The next day, Qu Xinyao and Xu Heyu arrived in the Southern Kingdom and immediately went to the courtyard house to find Chu Li and Mu Yunjin.

Qiqi happened to be staying at the courtyard house as well. When she saw Qu Xinyao and the others arrive, she exclaimed in surprise, “Sister Xinyao, I was just talking about you yesterday. I can’t believe we’re meeting today!”

“I heard you’ve all been staying in the Southern Kingdom recently. Having nothing to do, I asked this silly man to bring me here for some fun as well,” Qu Xinyao said, winking at Xu Heyu beside her.

Xu Heyu understood and smiled. “Indeed. Where are His Highness and the Princess Consort?”

“His Highness left early with Ding Xian, saying they had some business to attend to. The Princess Consort is still sleeping in her room,” Qiqi pointed to Mu Yunjin’s room.

“She’s always been fond of sleeping in,” Qu Xinyao teased.

At that moment, inside the room, Mu Yunjin was sitting on the bed, holding her dizzy head.

Mu Yunjin had been awake for a while already, but when she tried to get out of bed, she felt extremely dizzy and had to sit down to steady herself.

As she sat on the bed, she heard laughter coming from outside. Listening carefully, she seemed to hear Qu Xinyao and Xu Heyu’s voices. Mu Yunjin immediately got out of bed and began to change her clothes.

…

…

Shortly after, the fully dressed Mu Yunjin opened the door.

“You finally decided to get up?” Qu Xinyao couldn’t help but tease when she caught sight of Mu Yunjin.

“I accidentally overslept,” Mu Yunjin said, a bit embarrassed, walking over to sit down.

Qiqi smiled and ran into the kitchen to fetch the breakfast that was being kept warm, then brought it out and placed it in front of Mu Yunjin. “Master, your favorite red bean porridge.”

Mu Yunjin took it and picked up a spoon, but just as she was about to take a bite, she suddenly lost her appetite. She took the cup of water from the table and drank it first.

“Master, why aren’t you eating?” Qiqi asked, puzzled.

“Maybe I woke up too late and lost my appetite,” Mu Yunjin said after finishing a cup of water. She looked at the red bean porridge but still felt no appetite, though her stomach felt somewhat hungry.

Qu Xinyao rested her chin on her hand, playing with the teacup in her hand. “I hear you’ve had quite a few interesting incidents here lately?”

“Most weren’t pleasant things, but we did find some blessings in disguise,” Mu Yunjin rubbed her groggy head. Why did she feel sleepy again just after getting up?

Perhaps autumn had arrived, bringing with it autumn drowsiness.

“Hmm, I’ve heard some rumors. Something about Crown Prince Yun meeting a female divine doctor, and even Master Kong Shi meeting someone whose name has ‘blossom’ in it…” Qu Xinyao couldn’t remember clearly.

Hearing about these two romantic connections, Mu Yunjin couldn’t help but smile lightly. “Of these two couples, one has made some progress, while the other is probably…”

Mu Yunjin didn’t continue, giving Qu Xinyao a look that said, “You understand.”

Qu Xinyao naturally understood. “I haven’t been out in a long time. I’m feeling good now, so why don’t you take me out for a walk?”

After saying this, Qu Xinyao glanced at Xu Heyu.

She had been cooped up for so long, staying in the City Lord’s mansion in Heyue City every day, hardly going out at all.

Although Xu Heyu usually did whatever she asked, since the incident at their wedding and now with her pregnancy, this fellow had become overly sensitive and reluctant to let her go out.

If it weren’t for His Highness… sending a message asking them to come to the Southern Kingdom, Xu the silly man probably wouldn’t have let her out until after she gave birth.

How domineering!

Just wait until after she gave birth—she’d teach this silly Xu a lesson.

“Alright, let’s go then,” Mu Yunjin readily agreed. Since she didn’t want to eat the red bean porridge anyway, they might as well go to the market to buy something to eat.

“Silly one, what do you say?” Qu Xinyao raised an eyebrow, looking at Xu Heyu.

Xu Heyu smiled helplessly and reached out to support Qu Xinyao. “Xin Xin, since we’ve come all this way, it would be wrong of me not to let you go out for a walk.”

“Silly one, you’re being sensible,” Qu Xinyao smiled, standing up and following Mu Yunjin and Qiqi to the market.

……

Having stayed in the Southern Kingdom for a short time, Mu Yunjin had already become familiar with all the roads in the imperial city. She quickly led Qu Xinyao and Xu Heyu to the market.

The market was at its busiest hour, with people coming and going, a cacophony of voices filling the air.

Seeing so many people, Xu Heyu silently held Qu Xinyao in his arms, walking carefully on the road, afraid that someone might accidentally bump into her.

“Master, there’s a stall selling plum blossom cakes ahead. Aren’t those your favorite?” Qiqi, linking arms with Mu Yunjin, pointed to a small stall in front.

Usually, Mu Yunjin did indeed like these sweet pastries, but today she felt a blandness in her mouth and wanted something with a stronger flavor.

Just as she was thinking this, her peripheral vision caught a small stall selling spicy marinated duck necks. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she pointed to it, telling Qiqi, “Let’s go eat that instead!”

Hearing this, Qiqi looked toward the stall, furrowed her brow, and then looked back at Mu Yunjin. “Master, are you sure? Don’t you usually dislike such things?”

“I just want to try it once.” Mu Yunjin walked to the small stall and bought a portion of spicy marinated duck necks. When she turned to ask if Qu Xinyao wanted some, Qu Xinyao waved her hand in refusal.

Mu Yunjin could only eat her portion alone.

