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

Chu Wanqing was overjoyed and quickly said, "It's Jin'er's good fortune to have caught Your Majesty's eye!"

Yun Heting was startled.

Although the eldest prince and the fifth prince appeared to be on good terms, they were actually not on the same side.

Xiu'er had just been betrothed to the Fifth Prince when the First Prince's wife recognized Yun Jin as her sworn sister. How was he supposed to face this situation in the future?

Regardless of what one thinks in one's heart, one must still say politely, "My daughter is honored to be associated with Your Highness; it is truly her good fortune."

The eldest prince hadn't expected Shen Qingyun to reveal the matter of acknowledging her as a sworn sister in front of so many people. His expression was somewhat uneasy, and he said calmly, "Qingyun, we should go back. Lord Yun's residence is probably busy with something today."

Shen Qingyun nodded, took Yun Jin's hand, and said reluctantly, "Jin-meimei, I'll head back now. Remember to come find me at the manor if you need anything, don't be distant with me."

Yun Jin took her hand, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Sister, His Highness doesn't look too well."

Shen Qingyun smiled knowingly and replied softly, "Never mind him. Who's getting the better deal is still unknown. He wants to avoid offending anyone, but there's no such thing as a free lunch."

Yun Jin didn't say anything else, but instead gave a word of advice: "Sister Shen, if you encounter any trouble after you get back, remember to send someone to tell me."

Shen Qingyun nodded, released her hand, turned around and followed the First Prince out of the Yun residence.

Yun Heting and Chu Wanqing saw them to the door, and as the door closed, Yun Jin took Chu Wanqing's hand and asked knowingly, "Mother, what were you talking about when I came back?"

Chu Wanqing smiled and said, "It's nothing. Your eldest sister has been betrothed to the Fifth Prince, and your uncles, aunts, and other relatives have come to offer their congratulations."

Yun Jin's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and she asked with a smile, "Really?"

Feeling guilty under her gaze, the crowd nodded sheepishly and chimed in with "Yes, yes, yes," and "Congratulations on your safe return, Miss Second."

Yun Jin then turned to Yun Xiu and said with a smile, "Congratulations, sister."

Yunxiu forced a smile, but her voice sounded somewhat unnatural: "Congratulations, congratulations. It's good news that my sister is back. I knew she was still alive."

Yun Jin sighed with relief, "I never thought I'd be so lucky. When the carriage fell off the cliff, I tried to jump off, but it was too late. My clothes were caught on the cliff face, and I was so scared that I fainted."

When I woke up, I moved and fell onto a stone platform. To survive, I burned everything I could find and barely managed to climb up. If I hadn't run into Sister Shen, I probably would have frozen to death outside.

Chu Wanqing held Yun Jin's hand, her voice filled with concern, "Jin'er, you've suffered so much. How are you feeling? Is there anything else that's bothering you?"

Yun Jin coughed softly a few times, leaned on her shoulder, and said weakly, "I'm not too well yet. My body still aches. I was so anxious to see Mother that I forgot for a moment. Mother... Jin'er misses you so much."

Chu Wanqing quickly helped her up and turned to the crowd, saying, "Everyone, Jin'er just got back and isn't fully recovered yet. I'll take her back to rest first. I won't stay with you all today."

She instructed Qinghe, "Take my invitation and invite Imperial Physician Gao to the residence to examine the Second Miss's pulse."

Just as Yunxiu was about to follow, Chu Wanqing glanced at her and said, "Xiu'er, could you see our relatives and friends off for me?"

Yunxiu was unwilling, but dared not disobey, so she had to stay where she was, wearing a polite smile as she accompanied the group of women.

As Yun Heting watched the mother and daughter disappear from sight, the smile on his face gradually faded.

He turned around and looked at the clan elders and women who hadn't left yet in the courtyard. He felt like he had swallowed a fly, unable to get up or down.

Chu Wanqing's words were clearly a slap in his face, but he dared not, and could not, retaliate.

He gritted his teeth, forced a smile, and walked towards the clan elders.

"He Ting, what does your wife mean by this?" Fifth Uncle asked, his face long and his tone full of dissatisfaction. "We came here with good intentions to congratulate her, and she just gives us the cold shoulder?"

Yun Heting quickly smiled apologetically, "Fifth Uncle, please calm down. Wanqing didn't mean it that way. She just..."

He paused, unsure how to explain.

Third Uncle snorted and continued, "Just what? Just because she thinks we're not worthy to come? Just because the Yun family has produced a princess consort, she thinks she can look down on us?"

Yun Heting waved his hands repeatedly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead: "Third Uncle, what are you saying? Wanqing didn't mean it that way at all. She was just worried about Jin'er's injuries and was eager to take her back to rest. Uncles, aunts, and sisters-in-law, please don't take it to heart."

Sixth Uncle stroked his beard and said sarcastically, "He Ting, we're not trying to criticize you, but your wife is still a woman. You, the head of the family, can't even control a woman?"

The Yun clan chief coughed and waved his hand helplessly: "Alright, everyone, say less. He Ting, we all know your wife's temper. She comes from a general's family; how could she possibly tolerate us poor relatives?"

He sighed, "Alright, alright, we old folks won't get in the way here anymore, we'll head back now."

Yun Heting quickly explained with a smile, "Thank you all for your understanding. When Xiu'er's wedding date is set and the betrothal ceremony is held, I will definitely invite you all to a celebratory feast."

The elders then looked relieved and, with their families in twos and threes, began to leave.

Yun Heting and Yun Xiu escorted everyone to the door and watched the carriage leave.

Yunxiu turned around, looking in the direction of Qingshui Garden, her eyes darkening.

Yun Jin returned unharmed and even recognized the First Prince's wife as her sworn sister.

She bit her lip, suppressing her surging emotions, and returned to Xuezhai with Meixiang.

Upon entering the room, she swept the teacup on the table to the ground. Meixiang was startled and quickly stepped forward to comfort her, saying, "Miss, you don't need to be angry. No matter what, the Second Miss is just an adopted daughter. She can never surpass you."

Yunxiu gritted her teeth, her voice filled with resentment: "What makes her so special? She survived falling off a cliff, how come she's so lucky?"

Meixiang sighed and advised, "Miss, you're about to marry the Fifth Prince's wife and become his principal wife. Why bother arguing with her?"

Yunxiu was about to get angry when she looked up and saw Meixiang's face. She suddenly remembered that Meixiang was the Fifth Prince's person, and her tone softened: "I understand. You can leave now. I want to be alone."

Meixiang glanced at her, but ultimately agreed and left.

Yunxiu sat in front of her dressing table, looking at her face in the mirror, and became angrier the more she thought about it.

For days, she had believed that Yun Jin was dead. She was confident that she could persuade Chu Wanqing to prepare more dowry for her. But now that Yun Jin had returned, her plans had been disrupted.

She needed to think of a solution. Thinking this, she stood up and called out, "Grandma Qi!"