At the northernmost point of the Eastern Yue Kingdom, Marquis Muwei stood on the city wall, gazing towards the capital. The cold wind blew against his resolute face as Mu Yan strode quickly toward him from a distance.

"Father~ A letter has arrived from the capital. Xiao Yuntian's men and our men still haven't found Ajin. It says that Ajin has left Hanshan Village with 17 slaves to live somewhere else."

Upon hearing Mu Yan's words, Mu Weihou frowned but remained silent. Seeing that he did not respond, Mu Yan continued.

"Ah Jin has been pampered since she was a child. How would she know how to help people make a living? There must be something fishy going on. Don't stop me. I'm going back to the capital to find Ah Jin!"

After saying that, Mu Yan clenched his fist and punched the city wall to show his dissatisfaction.

Mu Weihou turned around, walked towards Mu Yan, and kicked Mu Yan without saying a word. Mu Yan staggered back a few steps, frowning as he looked at him.

"Have you forgotten the imperial edict that forbids a reply without a written decree, or do you intend to defy it?"

As he spoke, Mu Weihou glared angrily at Mu Yan and continued, "I am more heartbroken than anyone else that A Jin is missing. If anything happens to her, how will I face your mother in the future!"

"Then what do we do? Just watch Ah Jin disappear and do nothing?"

Mu Weihou paused for a moment, then said softly, "The month we spend reporting to the capital is our opportunity to find Ajin."

Upon hearing this, Mu Yan's face lit up with joy, and he stepped forward and said, "Now that we have repelled Beiqi this time and captured three cities, and Beiqi has signed a letter of defeat, can we return to the capital to receive rewards?"

Marquis Muwei nodded and said, "If I'm not mistaken, the imperial edict should already be on its way."

...

Not far from the capital, at Huguo Temple, Consort De, Shen Rong, was kneeling before the Buddha to pray for blessings. Every month, Shen Qianqian would accompany Shen Rong to worship the Buddha here. After the worship was over, Shen Qianqian would help Shen Rong out of the temple.

"Aunt, it's been a year already, where did my cousin-in-law go with that group of slaves? We've changed the stewards several times to look for her, but we still can't find her. What if something bad happens to her?!"

Shen Rong sneered: "Why do you still care about that poisonous woman Mu Jin? She's trying to harm you, and you're worried about whether she lives or dies? You're just too kind. If she's not around, fine. If you can't find her, then never come back."

Shen Rong still felt indignant when he thought about the marriage alliance with the Mu family.

At that time, Mu Jin suddenly took a liking to Su Yuntian and insisted on marrying no one else. Shen Rong and Su Yuntian also felt that a marriage alliance with the Mu family would greatly help Su Yuntian's rise to power. However, unexpectedly, it aroused Su Mu's suspicion. After the marriage, not only did they not gain any support from the Mu family, but Su Mu also stripped them of some important positions, and the Mu family was transferred to the border.

Thinking of all this, Shen Rong couldn't help but sigh and said, "It's my fault for not thinking things through back then. I thought it was a great thing, which harmed Yun Tian and almost killed you. I also made you suffer because of it."

Shen Qianqian helped Shen Rong walk slowly, her head lowered, and she obediently shook her head, saying, "Qianqian is not wronged. My aunt and cousin have loved me since I was a child, and I am very content."

Shen Rong nodded with satisfaction: "You're the most sensible one. Your aunt is asking you, you're almost 17 this year, it's an age to get married. Would you like your aunt to find you a marriage in the capital? What do you think of the heir of the Earl of Ouyang? I saw him the other day, he looks very handsome. If you like him, your aunt will ask the Emperor to bestow a marriage upon you, that Earl's heir~"

Before Shen Rong could finish speaking, she saw Shen Qianqian kneel down in front of her, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I won't marry him. I want to stay by my aunt and cousin's side for the rest of my life. I won't go anywhere else. Aunt, please don't send me away." She started sobbing.

Shen Rong quickly helped Shen Qianqian up: "You silly child, get up and stop crying. Who wants to drive you away? You're the only child left in our Shen family. I'm too busy spoiling you. I know how you feel about Yuntian. If you don't feel wronged, regardless of whether we can find that poisonous woman Mu Jin or not, I will make Yuntian take you as a concubine this year. Is that alright?"

Shen Qianqian immediately stopped crying and whispered, "I don't want any title. I just want to stay by my cousin's side and be able to watch over him all the time."

Shen Rong patted Shen Qianqian's hand and laughed, "What nonsense are you talking about? How could a good young lady of our Shen family be someone without a title or status? We'll make you marry into the Prince's mansion as a concubine for now. If we still haven't found that poisonous woman Mu Jin in two years, we'll make you the principal wife. I'll find a time to call Yun Tian to the palace to discuss your marriage."

Shen Qianqian said shyly, "Qianqian is not wronged, I will listen to Aunt's arrangements." As she spoke, she leaned shyly on Shen Rong's shoulder.

Shen Rong smiled with satisfaction and gently pinched Shen Qianqian's nose with her hand: "You child, you're already 16 years old, why do you still act like a child, crying at the drop of a hat?"

Shen Qianqian continued to pout and say, "Auntie, you're making fun of me again."

The aunt and niece happily boarded the carriage, left Huguo Temple, and headed towards the capital.

After Shen Qianqian escorted Shen Rong to the palace, she returned to the Yun Prince's residence. As soon as she arrived at the gate, Guangfu greeted her: "Miss, you've returned from accompanying Consort De to pray for blessings?"

Shen Qianqian responded to Guangfu, saying, "Yes, has my cousin returned to the palace? I got him a peace charm today, I'll take it to him."

Guangfu laughed and said, "Yes, yes, I came back with King Yi."

Shen Qianqian only heard Guangfu say that Su Yuntian was in the mansion, so she happily ran towards Yunjing Garden and didn't hear what Guangfu said to her afterwards.

As soon as Shen Qianqian ran to the entrance of Yunjing Garden, she called out in a coquettish tone, "Cousin, cousin, where have you been these past few days? I haven't seen you come back to the manor. Before I could finish saying 'manor,' Shen Qianqian froze."

Xiao Yuntian wasn't the only one in Yunjing Garden. Standing next to Su Yuntian was a man who was about the same height as Su Yuntian, and perhaps even a little taller.

The man was dressed in a white embroidered brocade robe with trim. His face was as white as jade, his eyebrows were as dark as swords, and his clear eyes shone brightly. He smiled and held a folding fan in his hand. He exuded nobility, and Shen Qianqian was stunned for a moment.

At this moment, Su Yuntian glanced at Su Yi and introduced him to Shen Qianqian: "This is King Yi."

Shen Qianqian immediately stepped forward, curtsied to the two men in front of her, and said, "Greetings, Prince Yi, and cousin."

"Oh, Third Brother, you're so lucky! You have such a beauty hidden in your home, and you never even bring her out for your brothers to see." Su Yi said flirtatiously, while Shen Qianqian stood blushing beside him, looking like a shy and pitiful flower.

Su Yuntian said expressionlessly, "Even my father finds it difficult to see you on ordinary days, let alone others. If your carriage hadn't suddenly broken down next to my palace today and you hadn't run into me, I think you would have almost forgotten where my palace is."

Su Yi chuckled and said, "Oh~ Third Brother, is it my fault? Then I'll come over here more often to eat and drink for free and look at some beautiful women. Just don't find me annoying then."

Su Yuntian glanced at him sideways and said, "That's all nonsense. When it comes to food, drink, and beautiful women, who in this capital can compare to Prince Yi?"