With her delicate face and slender waist, the royal uncle lost control.

Yun Nian knew nothing about this and didn't want to know.

Yesterday, Qin Jiuchen said, "From now on, I will handle these kinds of things."

She was happy to have some peace and quiet, putting all her worries behind her and sleeping soundly for the first time, not waking up until almost noon.

She opened her eyes and felt refreshed.

As soon as she sat up, Qiluo, who was guarding the bedside, immediately stepped forward. "Miss, you're awake. Someone from Prime Minister Yun's residence has come to say that the Prime Minister requests your immediate return."

Upon hearing this, Yun Nian raised an eyebrow, unsurprised.

After such a commotion yesterday, how could Yun Chengming possibly sit still?

They must be bursting with curiosity, eagerly waiting for her to return and question them.

"understood."

She responded lazily, threw back the covers and got out of bed. "Help me get dressed. And while you're at it, bring me breakfast. I'll go after I've had some."

Yun Nian finished her lunch leisurely before taking a carriage and heading to the Prime Minister's residence.

Stepping into the Prime Minister's residence once again, Yun Nian keenly sensed that the atmosphere was completely different from before.

The servants looked at her with awe.

The butler personally greeted her, his attitude almost obsequious, and led her to Yun Chengming's study.

Yun Nian sneered inwardly.

Indeed, power and connections are the most effective passports in this world.

Outside Yun Chengming's study.

The butler knocked on the door: "Prime Minister, the eldest young lady has arrived."

"Come in."

Yun Chengming's voice came from inside.

The butler opened the door, bowed, and invited Yun Nian in before retreating and closing the door behind him.

The study was filled with the strong scent of ink and incense.

Yun Chengming stood with his back to the door in front of the tall bookshelf, selecting books.

Yun Nian walked in with light steps and stood directly in front of the desk.

She did not bow and greet him as usual, but simply stood quietly.

Yun Chengming, who had his back to her, didn't seem to have any intention of turning around immediately.

He remained standing in front of the bookshelf, his fingers slowly tracing the spines of the books, making a very soft rustling sound.

This silent standoff lasted for a moment.

Finally, Yun Chengming broke the silence.

He turned around, his face devoid of its usual sternness or impatience, and said politely,

"Sit down, Nian'er."

He pointed to a purple-rimmed chair opposite the desk.

Yun Nian then looked up and quickly glanced at him.

Without any hesitation, she nodded slightly and sat down in the chair as instructed, placing her hands neatly on her knees with a composed demeanor.

Seeing her sit down, Yun Chengming also went back to his desk and sat down in his armchair.

He picked up the celadon teacup beside him, skimmed off the foam with the lid, and slowly took a sip, seemingly considering his words.

Setting down his teacup, he finally looked up at Yun Nian and asked in a steady voice, "I've heard quite a bit about what happened at the Marquis of Ruyang's residence yesterday. There are many conflicting accounts, and no consensus can be reached. Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Surprisingly, he didn't immediately question or reprimand her.

Yun Nian understood.

She raised her eyes and calmly replied, "Father, what happened yesterday was also unexpected. The young master and Xue'er couldn't control their feelings and were caught by everyone. I couldn't accept it and felt too wronged. I don't want to continue this marriage, so I want to annul the engagement."

Upon hearing the words "annulment of the engagement," Yun Chengming's brow twitched, but his face did not show any anger.

He simply picked up his teacup and took another sip, his gaze still fixed on Yun Nian's face.

After Yun Nian finished speaking, she lowered her eyes and stopped talking, giving off an attitude of "I've finished speaking, believe it or not."

Silence fell again in the study.

Yun Chengming's fingers tapped lightly on the smooth tabletop.

He was waiting for the key point he wanted to hear.

But Yun Nian just wouldn't mention it.

After a while, Yun Chengming couldn't hold back any longer and took the initiative to steer the conversation in that direction.

"And what about Prince Ningxiang? I heard that yesterday he personally intervened to uphold justice for you and even publicly announced that the engagement was null and void?"

Yun Nian sneered inwardly, but her face remained innocent. "Perhaps Your Highness saw that I was all alone and pitiful at the time, so you spoke up for me and helped me out. I am deeply grateful."

"Oh? Just speaking out for justice?"

Yun Chengming raised his voice slightly, "Nian'er, I heard that the Prince took your hand as he left?"

He emphasized the words "holding your hand".

Yun Nian blinked, a perfect blush rising on her face, and said blankly, "At that time, I was in a state of panic and completely lost. Perhaps the prince was afraid that something might happen to me, so he took me away first. My mind was blank at the time, and I can't remember anything."

Seeing that she was so unyielding, Yun Chengming finally lost his temper.

He slammed the teacup back onto the table, his voice suddenly turning stern: "Tell the truth!"

The force of the slam was considerable, causing the pen holder on the table to shake.

If it were the Yun Nian of the past, she would probably have been so frightened that she would have knelt on the ground trembling.

But Yun Nian only trembled slightly before raising her eyes, which were filled with innocence.

"Father, I'm telling the truth. I really don't know why the Prince would do that..."

She bit her lower lip, making her look even more pitiful.

Looking at her like this, Yun Chengming felt a lump in his throat, unable to swallow it.

He took a few deep breaths and forced himself to suppress his anger.

He knew that he wouldn't get anything out of them by forcing them.

This adopted daughter seems to have become slippery and difficult to control overnight.

He sat up straight again, picked up the teacup, and drank the slightly cooled tea in one gulp, as if to calm his mind.

When he spoke again, his words were earnest and sincere.

"Nian'er, I know you've been wronged. But you must understand my good intentions. After all, I raised you and I always hope you'll be well."

He paused, his gaze becoming "kind" and "concerned," and said, "If you and the prince truly have any other thoughts, you might as well tell your father directly. What is there between us, father and daughter, that we can't talk about? As long as you speak up, I will do my best to help you plan ahead."

These words sound grand and dignified, and at first glance, they seem to come from a "benevolent father" who cares about his daughter's lifelong happiness and is willing to do his best to help her.

But Yun Nian knew perfectly well what was going on.

Yun Chengming was not concerned about her happiness at all.

What he cared about was how to find Qin Jiuchen's weaknesses through her, so as to gain greater benefits for himself and the Yun family.

Now that she has gained Qin Jiuchen's favor, her value has suddenly increased, making her a rare commodity in his eyes that is worth "investing" in and "utilizing".

Yun Nian felt cold inside, but on her face, she promptly showed a touching expression.

Her eyes reddened.

"Father, is what you're saying true? You're really willing to help me?"

Seeing that she had taken the bait, a glint flashed in Yun Chengming's eyes, and he said earnestly, "Of course. You are my daughter, Yun Chengming's daughter. If I don't help you, who will I help? The Yun family is one."

Yun Nian sniffed, dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, and said softly, "I truly have no other intentions. It's just that the Prince seems to treat me differently. His protectiveness yesterday has left me feeling very confused and unsure of what to do..."

She threw the question back at her.

This is exactly the attitude Yun Chengming wants.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face, as if everything was under control.

He put down his teacup and leaned forward again.

"Nian'er, do you know what Prince Ningxiang said before the emperor this morning at court?"

He paused deliberately, observing Yun Nian's reaction.

Yun Nian feigned curiosity and nervousness, asking, "What did the Prince say?"