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

Ya Min stopped and turned around, giving Zheng Jie a cold look: "You're quite good at making decisions for this princess."

Zheng Jie was stunned, her anger instantly turning into fear. She quickly waved her hands, "Princess, I... I didn't mean that. I was just indignant on your behalf. What right does that country girl have to be so arrogant in front of you? Who does she think she is?"

"And who do you think you are?" Ya Min interrupted her, her eyes filled with coldness. "When did it become your place to interfere in my affairs? Whatever grudge you have with her, I don't care. But if you want to use me as a scapegoat, Zheng Jie, you've miscalculated."

Zheng Jie's face turned completely pale. She wanted to say something, but didn't know how to start.

Ya Min snorted coldly, her tone full of warning: "I won't hold today's matter against you. But remember, it's none of your business how I handle things."

Zheng Jie nodded quickly and stammered, "Yes, Princess, I'll remember."

Ya Min didn't look at her again, turned around and left. She had an appointment with the Fifth Prince to discuss something today, and didn't have time to look at Zheng Jie's smug face.

Zheng Jie stood there, watching Ya Min's figure disappear into the alley. The fear on her face gradually faded, replaced by resentment and unwillingness.

She gritted her teeth, clenched her handkerchief, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes.

Ya Min didn't want to deal with Yun Jin; she would find a way herself.

She turned and got into her carriage, which then drove off in another direction.

The carriage soon stopped at the First Prince's residence.

Zheng Jie got out of the carriage and was led by servants to Consort Zheng's courtyard.

Consort Zheng was sitting by the window drinking tea when she saw her enter. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why do you look so pale? Who has offended you?"

Zheng Jie sat down opposite Consort Zheng, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, put it down, and said aggrievedly, "It's all because of that adopted daughter of the Yun family!"

Consort Zheng frowned: "Yun Jin? What happened to her this time?"

Zheng Jie embellished the story of what happened on the street that day.

She didn't mention that she had stopped the car, but only said that Yun Jin didn't greet Ya Min properly, was arrogant, and even said hurtful things.

"Sister, you have no idea how she acted! She completely disregarded the Princess and you!" She gritted her teeth, her voice filled with resentment. "She even said that you were just a concubine, what was there to be proud of? She simply didn't respect you at all."

Consort Zheng's face darkened. She was very bothered by people saying that she was just a concubine, even though it was true.

Seeing that she remained silent, Zheng Jie decided to add fuel to the fire: "Sister, you can't just let her off like this. That girl is incredibly arrogant. If you don't teach her a lesson, she'll really think no one can control her."

Consort Zheng sighed, "It's not that easy. Don't underestimate her just because she's a mere adopted daughter of the Yun family. For some reason, Prince Yu actually stood up for her. Who is Prince Yu? Does he even have room for anyone else but the Emperor?"

Zheng Jie grabbed her arm and advised, "Sister, although we don't know why Prince Yu is helping her, he's not in the capital right now, which is the perfect opportunity. If you don't act now, it will be even more difficult when he returns."

Consort Zheng remained silent, her gaze fixed on the view outside the window.

Outside the window, the sky was overcast and gray, as if snow was about to fall at any moment. She remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "You should go back first. I know about this. I know what to do."

"Sister..." Zheng Jie said unwillingly.

"Alright, go back now," Consort Zheng said calmly.

Zheng Jie wanted to say something more, but looking at his expressionless face, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

She stood up, bowed, and turned to leave.

As she reached the door, she glanced back and saw Consort Zheng holding a teacup, her gaze deep and unfathomable, lost in thought.

After Zheng Jie left, she called over her dowry maid and gave her a few instructions, which the maid then left in response.

Consort Zheng sat down again, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips.

This time, she wanted to show Yun Jin the consequences of offending her.

……

That night, a fire broke out at the Charity Hall in the south of the city.

The fire started in the backyard and spread rapidly to the front yard with the help of the wind.

The charity hall houses more than thirty beggars, all of whom are homeless people taken in by Yun Jin and Lan Qi.

When the fire broke out, most people were still asleep, choked awake by the thick smoke, and rushed outside in a panic. Some managed to escape, while others did not.

By the time the local residents discovered the fire and rushed to put it out with buckets of water, the fire was already quite large.

Flames shot into the sky, and thick smoke billowed, illuminating half the sky.

Some shouted, "Go report to the authorities!" while others shouted, "Go find someone to help!" It was a complete mess.

Yun Jin was awakened by urgent knocking on the door.

"Miss! Miss! Something terrible has happened!" Chunxi's voice came from outside the door, her tone full of panic, "The Charity Hall in the south of the city... it's on fire!"

"What did you say? The Charity Hall is on fire?" Yun Jin's mind went blank. Without thinking, she scrambled off the bed, put on her clothes, grabbed her cloak, and ran outside, shouting as she ran, "Dongxue, Dongxue, hurry! Come with me to the Charity Hall."

Dongxue flew over to her and replied, "Miss."

"Prepare the horses, you're coming with me on horseback." She instructed Dongxue, and then told Chunxi, "Stay at home. If Mother asks, just say I went to the charity hall."

Chunxi knew that if she went there now, she would only cause trouble, so she quickly nodded in agreement.

Yun Jin left the mansion through the side gate, where Dong Xue was already waiting for her with her horse. She leaped onto the horse, and the two of them quickly headed towards the Charity Hall in the south of the city.

The two soon arrived at the charity hall. Yun Jin dismounted, and the sight before her made her feel cold all over.

The yard was a complete mess.

Several houses were burned down to their frames, with the plaster peeling off to reveal the charred bricks and stones inside.

The ground was covered in water stains and ashes, and the air was filled with the smell of burning, which made people's eyes water.

A dozen or so disheveled people squatted in the corner, shivering. Some were crying, some were trembling, and some stared blankly at the ruins, as if they had lost their souls.

Several women sat on the ground, holding their children, and wailed loudly.

Manager Sun of the charity hall knelt in front of the ruins, his face covered in dust and grime, his clothes scorched in several places, his hair burned, and his face covered in black ash.

He saw Yun Jin, rushed over, and kowtowed to the ground, his voice hoarse: "Miss, this old servant deserves to die! This old servant failed to guard the courtyard properly, this old servant is so sorry..."

Yun Jin quickly helped him up, her voice trembling as she asked, "Have you reported it to the authorities? Have the casualties been tallied?"

Steward Sun choked up as he said, "The report is in. Five people are dead. Seven or eight are injured. Three others are burning with fever and have already been sent to Weicao Hall."

Yun Jin's heart sank to the bottom.

Five vibrant lives were lost just like that.

She calmed herself down and asked, "When did the fire start? How did it start? Who discovered it?"