Editor: Larkspur
“The Qin Family is really shameless!” Mu Yunjin gritted her teeth as she openly rebuked.
Zi Xiang half-understood and worriedly asked, “Young Miss, with Major General Qin’s actions, won’t His Highness Huangzi doubt you?”
“One’s morality and conduct are proper, no need to fear any shadows.” Mu Yunjin remarked without hesitation, however, her confidence was inwardly lacking.
Back in her room, Mu Yunjin quickly dismissed Zi Xiang. She laid low, still feeling uneasy. Then, she gingerly went to the door, cracked it open, and furtively watched through the seams for any signs of movement on the outside.
Not long later, she saw Chu Li’s figure emerge in Glass Spring Pavilion. Her heart and breath stilled.
She carefully looked at him, but still saw him wearing the same indifferent expression as always. She was at a loss at her findings.
Ha! This person is not the least bit concerned!
Not until she saw Chu Li go inside the opposite room, did Mu Yunjin completely close her door. She walked back in, plopped on a seat, and sighed.
She did not know for how long she'd sat for, but her mood became increasingly gloomy. Unable to take it anymore, she stood up, walked out of her room, and went to the courtyard to take in some night wind.
At the same time, the door to the opposite room also opened.
Mu Yunjin instinctively wanted to hide, but the figure had already walked slowly in her direction.
“Mu Yunjin.” Chu Li approached, eyes fixed skeptically on her.
The disgruntled girl pulled the corners of her mouth. “What’s the matter?”
“You should take a look at this.” Chu Li spread out his hand and revealed a crumpled note.
Mu Yunjin looked at Chu Li in the eyes before reaching out for the note. She slowly unfolded the note not knowing what to expect. But when she read the content, her eyes widened and her expression took a drastic turn.
“Dang it! Qin Munan dares to trick me!” Instantly, Mu Yunjin tore the paper into pieces.
The content of the slip practically angered her enough to spit blood. The crooked handwriting and ambiguous words--
The day after tomorrow is the Qi Qiao Festival1. Yunjin has sewed a small fragrance pouch to give to Brother Munan at the back door of Xiang Fu. Please Brother Munan, you must come.
Chu Li narrowed his eyes at the paper that had now turned to confetti and smiled. “Ben Huangzi really did not look carefully … that you bestow virtuous favor and can embroider a fragrance pouch.”
“I—” She somehow did not know how to refute, she just couldn’t tell him that the original Mu Yunjin was dead and she had crossed over.
Qin Munan’s move was really fierce.
Mu Yunjin massaged her temple, feeling her head ache as she sat down, then she suddenly had a bright idea and pursed her lips as she looked at Chu Li.
“Actually, there is something that I have been hiding from you.”
Chu Li looked at the girl before him, waiting for her to continue.
“I lost my memory before—” She lowered her eyes and sighed.
Chu Li was astonished, his eyes gradually deepened in thoughts.
“Roughly three months ago, someone did not want the eldest daughter of Xiang Fu to marry you. They sent someone in the middle of the night to kill me, but I did not die. When I woke up, I could not remember anything … Regarding the rumors about the idiot Mu Yunjin, I don’t really understand it. And Qin Munan, I don’t even recognize him.” She calmly explained. As the night wind blew, it was all exceptionally quiet for a moment.
Seeing the man so quiet, Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, this should be able to fool him, right?
Chu Li looked at the girl before him, trying to digest the words she had just said. So this is the reason for her temperament change? Lost memories ... she actually lost her memories ...
“If someday you recover your memory, will you go with Qin Munan?” Chu Li was conscious of the nature of their relationship, they were husband and wife but in name only.
Of all the reactions from him, this was truly unexpected. Indeed, she was startled. She didn't know if it was narcissism or a question in the passing. But alongside her rationality was a crazy, inexplicable intuition that his words held a trace of vinegar ...
However, she dismissed the idea as soon as it emerged. Surely, she must be overthinking!
“I don’t know.” Mu Yunjin thoughtlessly replied, thinking that since they were a couple just in name there was no need to tell him anything.
Who would have imagined that at her reply, Chu Li would purse his lips and in a huff brush away his sleeves and turn to leave?
Bang!!!
The sound of the closing door echoed to the sky.
Mu Yunjin was at a loss as she mutely watched the scene. Then, she sat on the bench nearby … looking miserable and lonely.
♚
Early the next morning, Mu Yunjin's eyes fluttered open. She simply lay sideways relaxing her mind. It was quiet for a while before she heard sounds from next door.
Almost on a reflex, she jumped out of the bed, there was barely enough time to wear her shoes but she ran and opened the door.
Outside in the courtyard, Chu Li was orderly dressed but with a gloomy face, he walked out of Glass Spring Pavilion. Not once did he glance her way.
Dejected, Mu Yunjin closed the door. Hanging her head low, she fidgeted with her fingernails muttering to herself ... “Could it be that losing my memory irritated him?”
Knock, knock, knock!
Her pursed lips immediately curved into a smile, she happily opened the door. However, upon seeing the person standing before her, the smile faded even more rapidly.
“Young Miss, why are you so happy?” a curious Zi Xiang asked. Her mistress's animated reaction just then was as clear as day.
Mu Yunjin shook her head and waved her hand as she walked back to the bed and laid down.
“Young Miss, are you not getting up yet?” Zi Xiang looked at Mu Yunjin and carefully asked.
“No, I don’t want to move today.” Mu Yunjin lazily replied then she asked, “Where is Chu Li?”
Zi Xiang pursed her lips. “A moment ago, His Highness passed through the Front Hall and said that he will be out of the city for several days and will not be returning for a while.”
