Afternoon.

“Miss, the weather is nice today. Would you like to go out for a walk?” Zixiang hadn’t gone out with Mu Yunjin for a long time. Now that Chu Li wasn’t around, she naturally couldn’t sit still.

“Sure.” Mu Yunjin readily agreed.

As they stepped out of the prince’s mansion, Huang Yan and Song Chun silently followed. Ever since the incident at the Ice Cave, Chu Li had instructed Huang Yan and the others that they must never let Mu Yunjin go out alone, even when he wasn’t beside her.

Mu Yunjin looked back at Huang Yan and Song Chun but didn’t say anything, allowing them to follow.

On the main street, many commoners recognized Mu Yunjin, but since the downfall of the Mu family, they had rarely seen her out and about. Now, seeing her on the street, they were quite surprised.

Mu Yunjin was also thinking about the Mu family at that same moment.

Before the Mu family’s downfall, her days seemed quite pleasant. She would often go out for walks and drop by the Minister’s mansion.

Why did thinking about these things now give her such a feeling of being in a different lifetime?

…

…

Minister Mu, Su Biqing, Mu Yunhan, Mu Lingzhu, Mu Yiyang, Mu Xiarou, Luo Ningyu…

These people—dead or gone…

Mu Yunjin’s mood became complicated.

Unconsciously, she arrived at the entrance of the former Mu Minister’s mansion. Her gaze fell on the plaque “Yan Minister’s Mansion” at the door, looking at the servants guarding the gate, feeling somewhat wistful.

Just as she was about to move away, two elegant figures walked out from inside.

Those two figures didn’t expect to encounter Mu Yunjin at the entrance either. They hesitated slightly but eventually walked toward her.

The people walking out were Yan Lingshang and Qin Muyue.

Qin Muyue had returned to Western Yuan Country only after the abrupt end of the North Ming trip. She had come to Yan Minister’s mansion this morning to find Yan Lingshang on some business. The two had chatted for a long time and were just about to go out for a walk.

Unexpectedly, they encountered Mu Yunjin.

Yan Lingshang was also somewhat surprised. She glanced at Qin Muyue beside her, pressed her lips together, and then, being of lower status than Mu Yunjin, approached her.

“Greetings, Princess Ning.” Yan Lingshang greeted Mu Yunjin first.

Mu Yunjin nodded. “Miss Yan, no need for formalities.”

“What a coincidence today. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Princess Ning. How have you been lately?” Qin Muyue’s face held a smile, her gaze leisurely falling on Mu Yunjin, her eyes concealing deeper meanings.

This woman was truly resilient.

That day when she heard Mu Yunjin was trapped in the Ice Cave, she was nearly overjoyed, imagining that in a few days she must visit the Ice Cave to see Mu Yunjin’s miserable state in death.

Who knew this woman was so tenacious that she could even return from the dead!

Later, seeing Chu Li take her away, she had originally thought that Mu Yunjin looked so weak it might have been a final burst of energy before death. Now seeing her standing so unharmed before her, Qin Muyue felt a raging fire in her chest that almost consumed her.

“I’m doing very well, of course. But Miss Qin, your eye circles are dark, and your skin is quite dull. I’m afraid you haven’t been sleeping well these days?” When facing Qin Muyue, Mu Yunjin always believed in immediate retaliation!

“Heh, it doesn’t matter whether I sleep well or not, as long as I don’t die.” Qin Muyue sneered, deliberately turning to look at the plaque of Yan Minister’s mansion.

“Could it be that Princess Ning has lost her way? This is now Minister Yan’s residence. Most of your family members are in Qinglingyuan Cemetery in the western suburbs!” Qin Muyue curved her lips.

When Mu Yunjin heard the three words “Qinglingyuan Cemetery,” her eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a dangerous look.

But in the next moment, she smiled gracefully at Qin Muyue. “It seems Miss Qin is quite familiar with the cemetery routes around here…”

“That makes sense. After all, it’s the place you’ll soon be residing in, so you should get familiar with the surroundings in advance, and perhaps become acquainted with some of the things inside, to avoid being bullied as a newcomer.”

After saying this, Mu Yunjin deliberately covered her mouth with a laugh, her eyebrows raised playfully, looking provocatively at Qin Muyue.

“You…” Qin Muyue was indeed provoked by Mu Yunjin’s light remark, even stepping forward, her hand already clenched into a fist.

Yan Lingshang, standing to the side, saw these two fighting as soon as they met, especially at the gate of the Yan mansion. If word got out, it might affect the reputation of the Yan family.

So she spoke up, “In broad daylight, if you two have any misunderstandings, let’s discuss them elsewhere. Let’s not be laughed at by passersby.”

“Why don’t I treat you both today? Let’s gather at Mingxiang Tea House and sit down for a cup of tea?” Yan Lingshang suggested.

In reality, she would have been delighted to see these two fight to the death, but not at their Yan family gate.

It was well known that in Western Yuan Country, she, Yan Lingshang, was considered a noble lady from a prestigious family, a proper young lady, and she believed her appearance was no less than Qin Muyue’s.

But previously, whenever people mentioned noble young ladies, they would first think of the valiant Qin family’s Miss Qin Muyue, who had gone to the battlefield, not her, Yan Lingshang.

Later, even Mu Yunjin, the notorious incompetent across Western Yuan Country, was gradually mentioned by people, especially after she married Prince Ning.

Now these two women who had made her lose her luster were at each other’s throats. She truly wished they would fight to mutual destruction right now.

…

Hearing Yan Lingshang’s suggestion for tea, both Mu Yunjin and Qin Muyue were naturally uninterested.

