Chu Qing and Rong Min…

Hearing these two names, Chu Li felt a sense of disbelief. He frowned and looked down at Mu Yunjin. “Is it true?”

Mu Yunjin nodded and took out the hairpin. “I found this hairpin on Fengxiu Mountain this morning. The name ‘Xiao Yaxuan’ is engraved on it. The owner of this hairpin was imprisoned in the North Border Secret Prison five years ago.”

“I never expected it would be them,” Chu Li said after hearing Mu Yunjin’s words, giving a cold smile. This matter had exceeded his expectations.

“Now all the Heshan Lotus in the entire Canghua Continent has been bought up. The two of them alone couldn’t have accomplished this. There must be someone helping them behind the scenes,” Mu Yunjin analyzed the current situation. When thinking about this issue, the first person who came to mind was Wei Ru.

Although Bei Tang Wenfeng and Jiang Qingxue didn’t understand exactly what had happened, after hearing the names of Chu Qing and Rong Min, they also sensed the seriousness of the situation.

They never imagined that those two would have such extraordinary abilities to escape from the North Border Secret Prison.

As the atmosphere in the study was becoming somewhat gloomy, the Chief Eunuch Su Xin approached and bowed slightly to Bei Tang Wenfeng. “Your Majesty, Commander Wei requests an audience.”

“Wei Ru?” Bei Tang Wenfeng raised an eyebrow.

Su Xin nodded, “Yes, it’s Commander Wei Ru.”

Mu Yunjin and Chu Li exchanged glances, thinking silently that it was exactly as they had anticipated—Wei Ru’s timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

“Father, if Wei Ru has come to ask for Heshan Lotus, please agree to his request first,” Mu Yunjin said, then pulled Chu Li along to hide in the side chamber of the study.

After the two entered the side chamber, Bei Tang Wenfeng told Su Xin to bring Wei Ru into the study.

Soon, a tall, handsome man entered. Upon entering, he first bowed to Bei Tang Wenfeng and Jiang Qingxue.

“My worthy nephew has come specifically to see me. What brings you here?” Bei Tang Wenfeng and General Wei Shan had been good friends for many years, so whenever he met any of Wei Shan’s sons, he always addressed them affectionately as worthy nephews.

Upon hearing this, Wei Ru’s lips twitched slightly. “Your Majesty, it’s like this: my father has been unwell recently. I heard that there is a medicinal herb called Heshan Lotus that is extremely nourishing, so I wanted to find some to strengthen my father’s health. However, after searching many pharmacies in the city, I couldn’t find this herb. Therefore, I’ve come to the palace specifically to ask Your Majesty to permit me to obtain some Heshan Lotus from the Imperial Physicians.”

Seeing that Wei Ru was indeed here for the Heshan Lotus, Bei Tang Wenfeng’s eyes revealed a trace of undecipherable emotion. Remembering Mu Yunjin’s instructions, Bei Tang Wenfeng’s lips twitched slightly. “Such a small matter. Since you need Heshan Lotus for Minister Wei’s health, I naturally approve.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Wei Ru expressed his gratitude.

“Mm, now let Su Xin take you to the Imperial Physicians to get the Heshan Lotus. When Minister Wei is feeling better, I will personally visit him,” Bei Tang Wenfeng said.

Wei Ru nodded, then bowed again to Bei Tang Wenfeng before turning to leave the study.

After Wei Ru left, Mu Yunjin and Chu Li came out from the side chamber. Just as Mu Yunjin was about to rush out, Chu Li stopped her. “Your arm is still injured. Stay put.”

With that, he left the study alone.

After Chu Li left, Jiang Qingxue approached Mu Yunjin. “Yunjin, you’re injured. What happened?”

“It’s just a minor wound, nothing serious,” Mu Yunjin shrugged and sat down nearby.

“Now you should tell us in detail about Wei Ru, the Heshan Lotus, and the matter concerning Chu Qing and Rong Min, right?”

Mu Yunjin nodded and explained in detail to Bei Tang Wenfeng and Jiang Qingxue everything that had happened in the past two days.

After listening, both of them frowned deeply.

“If Wei Ru is truly doing this for that woman Xiao Yaxuan, following Chu Qing and Rong Min’s arrangements, then he has greatly disappointed General Wei,” Bei Tang Wenfeng sighed.

“Nothing is certain yet. It’s also possible that Chu Qing and the others threatened Wei Ru, forcing him to comply,” Mu Yunjin said calmly.

Jiang Qingxue looked at Mu Yunjin and held her hand. “Yunjin, last time you suffered greatly in the Tiansheng Continent. This time, you must be extra cautious. Although there are only Chu Qing and Rong Min, you can’t be careless.”

Mu Yunjin nodded. “Mother, don’t worry. I’ll protect myself.”

“You always say that, but when have you ever not gotten hurt? Where are you injured this time? Let me see…”

“It’s just a small cut, nothing to worry about.”

“You…”

Mu Yunjin waited for Chu Li in the palace of the North Ming Kingdom. Several times she wanted to go outside to check, but remembering Chu Li’s instructions, she stayed obediently in the palace.

After chatting with Jiang Qingxue for a long time, Mu Yunjin learned quite a few things.

Next month, on the first day, Bei Tang Wenfeng would officially pass the throne to the Second Prince, Bei Qili.

After Bei Tang Wenfeng abdicated, he would retire with Jiang Qingxue to the mountains and enjoy the peaceful life they desired.

After waiting in the study for quite some time, Su Xin came to announce that Bei Qili was requesting an audience.

Mu Yunjin and Jiang Qingxue initially thought they should leave, but Bei Tang Wenfeng said there was no need, so they remained seated.

