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

The two returned to Jinshu Pavilion, and Dongxue finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked in a low voice, "Miss, what do you plan to do?"

Yun Jin was silent for a moment before speaking: "Go and investigate for me. Investigate everything about Consort Zheng. Before she entered the manor, after she entered, her family, her dowry, everyone around her. How she entered the manor, how she gained favor, how she harmed Consort Shen, I need to know every single detail. I refuse to believe that she is so clean that nothing can be found out."

Dongxue nodded: "Alright, is there anything else I can do?"

Yun Jin thought for a moment and added, "Also, investigate whether she has any connections with Consort Shu, the Empress, or the other princes. Find out who is backing her. I don't believe Consort Jing could give her such courage."

Dongxue responded and turned to leave.

The room fell silent. Yun Jin sat by the window, gazing at the dark night outside, her eyes deep and unfathomable.

Consort Zheng, since you insisted on coming here, then let's use you as a tribute to the deceased.

The northern border, Daning Prefecture.

Xiao Jingyan received Dongxue's secret letter, and his expression grew increasingly grim.

Although there was a wall of fire inside, Jin Hu felt a chill all over his body. He was so scared that he didn't dare to breathe. He stood in the corner with his neck hunched over, wishing he could hide himself in a crack in the wall.

"Jin Hu, pack your things and get ready to return to the capital!" Xiao Jingyan suddenly spoke, got up, put on his clothes, and walked out.

Jin Hu was startled and quickly stepped forward to stop him, saying urgently, "Your Highness, please calm down! His Majesty sent you to the northern border for disaster relief, and your official duties are not yet finished. If you go back now, those officials in the Censorate will definitely impeach you! Impeaching you would be the least of your worries; what if His Majesty thinks you are not taking your duties seriously?"

Xiao Jingyan ignored him, fastened the belt of his cloak, paused for a moment, and then reached for the sword on the table.

Jin Hu grew anxious and followed behind him, urgently advising, "Your Highness, please listen to my advice! Miss Yun is a smart woman; she might be able to handle these matters. Look at what Dong Xue wrote in her letter—she investigated Consort Zheng, Consort Shu, and even allied with the First Prince's wife. Although the Charity Hall burned down, she has already arranged for its reconstruction. She hasn't taken the rumors on the streets to heart. See how composed and capable she is? Even if you go back, you might not be able to help much, and you might even cause her more trouble."

Xiao Jingyan paused for a moment, then turned around and looked coldly at Jin Hu, his gaze like a knife.

Jin Hu felt uneasy under his gaze, shrank back, but still forced himself to continue persuading, "Your Highness, think about it. Why didn't Miss Yun let Dongxue tell you? She was afraid you'd be distracted and neglect your duties. If you return without handling the affairs of the Northern Border well, she'll feel like she's dragging you down. Don't you think that makes sense?"

Xiao Jingyan glared at him, his brows furrowed: "Do you expect me to watch her face all those demons and monsters in the capital alone? She's just a lowly adopted daughter now, everyone wants to kick her while she's down. If I don't return to the capital, who will stand up for her?"

"Your Highness!" Jin Hu was so anxious that cold sweat poured down his forehead, but he had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue to persuade her, "You're just worried and making a mistake! Miss Yun is very smart. Think about it, she was able to come all the way from Qingping County back to the capital, and then return to the Yun family as an adopted daughter. How could she be defeated so easily? She has the Chu family, the Zheng family, and Madam Yun behind her. They won't sit idly by."

He swallowed hard, then added, "Your Highness, you can also arrange matters in the capital from Daning Prefecture..."

Xiao Jingyan remained silent.

He gripped the hilt of his sword with one hand and let the other hang by his side, trying hard to control his emotions.

He took a deep breath, put down his sword, walked to the table, sat down, spread out a piece of paper, and began to write a letter.

After finishing writing, he folded the letter and handed it to Jin Hu: "Send this letter back to the capital and tell Ling Feng to fully cooperate with Yun Jin. Tell him that her affairs are my affairs."

Jin Hu took the letter, glanced at it, and saw the words "To Yun Jin" written on the envelope. He carefully put the letter into his pocket, responded, and turned to leave.

Xiao Jingyan stood up, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the capital.

It's as if I can see Yun Jin's stubborn eyes.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Soon, once things in the North are settled, he'll go back. Then, no one will be able to bully her anymore.

……

Beijing.

The next morning, Yun Jin had just finished washing up when Dong Xue came in, holding a letter and handing it to her: "Miss, this is a letter from the Prince."

Yun Jin took the letter and unfolded it. The letter was short, containing only a few lines of text.

"I know everything that happened in the capital. Jingyan wasn't spying on you, Jin'er, please don't take offense. I was just worried about you, afraid that you would be bullied. Lingfeng will fully cooperate with you. If you need anything, just ask. Don't be shy. I'm doing well in the Northern Territory, so don't worry."

The signature is a single character: "衍".

Yun Jin pursed her lips, her gaze fixed on the character "衍" for a long time.

Throughout the entire text, the author referred to himself as "I" and did not use "this king." Yun Jin pursed her lips.

She folded the letter and prepared to go to Qingshui Garden to pay her respects to Chu Wanqing.

She had just finished dressing when Chunxi pushed open the door and came in, saying that Lanqi had sent someone to invite her to Juxian Pavilion.

Yun Jin went to Qingshuiyuan first.

When Yunlang saw her, he tugged at her sleeve and comforted her, "Sister, I've heard all the rumors outside. Sister, I believe you're not a jinx. Look, now that you're here, Lang-ge'er's illness is cured. How could you possibly be a jinx?"

Yun Jin smiled and patted his head: "Thank you, Lang-ge'er."

Yunxiu's eyes held a mocking glint, but she comforted her, saying, "You're right, Second Sister, I believe you too."

Yun Jin smiled but didn't say anything.

Chu Wanqing said nothing; some things don't need to be said.

After having breakfast with Chu Wanqing, Yun Jin told Chu Wanqing that she had gone back to change her clothes and then left with Chunxi.

To avoid causing herself any trouble, she even wore a veil.

When they arrived at Juxian Pavilion, Lan Qi was sitting in a private room on the second floor, resting his chin on his hand and lost in thought. The tea in front of him had gone cold, but he didn't ask anyone to replace it.

Hearing footsteps, he snapped out of his reverie and sat up straight: "Jin'er is here."

"Uncle, what brings you here?" Yun Jin sat down opposite him, taking off her veil and placing it aside.

Lan Qi lowered his voice, his expression grave: "Jin'er, we've found out what your maternal grandmother asked me to investigate."

Yun Jin looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

"It was no coincidence that Liu Zhixue's mother married into the Liu family of Jizhou; it was a deliberate arrangement."

Yun Jin was startled: "Someone arranged this? Who?"

"We haven't found anything yet." Lan Qi shook his head. "It was a lie that her mother married into the Liu family; the real purpose was to groom her. That person had her stay at the Liu family home, taught her music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs, and molded her into a pawn. Then they arranged for her to come to the capital to get close to the Princess and Yunhe Pavilion. Every step of the way, someone was pushing her from behind."