Mu Yunjin didn’t speak, only knowing that Consort Rong was a particularly conflicted and inconsistent person.

She didn’t understand why Consort Rong behaved this way. The mother-son relationship with Chu Li had already improved considerably, yet for some unknown reason, she had turned this hard-earned reconciliation back into a stalemate.

Seeing Mu Yunjin’s silence, Consort Rong wasn’t surprised. She curled her lips in self-mockery, “Li’er is right. I’m not a competent mother.”

“I don’t know why I’ve become like this. I’ve thought about it for a long time and searched for many reasons, but in the end, I can only console myself that it’s because I didn’t watch them grow up, so I don’t truly understand them.”

After speaking, Consort Rong raised her eyes to look at Mu Yunjin and gave an embarrassed smile, “Do my words sound somewhat incoherent?”

Mu Yunjin shook her head, appearing particularly quiet compared to usual.

“In the future, please take good care of Li’er for me. At this point, I no longer expect Li’er to recognize me as his mother,” Consort Rong said softly.

“What are your plans for the future?” Mu Yunjin asked, hearing a hint of loneliness and desolation in Consort Rong’s voice.

Sigh, truthfully, most of Consort Rong’s troubles were self-inflicted.

…

…

“In the future, I’ll remain in the South Court Palace harem,” Consort Rong said.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together and gave a faint acknowledgment.

“Well, it’s late now, and I don’t have much else to say. You should go back and rest,” Consort Rong stood up first, and after speaking, left with the support of a palace maid.

Mu Yunjin sat alone for a while, glancing sideways at Consort Rong’s retreating figure, furrowing her brows with an indescribable feeling in her heart.

After Consort Rong’s figure disappeared, Mu Yunjin also stood up. As she prepared to go to the palace quarters to rest, Chu Li’s figure emerged from around the corner.

Chu Li walked slowly to Mu Yunjin and took her hand. “Finished talking?”

Mu Yunjin nodded.

“Let’s go,” he said, holding Mu Yunjin’s hand as they walked forward.

After walking for a while, Mu Yunjin realized the path seemed incorrect and looked up at Chu Li, “Where are we going?”

“It’s uncomfortable staying in the palace. Let’s return to the courtyard house, shall we?” Chu Li said softly.

Mu Yunjin was momentarily distracted, secretly thinking that Chu Li must have overheard her conversation with Consort Rong, and wondered if his mood had been affected.

“Alright, let’s go back to the courtyard house,” Mu Yunjin quickly agreed after regaining her composure.

That night, after returning to the courtyard house, Mu Yunjin fell asleep almost immediately. Knowing she was tired, Chu Li didn’t disturb her. After tucking her in, he gazed at her sleeping face for a long time.

……

The next day, Mu Yunjin woke up nestled in Chu Li’s arms. As she opened her eyes groggily, she heard someone shouting continuously outside the door.

“Crown Prince Yun, His Highness, and the Princess are still resting. Please wait here for a while,” Ding Xian’s voice sounded from outside.

“No! Go knock on the door now and tell them to get up quickly! This black-hearted couple abandoned me alone in Zhangzhou City to recover, while they came to South Court Kingdom themselves!” Yun Lianqing shouted.

Mu Yunjin was now much more awake. Hearing Yun Lianqing’s voice from outside, she felt somewhat surreal—how had this guy suddenly returned?

However, despite his shouting outside, Yun Lianqing truly didn’t come to knock on the door.

After a while, with Chu Li still in light sleep, Mu Yunjin dressed herself properly and opened the door. As soon as she stepped out, she saw Yun Lianqing, who had been sitting in the courtyard, quickly stand up and walk over.

Yun Lianqing’s leg injury seemed to have healed completely. He now walked no differently from a normal person. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, he glared at her angrily with puffed cheeks.

Mu Yunjin pressed her lips together, pretending not to see Yun Lianqing, and looked toward Ding Xian, “I’m very hungry. Is there anything to eat?”

“Everything is prepared. Would the Princess like to eat here or inside?” Ding Xian asked.

“Eat here!” Yun Lianqing answered for Mu Yunjin.

After speaking, he gave Mu Yunjin a meaningful look, then walked toward the main gate.

Mu Yunjin sighed softly and followed Yun Lianqing to the gate.

Standing outside the door, Yun Lianqing looked around, and seeing no one nearby, beckoned to Mu Yunjin, “Come a bit closer.”

“What are you doing?” Mu Yunjin looked at Yun Lianqing suspiciously.

“Just come over. This Crown Prince won’t eat you. I just have some questions to consult with you about,” Yun Lianqing said.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin stepped closer to Yun Lianqing.

After Mu Yunjin approached, Yun Lianqing bent down and lowered his voice, “What kind of gifts do you women usually like to receive?”

“Huh?” Mu Yunjin didn’t react immediately, thinking she had misheard.

Hadn’t Yun Lianqing just been making a fuss about settling scores with them? How had his demeanor changed so quickly…

Women?

Who was he trying to pursue?

“I’m asking you a question. Hurry up and answer this, Crown Prince!” Yun Lianqing became anxious and poked Mu Yunjin’s shoulder.

Mu Yunjin pushed his hand away and raised an eyebrow at Yun Lianqing, “Why don’t you tell me what kind of woman you’re giving the gift to?”

“Just a beautiful woman,” Yun Lianqing narrowed his peach blossom eyes, with a swirl of amusement and a hint of fantasy in them.