“Out of the city—” Mu Yunjin sighed. Her mind flashed a picture of Qin Muyue’s face. It is unlikely that he and Qin Muyue will go together, right?
“Young Miss, Young Miss, what’s wrong with you? Did you make His Highness unhappy? When this servant saw His Highness in the Front Hall, he did not look so good,” Zi Xiang asked.
Mu Yunjin smirked. “How could I make him angry, his mood is unpredictable and he is inexplicably clever.”
As soon as her words fell, she heard a ‘pfft’ followed by a low laugh.
When she looked towards the source, she found a cold-faced Chu Li standing by the door. With him was Ding Xian, his head bowed down but his shoulders were trembling incessantly in a bid to restrain his laughter.
Mu Yunjin pulled the corners of her mouth, her words just then ... unpredictable mood and inexplicably clever … Had Chu Li heard them?
“Aren’t you going out of the city? Why did you return?” Although she tried to sound usual, she lacked confidence.
Chu Li narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips, seemingly trying to control his anger. After a while, he coldly replied. “Change your clothes and come out.”
With that, the door was closed again.
Mu Yunjin scratched her head, lazily got up, and opened her cabinet. She wanted to wear a plain white skirt but just then the rose gold silk brocade in the corner caught her attention. She craftily took it out and unhurriedly changed.
Zi Xiang seemed like she'd seen a ghost. Since the time these clothes were put inside the cabinet she had never once seen her xiaojie wear them. She had always favoured clothes that were simple and easy to move in.
After getting dressed, Mu Yunjin let Zi Xiang comb and style her hair, selecting two hairpins. Once dressed, she went out to the courtyard and found Chu Li waiting there impatiently. When he saw a pink figure emerge from the door, he slightly wrinkled his eyebrows.
Mu Yunjin looked at him and said, “What did you call me for?”
“Qin Tai Fei is critically ill, we will go to the palace to visit her.” He eyed her squarely and said, “Why have you dressed up like a peacock?”
♚
Returning to her chamber, Mu Yunjin changed out of the rose-pink dress, resisting the urge to tear it to shreds. She changed into plainer clothing digesting Chu Li’s words.
Qin Tai Fei is on the brink of death? Qin Muyue had given her the mother Gu so, it was obvious her days were numbered still this was sooner than she’d anticipated.
Sitting in the carriage, Mu Yunjin did not feel anything special. Regarding the news that Qin Tai Fei was on her last leg, contrary to what she expected, she was not moved in the slightest.
Since the time they left the Fu, Chu Li had not spoken a word to her again. She had a constant nagging feeling that he was angry at her but couldn’t quite figure out how it had come about. As such, they traveled in a stifling silence.
The carriage stopped at the palace gates. The pair had just gotten off the carriage when they happened to run into Rong Wangfu’s carriage.
Inside the carriage was Rong Wangfei.
Mu Yunjin and Rong Wangfei looked at each other, rolled their eyes at one other as if in tacit understanding. There was no greeting let alone exchange of civilities as each went inside the palace.
Throughout the journey, Mu Yunjin was grumpy, but she couldn’t do anything to calm herself. After all, there was no way she could settle it with the woman who was the source of her grumpiness. Soon Rong Wangfei caught up and passed by them. At the sight of the graceful figure waltzing before her, Mu Yunjin wished she could throw a dagger at it.
They soon arrived at the Plum Blossom Garden. Qin Tai Fei was lying on her bed, a lot of people had gathered.
Qu Momo stood by the door, crying. Upon seeing Mu Yunjin, she cried louder. “Liu Huangzi Fei, Tai Fei began vomiting blood two days ago. Tai Fei loved you dearly, you should go and talk to her.”
Qu Momo’s words drew the attention of all the people in the hall.
Mu Yunjin went in the direction of the bedroom and saw Rong Wang Fei, Qin Muyue, Chu Qingqiang, as well as Zhen Tai Hou. These were the people who were looking forward to finally sending off Qin Tai Fei.
“Yunjin, come ah, quickly make room for her. In the past, Xiangxian really adored her, let her come and say a few words to Xiangxian.” Zheng Tai Hou stood at the side and spoke in a proud tone, unable to hide her excitement.
Mu Yunjin slowly approached, went to the bedside. Qin Tai Fei looked very frail and wan. Looking at the approaching girl, her mouth moved, seemingly wanting to say something.
Chu li looked on in silence.
“Jin’er, cough, come nearer to aijia—” Qin Tai Fei laboriously spoke.
In response, Mu Yunjin slowly bent down closer to her.
She spoke in a weak voice such that only the two of them could hear.
“Aijia … will not live long but … but when aijia dies … it will not make you peaceful as you wished … to live.
Shui Yun Temple …. Under the peach tree, remember …. To go and take a look.”
Mu Yunjin listened to her speak, then straightened up and held Qin Tai Fei’s hand, looking at her with a mocking smile.
“Grandmother, you can rest assured that Yunjin and His Highness will fulfill your wishes and live well!” Mu Yunjin raised her voice so that everyone could hear her.
Qin Tai Fei choked and coughed a few times, she struggled to turn her head and look at Chu Li with a smile filled with sadness.
“Yunjin sister-in-law, what did Tai Fei say to you? Let us hear too?” Qin Muyue’s eyes glinted craftily.
♚ ♚ ♚
Qi Qiao Festival -The Qixi Festival, also known as the Qiqiao Festival, is a Chinese festival celebrating the annual meeting of the cowherd and weaver girl in mythology.
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