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

Yun Heting's expression changed, and he quickly waved his hand, "Madam is joking. When did I say I was causing trouble? I was just joking with you." He paused, then said awkwardly, "The heated walls and kang beds in my room still need to be built as soon as possible."

Chu Wanqing snorted coldly and ignored him.

Yunheting sat for a while, and seeing that she didn't respond, he stood up awkwardly, said, "I have other things to do, so I won't disturb Madam's business any longer," and then lifted the curtain and went out.

Chu Wanqing watched his figure disappear through the doorway, slowly put down her teacup, and said to Qinghe, "Go and call Chai Qing here."

Qinghe responded and left. A short while later, Chai Qing entered, cupping his hands in greeting, "Madam."

Chu Wanqing instructed, "Take two guards who helped build the heated walls and kang beds yesterday and go back to my mother. Help the manor build the heated walls and kang beds. Now that the emperor has already started promoting them, we're not afraid of causing trouble for Prince Yu."

Chai Qing responded and turned to leave.

Chu Wanqing leaned against the couch, her fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

Yun Heting's outburst today was merely due to her guilty conscience. She sneered, not caring what he thought. All she cared about was protecting her two children; nothing else mattered.

After leaving Qingshui Garden, Yunhe Pavilion said to Ping An, who was following behind him, "Go and ask who in the manor was involved in the construction of the heated walls and kang beds. If there are any, call two people over."

Ping An responded and left. He didn't dare to ask Chai Qing for the person—Chai Qing was Chu Wanqing's person, and he couldn't order her around.

He walked around the outer courtyard, then called two honest-looking servants and brought them to Yunhe Pavilion.

Yun Heting glanced at them and asked, "Did you help build the heated walls and kang beds yesterday? Did you learn how?"

The two men nodded: "Reporting to you, sir, we've been working with the craftsmen all day and we know how to build."

"Come with me." Yun Heting nodded in satisfaction and led them out of the mansion. The carriage headed towards Liu Zhixue's courtyard.

Yunheting got out of the carriage, told two servants to wait outside, and then pushed open the door and went in.

Liu Zhixue was sitting by the window, lost in thought. Seeing him arrive, she was somewhat surprised and stood up to greet him: "Yunlang, what brings you here? Shouldn't you be at the yamen at this hour?"

Yun Heting sat down in the chair, took her hand, and said, "This morning at court, the Emperor talked about promoting heated walls and kang beds. I was thinking that your courtyard is cold, so I brought two people to build one for you too."

Liu Zhixue's eyes were slightly red. She leaned on his shoulder and said softly, "Yunlang, it's still you who cares about me."

Yun Heting patted her hand and told Siqi to bring two servants in to check the room and take measurements. He then told them to go buy materials, and the two servants went to do so.

Only two people remained in the room.

Liu Zhixue leaned against him, then suddenly looked up at him with a wistful gaze: "Yunlang, do you find me repulsive?"

Yun Heting was taken aback: "How could that be?"

Liu Zhixue touched her uneven hair and said with a wry smile, "My hair... I hate it even when I look at it myself. You haven't come for so long, I thought you..."

"Don't overthink it," Yun Heting interrupted her, pulling her into his arms. "How could I possibly dislike you? Here I am, aren't I?"

Liu Zhixue leaned against his chest and whispered, "Yunlang, I bought hair growth tonic, pills, and hair growth cream. I used them once, and they really seem to work. My hair has started to grow, but..." She paused, "...it's a bit expensive."

Yunheting asked, "How much?"

Liu Zhixue sighed, "The first time I bought it for twenty taels, the second time it'll be two hundred taels. They only sell one set at a time, no more. I'll have to buy more."

Yun Heting frowned. He had sold the things Yun Xiu had given him for four thousand taels, and after the donation, he had less than two thousand taels left. He hesitated for a moment and said, "I only have a little over three hundred taels of silver left. A couple of days ago, His Majesty asked us to donate, so I sold some things. Now I only have this much left. If there's anything left after buying materials, I'll give it to you."

Liu Zhixue felt a pang of disappointment; Yun Heting was definitely treating her differently now.

But she didn't say anything, just gave a soft "hmm" and leaned against him.

Yun Heting was silent for a while, then suddenly spoke: "Zhixue, this morning at court, both the Fifth Prince and the Third Prince came to ask me what my relationship is with Prince Yu."

Liu Zhixue looked up: "Why did they ask that?"

Yun Heting sighed: "I don't know how they found out that Prince Yu sent people to the mansion to help build the heated walls and kang beds."

He paused, then repeated what the Fifth Prince and the Third Prince had said, concluding, "I'm wondering if the Third Prince intends for me to become Prince Yu's father-in-law?"

Liu Zhixue's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm: "What do you mean?"

Yun Heting said, "The Third Prince said that Prince Yu might have taken a fancy to one of your young ladies, right? It's impossible for Xiu'er, so it must be Jin'er. Do you think Prince Yu has really taken a liking to that girl? Should we try to set them up?"

Trying to match Yun Jin with Prince Yu? If Yun Jin really is that child, how could she possibly let her live a good life?

She pretended to think seriously for a long time before raising her head and speaking gently, "Yunlang, have you ever considered that Bai Jin might be the child from back then?"

Yun Heting's expression changed slightly.

Liu Zhixue continued, "What's she coming back for? It's definitely for revenge. Will she help us? We'd be lucky if she didn't harm us."

Yun Heting was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "What you said makes sense."

Liu Zhixue pressed her advantage: "Therefore, not only should we not try to match them up, but we should also keep her away from Prince Yu. It would be best to marry her off to an ordinary person, so she doesn't have a chance to rise in the ranks." She paused, her voice lowering, "If there's an opportunity, it would be best..."

She made a throat-slitting motion.

Yun Heting's expression hardened: "Isn't that unnecessary?"

Liu Zhixue looked at him seriously and said, word by word, "Yunlang, don't forget that we moved her to Qingping County and made her suffer for fifteen years. Do you think she won't hold a grudge? If not, then marry her off to anyone; if she does, don't be soft-hearted, or there will be endless trouble later."

Yun Heting looked at her, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him.

This woman was still Liu Zhixue. She never attracted him with her beauty, but with her calmness, ruthlessness, and wisdom in the face of adversity.

Thinking of this, he took her hand and said with shame, "Zhixue, I'm sorry. I promised you I wouldn't take a concubine, but I was tricked by Chu Wanqing and ended up taking one."

Liu Zhixue smiled indifferently, her tone gentle: "I don't care. It's common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Actually, I've long wanted to persuade Yunlang to take a concubine, but I was worried that Madam wouldn't be happy, so I didn't mention it. Now that I'm not at home, and there are people to serve Yunlang, I feel at ease."

Yun Heting looked at her and, seeing that her expression seemed genuine, said with emotion, "Zhixue, you are always so magnanimous."

Liu Zhixue leaned against him, her voice soft: "Yunlang, because I love you."

Yun Heting pulled her closer, his heart filled with emotion. But he didn't see that Liu Zhixue, leaning against his chest, had no love in her eyes, only icy coldness.