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

Yunxiu was filled with trepidation throughout the journey.

When she said those things at the Princess's residence today, she was convinced that the person in the warm pavilion was Yun Jin.

Although she wasn't involved in today's events, she knew about Ya Min's plan; Ya Min told her that the arrangements were flawless.

He felt a sense of exhilaration and wished that everyone would believe the person in the room was Yun Jin, and that Yun Jin's reputation would be utterly ruined from then on.

Ever since Yun Jin opened, she has stolen her mother's affection. If her reputation is ruined, her mother might kick her out in a fit of anger.

But after today, she realized that her mother was quite protective of her.

She knows she shouldn't have said those things today, so what should she do now?

Yunxiu stole a glance at Chu Wanqing sitting opposite her.

Chu Wanqing leaned against the carriage wall with her eyes closed, her expression calm and unreadable. But the calmer she was, the more uncertain Yunxiu felt.

As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Yunxiu stepped off first and turned to Chu Wanqing, saying, "Mother, I'm a little tired and would like to go back to my own courtyard first."

Her voice carried a hint of deliberate weariness, and she turned to leave after speaking.

"Wait a minute." Chu Wanqing got out of the car and glanced over indifferently. "Come with me to Qingshui Garden. I have something to tell you."

Yunxiu's heart tightened, but she dared not disobey, so she could only lower her head and reply, "Yes."

Yun Jin guessed Chu Wanqing's intention, glanced at her mother, then at Yun Xiu, and bowed: "Mother, I'll go back now."

Chu Wanqing nodded and led Yunxiu toward Qingshui Garden.

Yunxiu followed behind, head down, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Upon entering Qingshui Garden, Chu Wanqing instructed Qinghe to dismiss all the servants and to stand guard at the entrance, preventing anyone from entering.

Yunxiu stood in the center of the room, head down, her fingers twisting a handkerchief, barely daring to breathe.

Chu Wanqing sat down in the chair, picked up the teacup, took a sip, put it down, and stared coldly at Yunxiu.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

"Kneel down." Chu Wanqing's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

Yunxiu's legs went weak, and she knelt down with a thud.

She looked up at Chu Wanqing with a pitiful expression: "Mother..."

"Do you know you're wrong?" Chu Wanqing stared at her, her gaze like a knife.

Yunxiu was panicking inside, but she pretended to be clueless and shook her head: "Mother, I don't know where I went wrong..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chu Wanqing stood up, walked up to her, and slapped her across the face.

Yunxiu covered her face, staring at Chu Wanqing in disbelief, tears streaming down her face: "Mother, you...you hit me?"

"I hit you because you deserved it." Chu Wanqing's voice was cold and sharp as she looked down at her. "What did I tell you when I left home today? Didn't I tell you that you are all daughters of the Yun family, and that you should help each other out, share both glory and ruin? Don't you understand this principle?"

Yunxiu covered her face, feeling extremely wronged, but dared not utter a sound.

Chu Wanqing continued, "You promised me, but what did you do? At the Princess's residence, you conspired with others to isolate Jin'er. Is this what an elder sister should do?"

Yunxiu muttered aggrievedly, "She can't fit in, so it's not my fault..."

Chu Wanqing's face turned ashen with anger, and her voice rose several decibels: "Do you think I don't know your little schemes? Jin'er was framed, and not only did you not speak up for her, you also kicked her when she was down. You said Jin'er had her reasons, that the man might really be her fiancé—were those things you should have said?"

Yunxiu's face turned pale. She opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but couldn't find a way to refute it.

Chu Wanqing stared at her, her gaze sharp as a knife: "I know you look down on her, thinking she's just an adopted daughter, a wild girl from the countryside. When others laugh at her, you laugh along too. But don't forget, she's now in the Yun family genealogy; she's the second young lady of the Yun family. If something happens to her, the Yun family's reputation will be damaged. You're also a member of the Yun family; do you think you can remain unscathed?"

Yunxiu bit her lip, unwilling to accept it, but only dared to whisper, "That's not what I thought..."

"No?" Chu Wanqing sneered. "I don't care what you think. And don't feel wronged. Today's events were a setup targeting Jin'er; I don't believe you can't see that. I'm only asking you, were you involved?"

Yunxiu shook her head repeatedly, saying urgently, "Mother, I didn't! I really didn't!"

Chu Wanqing stared at her for a long time before looking away and asking again, "Then let me ask you again, have you thought about what the consequences would be if they succeeded today?"

Yunxiu raised her head, pursed her lips, and said, "What else can I do but marry him?"

Chu Wanqing looked at her with disappointment and heartache, her voice tinged with pain: "You think it's that simple? Jin'er is the second young lady of the Yun family. If something like that really happened to her at the Princess's residence, what would people say? They'd say the Yun family can't even raise a proper adopted daughter. What kind of good family is the Yun family? People would think, if the Yun family can tolerate a daughter like that, how good can their family values ​​be? Which family would dare to marry into the Yun family in the future? Your marriage will also be affected. At that time, which noble young master would be willing to marry the daughter of a family with a corrupt reputation?"

Yunxiu's face turned pale instantly. She had never thought about these things; she only wanted to see Yunjin humiliated and ruin her reputation, but she didn't want this matter to involve herself.

Seeing that her expression changed, Chu Wanqing knew that her words had worked, so she softened her tone and continued, "Xiu'er, don't blame your mother for hitting you. I'm just disappointed in you. You are destined for greatness, and your mother hopes that you will marry the right person, rise to a high position, and bring glory to our family. But you must have a broad vision and a long-term perspective; you can't just focus on what's in front of you."

Yunxiu knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Chu Wanqing sighed, stepped forward and pulled her up, her voice softening slightly: "Do you know why I adopted Jin'er as my goddaughter?"

Yunxiu stood up, looked at her with teary eyes, and shook her head.

Chu Wanqing said, "Do you think she's just a helpless orphan? She's also Madam Zheng's adopted daughter, and the Zheng family's matriarch has taken her in as her granddaughter. By adopting her, I'm essentially establishing a connection with the Zheng family. I'm helping you build your network."

Yunxiu was stunned; she had never thought of this before.

Chu Wanqing continued, "I originally hoped you could get along well with her, and that she could become an asset to you in the future. But what about you? Why do you so readily want others to slander her and ruin her reputation? I'm paving the way for you here, and you're sabotaging me from the sidelines. Xiu'er, what am I supposed to think of you?"