The two leisurely made their way back to the mansion. After entering, Mu Yunjin jumped down from Chu Li’s back, placed the lantern to one side, and shook her somewhat sore hand.
“I’m going back to my room to rest now. I’m exhausted,” Mu Yunjin looked at Chu Li, raising her eyebrows.
Chu Li nodded, watching her return to her room.
After Mu Yunjin left, Ding Xian’s figure emerged from one side and quietly said to Chu Li, “Your Highness, Crown Prince Rong of Eastern Lin has arrived, and the envoy from Southern Ting has also arrived.”
“Mm,” Chu Li acknowledged with a light hum, his gaze calm, showing no other emotion.
……
Before going to bed the night before, Mu Yunjin had specifically reminded Zixiang to wake her before Chu Li left for morning court.
When Chu Li came out of his room, he saw Mu Yunjin fully dressed, sitting on a stone chair in the courtyard with drooping eyes and yawning. He frowned slightly and walked over to her.
“Do you have something to do?” Chu Li asked.
…
…
Hearing Chu Li’s voice, half of Mu Yunjin’s drowsiness disappeared. She sat up and looked at him with a smile. “Come, let’s have breakfast together.”
In the dining hall, Mu Yunjin drank a bowl of red bean porridge, occasionally glancing at Chu Li. “The Emperor has arranged many tasks for you lately, hasn’t he?”
Chu Li nodded. “Indeed, quite a few.”
“Then you should eat more,” Mu Yunjin said, pushing a plate of pastries in front of Chu Li.
Chu Li looked at her with amusement. “You got up early just to have a meal with this prince?”
In his opinion, she wouldn’t get up until well into the morning.
“Yes, aren’t you touched?” Mu Yunjin put down her spoon, her eyes revealing mischief and teasing as she leaned closer to Chu Li.
Chu Li glanced at her, merely nodding without saying anything.
“What kind of reaction is that?” Mu Yunjin was somewhat displeased with Chu Li’s non-reaction.
“A touched reaction,” Chu Li chuckled softly.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin glared at Chu Li and snorted lightly. “Hmph, I can’t be bothered with you.”
Hearing the couple’s flirtatious banter so early in the morning, the servants attending them exchanged glances—indeed, the Princess Consort had the highest authority in the mansion now.
After Chu Li left, Mu Yunjin had originally planned to go back to her room for more sleep, but perhaps because she had already eaten breakfast, she was now full of energy with no trace of sleepiness.
“Young lady, the weather is nice. Why don’t we go for a walk?” Zixiang suggested, seeing Mu Yunjin’s bored expression.
Mu Yunjin looked at Zixiang, then at the weather outside, and seemed to think of something. “Prepare the carriage. I want to go to Shuiyun Temple.”
Since she had promised Rong Jiu and his companions yesterday that she would take them to see Shuiyun Temple, she might as well take them today, to avoid feeling indebted to others.
Soon, Mu Yunjin was sitting in the carriage, instructing the driver to first go to Zuixiang Inn to pick up people.
After traveling two streets, the carriage stopped at the entrance of Zuixiang Inn. Mu Yunjin got out of the carriage and walked into the inn.
Hong Ling and Zhang Bai were eating downstairs. When they saw Mu Yunjin enter, Hong Ling immediately waved to her. “Princess Consort of Ning.”
Mu Yunjin walked over, looked at Hong Ling, and curled her lips. “I have some free time today, so let me take you to Shuiyun Temple.”
Hong Ling was startled, then immediately nodded. “Please wait a moment, Princess Consort. I’ll go tell our master.”
“Alright.”
……
As the carriage traveled to Shuiyun Temple, the atmosphere in the carriage was somewhat subtle and awkward.
When coming, Mu Yunjin had specifically asked Zixiang to ride with her in the carriage. Now, except for Zhang Bai, who was sitting outside, Rong Jiu and Hong Ling were both inside the carriage.
Throughout the journey, no one had spoken much.
After about half an hour, the carriage stopped at the entrance of Shuiyun Temple. Mu Yunjin was the first to get off, looking around before turning to Rong Jiu, who had also alighted from the carriage.
“We’ve arrived.”
“So this is Shuiyun Temple. It truly is a refreshing place that clears the mind. The rumors were not false,” Hong Ling said with a smile after getting out of the carriage, easing the atmosphere.
“The ancient tree is over there,” Mu Yunjin nodded, then pointed in the direction of the ancient tree and walked forward.
Rong Jiu and the others followed beside Mu Yunjin.
On a stone staircase not far away, two figures stood side by side, their gazes fixed firmly on Mu Yunjin and Rong Jiu as they walked toward the ancient tree.
“How could Yunjin be with people from Eastern Lin?” Jiang Qingxue stood at the edge of the steps, frowning as she watched Mu Yunjin and Rong Jiu walking together.
Master Huaiyuan sighed lightly. “Whatever your daughter does, don’t be surprised.”
Jiang Qingxue curled her lips, then lowered her eyes slightly, looking at what she held tightly in her hand. “Fortunately, the thing Empress Qin left under the peach tree was intercepted by you in advance, otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”
“This letterless book—the old monk and the Prince of Ning have tried many methods, but cannot decipher its contents. I wonder if Miss Qing can decode it?” Master Huaiyuan cast a questioning look. Since Abbot Kongshi had entered nirvana, many things seemed to be surfacing one after another.
The world was becoming increasingly turbulent.
