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

"Useless! What else can you do?" Ya Min raised her hand and slapped the maid, who immediately knelt down, repeatedly admitting her mistakes and apologizing.

Hearing the commotion, Chu Wanqing quickly got up and came over. "Princess, did you bring any clothes? Why don't you let Xiu'er go to the back to change?"

Ya Min frowned, glanced at the stains on her skirt, and looked up at Yun Jin: "Could you please accompany me, Miss Yun?"

Yun Jin understood that this was an attempt to lure her out alone, but she couldn't refuse.

She smiled slightly: "If the princess doesn't mind, please follow me."

Chen Mengyao stood up, about to follow, when Yun Jin turned back and said, "Sister Mengyao, please greet the guests for me. I'll accompany the princess and be right back."

Chen Mengyao hesitated for a moment, then sat back down when she saw Yun Jin shake her head slightly at her.

Chu Wanqing was a little worried: "Let Xiu'er go too."

"Let my sister greet the guests for you. I'll stay with the princess, Mother." Yun Jin gently shook her head, indicating that it was alright.

Yun Jin, accompanied by Ya Min and her two maids, left the flower hall and headed towards the backyard.

Yamin, however, insisted on going to the garden, saying she wanted to see the scenery.

Yun Jin had no choice but to follow behind, at a leisurely pace.

When the two reached the edge of the garden lake, Ya Min suddenly stopped and pointed to the koi in the lake, saying, "These fish are really well cared for."

Yun Jin also stopped and stood beside her, saying calmly, "Princess, it's not safe by the lake. Let's stay away from it."

"It's alright, it's always good to be careful." Ya Min didn't take it seriously and winked at the maid behind her.

The maid understood, quietly circled behind Yun Jin, reached out and suddenly pushed her back.

Yun Jin sensed something was wrong and moved to the side. The maidservant missed her target, lost her momentum, and fell forward with a "plop" into the lake.

"Help—!" The maid thrashed about in the water, splashing water everywhere.

Just as Ya Min was about to speak, a figure suddenly rushed out from behind the artificial hill, plunged into the lake, and dragged the maid ashore.

The maid was soaked to the bone, shivering from the cold, and huddled on the ground, unable to speak.

The young man wiped the water from his face, held the person in his arms, and said urgently, "Miss Yun, although you are only the adopted daughter of the Yun family, I don't care. I saved you today, and it is my duty to take responsibility. If you are willing, I am willing to marry you and will never look down on your background!"

Yun Jin was well aware that this was a trap set for her. She stood on the shore, watching the man's performance with a blank expression.

"snort."

A cold snort came from behind, tinged with mockery.

Xiao Jingyan stood with his hands behind his back beside the artificial hill. It was unclear when he had arrived. His gaze swept over the man indifferently before turning to Ya Min.

"Miss Yun is standing perfectly fine on the shore. Can't you see who you saved?" His tone wasn't harsh, but it carried an undeniable air of authority. "If you want to take responsibility, you'll have to ask Princess Yamin if she agrees."

Only then did the man realize that he had rescued a maidservant. His expression immediately changed, and he subconsciously looked at Ya Min.

Ya Min's face turned ashen, and she gritted her teeth, saying, "How dare you covet my maid? Get out!"

The man shrank back and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute." Yun Jin suddenly spoke up. She looked at Ya Min and said calmly, "Princess, this is the inner courtyard of the Yun family. How did an outsider get into the inner courtyard? I'm afraid we need to investigate."

Ya Min's face darkened further, but she forced a smile and said, "It's just a misunderstanding. Even my maid doesn't hold it against me, so Miss Yun, there's no need to make a fuss over it, is there?"

Yun Jin persisted, her voice still calm: "Today she is the princess's maid. If it were another young lady, wouldn't she have to submit to this man? We must investigate this man's background."

She turned around, bowed to Xiao Jingyan, and said sincerely, "May I ask His Highness Prince Yu to help me investigate?"

Xiao Jingyan looked at her, a faint smile flashing in his eyes, and nodded, saying, "Alright. Jin Hu, take him away."

Jin Hu stepped forward and grabbed the man by the back of his collar.

The man turned deathly pale with fright, struggling desperately as he cried out to Ya Min, "Princess, you brought me here! You can't abandon me!"

Yun Jin frowned and said sharply, "You're talking nonsense! How could the princess possibly allow a man like you to enter the inner quarters of my Yun family? From what you're saying, you're trying to tarnish my reputation? I have no grudge against the princess, why is she targeting me?"

She turned to Ya Min, her eyes clear and bright: "Princess, don't you agree?"

Ya Min's face turned pale and then flushed, and after a long while she stammered, "Of course."

Xiao Jingyan, however, had no intention of letting her off easily, and asked calmly, "Ya Min, how do you intend to handle this matter?"

Ya Min gritted her teeth and whispered, "Cousin Yan, could you let me handle this? After all, it involves my maid..."

Xiao Jingyan stared at her for a long time until she lowered her head guiltily before slowly saying, "You should ask Miss Yun about this. After all, she is the mistress of this mansion."

Although Ya Min was somewhat annoyed, she had no choice but to turn to Yun Jin and force a smile: "Miss Yun, leave this matter to me, okay?"

Yun Jin looked at her and smiled slightly: "If the princess asks, then of course it is fine. Then I'll trouble the princess."

Ya Min breathed a sigh of relief, turned to leave, but after a few steps she turned back: "Aren't you leaving?"

Yun Jin shook her head: "I have to go back to entertain my guests. Please go first, Princess."

Ya Min then looked at Xiao Jingyan: "Cousin Yan, aren't you leaving?"

Xiao Jingyan said calmly, "I'm just looking at the scenery."

Ya Min bit her lip, not daring to say anything more, and hurriedly left with her maid and the man.

The lakeside quieted down.

Yun Jin turned around and bowed respectfully to Xiao Jingyan: "Thank you, Your Highness Prince Yu."

Xiao Jingyan didn't speak, he just looked at her.

Those eyes were deep, as if they could see into her heart.

Yun Jin felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and was about to speak when Xiao Jingyan suddenly asked, "Little girl, you really don't remember me?"

Yun Jin was taken aback.

She carefully recalled that she had indeed never seen Prince Yu from Qingping County to the capital.

She shook her head: "Your Highness must be mistaken. I have never seen Your Highness before."

Xiao Jingyan wasn't angry; he simply said, "Perhaps I remembered it wrong."

Yun Jin did not want to stay any longer, so she curtsied and said, "This humble woman takes her leave."

As she turned to leave, Xiao Jingyan's voice came from behind her: "If you encounter any problems you can't solve in the future, you can come to Prince Yu's residence to find me."

Yun Jin paused, but didn't turn around, and walked away quickly.

Xiao Jingyan stood there, watching her figure disappear behind the flowers, and remained motionless for a long time.

Jin Hu leaned closer to him and whispered, "Sir, what exactly is your relationship with this Miss Yun?"

Xiao Jingyan ignored him and turned to leave.

Jin Hu scratched his head and quickly followed.

He was extremely puzzled. What's wrong with Master today?

Sending gifts and offering support, even saying "You can come to Prince Yu's mansion to find me," this isn't like my personality at all.