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

At this point, Dongxue paused, then smiled, her smile full of pride: "But the Prince won. In that battle, the Prince fought fiercely, coordinating with General Chu from the north and south, routing the enemy army. The Prince was seriously wounded on the battlefield and almost didn't survive. Only after his return did His Majesty bestow upon him the title of Prince Yu."

However, His Majesty's words of trust in the Prince are merely lip service; in reality, the Prince has faced countless assassination attempts over the years.

Yun Jin remained silent for a long time, feeling deeply sorry for Xiao Jingyan.

Even if these assassinations weren't orchestrated by the emperor, he couldn't possibly have been unaware of the assassination attempts he faced in the capital, yet the emperor allowed the situation to unfold unchecked, revealing his true intentions.

Even within the royal family, there is such distrust between fathers and sons; how much more so between brothers?

It was truly remarkable that Xiao Jingyan was able to survive in such an environment.

Yun Jin made a decision in her heart, but she didn't need to tell Dong Xue about it.

She changed the subject, "Don't the old prince and the others usually return to the capital?"

Dongxue shook her head: "It's not that they won't come back. As long as the Prince is in the capital, they usually come back to visit him every year during the Spring Festival. They should be back soon this year too."

Yun Jin nodded and didn't ask any more questions. She got up, looked out the window, and realized it was time to go back.

She turned to Dongxue and asked, "Any news from Yunxiu and the Fifth Prince?"

Dongxue shook her head: "It's not that they won't come back. As long as the Prince is in the capital, they usually come back to visit him every year during the New Year. They should be back soon this year too." Yun Jin nodded and didn't ask any more questions. She got up and walked to the window, looking at the sky outside. The twilight had faded, and the night was thick and impenetrable. She turned to Dongxue: "Any news from Yunxiu and the Fifth Prince?"

Dongxue nodded: "Today, Consort Shu summoned the eldest young lady. Afterwards, Consort Shu personally went to see His Majesty, and His Majesty has already given his approval. The imperial decree for the marriage should be issued in the next few days."

……

The day before, when Yunxiu heard that Consort Shu wanted to see her, she was copying scriptures in Xuezhai. She was anxiously waiting for the imperial decree to grant her marriage, so she could only copy scriptures to calm herself down.

When Meixiang came in to deliver a message that someone from the palace had come and that Consort Shu wanted her to come to the palace for an audience the next day, she was so excited that she dropped the pen in her hand.

Feeling somewhat lost and confused, she summoned Granny Qi and asked, "Granny, did Consort Shu summon me because of my marriage to the Fifth Prince? What should I do?"

Granny Qi patted her arm to comfort her, "Young Miss, don't worry. This matter... this old servant thinks you should ask Madam."

"Mother?" Yunxiu asked hesitantly, "Will she tell me?"

Granny Qi thought for a moment and said, "Miss, as you've probably seen, the relationship between Madam and Master has improved recently. She got medicine for Master, and you see, he can stand up now. So this old servant thinks that after Second Miss left, Madam may have realized that she will still have to rely on you from now on..."

She paused, then added, "Moreover, Miss, don't forget that your dowry depends on Madam, so you can't become estranged from her."

Yunxiu immediately understood, nodded, and went to Qingshui Garden.

Chu Wanqing saw her come in and waved to her: "Are you nervous because you heard that Consort Shu wants to see you?"

Yunxiu nodded, cautiously approaching her, and said, "Yes, Mother, I don't know what Consort Shu wants with me. Mother, why don't you come with me?"

Chu Wanqing smiled and said helplessly, "If Consort Shu hasn't summoned me, what am I supposed to do?"

She looked at Yunxiu, took her hand and patted it, "Don't be nervous. Just remember, when you see Consort Shu, say what you should say, and don't say a single word that you shouldn't say."

Answer whatever the Empress asks you. Your mother guesses that the Consort Shu wants to see you before the arranged marriage. As long as you don't make any major mistakes, the marriage will be settled.

Yunxiu was secretly delighted, but she still nodded calmly, saying, "I understand, Mother. Don't worry, I will definitely not let you down."

Chu Wanqing nodded, gave her a few more instructions, and then told her to go back and rest.

The next morning, Yunxiu got up very early, had breakfast, dressed up, and went to the palace with Meixiang.

The carriage stopped at the palace gate. Yunxiu alighted and followed the female official who led the way inside. Passing through palace gates and long alleys, they arrived at Consort Shu's Yongning Palace.

The lady-in-waiting didn't make things difficult for her, but led her inside directly, her attitude very polite: "Miss Yun, Her Majesty is waiting for you."

Yunxiu breathed a sigh of relief and followed the female official into the hall. She knelt down respectfully and bowed, saying, "Your subject Yunxiu greets Consort Shu."

Consort Shu sat on the couch, smiling as she beckoned to her: "Get up, come and sit down."

Yunxiu stood up, walked to Consort Shu's side, sat down carefully, and lowered her head, not daring to look up.

Consort Shu did not rush to speak, but instead picked up her teacup and slowly took a sip. Her gaze fell from above the rim of the cup onto Yunxiu's face, with a hint of scrutiny and consideration.

She put down her teacup, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Raise your head and let me see you."

Yunxiu raised her head, but dared not look directly at Consort Shu.

Consort Shu looked at her and smiled, "No wonder Yifan is so fond of her, she's truly remarkable."

Yunxiu didn't know how to respond, so she could only reply softly, "Your Majesty flatters me."

Consort Shu smiled, tapped her fingers lightly twice on the table, and suddenly changed the subject: "What do you usually do at home?"

Yunxiu quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I usually study, practice calligraphy, and play the zither at home, and occasionally help my mother with some housework."

Consort Shu nodded and then asked, "What books do you usually read?"

Yunxiu thought for a moment and replied, "The 'Admonitions for Women,' the 'Instructions for Women,' and the 'Classic of Poetry.'"

Consort Shu looked at Yunxiu with a deeper meaning in her eyes: "You are a smart child, I can tell at a glance. Being smart is a good thing, but you have to use your intelligence in the right way."

Yunxiu's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly lowered her head: "This humble woman will remember Your Majesty's teachings."

Consort Shu waved her hand, her tone becoming more casual: "I was just saying it offhand, you don't need to be nervous."

She paused, then asked, "How is your maternal grandmother, Madam Chu, doing?"

Yunxiu quickly replied, "Thanks to Your Majesty, my grandmother is in good health."

Consort Shu nodded, her tone tinged with emotion: "Old Madam Chu is a blessed person. Your maternal grandfather was the same, he made great contributions to the Great Liang."

She looked at Yunxiu with a deeper meaning in her eyes, "You are their granddaughter, don't embarrass them."

Yunxiu quickly replied, "This humble woman dares not."

Consort Shu asked a few more trivial questions, which Yunxiu answered one by one.

Consort Shu listened, her smile remaining neither deep nor shallow, revealing neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction.

Finally, she picked up a brocade box from the table beside her and handed it to Yunxiu: "This is a gift from me to you when we first met. It's nothing valuable, just take it and play with it."

Yunxiu quickly knelt down to express her gratitude, accepting the brocade box with both hands. Consort Shu waved her hand, telling her to get up, and then gave her a few more instructions: "Go back and prepare well. In a few days, I will arrange for a tutor to come to your residence to teach you palace etiquette."