In the time that followed, Empress Dowager Zheng and Noble Consort Li’s group chatted and laughed cheerfully while Mu Yunjin and Empress Qin sat silently, occasionally sipping their tea without a word.

“Sixth Prince arrives!”

The announcement came from outside the Plum Garden.

Everyone looked toward the sound to see Chu Li dressed in a moon-white ceremonial robe, stepping slowly into the Plum Garden. Against the backdrop of the garden full of plum blossoms, he seemed to emanate a luminous glow, his face filled with cold detachment and indifference.

As Chu Li approached, he directly ignored Empress Dowager Zheng as usual, and bowed slightly to Empress Qin, “Grandmother.”

Seeing this, Empress Qin glanced at Empress Dowager Zheng, raising her chin somewhat proudly, “Li’er, no need for formalities. Come and sit.”

After speaking, Empress Qin pointed to the empty seat beside Mu Yunjin.

Chu Li nodded slightly and walked toward Mu Yunjin’s direction.

Upon seeing Chu Li, Mu Yunjin’s gaze wandered everywhere, refusing to look at him even once. She hadn’t completely let go of her anger about yesterday’s incident!

Although the sweet pastries from this morning had almost made her forget about it, now, suddenly seeing Chu Li brought all those thoughts rushing back.

Especially after Empress Dowager Zheng and the others mentioned the promise he had made to Qin Muyue. Now looking at Chu Li, she felt a complicated mixture of emotions.

After Chu Li was seated, Empress Dowager Zheng’s face broke into a smile. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Chu Li already looking down at Mu Yunjin beside him, “When did you arrive?”

“Almost half an hour ago,” Mu Yunjin replied flatly, her eyes somewhat distant.

Hearing this, Chu Li nodded slightly, his face breaking into an extremely faint smile, “You didn’t sleep in today.”

Off to the side, Empress Dowager Zheng, Noble Consort Li, and the others witnessing this scene, nearly dropped their jaws in shock. Had Chu Li just smiled?

And he had smiled at Mu Yunjin…

For all these years, they had known Chu Li to be silent and reserved, an extremely cold and solitary person. They had never seen him smile at anyone or speak so gently to anyone!

Could it be that the world was about to change?

Empress Qin noticed the shock in Empress Dowager Zheng’s eyes and immediately beamed with satisfaction, “Look at that. I originally thought that arranging your marriage so hastily might make you both uncomfortable! Seeing how well you’re getting along now, I’m truly at ease.”

“Certain people should stop thinking about those who are irrelevant,” Empress Qin said through gritted teeth, deliberately emphasizing the word “irrelevant.”

Seeing Empress Qin score a point, Empress Dowager Zheng naturally wouldn’t admit defeat. After taking a breath, she looked at Chu Li with eyes full of feigned affection, “Li’er, I heard a few days ago that you promised to fulfill a wish for Muyue when she returns?”

Hearing this, Chu Li responded faintly, “Mm.”

Seeing Chu Li confirm this, Empress Qin’s eyes revealed a trace of surprise, while Empress Dowager Zheng and Noble Consort Li could barely hide their triumphant smiles.

This time, it was Empress Qin who lost her composure, immediately asking, “Li’er, how could you make such a promise so easily? What if that Qin girl asks you to marry her when she returns?”

Mu Yunjin held her teacup, taking a small sip, completely detaching herself from the conversation as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

In truth, it didn’t have much to do with her.

She would eventually leave this place, separate from Chu Li, and escape from these royal conflicts. Whatever happened between Chu Li and Qin Muyue was none of her concern.

But at this moment, she found herself wanting to hear Chu Li’s answer.

Chu Li, sitting next to her, ran his fingertips along the rim of his cup after hearing Empress Qin’s question. His eyes filled with deep meaning as he said, “I will not marry her.”

“Really?” Hearing Chu Li’s definitive answer, Empress Qin became almost excited and confirmed once more.

Chu Li nodded, raising an eyebrow slightly, “This prince is newly married. Is it appropriate for you all to discuss such matters?”

“Oh yes, yes, yes. I’ve always said that Li’er knows his boundaries,” Empress Qin glared at Empress Dowager Zheng, her eyes full of defiance.

Chu Li’s answer was within Mu Yunjin’s expectations. Before they married, Chu Li had told her that their marriage was merely for mutual benefit.

Empress Dowager Zheng had once again been put in her place, and her heart filled with resentment. She swept her gaze over Mu Yunjin’s peerlessly beautiful face, mentally categorizing Chu Li as someone who lusted after beauty.

“I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave first,” Empress Dowager Zheng could no longer sit still. She stood up, announced her departure, and prepared to leave.

Noble Consort Li immediately understood, supporting Empress Dowager Zheng as Chu Qingqiang also rose languidly, her face full of displeasure. The three of them then left the Plum Garden together.

As soon as Empress Dowager Zheng left, Empress Qin immediately took several deep breaths and spoke with disgust, “When that old witch Zheng comes, I can’t even smell the fragrance of plum blossoms in my garden anymore. It’s so dispiriting.”

“Grandmother, you’re amazing. You always manage to drive away Empress Dowager Zheng,” Mu Yunjin smiled slightly, looking at Empress Qin.

Empress Qin raised her eyebrows proudly, “Naturally. If her background weren’t more noble than mine, how could she have become the main Empress Dowager now?”

“Since you’re both here today, you might as well stay for lunch before leaving.”

They remained with Empress Qin until nearly dusk before Mu Yunjin and Chu Li left the Plum Garden and headed toward the palace exit.

