Poisonous Goddess: I'm just lazing around in the mortal realm.

When the group entered the magnificent palace, many ministers and their families had already arrived in the main hall.

Pei Zhiheng led his two daughters to the other end of the table.

Pei Suisui looked around but still couldn't find Thirteen. Instead, she bumped into Zhou Jinghuai, who was standing in the corner, dressed unusually low-key.

She cautiously asked Pei Nanyue in a low voice, "Sister, can I go say hello to my friend?"

Pei Nanyue followed her gaze and saw Zhou Jinghuai. She understood immediately, but only gave her a brief, indifferent glance.

"Go on, but don't chat for too long, Father is still here."

"Yes."

Overjoyed at receiving a positive answer, Pei Suisui carefully walked towards Zhou Jinghuai's direction.

Today, Zhou Jinghuai, who was making it easier to slip away, was dressed in a dark green long robe with a jade ribbon, his face as white as jade, and he held a folding fan in his hand.

As long as he doesn't speak, he is a handsome young man just standing there quietly.

He stood there, pondering how to bypass the guards and sneak into the Bright Moon Palace.

"Zhou Jinghuai." Pei Suisui's voice pulled him back to reality.

"Hmm?" He turned around and saw the girl standing next to him, then smiled at her.

"Miss Pei, is there something you need from me?"

Pei Suisui glanced around warily and lowered her voice.

"Did you see Thirteen today?"

Zhou Jinghuai thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Not yet."

He was among the first to arrive, but upon closer reflection, he hadn't seen the wandering doctor at all since he entered the palace.

He thought Thirteen wouldn't attend this boring banquet today. But then he thought, Thirteen might still go to the palace to find the Taoist priest.

"If she comes, tell her to be careful of the Fourth Princess."

What do you mean?

"I accidentally stumbled upon the Fourth Princess's maid, Man'er, who seemed to be hiring someone to commit murder, but I'm not sure if she was after the Thirteenth Princess."

"How did Thirteen offend the Fourth Princess?" Zhou Jinghuai asked hesitantly.

Pei Suisui was about to explain the reason to him when she caught a glimpse of her sister's cold gaze out of the corner of her eye. She quickly said, "I'll explain to you later. You must tell her to be careful!"

After saying that, he hurriedly walked towards the table.

She wasn't sure if it was the Fourth Princess who wanted to harm Thirteen, but recalling how the Fourth Princess had dared to push Thirteen into the water in front of everyone at the Spring Banquet, she couldn't be sure that the Fourth Princess wouldn't take advantage of the large number of people at the palace banquet today to do something to Thirteen again.

Zhou Jinghuai's expression turned serious almost imperceptibly. He hadn't expected that the Fourth Princess would have a conflict with the Thirteenth Princess.

She couldn't help but mutter to herself, "If there's a conflict, go find Shen Mu. Doesn't the Fourth Princess like him?"

As he watched the number of people in the hall gradually increase, he gave Qingfeng, who was pretending to be a member of the Zhou family in the crowd, a wink, and then quietly left the main hall.

Just as he stepped outside, he saw Shen Mu giving instructions to his subordinates.

In the darkness, Shen Mu, dressed in a black and red outfit with a long sword at his side, exuded a cold and aloof air, which only accentuated his imposing presence. He seemed oblivious to the gazes directed at him.

Shen Mu glanced at Zhou Jinghuai, and was about to turn and leave when Zhou Jinghuai called her back.

"Lord Shen, stay."

"What's the matter?"

Shen Mu's expression was aloof; in front of outsiders, the two always pretended not to be very familiar with each other.

"I accidentally lost a pendant just now. Please ask your men to keep an eye out for it."

Zhou Jinghuai found an excuse to pull Shen Mu aside, and then whispered, "Pei Suisui told me that the Fourth Princess might make a move against the Thirteenth Princess tonight. You should keep an eye on things."

"Fourth Princess?" Shen Mu's hand holding the sword paused imperceptibly.

“I heard right, Pei Suisui told me.”

"Okay, I understand. You should hurry up and go," Shen Mu urged in a low voice.

"Then I'll leave it to Lord Shen!" Zhou Jinghuai bowed to him solemnly, then turned a corner and disappeared into the night.

Shen Mu turned around and returned to the entrance of the main hall. He frowned slightly and placed his hand on the white marble pillar to the side with some concern.

Lost in thought, is it Duan Yuyan again?

He recalled how, a few days ago, when Duan Yuyan had caused a scene at his Shen residence, her face was filled with murderous intent towards Thirteen as she left. Presumably…

"Master Shen."

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

Duan Yuchuan slowly walked up the steps, dressed in an exquisite purple robe with gold threads faintly visible embroidered on it. With his sword-like eyebrows and phoenix eyes, his upright posture attracted frequent glances from those around him.

"Your Highness."

Shen Mu nodded to him. He looked at Duan Yuchuan and saw that he was in high spirits, so he must have already recovered.

"I was thinking of going to Lord Shen's residence to thank him and ask him to help me find the real culprit who poisoned me."

Duan Yuchuan looked at Shen Mu with a hint of amusement in his eyes. At that time, Shen Mu told him that it was the people from the Western Regions who poisoned him, and that they were in cahoots with the assassins who tried to assassinate Lord Qin of the Imperial Guard.

However, he didn't believe that people from the Western Regions were involved in this matter.

"Your Highness has only done your utmost, and I am deeply grateful for your kind words," Shen Mu replied, his tone precise and flawless.

"Indeed, I've heard that my sister has long admired Lord Shen. Perhaps I should find an opportunity to ask my father for a favor and make this a happy occasion?"

A smile appeared on Duan Yuchuan's lips; clearly, he wanted to bring Shen Mu onto his side.

Shen Mu met his gaze, and the two stared at each other for a long time. Shen Mu lowered her eyes and said softly.

"Your Majesty, I am only willing to share your burdens and have no plans to marry for the time being."

"But my sister is deeply in love with Lord Shen." Duan Yuchuan wasn't going to let him off the hook, persistently pressing, "Does Lord Shen not think highly of my sister?"

Shen Mu tried his best to suppress the nausea surging within him, looked up at Duan Yuchuan, and said in a somewhat serious tone.

"Your Majesty, my mission is to protect Nanyang and Your Majesty. I am always at risk of losing my head. The Fourth Princess is Your Majesty's precious daughter. My lowly life is not worthy of her."

Shen Mu's cold and indifferent voice, accompanied by his unfathomable eyes, startled Duan Yuchuan, who unconsciously frowned. In a daze, Duan Yuchuan sensed killing intent.

Duan Yuchuan immediately lost interest and pursed his lips, saying, "Is that so? Then it's just my sister's wishful thinking."

He turned to the side with great interest, and standing behind him was his younger sister, Duan Yuyan.

At this moment, Duan Yuyan felt as if her veil of modesty had been pierced, her face flushed crimson. Her hairpins and jade ornaments swayed in the wind as she stood on the steps in a light purple gown similar to Duan Yuchuan's, her disappointment barely concealed.

Duan Yuchuan gave a cold snort, thinking that Shen Mu was unyielding, and then turned and walked into the hall, leaving Duan Yuyan there in a daze.

“Fourth Princess.” Shen Mu lowered her eyes, staring intently at the ground, her face showing no sign of panic.

"Am I really that unimportant to you?" Duan Yuyan gripped her skirt tightly, her voice trembling uncontrollably. From childhood to adulthood, she had always gotten whatever she wanted; no one had ever dared to refuse her like this.

"Fourth Princess, be careful what you say!" Shen Mu said, bowing respectfully. This was the palace, and there were quite a few people watching the spectacle.