, almost weightless in her arms.

“Because…”

Qingmeng drew out the syllable.

After a moment, Qingmeng chuckled lightly, “Never mind, I think I won’t say just yet. The timing isn’t quite right.”

Seeing Qingmeng’s reluctance to speak, Song Chun angrily stepped forward, “Then why did you kill Zixiang?”

“Her…”

…

Qingmeng recalled that day.

After discussing wedding details with Song Chun, Zixiang walked to the kitchen, intending to prepare a midnight snack for Mu Yunjin.

Perhaps because her footsteps were light, those in the kitchen didn’t notice her.

When Zixiang reached the kitchen door, she heard voices coming from inside—

“How much longer?” It was a man’s voice.

After a moment, a woman’s voice responded—it was Qingmeng. “Soon, within ten days.”

“Good. Ten days from now, when Mu Yunjin’s belly ruptures in a hemorrhage, our opportunity will be perfect and flawless.” The man’s voice was tinged with pleasure.

When Zixiang heard this conversation at the door, she immediately covered her mouth in shock, afraid of making any sound that might alert those inside.

It was almost impossible to imagine that Qingmeng, who appeared so gentle and virtuous daily, would do such a thing.

My lady, doesn’t this mean my lady is in danger…

“However, that newly arrived snake woman Hua Ying seems to have noticed something suspicious. Should we eliminate her first?” Qingmeng asked the man.

“No need. The poison has penetrated Mu Yunjin to the bone marrow; it’s beyond remedy now. Don’t waste effort.” The man replied.

Qingmeng nodded, “Very well, you should leave now before someone discovers you.”

The man grunted in agreement.

Hearing that the man was about to leave, Zixiang looked around and was about to flee when she accidentally kicked the doorframe, creating a slight noise.

Inside, Qingmeng and the man’s eyes sharpened, and they immediately rushed out, only to see a retreating figure.

“It’s Mu Yunjin’s maid,” Qingmeng said.

“You go first, I’ll handle this,” Qingmeng said, looking at the man.

The man nodded and flew away.

Seeing the man leave, Qingmeng looked around, and, confirming no one else was present, immediately chased after Zixiang.

Feeling someone pursuing her, Zixiang ran faster. Passing by Li Quan Pavilion, she wanted to rush in to find Mu Yunjin, but Qingmeng had already caught up, grabbing her by the collar and dragging her toward a rockery.

Along the way, Zixiang struggled repeatedly, trying to scream, but Qingmeng covered her mouth.

Upon reaching the rockery, Qingmeng threw Zixiang to the ground, her eyes filled with contempt. “What did you hear?”

Zixiang glared at Qingmeng angrily, “Qingmeng, you won’t come to a good end!”

“Is that so? Unfortunately, you won’t live past tonight.” With these words, Qingmeng bent down and slapped Zixiang’s face more than a dozen times.

Zixiang was immediately dazed by the slaps, blood oozing from the corner of her mouth.

Before she could react, her neck was violently gripped, and she heard Qingmeng’s voice in her ear, “Little Zixiang, you could have married your Song Chun as planned, but you heard what you shouldn’t have, so I can’t let you live. But don’t worry, soon your Brother Song Chun will join you below…”

After saying this, Qingmeng increased the pressure of her grip.

Zixiang never imagined her life would end at this moment.

Her happiness was just about to begin…

After ensuring Zixiang had stopped breathing, Qingmeng looked at the body on the ground, then took out a vial of poison from her sleeve and poured it into Zixiang’s mouth.

Shortly after, black blood slowly flowed from Zixiang’s seven orifices.

…

After hearing Qingmeng’s entire account, the mood in the room grew heavier.

“Qingmeng, I’ll kill you!” Song Chun could no longer restrain himself and swung his sword at Qingmeng.

In front of him, Qiuye stepped forward to strike at Song Chun.

Battle was imminent.

“Aooo…” The Ink Qilin suddenly charged forward, spewing a breath of blue light from its mouth.

Qiuye glimpsed this blue light and stepped back.

Seeing the Ink Qilin staring at them with imposing might, and considering that Chu Li’s earlier palm strike had been formidable enough to injure them all to varying degrees, continuing the fight might not be advantageous.

Gritting his teeth, Qiuye spoke, “Retreat for now!”

At his words, Chu Qing, Qingmeng, and others tapped their toes, about to fly away.

Just as Qingmeng was taking flight, something suddenly seized her waist. Looking down, she saw it was Mu Yunjin’s phoenix-tail whip.

