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

Chu Wanqing put down her chopsticks, picked up a handkerchief to wipe her hands, looked up at Old Madam Yun, and said calmly, "Mother, who is gossiping in front of you? Mr. Liu clearly took the initiative to leave. She said that she had taught everything she could and there was nothing left to teach Xiu'er, so she told her daughter-in-law that she wanted to quit. When her daughter-in-law saw that she was determined to leave, she didn't want to force her to stay, so she let her go."

Old Madam Yun, however, remained unconvinced. She stared at Chu Wanqing, her eyes dark and unfathomable, and after a moment of silence, spoke again, her tone now harsher: "Mr. Liu said she didn't need it, but that was just her modesty! Our Xiu'er is so outstanding now, and she's gained the Fifth Prince's favor—it's all thanks to her. Our Yun family should treat her well, both morally and logically. Even if we had to support her for the rest of her life, it wouldn't be too much. How can we let her go?"

Chu Wanqing felt a lump in her throat; the old lady was trying to erase her contributions with just a few words.

Is it all her doing? Then what about all those years she spent managing the household, raising children, and all that?

In the end, she's not even as good as a schoolteacher? Especially since she's Yunheting's mistress?

She sneered inwardly, but didn't show it on her face. She frowned slightly, her tone still restrained: "Mother, let's talk about this later. Today is the Little New Year, and it's also Xiu'er's special day. The guests are all here today, so let's not waste time on this. If you want to know, I'll explain it to you later."

She took a step back, which was a way of giving the old lady face.

Grandma Yun didn't take the bait at all. Instead, she waved her hand and said, "You're all being immature, but I, as an elder, can't be immature. Our Yun family can't be ungrateful. I've already sent someone to invite Zhixue. It's really inconvenient for her, a woman, to live alone outside!"

Chu Wanqing's heart sank. Had they already gone to invite them?

Yun Jin immediately realized that the old lady had come with ill intentions.

Before Chu Wanqing could speak, a gentle female voice came from the entrance of the flower hall: "Grandma, Zhixue didn't know you were back. If she had known, she would have come to pay her respects much earlier. You won't blame Zhixue, will you?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman in her thirties standing at the entrance of the flower hall. She had a faint smile on her face. It was none other than Liu Zhixue.

Chu Wanqing's back stiffened, and she slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on Liu Zhixue.

Liu Zhixue gracefully walked in. As she passed Chu Wanqing, she paused and gave her a curtsy with a smile: "Madam, I have come uninvited today. Please forgive me."

Chu Wanqing looked at her without saying a word.

Grandma Yun, however, couldn't wait to chime in, smiling and beckoning to Liu Zhixue: "Zhixue, come here quickly! You've become even more beautiful in the years since I last saw you, and you look even younger than before!"

He then turned to the maid behind him and instructed, "Go, bring Zhixue a chair and let her sit next to me."

Upon hearing this, the maid did not move immediately, but subconsciously glanced at Chu Wanqing.

Liu Zhixue's smile froze for a moment, then she turned to Chu Wanqing, her tone tinged with self-deprecation: "Grandma, Zhixue just came to see you. Over the years I've been in the household, you've taken good care of me. Now that I've seen you and know you're in good health, I'll be leaving now, so as not to disturb your hospitality."

As she spoke, she beckoned to Si Hua, who was following behind her, and took a brocade box from her hand. She opened it and handed it to Old Madam Yun. "Old Madam, this is a New Year's gift that Zhi Xue prepared for you. It's not anything valuable, just a token of Zhi Xue's goodwill. I hope you won't find it offensive."

Grandma Yun took the book and glanced at it. Her eyes lit up immediately, but then her face darkened. She looked up at Chu Wanqing, her tone somewhat unfriendly: "Wanqing, I'd like Zhixue to come back and stay. You don't have any objections, do you?"

These words left Chu Wanqing speechless, unable to refuse. She looked at Old Madam Yun, then glanced at Liu Zhixue, whose lips held a faint smile that made Chu Wanqing's stomach churn.

She paused for only two breaths, then suddenly smiled: "Since Mother has spoken, how can I, as her daughter-in-law, refuse? Let's do as Mother wishes."

The maid then went to fetch a chair, and the people next to her quickly moved aside to make room for Liu Zhixue next to Old Madam Yun.

Liu Zhixue walked up to Chu Wanqing and curtsied again: "Zhixue thanks Madam for taking me in."

Without waiting for Chu Wanqing's response, he turned around and sat down next to Old Madam Yun.

The old lady immediately grabbed her hand, looked her up and down, her eyes full of concern: "You've lost weight, you must be suffering living away from home?"

Liu Zhixue shook her head, but her voice carried a hint of grievance as she said, "It's not bitter, I just miss the old lady."

Yunxiu then rose and gracefully walked to Liu Zhixue, slightly curtsying in a half-bow. Her voice was filled with joy: "Master is back! I am so happy. Grandmother was right. I owe everything I have today to your careful guidance. Please accept my bow."

As she was about to kneel down, Liu Zhixue quickly reached out to support her, looking at Yunxiu with affection and saying, "Miss, you mustn't! You are the mistress, and Zhixue is unworthy of such an honor. You are now the future princess consort, a person of noble status. It is Zhixue's blessing to be able to do my part for you."

Yunxiu quickly shook her head: "Sir, please don't say that. In my heart, you have never been an outsider. I remember all the kindness you have shown me over the years, and I will never forget it for a moment."

Grandma Yun watched this scene from the side, nodded in satisfaction, and patted Liu Zhixue's hand, saying, "Look at her, Xiu'er is a good child who knows how to be grateful. Unlike some people, who take advantage of others and then complain."

Everyone knew who these "some people" were referring to, and they all looked at Chu Wanqing.

Chu Wanqing suddenly smiled, then sighed and said, "Mr. Liu, you left in a hurry when you resigned, and there's something you probably don't know yet. Xiu'er has taken a liking to the courtyard you used to live in, so your courtyard now belongs to Xiu'er. Since you're back, I'm afraid you'll have to make do with living in the guest courtyard."

Liu Zhixue's smile faltered slightly.

Before she could speak, Old Madam Yun frowned and said, "What's the big deal? Since Zhixue has moved back, just have Xiu'er vacate the courtyard and give it back to her."

Chu Wanqing maintained a faint smile: "I'm afraid that won't work. Mother, you may not know, but Xiu'er's original courtyard was given to Jin'er by her daughter-in-law. She can't move back."

Grandma Yun glanced at Yun Jin at the table next to her, and Yun Jin immediately saw a line of text floating above her head—"Yun Li Shi: Favorability -38%". She couldn't help but sneer in her heart, thinking that this old lady was probably doing it on purpose.

Sure enough, she feigned confusion and asked, "Jin'er? Where did this Jin'er come from?"