The legitimate daughter returns to the capital and embarks on a splendid life, tearing apart the fak

Yunxiu's eyes gradually brightened.

Liu Zhixue patted her hand: "Just watch, you don't need to do anything. You just need to do what you're supposed to do, and act generous, sensible, and considerate in front of your mother. The less that girl is as good as you, the better you will seem. Your mother isn't stupid; in time, she'll naturally know who her reliable daughter is."

Yunxiu nodded, and the resentment in her heart gradually dissipated.

"I'll listen to Mother," she said, leaning back on Liu Zhixue's shoulder. "But I just can't swallow this. What right does she have? What right does she have to take Mother away the moment she arrives?"

Liu Zhixue did not answer. She gazed out the window, her eyes filled with melancholy.

Yeah, why should we?

They've been scheming for fifteen years, and she's not willing to just admit defeat like this.

"Xiu'er," she said slowly, "remember, nothing in this world comes for free. Your mother is kind to her now because she pities her. But what does it matter how pitiful she is? Can it change her perspective? You are different. I personally taught you. Your knowledge and talent are far beyond hers. You were also raised by your mother. Fifteen years of affection cannot be compared to just anyone."

Yunxiu nodded thoughtfully.

Liu Zhixue continued, "After you go back, do what you're supposed to do. Tomorrow is the family recognition banquet. Dress appropriately and stand confidently next to your mother, helping her greet the guests. Let everyone see what the eldest daughter of the Yun family is like. As for that girl..."

She paused, a cold smile playing on her lips: "Letting her embarrass herself is better than anything else."

She added anxiously, "You absolutely mustn't interfere. If she does anything wrong, you have to defend her, understand?"

Yunxiu immediately smiled and hugged Liu Zhixue's arm affectionately, "Okay, I'll listen to Mother and do nothing but watch her show her weakness."

Liu Zhixue suddenly remembered something and quickly reminded her, "Tomorrow night, the palace will hold a celebration banquet for Prince Yu. If your mother wants to take that girl there, don't argue. Your father will speak up for you."

Yunxiu hesitated and asked, "What if even Father can't win?"

Liu Zhixue thought for a moment and said, "Your mother will let you go. She just adopted you as her goddaughter, and now she's distancing herself from you, her biological daughter. How will she explain that to others?"

Yunxiu thought about it and realized that what she said made sense: "Mother is right, I understand."

Liu Zhixue patted her hand and instructed, "Go back now, don't arouse suspicion. Remember, don't show your emotions."

Yunxiu nodded, put on her hat, and got up to walk outside.

As she reached the door, she turned back for a moment and whispered, "Mother, I'll have Granny Qi bring you things and money later. I promise I won't let you suffer any injustice."

Liu Zhixue nodded with satisfaction. After all, she was her daughter, and her heart was with her.

……

Yun Mansion, Qingshui Garden.

Yun Jin had been learning etiquette for most of the day, and Chu Wanqing was very satisfied. Holding her hand, she said gently, "That's enough, Jin'er. Do it this way tomorrow, and you won't make any mistakes. You'll stay by your mother's side then, and I'll remind you if anything happens."

Yun Jin nodded, but her mind was on something else.

Tomorrow's family reunion banquet will be attended by members of prominent families in the capital. With Lan Ying and Madam Zheng backing her up, no one will deliberately make things difficult for her.

She wasn't worried about that; she was only worried that Yunxiu might cause some trouble.

She had read many novels about palace intrigue in her previous life, and those methods were nothing more than the same few: hiring someone to ruin someone's reputation or accusing someone of stealing.

She was prepared for either possibility.

However, these were just her guesses, and she didn't want to tell Chu Wanqing, lest she worry.

Just then, Qinghe lifted the curtain and came in, curtsying: "Madam, all the invitations have been sent out. Master asked me to bring the person you requested."

Chu Wanqing raised an eyebrow: "Pretty fast. Where is he? Bring him in so I can see him."

Qinghe went out and soon returned with a woman.

Chu Wanqing looked her up and down, her gaze lingering on her face for a moment before she nodded slightly.

The woman was around twenty years old. Her features resembled Liu Zhixue's, but she possessed a more delicate and charming quality.

"What's your name?" Chu Wanqing asked.

The woman curtsied and said softly, "My name is Cailian, Madam."

Chu Wanqing frowned: "That's too common. Let's call her Zhilan."

Zhilan immediately bowed and said, "This humble servant, Zhilan, thanks Madam for bestowing upon me this name."

Chu Wanqing then asked, "Did my cousin tell you what he wanted you to do here?"

Zhilan lowered her head and replied, "This servant understands."

Chu Wanqing nodded in satisfaction: "Now that you know, go and serve the master tonight. If you do well today, you will be a concubine in the mansion tomorrow."

Zhilan hurriedly replied, "This servant will certainly not fail Madam's expectations. Madam, please rest assured, no matter what, this servant will only recognize Madam as my master."

Seeing that she was sensible, Chu Wanqing nodded: "Yes, I have no other requirements for you, just serve the master well."

He then said to Qinghe, "Take her to the front yard to settle in first, and bring her back for dinner."

Qinghe responded and led Zhilan out.

Yun Jin watched the woman's figure disappear into the distance before turning to Chu Wanqing: "Mother, I'm sure Godfather will love this gift."

Chu Wanqing sighed helplessly: "Jin'er, your mother hopes that you will find a good man in the future, regardless of his family background, as long as he is devoted to you."

Yun Jin said shyly, "Mother, Jin'er will not get married. In this life, Jin'er only wants to stay with you forever."

Chu Wanqing retorted, "Don't talk nonsense! How can you stay single forever?"

……

Yunxiu felt much better after returning from Liu Zhixue's place.

Back at Xuezhai, he said to Lixiang, "Bring me that half-embroidered purse."

Li Xiang responded and pulled out a moon-white purse from her sewing basket. It was embroidered with several green bamboo stalks, the stitches were fine and dense, showing that a lot of effort had been put into it.

Yunxiu took it, looked at it, and pointed to a corner, saying to Lixiang, "Embroider the character '锦' here."

"Miss, is this for the Second Miss?" Rika asked softly.

Yunxiu hummed in agreement, without looking up, "Remember, this was embroidered by your young lady herself."

Lixiang dared not refuse and quickly nodded: "Yes, Miss embroidered the purse all night to celebrate the Second Miss's family reunion banquet, and her hands were all pricked."

Yunxiu gave a soft hum, then rummaged through her vanity case and pulled out an old hairpin, handing it to Lixiang: "Take a few beads off this and sew them onto your purse as decoration."

Pear Fragrance hurriedly took over and busied herself.

Yunxiu then called over Granny Qi to help her gather up the gold and silver jewelry she had worn out and the old clothes she had worn too much, and whispered her instructions:

"Mother-in-law, pawn these things and send the money to my mother. Also, take those two bolts of moon-white fabric from my private treasury to my mother."