Chapter 306: Secret Chamber

Mu Yuanzhi took the letter from the carrier pigeon's leg, opened it, and sure enough it was just as she thought, so she went to bed early tonight.

She quickly replied with a letter, urging him to be careful.

The next morning, Gu Rongjin still hadn't returned; Mu Yuanzhi finished washing up, put on casual martial attire, and went to the Imperial Observatory to find the National Teacher.

"What do you want with me, National Teacher?" Mu Yuanzhi asked.

"Please sit, Princess." The National Teacher's address to Mu Yuanzhi shifted back from "Miss Mu" to "Your Highness," just as usual; he personally brewed a pot of fine tea and said, "There's something that really concerns me, so I thought I should tell you."

"What is it?" Mu Yuanzhi asked suspiciously.

Something that would concern the National Teacher is surely no ordinary matter.

"Do you still remember that Dream-Wandering Pillow I obtained earlier?" the National Teacher asked.

"I do." Pei Shangyan and Pei Shangling both came to her because of that pillow, saying strange things, claiming that sleeping on that so-called Dream-Wandering Pillow would cause nightmares.

And those nightmares they spoke of might be what she experienced in her past life.

This seems unbelievable, but her being able to reincarnate is itself hard to believe.

The National Teacher poured Mu Yuanzhi a cup of tea, then said, "That pillow is now with Xiao Yichen."

The cup was half tea, half wine; looking at this cup full of tea, Mu Yuanzhi found the remark a bit puzzling, just as the National Teacher had just said.

As for where the pillow ended up afterward, Mu Yuanzhi couldn't recall, nor had she paid particular attention; why did the National Teacher suddenly tell her this?

"To Xiao Yichen's place?"

The National Teacher nodded, "The pillow later came back to me; I placed it in this room, and just the day before yesterday, it vanished without a trace."

It actually disappeared without a trace in the Imperial Observatory?

"An insider?" Mu Yuanzhi's first thought was that.

"But I've been confined to this room these past two days, not stepping out; when I woke up the day before yesterday, I saw it, and the doors and windows were still tightly shut." The National Teacher said, "This is a sealed room; it seems we need to have the Minister of Justice investigate."

He smiled as he said that.

Mu Yuanzhi was shocked: "How… could the thief who stole the pillow also move objects from a distance?"

When did Xiao Yichen have such a person by his side? That witch doctor?!

"I don't know either," the National Teacher said, "after all, such an unfathomable ability I've only seen in stories. Xiao Yichen's desire to obtain the Dream-Wandering Pillow can only be connected to you, Your Highness."

He was right, and Mu Yuanzhi thought the same.

"That's why I decided to tell you, Princess, before informing the Minister of Justice."

"Are you planning to have the Minister of Justice directly search Xiao Yichen's residence?" Mu Yuanzhi asked curiously.

"Not rush, let's see how things develop." The National Teacher also poured himself a cup of tea, sipping slowly, "I still don't know where that witch doctor comes from."

Mu Yuanzhi suddenly thought of someone: "National Teacher, why not consult Master Yuan Yan? He would surely be interested in that witch doctor."

"You're right, but I'm not very good at dealing with his type." Although they get along fairly well.

Mu Yuanzhi deeply agreed; in fact, she herself is not good at it, or rather, she is equally inept at handling the National Teacher's type.

Each time she forces herself to talk with him.

Today is okay; sometimes he really is like a riddler.

Thus, since Master Yuan Yan is also a riddler, it's understandable that the National Teacher isn't good at it.

Mu Yuanzhi took another sip of tea, but in the end she decided not to tell the National Teacher about the Deposed Emperor.

After all, given the past, she truly fears the National Teacher might lose control again and go help the Deposed Emperor.

After sitting a while, Mu Yuanzhi found an excuse to leave; she returned to the Princess's residence, and Yun Jinglou unexpectedly arrived.

"You're acting this fast?"

It won't even take two days.

"Your Highness entrusted me with this matter; I naturally cannot shirk my duty." Yun Jinglou handed Mu Yuanzhi a stack of documents, saying, "These are the best shops for sale to be found in the most prosperous districts of the capital; any kind of business can be run there, and contact information for various suppliers is also included—see what kind of business you'd like to run, Your Highness."

Mu Yuanzhi flipped through while asking, "What do you think would be good, Master Yun?"

"I was originally a dart escort; if you ask me, naturally I'd start a dart agency, but opening one here would be a waste of such prime land." Yun Jinglou said.

"Then let's do a dart agency." Mu Yuanzhi said.

"Ah… um, may I boldly ask, Princess, are you not intending to make me the dart agency head?" Yun Jinglou asked with a laugh.

"No."

"Then that's fine."

"It's the chief dart escort."

Hearing that, Yun Jinglou nearly fell off his seat, "No, Princess, I am a person with a proper job." He gave a wry smile.

"This is also a proper job," Mu Yuanzhi said, "Your year-end dividend is indispensable."

"The problem is I can't be in two places at once..."

"I think you're quite idle." Mu Yuanzhi knew the naval battalion usually just drills, with no special duties.

Yun Jinglou: …

But he also doesn't want to work that hard—what's the point?

"If you really don't want to do it…"

Mu Yuanzhi shifted the topic, and Yun Jinglou looked over hopefully.

"Then go to Weicheng to help Rongjin capture the Deposed Emperor."

"Will do! For the Princess's command, I'll give my all!"

Obviously that one is more troublesome!

Mu Yuanzhi was very pleased: "Then trouble you, Chief Dart Escort; my people have never dealt with a dart agency, so I'll rely on you to lead them."

Yun Jinglou nodded, his smile looking as bitter as fate.

What is this? Lifting a stone only to drop it on one's own foot!

If I had known it would be like this, he wouldn't have spoken up!

Xiao Residence.

Xiao Yichen had been sleeping on the Wander‑Dream Pillow for over a day; he slept deeply but was not at all at ease.

He dismissed the attendants, didn't inform anyone else, and left only the shaman doctor in his room.

In the dream, Xiao Yichen didn't know he was dreaming; he only knew he kept wandering in Yong Alley.

It must be Yong Alley, right?

He knew Yong Alley, although he didn't come often.

The sunless alley was like a man‑eating monster that never spat out bones, and he could occasionally hear the whip's crack, curses, and low sobs.

That voice was very familiar—it was Mu Yuanzhi's voice.

Yet no matter how he searched, he couldn't find her—where was she?

Ah Zhi, where are you?

Xiao Yichen walked very slowly, unable to control his steps; his feet felt as if weighed down by a thousand jin, making it hard to lift them, but the intermittent sound of Mu Yuanzhi's weeping made him extremely anxious.

"Chen‑gege…"

Ah Zhi?!

Suddenly hearing that long‑absent call, Xiao Yichen felt as if struck by lightning, standing stunned.

Will Ah Zhi finally be willing to call him Chen‑gege again?

Has she forgiven him?

Will she finally return to his side?

Xiao Yichen's body suddenly filled with strength, enough to break this strange bond!

But he quickly realized it was merely an illusion; he still couldn't walk fast, and still couldn't see Mu Yuanzhi.