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

Yun Heting was also holding back a lot of anger.

Half of his anger was directed at Prince Yu, who, despite his smiling face, refused to offer him a way out; the other half was directed at Yun Xiu, who, today, had acted cleverly by stepping on Yun Jin in front of the prince, only to be put on the spot and left in a dilemma, causing Yun Xiu to lose face as well.

He suppressed his irritation and waved to Yunxiu, "Since you're not feeling well, don't force yourself. Go back and rest."

Meixiang hurriedly stepped forward to help Yunxiu, and whispered, "Miss, let me help you back."

Yunxiu nodded and let Meixiang help her walk outside. When she passed Yunjin, she paused for a moment, but ultimately did not stop.

Yun Heting quickly turned around, put on a smiling face, bowed to Xiao Jingyan, and gestured for him to take a seat: "Your Highness, please take a seat! I have prepared several jars of fine aged wine today, and I hope Your Highness will do me the honor of accepting your presence."

Xiao Jingyan nodded slightly, and just as he took a step, he turned to look at Fu Lai again, saying casually, "Eunuch Fu, it's a rare occasion to meet you today, why don't we sit down and have a couple of drinks together?"

Fu Lai was taken aback and quickly declined, saying, "Your Highness, how can this be? I must return to the palace..."

"Father-in-law," Xiao Jingyan interrupted him, smiling, "Uncle Huang won't be in a hurry. Today is a double celebration at the Yun family's residence. Since you're already here, how can you leave without having a drink of celebratory wine?"

After a moment's hesitation, Fu Lai, not wanting to offend Prince Yu, smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Since Your Highness has invited me, I'll trouble you to have a couple of drinks."

Yun Heting hurriedly instructed his servants to rearrange the banquet, inviting Xiao Jingyan and Fu Lai to take the seats of honor, while several clan elders accompanied them at the lower seats.

For a moment, the atmosphere warmed up a bit.

Chu Wanqing, Yun Jin, and Old Madam Yun walked towards the backyard together.

As soon as they passed through the hanging flower gate leading to the backyard, Old Madam Yun said to Chu Wanqing with a livid face, "This old woman is not feeling well, so I will go back to the courtyard first. The guests in the flower hall are in your care. Please treat them well."

Chu Wanqing nodded and curtsied, "Yes, Mother, please go back and rest."

Just as Grandma Yun was about to leave, she heard someone call out from under the porch, "Grandmother!"

The three looked up and saw Yunxiu standing there waiting. Her expression had returned to calm. She stepped forward and took the old lady's arm, saying softly, "Grandmother, you don't look well. Let me take you back to rest."

Grandma Yun patted the back of her hand, about to agree, but was interrupted by Chu Wanqing.

She said calmly, "Xiu'er, these relatives of the Yun family came here today specifically for you. You are the main character today; if even you don't show up, what will they think?"

Grandma Yun frowned, about to speak up for her, when Chu Wanqing turned to her, her expression respectful but her tone firm: "Mother, don't worry, Xiu'er is here with me, nothing will go wrong."

Having said that, Grandma Yun couldn't stop her any longer.

She glanced at Yunxiu, then nodded and let the maid help her to her own courtyard.

Yunxiu bit her lip and had no choice but to agree, forcing a smile: "Yes, Xiu'er will listen to Mother."

Chu Wanqing returned to the flower hall with Yunxiu and Yunjin.

As soon as the three entered, all eyes in the hall turned to them. Seeing them return, Madam Liu was the first to stand up, craning her neck to look behind them: "Where's the old lady? Didn't she go out with you?"

Chu Wanqing took her seat in the main seat and said in a calm tone, "The old lady is not feeling well, so she will go back to her courtyard to rest first."

Liu said "Oh," and immediately turned her gaze to Yunxiu, her eyes shining: "Xiu'er, was that imperial decree just now your reward? What good things did the palace give you? Let us see!"

The women around her chimed in, chattering, "Our Xiu'er is now a future princess consort; His Majesty will surely reward her handsomely!"

"Tell me quickly, what were the rewards?"

Yunxiu's smile froze on her face, her complexion alternating between red and white.

She opened her mouth, but couldn't bring herself to say, "That imperial edict wasn't for me."

She silently walked over and sat down next to Liu Zhixue, lowered her eyes, and shook her head.

Seeing her expression, Liu Zhixue's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to ask, but considering the presence of everyone in the hall, she didn't speak.

As everyone was wondering, they suddenly heard Liu exclaim "Eh!" and point behind Yun Jin, saying, "Is that an imperial edict that the girl is holding?"

All eyes immediately turned to Chunxi behind Yunjin.

Chunxi, having been singled out, raised her chin, her voice full of smugness: "That's right, this is the imperial decree personally bestowed upon my young lady the title of Princess of Ninghai by His Majesty, and she's a princess with a fiefdom!"

The flower hall fell silent instantly.

The smiles of the women who had just mocked Yun Jin froze on their faces.

They looked at each other, their faces flushed and pale, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

Madam Liu was the first to react. She quickly got up and walked to Yun Jin, forcing a smile: "Oh my, our Jin'er is so lucky! The Princess of Ninghai, with a fiefdom at that! I knew Jin'er was born so well-proportioned, she's clearly a blessed person!"

Several women nearby also quickly stood up, offering their congratulations one after another, their smiles as warm and friendly as could be, as if they weren't the ones who had just mocked Yun Jin.

"Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations, Your Highness!"

"The county princess has received the Emperor's favor at such a young age; her future is limitless!"

"I love Jin'er's composure; she remains calm in the face of both honor and disgrace. She's clearly destined for great things."

Yun Jin sat upright in her seat, a faint smile on her lips, neither warm nor cold. She nodded slightly to each congratulatory message, but never stood up.

This composed demeanor was completely different from the impulsive girl who had been pretending to be stupid just moments before.

Yunxiu watched this scene from the side, her teeth itching with hatred. Today was supposed to be her special day, but Yunjin had stolen the limelight.

After the women finished offering their congratulations, they couldn't stay any longer and all got up to take their leave.

Chu Wanqing did not try to stop them, and said calmly, "I apologize for the poor hospitality today, please take care."

She then turned to Qinghe and Bitao, "You two go and deliver it for me. I'm really tired today, so I won't do it myself."

Although everyone was displeased, they dared not show it on their faces. The Yun family was no longer the same Yun family as before.

Once the flower hall had quieted down, she looked at Yunxiu and said calmly, "Xiu'er, now that Mr. Liu has returned, you can arrange his accommodations. Whether he stays in the guest courtyard or lives with you in the Snow Pavilion, it's up to you to decide."

Yunxiu was stunned, feeling a tightness in her chest. Her mother had returned, but she didn't even have her own courtyard. Yet, she could only agree.

Liu Zhixue curtsied to Chu Wanqing and then followed Yunxiu away.

Watching the two figures disappear, Chu Wanqing withdrew her gaze, reached out and took Yun Jin's hand: "Let's go, let's go back to Qingshui Garden with Mother, Mother has something to ask you."