Seeing that Chu Qingyuan was lost in thought, Chu Li gently tapped on her table.

Chu Qingyuan, startled by the sound, looked up at Chu Li. “Does Sixth Brother have any more instructions?”

“You are this Prince’s sister and a princess of Western Yuan. You needn’t humble yourself like this. If he truly has no feelings for you, then consider it carefully and let go.” Though Chu Li’s tone was cold, his eyes revealed a hint of concern.

Hearing this, Chu Qingyuan suddenly felt warmth in her heart.

“Sixth Brother, I understand. I’ll think it through carefully.” Chu Qingyuan clutched her skirt with both hands, silently giving herself a deadline.

Tomorrow, then.

After tomorrow passes, she will make her decision.

“Let’s eat.” Chu Li noticed that neither Mu Yunjin nor Chu Qingyuan had touched their food, and he slightly furrowed his brows.

Just as Mu Yunjin picked up her chopsticks, Ding Xian entered from outside and approached Chu Li. “Your Highness, Commander Qin requests an audience.”

…

…

Commander Qin, Qin Munan?

Mu Yunjin and Chu Li instinctively frowned, exchanged a glance, and then turned their gaze toward Chu Qingyuan. Mu Yunjin spoke first, “Little Nine, Qin Munan has come to see you, hasn’t he?”

“That’s impossible. Didn’t Guard Ding say he came to see Sixth Brother?” Chu Qingyuan replied sullenly.

“Let him in,” Chu Li decided.

Hearing this, Chu Qingyuan immediately stood up, looking left and right, preparing to find a place to hide herself.

“Sit down,” Chu Li commanded.

At his words, Chu Qingyuan promptly sat back down, obediently remaining still in her chair with her head lowered.

Mu Yunjin suppressed a smile, silently marveling at how in this world, everything has its match. When Little Nine saw Chu Li, she became as docile as a mouse before a cat, both compliant and well-behaved.

Shortly after, Qin Munan entered the dining hall under Ding Xian’s guidance.

Upon entering, Qin Munan noticed Chu Qingyuan sitting in the chair and hesitated slightly, though his expression remained calm, betraying no surprise.

He clasped his hands and bowed slightly. “This humble official pays respects to Prince Ning, Princess Ning, and Ninth Princess.”

“General Qin, no need for formalities. If you have business, please speak directly,” Chu Li said coolly, glancing at Qin Munan.

Qin Munan nodded and pressed his lips together. “I’ve come today actually for a personal matter.”

“Everyone believed that Muyue died of illness in the imperial prison, and according to public accounts, her remains were thrown into a mass grave. But at the time, I bribed a jailer and instructed him to take Muyue’s body out for a proper burial.”

Later, after I was released from prison, I found the jailer to ask about the location of Muyue’s grave. But he hemmed and hawed, and after much questioning, he finally told me that after taking Muyue out of prison, mysterious people appeared and took her away.”

“At the time, I suspected that perhaps these mysterious people could save Muyue, which is why they took her. A few days ago, I heard that Muyue participated in the battle at Tiansheng Continent. I don’t know if this is true…”

Qin Munan paused here and turned his inquiring gaze toward Chu Li and Mu Yunjin. “I wonder, is Muyue alive or dead now?”

Mu Yunjin sighed, feeling somewhat caught between laughter and tears. “Qin Munan, you certainly care deeply about your sister.”

“I…” Qin Munan opened his mouth, unsure how to respond to Mu Yunjin’s words.

After a moment, Qin Munan spoke, “She is my sister after all. I cannot neglect her.”

Chu Qingyuan, who had been silently listening with her head lowered, suddenly looked up at Qin Munan upon hearing these words. She suddenly felt very aggrieved.

When he interacted with her, he couldn’t be bothered by anything.

Yet unexpectedly, he cared so much about his evil sister who had committed countless sins.

“She’s dead. Her body was dissolved by bone-melting water, leaving nothing behind,” Mu Yunjin answered Qin Munan’s question.

Qin Munan’s hand trembled, his face alternating between pale and ashen. After a moment, with a grave expression, he nodded and smiled bitterly. “That’s for the best. At least I won’t have to worry about her anymore.”

“I’ve disturbed you today. Qin takes his leave.” With these words, Qin Munan turned and departed.

Chu Qingyuan immediately stood up and, without a word, followed behind Qin Munan and rushed out.

Only Chu Li and Mu Yunjin remained in the dining hall.

“Why is it that now that the world has become peaceful, so many people’s emotions are unsettled…” Mu Yunjin sighed, rubbing her temples, finding it somewhat headache-inducing just thinking about it.

Chu Li picked up his chopsticks and began placing food in her bowl. “In matters of the heart, if you endure it, the skies will clear after the rain. If you can’t endure it, then it’s fate.”

“So have we weathered the storm?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow, looking at Chu Li.

“Haven’t we?” Chu Li didn’t quite grasp Mu Yunjin’s meaning and casually asked in return.

Mu Yunjin immediately suppressed her smile and snorted. “I’ve been thinking, since we’ve never performed the wedding ceremony before Heaven and Earth, we aren’t properly husband and wife. So it seems improper to perform conjugal duties every day. Starting today, let’s sleep in separate rooms like before.”

Having said this, Mu Yunjin stood up, carrying little Mu’er as she walked out of the dining hall. After a few steps, she turned back and placed little Mu’er in Chu Li’s arms. “Hmph, even having a child is improper!”

Chu Li was slightly stunned.