Especially Mu Yunjin, who disliked both Qin Muyue and Yan Lingshang. To sit at the same table drinking tea and chatting with them would be utterly intolerable for her.

“Thank you for your kind offer, Miss Yan, but my prince will be returning to the mansion soon, and I need to go back early.” Mu Yunjin deliberately emphasized the words “my prince,” glancing smugly at Qin Muyue.

How could Qin Muyue not know about her recent intimacy with Chu Li? Another layer of anger rose in her eyes, and she finally couldn’t resist wanting to strike when she caught sight of Huang Yan and Song Chun in the distance.

Suddenly, her eyes darkened again, filled with reluctance.

…

After leaving the Yan Minister’s mansion gate, Mu Yunjin sighed, “Zixiang, tell me, how is it that I just go out for a simple walk and run into such annoying people? Isn’t that disheartening?”

“Miss, you already mocked Miss Qin so thoroughly just now. Shouldn’t she be the one feeling disheartened?” Zixiang thought of the scene earlier and couldn’t help but laugh lightly.

Mu Yunjin cast a sidelong glance at Zixiang and pouted. “She was the one who spoke rudely first. Besides, that day she even struck me with a palm strike…”

Thinking of that strike, Mu Yunjin still felt pain in her back. That day in North Ming Country, if the old thief Qin hadn’t come out to interrupt, between her and Qin Muyue, perhaps only one would still be alive in this world.

“Huh? How did Miss Qin manage to hit you?” Zixiang was surprised, completely not understanding what Mu Yunjin was talking about.

Seeing the girl’s pure thoughts, Mu Yunjin didn’t want to complicate things for her. She just gestured with her lips, “It was just a minor scuffle.”

Zixiang seemed to half-understand.

After walking around the street for a while, Mu Yunjin, like before, only went to the rouge shop to select a few boxes of rouge, then looked around the silk shop before heading back to the mansion.

By the time they returned to the mansion, Chu Li had already come back.

“His Highness is in Liquan Pavilion,” Mamma Shen told Mu Yunjin when she returned.

Mu Yunjin nodded and headed toward Liquan Pavilion.

As she reached the entrance of Liquan Pavilion, Qingmeng happened to walk out. Seeing Mu Yunjin, she smoothed her clothes and curtseyed slightly. “Greetings, Princess.”

“Sister Qingmeng,” Mu Yunjin nodded.

“I was just coming to check on the Princess’s condition. I thought the Princess wasn’t here, but meeting you now is perfect.” Qingmeng raised the corner of her lips.

“A check-up? Didn’t you say yesterday that there were no major issues?” Mu Yunjin was surprised.

Qingmeng smiled faintly, showing no sign of anything amiss. “His Highness is concerned and asked me to check on the Princess daily.”

“He always makes a big deal out of nothing.” While Mu Yunjin complained about Chu Li, a trace of sweetness seeped into her heart. She entered the courtyard of Liquan Pavilion, sat down, and extended her wrist.

Just as she sat down, Chu Li walked out of the room. Today he wore a moon-white brocade robe, his black hair falling gently, his features serene, less cold and profound than usual, with an added hint of gentleness and clarity.

Even though Mu Yunjin had seen Chu Li in all his forms, she couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows slightly, teasing him, “Prince Ning looks so handsome…”

After speaking, she also roguishly whistled.

In response, Chu Li reached out and lightly tapped her head.

Several muffled laughs came from the side.

Qingmeng checked Mu Yunjin’s pulse, taking quite a while before finally smiling at Mu Yunjin, saying, “Everything is fine.”

But when she turned to look at Chu Li, her eyes carried some heaviness.

“There was nothing wrong to begin with. Tomorrow you don’t need to come check on me, saving you the trouble of making the trip.” Mu Yunjin didn’t notice anything unusual, naturally missing the momentary change in expression between Qingmeng and Chu Li.

“What did you buy outside?” Chu Li lowered his gaze to look at her, changing the subject.

Hearing Chu Li mention it, Mu Yunjin pointed to the brocade boxes in Zixiang’s hands. “I bought some rouge and a few bolts of silk. Tomorrow I’ll have Mamma Shen find someone to make me a cloak.”

Mentioning cloaks, Mu Yunjin thought of her cloak that had the Xuanling True Scripture painting hidden in it. How pitiful…

“Mm.” Chu Li nodded. “The wind is strong outside. Let’s talk in the room.”

With that, he pulled her up.

Back in the room, Mu Yunjin sat in the rocking chair, swaying back and forth, looking at the ceiling. Suddenly remembering what Zixiang had said this morning, she turned to look at Chu Li.

“By the way, did North Ming Country write to you? Is Jingyang coming?” Mu Yunjin asked.

“Yes.” Chu Li nodded faintly, picking up a letter from the table and handing it to Mu Yunjin. “It’s from your imperial father.”

Mu Yunjin opened the letter and read its contents, her brows slightly furrowing.

The letter stated that after Jingyang recovered from her illness, she felt she had wronged her elder sister and had been begging Bei Tangwenfeng for a long time to personally come to Western Yuan Country to apologize to her.

Bei Tangwenfeng said he had refused Jingyang’s proposal several times, but Jingyang felt he was unwilling to forgive her previous careless words, and later even attempted suicide once.

Bei Tangwenfeng was truly helpless and finally agreed to Jingyang’s proposal, but didn’t know about her physical condition, so he first sent someone to quickly deliver a letter to Chu Li, seeking his opinion.

“This little girl, always so dramatic.” Mu Yunjin folded the letter, thinking of that arrogant and fiery young girl, shaking her head helplessly.