When Bei Qili entered, he glimpsed Mu Yunjin and paused slightly, then greeted everyone in the study one by one.

“Elder Sister, it’s been a long time,” Bei Qili said to Mu Yunjin with a smile.

Mu Yunjin had a good impression of Bei Qili. Seeing his warm greeting, she nodded with a smile in response.

“Lier, you’ve come at the right time. I was just about to send someone to find you,” Bei Tang Wenfeng said, his tone somewhat heavy and his expression not very pleasant.

Hearing this, Bei Qili immediately stood straight, looking like an obedient son ready to be scolded.

“I’ve heard that for the past half month, you’ve been frequently going outside the palace. There was even once when you went to the suburbs to boat on the lake with a young woman. Is this true?” Bei Tang Wenfeng said with a stern face and angry voice.

“Father Emperor, I… I…” Bei Qili immediately knelt, his face showing difficulty, unable to find an excuse for a long time.

Bei Tang Wenfeng snorted. “After the first day of next month, you will be the new ruler of the North Ming Kingdom. During this period, instead of focusing on learning how to govern, you’ve still got the heart to accompany a woman to the lake. This is utterly absurd!”

“Tell me, how can I feel comfortable entrusting the kingdom to you?”

Mu Yunjin sat back in her chair, listening to Bei Tang Wenfeng’s scolding. Her lips twitched slightly—it seemed to be the first time she had seen her father so angry.

Bei Qili hung his head and remained silent, occasionally glancing at Mu Yunjin from the corner of his eye.

“Why do you keep looking at your elder sister?” Bei Tang Wenfeng grew angrier. “Speak! Who is this woman that has you so infatuated?”

“It’s… it’s…” Bei Qili frowned, the words on the tip of his tongue yet unable to be said.

Seeing him stammering without speaking, Bei Tang Wenfeng became even angrier. He took the cup beside him and threw it at Bei Qili. “Speak up!”

“It’s the Ninth Princess of Xi Yuan Kingdom…” Bei Qili frowned, finally revealing the woman’s identity.

Ninth Princess…

Chu Qingyan…

Mu Yunjin felt her temples throb. That girl Qingyan had come to the North Ming Kingdom?

“Chu Qingyan?” Bei Tang Wenfeng was also somewhat surprised. His previously tense expression now relaxed slightly.

“Yes, half a month ago, when I went out of the palace, I saw her at the pawnshop in the market. At that time, she was pawning something in the shop. The pawnshop owner, seeing she was a young girl, intentionally took advantage of her, taking her agate bracelet but giving her only two taels of silver. I couldn’t stand by and help her.”

“Later, I learned that after breaking off her engagement with Qin Munan, she had been traveling around. By the time she arrived in the North Ming Kingdom, she had spent all her money, so she had no choice but to pawn her only valuable bracelet.”

Bei Qili explained the circumstances.

“Since it’s that little girl from Xi Yuan Kingdom, you could have simply brought her into the palace. Why did you need to be so secretive? You should know that she is your brother-in-law’s younger sister!” Bei Tang Wenfeng sighed. He had gotten so angry, only to find out it was the little girl Chu Qingyan.

That little girl, he wouldn’t even mind having her as his daughter-in-law. He had truly gotten angry for nothing.

Bei Qili looked up, his eyes showing disbelief and astonishment. “Can I bring her into the palace?”

“Where did you inherit such a wooden brain from?” Bei Tang Wenfeng’s anger, which had just subsided, flared up again.

Bei Qili lowered his eyes. “I… I…”

“Where is Qingyan staying now?” Seeing the father and son caught in a deadlock, Mu Yunjin changed the subject.

Bei Qili looked at Mu Yunjin. “She’s at the Tianxiang Inn in the market.”

“I’ll go and talk to her,” Mu Yunjin stood up and walked out of the study.

Bei Qili saw Mu Yunjin leave and wanted to call her back, but was constrained by Bei Tang Wenfeng’s presence. He opened his mouth but swallowed his words.

“If you have something to say, go say it. Otherwise, your elder sister might leave at any moment,” Bei Tang Wenfeng said to Bei Qili.

Bei Qili understood and hurriedly got up and ran out.

After he left, Bei Tang Wenfeng sighed. Beside him, Jiang Qingxue poured him a cup of water. “Why are you so angry? Lier is still only in his teens, not yet mature.”

“His personality is too indecisive. I’m worried about him in the future…”

“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore.”

Mu Yunjin left the study, deliberately slowing her pace. When Bei Qili caught up with her, she stopped and turned to look at him. “Prince Brother, did you want to speak with me?”

“Yes,” Bei Qili nodded, looking at Mu Yunjin. “Imperial Sister, I love Qingyan.”

Mu Yunjin smiled. “And?”

“I want to marry her,” Bei Qili said.

“You’d better discuss this matter with Qingyan’s Sixth Brother. I can’t make this decision,” Mu Yunjin’s eyes showed amusement as she patted Bei Qili’s shoulder.

If Chu Qingyan also had feelings for Bei Qili, this would be a good match.

“Yes, when I meet my Brother-in-law, I will bring this matter up with him. However, regarding Qingyan, I’m still unsure of her feelings. Since Elder Sister is going to find Qingyan now, could you help me gauge her intentions?” Bei Qili lowered his eyes, showing shyness when mentioning this, his earlobes turning slightly red.

“Alright, I’ll help you with this,” Mu Yunjin agreed, then immediately used her lightness skill to fly away.

Arriving at the Tianxiang Inn, Mu Yunjin also used her lightness skill to enter the third floor of the inn unnoticed. Just as she was about to knock on Chu Qingyan’s door, she caught sight of a figure from the corner of her eye…