Seeing that Mu Yunjin disagreed, Chu Qingyuan clung to her again, grabbing her arm. “Sixth Sister-in-law, just this once. Please help me just this once…”
“As long as Brother Munan agrees to marry me, Little Nine’s marriage will be settled, and you won’t have to worry about me anymore…”
“Please, I’m begging you…”
Mu Yunjin felt she was about to go crazy. It was truly a case of fearing what might happen.
Other matters were manageable, but asking her to go to the Qin residence was practically asking for her life.
“Sixth Sister-in-law…” Chu Qingyuan continued pleading.
Just then, the door opened, and Chu Li walked in from outside.
Chu Li hadn’t expected Chu Qingyuan to be here. Seeing her, he was slightly startled.
Noticing Chu Li, Chu Qingyuan immediately lowered her eyes guiltily and cautiously greeted him, “Sixth Brother…”
…
…
Seeing Chu Li arrive, Mu Yunjin felt somewhat relieved.
Chu Li looked at Chu Qingyuan, nodding slightly, and casually asked, “When did you arrive?”
“Not long ago. I was just chatting with Sixth Sister-in-law and looking at my little nephew.” Chu Qingyuan smiled nervously, not daring to mention anything about persuading Mu Yunjin to go to the Qin residence.
Chu Li understood and walked over to look at little Chu Mu sleeping in the small bed.
Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Chu Qingyuan, “Mother Consort has come to Diehua City and is staying at Wenhua Inn in the market street.”
“Really?” Chu Qingyuan’s eyes brightened.
Since Consort Rong’s incident, she hadn’t seen her mother, nor had she received any news.
Chu Li nodded.
Receiving this confirmation, Chu Qingyuan immediately wanted to run out. After taking two steps, she turned back, grabbed Mu Yunjin’s arm, and said, “Sixth Sister-in-law, come with me!”
“…” Before Mu Yunjin could refuse, she was pulled out of the room by Chu Qingyuan.
Chu Li thought they were just playing around, so he merely glanced at them without intervening.
In the end, Mu Yunjin couldn’t resist Chu Qingyuan and was dragged out of the Prince’s mansion, heading toward the inn.
…
Walking on the street, Mu Yunjin tried several times to turn back, but each time she was firmly pulled by Chu Qingyuan, who pleaded, “Sixth Sister-in-law, I beg you. Help me this once, and I promise I won’t cause you any more trouble.”
“So you know you’re causing me trouble,” Mu Yunjin grumbled.
“Hehe…” Chu Qingyuan smiled sheepishly, then continued with Mu Yunjin to Wenhua Inn.
As soon as they entered, a waiter greeted them.
“Are you here for a meal or lodging?” the waiter asked.
“Where do we eat, and where do we stay?” Chu Qingyuan asked in return.
Hearing this, the waiter smiled, “First floor for dining, second floor for private dining rooms, third floor for lodging.”
Understanding, Chu Qingyuan pulled Mu Yunjin toward the third floor.
As the two stepped onto the staircase to the second floor, the door of a private room opened slightly. Before Mu Yunjin noticed anything unusual, Chu Qingyuan exclaimed in surprise and ran over.
Seeing Chu Qingyuan suddenly break free, Mu Yunjin was startled for a moment before following her.
“Little Nine…”
Chu Qingyuan had already pushed open the door of that private room. “Brother Munan, what a coincidence!”
Mu Yunjin stood at the doorway. Hearing this voice, her steps froze in place.
Qin Munan?
No way…
“Greetings, Ninth Princess.” From inside came Qin Munan’s polite voice.
Facing Qin Munan, Chu Qingyuan suddenly didn’t know what to say. She scratched her head and looked toward the door, “Sixth Sister-in-law, come in quickly.”
Mu Yunjin had wanted to pretend she wasn’t there, but now that she’d been called out, she had no choice but to step inside.
As soon as she entered, she felt Qin Munan’s burning gaze. Mu Yunjin awkwardly tugged at the corner of her mouth and said, “Hello, General Qin.”
The title “General Qin” made Qin Munan’s body tremble, bringing him back to reality.
Composing his emotions, he bowed to Mu Yunjin, “Greetings, Princess Consort of Ning.”
Mu Yunjin nodded slightly.
Chu Qingyuan hadn’t expected to coincidentally meet Qin Munan here. Her heart was immediately filled with joy. Looking at Qin Munan, she said, “Brother Munan, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Please speak freely, Ninth Princess.” Qin Munan lowered his eyes, his tone revealing no emotion.
Seeing Qin Munan’s distant manner, Chu Qingyuan suddenly felt embarrassed to bring up what she wanted to say. She glanced at Mu Yunjin with a look seeking help.
But at that moment, Mu Yunjin’s gaze was fixed outside the window, not looking her way.
“Brother Munan, let’s agree,” Chu Qingyuan finally gathered her courage and spoke.
Qin Munan looked up at Chu Qingyuan, “An agreement?”
Chu Qingyuan nodded solemnly.
Qin Munan’s eyes showed questioning, but he remained silent.
“I’ll go upstairs to see Consort Rong. You two talk,” Mu Yunjin couldn’t sit still any longer and stood up to leave.
Chu Qingyuan was about to stand up, but was gently patted on the shoulder by Mu Yunjin.
Chu Qingyuan hesitated, and Mu Yunjin walked out.
After leaving the room, Mu Yunjin lingered outside the private room for a moment and heard Chu Qingyuan stammer:
“Brother Munan, marry me.”
After hearing this, Mu Yunjin went upstairs.
When she reached the third-floor staircase, Consort Rong was standing there, as if she had been waiting for her for a long time.
