The Aloof Prince Chapter 117 - Await Good News

Translator: Rize
Editor: Larkspur
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once in Butterfly Flower City, Mu Yunjin took the lead and headed straight to Xiang Fu. Upon arriving, she saw the doors were being heavily guarded. 

When the guards saw Mu Yunjin, they stopped her outside.

"Why are you not letting me in?" Mu Yunjin coldly asked the guard by the door.

"Liu Huangzifei now belongs to Liu Huangzi Fu. They have nothing to do with the Xiang Fu. The Emperor has decreed that no one should go out or visit the Xiang Fu during their period of confinement," said the guard, solemnly.

Mu Yunjin took a deep breath and fished out a token from her sleeves. Chu Li had given it to her before she got off the carriage. "May I go in now?"

As soon as the guards saw the token, their expression changed immediately. They bowed and invited Mu Yunjin inside.

As Mu Yunjin walked into the Fu, she saw the residence was full of guards- all the way in. Displeasure was written all over her face as she stepped into the Front Hall.

In the Front Hall, not a soul was in sight. Mu Yunjin decided to check the back garden.

In the garden's pavilion, she saw Mu Yunhan and Mu Xiang playing chess.

"Father, Eldest Brother." Mu Yunjin called out as she approached.

When the two men saw Mu Yunjin, their hands paused in the mid-air. An emotional Mu Xiang stood up and in a trembling voice called out. "Yunjin."

Mu Yunjin gave a sound of acknowledgment then looked at Mu Yunhan. Other than looking a little pale, nothing seemed different.

Sitting down, Mu Yunjin unhurriedly asked, "Do you have a way?"

Mu Xiang frowned. "I have served as a minister for many years, and have planted deep roots. That Qin Feng old thief, he has withdrawn from the court for years now. I did not expect, he is still a cunning old fox."

Seeing that Mu Xiang was out of ideas, Mu Yunjin looked at Mu Yunhan. "Brother, how about you?"

Mu Yunhan lowered his gaze, fiddling with the chess piece in his hand. He then looked at Mu Yunjin. 

"Yunjin must have an idea."

"You're certain?"

Seeing Mu Yunhan's indifference, his sister slightly raised an eyebrow and the corner of her mouth lifted a little.

"Brother believes in you." Mu Yunhan looked at Mu Yunjin with deep meaning.

Mu Yunjin smiled. Then she got up, put both her hands behind her back, and swaggered away. 

"Wait for my good news."

Mu Xiang looked at Mu Yunjin's retreating figure and was somewhat stunned. Then he turned his gaze towards his son. 

"Yunhan, Yunjin she..."

"Father, all these years, you held a pearl but regarded it as a fisheye. But, remember who her mother was?"

Mu Xiang opened his mouth but subconsciously drew back, his eyes held a wisp of distress.

Yes ah, Yunjin is her daughter. How can her daughter be someone ordinary?

♚♚♚

Leaving Xiang Fu, Mu Yunjin went directly to the Imperial Palace. Just as she passed through the Imperial Gardens, she saw the person she most ‘not want' to see.

"Mu Yunjin..."

She pretended not to see her and continued walking, but was nevertheless stopped by Chu Qingqiang. The latter then dismissed the eunuchs behind her before walking towards Mu Yunjin.

"Fifth Princess, what's the matter?" Mu Yunjin bowed to Chu Qingqiang.

"What else can Bengongzhu find you for? Shouldn't you know in your heart?" Chu Qingqiang said before reaching out to touch a strand of Mu Yunjin's hair.

Mu Yunjin slapped Chu Qingqiang's hand impatiently. "I'm busy, I'm not free to talk to you."

"What's the matter? You have only just returned to Butterfly Flower City and already hurried over to the Imperial Palace. Is it for the matter concerning Xiang Fu?"

"Don't worry about Xiàngyé's affairs for the time being. Bengongzhu has something more important to say to you." Chu Qingqiang smiled, regardless of the pain on the hand that was slapped by Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin sneered and looked at Chu Qingqiang with deep meaning. "Isn't there an agreement between us that we keep our business to ourselves? I don't want to mention it. What does Fifth Princess want to talk about?"

Chu Qingqiang was a little surprised at her words. She looked at Mu Yunjin's teasing face, but it didn’t seem that she was joking.

How is that possible?

How could Mu Yunjin be so kind, especially after she had sent assassins after her? So, how could she keep this promise?

Furthermore, hers and Rong Min's affair was no small matter.

"Are you serious?!" Chu Qingqiang was incredulous, and she asked again in a low voice.

"I always strive to keep to myself, Fifth Princess must keep your promise. After all, you are a princess of Xi Yuan country and to be tainted with such a stigma and be involved in an affair involving two countries..."

Mu Yunjin restrained her laughter and walked over in the direction of Plum Blossom garden.

Behind her, Chu Qingqiang watched a departing Mu Yunjin and bit her lips, her eyes smeared with derision and disdain.

She plucked out a beautiful peony flower, pulled out its petals, tore them to pieces, and sneered.

Only the dead cannot talk...

♚♚♚

Arriving at the Plum Blossom garden, Mu Yunjin went to Qin Taifei's residence. When Qu Momo saw Mu Yunjin, she smiled.

"Liu Huangzifei has arrived."

Mu Yunjin nodded. "Is Taifei niang niang inside?"

"Taifei niang niang is not feeling well recently. She has been lying in bed recuperating. This old servant will escort Huangzifei inside." Qu Momo then brought Mu Yunjin to Qin Tai Fei's room.

