Great Yu Imperial Palace.
“Ah, that feels good!”
A handsome young man rubbed his stomach and walked out of the latrine.
“I really didn’t expect to get a stomachache. I’d better hurry back to Miss Mengyu. Huh? Who’s that figure over there?”
That’s right, the young man was Qin Mu. As for why he appeared here? Let’s rewind the time a bit.
***
Today was finally the day of the Literary Trial Grand Banquet.
Although Qin Mu himself was unlikely to be invited, since Qin Ruoshuang and Mengyu were, it was only natural that the two of them brought their younger brother along.
At the entrance of the Seven Stars Sect Branch, three carriages were parked, prepared for the Elder Steward and the Qin Family Sisters.
Qin Mu wanted to sit with Mo Qiu, since being with his sisters meant he had to behave properly.
In the end, Young Master Qin was pulled into the carriage by Miss Ruoshuang without a word, and seeing this, Mengyu also squeezed in.
Fortunately, the carriage was spacious enough for three.
After entering the palace, Qin Mu looked out the window.
The majestic palace appeared before his eyes.
Unlike the imperial palaces of his previous life, the Great Yu Dynasty’s palace was truly enormous.
After all, this was a cultivation world—palaces could stand for hundreds or thousands of years, and with the addition of some spirit trees, they could grow incredibly huge.
Qin Mu soon arrived at the Imperial Garden where the banquet was held.
Unlike last time, there were noticeably fewer people this time.
Not long after entering, Qin Mu saw a charming lady standing not far away, waving at him.
The face of Miss Mengyu beside him darkened instantly upon seeing her.
Shangguan Xue walked over gracefully, her eyes lighting up slightly at the sight of Qin Ruoshuang in white.
“Ruoshuang! I didn’t expect you to come too!”
Qin Ruoshuang nodded slightly.
She naturally recognized Shangguan Xue as well.
“Accompanying Mu’er.”
At this moment, Mengyu was a bit dissatisfied with her best friend—she was too enthusiastic toward Mu’er!
Now she was like a protective mother tiger, glaring fiercely at Shangguan Xue.
Of course, Shangguan Xue noticed her friend’s gaze.
Since this was a formal occasion, she understood the need to keep a respectful distance.
Mengyu pulled Qin Mu behind her, wanting to separate Mu’er from her best friend.
Unexpectedly, this only made things easier for Qin Ruoshuang.
She understood her sister’s intention, so she took Mu’er’s hand and led him to the other side.
Being pulled by Miss Ruoshuang, Qin Mu was led to a quieter spot.
With a wave of her slender hand, Qin Ruoshuang laid a blanket on the grass, then, just like last night, pulled Mu’er into her embrace.
Then she hooked her finger, and some food flew over from a distance.
Her jade-like fingers picked up a pastry and brought it to Mu’er’s lips.
Qin Mu immediately felt numb.
“Miss Ruoshuang, I’m not a child anymore. I can do it myself…”
Before he could finish, he felt a chill on his back and hurriedly opened his mouth to eat the pastry.
“Is it delicious?”
Qin Ruoshuang asked.
Pastries made by the Imperial Chef were naturally delicious.
Besides, given the current situation, even if they weren’t, Qin Mu wouldn’t dare to say otherwise.
“Delicious! Especially because Miss Ruoshuang is feeding me!”
As expected of sisters, they both enjoyed feeding Mu’er.
Watching Mu’er’s puffed cheeks, they couldn’t help but think he was adorable!
And so, Qin Ruoshuang began her feeding session.
Before long, a commotion broke out among the crowd.
Qin Mu wanted to stand up and see what was happening, but Miss Ruoshuang’s arm held him tightly, making it impossible to get up.
Oh no, while little Qin Mu could stand up, he absolutely shouldn’t!
That would be a disaster!
Not far from Qin Mu, several Talented Scholars kept glancing over.
After all, such a stunning white-clad immortal maiden was a rare sight in the world, and as the Saintess of the Seven Stars Sect, seeing her even once was considered incredibly lucky.
