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

Zheng Jie covered her face, watching her father's figure disappear through the doorway, then turned to Madam Zheng, crying, "Mother..."

Looking at her daughter, Madam Zheng felt both heartache and anger, and sighed with disappointment, "Jie'er, are you confused! Why are you targeting that adopted daughter of the Yun family? What does it matter to you whether she seduces Prince Yu or not?"

Zheng Jie bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. After a long silence, she finally stammered, "Why does she deserve Prince Yu's favor? She's just an adopted daughter from the countryside. How is she worthy of His Highness Prince Yu?"

Madam Zheng stared at her in shock, her mouth agape for a long time before she finally managed to utter, "Jie'er, you...you actually like Prince Yu?"

Zheng Jie nodded and said firmly, "Yes. Mother, why can't I like Prince Yu? I'm willing to be his concubine or his maid."

Madam Zheng sighed deeply and slumped back into her chair. "When did it start?"

Zheng Jie lowered her head, remained silent for a moment, and whispered, "The year before last, during the autumn hunt, my horse got spooked, and he helped me stop it and saved me."

She still remembers that day vividly. The horse's hooves were raised high, and she was so frightened that she closed her eyes and screamed, thinking she was going to fall to her death. The next second, a pair of hands firmly pulled the reins.

She opened her eyes and saw him riding a horse against the light, his profile cold and aloof, not even glancing at her.

But her heart was captivated from that moment on.

After listening, Madam Zheng remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, she sighed, "What a tragic fate."

Zheng Jie threw herself into her mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, "Mother, is there really no other way?"

Madam Zheng gently patted her back, her eyes also reddening: "Jie'er, accept your fate. Some things are beyond our control."

Zheng Jie lifted her head from her embrace, looking at her with teary eyes. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she said nothing. She stood up and stumbled out.

The next day, the Princess indeed invited Madam Zheng to her residence.

Madam Zheng changed her clothes and took a carriage to the Princess's residence.

When the eldest princess saw her enter, she smiled and waved to her, "Madam Zheng has arrived? Please have a seat."

Madam Zheng stepped forward, bowed, and sat down in the guest seat. Her palms were sweaty, but she forced a smile and asked, "May I ask what Your Highness the Princess has summoned me for?"

The eldest princess looked at her and sneered inwardly. She had heard from the servants in the mansion that Zheng Jie had run away crying yesterday, and she didn't believe that Madam Zheng was unaware of this.

She didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Madam Zheng, your second young lady is getting on in years and it's time for her to be married. I've found her a good match. I've invited you here today to discuss this matter with you."

Lady Zheng was bitter inside, but dared not show it on her face, and could only force a smile: "Your Highness, Jie'er is still young and does not understand the rules. I would like to keep her for a few more years..."

The eldest princess looked at her indifferently, her tone unfriendly: "Is Madam Zheng rejecting me? I don't easily act as a matchmaker..."

Madam Zheng's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly waved her hand, "This humble woman wouldn't dare, this humble woman didn't mean that..."

She looked up at the Princess and saw her somber expression. She sighed inwardly but still asked, "May I ask which family Your Highness is arranging a marriage for my daughter with?"

The eldest princess leaned back in her chair, speaking in a calm tone: "The Prince of Zhennan saw Miss Zheng the Second at his residence yesterday and was immediately captivated by her beauty. He asked me to act as matchmaker for him. Madam Zheng, although he is a bit older, he does not have a princess consort in his household. If Miss Zheng marries into his household, she will become his principal wife. This is a blessing that many people would rather die for."

Madam Zheng was inwardly distressed, but could only force a smile and say, "This humble woman thanks Your Highness."

The eldest princess waved her hand, her tone softening: "I know you're reluctant to part with your daughter. But a daughter should marry when she comes of age; that's the proper thing to do. I've already spoken to the Prince of Zhennan. Since you have no objections, this matter is settled."

Lady Zheng gritted her teeth, lowered her head, and replied, "This humble woman... thanks the Princess for her grace."

The eldest princess smiled faintly: "Madam Zheng, rest assured, the Prince of Zhennan will not mistreat Miss Zheng."

She paused for a moment, then spoke again, "Furthermore, go back and tell Miss Zheng not to do anything she shouldn't."

Madam Zheng quickly agreed, knowing that this was the eldest princess giving her daughter a warning.

The next day, the Prince of Zhennan invited a matchmaker to his residence to finalize the marriage, and Zheng Jie's marriage was thus arranged.

Zheng Jie locked herself in her room and cried for a whole day and night.

She couldn't understand why it had to be her. She just wanted Yun Jin to suffer a little.

But Yun Jin is already dead, so why treat her like this?

After crying her fill, she wiped away her tears and decided to go find Prince Yu. He had saved her once, and he would surely save her a second time.

Zheng Jie dressed up in front of the mirror, putting on her prettiest clothes. She dared not tell anyone and secretly ran to Prince Yu's mansion.

She dared not go to the palace or the government office, for fear of being seen by outsiders.

But the gatekeeper wouldn't let her in, telling her that the prince wasn't in the manor.

Zheng Jie was unwilling to give up and sat in the carriage waiting until it was almost dark before she saw Xiao Jingyan's carriage return to the mansion.

The moment Zheng Jie saw Xiao Jingyan's carriage, she rushed forward, blocking its path and shouting anxiously, "Your Highness! Your Highness! I have something to say to you!"

The driver was startled and quickly pulled on the reins.

Jin Hu frowned and stepped forward, about to shoo her away, when the carriage curtain was lifted and Xiao Jingyan stepped down from the carriage. He looked at her indifferently and said coldly, "Who are you?"

Zheng Jie said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, I am Zheng Jie, the second daughter of Minister Zheng. You saved me during the autumn hunt that year. Do you remember me?"

Xiao Jingyan pretended to recall for a moment before shaking his head and saying, "I don't remember!"

Zheng Jie froze, looking at him in disbelief: "Your Highness, how could you forget? Your Highness, please look at me carefully..."

Xiao Jingyan waved his hand, said nothing, and walked straight into the mansion.

Zheng Jie tried to chase after him, but Jin Hu stopped her: "Miss, our Prince said he doesn't recognize you. Please leave!"

Helpless, Zheng Jie could only call out to Xiao Jingyan's retreating figure, "Your Highness, the Eldest Princess wants to marry me off to the Prince of Zhennan, but I do not wish to marry him. Please, Your Highness, help me!"

Xiao Jingyan stopped, turned to look at her, and asked expressionlessly, "Why should I help you?"

Zheng Jie bit her lip and mustered her courage to say, "Your Highness, I am willing to serve you, even as a concubine..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jingyan's face darkened, and his voice turned cold: "Serve me? Are you worthy?"

Zheng Jie's face was deathly pale, her lips trembling as she murmured, "Your Highness, you have so many women in your household, one more won't make a difference..."

Xiao Jingyan heard this, snorted coldly, and strode into the mansion, leaving behind the words, "The Prince of Zhennan is quite something. I congratulate the future Princess Consort of Zhennan."