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

Yun Jin stayed at Shen Qingyun's estate, as she had been frightened and needed to rest.

Shen Qingyun instructed her servants to keep this matter a secret. When she returned, she hid Yun Jin in the carriage so that no one else could see her. When she called for a doctor, she only said that it was her servant.

To take care of Yun Jin, she specifically instructed that, except when delivering meals, the maids should not be allowed to serve her closely.

On weekdays, it's just the two of them in the house. Sometimes they lean against the tatami mat and talk, sometimes they sit by the window and drink tea, chatting about everything under the sun. It's a rare moment of leisure for them.

Yun Jin discovered that Shen Qingyun was actually a very intelligent woman. Her views on things were not conventional, unlike those women in the inner quarters who were short-sighted and petty.

She had read extensively, covering everything from history books and poetry to military strategy and agriculture, and her insights into the political situation were particularly profound.

Yun Jin found it strange. With Shen Qingyun's intelligence, how could she have been suppressed by Consort Zheng for so many years?

With her intelligence, she shouldn't be suppressed like this.

She couldn't help but ask.

Shen Qingyun held her teacup, remaining silent for a long while before letting out a bitter laugh. Her gaze fell on the hazy sky outside the window, and after a long pause, she finally asked:

"Would you like to hear my story with Xiao Yibei?"

Yun Jin nodded and poured her more tea.

Shen Qingyun leaned back on the couch, gazing out the window, and began her story:

"My father taught at the Imperial Academy, so I was his teacher. I often followed my father around, studying, learning to read, and composing poems with them. Actually, he wasn't very smart. He would often rack his brains trying to finish the lessons assigned by his teacher, and he would secretly shed tears if he lost a horseback archery match."

But he was very good to me. He would save his favorite snacks for me and use the money he saved to buy me a beaded flower that I wanted.

Our feelings for each other grew stronger day by day. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say we were childhood sweethearts.

After he came of age, Consort Jing wanted to choose a concubine for him, and she took a liking to several noble ladies, but he rejected them all. He said, "I only want you."

At this point, Shen Qingyun's voice trembled slightly, and her eyes reddened. "But his mother disagreed. She thought my father's official rank was too low, the Shen family's social standing was too low, and I was not good enough for her son. But he was a stubborn man. He actually went to the Imperial Study behind his mother's back and knelt down, begging His Majesty to grant him the marriage. He knelt there for a whole night, and His Majesty, unable to bear his persistence, finally agreed."

Looking at her, Yun Jin felt a surge of complex emotions that she couldn't quite describe.

How did such passionate love and youthful spirit, so reckless, turn into this mutual loathing?

Shen Qingyun was lost in her memories, her gaze deep and unfathomable: "When we first got married, things were really good. He would come back to be with me after court, take me horseback riding outside the city, to the temple to burn incense, and stroll around the streets. He said that he wouldn't have three wives and four concubines like other princes; he only wanted me. I really believed him."

She paused, a bitter smile playing on her lips. "Later, I became pregnant, and he was overjoyed, saying he was content with having me and our child in his life. Who knew that his mother would still take the opportunity to bring Zheng Yu into the household? I never expected that he would accept her. He told me that she was, after all, his mother. But not long after Zheng Yu entered the household, I lost my child."

Shen Qingyun stopped, her hand unconsciously stroking her lower abdomen, as if touching the unborn child, her eyes filled with pain.

"Zheng Yu said it was my own carelessness, but I know it wasn't. I walk that road every day, and the people around me are usually very careful. But that day, my maid Cuiqing was sent away by Zheng Yu's people, and then I fell."

After my accident, Zheng Yu kept blaming herself, saying she should have known better than to ask Cui Qing for help. She even knelt on the ground begging for my forgiveness. I admit, she was indeed better at assessing situations and at showing weakness than I was.

I told Xiao Yibei that it was Zheng Yuqian's child and asked him to seek justice for our child. He investigated, but found nothing. He said I was overthinking it and that Zheng Yuqian didn't have the guts, but I didn't believe him. When I said more, he said I was being unreasonable, and gradually, he came to my yard less and less. Two months later, Zheng Yuqian became pregnant.

After saying that, she laughed self-deprecatingly, "Isn't it ridiculous? He originally told me that he would never touch Zheng Yu in his life. But he went back on his word."

Yun Jin patted her hand: "Sister Shen, I know you've given up on him, that's why you don't fight for him. If you wanted to, Zheng Yu might not be a match for you."

Shen Qingyun shook her head and sighed, "I was so foolish before. I didn't fight for it before because I didn't want to, but now, I want to fight for it."

Just like you said, it wasn't my fault, so why should I punish myself for someone else's mistake? I want a child to rely on, and I want my brother to have a better life. If Xiao Yibei still doesn't understand, I'll go and leave the child behind.

Yun Jin smiled and nodded: "Sister Shen, I think this is how you truly come alive."

Shen Qingyun paused for a moment, then nodded and smiled: "You're right."

Seeing that she had truly come to her senses, Yun Jin was completely relieved.

At the same time, Shen Qingyun also told Yun Jin something. The eldest prince had never thought of vying for that position.

Consort Jing wanted him to compete, but he was self-aware enough to know that apart from being the "eldest prince," he had no other advantages.

Yun Jin still advised her to take the initiative instead of waiting passively.

Shen Qingyun smiled and said, "No rush. I'm using your medicine now and soaking in the hot springs every day. Let me rest for a while before we talk about it. I'm not old enough to rekindle our past feelings."

Seeing that she understood, Yun Jin stopped trying to persuade her.

In the past few days, people in the capital have been harboring their own thoughts and calculations.

Upon learning of Yun Jin's accident, Liu Zhixue laughed triumphantly: "That brat is finally dead? I was careless to keep her alive back then; it's good that she's dead now."

She sent someone to invite Yunheting, saying she had important matters to discuss.

Yun Heting's leg wasn't fully healed, so he was carried in. After entering the room, he waved for the servants to leave and looked at Liu Zhixue: "Zhixue, why did you rush to see me? What is it you want to discuss with me?"

Liu Zhixue sat down opposite him and said slowly, "I've heard about that girl. Still no news?"

Yun Heting shook his head: "No, people from the manor went to look for them, my father-in-law also arranged for people, and the Zheng family also arranged for people to help search, but we still haven't received any news."

Liu Zhixue snorted: "Nine times out of ten, it's more likely to be a bad omen."

Yun Heting nodded helplessly: "Yes, Wanqing won't give up. She insists on seeing him alive or dead. Her temper has gotten worse these past few days, and she's scolded me several times. Besides, she's lost her appetite and has lost a lot of weight."

Liu Zhixue suddenly spoke up: "Yunlang, do you think she might become ill from worry and never recover, and then die?"