Seeing Mu Yunjin, Consort Rong smiled slightly at her, then looked behind Mu Yunjin, “I just heard Qingyuan’s voice. Did I hear wrong…”
“Little Nine met a friend downstairs. She’ll come up later,” Mu Yunjin explained.
Consort Rong nodded in understanding, “Then come in and sit for a while.”
With that, Consort Rong turned and led Mu Yunjin into a room.
Mu Yunjin went inside.
After entering, Consort Rong invited Mu Yunjin to sit down and poured her a cup of water.
Mu Yunjin took the teacup and thanked her.
“Has little Mu been well recently?” Consort Rong looked at Mu Yunjin with a smile.
Mu Yunjin nodded, “Everything is fine.”
“That’s good.” Consort Rong spoke softly.
“And you? Has your health completely recovered?” Mu Yunjin asked, looking at Consort Rong over.
Consort Rong smiled lightly, “It’s all better. But after recovering, I found myself all alone, with nowhere to go.”
Because of the sins she had committed, neither the Western Yuan Kingdom nor the Southern Ting Kingdom could accommodate her.
Every day she drifted about, with no place to call home.
Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, not knowing what to say.
Facing each other in this calm conversation, both felt somewhat awkward. After chatting briefly, they each fell silent.
After a while, Mu Yunjin heard Chu Qingyuan’s footsteps outside.
Mu Yunjin stood up, opened the door, and looked out, “Little Nine, over here.”
Seeing Mu Yunjin, Chu Qingyuan walked over.
After entering the room, her first glance fell on Consort Rong sitting inside, and her eyes immediately reddened, “Mother Consort…”
“Qingyuan…”
Mother and daughter embraced, tears in their eyes.
“Mother Consort, have you been well?” Chu Qingyuan asked with a tear-stained face.
Consort Rong nodded, wiping the tears from Chu Qingyuan’s face, “All is well. Mother is well.”
Chu Qingyuan sniffled, refusing to leave Consort Rong’s embrace.
“Little Nine, how did your conversation go?” Mu Yunjin asked at an appropriate moment.
Hearing this, Chu Qingyuan came back to her senses and looked at Mu Yunjin with a hint of joy, “He agreed.”
“Really?” Mu Yunjin could hardly believe it.
Chu Qingyuan nodded solemnly, “Really!”
“Now, we just need my Royal Brother to issue the marriage decree.” Chu Qingyuan looked at Mu Yunjin, implying that the rest was up to Mu Yunjin and Chu Li.
Mu Yunjin felt somewhat bewildered, not expecting Qin Munan to agree.
Consort Rong, listening in confusion, couldn’t help but ask, “Marriage decree?”
“Mother Consort, Little Nine is getting married,” Chu Qingyuan said with undisguised joy.
“Is that so?” Consort Rong smiled, “Who is the young gentleman?”
Chu Qingyuan smiled brightly, “It’s Qin Munan from the Qin family.”
“What?!” Consort Rong exclaimed in shock, momentarily thinking her ears had deceived her.
The Qin family currently bore the title of traitors, and Qin Munan was still under punishment. How could she choose the Qin family?
“Qingyuan, have you lost your mind?” Consort Rong asked anxiously.
“Mother Consort, Little Nine has thought it through. Marrying Brother Munan is better than being sent to the Eastern Ling Kingdom. Besides, I’ve told Brother Munan that after marriage, we’ll each go our own way…” Chu Qingyuan spoke with a smile, seeing nothing improper about it.
Consort Rong frowned, words reaching her lips but then swallowed back after a pause.
Never mind, let the children have their fate. She wouldn’t interfere anymore, lest she make mistakes she shouldn’t.
These two children were enough to worry her.
…
Before leaving, Consort Rong specifically kept Mu Yunjin back to say a few words, “Yunjin, regarding Qingyuan and Qin Munan’s matter, you and Li should keep a close eye on it. Don’t let her act impulsively.”
Mu Yunjin nodded in agreement, “I’ll discuss this thoroughly with Chu Li.”
Hearing this, Consort Rong felt reassured enough to let Mu Yunjin leave.
…
Before going to bed that night, Mu Yunjin told Chu Li everything about Chu Qingyuan’s situation.
After hearing all this, Chu Li’s expression darkened, his lips tightly pressed, emotions unreadable.
Mu Yunjin propped her head up and sighed, “That stubborn child, Little Nine, won’t listen no matter what. I’m at my wit’s end.”
“Let her be,” Chu Li finally said after a while.
“Hmm?” Mu Yunjin was surprised by this answer. “You plan to let Little Nine marry Qin Munan?”
Chu Li nodded, speaking calmly, “Though Qingyuan is naive, Qin Munan is not. Since they could agree, they must have reached some understanding.”
“So, let her be.”
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin thought it made sense.
“Then tomorrow, will you go to the palace and request an imperial decree for Little Nine?” Mu Yunjin tugged at the corner of her mouth, looking at Chu Li.
Chu Li chuckled lightly, turning his gaze to Mu Yunjin, “The spring night is short. Can we stop talking about such mood-killing matters?”
“…” Mu Yunjin fell silent.
Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin, leaning down. Just as his lips were about to touch Mu Yunjin’s cheek, a baby’s cry rang out in the room…
“Wah wah…”
Suppressing a smile, Mu Yunjin pushed Chu Li away, “Little Mu must be hungry.”
Chu Li looked displeased. As Mu Yunjin was about to get out of bed, he pulled her back with one hand, “Ignore him. Let him stay hungry first.”
“Chu Li, you…”
Before she could finish, her remaining words were stopped by Chu Li’s lips…