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

Yun Jin wasn't worried about Zhi Lan's acting; her younger brother was her weakness. He was currently studying at the Lan family academy, and she would never dare to betray her mother.

What worried her was something else entirely: Zhilan and Liu Zhixue looked seven or eight parts alike. What if Liu Zhixue found her in the way and attacked her?

Since Zhilan has chosen to pledge allegiance to him, he has a responsibility to protect her.

But there's no need to explain these things to Dongxue.

Yun Jin thought for a moment, walked to the desk, spread out a piece of paper, and wrote down concisely what Zhi Lan had just told her. After writing it down, she folded it and handed it to Dong Xue: "Find a way to deliver it to the Prince."

Dongxue took the letter and went out.

Yuwangfu.

After Yun Jin left, Xiao Jingyan walked towards the main courtyard, asking Jin Hu behind him, "How's the courtyard prepared for Zhou Qing coming along?"

Jin Hu hurriedly stepped forward and replied, "Reporting to Master, the courtyard has been tidied up, with all the furniture and furnishings, and maids and servants have been assigned. However..."

He hesitated for a moment, then said cautiously, "Sir, the New Year is coming soon, how about... we wait until after the New Year to let her move? She's a young woman, all alone outside during the New Year, it really looks quite pitiful."

Xiao Jingyan paused, turned around, and glared coldly at him: "You're feeling sorry for him?"

Jin Hu was so frightened that he waved his hands repeatedly: "Your Highness is joking! I'm just worried that with the New Year approaching, if she causes a scene, it will inevitably affect the mood of the old prince and princess..."

Xiao Jingyan snorted and ignored him, then strode towards the main courtyard.

Princess Yi was reclining on the couch, flipping through her private treasury ledgers. As she flipped through them, she drew circles on the pages and muttered to herself, "This...this...and this...I'll give them all to Ayan as betrothal gifts later."

As they were talking, he saw his son come in, and without even lifting his eyelids, lazily asked, "Did you send your wife away?"

"I'm leaving." Xiao Jingyan sat down opposite her, waved his hand, and dismissed the maid.

After the door closed, he moved closer to Princess Yi, revealing a fawning expression.

"Mother, ask Zhou Qing what kind of family she's looking for as a husband. Help her find someone suitable in the capital, and then settle things once it's settled."

Upon hearing this, Princess Yi put down her pen, looked at him, and pursed her lips in a sarcastic tone, saying, "She wants to marry you, you know that."

Xiao Jingyan shook his head helplessly: "Mother, you know perfectly well that your son can't marry her. Please help me make arrangements so she can meet more people; perhaps she'll find someone she likes."

Princess Yi rolled her eyes at him: "I don't play matchmaker. She's a calculating person; she wouldn't be satisfied with anyone I picked for her. In the end, it wouldn't be you who would hate me, it would be me. I don't want to be the bad guy."

Xiao Jingyan stood up, walked around behind Princess Yi, put his hands on her shoulders, and spoke with a hint of coquetry in his tone:

"Mother, there is a difference between us, and I am not in a position to intervene. Please help me out."

Besides, if you don't help your son, what if Jin'er misunderstands and runs away in anger? Where will you find such a good daughter-in-law again?

Princess Yi turned her head and glared at him fiercely, then slapped the back of his hand, laughing and scolding, "I really owe you something! Alright, alright, I'll think of a way, but I can't guarantee it will work. She's not the type to listen to everything I say."

Xiao Jingyan immediately revealed a triumphant smile, massaged Princess Yi's shoulders a few times, and then withdrew.

When it was time for dinner, Xiao Jingyan went to the main courtyard to dine with Prince Yi and his wife.

Upon entering the room, one could see Zhou Qing sitting below Princess Yi, talking to her. Her eyes were red, as if she had just been crying.

Xiao Jingyan frowned and called out from the doorway, "Mother."

Zhou Qing quickly stood up, curtsied to him, and said with a hint of grievance in her voice, "Qing'er greets Your Highness. Is Your Highness well?"

Xiao Jingyan gave a faint "hmm," glanced at her face, and then turned to Princess Yi, asking, "Mother, where is my father?"

Princess Yi slammed her teacup on the table and said irritably, "Who knows what she's been up to this time? I haven't seen her all afternoon."

"I'll go check on Mother. I won't dine with you then." Xiao Jingyan said this and turned to leave without even sitting down.

Zhou Qing, her eyes red-rimmed, took two steps after him and called out, "Your Highness..."

But Xiao Jingyan acted as if he hadn't heard, and disappeared in a few steps.

Zhou Qing turned to look at Princess Yi with disappointment, her voice choked with sobs, "Your Highness, is Qing'er really that hateful? Why does the Prince leave as soon as he sees Qing'er?"

Princess Yi had a headache, and after a long while she managed to force a smile: "Qing'er, you are a good girl, it's Ayan who is not good enough for you."

Zhou Qing shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "No, Your Highness. Could you please tell me what I did wrong? I can change."

Princess Yi secretly groaned inwardly. You should ask my son about this. How would I know what's wrong with you? Besides, she was annoyed by this woman's constant crying. Just because of that, she couldn't like her, let alone her son.

She remained silent for a long time until Zhou Qing felt embarrassed and stopped crying. Then she slowly spoke, saying solemnly, "Qing'er, I have already told you that you are not suitable for Ayan."

Ayan only ever treated you as a younger sister; he never had any other thoughts.

"Don't worry, I will keep an eye out for you and find you a good marriage. I guarantee you won't be mistreated after you marry into that family."

Zhou Qing was silent for a moment, then lowered her eyes to hide her emotions, and said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness, Qing'er understands."

Princess Yi finally breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly ordered the meal to be served. She then said to Zhou Qing, "Ayan won't be keeping me company, so you will stay and dine with me."

Just as Zhou Qing responded, a series of light footsteps and laughter came from outside the door.

A maidservant came in and reported, "Your Highness, the young ladies from the inner courtyard have come to pay their respects."

Princess Yi's eyes lit up, and she quickly waved, "Let them in!"

Knowing that this was a savior her son had brought for her, she was overjoyed, finally relieved that she wouldn't have to face Zhou Qing alone.

Several women filed in, the first being a round-faced girl. She walked a few steps to Princess Yi, curtsied, and said in a clear voice, "It's been so long since we've seen Your Highness. We've missed you terribly. We've wanted to come and pay our respects to Your Highness for a long time, but you've been too busy since your return. Please forgive us for only coming today."

Another slender girl chimed in, "That's right, we've been wanting to pay our respects to Your Majesty for a long time. Your Majesty, we'd like to have a meal here today, please don't mind the noise."

Princess Yi waved her hand with a smile: "Not at all, not at all. You've come at the perfect time. I was just worried that it would be too lonely eating with only two people. Please, have a seat."

The women were not at all reserved and sat down at the table, leaving Zhou Qing at the very edge.

Zhou Qing stood awkwardly by the table, while Princess Yi pretended not to notice and gestured to the seat opposite her: "Qing'er, don't be shy, please sit down!"

These women were already familiar with Princess Yi, and they mostly chose to say things that Princess Yi liked.

Zhou Qing couldn't get a word in edgewise, and the meal felt like sitting on pins and needles.

She got up to say goodbye before dinner was over.