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

Chu Wanqing clearly didn't believe her. She stared into Yun Jin's eyes for a long while before finally sighing and saying softly, "Since you say you're alright, then I believe you. But Jin'er, I am your mother. If you encounter any trouble, you must tell me. I will do everything in my power to protect you and Lang Ge'er."

Yun Jin felt a warmth in her heart, nodded vigorously, stood up, bowed to Chu Wanqing, and then left Qingshui Garden.

She returned to Jinshu Pavilion, where Chunxi and several maids were playing cards. Upon seeing her return, Chunxi quickly put down her cards and followed Yunjin into the warm pavilion, saying, "Miss, you're finally back! Today, I went to the Charity Hall with Sister Hongling and delivered a lot of meat and rice. The uncles, aunts, and children there were so happy that they wiped away tears, saying that Miss has the heart of a Bodhisattva, still thinking of them even during the New Year."

As she spoke, she pointed to a pile of things on the table and said, "Miss, look, these are New Year's gifts from the ladies and children of the charity hall."

Yun Jin saw embroidered shoes, bamboo baskets, and wooden dolls on the table.

She was somewhat touched; it was a small gift but a heartfelt gesture. She accepted the gift and told Chunxi to put the things away in the cabinet. Then she took out a handful of loose silver and handed it to Chunxi: "Today is New Year's Eve. Take this silver. Each servant on duty in the courtyard will receive two taels of silver as New Year's money. Each of you senior maids will receive five taels."

Chunxi took the silver, her face beaming with joy. She said a few auspicious words and then happily turned around to go out and distribute the rewards.

Soon, the courtyard was filled with the laughter and thanks of the maids and servants, along with auspicious wishes for a happy new year, adding a touch of festivity to the eve of the Lunar New Year.

Hearing the commotion outside, Yun Jin lowered her voice and asked Dong Xue, who was beside her, "Has Ding Hui's body been disposed of?"

Dongxue stepped forward and whispered, "Don't worry, Miss. Jin Hu personally led the team to handle it. The body has already been taken out of the palace and there won't be any trace of it. It won't affect Miss Chen."

Yun Jin nodded slightly and then asked, "Have you found out how Sister Mengyao got to the flower room?"

Today in the palace, she was afraid that asking about this matter would cause Chen Mengyao to lose control of her emotions, so she refrained from asking, but the matter remained on her mind.

A hint of helplessness appeared in Dongxue's eyes as she replied, "It was also a coincidence. When Tingzhu went back to get her clothes, Miss Chen didn't want to wait idly in the washroom, so she left and headed towards the Imperial Garden, intending to enjoy the plum blossoms along the way while waiting for Tingzhu to return. Coincidentally, Ding Hui was also heading in that direction. Seeing Miss Chen alone from afar, he harbored malicious intentions and secretly followed her. When Miss Chen reached a rockery near the Imperial Garden, he knocked her unconscious and dragged her into the room behind the flower room where the palace servants rested."

Yun Jin asked, puzzled, "Is that house usually empty?"

Dongxue shook her head and explained, "It was just a coincidence. Today was the New Year's Eve palace banquet, and all the masters of the palaces were in Yaohua Palace. The eunuch in charge of guarding the flower room was slacking off and went to drink and play cards with others in the side room next to the kitchen. That's how Ding Hui got the chance."

After listening, Yun Jin remained silent for a long while before letting out a soft sigh. All the coincidences had come together at once; thankfully, they hadn't been too late.

Thinking of what Yunxiu had said in Yaohua Palace, she asked again, "Does Yunxiu know about this? When we returned to the palace, I had a feeling that she knew something from what she said."

Dongxue shook her head and said, "This servant doesn't know about this. Miss can ask the Prince later. After the eldest young lady went out, she should have gone to meet with the fifth prince. The Prince arranged for someone to keep an eye on her."

Yun Jin nodded, then asked about another matter: "When you went to the Cold Palace, did you see that child?"

Dongxue shook her head apologetically, "Young Master Mu has deployed hidden guards in the Cold Palace. I dared not get too close. I really couldn't see clearly whether the child was inside. If Miss wants to investigate, I will try to find out what's going on in the Cold Palace tomorrow."

Yun Jin was silent for a moment, then waved her hand: "No need, let's not alert them."

Dongxue responded, and seeing that Yunjin didn't ask anything more, she quietly withdrew.

We definitely need to explore the Cold Palace, but we can't rely on Dongxue and Xiao Jingyan's people; they can only keep an eye on it from afar.

And with his own personal space, this cheating device, he could eavesdrop at close range—no, observe at close range.

She changed her clothes, took her hair out, washed her face, and then lay down.

But her mind never stopped. Liu Zhixue was going to harm her and Yun Lang, so why couldn't she strike first? She planned to think it over carefully and give Liu Zhixue a big gift.

As she pondered, her eyelids began to droop, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.

Yun Jin slept very soundly, and when she opened her eyes again, it was already dark outside the window. She rubbed her eyes, sat up, and called out "Chunxi" towards the door.

The door opened, and Dongxue came in carrying a basin of hot water, explaining with a smile, "Chunxi and the others are playing cards in the corridor. It's New Year's Eve, so let them relax a bit, Miss. This servant will help you wash up."

Yun Jin glanced at the sky outside the window, yawned, and asked, "What time is it?"

"It's almost 7 PM." Dongxue handed her a wrung-out hot towel, then turned to the wardrobe to get clothes. "Madam just sent someone to tell you that Miss can go directly to the main hall."

Yun Jin wiped her face, tied her hair into a simple bun, put on the plum blossom silver hairpin given to her by Yun Lang, and changed into the moonlight brocade dress given to her by Xiao Jingyan.

After getting everything ready, he led Dongxue towards the main hall.

Upon arriving at the main hall, everyone was already there. Even Liu Zhixue was present; she was dressed in a pomegranate-red dress and sat to the left of Yunxiu.

Chu Wanqing looked displeased, clearly holding her anger in her heart. Why was Liu Zhixue, who was still alive, getting involved in this perfectly good family banquet?

Yun Jin walked into the hall, bowed to everyone and greeted them: "Happy New Year, Grandmother, Happy New Year, Godfather, Happy New Year, Mother, Happy New Year, Eldest Sister, Happy New Year, Lang Ge'er."

After exchanging greetings with everyone, Liu Zhixue was the only one overlooked, as if she were just a wisp of air.

Yunxiu chuckled and reminded her, "Second sister, you forgot Mr. Liu."

Upon hearing this, Yun Jin feigned surprise and said, "Oh my, I really didn't notice until you mentioned it, sister. There's actually an outsider at the Yun family's banquet."

Grandma Yun's face darkened, and she glared at Yun Jin, saying, "What do you mean by outsider or insider? Mr. Liu is Xiu'er's teacher. He has taught Xiu'er for so many years, and I have long regarded him as family."

Yun Jin looked at Chu Wanqing and asked innocently, "Mother, didn't my eldest sister's husband quit his job a long time ago?"

Chu Wanqing glanced at Liu Zhixue and said calmly, "Yes, Jin'er remembers correctly. Miss Liu did quit her job. However, she is willing to stay and serve your grandmother. Our Yun family doesn't need her to eat, and it's good for your grandmother to have someone to talk to."

The mother and daughter, working in unison, mistook Liu Zhixue for a servant of the old lady.