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

"It's all because of my stepmother!" Chen Mengyao said angrily. "Last year, my father said I was too old to stay at my maternal grandparents' house, which was against the rules, so he insisted on bringing me back to Guangping Prefecture. Who knew that this spring, my stepmother would urge my father to marry me off to her nephew!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, clenching her fists as she said, "That boy is a complete scoundrel, indulging in everything from drinking and gambling to whoring. He just wants to use me to climb the social ladder and get close to my maternal grandparents' family! I'd rather die than marry him, so I ran away at night. I was going to my maternal grandparents' house in the capital, but I took the wrong road and ended up in Yizhou..."

At this point, her voice choked with emotion: "If I hadn't met you, I... I really don't know what would have happened to me."

Seeing that her eyes were red, Yun Jin felt a pang of sadness, remembering her own experiences after transmigrating. She reached out and patted her arm, saying, "It's all in the past now."

She paused, then asked, "Where is your maid? Why haven't you had any attendants the whole way?"

Chen Mengyao gave a bitter smile: "When I returned to Guangping Prefecture last year, my maternal grandmother was afraid that I would be wronged, so she left me two personal maids, both of whom had grown up with me since childhood. But my stepmother couldn't tolerate them. A few months ago, when I was sick, she falsely accused them of stealing things from the mansion and almost beat them to death. I had no choice but to beg my father to release them, return the contract to them, and let them leave."

"Later, my stepmother sent several old women to watch over me, ostensibly to serve me, but really to monitor me. My father didn't want me to marry her nephew, but she wanted to force him to agree by having sex with her. So one night, while the maids and old women were asleep, I tied them all up, climbed over the back wall, and escaped. In my panic, I even lost my bearings..." As she spoke, she couldn't hold back any longer and hugged Yun Jin's arm, sobbing softly. Her shoulders trembled, filled with grievance and lingering fear.

Yun Jin let her lean on her, sighing inwardly. Even the seemingly pampered granddaughter of the Grand Tutor had so many things beyond her control.

She waited for Chen Mengyao to cry for a while before gently saying, "Don't cry. Taking the wrong road has actually helped you avoid their pursuit, which might not be a bad thing. I reckon your father and stepmother are still looking for you everywhere. I'll do your makeup later, and I guarantee they won't recognize you standing in front of you. Don't worry, I'll make sure you get to the capital safely."

Chen Mengyao raised her tear-filled face and nodded vigorously, "Yes! I'll listen to you! From now on, you'll be my best friend!"

She wiped away her tears, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, how old are you?"

"Fifteen, just turned fifteen," Yun Jin said, then proceeded to tell her about her "background," "I was forced into marriage by my adoptive parents. The man was a local thug. I didn't want to marry him, so on my wedding night I beat him up and ran away. When I went back to confront my adoptive parents, I overheard them saying that I wasn't their biological child and that my biological parents were in the capital, so I wanted to go there to try my luck."

"That's outrageous!" Chen Mengyao gritted her teeth. "How could those people treat you like this! Don't worry, once we get to the capital, I'll have my uncles help you investigate. They'll definitely find your family!"

"Okay, thank you," Yun Jin said sincerely.

That night, although both had their own worries, they slept exceptionally well.

The next morning, Yun Jin took out the cosmetics she had obtained from Liu Sanlaizi's concubine's room and began to apply makeup to Chen Mengyao. Although the cosmetics were not comparable to modern ones, they were better than nothing.

After putting on makeup, Chen Mengyao looked in the bronze mirror and was so shocked she almost cried out, "This...this is so ugly?"

The person in the mirror has thicker eyebrows, a bigger mouth, and more defined features. They also have a few more freckles. They seem to have changed little, yet they are completely different people.

Seeing Chen Mengyao's reaction, Yun Jin nodded in satisfaction. "That's safer."

Yun Jin pulled down two more strands of her hair: "Speak less, and try to stay in the carriage. The bodyguards don't know you well, so they won't suspect anything if you look like this."

Chen Mengyao nodded repeatedly, looked at herself in the mirror, and felt both curious and at ease.

After getting ready, the two ran into Huang Weixue and the two bodyguards as they went out.

Huang Weixue was taken aback when he saw Chen Mengyao's outfit, but then a knowing look flashed in his eyes. He didn't ask any further questions.

The two bodyguards glanced at him, saw it was the same person, gave a casual greeting, and then walked away.

After the meal, they boarded the carriage, and the caravan headed towards the capital.

The carriage moved smoothly along the official road, and the days passed by one by one.

At first, Chen Mengyao felt awkward about her "makeup" and stayed in the car all day. Later, she gradually got used to it and would occasionally lift the curtain to look at the scenery, but she talked much less.

Huang Weixue spends most of his time reading, occasionally chatting with Yun Jin about his experiences on the road.

He was aware of Yun Jin's true gender, and while maintaining a deliberate distance in their interactions, he also appeared more composed. Having experienced the events in Yizhou, he already understood that this "naive young lady's" abilities were far beyond his reach.

The caravan traveled cautiously, and the experienced head caravan leader, Wang, would find villages and towns to rest in every evening, thus avoiding many risks.

But unexpected things always happen when you're traveling the world. On the seventh day after leaving Yizhou City, they encountered their first group of people blocking their way.

A dozen or so bandits wielding knives and clubs blocked the way for the caravan. The burly leader, brandishing a machete, shouted, "This road is mine, these trees are mine. If you want to pass, leave your toll!"

Looking at the weapons in their hands—knives, spears, clubs, hoes, axes—it was clear they were a ragtag army, a band of镖队 (escort teams) they had learned from whoever it was.

Wang, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), waved his hand, and one of his bodyguards called out, "We are from the Weiyuan Escort Agency. Brothers, how about you do us a favor?"

As he spoke, he tossed a money bag over.

The burly man at the head of the group took the money bag, opened it, and threw it to his brothers behind him, glaring angrily, "With so many brothers like us, are you trying to give a beggar this little bit of money? If you know what's good for you, leave the cart here and get out!"

Seeing this, Chief Escort Wang didn't waste any more words. With a wave of his hand, several strong bodyguards drew their swords and rushed forward.

The镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) were skilled in martial arts, having been engaged in escort missions for many years. In just three to five rounds, a dozen or so bandits were beaten until they cried for their parents, dropped their knives and clubs, and fled in panic.

Yun Jin remained seated in the carriage the entire time. Having spent money, the escort team had a responsibility to ensure their safety, and she would not easily take action unless absolutely necessary.

Having driven off the bandits, Chief Escort Wang waved his hand and said, "Let's keep going!"

The convoy continued on its journey, and after two more days, it encountered a second group of people blocking its way, this time much more aggressive.

It was in a canyon, with dense forests on both sides. Suddenly, more than thirty people jumped out, all masked and holding sharp knives, clearly prepared for the occasion.

When Chief Escort Wang saw that the other party was coming aggressively, he frowned, but still followed the old custom and had the bodyguards next to him step forward to shout.

Today is Lunar New Year's Eve. Wishing all the little ones good health, high spirits, and a long and vigorous life; few worries, carefree joy, and a life of continuous success!