The girl traveled through another world and forced the prince to take the imperial examination

The night was still and quiet, with a crescent moon leaning against a branch, casting its silvery glow across the ground.

The garden was shrouded in tranquility, the air filled with a sweet and warm fragrance, as if even the wind was languid. The hot spring pool was shrouded in a hazy mist, and amidst the shimmering water, two figures intertwined intimately, the water gently lapping and softly murmuring.

Mu Qingcheng finally broke free from Yun Qing's embrace. Exhausted, she slumped softly by the pool, her wet hair clinging to her cheeks. Her eyes were filled with resentment and anger as she glared at Yun Qing: "Go away... I don't want to talk to you tonight. I'm going back to my room to sleep, and you're not allowed to follow me."

Yun Qing gazed at her, her eyes deep and her voice as soft as night dew: "Nuan Nuan...don't you want me anymore?"

Mu Qingcheng turned her face away, her cheeks puffing out slightly: "Yes, you'll sleep in the study tonight."

She grabbed her clothes, put them on, and stood up, but Yun Qing gently pulled her back down into the warm water.

"Nuan Nuan, don't go." He pulled her into his arms, coaxing her softly, "I'll never do it again. Will you stay with me and watch the stars for a while? Do you remember that night you were drunk, and we watched the stars on the rooftop..."

"Hmph, you dare bring up that night!" Mu Qingcheng's ears burned slightly: "You tricked me into writing a marriage certificate while I was drunk..."

A smile flickered in Yun Qing's eyes, but she quickly changed the subject: "But I remember you love looking at the stars. You said you've never seen such a beautiful night sky. So tonight, will you watch it with me for a while?"

Mu Qingcheng was speechless for a moment. After getting married, Yun Qing became even more clingy, always putting on this pitiful and aggrieved look, making it impossible for Mu Qingcheng to harden her heart.

"Then...you're not allowed to touch me."

"I won't touch you, I'll just sit next to you, okay?"

He immediately released her hand and sat down properly. The two leaned quietly against the pool, looking up at the deep blue sky. The starlight twinkled like scattered diamonds, or like lights from the human world.

"So beautiful..." Mu Qingcheng sighed softly, "The starry sky here is truly beautiful. Yun Qing, are we... about to leave this place?"

"Hmm." He turned to look at her. "You can't bear to part with me?"

"Yes……"

The pool water rippled gently, reflecting the starry sky on both earth and in the heavens, quietly concealing her lingering affection and the deep tenderness in his eyes.

At dawn, the rapid sound of hooves suddenly rang out in the distance, tearing through the dim light like a drumbeat. A rider galloped up, his clothes soaked with sweat, and he knelt down, his voice hoarse: "Urgent report—!"

The guards on night watch in the bamboo forest dared not delay and dragged the person into the house!

As if sensing something, Yun Qing was suddenly awakened. He turned his head and saw Mu Qingcheng still sleeping peacefully beside him, her breathing light and even, a strand of black hair spread across the pillow. His lips unconsciously softened, remembering the little girl's morning grumpiness, which he had experienced on the very first day they met.

He moved his body very slowly, rolled out of bed silently, and quickly dressed in the dim light coming in from the window.

Just as I finished tying my belt, I heard deliberately soft but still hurried footsteps outside the door, which stopped in front of the door.

Then came two very soft "knock, knock" sounds, as if afraid of waking something, yet unable to contain their anxiety.

Yun Qing walked back to the bedside, bent down to tuck the blanket around Mu Qingcheng, her fingertips brushing against the fine hairs on her cheek, her gaze lingering on her peaceful sleeping face for a moment, before turning to open the door.

Standing at the door was Zi Pei. She lowered her voice and said urgently, "Your Highness, Mo Yu is outside the courtyard. He said he has a very urgent military report!"

"Understood!" Yun Qing nodded, her voice also very low: "Keep an eye on her. If she wakes up, don't say anything yet. I'll be back soon."

After saying that, he closed the door and walked steadily but swiftly toward the study in the front yard, his clothes stirring up a cool breeze.

The study was lit, and Mo Yu was waiting anxiously. Upon seeing Yun Qing enter, he immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands in a salute, and spoke quickly and clearly: "Master, there is news about Young Master Pei. Their cargo ship has been seized by the Southern Yan navy, and both the people and the ship are being held captive on Yizhou Island!"

