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

Yun Jin said calmly, "You flatter me, Consort. I was just lucky."

"Luck?" Consort Zheng chuckled, her laughter devoid of any warmth. "Luck can take you from the countryside to the capital? Luck can transform you from a country girl into the second young lady of the Minister of Rites' mansion? Miss Yun, the element of luck in your journey is far too great."

These words were harsh, every word subtly alluding to Yun Jin's background and origins, and reminding her that she came from a small place.

Yun Jin knew why she hated her.

Because of that courtyard. Because of Zhou Demao. Because, with the help of Prince Yu, she reclaimed that courtyard.

Consort Zheng lost face and was even reprimanded by the First Prince; she couldn't swallow this insult. Now that she'd run into him, she naturally wouldn't let him off easily.

She raised her head, looked at Consort Zheng, and said calmly, "Your Highness is right. I am indeed very lucky. Along the way, I have met many benefactors. Not only am I fortunate enough to become the second young lady of the Yun family, but I am also the adopted daughter of the Zheng family and the goddaughter of Old Madam Zheng. Although my family is no longer here, I have so many relatives who love me. I am truly lucky."

Consort Zheng's expression changed slightly, and her gaze towards Yun Jin grew even colder. She sneered, "Sharp-tongued! No wonder you can thrive in the elite circles of the capital."

Zheng Jie, standing nearby, added sarcastically, "Sister, you don't know, this Miss Yun is no simpleton. I heard that she was involved in an ambiguous relationship with a man at the Princess's birthday banquet, but later she used some means to cover it up. I don't know if it's true or not."

Yun Jin glanced at her and said calmly, "Young lady, you should speak with evidence. Where did you hear what you've heard? At the Princess's birthday banquet, Her Highness already investigated and clarified the truth in front of all the ladies and young women. It was a maid from the Princess's residence who had a secret rendezvous with her husband in the warm pavilion. It has nothing to do with me. Are you questioning Her Highness's decision with such casual remarks?"

Zheng Jie choked, her face turning pale and then flushed, and she stammered, unable to speak.

She didn't expect Yun Jin to bring up the Eldest Princess to pressure her.

Consort Zheng looked coldly at Yun Jin: "Miss Yun is indeed eloquent."

Yun Jin bowed respectfully: "You flatter me, Consort. I am unworthy of such praise."

Consort Zheng snorted coldly: "Sharp-tongued. I'd like to see how long you can remain arrogant."

Yun Jin lowered her head slightly: "Your Highness, you flatter me. I am merely an adopted daughter and would never dare to be arrogant."

Consort Zheng sneered, her gaze as sharp as a knife as she stared at Yun Jin: "I'll remember you."

Chunxi stood behind Yunjin, secretly tugged at her sleeve, and whispered, "Miss, let's go..."

Just as Yun Jin was about to speak, a maidservant beside Consort Zheng suddenly stepped forward and slapped Chunxi across the face.

With a "smack," Chunxi covered her face, completely stunned.

The maidservant tilted her head back and said, "How dare you interrupt when your mistress is speaking?"

Chunxi covered her face, not daring to speak. Dongxue was eager to try, but after glancing at Yunjin, she held back.

Yun Jin's face darkened further. She pulled Chunxi behind her and looked directly at Consort Zheng: "Consort, if my maidservant has done anything wrong, I will discipline her. May I ask, does your servant's act of violence against my maidservant represent your will?"

Consort Zheng raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over Yun Jin's face before she said to the maid beside her, "Apologize to Miss Yun the Second."

The maidservant obediently stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I'm sorry, Miss Yun, I've overstepped my bounds."

Yun Jin said coldly, "The one you should apologize to is not me."

The maid glanced at Consort Zheng, and seeing her nod, she obediently stepped forward and bowed to Chunxi: "I'm sorry, young lady, I just forgot that we're not in our residence."

Chunxi lowered her head, covered her face, and didn't say anything.

Yun Jin stared coldly at Consort Zheng, her heart filled with immense anger. She suddenly realized just how important power was in this era.

Given what happened at the Princess's birthday banquet in the southern courtyard, now facing Consort Zheng, without absolute power, she can't even protect the people around her.

Consort Zheng stopped looking at Yun Jin, turned around and walked downstairs. When she passed by Yun Jin, she paused for a moment and said in a very low voice that only the two of them could hear: "Second Miss Yun, we'll see."

Zheng Jie followed behind, glanced back at Yun Jin, and smiled smugly.

The group went downstairs, and their footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Yun Jin stood there, watching their figures disappear around the corner of the stairs, and let out a long sigh.

"Let's go."

After saying that, he took Chunxi and Dongxue downstairs.

The manager stood behind the counter. When he saw them come down, he wanted to go up and speak to them, but Yun Jin shook her head at him and led the people out of Juxian Pavilion.

Once inside the carriage, Dongxue finally couldn't help but ask, "Miss, should I follow them and teach them a lesson?"

Yun Jin shook her head: "We just had a conflict with her, and then they got into trouble. It's inevitable that they'll suspect me."

She turned around, took Chunxi's hand, and gently pried open the fingers that were covering her left cheek. She glanced at them and saw five clear finger marks, which were terribly swollen.

"Does it hurt?" Yun Jin asked.

Chunxi shook her head, biting her lip, her voice trembling: "Miss, I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I've dragged you into this..."

"What did you do wrong?" Yun Jin interrupted her. "You did nothing wrong. They're the ones who are wrong."

The mistake was that I had no power or advantage.

She took a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped away her tears. Then she took out a small porcelain bottle, poured out some ointment, and gently applied it to her face. The ointment was cool, and Chunxi gasped, but did not pull away.

"Go back and apply an ice pack; it'll be fine in a couple of days." Yun Jin put away the ointment, turned to look at Dong Xue, and said, "Don't mention today's incident to my mother."

Dongxue nodded: "I understand. But, Miss, are we just going to leave it at that?"

"Forget it?" Yun Jin's lips curled slightly, but her smile held no warmth whatsoever. "How could that be? Dongxue, how much do you know about the affairs of the First Prince's residence?"

Dongxue thought for a moment, then lowered her voice and said, "I know a little. The Crown Prince's wife's maiden name is Shen, and her given name is Shen Qingyun. She is the daughter of Scholar Shen of the Hanlin Academy. She and the Crown Prince are childhood sweethearts and grew up together. The Crown Prince respects this principal wife very much and used to dote on her."

"Before?" Yun Jin seized on this word.

Dongxue nodded: "In the first two years after Consort Shen entered the palace, she and the First Prince did have a very good relationship. She was pregnant once, and the First Prince was overjoyed. He personally went to the temple to pray for her and even had a courtyard full of flowers planted in the mansion, saying it was to cheer Consort Shen up. But the good times didn't last long. In the second month of Consort Shen's pregnancy, Consort Zheng entered the mansion."

"Who chose Consort Zheng for the First Prince?" Yun Jin asked.