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

After Chu Wanqing finished speaking, Yun Jin choked on her saliva and coughed. Chu Wanqing quickly patted her back, and after she recovered, she waved to Chu Wanqing.

"Mother, Jin'er is still young, there's no rush for her to get married!"

Chu Wanqing gave her a reproachful look: "You've come of age, you're not young anymore. Yunxiu is about to get married, can you stay at home forever?"

Yun Jin said urgently, "Mother, Jin'er only wants to stay by your side. There's no rush for marriage. Besides..."

She paused, then said guiltily, "Mother, Jin'er doesn't want an arranged marriage. Can you let Jin'er find a husband herself? I don't want to meet another Yun Heting."

That was a rather harsh statement, but she had no choice but to say it.

She was afraid that her mother would really go to her maternal grandmother to arrange a marriage for her, and if Xiao Jingyan found out, who knew what he would think.

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanqing remained silent for a moment, her gaze lingering on Yun Jin's face as if trying to discern the truth in her words.

After a long while, she sighed and softened her tone: "Alright. In that case, let's put it aside for now. If you find someone you like later, be sure to tell your mother. Your mother will help you arrange the marriage, and I will never let you suffer any injustice."

Yun Jin breathed a sigh of relief and nodded quickly, "Mother, don't worry, Jin'er understands."

She thought to herself that she already had someone she liked, but she couldn't say it yet.

Chu Wanqing didn't know what her daughter was thinking, but seeing that she agreed so readily, she didn't bring it up again.

The mother and daughter chatted for a while longer when Qinghe's voice came from outside: "Madam, Second Miss, the eldest mistress of the General's Mansion has arrived."

"Quickly, welcome them in," Chu Wanqing instructed, then led Yun Jin out to greet them.

As soon as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw Madam Chen walking over with a group of maids, each of them carrying something in their hands.

As soon as Chen entered the house and saw Yun Jin, she immediately took her hand and said with heartache, "Good child, you're finally back. These past few days, your maternal grandmother has been restless at home, unable to eat or drink. When she heard you were back, she hurriedly sent me to see you."

Yun Jin felt a warmth in her heart and said softly, "Aunt, I'm sorry to have worried you and Grandmother. It's all my fault."

Madam Chen smiled and patted her hand, then followed the mother and daughter into the house. The maids also filed in and placed the things they had brought on the table.

Madam Chen said to Yun Jin, "These are all things your maternal grandmother asked me to bring for you. The tonics are for you to nourish your body, and there are some little trinkets for you to play with. Also, keep the fabric to make some new clothes for the New Year."

Looking at those things, Yun Jin felt a mix of sadness and warmth in her heart, and quickly thanked them, "Thank you, Aunt, thank you, Grandmother."

Just then, Chunxi came to report: "Miss, people from the Grand Tutor's mansion have also arrived. It's the eldest mistress and the cousin."

Yun Jin's eyes lit up, and she quickly went out to greet them.

Wang entered with Chen Mengyao, followed by several maids carrying various sizes of brocade boxes.

Upon seeing Yun Jin, Chen Mengyao rushed over and hugged her tightly, her voice choked with sobs, "Jin-meimei! You scared me to death! I thought you really... really wouldn't come back..."

Yun Jin gently patted her back and softly comforted her, "Sister Mengyao, I'm fine. Look, I'm perfectly alright, aren't I? Don't cry, you won't be pretty if you keep crying."

Chen Mengyao released her, glared at her, and said, "You still dare to talk back! Do you know how worried I've been about you these past few days?"

Madam Wang stepped forward, took Yun Jin's hand, looked her up and down, and said with concern, "It's good that you're back. You must have suffered a lot these past few days, right?"

Yun Jin shook her head: "I'm sorry to have worried my godmother. Jin'er is fine."

Madam Wang waved her hand, and the maid placed the items on the table. She said to Yun Jin, "These are tonics I brought for you. They were all prepared by your grandmother. Before she left, she repeatedly told me to tell you to take good care of yourself."

Yun Jin looked at the table full of food and was deeply moved. She quickly thanked them.

Chu Wanqing quickly invited everyone into the room and had them sit down. The maids served tea.

Chen Mengyao held Yun Jin's hand and kept asking her what she had been through these past few days and why she hadn't heard from her at all.

Yun Jin spoke selectively, and after listening, Chen Mengyao squeezed her hand tightly and said earnestly, "Jin-meimei, from now on, I'll accompany you whenever you go out. Let's see who dares to bully you!"

Yun Jin couldn't help but laugh and pinched her cheek: "Okay, I'll take you with me when I go out from now on."

When Yunxiu heard that Madam Chen had arrived, she came over as well and chatted with her for a while. Seeing that Yunjin and Chen Mengyao were chatting enthusiastically, she couldn't join in the conversation, so she made an excuse to go back.

Wang and Chen sat for more than an hour, had lunch, and chatted for a while. Then Chen stood up and patted Yun Jin's hand: "Jin'er, I have to go back. Your maternal grandmother is waiting for my reply. Take good care of yourself, and I'll prepare to pay my respects to you in a few days when you're feeling better."

Yun Jin nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Aunt, Jin'er will go in a few days."

Wang also stood up: "We should go back too. The old lady is waiting for a reply."

Madam Wang gave Yun Jin a few more instructions, telling her to take good care of herself.

Chen Mengyao held Yun Jin's hand reluctantly and said, "Jin-meimei, I'll come to see you again in a couple of days."

Yun Jin smiled and nodded, saying okay. She saw them to the door without stopping Chen Mengyao, and whispered, "Sister Mengyao, please thank Grandmother for saying I'm fine and that she shouldn't worry."

Chen Mengyao nodded, gave a few more instructions, and then got into the carriage.

Yun Jin and Chu Wanqing stood at the door, watching the carriage drive away before turning back.

……

Yunxiu returned to Xuezhai, thinking of the gifts she had seen in Jinshu Pavilion—the tonics, fabrics, brocade boxes…

She was just a minor adopted daughter, while she herself was already the future wife of the Fifth Prince. Why didn't the General's Mansion prepare any gifts for her?

She bit her lip, her eyes filled with jealousy and resentment.

Just then, Meixiang came in and whispered to her, "Miss, His Highness has sent a letter, inviting you to meet him at the teahouse in the south of the city."

Yunxiu was overjoyed. She quickly stood up, changed her clothes, looked at herself in the mirror, and left the mansion through the side gate with Meixiang.

Xiao Yifan had already arranged for a carriage to be waiting there. She and Meixiang got into the carriage, and the driver cracked the whip, and the carriage headed south of the city.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of a secluded alley in the south of the city.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Meixiang got out first. She looked around before turning back and whispering, "Miss, we've arrived."

Yunxiu straightened her clothes, took a deep breath, and got out of the carriage with Meixiang's help.

The two went up to a private room on the second floor. Mei Xiang gently knocked on the door, and Xiao Yifan's voice came from inside: "Come in!"

Meixiang pushed open the door and stepped aside, saying, "Miss, please go in. I'll stay outside and keep watch for you."

Yunxiu nodded and went inside. Xiao Yifan was sitting at the table drinking tea. When he saw her come in, he said softly, "You've arrived? Please have a seat."

Yunxiu walked over, bowed, and sat down opposite him, feeling somewhat reserved and nervous.

The man before her was about to become her fiancé. How should she treat him?

Xiao Yifan looked at her and suddenly smiled: "Meixiang said you wanted to see me? Is there something you need?"