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

But Yun Jin had spoken, so Yun Lang naturally couldn't deny it. He quickly got up, went to the center of the hall, knelt beside Yun Jin, and respectfully kowtowed to the Emperor and Empress, saying loudly:

"Your Majesty and Your Majesty, this poem was indeed written by me. I am but a humble scholar with limited knowledge, and I beg Your Majesty's understanding regarding any omissions or errors in the poem."

The emperor looked at the young man kneeling in the hall, who was thirteen or fourteen years old, with delicate features and a generous demeanor. He then glanced at Yun Heting and said with a smile, "Minister Yun, you have indeed raised a fine son."

Upon hearing this, Yun Heting immediately rose and walked into the hall, kneeling beside Yun Lang and bowing, saying, "My son is young and ignorant, and only made up a few words. I am grateful for Your Majesty's kindness and thanks you for not disliking him."

The Emperor waved his hand and said, "Today is New Year's Eve, and I am in a good mood. There is no need to be so formal. Fulai, bestow my Jiaowei Guqin upon the Princess of Ninghai. Yunlang is young and talented, so bestow upon him a set of the Four Treasures of the Study."

Yun Jin and Yun Lang knelt down together to express their gratitude.

Yunxiu sat on the mat, her fingernails almost digging into her palms.

She had only received an ordinary reward, while Yun Jin had only sung a song and yet received the imperial gift of a Jiao Wei guqin, a famous guqin left by the late emperor, and there was not a second one like it in the entire capital.

Yun Jin thanked the emperor and was about to return to her seat when the eldest princess suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, Ning Hai is so talented and beautiful, and she is not young anymore. After the New Year, she will be sixteen, and her marriage cannot be delayed. I really like this girl. If Your Majesty is too busy with state affairs to attend to her, I know a few good young men from noble families who would be willing to act as matchmakers for her."

These words sounded high-sounding, as if they were genuinely looking out for Yun Jin, but every official in the court was shrewd enough to know about the feud between Princess Ya Min and Yun Jin, and everyone knew that the Princess was deliberately trying to annoy people.

It would be strange if she were genuinely trying to arrange a marriage for Yun Jin.

Upon hearing this, the emperor couldn't help but glance at Xiao Jingyan. Sure enough, he saw that Xiao Jingyan's fingers holding the wine cup tightened slightly, and although his expression remained calm, his eyes had turned cold.

The emperor raised an eyebrow, curious to see how he would respond.

Before Yun Jin and Xiao Jingyan could react, Chu Wanqing stood up, curtsied slightly to the Princess, and said in a respectful yet disapproving tone:

"Thank you for your kindness to my daughter, Your Highness. However, my daughter is still young and her temperament is not yet settled. I would like to keep her by my side for a few more years to teach her. I really dare not trouble Your Highness with this."

The eldest princess raised an eyebrow, looking at Chu Wanqing with a half-smile, and said lazily, "Madam Yun, it seems I'm meddling in other people's business. However, since Ninghai is a girl listed in the Yun family genealogy, her marriage should naturally be decided by the elders of the Yun family."

"I recall that the matriarch of the Yun family is also present today, isn't she? As an elder of the Yun family, she should have some say regarding her granddaughter's marriage. It's not fair that a granddaughter listed in the family genealogy has her marriage decided entirely by her adoptive mother, is it?"

That's a vicious remark.

She knew perfectly well that Old Madam Yun and Chu Wanqing were at odds, but she still insisted on steer the conversation toward the old lady.

If Old Madam Yun were to say something inappropriate on the spot, Chu Wanqing would be put in a very difficult position; if Chu Wanqing were to stop the old lady from speaking, it would confirm her reputation for disrespecting her mother-in-law and being autocratic in front of the entire court.

Grandma Yun was indeed intrigued by these words.

She was a vain and attention-seeking person by nature. After drinking a few cups of hot wine and hearing the princess address her as "an elder of the Yun family" in public, she immediately felt proud and straightened her back a bit.

She cleared her throat, about to speak, when Liu Zhixue subtly pressed her arm, causing the old lady to swallow back the words she was about to say.

