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

Upon hearing Yun Jin's question, the gatekeeper hurriedly bowed and replied, "Second Miss is back. Someone from the palace just came; it was Granny Ji, who serves Consort Shu. She said she was here to deliver an invitation to the palace banquet to the Old Madam."

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow slightly. Yun Xiu had only said yesterday that she was going to see the Fifth Prince, Xiao Yifan, and the invitation had already arrived today. It seemed that the Fifth Prince valued Yun Xiu quite a bit.

She remained expressionless, simply nodding and instructing Chunxi to first return the clothes Xiao Jingyan had made for her to Jinshu Pavilion. She then took Dongxue, carrying the bundle retrieved from Huajin Pavilion, and headed towards Qingshui Garden.

It turned out that early this morning, after Yun Jin left the mansion, Yun Xiu also left.

She first went to the old lady's courtyard to say hello, saying that she was going to ask the Fifth Prince to ask for an invitation to the New Year's Eve palace banquet for her, and the old lady naturally agreed without hesitation.

She went to see Chu Wanqing again, saying that she wanted to go out to look at the clothes and jewelry to wear in the palace, and Chu Wanqing naturally had no reason to refuse.

Chu Wanqing hadn't ordered new clothes for her at Huajin Pavilion for the New Year; she had only asked the embroiderers in the mansion to make two sets for each of the masters. So, she had no objection to Yunxiu making her own arrangements.

Yun Jin told her that the money she spent would be returned sooner or later, so she didn't care. As long as she wasn't bothered, she could ignore it.

Yunxiu led Meixiang out of the mansion and went straight to Huajin Pavilion. When she arrived, Yunjin had just left, and the two just missed each other.

Yunxiu was received by the manager downstairs, who politely led her to a private room on the second floor, serving her tea and water with impeccable manners, but that was all.

Yunxiu picked out two sets of ready-made clothes and examined them in the bronze mirror for a long time, but she was still not satisfied.

But there was no time to spare. The clothes from Huajinge had to be made at least half a month in advance. Even though she was the future consort of the Fifth Prince, Huajinge was Xiao Jingyan's property, so how could she possibly receive special treatment?

Fortunately, each style of Huajinge's ready-to-wear garment is only one piece, making them truly unique.

After leaving Huajinge, she went to Zhenbaozhai and picked out a set of jewelry for herself and a mutton-fat jade waist pendant for the Fifth Prince, for a total of five thousand taels of silver.

She told Manager Qin to put it on her mother's tab, and Manager Qin hesitated only for a moment before agreeing.

Chu Wanqing did not tell her subordinates about these matters at the Yun residence, so Manager Qin was unaware of the inside story.

After leaving Zhenbaozhai, Yunxiu led Meixiang to Zuixianlou.

Meixiang showed her token, and the shopkeeper immediately put on a smiling face and personally led the two to a private room on the third floor.

The shopkeeper served tea and a few plates of snacks, then tactfully withdrew without saying a word.

Yunxiu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and glanced around the private room before suddenly asking, "Meixiang, is this His Highness's property?"

Meixiang stood to the side with her hands at her sides, and said in a calm tone, "Yes."

Yunxiu's fingers tightened slightly as she held the teacup.

Since Meixiang came to her side, she has always maintained a detached expression in front of her, only showing the proper deference in front of outsiders.

But she dared not lose her temper with Meixiang, lest she say a few bad things to the Fifth Prince and affect her image in his eyes.

She simply ignored Meixiang, poured herself a cup of tea, ate two pastries with the tea, and waited listlessly for Xiao Yifan to arrive.

Before long, the door to the private room was pushed open from the outside.

Xiao Yifan stepped in, and Yunxiu hurriedly stood up to greet him. Xiao Yifan helped her up and sat down opposite her. He waved to Meixiang, who bowed and left, closing the door behind her.

Xiao Yifan then looked at Yunxiu and asked gently, "Have you been waiting long? I had some official business to attend to after court, so I was delayed."

Yunxiu quickly shook her head: "It's alright, Your Highness, important matters come first. Xiu'er is not in a hurry."

Xiao Yifan gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear and said softly, "I just ordered a few dishes downstairs, I don't know if they'll suit your taste. If you don't like them, I'll ask the waiter to order a few more later."

Yunxiu's ears burned. She pursed her lips and said shyly, "No need, Your Highness. Xiu'er can eat anything, I'm not picky."

Xiao Yifan nodded, poured himself a cup of tea, took a sip, and then asked, "Did you come to see me today for something?"

Yunxiu took the brocade box containing the waist pendant, opened it, and pushed it in front of Xiao Yifan, saying shyly, "The New Year is approaching, and Xiu'er has prepared a New Year's gift for Your Highness. It's nothing valuable, just a small token of my appreciation, and I hope Your Highness won't find it offensive."

Xiao Yifan picked up the jade pendant, examined it from all angles, and his expression shifted from surprise to delight: "This waist pendant matches my new robe perfectly. You've put a lot of thought into this; I really like it."

He carefully put away the waist pendant and said, "I have also prepared a New Year's gift for you. I will have someone deliver it to your residence later."

Actually, he forgot to prepare, but that didn't stop him from going back to make up for it.

Yunxiu was overjoyed, but said shyly, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Xiao Yifan found her shy and bashful demeanor quite pleasing.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, recalling what Meixiang had said: Yunxiu had asked to see him after returning to Xuezhai last night, following being summoned by Old Madam Yun. He knew that Yunxiu's visit today was definitely not just about delivering New Year's gifts.

So he took the initiative to ask, "Xiu'er, is there anything else you need?"

The way she called out "Xiu'er" was full of affection, making Yunxiu blush and her heart race even more.

Her face flushed, and it took her a long time to speak: "Actually, it was Xiu'er's grandmother who returned a few days ago. Father was busy with official duties and forgot to inform the Empress, so her name was not on the invitation to the New Year's Eve banquet."

But Xiu'er wanted her grandmother to accompany her to the palace banquet, so... that's why she wanted to trouble Your Highness..."

She paused, then added, "If Your Highness finds it difficult, then so be it. Xiu'er will go back and tell Grandmother."

After hearing this, Xiao Yifan smiled nonchalantly: "I thought it was something important. It's just an invitation, right? It's simple. I'll send someone to the palace to tell my mother, and she can issue a replacement invitation in her name."

He turned and called out towards the door, and Meixiang entered in response.

Xiao Yifan took a token from his waist, handed it to her, and instructed, "Go to the palace and tell Mother that the old lady of the Yun family has returned to the capital. Lord Yun forgot to inform Her Majesty the Empress, so her name was omitted from the invitation to the palace banquet. Please ask Mother to issue a replacement in her name. Just say that I said so."

Meixiang took the token, responded, and turned to leave.

Yunxiu quickly thanked him, but Xiao Yifan waved his hand and said, "It's nothing."

As he spoke, Tian reached out and took Yunxiu's hand in his, stroking it gently. "In three months, we'll be husband and wife. By then, your grandmother will be my grandmother. If I can't even handle such a small matter as attending a palace banquet, how can I possibly support you?"

Yunxiu was overwhelmed with emotion: "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Call me Yifan," Xiao Yifan said.

Yunxiu opened her mouth and called out with difficulty, "Yi... Yifan." But her heart was filled with sweetness.