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

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and the waiter whispered from outside, "Your Highness, the dishes are ready."

Xiao Yifan then released Yunxiu's hand and called out, "Come in."

The dishes were served, and the two began their lunch.

Xiao Yifan would sometimes embroider vegetables for Yun, and sometimes ask her about her recent situation in the mansion. He was both considerate and thoughtful.

Ling Yunxiu felt that she was the happiest woman in the world.

Before the two had finished their meal, Meixiang returned. She bowed to Xiao Yifan upon entering and reported, "Your Highness, I have spoken to Her Highness about this matter, and Her Highness has agreed."

Xiao Yifan nodded, waved for her to leave, and turned to Yunxiu with a smile, "Isn't that settled? Go back and tell the old lady to just wait patiently."

Yunxiu's little bit of pride swelled to its peak in an instant.

The old lady's invitation was issued by Yunxiu through the Fifth Prince and personally by Consort Shu; what an honor that was!

She smiled gently and bowed gracefully to Xiao Yifan: "Thank you, Your Highness. Xiu'er thanks Your Highness on behalf of her grandmother."

Xiao Yifan waved his hand and pulled her to sit down: "Don't be so polite with me. Your business is my business, isn't it?"

Yunxiu ate the meal without tasting it, but Xiao Yifan was completely satisfied.

After dinner, Xiao Yifan said he would accompany Yunxiu for a walk to help her digest.

The two then left the Drunken Immortal Pavilion and walked side by side along the long street.

As they were walking, they suddenly heard the sound of rapid hoofbeats ahead.

A man and a horse galloped past Yunxiu, almost brushing past her.

Xiao Yifan grabbed her waist and pulled her into his arms, then swerved to the side.

Yunxiu's nose was almost touching his chest, and she could even smell the faint scent of sandalwood on him, which made her heart pound wildly.

Only after the two of them had gone far away did Xiao Yifan slowly release his grip, look down at her, and ask with concern, "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

"No...no." Yunxiu blushed like a shrimp, her heart pounded like a drum, and her voice trembled as she lowered her eyes.

A hint of smugness flashed in Xiao Yifan's eyes. He simply took Yunxiu's hand and said, "Come on, come with me for a stroll."

Yunxiu blushed, lowered her head, and let him lead her to a shop called Songhetang.

This shop sells the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper). The shop is small, but the furnishings are elegant, with several calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls and various brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones displayed on the shelves.

Xiao Yifan strolled around the store and picked out a set of calligraphy practice books and a landscape painting.

Afterwards, Xiao Yifan escorted her to the entrance of the Yun residence and watched her enter before turning back.

Yunxiu returned to the mansion, first told Chu Wanqing, and then went to the old lady's courtyard.

When the old lady saw her return, she hurriedly asked her how things had gone.

Yunxiu recounted Xiao Yifan's promise to help, and the old lady beamed with joy, holding Yunxiu's hand and praising her filial piety.

As the grandmother and granddaughter were talking, Granny Wang rushed in to announce their arrival, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Grandma, someone from the palace has arrived! They say they're here to deliver an invitation to a palace banquet!"

……

When Yun Jin brought Dong Xue to Qing Shui Yuan, Chu Wan Qing was sitting on the couch in the warm pavilion, looking through the list of New Year's gifts for the mansion.

Seeing Yun Jin enter, she put down the booklet in her hand, beckoned to her, and said gently, "You're back? Did you retrieve the clothes?"

Yun Jin placed the bundle on the table and opened it one by one for Chu Wanqing to see.

Chu Wanqing picked it up and carefully examined the stitching and edging, then nodded: "Huajinge's craftsmanship is indeed excellent. Try it on."

Yun Jin changed her clothes as instructed and twirled in front of Chu Wanqing.

Chu Wanqing nodded in satisfaction, then asked Bitao to send Yunlang the two sets of clothes to him before pulling Yunjin to sit down on the couch and asking about her trip to the General's Mansion and Grand Tutor Zheng's Mansion that day.

Yun Jin briefly recounted her trip to the General's Mansion. When she mentioned that Lan Ying had given her a land deed for a manor in the eastern suburbs, Chu Wanqing was slightly moved. After a moment of silence, she said softly, "You must remember how kind your maternal grandmother was to you."

"I will," Yun Jin nodded earnestly.

She then recounted her visit to Grand Tutor Zheng's residence, detailing how Chen Qinghe brought his second wife, Ding Zisu, to the house, how Ding Zisu introduced herself as "Yao'er's mother," how she was refuted on the spot by Old Madam Zheng, and how Chen Qinghe retreated in a disheveled manner.

After listening, Chu Wanqing sighed and said, "Mengyao is a pitiful child. I've heard about your Aunt Zhining's situation before. Fortunately, the Zheng family are all very sentimental people and treated her very well. It's just a pity that Chen Qinghe, like Yun Heting, is also someone who can't see things clearly."

Yun Jin replied, "Yes, he wanted to carry on the family line and preferred sons to daughters, so he remarried. I heard that Ding did indeed give birth to a son for him."

She suddenly remembered something, looked up at Chu Wanqing, and asked, "Mother, speaking of which, Lang Ge'er is also Yun Heting's son. Why would he be so cruel to his own son? How did he treat you before? When did he start to change?"

Chu Wanqing's eyes dimmed, and after a long silence, she slowly spoke: "When we first met, he treated me extremely well. He was gentle and refined, and considerate in everything. At that time, I really thought he was a rare and perfect match."

I still can't say when it started to change. It seems like he's never changed, yet it also seems like he changed a long time ago. Maybe it was after I married him, maybe after you were born, maybe even earlier... I can't say.

Actually, I don't understand it either. Lang Ge'er is his own son. Even tigers don't eat their cubs, so how could he do that?

As Yun Jin listened to Chu Wanqing's words, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind, as fast as a shooting star, and disappeared before she could even see it clearly.

She frowned, feeling that something was off, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

She shook her head, temporarily setting the thought aside, and instead brought up what she had heard on her way back to the manor: "Mother, I heard that Granny Ji, who serves Consort Shu, came to deliver an invitation to the Old Madam?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanqing nodded: "I know. I received her when she arrived, and I personally escorted her to the old lady's courtyard. I just didn't want to stay there with her, so I made an excuse to come back."

Yun Jin was silent for a moment, then called Dong Xue over and instructed in a low voice, "Try to keep an eye on the old lady and see what she said and did after she met with Granny Ji."

Dongxue responded and quietly withdrew.

Chu Wanqing's gaze sharpened: "Are you worried about the old lady...?"