Another half month quickly passed. Mu Yunjin sat in the small courtyard, idly counting on her fingers to calculate the time.

Only ten short days remained until she reached the age of her coming-of-age ceremony, as well as her wedding day with Chu Li.

Thinking of Chu Li, Mu Yunjin unconsciously stretched out her right hand, looking at the phoenix-tail whip wrapped around it. Her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes showing a trace of melancholy.

“Zixiang,” Mu Yunjin called out.

Zixiang, who was watering flowers nearby, immediately put down the water bucket upon hearing her, wiped her hands, and walked toward Mu Yunjin. “Miss, do you have any instructions?”

“I’ve been staying in Shihua Pavilion for half a month without going out. It’s getting a bit boring. Let’s go for a stroll,” Mu Yunjin said to Zixiang, glancing at the early afternoon sky.

Hearing this, Zixiang immediately nodded with delight.

After the mistress and servant made simple preparations, they walked out of Shihua Pavilion one after another, heading toward the main gate of the Xiang Mansion.

Arriving at the front courtyard, Mu Yunjin was startled by the red color that greeted her eyes. The Xiang Mansion had, at some point, been decorated with large red embroidered balls and double happiness characters posted throughout, creating an entirely festive atmosphere.

Seeing this scene, Zixiang covered her mouth and smiled, “It seems that after the Sixth Prince sent so many betrothal gifts, even the Master has gained new respect for Miss. Look, it’s still ten days before the wedding day, and the mansion has already been decorated everywhere, showing how much importance the Master attaches to this matter.”

Mu Yunjin’s mouth twitched, and she pursed her lips without expressing any opinion as she walked out of the main gate of the Xiang Mansion.

As summer approached, today’s weather outside was somewhat humid and stuffy. Mu Yunjin hadn’t strolled for long when several claps of thunder sounded in the sky, followed by large raindrops falling densely.

Mu Yunjin silently cursed her bad luck, then jogged forward a few steps. Passing by the entrance of the Mingxiang Teahouse, Mu Yunjin ducked inside, steadied herself, and took out a handkerchief to wipe the raindrops from her face.

“Miss, the rain has become heavy and probably won’t stop for a while. Why don’t I go buy an umbrella?” Zixiang said to Mu Yunjin, looking at the pouring rain outside.

“No need. Let’s sit here for a while,” Mu Yunjin said, turning to walk toward the private rooms on the second floor of the teahouse.

Just as she stepped onto the stairs to the second floor, the waiter guarding the second floor immediately came forward and respectfully said, “This humble one greets the Third Miss.”

Mu Yunjin nodded and casually entered an empty private room with its door open.

Seeing this, the waiter was stunned for a moment, scratched his head, and pointed to a direction on the right, “Third Miss, the Sixth Prince is in private room number one!”

“What do you mean?” Mu Yunjin didn’t quite understand.

“Eh? Didn’t the Third Miss and the Sixth Prince arrange to meet here today?” The waiter was somewhat surprised, then bowed with a smile, “I apologize, it seems I was mistaken. The Sixth Prince has been in this teahouse for almost an entire day today, and I thought he was meeting with the Third Miss. It appears to be just a coincidence.”

Hearing the waiter’s words, Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows slightly, unconsciously looking toward the right. Chu Li was here too?

“Miss, should we go over and greet him?” Zixiang spoke up from the side.

Mu Yunjin glanced at Zixiang, curled her lips, and said to the waiter, “Bring me a pot of clear tea and some snacks.”

“Yes, Third Miss.”

After the waiter left the room, Zixiang looked curiously at Mu Yunjin, “Miss, why don’t you go see the Sixth Prince?”

“Are you silly? He didn’t invite me, so why should I go over?” After a pause, Mu Yunjin’s eyes sparkled a bit, and she pursed her lips with a mocking tone, “Perhaps he has a beauty in his arms right now, and I wouldn’t dare disturb his good time.”

“Miss, you’re so improper,” Zixiang said, looking at Mu Yunjin with some disapproval.

Mu Yunjin chuckled, “You little girl, you even dare to make fun of me now. It seems your courage has grown.”

“Miss…”

Shortly thereafter, the waiter brought in the tea and snacks.

Zixiang picked up the teapot and immediately poured a cup of tea for Mu Yunjin, placing it in front of her, “Miss, drink some tea!”

Mu Yunjin picked up the teacup, looked at the tea inside, then took out a silver needle from the cloth pouch at her waist and placed it in the tea.

After a while, seeing no unusual reaction from the silver needle, Mu Yunjin poured out the tea from the cup, poured herself a fresh cup, gently blew on it, and took a sip.

Seeing this, Zixiang rested her chin on her hand and looked at Mu Yunjin with confusion, “Miss, are you worried that there might be poison in the tea?”

“One must be cautious. The closer we get to important days, the more likely something could go wrong,” Mu Yunjin smiled, with a hint of deeper meaning in her eyes. She didn’t believe that Mu Lingzhu and Su Biqing would simply accept their fate.

In these final days, she needed to be especially vigilant.

After sitting quietly for a moment, the rain showed no signs of letting up. Outside, the torrential rain continued, accompanied by occasional thunder, and the sky grew increasingly dark.

“Knock, knock, knock-“

The door of the private room was gently knocked.

“Who is it?” Mu Yunjin asked coldly.

“Third Miss, it’s me,” Ding Xian’s voice sounded from outside.

Hearing Ding Xian’s voice, Mu Yunjin narrowed her eyes but didn’t immediately invite him in. “What is it?” she asked.