Qingmeng was startled and was about to exert force to break free when the nearby Ink Qilin bit onto the phoenix-tail whip on Mu Yunjin’s behalf, forcefully pulling Qingmeng down.

Qingmeng tried to call for help but realized that Qiuye and Chu Qing had already disappeared.

“Lock her up first!” Mu Yunjin commanded.

The people nearby nodded in agreement.

…

Mu Yunjin had never imagined she would experience such calamities in one night—first her premature labor, then Chu Li regaining his past life’s memories, and finally discovering that Qingmeng was a traitor embedded among them.

None of this had been anticipated.

Now, having just given birth, Mu Yunjin was extremely weak. Taking advantage of the momentary calm, she lay down on the bed to rest, with the child lying beside her, eyes closed in sleep.

On the other side, Chu Li was severely injured and still unconscious. Huang Yan had gone to the palace to fetch several imperial physicians to bandage Chu Li’s wounds and examine his condition.

Qiqi had been poisoned by Qingmeng, but fortunately, only a small amount of the powder had hit her. The poison wasn’t deep, and although she was temporarily blind, taking the antidote promptly would restore her sight.

Elder Wind Xuan had also suffered significant energy depletion and was now sitting in an empty pavilion, meditating to heal his injuries with true qi.

That night, almost everyone in Prince Ning’s residence remained awake.

Mu Yunjin leaned against the headboard, continuously gazing down at the peaceful sleeping face of the child beside her, her lips pressed together as her mind silently contemplated everything.

Some matters were due to be resolved all at once…

…

Chu Li woke up at daybreak and, upon scanning his surroundings, realized he wasn’t in his room.

Moving his body slightly, he felt waves of pain throughout.

Chu Li frowned, recalling the events before he lost consciousness…

Streams of memories flooded his mind, and Chu Li’s brow furrowed deeper. He remembered that before fainting, he had called Mu Yunjin “Huan’er”…

Huan’er…

Chu Li’s eyes revealed surprise as he realized all of this was real.

He was Si Qing.

Nether God Si Qing.

After pondering for a moment, another scene flashed in his mind: before he lost consciousness, Mu Yunjin seemed to be holding a child in her arms…

At this thought, Chu Li immediately jolted awake and sat up in bed.

Nearby, Ding Xian, who had been watching over Chu Li, was startled. He walked to the bedside.

“Did Yunjin give birth?” Chu Li asked.

Ding Xian looked at Chu Li and nodded.

Chu Li frowned. Mu Yunjin was only a little over seven months pregnant—wouldn’t the child be born far too early?

Thinking this, Chu Li disregarded his bodily injuries, got out of bed, and rushed outside.

Ding Xian was frightened and chased after him.

…

“Bang—” Mu Yunjin’s door was pushed open.

Mu Yunjin instinctively protected the child and, turning to see who had arrived, immediately relaxed.

Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin. In just one night, she had grown visibly thinner.

Seeing that Chu Li’s steps were unsteady, Mu Yunjin immediately shifted inward on the bed, making space for him.

Chu Li sat on the bed, still gazing at Mu Yunjin without moving.

“Huan’er,” Chu Li called to her.

Mu Yunjin smiled faintly, pressing her lips together, “Brother Qing.”

The words “Brother Qing” made Chu Li’s emotions instantly collapse. He reached out to cup Mu Yunjin’s face, about to kiss her.

“Wah, wah.” The infant’s cry rang out at that moment.

Hearing this cry, both Mu Yunjin and Chu Li instantly regained their senses.

Mu Yunjin picked up the child and handed him to Chu Li, smiling softly, “Look, doesn’t he resemble you?”

Chu Li looked down. The tiny body was truly so small that it was impossible to discern any features. However, the moment he held the child in his arms, a strange feeling welled up within him.

This was the child he had longed for all this time…

“It’s a boy,” Mu Yunjin said with a smile, immediately observing Chu Li’s expression.

Hearing this, Chu Li merely nodded lightly, showing no significant reaction, only continuing to stare at the child without blinking.

“The child still doesn’t have a name,” Mu Yunjin said. Since the child had arrived so suddenly, she hadn’t thought of a name yet.

Hearing this, Chu Li turned his head to look at Mu Yunjin, “This prince hasn’t thought of one either.”

In truth, he had thought of several names, but they were all for girls…

“Then…” Mu Yunjin was a bit troubled, unable to think of a good name right away.

“How about calling him Chu Mu?”