Seeing Huang Yan’s strange expression, Qiqi and Master An exchanged glances, both with a hint of craftiness in their eyes.

“Cat girl, did you just say that Hua Ying knows about the Jasper Moon Spring?” Huang Yan scratched his head, trying to confirm this information.

Qiqi nodded. “Yes, don’t you know that?”

“…” Huang Yan was once again left speechless. He looked at Qiqi, then at Master An, feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

After a pause, Huang Yan spoke again, “How did she find out?”

Qiqi pouted and frowned. “I don’t know about that. I learned about the Jasper Moon Spring from her.”

“What?” Huang Yan was even more confused. After thinking for a moment, he shifted his gaze slightly to look at Master An standing nearby.

Master An stood with his hands behind his back and smiled. “The flowers and plants in this Northern Ming royal palace are quite well-maintained, aren’t they?”

Huang Yan had a general idea now. He waved at Qiqi, indicating that she could leave.

…

…

Qiqi yawned and flew back up to the roof to doze off.

After Qiqi left, Huang Yan looked Master An up and down. “Master Kong Shi, was it you who told her about the Jasper Moon Spring?”

“No, I never mentioned it,” Master An frowned, his eyes showing a trace of innocence.

“Then how would she know?” Huang Yan stared at Master An.

Master An sighed. “Perhaps she overheard when we were discussing it at the Prince of Ning’s mansion earlier. I’m at a loss as well.”

Seeing Master An’s expression, which didn’t seem like he was lying, Huang Yan pouted. “I suppose that’s possible.”

“Well then, you wait here, and I’ll go call her out.” After saying this, Master An ran off without waiting for Huang Yan’s response, as if his feet were greased.

As he ran, he muttered, “Now I truly believe that people in love have no brains…”

Back in the main hall, Hua Ying was still sitting there resting.

“Ahem, Hua Ying,” Master An looked at her.

Hua Ying raised her head to look at Master An. “Does Elder need something?”

“Huang Yan says he has something to discuss with you. He’s waiting for you at the end of the southern corridor right now,” Master An said straightforwardly.

Hearing it was Huang Yan looking for her, Hua Ying was momentarily stunned. Then she slightly clenched her fingers, stood up, and walked out without a word.

…

After Hua Ying left, Bei Tang Wenfeng, who had just finished with state affairs, walked in. “Greetings, Master An. Why are you alone here?”

Master An stood up and nodded to Bei Tang Wenfeng. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”

“The young people are all busy resolving their lifelong affairs, leaving just this old man here to drink tea,” Master An joked self-deprecatingly.

Hearing this, Bei Tang Wenfeng couldn’t help but smile. “In the blink of an eye, the children have all grown up. Even Yunjin has had a child now. Time waits for no one.”

“Indeed, it all happens in the blink of an eye,” Master An sighed.

Then, remembering something else, he asked, “I’ve heard that Your Majesty has been considering abdication recently?”

“Yes, that’s correct,” Bei Tang Wenfeng nodded in confirmation, then sighed. “The first half of my life was constrained by this throne. For the second half, I wish to live a more relaxed and carefree life.”

“Master An, when you faked your death to leave Water Cloud Temple, was it also because of similar reasons?”

Thinking of past events, Master An was also quite emotional. “Not really. I was just too idle and wanted to go somewhere else to play. Being the Imperial Tutor in South Court Kingdom wasn’t very comfortable for me either.”

“I see. But there’s one thing I’m curious about—Master An, you seem to have a very good relationship with Yunjin?” Bei Tang Wenfeng found this somewhat surprising.

Logically, these two didn’t seem like they would have much in common.

“I’m not one for formalities, and I can’t stand those who put on airs. As it happens, Yunjin is also a free-spirited person, so we get along well.” Master An made up an excuse. He could hardly say they were both from another world—that would probably frighten Bei Tang Wenfeng.

Bei Tang Wenfeng smiled and checked the time before standing up. “I shall go in and see how Yunjin’s injuries are doing.”

Master An nodded.

…

With little Mu’er’s companionship, Mu Yunjin was in good spirits, constantly babbling with her child in a language only the two of them understood.

Chu Li sat nearby, watching mother and son playing happily together.

After Bei Tang Wenfeng entered, he heard the baby’s giggles.

“Your Majesty,” Chu Li saw Bei Tang Wenfeng arrive and stood up, making room for him.

Bei Tang Wenfeng smiled and looked at Mu Yunjin. “Yunjin, is your body healing well?”

“The imperial physician just came by and said there’s nothing serious,” Mu Yunjin’s lips curved into a smile as she looked at Bei Tang Wenfeng.

Hearing this, Bei Tang Wenfeng felt relieved. He then looked at little Mu’er. “I saw this child yesterday. He’s truly delightful. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful baby.”

As if knowing he was being praised, little Mu’er grinned, smiling so widely that drool flowed from the corner of his mouth.

“Hahaha, look at this child,” Bei Tang Wenfeng laughed heartily.

Chu Li watched little Mu’er’s clever appearance from the side, his lips curving slightly upward.

Bei Tang Wenfeng didn’t stay long before being called away by Chief Eunuch Su Xin to handle some state affairs.

In the chamber, only Mu Yunjin and Chu Li remained.