“Yi ya ya…” Little Mu’er had been awake for quite a while, and upon hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, he opened his mouth in laughter, as if mocking Chu Li.

Seeing Mu Yunjin leave in a huff, Chu Li couldn’t help but laugh softly, muttering to himself, “Silly girl, do you think this Prince isn’t eager to be your proper husband?”

…

After walking out of the dining hall, Mu Yunjin looked back and saw that Chu Li hadn’t followed her, which only increased her anger.

“Nanny Shen,” Mu Yunjin called out.

Nanny Shen, who was tidying up in the front hall, hurried over when she heard the call. “What is it, Princess?”

“Find someone to prepare the vacant bedroom in Liquan Pavilion,” Mu Yunjin instructed.

Nanny Shen nodded in understanding, then paused slightly. “Who will sleep in that room once it’s ready? Didn’t His Highness forbid outsiders from staying in Liquan Pavilion?”

“I’ll be sleeping there,” Mu Yunjin said with a smile, sitting down nearby and taking a sip of water.

“Oh, I understand now. Perhaps you and His Highness are tired of your current bedroom and want to change rooms for a fresh perspective! Don’t worry, Princess, I’ll instruct some maids to prepare it right away and even change the style a bit for you both.” After speaking, Nanny Shen put down her cleaning cloth, preparing to hurry to the back garden.

Mu Yunjin grabbed Nanny Shen’s arm, saying with a headache, “Nanny, you have quite an imagination. Who said I would be staying with him? I’ll be staying alone.”

“You alone?” Nanny Shen was shocked.

After a moment of silence, she rolled her eyes, immediately understanding what was happening.

The young couple was having a spat.

That’s good, quarrels are healthy for couples—they fight at the head of the bed but reconcile at the foot. Once His Highness appeases the Princess, they’ll be even sweeter than before. When they’re happy, they might give the household a few more young masters and young ladies, which would be even better.

“Very well, Princess. Wait here, I’ll go prepare it right away.” Nanny Shen’s face bloomed with smiles as she eagerly trotted off to the back garden.

Mu Yunjin frowned, not quite understanding.

She had said she would be sleeping alone, separate from Chu Li, so why was Nanny Shen so happy?

Mu Yunjin stood up and also headed toward the back garden.

After she left the front hall, Chu Li emerged from the dining hall, entered the front hall, and summoned Ding Xian.

“Your Highness,” Ding Xian looked at Chu Li.

“How are the matters this Prince instructed you to handle progressing?” Chu Li asked in a low voice.

Ding Xian immediately understood and whispered, “Your Highness need not worry. Everything is nearly prepared, though we’ll need to wait a few more days.”

“Hmm.” Chu Li nodded and waved his hand, indicating for Ding Xian to leave.

…

Nanny Shen was extremely efficient this time. In less than half an hour, she had ordered people to prepare the vacant room in Liquan Pavilion.

“Princess, everything is ready,” Nanny Shen said to Mu Yunjin, who was sitting in the courtyard.

Mu Yunjin nodded and stood up. Just as she was about to walk toward the room, she heard familiar footsteps coming from outside the main gate of Liquan Pavilion.

She paused, cleared her throat, and looked at Nanny Shen. “I’ll go rest for a while first. Don’t call me for the evening meal. I don’t have an appetite today.”

With that, she slipped into the room as if she had oil on the soles of her feet.

After entering the room, she left the door slightly ajar, watching the activity outside.

Outside the door, Nanny Shen saw Chu Li arrive, smoothed her clothes, and announced loudly, “Your Highness, the Princess just said she has no appetite and has already gone to bed.”

“Hmm.” Chu Li nodded slightly, not even glancing at Nanny Shen as he walked toward his room.

“Your, Your Highness…” Nanny Shen, caught off guard by Chu Li’s cold attitude, called after him, “The Princess has moved to the empty room next door to sleep…”

“Hmm.” Chu Li merely nodded again, stepped up to the threshold, and opened the door to his chamber.

After entering, his previously expressionless face couldn’t help but reveal a trace of a smile. From the corner of his eye, he glanced at the slightly open door across the way, his eyes filled with deeper amusement.

Yes, it had been a long time since his Huan’er had been so petulant with him.

Very good. He liked it.

…

Mu Yunjin only fully closed her door after Chu Li had shut his.

After closing the door, Mu Yunjin wore a bitter expression, counting on her fingers as she muttered to herself, “It’s been more than a year since our previous wedding. We’ve done everything that should be done, even had a child. Now I just want a real wedding ceremony. Is that too much to ask?”

With that, Mu Yunjin sighed again, walked to the bed, and lay face down, burying her head in the blanket.

After a while, Mu Yunjin rolled over onto her back, staring at the ceiling, her mind in chaos.

After some time, she turned onto her side…

She tossed and turned like this until the sky outside darkened, still staring expectantly at the door, hoping that a certain someone would come looking for her.

“Knock, knock…” There came a knocking at the door.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin’s eyes brightened, and she pressed her lips together. “Who is it?”

“Princess, it’s your servant,” Mengrui’s voice came from outside.

Seeing that it wasn’t Chu Li, Mu Yunjin’s face suddenly darkened, and she responded languidly, “What is it?”

“The young master has been crying nonstop. This servant has tried everything to console him but to no avail. I had no choice but to come to you, Princess,” Mengrui explained.

“Take the young master to His Highness,” Mu Yunjin instructed.

Hearing this, Mengrui’s tone became even more helpless. “His Highness left a while ago and is not currently in the residence.”