Chapter 149

But it was only a moment; the next instant she had calmed down, meeting Gu Rongjin's probing gaze with a calm face: 'You could go write a storybook—surely many would buy it.'

That brief moment was enough for Gu Rongjin, who had been staring intently at Mu Yuanzhi, to notice.

He didn't continue questioning, but instead laughed: 'Just teasing you.'

Gu Rongjin restored his playful smile, but his heart felt a little heavier.

Her reaction was truly too suspicious—no, it was beyond suspicion.

Gu Rongjin sighed inwardly, hoping that one day Mu Yuanzhi would be able to talk to him.

As for this topic, this matter ends here with Gu Rongjin—she doesn't want to speak of it, so he won't press.

As for that pillow…

Gu Rongjin intended to send it back to Pei Shangyan.

Pei Shangyan had been missing the Dream‑Travel Pillow for several days; he had searched the entire Eastern Palace to no avail, and inevitably his thoughts turned to supernatural forces.

He himself also believed in such things.

Pei Shangyan thought perhaps, in the dark, he could only catch a glimpse of a hint of heavenly secrets.

Such a hint of heavenly secrets was already enough to vex him!

Yet when he returned to his chambers today, he unexpectedly saw the Dream‑Travel Pillow, missing for days, returned!

Just as when it had disappeared, it lay intact in its original place.

What's going on?

Could it really be that an immortal is involved?

Or has the pillow become a spirit?

Pei Shangyan picked up the Dream‑Travel Pillow again and examined it, yet he could not bring himself to rest his head on it and sleep.

He feared what might appear in his dreams, fearing new nightmares.

Instinctively he wanted to avoid it, yet he couldn't help wondering what the 'truth' within those nightmares really was.

'Your Highness the Crown Prince!' a palace servant entered to report: 'His Majesty summons you to Xuanshi Hall to discuss the wedding arrangements.'

Pei Shangyan replied half‑heartedly: 'What's there to discuss? Wasn't it all planned long ago?'

The servant merely gave an apologetic smile, not daring to respond.

Pei Shangyan didn't expect anyone to reply; he just wanted to vent a little.

The sister of the rebel general, Qi Shian, whom he had only met a few times and barely exchanged words with, was to become his crown princess, his lifelong companion.

Moreover, the daughter of the Grand General of Fusang, Xixi, was also to become his concubine.

'And the concubine? Aren't we taking her in as well?' Pei Shangyan asked as he walked.

The servant replied: 'Naturally the crown princess is the priority; the concubine's matter may be postponed for now.'

'Will the future crown prince's concubine also reside in the palace?' Pei Shangyan asked.

The servant nodded: 'Exactly, she often goes to see Princess Mu Yuanzhi; they seem to get along very well.'

'Oh?' Pei Shangyan stopped, raising an eyebrow: 'There's more to this?'

'Yes, Your Highness, even I, a lowly servant, have seen it several times.'

Pei Shangyan suddenly became interested in Xixi.

Little Sister Zhi rarely gets along with anyone; before she used to hang out with their brothers and liked to cling to Xiao Yichen, but later… later even they stopped paying her any attention.

Being able to get along with Little Sister Zhi, he would very much like to see her again!

Ten days later came the news that Princess Lanting had taken her own life out of fear of guilt, causing an uproar throughout the capital; Mu Yuanzhi naturally received the news quickly as well.

'Senior sister, do you think Princess Lanting was…?' Qilin made a gesture at his own throat, the unspoken words needing no explanation.

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head: 'I don't know, and I don't care.'

Princess Lanting getting what she deserved—no matter what, the plague affair indeed passed through her hands.

'Why aren't you concerned?' Qilin pouted, 'I still want to discuss with you whether it was Xu Yunxi who silenced someone with a heavy hand, or whether it was the two princes' rivalry that produced the move, or perhaps the Son of Heaven acted for some purpose.'

Upon hearing this, Mu Yuanzhi's expression changed; she immediately went to check whether the doors and windows were shut tight.

'You child, how can you blurt out everything like that?' Mu Yuanzhi gave Qilin an annoyed look.

Qilin stuck out his tongue.

'Who told you that final analysis? Was it Gu Rongjin?' Anyone hearing it would know it wasn't something Qilin could have figured out on his own.

Qilin's eyes lit up: 'Senior sister, how did you know! You're amazing! Or is it because you and Gu Rongjin share a tacit understanding?!'

Mu Yuanzhi was silent for a moment, then said: 'You'd better not hang around with him so much.'

'Actually, you think it makes sense too, don't you, senior sister?' Qilin casually popped a snack into his mouth, 'Gu Rongjin analyzed with me that now Princess Lanting's death settles everything—Xu Yunxi no longer has to take the blame for dragging others down, the two countries' relations need not be so tense, even those two princes can contend a little less; it can be said that sacrificing one person brings universal joy.'

Mu Yuanzhi could easily imagine the sarcastic expression on Gu Rongjin's face when he said those words.

But that is indeed the case.

From this perspective, it is also very plausible that the Son of Heaven was the killer.

The envoy squad of Huangli State should be heading back soon, right?

The Fusang entourage had already returned long ago; the Grand General's daughter merely became the crown prince's concubine, showing they didn't place much importance on it—after the capital's uproar, things have returned to calm.

Mu Yuanzhi looked at Qilin and asked: 'Have you found a solution to the Symbiotic Gu between you and Pei Shangling?'

'No.' Qilin spoke frankly, though he wasn't really eager to solve it, for after all this is a good way to bind Pei Shangling; then he wouldn't have so many worries behind him and could relax while protecting his senior sister here.

Just one day without a solution would make his senior sister worry, and he doesn't want to make her worry.

'Qilin, are you not putting in the effort?' Mu Yuanzhi regarded him skeptically.

'How could I not! Senior sister, this concerns my very life!' Qilin pretended to be fierce, slamming the table: 'I'm going to settle accounts with Pei Shangling!'

Mu Yuanzhi shook her head helplessly; she still didn't understand Qilin's nature or his thoughts.

'Come back here, stop putting on a show.' Mu Yuanzhi gave him a sideways glance, 'Sit down.'

Qilin smiled and obediently sat back down, "Senior sister, don't be angry; the most important thing now is to get rid of Pei Yunxi—everything else is secondary, just don't worry so much."

"Getting rid of Pei Yunxi is easier said than done," Mu Yuanzhi narrowed her eyes, "Now the emperor's attitude toward Pei Yunxi is already quite difficult, but she is ruthless and never knows when to stop; she will surely suffer a major setback, but at that time we will likewise fall into great danger."

Because Pei Yunxi surely also knows she absolutely cannot afford to lose again, she will definitely be brewing a huge conspiracy.

Thinking of this, Mu Yuanzhi felt uneasy; she herself could risk her life in a reckless gamble—after all, it's a free gain from a second chance—but Qilin is different; he can start over, and she doesn't want him to get into trouble.

"Don't worry, senior sister, I'll protect you!" Qilin said, patting his chest; seeing Mu Yuanzhi's expression unchanged, he quickly added, "I'll also protect myself!"