Liu Zhixue shook her head slightly and gave the old lady a look, implying that it was best for her to say less.

Yun Jin caught a glimpse of this scene out of the corner of her eye and couldn't help but be a little surprised. Shouldn't Liu Zhixue be happy to see her embarrassed?

However, upon seeing Yunxiu beside her, she immediately understood that if Old Madam Yun said something wrong, it would be Yunxiu who would lose face.

Although the old lady was somewhat unwilling, she eventually shut her mouth in resentment.

But the princess's words left Chu Wanqing at a loss for words. Her expression changed as she pondered how to respond in a way that would both refuse and not offend the princess.

At this moment, Xiao Jingyan couldn't help but speak, saying in a calm tone:

"Your Majesty, instead of wasting your time, why not worry about Cousin Yamin's marriage? She's not getting any younger. I also heard that she had a high fever a few days ago; is she feeling better now? Would you like me to help find some renowned doctors to come and take a look at her?"

The princess's smile faltered slightly. Ya Min's illness was a thorn in her side, and Xiao Jingyan's decision to bring it up at this moment was clearly an attempt to silence her by exploiting her weakness.

She picked up her teacup and took a sip, using the gesture to conceal the coldness in her eyes before speaking again, her tone now tinged with displeasure: "Ya Min merely has a slight cold; no need for you to worry. But you, A Yan, I casually mentioned Ning Hai's marriage, and you've gotten all worked up. What, do you perhaps have some designs on Princess Ning Hai?"

That's a blunt and tricky question.

All eyes in the hall fell on Xiao Jingyan, but he didn't even frown. He readily admitted, "What my royal aunt says is true. I do indeed admire Princess Ninghai. If she is willing, I am ready to propose marriage at any time."

Upon hearing this, the entire hall was shocked. Prince Yu actually had his eye on the Princess of Ninghai?

Several noble ladies from prominent families who were particularly fond of Xiao Jingyan were heartbroken.

The eldest princess's eyes darkened slightly, then she turned her gaze to Yun Jin and pressed, "Princess Ninghai, His Highness Prince Yu has already publicly stated his opinion. Are you willing?"

All eyes in the hall fell on Yun Jin.

Yun Jin remained silent, not speaking immediately. She was quickly weighing the pros and cons in her mind.

Yun Heting suddenly turned to the Princess, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with an embarrassed smile, "Your Highness is joking. My daughter is uncouth and unworthy of Your Highness Prince Yu's noble status. Your Highness should not make such a joke, lest my daughter take it seriously and become a laughingstock."

Xiao Jingyan's face darkened, and he was about to retort when a hearty laugh suddenly came from the entrance of the hall: "Lord Yun, what you said is not quite right."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Princess Yi walking in from outside the palace.

Princess Yi entered the hall, bowed to the Emperor and Empress, and then looked at Yun Jin. She laughed loudly, "With the beauty and talent of Princess Ninghai, how could she not be a match for our Ayan? As long as she is willing, the Prince and I would be more than happy to oblige."

After speaking, he turned back to Prince Yi, who was following behind him, and asked, "Your Highness, isn't that right?"

Prince Yi walked to his wife's side, bowed to the Emperor and Empress, and then said unhurriedly, "What the Princess Consort says is absolutely right. I was worried that Princess Ninghai would look down on our Ayan!"

These words caused another uproar in the hall.

The princess's smile finally faded. She had intended to take this opportunity to disgust Yun Jin, but she didn't expect that the entire Yu family would jump out to protect her.

Chu Wanqing was overwhelmed with mixed feelings as she watched this scene.

She subconsciously looked at Yun Jin, wanting to say something, but suddenly remembered what Wang Shi had said to her in the side hall. She bit her lip and swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

The Emperor leaned back on his dragon throne, taking in everyone's reactions. A slight smile played on his lips as he looked at Yun Jin and asked, "Ninghai, Ayan says he is fond of you, and now Prince Yi and his wife do not object. I ask you, are you willing? If you are not, I will arrange this marriage for you."