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

Ya Min's expression changed immediately. She knew that Zheng Jie's words made sense. If Prince Yu insisted, not to mention being an adopted daughter, even a beggar could rise to prominence.

Her face was grim, but she didn't speak. She was arrogant, but not brainless; there were some things she didn't need to say to the Zheng family.

Seeing that she remained silent, Zheng Jie continued to fan the flames: "Princess, you can't tolerate this any longer. Prince Yu is currently in the northern border, which is the perfect opportunity. Once he returns to the capital, it will be much more difficult for you to make a move."

Ya Min remained silent for a long time before finally raising her head. A hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes as she said, "Alright, I understand. You can go back now."

Having achieved her goal, Zheng Jie naturally didn't stay any longer and tactfully took her leave.

After she left, Ya Min called her maid and instructed her, "Go and send an invitation to the Yun family. I want to invite their two young ladies to the hot spring resort outside the city tomorrow. Remember, you must see her in person and make sure she doesn't refuse."

She paused, then added, "And the daughter of Grand Commandant Xiao, and the daughter of Imperial Censor Gao."

The maidservant responded and left.

Yun Jin was somewhat surprised when she received the invitation. Ya Min had sent her an invitation, which seemed very strange. She and Ya Min were destined not to be friends, so what good intentions could Ya Min have in inviting her?

She hadn't forgotten what happened at the Princess's residence last time.

But the maid sent by Ya Min said, "Our princess said she hopes Miss Yun will give us face."

They just don't give me any face.

Yun Jin had no choice but to accept the invitation and said she would definitely go.

Chu Wanqing said to her with concern, "Jin'er, don't go. It's definitely a trap. If you don't want to go, Mother will just make up an excuse to decline."

Yun Jin shook her head: "Mother, if she doesn't succeed this time, she'll find another excuse next time. Don't worry, I'll be prepared."

Chu Wanqing knew he was right and couldn't refuse, so she told her to be extra careful.

Yunxiu even came over to Yunjin and said, "Second sister, I'm so happy to be traveling with you tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll definitely protect you this time."

"I don't believe you!" Yun Jin thought to herself, but said aloud, "Then thank you, big sister."

The next morning, Yun Jin ate breakfast, changed into a neat outfit, and only took Dong Xue with her, leaving Chun Xi at home.

Chunxi was very reluctant, but she insisted. After all, Dongxue was skilled, and if something really happened to Chunxi, she wouldn't be able to protect her.

When she arrived at the gate of the mansion, Yunxiu was already waiting for her.

Seeing Yun Jin approach, she greeted her with a smile: "Second sister, you've finally arrived. Sister Ya Min personally sent a car to pick us up."

Chu Wanqing specially arranged for Chai An to drive the best carriage in the manor, enough for both Yun Jin and Yun Xiu to ride in at the same time. However, Yun Xiu was invited into Ya Min's carriage by a maid sent by Ya Min.

Yun Jin didn't mind and took Dong Xue into her own carriage, leaving Mei Xiang to sit alone in the smaller carriage in the back.

As the caravan left the city and traveled along a secluded mountain road, Yun Jin's horse suddenly became startled.

Chai An pulled on the reins a few times, but the horse not only didn't stop, it neighed and galloped forward wildly.

Meanwhile, Ya Min's convoy had vanished. Dong Xue lifted the carriage curtain, preparing to help Chai An, when she suddenly turned back to Yun Jin and said, "Miss, be careful!"

Immediately afterwards, several dark figures darted out from the roadside woods, wielding swords and knives, and rushed straight toward the carriage.

After giving her warning, Dongxue drew her sword and charged forward, engaging the group in fierce combat.

The clanging and glint of swords echoed through the valley.

Although Dongxue was skilled, she was outnumbered and entangled, unable to break free.

Chai An gripped the reins tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, but the horse seemed to be insane and he couldn't control it no matter what he did.

Ahead was a sharp bend, and at the bend lay a bottomless ravine. If the carriage plunged down, it would surely perish.

"Chai An, jump out of the car!" Yun Jin shouted.

Chai An gritted his teeth and refused to let go: "Miss, you jump first!"

Yun Jin strained to look at the carriage shaft from the carriage, then raised her foot and pushed Chai An off.

The moment Chai An fell, the carriage had already veered off the mountain road, plunging into the ravine along with the horse.

Chai An scrambled to the edge of the ravine, only to see the carriage rolling down its banks. He cried out in alarm, "Miss!"

When Dongxue heard the shout, her heart sank. She was distracted and her arm was slashed by the other person's knife.

She gritted her teeth, swung her knife backhand, forcing the man back, leaped out of the battle, and stumbled to the side of the mountain path.

The mountain stream was shrouded in mist, obscuring everything. She knelt on the edge of the cliff, trembling all over.

Chai An crawled over, choking back tears, and said, "Miss Dongxue, Miss...she..."

Dongxue took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

She stood up and rushed towards the man in black with a sharp look in her eyes.

But when the man in black saw the carriage plunge off the cliff, he didn't linger and turned to run away, disappearing into the woods in the blink of an eye.

Dongxue whistled twice, and immediately two figures chased after the direction the group had left in.

She turned to Chai An and said, "Go back to the manor quickly and report this. I'll go down and look for him."

Having said that, he leaped into the air, and his figure quickly disappeared into the mist.

Chai An knelt on the edge of the cliff and called out "Winter Snow Girl" several times, but no one answered.

He gritted his teeth, got up, and stumbled back.

By the time Chai An ran back to the Yun residence, it was already dark.

His face was covered in scrapes, scrapes he had sustained when Yun Jin kicked him off the carriage. When he stumbled into the mansion, the gatekeeper almost didn't recognize him.

The moment he saw Chu Wanqing, he threw himself to the ground: "Madam, Miss's carriage has fallen off a cliff!"

Chu Wanqing's face turned pale upon hearing this, and she asked anxiously, "What did you say?"

Chai An knelt on the ground, his forehead thumping loudly as he kowtowed: "Our carriage hadn't been out of the city long when the horse got spooked. Then... we encountered an assassination attempt, and Miss Dongxue was entangled. Miss... Miss pushed me off the carriage, but she herself... didn't have time and went into the ravine with the carriage. I'm so sorry, Madam, we failed to protect Miss..."

Chu Wanqing swayed slightly, gritted her teeth, and forced herself to remain calm. She said to Qinghe, "Quickly, call Chai Hu and have him take men to search immediately."

After Qinghe left, she sent someone to the General's Mansion to convey a message that her own power was limited and she needed to rely on the General's Mansion.

Upon hearing this, Lan Ying felt dizzy and almost fell off the kang (a heated brick bed).

Chu Duanshan grabbed her and supported her, his face ashen, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Men, prepare the horses, gather the men, and come with me to search the mountain!"

He turned and walked out, but stopped after a couple of steps. He said to Lan Ying, "You stay home and wait for my news. If Wan Qing comes, tell her not to worry. Jin'er is a lucky girl; she'll definitely be alright. Besides, it's winter, and the valley floor is covered in snow. Maybe that's why she survived."

Chu Duanshan led his men to the mountain stream overnight, searching the cliff face with torches in hand.

Dongxue climbed up from the bottom of the valley and saw Chu Duanshan. She stepped forward and knelt down on the ground: "General, this servant is Dongxue from Miss's side."

Upon hearing this, Chu Duanshan quickly asked her, "Where's Jin'er? Have you found her?"

Dongxue shook her head, tears streaming down her face, and replied, "There's no one in the valley, only a carriage. Miss...she's gone."