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

Yunxiu entered Juxian Pavilion, glanced around the main hall, and then stood on tiptoe to look up the stairs. It was empty; there was no sign of the Taoist priest.

Somewhat disappointed, she returned to the private room and said to Chu Wanqing, "Mother, that Taoist priest is missing. I've searched everywhere but can't find him."

Chu Wanqing picked up her teacup, her expression indifferent: "The Daoist is a reclusive master, so naturally he comes and goes without a trace."

Yunxiu's eyes lit up, and she asked excitedly, "Mother, do you know Master Yuxu?"

Chu Wanqing paused slightly in her teacup, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "I don't know him. I've only heard of him. It's said that he can predict the yin and yang and know fortune and misfortune, but he rarely shows himself. I never expected to meet him today."

Upon hearing this, Yunxiu moved closer to Chu Wanqing and asked in a low voice, "Mother, he said I have the destiny of a phoenix, could that be true?"

Chu Wanqing put down her teacup, pondered for a moment, and then slowly nodded: "Judging from the Daoist's demeanor and words just now, what he said might be true. But Xiu'er..."

She paused, then instructed, "You should keep this to yourself and never mention it outside. The words 'Phoenix Fate' carry too much weight. If they get out, they will attract all sorts of prying eyes and schemes, which will likely bring you more trouble than good."

Yunxiu verbally replied, "Daughter knows," but in her heart she was already overjoyed.

If she truly had the destiny of a phoenix, then the Fifth Prince would definitely favor her even more, and his proposal to marry her would be a foregone conclusion.

She can marry into the royal family and also use her destiny to help the fifth prince succeed. Isn't that the best of both worlds?

But before leaving, the Taoist priest added, "It's all about marrying the right person." Who could this "right person" be?

If it could be the Fifth Prince, that would be even better.

Unable to contain herself, she asked again, "Mother, what did the Taoist priest mean by those two sentences? Was he hinting at who the right person is?"

"You mean that line, 'Vienna City possesses lofty ambitions, and only by upholding goodness can one know the heart to save the world'?" Chu Wanqing repeated, then shook her head. "I can't fathom it. The Daoist's words are profound and unfathomable; how could we possibly understand them?"

Yunxiu was a little sullen. It seemed she should ask her mother about this. Her mother was smart and would surely be able to guess what it meant.

Just then, the waiter brought up the food, four dishes and a soup, steaming hot, and placed them on the table.

Chu Wanqing gave Qinghe a wink, and Qinghe understood, bowing and saying, "Madam, this servant will go down and see if there are any other delicious main dishes."

Chu Wanqing nodded slightly, and Qinghe curtsied and withdrew.

Yunxiu didn't pay attention and just kept her head down eating.

She was preoccupied with something on her mind, and she ate her meal restlessly, picking up and putting down her chopsticks several times.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Qinghe pushed open the door and came back. She nodded slightly to Chu Wanqing, then shook her head.

Chu Wanqing's expression remained unchanged as she lowered her head and continued eating.

The meal was finished in silence.

Chu Wanqing put down her chopsticks, and Yunxiu quickly followed suit, standing up impatiently: "Mother, let's go back."

Chu Wanqing nodded and led her downstairs.

There were still a few tables of guests in the lobby. Lixiang followed behind, glanced at Yunxiu, and suddenly raised her voice, "Madam, I never expected that the eldest young lady would actually be destined for the Phoenix!"

Chu Wanqing's face darkened, and she turned around to scold, "Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?"

Pear Fragrance shrank back in fright, but muttered, "This servant isn't lying, that's exactly what Master Yuxu said..."

Chu Wanqing angrily retorted, "Who is Daoist Yuxu? How dare you mention him so casually?"

Lixiang dared not utter another sound and obediently followed behind.

Yunxiu felt smug under everyone's gaze, but she also pretended to be serious and glared at Lixiang: "Lixiang, don't talk nonsense."

Although he was scolding her, he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.

Behind me, a low murmur of discussion arose in the lobby.

"Whose daughter was that just now? I heard she was destined for greatness?"

"Shh, keep your voice down. That's the eldest daughter of Minister Yun of the Ministry of Rites."

"The eldest daughter of Lord Yun? She's destined to be a phoenix? Tsk tsk~"

Yunxiu boarded the carriage and leaned against the side, remaining hesitant to speak the entire way.

Chu Wanqing saw it but pretended not to, until they were almost at the manor, when she solemnly instructed, "Xiu'er, what happened today must never be mentioned again. If the words 'Phoenix Fate' reach the ears of those who shouldn't hear them, it will not only bring disaster upon you, but the entire Yun family will likely be dragged into turmoil. Do you understand?"

Yunxiu obediently replied, "Daughter remembers," but in her heart she didn't take it seriously.

After returning to the manor, Yunxiu said she was a little tired and went straight back to her own courtyard.

Chu Wanqing watched her retreating figure, her eyes darkening, and then she turned and returned to Qingshui Garden.

Upon entering the inner room, Chu Wanqing dismissed everyone except Qinghe, and asked in a low voice, "What exactly happened just now? Where are the people we arranged?"

Qinghe replied, "Madam, after I went downstairs, I saw the person we arranged lingering outside Yaxiang Residence, so I quietly led him to the alley next door and asked him. He said that when he saw us coming, he was about to go forward to carry out the plan, but he was knocked unconscious from behind by someone. When he woke up, he saw that Master Yuxu was talking to you and Miss."

Chu Wanqing's heart skipped a beat: "He was knocked unconscious? Could it be that Master Yuxu discovered our plan and that's why he was knocked out? But what he said was clearly what we wanted Yunxiu to hear."

She murmured to herself, her eyes filled with confusion, "Could it be... that Yunxiu truly has the destiny of a phoenix?"

Qinghe was also surprised: "Madam, if that's really the case, then the eldest young lady... could she really be going to be the empress in the future?"

Chu Wanqing sighed deeply, her eyes filled with complex emotions, and said, "If she truly has the destiny of a phoenix, the princes would probably fight tooth and nail to marry her. If we were to let her have her way, who knows how many troubles would arise in the future? We absolutely cannot allow her to have her."

Qinghe asked again, "Madam, which prince was the Taoist priest referring to in those two sentences he said before he left? Could it be the Fifth Prince?"

Chu Wanqing nodded and said, "Every word he said seemed to be in line with our wishes, but upon closer inspection, it seems to have a deeper meaning."

She paused for a moment, then said to Qinghe, "When Jin'er comes back later, go and tell her to come over."

Qinghe withdrew immediately.

Chu Wanqing felt a vague unease, sensing that today's events were too strange. The appearance of Daoist Yuxu seemed like a coincidence, yet also like a deliberate act.

……

After leaving the private room where Chu Wanqing and the others were staying, Master Yuxu did not go downstairs. Instead, he turned around and went into the empty room next door. He then climbed out of the restaurant through the window and was out of the alley in a few leaps.

When they reached a secluded spot, he reached up and ripped off his beard, only to find it was fake.

He glanced back in the direction of Ya Xiang Ju and sighed softly, "I wonder if that old man will be angry when he finds out."

With that, he vanished around the street corner in a flash.

No one knows why he came.