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

Yun Jin didn't hide anything and told him everything that happened by the lake.

From Ya Min's skirt getting dirty, to the maid accidentally falling into the water instead of pushing her, to the man who suddenly appeared, and finally Prince Yu stepping in to save the day.

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanqing's face turned ashen with anger, and she clenched the handkerchief in her hand: "They're trying to tarnish your reputation and ruin your marriage! How could they be so vicious!" She paused, then asked, "Who is that man? Do you know?"

Yun Jin shook her head: "I don't know. But His Highness Prince Yu was there at the time, so he might know."

Chu Wanqing remained silent for a long time before letting out a long sigh: "Never mind, it's good that we didn't suffer any losses."

She thought for a moment, then said, "Yunxiu probably knows about what happened today. From now on, you don't need to give way to her in the manor. If you have something you're hesitant to say, just tell me. You are my daughter; how can I let her overstep your bounds?"

Yun Jin nodded without saying anything.

There are some things Chu Wanqing can say, but she can't do, at least not right now.

Chu Wanqing added, "I only knew before that the Princess liked Yunxiu, but now it seems that it's not that she likes her, but that the relationship between Liu and the Princess is not simple."

Yun Jin's heart stirred, and she said softly, "Mother, the fact that Liu Shi and Father have been able to maintain this relationship for so many years is probably more than just romantic love. I've been observing them closely these past few days, and Yun Heting is not a man of lasting affection."

Chu Wanqing paused, realizing that Yun Jin's words made sense.

She nodded: "I'll have someone investigate where Lady Liu was and what she was doing before she entered the manor."

Yun Jin suggested, "It would be best to find out how they met."

Chu Wanqing nodded, stood up, and patted her hand: "Alright, you should go back and rest for a while. You have to go to the palace tonight, there'll be a lot of work to do."

Yun Jin responded and rose to take her leave.

Back at Jinshu Pavilion, Yun Jin closed the door, took out the sandalwood box given to her by Lan Ying from her sleeve, opened it, and found three house deeds inside.

Two families in the south of the city and one family in the east—this maternal grandmother really had a grand gesture.

She put the items into her spatial storage and then took out the brocade box that Prince Yu had given her.

She froze the moment she opened it.

Prince Yu said it was an "ordinary brand," and she thought it really was a brand. Little did she know that inside was a string of huge pearls, each one round and full, with a warm luster, clearly priceless.

She stared at the string of beads for a long time, unable to understand why Prince Yu would give her such a valuable gift.

Could it be that the two of them really knew each other before? After thinking for a long time without figuring it out, she sighed and put the box into her spatial storage.

As evening approached, the Yun family's carriage stopped at the palace gate on time.

Chu Wanqing got off the carriage with Yun Jin and Yun Xiu, and they ran into Madam Wang. Yun Jin quickly stepped forward to greet them.

Wang comforted her softly, "Good child, don't be afraid. I'm here, and so is your mother. We will protect you."

Yun Jin smiled and nodded her thanks.

After exchanging greetings, the group followed the ladies in a queue and walked towards the inner court.

Yun Jin followed Chu Wanqing and Madam Wang quietly, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

As dusk fell, the palace lanterns lit up one after another, illuminating the magnificent palaces in a golden splendor.

I had seen Yun Jin on TV in my previous life, but only when I actually walked in this deep palace did I feel the overwhelming sense of oppression. The high red walls and deep palace passages, every brick and stone exuded a sense of solemnity.

Chu Wanqing squeezed her hand and whispered, "Don't be afraid, just follow me."

Yun Jin nodded, but she wasn't afraid. She just found it novel.

They first went to the Empress's Kunning Palace. The Empress sat at the head of the table, wearing a phoenix and peony dress, with a red gold and kingfisher feather hair ornament on her head. She had a dignified appearance and a graceful demeanor, but there was a hint of fatigue in her eyes.

The eldest princess sat to her right. She was well-maintained and looked much younger than her actual age. Her eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to Ya Min's, but she had a sharper edge than Ya Min.

There was also a concubine sitting next to her, whom Yun Jin did not recognize.

Chu Wanqing, accompanied by Yun Jin and Yun Xiu, stepped forward and bowed: "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress, Your Highness the Princess, and Your Highness the Consort Shu."

The Empress smiled and raised her hand: "Madam Yun, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."

Her gaze fell on Yun Jin, scrutinizing her for a moment. "This is your newly adopted daughter?"

Chu Wanqing nodded: "That's right. Jin'er, pay your respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

Yun Jin stepped forward and performed a proper bow: "Your subject Yun Jin greets Your Majesty the Empress."

The Empress nodded and smiled, "Good child, get up."

Then she looked at Chu Wanqing and said, "You are very beautiful. You do look a bit like your mother."

The eldest princess sat to one side, holding a teacup, her gaze sweeping indifferently over Yun Jin, before suddenly speaking: "Madam Yun, I heard that your household's Mr. Liu has been dismissed?"

Chu Wanqing's expression remained unchanged, and her tone was calm: "Your Highness, the manor no longer needs the teacher, so she has been sent back."

The eldest princess put down her teacup and said casually, "Since you don't need her there anymore, let her come to my residence to teach Yamin. That child Yamin is in dire need of a good female tutor."

Chu Wanqing's heart tightened, but she remained calm on the surface and said lightly, "It is a blessing for Mr. Liu to be able to enter the Princess's residence."

A soft chuckle suddenly came from the side. Consort Shu, holding a teacup, said with a half-smile, "Madam Yun, could it be that your household can no longer afford to support a tutor?"

These words were harsh, and Chu Wanqing's expression changed slightly. Just as she was about to speak, the Empress spoke first: "Consort Shu is mistaken. Even if the Yun family is in dire straits, can't they afford to support a tutor? It's just that the children are grown up and no longer need one."

Her tone was calm, yet carried a hint of authority, "I think Madam Yun acts appropriately, knowing when to advance and when to retreat."

Consort Shu's smile froze for a moment, then she lowered her head to drink her tea and said nothing more.

The eldest princess glanced at the empress but said nothing more.

Yun Jin stood behind Chu Wanqing and saw everything.

She knew in her heart that the Empress spoke up for Chu Wanqing not because she liked her, but because Consort Shu was on good terms with the Eldest Princess.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

The Empress asked Yun Jin a few more questions about her daily life, and she answered them one by one, neither humble nor arrogant.

The eldest princess suddenly spoke up: "Second Miss Yun, Ya Min's maid fell into the lake today. Do you know what happened?"

Chu Wanqing's heart tightened, and she was about to speak when Yun Jin stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Highness, today the Princess was strolling around the manor when, while passing by the lake, one of the ladies beside the Princess accidentally slipped into the lake. Fortunately, a passing man rescued her in time, and the lady is unharmed."

She paused, then continued, "The princess said she wanted to thank that man for saving her life and took him away. Didn't she mention it to Her Highness?"

The eldest princess stared at her for a long time before finally saying, "You certainly know how to talk."

Yun Jin lowered her head: "This humble woman dares not."

Standing to the side, Madam Wang spoke up at the opportune moment: "Your Highness, you may not know this, but Jin'er is the most sensible child. At the family reunion banquet today, all the ladies praised her for being polite and well-mannered."

The eldest princess glanced at Wang Shi, but said nothing more.

The Empress nodded with a smile: "Madam Zheng is right, I also think it looks good."

Yun Jin retreated behind Chu Wanqing, secretly relieved. She knew she had passed this hurdle.