Jiang Qingxue laughed lightly, putting away the item in her hand. “This is a secret technique from Southern Ting. Of course, I can decipher it. However, the Prince of Ning is now Yunjin’s husband, and also half my son. The content of this letterless book is of great importance. Unless necessary, I will never let it come to light.”
“So you already know what’s written in it?” Master Huaiyuan stared unblinkingly at Jiang Qingxue.
Jiang Qingxue nodded, her thoughts returning to Mu Yunjin and Rong Jiu, who had already entered the ancient tree’s courtyard, her brow creased with concern.
“As an envoy from Southern Ting this time, you will have to meet her sooner or later. Why not greet her in advance to avoid awkwardness at the grand ceremony?” Master Huaiyuan, seeing what was on her mind, said with a smile.
Hearing this, Jiang Qingxue still hesitated.
……
Mu Yunjin led Rong Jiu and the others into the courtyard of the thousand-year-old tree. Facing this towering ancient tree, Mu Yunjin’s heart inexplicably fluttered again, and she unconsciously covered the area over her heart.
“Are you unwell?” Rong Jiu noticed Mu Yunjin frowning and covering her heart, and spoke gently, motioning for Hong Ling to go check on her.
Mu Yunjin waved her hand. “It’s nothing. This is the thousand-year-old tree. There are colored ribbons and writing materials over there. You can make wishes.”
“Alright, I’ll try it,” Hong Ling said, pulling Zhang Bai to one side.
Rong Jiu stood beside Mu Yunjin, glancing sideways at her. Seeing her calm expression, he remained standing in place, silent.
At this moment, a figure in cyan also walked into the courtyard of the ancient tree.
Sensing someone’s arrival, Mu Yunjin turned to look and was surprised to see the newcomer. “Miss Qing?”
Jiang Qingxue walked slowly, taking a while to reach Mu Yunjin’s side. Seeing her looking directly at herself, she felt an indescribable melancholy.
“Miss Mu,” Jiang Qingxue smiled at Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin nodded. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see this famous thousand-year-old tree,” Jiang Qingxue made up a reason.
Rong Jiu stood to one side, eyes lowered since Jiang Qingxue had entered, as if pondering something.
“The Holy Maiden of Southern Ting?” After a while, Rong Jiu remembered and spoke clearly, looking at Jiang Qingxue.
Jiang Qingxue was startled, not expecting Rong Jiu to recognize her. In her memory, she and Rong Jiu had never met.
Mu Yunjin showed surprise after hearing the words “Holy Maiden of Southern Ting,” then looked Jiang Qingxue up and down. “Miss Qing, you’re from Southern Ting?”
At this point, Jiang Qingxue somewhat regretted coming in.
“Yes, I am the envoy sent by Southern Ting to attend the Crown Prince Ye’s investiture ceremony,” Jiang Qingxue composed herself and introduced herself to Mu Yunjin.
Hearing this, Mu Yunjin’s lips curved into a smile. “I’ve long heard that the Holy Maiden of Southern Ting is one of the most beautiful women. Now that I’ve seen you, the rumors are indeed true.”
“Miss Mu is joking. I’m already quite old, nothing compared to young ladies like you,” Jiang Qingxue said with a smile, her gaze constantly on Mu Yunjin.
This daughter truly looked very much like her.
“You look only a few years older than me. How can you say you’re old?” Mu Yunjin smiled at Jiang Qingxue. Having met Jiang Qingxue a few times before, she had always had a good impression of her. Now that she appeared suddenly and eased the awkwardness between her and Rong Jiu, Mu Yunjin’s impression of her improved even more.
“Miss Mu has just come of age recently, while I am at least eighteen years older than you,” Jiang Qingxue said.
Mu Yunjin was somewhat astonished, feeling as if she had misheard. The Miss Qing before her had a snow-white complexion and a graceful figure, yet she was eighteen years older than herself.
Heavens, she was like a fairy.
Rong Jiu stood to one side, silently listening to their conversation. Since Jiang Qingxue had entered, he had sensed something strange. Now, looking more closely at Jiang Qingxue, he suddenly realized that her appearance was very similar to Mu Yunjin’s.
“I heard that you can make wishes at that ancient tree over there, is that right?” Jiang Qingxue looked at Mu Yunjin.
Mu Yunjin nodded, pointing to one side. “You can write over there.”
Jiang Qingxue smiled and walked to the other side. Mu Yunjin was also somewhat curious and followed beside Jiang Qingxue.
At this time, Hong Ling had already written her wish on a red ribbon. Seeing Mu Yunjin approach, she moved aside and ran to Rong Jiu’s side.
“Master, with your attitude, you won’t be able to win a girl’s heart,” Hong Ling said.
Rong Jiu lowered his eyes to look at Hong Ling, showing some displeasure. “She is Chu Li’s consort. Don’t make such jokes in the future.”
“Alright,” Hong Ling pouted, then leaped onto the ancient tree and hung the red ribbon she held.
On the other side, Jiang Qingxue sat down on a chair, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote many words on the red ribbon—so many that one ribbon was not enough.
Mu Yunjin sat on a chair with her back to Jiang Qingxue, chatting with Zixiang.
After writing her wish, Jiang Qingxue lowered her eyes to look at the first line of writing, then at Mu Yunjin’s back. “Miss Mu, I’ve finished writing.”
Mu Yunjin nodded, originally wanting to ask if she needed help hanging it up, but Jiang Qingxue seemed to have good lightness kung fu and had already flown up to the ancient tree.
After making wishes at the ancient tree, Mu Yunjin asked if they should head back. Hong Ling tilted her head, thought for a moment, and suggested, “I heard the vegetarian food here is quite good.”