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

Chen Mengyao glanced across the street and suddenly whispered, "Why did the First Prince come alone this time? I heard Consort Zheng's face hasn't healed yet?"

Yun Jin glanced in the direction of the First Prince, then looked away and said in a low voice, "Really? That's strange, it's still not healed?"

She knew that Shen Qingyun didn't want to join in the fun, and that she would have to find an opportunity to visit the First Prince's residence after the New Year.

Chen Mengyao leaned close to her ear again, her tone full of schadenfreude: "Did you know that Zheng Jie has been locked up by the Princess? I heard that Zhao Mama from the Princess's residence is forcing her to learn manners every day, and she won't even let her see her family during the New Year. Zheng Jie used to be such an arrogant person, but now that she's facing the Princess, she's been completely subdued and doesn't dare to utter a sound."

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly, "This is what they call trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead."

She wanted to use Princess Yamin to deal with herself, but the eldest princess saw through her plan, and now she is reaping what she sowed.

"That's right." Chen Mengyao nodded in deep agreement. "That's why it's better to be a law-abiding citizen and not always think about harming others."

After exchanging a few more casual words, Chen Mengyao said apologetically to Yun Jin, "I'm going to the bathroom."

Yun Jin also stood up: "I'll go with you."

Chen Mengyao quickly pressed down on her shoulder, smiling and shaking her head: "No need, no need, Tingzhu can just come with me. The washroom isn't far, I'll be right back."

Yun Jin looked at Ting Zhu and instructed her, "Ting Zhu, don't leave your young lady's side for even a moment. The palace is not like the outside world. If you take the wrong path or bump into the wrong person, it will cause trouble."

Tingzhu nodded in agreement and followed Chen Mengyao out through the side door.

No sooner had Chen Mengyao left than Zhou Yuerong waved to her and pointed to the empty seat next to her.

Yun Jin got up and walked over, sitting down beside her.

Zhou Yuerong took her hand and whispered, "I haven't congratulated Jin-mei yet. Jin-mei is truly blessed to have captured Prince Yu's heart. Now, many noble ladies in the capital are heartbroken."

Yun Jin felt a little embarrassed by her praise: "Sister, please don't make fun of me."

The two exchanged a few quiet laughs, and then Yun Jin saw Consort Shu suddenly stand up, bow gracefully towards the Emperor and Empress, and say softly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have a bit of a headache and would like to take my leave first. I hope Your Majesty and Your Majesty will forgive me."

The emperor was speaking to Prince Yi beside him, and upon hearing this, he waved his hand and said, "If you are not feeling well, go back and rest."

The Empress, however, asked with concern, "Is Consort Shu feeling unwell? Should we summon the imperial physician to examine her?"

Consort Shu quickly declined, saying gratefully, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. It's just that there are too many people in this palace, and it's a bit stuffy. I'll be fine after going for a walk. There's no need to trouble the imperial physician."

The Empress nodded and did not try to keep her any longer.

Consort Shu bowed again, then, supported by a palace maid, gracefully withdrew through the side door.

Yun Jin's heart skipped a beat. No sooner had Liu Zhixue left than Consort Shu also departed from her seat.

Was it a coincidence that these two met, or was it a pre-arranged meeting with Liu Zhixue?

Her mind raced, but she gave Zhou Yuerong a polite smile and said in a low voice, "Sister, I need to use the restroom, I'm going out for a bit."

Zhou Yuerong said with concern, "I'll go with you."

Yun Jin quickly pressed her hand down and shook her head: "No need, sister, I'll be back soon. You stay in the main hall, and if Sister Mengyao returns, please let her know for me, so she won't worry about not being able to find me."

Zhou Yuerong nodded then: "Then be careful."

Yun Jin responded and stood up.

When Chu Wanqing saw her get up, she was about to call Qinghe to follow.

Yun Jin gently shook her head at her, mouthed "clean room," and then waved to Qing He, indicating that she should stay in the main hall to take care of her mother.

Although Chu Wanqing was somewhat worried, she did not force the issue.

Yun Jin walked alone to the side door and asked the palace servants guarding the door for directions to the washroom.

The palace maid led her for a while, then pointed to the corridor ahead and said, "Princess, walk to the end of this corridor, turn right, and you'll find the washroom."

Yun Jin thanked them and went into the washroom.

When she came out a moment later, she saw the palace servant still waiting not far away, so she walked over and asked with a smile, "Eunuch, it's a bit stuffy in the palace. I'd like to take a stroll around the neighborhood. Do you know how to get to the Imperial Garden?"

The palace attendant hesitated for a moment, thinking that the masters of all the palaces were currently attending a banquet in Yaohua Palace, and there shouldn't be many people in the Imperial Garden. So she pointed in a direction and then specifically instructed her, "Princess, there are many rules in the palace. Some places are the sleeping quarters of nobles. Please do not go near them, so as not to offend them."

Yun Jin smiled and said, "Thank you, sir. I understand. I'll just take a walk in the Imperial Garden to get some fresh air before heading back."

The palace maid then bowed and withdrew.

After the palace servant walked away, Yun Jin took a few steps toward the Imperial Garden, then slipped behind a rockery. After confirming that no one was around, she slipped into her spatial dimension.

She put on an inconspicuous dark-colored dress and a dark-colored cloak in the space, covering herself completely, and then used the space to hide from the palace guards and head towards the direction of Consort Shu's palace.

With the space providing cover, she entered Consort Shu's bedchamber without any obstruction.

Inside the palace, Consort Shu leaned against the chaise longue and asked the maid beside her, "Has she gone?"

The palace maid replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yinzi has already taken her there."

Consort Shu nodded and hummed in agreement.

The palace maid remained silent for a moment, then couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Your Highness, those people have been hiding in the Cold Palace. What if they're discovered...?"

She didn't finish her sentence, but Consort Shu understood. She remained silent for a long while before letting out a soft sigh and saying helplessly:

"I have no choice. After all, he saved my life back then, and I can't leave without repaying that favor. Let's leave it at that for now, and let them go after the New Year."

The palace maid responded with a "Yes," but still somewhat uneasy, she cautiously probed, "Your Highness, that man said he could help the Fifth Prince achieve great things... Do you think his words can be trusted?"

Consort Shu tapped her fingers lightly on the edge of the couch twice, and sneered, "Trust? It's nothing more than an exchange of interests. I've lived in this palace for over twenty years, and all the kindness and affection I've received are ultimately empty promises. The Princess is untrustworthy, and they are even less so. I trust no one but what I hold in my own hands. We'll see how things develop, one step at a time."

The palace maid remained silent for a moment, then asked, "What about the Fifth Prince... should we let him know?"

Consort Shu shook her head: "It's better not to tell Fan'er. If he wants to ascend to that position, he needs to be clean and honest."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Go and find a way to secretly ask my father if he's dealt with that house under Steward Yue's name yet. If not, get rid of it as soon as possible. It's also best not to let Steward Yue stay in the capital. People have already noticed that house; if he stays any longer, something bad might happen."

The palace maid's expression hardened, and she quickly nodded in response, "This servant will go to the front immediately and try to find a way to see the master."

The palace maid turned and left, but returned a few moments later, bowing and saying, "Your Highness, Lady Liu requests an audience. Do you wish to see her?"

Consort Shu frowned, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Let her in."

The palace maid led Liu Zhixue in and then left.

Liu Zhixue first bowed to Consort Shu and paid her respects.

Consort Shu waved her hand, telling her to rise, and said in a calm tone, "If you've seen the person you wanted to see, why are you still here with me?"