But why! Why was there a young man lying in the arms of the white-clad immortal maiden!
It was like a drop of ink had stained a pure white sheet—so dazzling (envious).
A few Talented Scholars wanted to approach and start a conversation, but as they got closer, a bone-chilling cold surrounded them, nearly freezing their blood.
Unable to withstand the pressure, they retreated.
After a while, Qin Ruoshuang released her embrace.
Qin Mu was still confused when he saw Mengyu walking over.
Mengyu straightened her skirt and sat down.
“In a moment, Miss Ruoshuang and I will go up front for a bit. Mu’er, you need to stay here obediently, understand?”
As the Saintess of the Seven Stars Sect, there were official matters to attend to.
For some reason, Mengyu felt a sense of unease in her heart tonight.
Qin Mu nodded.
“Understood, Miss Mengyu.”
Soon after, Qin Ruoshuang and Mengyu stood up.
Seemingly a bit worried, Mengyu bent down and kissed Mu’er on the forehead, leaving a trace of her aura.
Mengyu patted her brother’s head and reminded him.
“Be good and stay here. Don’t run around!”
Being treated like a child made Qin Mu feel very uncomfortable inside.
He was already grown up!
Watching the figures of Miss Ruoshuang and Miss Mengyu disappear, Qin Mu intended to stay put as instructed.
But then, suddenly, his stomach twisted in pain.
“Ah!”
Qin Mu clutched his belly.
This feeling was all too familiar!
Clenching his sphincter, Qin Mu hurriedly asked some Imperial Guards about the location of the latrine and quickly made his way over.
About a quarter of an hour later, Qin Mu wobbled to his feet, pushed open the door, and stepped outside.
Rubbing his stomach, Qin Mu was puzzled.
He hadn’t eaten anything unusual, and these past days, all his meals were prepared by Miss Mengyu, which he’d eaten for more than ten years.
Why did he suddenly get a stomachache today?
Wanting to hurry back, Qin Mu started walking, but noticed fewer and fewer people around, and the surroundings grew increasingly unfamiliar.
After a while, he found himself in front of a somewhat dilapidated courtyard.
There was only one thing to conclude.
He was lost!
Qin Mu scratched his head helplessly.
How was he supposed to get back?
Looking around, there wasn’t a single Imperial Guard or Palace Maid in sight.
He couldn’t even ask for directions.
Although Qin Mu had a flying treasure, flying was forbidden in the palace without permission.
This was troublesome.
Qin Mu lowered his head in thought.
Suddenly, he saw a figure pass by ahead.
Ah!
Qin Mu perked up instantly. He could ask for directions!
Not daring to delay, Qin Mu chased after the figure.
Fortunately, the person wasn’t moving quickly, and Qin Mu caught up after a short while.
The figure was looking around, as if searching for something.
Moreover…
Qin Mu quietly hid, channeling true qi to his eyes, and saw the figure in black not far away.
Qin Mu: “!!!”
No way! Was this the legendary master thief?
Unbelievable! Someone had actually sneaked into the palace to steal!
Qin Mu quickly took a Concealing Qi Pill from his Storage Pouch and swallowed it.
He couldn’t let himself be discovered!
The figure approached a large tree, crouched down, and seemed to be listening for sounds underground.
Then, Qin Mu watched as the figure started digging.
Suddenly, the figure stopped, seemingly bit their finger, and a streak of golden light appeared—shining brightly in the dark night.
The moment the golden light appeared, the figure quickly covered it with earth, looked around warily, then leapt away.
Seeing the figure leave without taking anything, Qin Mu’s curiosity about what they had unearthed surged.
He quietly crept over to the spot, noticing the freshly loosened soil.
Qin Mu used his hands to dig.
A streak of golden light nearly blinded him.
After a moment, he unearthed an object radiating golden light.
It looked a bit like a stone—more accurately, like a meteorite, with a pitted and uneven surface.
Qin Mu had no idea why the figure didn’t take it, but since it was glowing gold, it had to be something valuable!
Qin Mu stored the object in his Storage Pouch and quickly slipped away.