As soon as she stepped inside Qin Taifei's residence, a smell of herbal medicine permeated the air.

"Cough..cough..cough..." Qin Taifei lay in bed, pale and weak as she coughed laboriously.

"Tai Fei niang niang, Liu Huangzi Fei has come to visit you."

Qu Momo helped Qin Tai Fei sit up and gently patted her back. Qin Tai Fei followed her gaze and looked at Mu Yunjin who was standing inside the room. Her face still pale, she leaned back.

"You all go out first."

"Yes, Tai Fei niang niang." Qu momo went out with the other servants.

Only Mu Yunjin and Qin Tai Fei remained inside the room. Qin Tai Fei looked at Mu Yunjin and pointed to the chair beside her.

"Sit down."

"No need." Mu Yunjin remained standing and looked at Qin Tai Fei as if she was not sick. There was not an ounce of pity in her heart.

"Did you come here to ask Aijia for something?" Qin Tai Fei smiled softly and asked.

Mu Yunjin nodded. "Yes ah, Tai Fei niang niang possesses great magical powers, surely has the ability to guess Yunjin's request."

"Aijia doesn't like you being this sarcastic. The previous Jin'er was still better." Qin Tai Fei replied.

"The former Jin'er only treats kindly those who treat her sincerely. Why would I treat kindly those who offer false friendship? Isn't it right Tai Fei niang niang?" Mu Yunjin smiled as she glanced at Qin Tai Fei.

Qin Tai Fei gave a light laugh and nodded knowingly. "Yes, it is as you said."

"The Qin family that you were always so wary about, has already done something behind the scenes. Whether Father, who has served as a minister for so many years, is loyal or treacherous, I think Qin Tai Fei should be clearer about it."

"You’ve already wholeheartedly helped the Emperor consolidate the lands of Xi Yuan Country. Please polish your eyes and don't indulge a treacherous official in running amuck in the country."

"You must know, Father is loyal and devoted to Xi Yuan Country. If he is pulled down by the Qin family just like that, the Qin family will aim for Grand Tutor Zhuang's family next. If Grand Tutor Zhuang falls, no one in the country will be able to contend against the Qin family."

"When that moment comes, what will happen to the country? Can Tai Fei imagine it?"

Mu Yunjin's bluntness left Qin Tai Fei dumbstruck. For a long while, she was unable to muster a reply. She coughed a few times before speaking.

"Aijia did not hear at all that you are asking for help!"

"I am not asking you for help. I am merely analyzing the situation for you. From the standpoint of a daughter of a minister and Tai Fei, you and I are talents from the same country."

"Therefore, Tai Fei should have no reason to watch a loyal minister be persecuted nor let a treacherous official build a camp step by step!"

"Ha Ha Ha..." Qin Tai Fei suddenly laughed heartily and stretched her trembling finger toward Mu Yunjin. "Yunjin, Aijia has misjudged you."

"So now, do you see clearly?" Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow without any fear.

In fact, she’d come looking for Qin Tai Fei with complete confidence.

"What do you want Aijia to do?" Qin Tai Fei lay back again, with vacant eyes.

"Have the Emperor withdraw the guards surrounding Xiang Fu and fairly and clearly announce throughout the land that Xiang Fu and its family members are innocent." Mu Yunjin declared.

"Your request is not light." Qin Tai Fei faintly replied.

Mu Yunjin lowered her gaze and smiled as the topic changed direction and spoke in a mocking tone. "So, Grandmother can get it done?"

"You should go back and wait for Aijia's good news." Qin Tai Fei was unwilling to talk to Mu Yunjin any further, waving her hand she dismissed Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin was waiting exactly for those words. Shooting one last glance at Qin Tai Fei, she turned and walked away.

After Mu Yunjin left, Qin Tai Fei leaned weakly against the headboard and called out to Qu Momo.

Qu Momo immediately walked in.

"Tai Fei niang niang..."

"Help Aijia get up and dress. Aijia will visit Huang'er." Qin Tai Fei extended her hand towards Qu Momo.

"Tai Fei niang niang...your body..." Qu Momo frowned anxiously as she looked at Qin Tai Fei who could hardly stand.

This serious illness had really been a mystery.

"Aijia is going to discuss a matter of import with Huang'er. I'm afraid that if I don't say it now, I won't have a chance in the future." Qin Tai Fei stepped down from the bed and chose a crimson silk embroidered dress.

Soon after, Qin Tai Fei wore a gorgeous dress, had her hair made into a bun. She did not let anyone assist her, holding only a golden scepter as support, she walked slowly towards Long Xiang Palace.

Mu Yunjin stood behind the Rock garden and watched Qin Tai Fei slowly tread towards Long Xiang Palace, her eyes flickered before turning around to leave.

♚♚♚

Night

Mu Yunjin sat inside the Glass Spring Pavilion's courtyard, enjoying the full moon amidst the night breeze. She sat at the stone table with one hand supporting her head and the other lightly finger tapping the table.

"Young Miss, Young Miss..." Zi Xiang rushed in shouting happily. "The Emperor has lifted the confinement on Xiang Fu!"

Mu Yunjin nodded, there were no waves to be seen in her eyes. "Is there nothing else? Just lifted the confinement?"

"The Emperor especially apologized to Xiàngyé and rewarded him with many valuables, saying it was a misunderstanding."

"Oh, that's right! The Old General Qin is fined three months of his salary."

When Mu Yunjin heard the words, her lips curved into a smile. She then thought back to the desolate figure of Qin Tai Fei... she sensed an inexplicable feeling in her heart.

♚♚♚

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