Hearing this answer, which was essentially meaningless, Mu Yunjin couldn’t be bothered to delve deeper with Yun Lianqing and gave a perfunctory response, “Rouge and powder, jewelry and treasures.”

After speaking, she prepared to enter the courtyard.

She had taken only one step when Yun Lianqing pulled her back, again glaring at her angrily, “Aren’t you being too mundane? Is this how Imperial Brother ensnared you?”

Hearing these words, Mu Yunjin wasn’t angered. She crossed her arms and scrutinized Yun Lianqing, “You’re being so serious. Has the Crown Prince’s spring heart been stirred?”

“You don’t talk nonsense!” Yun Lianqing’s expression suddenly became uncomfortable. Seeing Mu Yunjin still staring at him meaningfully, he sighed, took out a folding fan, and tapped his leg with it.

“When this Crown Prince was in Zhangzhou City, I met a divine female physician. After she applied silver needles to my leg for two days, the Crown Prince’s leg recovered completely. Don’t you think I should reward her well?”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin nodded, “If that’s the case, you should indeed reward her properly. But you also said she’s a divine physician. Since she cured your leg, you give her a medical fee, and you’re even, right?”

“Of course, this Crown Prince wouldn’t shortchange her on the medical fee. However, she helped cure the leg of South Court Kingdom’s future heir without leaving any sequelae—such a great merit deserves something extra from this Crown Prince to show gratitude, don’t you agree?” Yun Lianqing continued.

Mu Yunjin pouted, touching her hungry stomach, just wanting to quickly dismiss Yun Lianqing, “Since you find gold and silver treasures too mundane, why not give her a set of gold acupuncture needles or something similar? After all, she’s a doctor, and these are things she would need.”

“Right, such a simple solution, how didn’t I think of it…” Yun Lianqing suddenly felt enlightened.

Mu Yunjin silently rolled her eyes and took advantage of his daze to enter the courtyard. She sat on a stone chair inside, ready for breakfast.

By now, Chu Li had also dressed properly and left the room. Glimpsing Yun Lianqing standing at the gate, he glanced at Mu Yunjin, “Which family’s daughter is he planning to harm?”

“You heard everything?” Mu Yunjin raised her eyebrows.

“He was whispering with my Princess. Of course, I had to listen carefully,” Chu Li took a sip of water and said glumly.

Mu Yunjin laughed lightly. Considering that Yun Lianqing was still at the door, she whispered to Chu Li, “Apparently, she’s a divine female physician who cured his leg.”

Hearing this, Chu Li smiled knowingly.

Yun Lianqing turned and, seeing Chu Li, immediately walked over and sat down beside the two. “Why did you two abandon me and come to South Court Kingdom?”

“Oh? Are you truly angry that we left you behind?” Chu Li raised an eyebrow, his tone unusually tinged with mischief.

“…” Yun Lianqing was instantly speechless.

Angry? Of course, he wasn’t angry.

If he had come to South Court Kingdom with them this time, he wouldn’t have met that divine female physician and wouldn’t have recovered so quickly.

So, in a way, when they had urged him to stay in Zhangzhou City to recuperate, they had unwittingly done him a great favor.

Today’s ‘accusation’ was merely an excuse to seek advice from Mu Yunjin, as his sister-in-law was quite different from ordinary women.

Of course, the divine female physician who had treated his leg was no ordinary woman either.

“I just can’t argue with you two,” Yun Lianqing said sullenly. Now feeling hungry himself, he unceremoniously began eating the snacks on the table.

After a simple breakfast, Imperial Advisor An hurriedly walked in from outside with an unpleasant expression. Seeing the three sitting in the courtyard, he sighed.

“Chu Li, your mother went to Jinghua Temple this morning to become a nun. She sent a letter to His Majesty asking him to abolish her position as Consort Yue and allow her to live the rest of her life with Buddha.” Imperial Advisor An spoke slowly.

Mu Yunjin’s body trembled, her eyes revealing a strange color, thinking she must have misheard. Consort Rong becoming a nun?

This…

“How far is Jinghua Temple from here?” Mu Yunjin asked.

“Not far. Out the door and west, about an hour’s carriage ride,” Imperial Advisor An replied.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin looked at Chu Li.

Since Imperial Advisor An had entered, Chu Li’s expression had remained impassive, showing no emotion. Sensing Mu Yunjin’s gaze, he slowly raised his eyes and said indifferently, “Why is everyone looking at me?”

“Let’s go to Jinghua Temple,” Mu Yunjin held Chu Li’s hand and smiled gently at him.

Chu Li frowned, but before he could speak, Mu Yunjin continued, “I’ve heard that praying for blessings at Jinghua Temple is very effective. I want to go pray for blessings. Will you accompany me?”

Chu Li’s eyes darkened, his emotions unreadable. He silently nodded.

……

An hour later, Chu Li and Mu Yunjin stood outside a temple hall in Jinghua Temple, looking at a figure kneeling before a Buddha statue inside. Their hearts were filled with mixed emotions and sighs.

“Do you want to go in?” Mu Yunjin looked up and mouthed the words to Chu Li.

Chu Li shook his head and withdrew his gaze, “Let’s go.”

With that, he led Mu Yunjin away from the hall.

As they descended the steps, Chu Li’s deep eyes churned with clouds, revealing a cold and beautiful light, “Since Mother has made such a decision, I will respect it.”

“When her heart truly settles down, I will come to pay my respects to her.”