Throughout the entire day, Mu Yunjin hadn’t initiated a single conversation with Chu Li. Even now, she walked on her own, showing no intention of speaking to him.

Chu Li could naturally see that her anger hadn’t subsided. He observed Mu Yunjin for a long while as they walked, but didn’t speak.

The two remained silent back to the residence.

As soon as they entered the front hall, Mamma Shen immediately came to greet them, carrying a locked brocade box in her hand, “Your Highness, Prince’s Consort, this was just delivered by Master Huaiyuan from Water Cloud Temple. He said this brocade box was found in a hidden compartment in Master Kongshi’s room.”

Hearing that it was a relic of Master Kongshi, Mu Yunjin’s eyes filled with curiosity. She was the first to speak, looking toward Chu Li, “Let’s open it and see.”

Chu Li, meeting Mu Yunjin’s gaze, nodded and took the brocade box from Mamma Shen’s hand, “Let’s go back to our room to look.”

Mu Yunjin made a sound of agreement, but felt that the words “back to our room” sounded strangely awkward.

Mamma Shen covered her mouth with a smile, not looking at the two of them, and went off to attend to other matters.

Back at Liquan Pavilion, Mu Yunjin followed Chu Li into his room. Once inside, Chu Li’s fingertips flashed with light, and the previously locked brocade box popped open with a snap.

Chu Li reached out to open the box, and upon seeing what was inside, his brow furrowed as he took out a black object.

Mu Yunjin followed Chu Li’s gaze and let out a surprised sound. She saw that Chu Li was holding a black remote control in his palm, with only two buttons on it labeled “on” and “off.”

Seeing this, Mu Yunjin laughed lightly, crossing her arms. This Master Kongshi was indeed interesting, surrounded by modern technology.

“You recognize this?” Chu Li noticed the look in Mu Yunjin’s eyes and asked softly.

Mu Yunjin nodded, taking the remote from Chu Li’s palm and examining it, “This might be able to disable the red line and the alarm sound.”

“But it’s not very useful. There’s still Master Kongshi’s unique mystic arts outside, which are difficult to break.”

After speaking, Mu Yunjin casually tossed the remote onto the table. Just as she was about to look away, her peripheral vision caught the brocade box, causing her to freeze slightly.

“Try splitting it open,” Mu Yunjin said excitedly, tugging at Chu Li’s arm.

Chu Li looked at his arm being grabbed by Mu Yunjin, pressed his lips tightly, and made a sound of agreement. Then he extended his palm toward the box, unleashing his true energy. In an instant, the exquisite box turned into a pile of powder.

Mu Yunjin exclaimed in admiration, sifting through the powder to pull out a cloth note with a line of writing on it:

“Hello there! Want to crack the formation? Visit the Water Cloud Temple more often. I’ve hidden the solution in various corners of the temple!”

Mu Yunjin looked at the greeting “hello there,” a unique modern way of saying hello, and couldn’t help feeling a bit helpless. But when she glanced at Chu Li beside her, who was also examining the cloth note, she suddenly realized—had she revealed too much?

With a quick change of mind, Mu Yunjin frowned and handed the cloth note to Chu Li, “What does this say? I can’t read…”

Chu Li glanced at Mu Yunjin, suddenly giving a faint smile as he took the note from her hand, “It says the method to break the formation is hidden in various corners of Water Cloud Temple.”

Mu Yunjin nodded with feigned comprehension, then snorted, “What kind of ghost is this Master Kongshi anyway, making a simple formation-breaking so complicated?”

“How would you prefer it to be?” Chu Li looked at Mu Yunjin and asked gently.

“Hmph, I don’t believe his formation is truly the most marvelous in the world. Since I was able to break his infrared system, it shows his mystic arts aren’t perfect either. There must be loopholes,” Mu Yunjin spoke with particular pride, lifting her chin.

Hearing this, Chu Li’s brow revealed a trace of mockery, “Having ambition is good, but before that, this prince thinks you should learn to recognize a few more characters.”

“…” Mu Yunjin was at a loss for words, glaring at Chu Li, immediately feeling annoyed, “I’m done arguing with you! I’m leaving!”

With that, Mu Yunjin left Chu Li’s room without looking back, slamming the door shut.

After Mu Yunjin left, Ding Xian pushed the door open and entered, looking at Chu Li with confusion, “Your Highness, have you angered the Prince’s Consort again?”

“It’s nothing. Just have the kitchen make a few more sweet pastries tonight,” Chu Li said calmly, carefully examining the cloth note again.

Ding Xian pouted, wanting to criticize Chu Li’s logic in pacifying women, but due to his position, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

“Is this a clue left by Master Kongshi?” Ding Xian looked at the cloth note in Chu Li’s hand and asked with surprise.

Chu Li nodded, his gaze falling on the black remote that Mu Yunjin had tossed onto the table. His fingers lightly brushed over the two buttons, looking at the strange characters on them, his eyes cold and profound.

“This thing is so strange. Aren’t these characters the same as those strange characters that appeared in that book the other day?” Ding Xian looked at the black remote and frowned as he spoke.

Chu Li withdrew his gaze, his lips slightly pressed together. After a while, he looked at Ding Xian again, “Have the secret guards been following Mu Yunjin these past few days?”

“Ever since Your Highness gave the jade whistle to the Prince’s Consort, those secret guards have been following her,” Ding Xian replied.

“Send someone to report to this prince about Mu Yunjin’s recent whereabouts.”