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

Liu Zhixue's expression changed several times before she finally stood up and bowed deeply to Old Madam Yun. "Old Madam, it was Zhixue who was ignorant of etiquette and acted rudely. Second Miss is right, Zhixue is just an outsider and should not be at the Yun family's banquet. Zhixue will take her leave now."

Yun Heting frowned, glanced at Yun Jin, and said in a deep voice, "Jin'er is young and doesn't know how to speak properly. Mr. Liu, please don't take it to heart. You've taught Xiu'er for so many years. Mother is right; we've long regarded you as family. How can you be considered an outsider?"

Yun Jin nodded quickly in agreement, her tone as sincere as could be: "Godfather is right. Mr. Liu, please don't misunderstand, Jin'er didn't mean anything by it. Jin'er grew up in the countryside, born of a mother but without a father to teach her, so she doesn't know these rules and etiquette."

Upon hearing this, Yun Heting felt somewhat uncomfortable. What did he mean by "born of a mother but not taught by a father"? This was clearly a veiled criticism of him.

Yun Jin thought to herself, "I'm implying something about you."

Ignoring Yun Heting's expression, he continued, "But Jin'er has heard the saying, 'A guest is a guest.' Besides, my mother is extremely kind-hearted; she even gives a beggar a bowl of hot food when he comes to our door, let alone Mr. Liu. Mr. Liu, please just sit down."

Liu Zhixue originally intended to feign weakness and gain sympathy by playing the victim, hoping the old lady would stand up for her. However, Yun Jin kept saying things like "guests are welcome" and "even a beggar can have a meal," subtly criticizing her. She was being treated like a guest, an outsider, someone who had come to freeload, no different from a beggar.

Now she stood there, unsure whether to leave or stay, her face ashen, wanting to lash out but unable to.

Yunxiu, who had been watching from the side, finally couldn't help but speak up, "Sister's words are quite interesting. Mr. Liu is, after all, a guest invited back by Grandmother. To compare Mr. Liu to a beggar is rather harsh. Mr. Liu has been in the household for so many years; even if he hasn't made any great contributions, he has certainly worked hard. Aren't you afraid of hurting Mr. Liu's feelings by speaking like that?"

Upon hearing this, Yun Jin slapped her mouth and said apologetically, "Oh dear, if it weren't for elder sister's reminder, I wouldn't have known that I had said something wrong again. Please forgive me, Mr. Liu. I haven't learned proper etiquette and am used to speaking directly. I don't understand the concept of subtlety. If I have offended you in any way, I hope you will forgive me."

Liu Zhixue's expression changed several times. She gritted her teeth, took several deep breaths, and finally suppressed her anger. She forced a smile and said, "Second Miss is joking. Zhixue knows that Second Miss is a person of true character, so naturally she won't take it to heart."

Grandma Yun waved her hand dismissively, her tone tinged with impatience: "Alright, alright, it's New Year's Eve, everyone should keep quiet. Today is New Year's Eve, a time for family reunion dinner, let's not worry about all those rules and regulations."

Yun Jin smiled slightly and turned to Chu Wanqing, saying, "Mother, since it's a family reunion dinner, why don't we invite Aunt Zhilan as well? She usually stays at home and doesn't go out much, so it wouldn't be good to leave her alone in the courtyard on New Year's Eve."

Chu Wanqing nodded and instructed Qinghe behind her, "Go and invite Aunt Zhilan. Tell her that it's a day for family reunion, and we can't leave her out. Invite her to come and have a meal together."

Qinghe responded and left.

Yun Jin pulled Yun Lang to sit down, and Chu Wanqing had the servants set up another table in the outer room, saying, "Today is New Year's Eve, you don't need to serve me. Go and eat. I will call you if needed."

After the maids bowed, they filed out.

Granny Wang, who was standing beside Old Madam Yun, hesitated for a moment, but Yun Xiu obediently said, "Granny, you go ahead. I'll take care of Grandmother here."

Yun Jin added unhurriedly, "Yes, Granny, don't worry, Mr. Liu is here too. You don't know, but today in the palace, Mr. Liu disguised himself as a nanny to serve Grandmother, and he served her so attentively. If you didn't know, you would really think he was Grandmother's personal nanny."

Liu Zhixue gritted her teeth, making a grinding sound. Was this going to drag on forever? All she did was pretend to be a maid for a moment. Since leaving Southern Xinjiang, how long had it been since she'd suffered such humiliation? She lowered her eyes, concealing the murderous intent surging within them.

Yun Jin saw that the favorability rating above her head had soared to -85%, and she found it amusing, but she didn't show it on her face.

Looking at the favorability panel, she suddenly realized something: the favorability panel has names, right? Why isn't Ayi showing up, but Liu Zhixue instead?

Could it be that she's been using Liu Zhixue's identity for so long that she can't even recognize her cheat ability anymore?

As she was lost in thought, Zhilan followed Qinghe in.

She wore a light pink dress today, and her makeup was deliberately done, so she didn't look too much like Liu Zhixue.

After Zhilan finished her greetings, she was about to stand aside to serve, but Chu Wanqing waved her hand and said, "It's New Year's Eve today, you don't need to serve me. Just sit next to the master."

Zhilan was slightly taken aback. She looked up and met Liu Zhixue's ambiguous gaze. She quickly lowered her head, said "Yes," and sat down in the seat next to Yunheting.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Yun Heting glanced at Old Madam Yun and said with a smile, "Mother, let's begin the feast."

Just as the old lady was about to speak, the gatekeeper suddenly strode in, bowed, and reported, "Old lady, master, madam, the Prince Yu's residence has sent a food box, saying that Princess Yi specially ordered it to be prepared for the second young lady."

Yunheting hurriedly said, "Please come in quickly."

Before long, Jin Hu followed the gatekeeper in.

He bowed to everyone without looking to the side, then turned to Yun Jin, cupped his hands and said, "Miss Yun, this is something the old princess specially asked me to bring you to try. It's all seafood from the south, sent by friends when the old prince and princess were in the south. It's a rare find in the capital. The old princess said that she probably didn't eat enough at the palace banquet today, so she insisted that you try it."

Jin Hu opened the food box and took out the dishes inside, all of which were seafood.

Yun Jin knew this must have been Xiao Jingyan's idea, but she didn't expose him. She thanked him and had Chunxi grab a handful of golden melon seeds and give them to Jin Hu.

Jin Hu declined twice before accepting it, bowed once more, and then left.

No sooner had Jin Hu left than Lan Qi sent someone to deliver vegetables, saying they were for Miss Chu Wanqing.

Lan Qi sent over some wild game, and Chu Wanqing gave the messenger a reward.

Just as everyone was about to pick up their chopsticks, people from the Fifth Prince's residence arrived, bringing two dishes, saying that the Fifth Prince had specially prepared them as a tribute to Old Madam Yun.

Grandma Yun smiled broadly, but pretended to be reserved as she said, "Your Highness is too kind."

The Fifth Prince even specially sent Yunxiu a brocade box, saying it was a New Year's gift for her.

Yunxiu put away the brocade box and looked at Chu Wanqing, only to see her turning her head to talk to Yun Jin about something.

She pursed her lips, took out a purse from her sleeve, gave it to the person, and sent them away.

Grandma Yun looked at Yun Xiu and asked with feigned curiosity, "Xiu'er, quickly see what the Fifth Prince gave you?"