Chapter 495: with translation of chapter title

Qilin huffed: "You mind me, I will always be the good junior brother of my senior sister!"

All right, all right, you two don't start bickering as soon as you meet." Mu Yuanzhi grabbed Gu Rongjin's hand and said to Qilin: "Don't look at him like that; actually he often wonders how you're doing in Juechen Valley."

Who's wondering about him? Little Yuanzhi, don't fabricate memories on your own!" Gu Rongjin denied.

Mu Yuanzhi smiled without speaking, while Qilin didn't know how to respond.

How could he not know that Gu Rongjin actually cared about him? They had been bickering all the way, neither yielding; suddenly laying it out like this was embarrassing!

Amitabha, have I come at an inappropriate time?

The master also came?

The monk's appearance finally broke the strange atmosphere; Gu Rongjin and Qilin both felt rescued.

It's been a long time since I've been to Jingcheng; I've missed it greatly." The monk said, "But I heard the National Teacher's position is already taken; otherwise I would have liked to compete for it."

Mu Yuanzhi: "This position has been vacant for nearly twenty years; Sima only became National Teacher this year."

She had always thought the emperor would not appoint a new National Teacher.

Actually, she couldn't even guess the reason.

Perhaps it was to test the witch-doctor's ability, perhaps waiting for Yang Jianyu to return, or perhaps simply not wanting to set up this position anymore.

Qilin: "You're just spouting nonsense; when did you ever want to be National Teacher? I've never heard of it."

There's plenty you haven't heard of, Patron Qilin.

Just hearing it, I know you're spouting nonsense again.

Gu Rongjin said to Qilin and the monk: "We're all so familiar now; you do as you please, I and Little Yuanzhi are going into the palace to attend the banquet."

The monk raised an eyebrow upon hearing: "Oh? That's really coming early rather than just in time; I'll present my visiting card, then go with Patron Qilin to find you."

Mu Yuanzhi: "Master, write it now; I'll deliver it to His Majesty later!"

Since the emperor is hospitable, he often invites talented and extraordinary guests to banquets; presumably he won't refuse.

Indeed, as Mu Yuanzhi expected, after looking at the visiting card the emperor said: "An old friend from afar, I truly wish to meet you; coincidentally, today I set a banquet to welcome the envoys of Yingxu State—how fitting!"

There was still an hour before the banquet began, enough time for Qilin and them to rush over.

The palace banquet, as usual, was held in Shanglin Park; palace staff were busy yet orderly, and the civil and military officials arriving for the banquet came in dribs and drabs, chatting in small groups.

Mu Yuanzhi never engaged in social niceties, nor did Gu Rongjin; others knowing their temperaments would just exchange a greeting and not disturb them further.

After all, they are favored figures before the emperor; others naturally dare not say much.

Mu Elder Sister!

Upon seeing Mu Yuanzhi, Pei Di rushed over through the crowd: "You've come just in time; later, if my mother Empress asks you about my marriage, you must speak well of me a few more times!"

Little Di, you still don't have a sweetheart?

The heir apparent, at this age, remains unmarried; the court up and down has worried endlessly, and there are even discordant voices calling to replace the crown prince.

It's just that Pei Si, who could make those people think they could ascend, also happens to be unmarried, which is why such talk hasn't spread.

Surely we can't let the mediocre Second Prince sit as crown prince, right?

Pei Di shook his head.

Gu Rongjin: "What if you never meet someone in your lifetime? Then your Father Emperor could adopt a child from the clan into your name."

That's not impossible." Pei Di didn't mind.

He certainly didn't want to spend his life with someone he disliked.

The monk, I've heard, said that in the southern Dian Miao region there is a spring called Pregnancy Spring; drinking it can make one conceive and bear children—Your Highness could give it a try?

The monk's words left the three of them stunned, looking over with odd expressions.

Gu Rongjin was very interested: "Really?!"

Qilin from the Miao region: "Just a legend; I've never seen it, nor heard of anyone, let alone a man drinking the Pregnancy Spring water and getting pregnant."

Gu Rongjin: "So there really is such a spring?"

It exists, but I think it's a scam!" Qilin glanced sideways at the monk trying not to laugh, "He just wants to see a joke; you guys ignore him."

Pei Di: "That's not a bad method, but I feel the ministers and even the common folk would think the child's origins are dubious."

Qilin: "…… No, you're actually considering it?"

Mu Yuanzhi suddenly had an idea: "Next time we're off, we could go together to the southern frontier to check it out?"

How come even you, senior sister..." Qilin rubbed his forehead.

Just curious.

The monk laughed: "This is only human nature!"

Qilin really was convinced by these people!

I've seen this spring.

Cao Cixiu suddenly appeared behind everyone, startling them all.

The banquet was too noisy; even Gu Rongjin didn't notice when someone else had appeared.

Mu Yuanzhi almost forgot there was also Cao Cixiu, a person whose experiences and very self are strange; he knew that this spring seemed not so strange either.

Lord Cao, you've been there? Tell us!" Gu Rongjin's eyes lit up.

I don't know if the legend is true, but this spring is said to connect to the netherworld; drinking its water is tantamount to signing a contract with spirits, binding you to the underworld." Cao Cixiu gave a mysterious smile.

Mu Yuanzhi thought: "No wonder he knows; turns out he's matched with the specialty!"

Gu Rongjin: "That powerful? I'm increasingly eager to go meet it!"

He doesn't believe in these supernatural nonsense, even though he firmly believes in past and present lives.

In short, he believes anything related to Mu Yuanzhi, and doubts anything unrelated.

Pei Di nodded: "Me too."

Qilin: "……"

「What a coincidence, our prince also has interest, but unfortunately there's no one to accompany him. If you all are also interested, then when the time comes, let's go together—more people, more looking out for each other. 」

「No companion? You aren't 【one】? 」Mu Yuanzhi said, saying, she felt something was off, 「No, Master Cao, how did you appear here openly? 」

As the leader of the death warriors, he isn't unable to easily show his face in public, right?

Cao Cixiu just laughed: 「Naturally, as a folk oddity, I was invited by His Majesty. 」

Mu Yuanzhi understood, it was orchestrated by Pei Si.

But why would Pei Si do that? Could today's banquet be something special?

Gu Rongjin finally hammered it down, 「Alright, that's settled, next time we'll go together! 」

The scene of several people chatting happily fell into the eyes of the shaman not far away, and he curled his lips.

Is this person the coffin boy beside the Second Prince?

It really seems to be...

The shaman played with the crystal ball in his hand, the curve of his upturned lips becoming even more pronounced.

「National Teacher is here? Father Emperor is looking for you. 」

Pei Qi searched the whole venue, finally finding the shaman here.

「Thanks for the Second Prince coming personally, I'll go to His Majesty's side right away. 」 The shaman had already put the crystal ball into his sleeve.