Yun Qing's brows furrowed suddenly, and his heart sank: "No wonder we couldn't find a trace of him anywhere. What exactly happened? Where did the information come from?" His voice was steady, but it carried a tense chill.

Mo Yu hurriedly said, "Young Master Marquis was escorting grain and changed his route to return by sea. Unexpectedly, he encountered the 'First Young Master' of Southern Yan—Mo Yan! Young Master Mo Yan seized the ship on the pretext of smuggling grain and detained Young Master Marquis on Yizhou Island. Fortunately, one of Young Master Marquis's secret guards risked his life to jump into the sea and escape. He was later rescued by fishermen, and after several twists and turns, he finally made contact with our people two days ago!"

So that's how it is! A cold glint flashed in Yun Qing's eyes, and her right hand unconsciously pressed on the edge of the desk, her knuckles exerting a slight force.

He repeated in a low voice, "The First Young Master of Southern Yan... Mo Yan?"

He had heard of this man. He was the heir apparent of the Prince of Yao in Southern Yan, rumored to be skilled in both literature and martial arts, and possessing an unfathomable cunning. Now, the Southern Yan royal family was weak, and the power of the court had fallen into the hands of him and his son.

Yun Qing's brows furrowed even deeper. He had encountered a formidable opponent: "This man is extremely difficult to deal with. I've heard that he commands an elite navy, whose warships are even equipped with cannons, and he dominates the surrounding waters. He's not easy to deal with."

However difficult the situation may be, he still had to go and save people.

"Immediately send this message to General Pei. There should still be a unit among the old troops of the Pei family army that is familiar with naval warfare."

Mo Yu looked troubled: "Master, the Pei family's navy has been dormant for many years, and its manpower has been neglected in training. Let alone fighting, I'm afraid they don't even have ships. I'm afraid they will be unable to compete with Mo Yan's regular navy."

“It’s better than us landlubbers who can’t swim at all.” Yun Qing said decisively, her gaze sweeping across the brightening sky outside the window, her eyes filled with the resolve of dawn. “Go and prepare. Gather all the skilled watermen we can mobilize, and procure boats and supplies. We’ll set off immediately after daybreak.”

He let out a soft breath and murmured as if sighing, "It seems that I have no choice but to go to Fuzhou."

Mu Qingcheng awoke to the morning light filling the room. She glanced at the empty bed beside her, its warmth still lingering. A sudden jolt went through her, and she called for Zi Pei. Upon learning that Yun Qing had been summoned away by Mo Yu in the middle of the night and hadn't returned, a vague unease crept over her. She quickly washed and dressed, then hurried to the study in the front courtyard.

Pushing open the door, I saw Yun Qing sitting alone behind his desk, his back straight, but his gaze was fixed on a certain point in the void. His slender fingers unconsciously caressed the double-dragon jade pendant, clearly having been lost in thought for a long time. The morning light outlined the clear contours of his profile, but also revealed a heavy shadow between his brows.

Mu Qingcheng walked over quietly, reached out her hands, and gently covered his slightly cool hands with her own, asking in a low voice, "What happened?"

Yun Qing seemed to be brought back to his senses by the warmth of her hand, and looked up at her. Their eyes met, and the frost that had settled in his eyes from deep thought melted slightly the moment they met her concerned gaze, revealing a hidden tenderness and weariness. He didn't answer immediately, but gently pressed his face against her soft hand, closed his eyes, and sought a moment of peace. When he spoke again, his voice was deep and clear: "Pei Yanche has been found."

Mu Qingcheng's heart tightened suddenly, as if gripped by an invisible hand. Meeting his gaze, her voice trembled slightly: "He...something happened to him?"

Yun Qing nodded slightly, opened her eyes, and her anxious expression was clearly reflected in them. "There is some trouble," he said in a deep voice. "He has been detained on Yizhou Island by Young Master Mo Yan of Nan Yan."

"Ah?" Mu Qingcheng gasped. Although she didn't know exactly who "Young Master Mo Yan" was, she had heard the rumors that Yizhou Island had been occupied by a powerful force.

Fear surged within her, but even stronger was a determination to share it with him. She gripped his hand tightly in return, her gaze unwavering, and said clearly and firmly:

"Yun Qing, I'll go with you!"