“The Sixth Prince heard that the Third Miss is also in the teahouse and invited the Third Miss to join him in room number one,” Ding Xian said.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin leaned against the chair, raising an eyebrow, “I’m tired and don’t want to move. If he has something to discuss, let him come find me.”

“Miss…” Hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, Zixiang immediately tugged at her sleeve, reminding her to mind her manners.

Outside, Ding Xian was silent for a moment, then quietly said, “The Third Prince, the Eighth Prince, and others are also next door, as well as the Fifth Princess and the Ninth Princess.”

Hearing that so many important figures were present, Mu Yunjin was even less willing to go. But seeing Mu Yunjin’s lazy demeanor, Zixiang anxiously said, “Miss, today you absolutely cannot refuse the Sixth Prince’s invitation in front of so many princes and princesses. If the Sixth Prince loses face, it’s not just his issue alone. Don’t forget that you’re about to be married!”

“I give up on you,” Mu Yunjin sighed slightly, took a sip of tea, stood up, and walked toward the door.

The door opened, and seeing Mu Yunjin, Ding Xian smiled awkwardly and made a ‘please’ gesture. “Third Miss, this way.”

When Mu Yunjin stepped into room number one, the previously lively atmosphere immediately dimmed, and everyone’s gaze turned toward her.

Mu Yunjin immediately spotted Chu Li sitting in the center of the room. After not seeing him for half a month, today he appeared the same as usual—cold-faced, expressionless, revealing no emotions.

Looking at Chu Qing, who was casting a playful, mocking gaze at her, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but recall the ridicule she faced during her first visit to the Water Cloud Temple fair. She returned Chu Qing’s contempt with a disdainful smile.

“Sixth Sister-in-law, Sixth Sister-in-law, come sit here quickly!” Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, Chu Qingyuan’s face brightened with a smile as she beckoned Mu Yunjin to sit in the empty seat beside her.

Mu Yunjin responded with a sound of acknowledgment and was about to walk toward Chu Qingyuan when a cool, crisp voice rang out.

“Mu Yunjin, come here.”

Chu Li’s voice carried a chilling and deep quality that gave Mu Yunjin goosebumps. She looked up at him.

After a pause, Mu Yunjin walked toward Chu Li and sat in the empty seat beside him. After collecting her thoughts, she turned to look at Chu Li, “How did you know I was here?”

“I heard your voice with the waiter,” Chu Li said flatly, his face expressionless.

Mu Yunjin was startled and narrowed her eyes slightly. She had only spoken to the waiter when she first entered the private room, and room number one was quite a distance from the room where she had just been seated.

He heard her voice?

Once again, Mu Yunjin felt as if she had encountered something supernatural. She rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache.

“Fifth Sister, this is your first time meeting the Sixth Sister-in-law, right? What do you think? Isn’t she just as rumored, an exceptional beauty?” After Mu Yunjin was seated, Chu Qingyuan smiled and turned her gaze to the woman beside her.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin only then noticed the woman sitting beside Chu Qingyuan. Glancing at the dignified and elegant woman, she thought to herself, This must be the Fifth Princess.

“Indeed, she is very beautiful, but Qingyuan, your address of ‘Sixth Sister-in-law’ is premature. If outsiders hear it, it could cause embarrassment,” the Fifth Princess took a sip of tea, merely glanced at Mu Yunjin, and then quickly shifted her gaze away.

Mu Yunjin happened to meet that glance and saw a trace of hostility in the Fifth Princess’s eyes.

“Fifth Sister, it’s not too early. There are only ten days until the wedding day. My addressing her as Sixth Sister-in-law is about right,” Chu Qingyuan said with a smile.

Hearing Chu Qingyuan’s words, the Fifth Princess lowered her eyes, her brows showing some impatience.

“Qingrang, among our brothers and sisters, you’re the one who follows the rules most strictly,” Chu Qing smiled faintly, glancing at Chu Qingrang seated diagonally across from him.

Chu Qingrang chuckled softly, her gaze meeting Chu Qing’s, “Third Brother, I follow the rules for a reason.”

“This time, Sixth Brother’s marriage is nothing but someone taking advantage of another’s predicament. I just feel it’s unfair for Muyue…”

Chu Qingrang said halfway, then noticing the atmosphere in the room had grown even more tense, she didn’t continue. She sneered and waved the fan in her hand.

Mu Yunjin, however, understood Chu Qingrang’s meaning. Wasn’t she plainly saying that Mu Yunjin had stolen Qin Muyue’s man?

“Is the Fifth Princess saying that I took advantage of someone’s predicament?” Mu Yunjin spoke calmly, her eyes resting lightly on Chu Qingrang.

Chu Qingrang smiled mockingly, letting out a light snort, “This Princess didn’t say that. The Third Miss Mu shouldn’t feel guilty and assume it’s about her.”

“Fine, then I won’t assume it’s about me, but I would like to correct the Fifth Princess’s statement.”

Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows slightly, glancing at Chu Li beside her. Seeing him leaning against the chair, his brows showing a lazy expression but his eyes somewhat intense, it was clear he had become interested and was taking on the appearance of someone waiting to watch a show.

“Where does my statement need your correction?” Chu Qingrang retorted.

“Taking advantage of someone’s predicament would require the Sixth Prince to have acknowledged Miss Qin in the first place. Otherwise, it’s merely one-sided wishful thinking.”

As Mu Yunjin finished speaking, she turned the focus to Chu Li, pursing her lips slightly, “Your Highness, would you say this matter is of me taking advantage of someone’s predicament, or Miss Qin having wishful thinking?”