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

The banquet was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Officials and their families took their seats. The hall was brightly lit and filled with melodious music.

Yun Jin followed Chu Wanqing to their seats in the Yun family compound, where Yun Heting was already in front, accompanying the ministers.

Yunxiu sat on the other side of Chu Wanqing, her gaze constantly drifting towards the seats of the princes opposite. The Fifth Prince was talking to the Third Prince, his face smiling, gentle and refined.

Occasionally, her gaze would meet the Fifth Prince's, and she would blush and lower her head in embarrassment. The Fifth Prince, however, would merely smile faintly and turn his head away as if nothing had happened.

Yun Jin sat to the side, quietly observing everything inside the hall.

She had only seen this scene in novels and on television in her previous life, and now that she was experiencing it in person, she felt that everything was new and exciting.

Suddenly, a eunuch's shrill voice announced something from outside the hall:

"The Emperor has arrived!"

"The Empress has arrived!"

"His Highness Prince Yu has arrived!"

All the civil and military officials in the hall rose in unison and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

The emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, strode onto the dragon throne, with the empress following behind. Prince Yu, Xiao Jingyan, walked at the very back, wearing a black python robe that made him appear even more aloof.

The emperor took his seat, raised his hand to gesture for everyone to rise, and said with a smile, "Today is a celebration of Prince Yu's victory, so there's no need for formalities."

The officials took their seats again, and the atmosphere in the hall gradually became lively.

Several high-ranking officials took turns rising to toast the Emperor and Prince Yu, offering words of praise and admiration.

The emperor would only raise his wine cup slightly and take a small sip each time.

Prince Yu accepted all offers without hesitation, drinking them down in one gulp. Fortunately, the cups were small, so he didn't get drunk.

After chatting for a while, the Emperor suddenly turned to look at Xiao Jingyan and casually asked, "Have you heard anything from your father and mother? I haven't seen them in a long time."

Xiao Jingyan, holding a wine glass, leaned back in his chair, his posture languid, his tone somewhat nonchalant: "Who knows where he's been traveling. Last letter he said he was in Jiangnan, then he went to Sichuan, and the next letter came from who knows where."

The emperor shook his head with a smile, his tone tinged with helplessness: "They seem quite content to leave you in the capital without coming back to arrange your marriage."

Xiao Jingyan smiled dismissively: "My marriage doesn't need their arrangements. If I've chosen someone, I can simply ask my Imperial Uncle to bestow a marriage upon me."

The emperor, intrigued, looked up at him and asked, "Oh? Do you have someone you're interested in?"

Xiao Jingyan glanced casually in a certain direction, then quickly looked away, picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said calmly, "Not for now."

Looking at his expression, the emperor laughed and scolded, "If you're not in a hurry, I might just arrange a marriage for you."

Xiao Jingyan quickly put down his wine cup, a rare seriousness appearing on his face: "Uncle, please don't. I don't want to keep someone I don't like at home, spending all day in silence with her. That would be so boring. I don't lack women in my household right now, there's no rush."

The emperor laughed and didn't press the matter further.

Princess Yamin sat next to the Eldest Princess, below the Empress. She heard the conversation clearly, and she also saw clearly the Prince Yu's glance in a certain direction.

Her eyes darkened, she bit her lip, then suddenly stood up, her voice clear and melodious: "Uncle, Min'er would like to perform a sword dance for you, to wish Cousin Yan a victorious return, is that alright?"

When the eldest princess saw her get up, she tried to pull her back, but Ya Min had already spoken, which angered her so much that she glared at her. Ya Min pretended not to know anything.

How could the eldest princess not know her daughter's thoughts? Her daughter wasn't unable to get married, so why was she chasing after Prince Yu?

But she couldn't stop her; she could only wait and watch her run into a wall.

The emperor, however, was quite intrigued and looked at Ya Min with a smile: "I had no idea Ya Min had learned swordsmanship?"

"Min'er..." Ya Min was about to say that she had learned it specifically for Prince Yu when she was interrupted by the Princess.

The eldest princess glanced at her indifferently, then turned to the emperor and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, her sword dance should be viewed as a performance, not a demonstration of skill. She learned it as a dance technique, not as a real performance."

The Emperor laughed heartily and said, "No problem, no problem. Since Ya Min has this intention, then go and dance."

The Empress also laughed and said, "Yes, I'd like to see that too."

Upon hearing this, Ya Min secretly glanced at Prince Yu and saw him drinking with his head down, not even raising his head. She felt somewhat disappointed.

But I still went and changed my clothes.

Soon, she returned to the hall dressed in a bright red outfit, holding a long sword, looking heroic and dashing.

The sword flashed like snow, the clothes fluttered, and every move was precise and skillful, clearly showing that the practitioner had put in the effort.

She danced with great effort, but her eyes kept glancing towards Prince Yu, hoping he would glance at her.

The Empress turned her head and lowered her voice to say to the Emperor, "Ya Min hasn't given up on Jing Yan yet."

The emperor glanced at her, shook his head, and lowered his voice: "Ya Min is a proud child, but unfortunately she is too spoiled. She can't control Jing Yan's temperament."

The Empress nodded and said nothing more.

After Ya Min finished her last move, she sheathed her sword, stood still, slightly out of breath, with a hint of pride on her face.

A round of applause erupted in the hall, and everyone praised the performance.

She looked anxiously at Xiao Jingyan, only to find him drinking with his head down, as if he hadn't seen anything.

Her heart sank, and she almost lost her smile.

Her gaze shifted and she saw Yun Jin sitting in the corner. She saw that Yun Jin was sitting quietly and unassumingly, but when she thought about the loss she had suffered at the Yun residence today, she felt a tightness in her chest.

She took a deep breath, turned to the emperor, and said with a smile, "Uncle, I've heard that Lord Yun's newly adopted daughter is very talented. On such a wonderful day, why don't we invite her to perform for everyone?"

All eyes in the hall fell on Yun Jin.

Yun Jin's heart tightened.

She thought she could sit peacefully until the party ended, but Ya Min still wouldn't let her go.

The phrase "multi-talented" seems like a trap when applied to her.

All eyes in the hall turned to her, some curious, some gloating, and some worried for her.

Chu Wanqing frowned and was about to get up to decline on her behalf when Yun Jin gently pressed her hand under the table, signaling her not to move.

Wang sat not far away, nodding slightly at her with encouraging eyes.

The Empress held her teacup, her expression indifferent, revealing no emotion.

The Emperor, however, seemed to be enjoying the spectacle, and chuckled, "Oh? I've also heard that Lord Yun has recently adopted a daughter. Where is this newly adopted girl from the Yun family?"

Yun Jin hurriedly rose from her seat, walked to the center of the hall, and respectfully performed a grand salute: "Your subject, Yun Jin, greets Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Seeing her composed and unhurried demeanor, the Emperor felt a sense of goodwill towards her and nodded, saying, "Rise. Ya Min just said you are very talented; do you have any talents to demonstrate?"

Yun Jin rose and quickly bowed, replying, "Your Majesty, I dare not accept the title of 'multi-talented.' I merely learned to play the drum for a few days in my hometown when I was young. If Your Majesty does not find my skills crude, I would be happy to entertain you."

"Play the drum?" The emperor's interest was piqued. He waved his hand and said, "Guards, bring the drum up!"