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

Liu Zhixue straightened up, her gaze lingering on Consort Shu's face for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Your Majesty, today the Princess of Ninghai and Prince Yu were publicly betrothed by His Majesty. Aren't you worried?"

Consort Shu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "What do I have to worry about? Who Prince Yu marries is none of my business."

Liu Zhixue took half a step forward and lowered her voice, saying, "Your Majesty, that girl is threatening your daughter. If she reveals that your daughter is an illegitimate child..."

Upon hearing this, Yun Jin was shocked. Consort Shu's daughter? Yun Xiu? She was actually Consort Shu's daughter? No wonder Consort Shu agreed to the Fifth Prince marrying Yun Xiu. It seems the Fifth Prince is definitely not Consort Shu's son.

She steadied herself and continued listening.

Consort Shu slammed her hand on the table in front of her, gritting her teeth as she said, "How dare you bring this up? If you had drowned her back then, would all of this have happened? You kept her alive only to have a handle to threaten me!"

"But, Ayi, don't forget, we're in the same boat. If I were to reveal that you're from the Southern Frontier, would you even be alive?"

Liu Zhixue, however, was not afraid at all; instead, her smile widened: "Your Majesty, if Ayi's identity is exposed, she can simply return to the Southern Frontier. But what about you? Don't forget, back then you used my son to impersonate your daughter so that you could gain a foothold in this palace and enjoy the favor you have today."

"You...!" Consort Shu pointed at her, only managing to utter a single word after a long pause.

Liu Zhixue looked at Consort Shu and smiled faintly: "Sister, no matter what, we are on the same side and should cooperate."

"Now your daughter's identity is threatened. Yun Jin has already been granted the title of County Princess, and today she has become the Princess Consort. When the time is right, if she exposes your daughter's identity, it will inevitably implicate Fan'er..."

Consort Shu suddenly stood up, pointed at Liu Zhixue, and hissed, "Don't mention Fan'er! You'd better keep that matter buried in your heart! If you dare to utter a single word, I'll make sure you die a horrible death!"

Liu Zhixue bowed slightly, her smile unwavering: "Sister, rest assured, Ayi will naturally keep her mouth shut. However, we cannot let that girl Yun Jin get away with it. Does Her Majesty intend to wait until she's fully powerful before regretting her hesitation today?"

Consort Shu's chest heaved violently several times before she sat back down on the couch, coldly saying, "What can a mere woman in the deep palace do?"

Liu Zhixue took a half step closer, raising an eyebrow and asking, "Sister, isn't Lord Qiu outside the palace?"

Consort Shu glared at her and said angrily, "What do you want to do?"

Liu Zhixue said meaningfully, "Have Lord Qiu arrange for someone to deal with Chu Wanqing's son. Once her son dies, Chu Wanqing will definitely go mad. If she goes mad, Yun Jin won't be able to spare the time. Then we can find a way to make that girl have an accident."

She paused, then continued, "At that time, Your Majesty can have Lord Qiu extend an olive branch to the Chu family, either asking them to submit to the Fifth Prince, or... then they will be considered traitors."

She emphasized the words "treason and collusion with the enemy," and Consort Shu understood.

She remained silent for a long time before finally squeezing out a few words through gritted teeth: "You...you really have a good plan."

Liu Zhixue's smile remained unchanged, but her gaze deepened: "Your Majesty, we share a common goal. After the Fifth Prince ascends the throne, you will be the Empress Dowager, and I will be the Empress's biological mother. We will still be sisters. Why not?"

Consort Shu tapped her fingers lightly on the table. After a long while, she raised her eyes and said calmly, "You may go back now. I will discuss this with my father."

Liu Zhixue smiled slightly, bowed deeply to Consort Shu, and said softly, "Then Ayi will await Your Highness's good news."

After saying that, he turned and left.

After she left, Consort Shu suddenly stood up and swept everything on the table in front of her to the ground, scattering fragments all over the floor.

After a long pause, she finally managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth: "Damn it! Damn it!"

Yun Jin also left Consort Shu's palace. Seeing Liu Zhixue heading towards Yaohua Palace, she turned back towards the Imperial Garden, changed back into her original clothes in her spatial dimension, and then went out of the spatial dimension to stroll around the Imperial Garden before heading towards Yaohua Palace.

Before she even reached Yaohua Palace, she saw Tingzhu pacing anxiously outside the palace.

Her heart skipped a beat. She quickly walked over and waved to her, saying, "Tingzhu, come here."

Upon hearing her voice, Tingzhu turned around abruptly, tears welling up in her eyes.

She rushed to Yun Jin, leaned close to her ear, and said urgently, "Miss Yun, something terrible has happened! My young lady has disappeared!"

Yun Jin's heart sank; she knew something was wrong. She quickly beckoned to a palace servant, handed him a purse, and whispered, "Young eunuch, please go to the palace and invite His Highness Prince Yu out. Tell him I urgently need to speak with him. Also, please invite Lord Zheng Guodong of the Dali Temple out as well. Remember, do not disturb anyone."

The palace maid weighed the purse in her hand, nodded and replied "Yes," then turned and quickly entered the hall.

Yun Jin then pulled Tingzhu aside, took her hand, and whispered, "Tingzhu, listen to me. The most important thing for you now is to calm down. When His Highness Prince Yu and Lord Zheng arrive, tell them everything that happened. They've been working in the palace for many years; they know this place better than we do. They'll definitely be able to find your young lady. Don't panic, understand?"

Tingzhu bit her lip, nodded vigorously, and took several deep breaths to calm herself down.

Shortly after, Xiao Jingyan and Zheng Guodong emerged from the side door one after the other.

Yun Jin quickly stepped forward, disregarding all formalities, and said directly, "Ayan, Godfather, Sister Mengyao is missing."

Zheng Guodong asked anxiously, "What happened? What do you mean it's missing?"

Yun Jin pulled Tingzhu close: "Tingzhu, quickly tell your godfather and the prince what happened?"

Xiao Jingyan nodded and looked at Tingzhu: "Tell me and Lord Zheng the whole story in detail. From the moment she left the main hall, tell us where she went, who she met, and what she said. Don't leave out any details."