Qiqi had never liked such things; although she had become a normal person, her cat nature remained, and she only liked things like dried fish.

Mu Yunjin ate a piece of duck neck, the numbing spiciness reaching her mouth, and only then did she feel much more refreshed.

Qiqi truly found it strange. Today, her master didn’t want to drink red bean porridge or eat plum blossom cakes, but was happily eating spicy marinated duck necks.

This…

How bizarre!

While strolling through the market, the group came across Bai Qinghuan, who had set up a free medical consultation stall at a street corner.

Where Bai Qinghuan was, Crown Prince Yun was naturally nearby.

Today, Yun Lianqing was sitting some distance away from Bai Qinghuan. Although this was the case, his gaze never left her. Whenever Bai Qinghuan needed to find medicine or write a prescription, Yun Lianqing would rush over.

But Bai Qinghuan didn’t even raise an eyelid, continuing to find paper and brush to write prescriptions, handing them to the patients, and occasionally giving brief instructions.

Yun Lianqing met with cold rejection and sat alone to the side, sighing from time to time.

“Ahem…” Qiqi approached Yun Lianqing and cleared her throat.

Yun Lianqing looked up, and seeing the people standing beside him, he was momentarily stunned. His gaze first fell on Qu Xinyao and Xu Heyu. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you both!”

“Crown Prince Yun, how have you been lately?” Xu Heyu smiled slightly.

“All is well. Congratulations on becoming a father soon,” Crown Prince Yun looked at Qu Xinyao’s belly, his eyes showing a smile.

Hearing this, Xu Heyu glanced at Bai Qinghuan behind Yun Lianqing. “I hear Crown Prince Yun’s marriage fate has also arrived. Congratulations.”

At the mention of this, Yun Lianqing’s smile immediately collapsed, and he let out a long sigh.

Seeing this, Mu Yunjin and Qiqi grew curious and surrounded Yun Lianqing, one on each side, asking softly, “What happened after you returned to the Crown Prince’s residence yesterday?”

Yun Lianqing pursed his lips, with a gloomy face, unwilling to say much.

Qiqi tugged at Yun Lianqing’s sleeve. “Does she know that your arm wound was self-inflicted?”

“Ah…” A sigh.

After sighing, Yun Lianqing extended his left hand and examined it. “That old monk at Jinghua Temple who calculated marriage fortunes must be a fraud. This Crown Prince’s romance has shown no progress whatsoever.”

“Qinghuan is like a stone, cold and aloof. Yesterday, when this Crown Prince returned to the residence, thinking it wasn’t good to deceive her, I told her everything honestly. Do you know what she said?” Yun Lianqing asked.

Mu Yunjin and Qiqi shook their heads.

Yun Lianqing lowered his voice and said softly, “She very seriously said, ‘Crown Prince Yun, do you know that this kind of behavior is what we medical practitioners despise the most? Many people desire health but cannot obtain it, yet you waste your body so recklessly. I truly feel sorry for you…'”

Yun Lianqing imitated Bai Qinghuan’s tone as he said this.

Upon hearing this, Mu Yunjin immediately pressed her lips together, afraid she might lose control and laugh out loud. Although these words were somewhat discouraging for Yun Lianqing, they were certainly the truth…

Qiqi wasn’t as good at holding back as Mu Yunjin and burst out laughing.

She could hardly contain herself when Yun Lianqing cut himself, and now that he had been criticized like this by the woman he admired after cutting himself, it was truly unfortunate. Who could he complain to about his misery?

Although it was heartbreaking, it was truly funny.

How would the people of the Southern Kingdom fare with such an unreliable Crown Prince in the future?

Seeing Qiqi laugh, Yun Lianqing poked her forehead. “You have no sympathy at all!”

“Alright, alright, I won’t laugh anymore,” Qiqi covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

Yun Lianqing was annoyed. At this moment, his peripheral vision caught sight of an oiled paper bag in Mu Yunjin’s hand, and he curiously glanced at it. “Imperial Sister-in-law, what’s that in your hand?”

“Food,” Mu Yunjin brought what she was holding closer to Yun Lianqing.

Yun Lianqing frowned in disgust. “Does my Imperial Brother treat you that poorly? Why are you eating such messy things?”

“You have no appreciation,” Mu Yunjin glared at Yun Lianqing.

Yun Lianqing pouted. “Imperial Sister-in-law, what should I do now? Qinghuan’s impression of me is getting worse and worse.”

“Haven’t you already set a wedding date with her? What are you still worried about? There will be time, and feelings need to be cultivated slowly. You can’t rush it,” Mu Yunjin calculated the days—Yun Lianqing and Bai Qinghuan had known each other for less than a month.

Yun Lianqing sighed again. That may be true, but he was still anxious!

“Since Crown Prince Yun’s beloved is here providing free medical consultations, and I hear she’s the heir to a medical family, I might as well have my pulse checked to see how my child is doing.” Qu Xinyao walked to the side and started queuing up.

Mu Yunjin was about to find a place to sit and wait for Qu Xinyao, but Yun Lianqing gently pushed her. “Imperial Sister-in-law, you should queue up too. You’re a woman, and it would be easy for you to get acquainted with Qinghuan if you meet her more often. I’m counting on you to help me test the waters in the future.”

“But I’m perfectly healthy, why should I queue up for a medical consultation?” Mu Yunjin frowned. This young man was giving her bad advice again.

“Just say you’re dizzy and your vision is blurry. Ask her to examine you. Quick, go!” Yun Lianqing said, pushing her toward the queue.

Mu Yunjin was completely helpless. They say that people in love have zero intelligence—it seems that’s true…