“Chu Li, your eyes are so red and bloodshot. Haven’t you rested well for several days?” Mu Yunjin noticed the dark circles under Chu Li’s eyes and frowned with concern.

“Lie down and get some sleep. You don’t need to watch over me,” Mu Yunjin said, carefully moving her body to make space.

Chu Li was indeed exhausted. He lay down beside Mu Yunjin, with little Mu’er sleeping between them, looking left and right.

Shortly after lying down, Chu Li fell into a deep sleep.

Listening to the breathing beside her and little Mu’er’s babbling, Mu Yunjin looked up at the ceiling. In this moment, her heart was content.

…

While waiting for Hua Ying in the corridor, Huang Yan felt extremely anxious and uncertain.

Remembering that the cat spirit was still lying on the roof, Huang Yan leaned out and flew up to the rooftop.

On the roof, Qiqi was lounging with her legs crossed, swaying leisurely with her eyes closed, genuinely appearing to be asleep.

As soon as Huang Yan steadied himself, the scorching sun nearly blinded him. He wondered what kind of skin this cat spirit had to withstand such heat.

“Qiqi,” Huang Yan called softly.

Qiqi kept her eyes closed, seemingly asleep, and didn’t respond to Huang Yan.

After a while, Qiqi opened her eyes and looked at Huang Yan. “What do you want?”

“After removing the beast spirit form, the beast spirits become ordinary humans. Are you and Lei Yan planning to find the Jasper Moon Spring to remove your beast spirit forms?” Huang Yan asked.

Qiqi sat up and folded her arms. “I haven’t seriously discussed this with Brother Lei Yan yet. If he’s willing, then I’m willing too.”

“Really?” Huang Yan raised an eyebrow.

“Of course it’s true. You don’t know how upset I was before because a cat spirit couldn’t be with a lion spirit. Now that there’s such an opportunity, naturally I want to seize it. Look at Master and the Prince—how enviable they are…” Qiqi’s eyes revealed longing as she rested her chin on her hand, beginning to fantasize about life after removing the beast spirit form.

Seeing that she had begun to daydream, Huang Yan didn’t linger. He descended from the roof and continued waiting for Hua Ying in the corridor.

Soon after, Hua Ying’s figure appeared at the end of the corridor, slowly walking toward Huang Yan.

Seeing Hua Ying, Huang Yan suddenly felt his heart leap to his throat. Although he had shamelessly professed his love for her before, they had never had such a serious conversation.

As Hua Ying approached, she looked at Huang Yan. “You were looking for me?”

“Yes,” Huang Yan nodded.

“What I want to say is quite important. It’s a bit stuffy here. Shall we talk in that pavilion over there?” Huang Yan pointed to a nearby pavilion. In truth, he was afraid the cat on the roof would eavesdrop again.

Hua Ying nodded.

After the two sat down in the pavilion, palace maids from the Northern Ming royal palace came over to serve them tea and place some fruit.

“You may leave now,” Huang Yan instructed.

The palace maids understood and withdrew.

Only Huang Yan and Hua Ying remained in the pavilion.

For some reason, Huang Yan felt extremely nervous. Many words came to his lips, but he didn’t know where to begin.

“Have some water first,” Huang Yan finally said, then picked up his teacup and drank the still-hot tea in one gulp.

Hua Ying lifted her teacup and blew on it gently, but showed no intention of drinking. “Huang Yan, what did you want to discuss with me?”

Hua Ying’s proactive question calmed Huang Yan’s heart. After pressing his lips together, Huang Yan looked up and met Hua Ying’s gaze.

“I’m sorry for accidentally hurting you earlier in the Tiansheng Continent,” Huang Yan began, not knowing why this was the first thing that came out.

Hua Ying instinctively touched her neck and lowered her eyes. “It’s alright. You’ve apologized to me several times already. Let’s not mention this anymore.”

“Then…” Huang Yan dragged out the word.

Hua Ying looked up, her eyes fixed on Huang Yan, hiding a trace of anticipation that even she hadn’t noticed.

“Then, is there still a chance between us…”

After saying this, Huang Yan’s hand under the table nervously clutched his clothes. Inwardly, he cursed himself for being so spineless, wondering why he became so effeminate when discussing such a serious matter.

Upon hearing these words, something in Hua Ying’s heart suddenly bloomed like fireworks. The inexplicably suppressed and tense feelings of the past few days were eased in this moment.

“Huang Yan, why do you like me?” Hua Ying looked up at him.

From their second meeting, Huang Yan had begun showing interest in her. She didn’t know why he did so and assumed he was just teasing her.

But as time went on, she discovered that the undercurrent hidden between them wasn’t as simple as mere teasing.

She was curious—what exactly did Huang Yan see in her…

“…” Huang Yan was stunned by Hua Ying’s question.

Yes, what exactly did he see in her?

When did he start becoming so serious, deciding in his heart that he must have her?

Huang Yan opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He didn’t know how to answer this question.

“When you figure it out, come find me again,” Hua Ying wasn’t angry at his reaction; instead, she smiled slightly at Huang Yan.

With those words, Hua Ying stood up and walked out of the pavilion.

Huang Yan watched Hua Ying’s retreating figure, utterly perplexed.