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

Yun Heting felt much more at ease, and then tentatively asked about Yun Jin: "Jin'er has not been found yet, and we don't know where she is now, or whether she can still be found."

Chu Wanqing's expression darkened. She lowered her head and remained silent for a moment before saying, "I'm afraid it's mostly bad news. That child had such a tragic fate, just like that..."

She couldn't continue, and wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

Yun Heting also sighed, "That girl is unlucky."

Chu Wanqing nodded but did not reply.

Yun Heting then asked, "Should we hold a funeral for her?"

Chu Wanqing shook her head: "She's nowhere to be found, neither alive nor dead, so let's not hold a funeral. Let's just pretend she went on a long trip. If we hold a funeral and she comes back, that would be bad luck."

Yun Heting deeply agreed, thinking that Chu Wanqing and Yun Jin ultimately had no feelings for each other, as they hadn't been raised together since childhood.

He then tentatively brought up Yunxiu's marriage: "Madam, shouldn't we start making arrangements for Xiu'er's marriage?"

Chu Wanqing said calmly, "Our Xiu'er is a woman. It's only when a woman is sought after by many families that one should seek her hand in marriage. I've never heard of someone rushing around to ask for a husband. Even if we like Xiu'er and the Fifth Prince, if the Fifth Prince doesn't take the initiative, we can't just go and ask him for a hand.

Yunheting was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

Chu Wanqing didn't expect him to answer, but instead said, "I want to wait until your leg is healed, then take Xiu'er with me to the General's Mansion to ask my parents what they think."

Yun Heting was overjoyed. Chu Wanqing was willing to make plans for Yunxiu, which meant she had truly let go of Yunjin's matter.

……

On the other side, after leaving the General's Mansion, Xiao Jingyan returned to his own residence. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Zheng Yu and Zheng Jie, those two sisters, actually dared to bully his people.

He summoned Jin Hu and instructed him, "Have Ling Feng investigate the matter of Vice Minister Zheng of the Ministry of Revenue. He's been in the Ministry of Revenue for so many years; his hands can't be clean. Whether it's embezzlement, bribery, or selling official positions, find out and give me the evidence."

Jin Hu responded and turned to leave.

The following evening, Jin Hu hurriedly entered the study, handing a thick stack of papers to Prince Yu, and whispered, "Your Highness, Ling Feng has found something. Vice Minister Zheng has embezzled quite a bit during his years in the Ministry of Revenue, and this is the evidence Ling Feng found."

Xiao Jingyan picked up the stack of papers and flipped through them page by page, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Jin Hu added, "There's one more thing. Ling Feng said that the Eldest Princess is helping Zheng Jie with her marriage arrangements, and it seems she's preparing to choose between the Marquis of Jingyuan and the Prince of Zhennan."

Xiao Jingyan raised an eyebrow. The eldest princess was really trying to kill him by attacking his spirit.

He couldn't help but laugh. He had originally wanted to teach Minister Zheng a lesson, but now it seemed that the girl would prefer this outcome.

He thought for a moment, then put the stack of papers into his sleeve and stood up: "Let's go, follow me to the Fifth Prince's residence."

Jin Hu was taken aback: "Your Highness, what are you doing at the Fifth Prince's residence right now?"

Xiao Jingyan glanced at him: "Go and do someone a favor."

Jin Hu dared not ask any more questions and hurriedly went to prepare the horse.

The Fifth Prince's Residence.

Xiao Yifan was sitting in his study discussing matters with Mr. Songzhu when he heard that Prince Yu had arrived, which surprised him somewhat.

Although Prince Yu and he were not exactly estranged, they were not close either. Why did he suddenly come today?

"Please come in quickly." He stood up, straightened his clothes, and glanced at Mr. Songzhu.

Mr. Songzhu put down his teacup, nodded slightly, and got up to retreat behind the screen.

Xiao Jingyan strode in, still carrying the chill from outside.

Xiao Yifan quickly clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute: "Brother Yantang, why are you here so late? Is something the matter?"

Xiao Jingyan calmly sat down opposite him, took out a thick stack of papers from his sleeve, and threw them on the table in front of him: "I brought you something."

Xiao Yifan picked it up and saw that it was a stack of copybooks, densely filled with records of the funds embezzled by Vice Minister Zheng of the Ministry of Revenue over the years, with the dates and amounts clearly documented.

Xiao Yifan's fingers tightened slightly, but he asked calmly, "Brother Yantang, what does this mean?"

Xiao Jingyan poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and then said, "It's nothing much. I just feel that this thing is useless to me, so I might as well give it to someone who can use it."

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping lightly over Xiao Yifan's face. "Fifth Brother is in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. He must know better than I whether these accounts are true or false."

Xiao Yifan didn't reply. He lowered his head and flipped through a few more pages, his expression growing increasingly grim.

Zheng Shilang is his man. If this document is presented to the Emperor, Zheng Shilang will not be spared even if he dies ten times over, and he himself may also be implicated.

He closed the ledger, looked up, and smiled at Xiao Jingyan: "Brother Yan, if you have anything to say, please speak frankly."

Xiao Jingyan looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Fifth brother is a smart man, so I won't beat around the bush either. Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Revenue has been in that position for too long; he's getting old, and it's time for a change."

Xiao Yifan raised an eyebrow: "Brother Jingyan, do you mean...?"

Xiao Jingyan tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table: "I think Lord Yun Heting is a good fit for this position."

Xiao Yifan paused for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Brother Yantang, replacing the Minister is unreasonable, isn't it? He has worked diligently all these years; even if he hasn't achieved great things, he has certainly put in a lot of hard work. How can I remove him because of a mere Vice Minister's mistake?"

Xiao Jingyan said calmly, "The word 'negligence' is enough. Transfer him to a sinecure, a respectable position, rather than letting him get involved in Minister Zheng's matter. If this matter ever reaches the Emperor's court, pulling out the radish will bring up the mud, and he won't be the only one implicated."

He looked into Xiao Yifan's eyes, his voice low but clear, "Fifth brother, don't you think so?"

Xiao Yifan tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table. He was weighing his options.

Xiao Jingyan had irrefutable evidence against Minister Zheng, but instead of presenting it directly to the Emperor, he gave it to him, indicating that he did not want to break off relations.

This is a deal, but also a warning. I can help you cover it up, or I can help you expose it.

Moreover, Yun Heting is Yunxiu's father, so his entry into the Ministry of Revenue would be beneficial to her as well, so there's nothing wrong with it. Furthermore, by using this incident to transfer Minister Zhang, she could shift the blame to Xiao Jingyan.

It's not that I don't want to protect you, but Xiao Jingyan is pushing you too hard.

"Why did you help Yun Heting?" After thinking it through, he still asked the question that was on his mind, staring straight at Xiao Jingyan, trying to see something from his face.

Xiao Jingyan was silent for a moment before speaking: "I originally had feelings for the second young lady of the Yun family. Unfortunately, before I could even propose marriage, she... passed away. Yun Heting was her godfather. Although she was just an adopted daughter, I thought that doing something for her family would be a way to make amends."

Xiao Yifan looked at him, and seeing his open and honest gaze, he nodded and said, "I understand."

Xiao Jingyan stood up and said casually, "I'm leaving."

She had only taken two steps when she suddenly stopped, turned back to look at him, and said, "By the way, I heard that the eldest daughter of the Yun family is destined to be a phoenix. Have you heard of that, Fifth Brother?"