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

Yunxiu pursed her lips and carefully opened the brocade box, only to find a string of red coral beads inside.

Yun Jin couldn't help but laugh. This gift was too perfunctory; it was probably given to him by someone else.

Grandma Yun's eyes lit up as she looked at the string of prayer beads with envy, praising, "The Fifth Prince really cares about our Xiu'er. This red coral is a rare find, and you can't find many strings of beads this big in the whole capital. Xiu'er, quickly put it on and let your grandmother see it."

Upon hearing this, Yunxiu picked up the prayer beads and was about to slip them onto her wrist when Yunjin suddenly sighed, her tone utterly sincere: "Oh dear, Fifth Prince is indeed very generous. These coral beads are so large and round, and the color is so perfect; they're clearly top-grade. But..."

She paused, then said regretfully, "It has the seven-character mantra engraved on it, and it seems to be a string of Buddhist prayer beads. It's a bit too old-fashioned for someone your age to wear Buddhist prayer beads; it's really a pity."

Yunxiu's hand froze in mid-air, and her smile froze on her face.

When she looked at the bracelet in her hand again, the pride she felt vanished instantly.

Before she could react, Yun Jin reached out and picked up the string of coral beads, putting it on Grandma Yun's wrist: "But the Buddhist beads suit Grandma quite well, Grandma, please try them on."

Grandma Yun put on the red coral bracelet and didn't even bother to look at Yun Xiu's expression.

She raised her wrist to the candlelight, examining it from left to right, growing more and more fond of it, yet still feigning reluctance, pretending to pluck it down: "Oh dear, this was given to Xiu'er by the Fifth Prince. How can an old woman like me take something from my granddaughter?"

Yun Jin quickly grabbed her wrist and held it up in front of Yun Xiu, saying, "Big sister, look! Grandmother looks so beautiful wearing it."

Grandma Yun immediately looked at Yun Xiu with expectant eyes, but said aloud, "No, it's not appropriate for an old woman like me to wear such red, it's not appropriate."

Yun Jin pouted and said, "What's wrong with it? This coral wards off evil and disasters. If Grandmother wears it, she'll be safe and healthy, which is a blessing for us younger generations. Don't you think so, eldest sister?"

Grandma Yun was overjoyed to hear this, and for the first time, she felt satisfied with her granddaughter, Yun Jin.

Yunxiu was lifted up by Yunjin. She stared at the old lady's wrist, gritted her teeth, and forced a smile that was more like a grimace. She squeezed out a few words through her teeth: "Sister is right. Since Grandmother likes it, I, Xiu'er, will take this opportunity to present this bracelet to Grandmother. Grandmother can wear it."

Upon hearing this, Grandma Yun withdrew her hand, stroking the prayer beads with her other hand. The wrinkles on her happy face deepened: "Then Grandma will accept your offer. Xiu'er is a filial daughter, and Jin'er is also a good one. You two sisters are both so sensible; Grandma is overjoyed."

Yunxiu felt incredibly frustrated. It was a New Year's gift from the Fifth Prince, but Yunjin forced her to give it away, yet she was also praised by the old lady for being sensible. She was left feeling utterly resentful.

She bit her lip and suddenly asked, "Second sister, I wonder if His Highness Prince Yu has sent you any New Year's gifts?"

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow, deliberately making a bitter face, and said, "My younger sister doesn't have the same good fortune as my elder sister. The Fifth Prince's feelings for my elder sister are clear to all. Unlike Prince Yu, who has too many beautiful women in his household, he doesn't have time to prepare New Year's gifts for his younger sister."

Upon hearing this, Yunxiu's face immediately broke into a gloating smile: "Sister, there's no need to worry too much. Since His Highness Prince Yu has publicly proposed to you, he must truly love you. Once you marry him, you'll be his principal wife. Which of the women in the inner quarters wouldn't kneel and pay their respects to you?"

Yun Jin rolled her eyes inwardly, but put on a helpless expression and sighed, "In the end, I'm not as lucky as my sister."

Grandma Yun was in a great mood after receiving the string of red coral prayer beads. She also found Yun Jin more pleasing to the eye and enjoyed her meal more pleasantly than ever before.

As the meal drew to a close, Yun Jin, too tired to bother with any more pleasantries, stood up and said, "Grandmother, Godfather, Mother, I've been busy in the palace all day and am really exhausted. I won't be staying with you for the New Year's Eve vigil; I'll go back to my courtyard to rest first."

Seeing the weariness in her eyes, Chu Wanqing nodded: "Go ahead. Don't get up too early tomorrow morning, sleep in a little longer."

Yun Jin returned to Jinshu Pavilion, and before she even entered the courtyard, she heard bursts of laughter coming from inside.

She pushed open the door and went in, and saw a table set up in the outer room, where several maids, Chunxi, Qiuyi, Dongxue, Hongling, Ziling, and Bailing, were eating hot pot.

When everyone saw her enter, they quickly stood up and bowed.

Yun Jin waved her hand and said, "You all sit down and eat, don't worry about me."

Chunxi, holding up her chopsticks, asked her, "Miss, would you like to eat some? This hot pot smells amazing!"

Yun Jin smiled and waved her hand, "You guys eat, I'm already full in the main hall, I'll be stuffed to the brim if I eat any more."

After saying that, he walked alone to his room.

She pushed open the door and had just closed it behind her when she heard a lazy, familiar male voice from the window: "What did you just say? My household is full of beautiful women, I can't even prepare a New Year's gift for you?"

Yun Jin suddenly realized that he had overheard everything she had said to Yun Xiu at the banquet.

She feigned anger and said, "Why do you like eavesdropping on other people's conversations?"

Xiao Jingyan said matter-of-factly, "I was listening openly and honestly. I came when Jin Hu arrived, and seeing that you hadn't returned for a long time, I wanted to go and greet you, but I happened to overhear your conversation with Yunxiu."

He paused, then asked seriously, "Are you angry because I didn't send a New Year's gift?"

Yun Jin shook her head: "No, I was just trying to make Yun Xiu happy. Whether you treat her well or not, there's no need to tell her."

After hearing her explanation, Xiao Jingyan suddenly smiled and said in a relaxed tone, "I know. Jin'er, were you happy in the palace today?"

Yun Jin was taken aback. The palace? She suddenly realized that he must be asking about the public marriage he had been given today.

She looked up at Xiao Jingyan and said earnestly, word by word, "I was prepared long ago, but I'm very happy that I was able to embarrass the Princess in public on such an auspicious day as New Year's Eve. Ah Yan, thank you for protecting me today."

Xiao Jingyan raised his hand and ruffled her hair: "You are the wife I've chosen for this life. If I don't protect you, who else will I protect?"

Yun Jin looked at her, their eyes flashing with intense emotions.

Xiao Jingyan lowered his head and approached Yun Jin, but stopped when he was a finger's width away.

After a while, he took out a brocade box from his sleeve, handed it to Yun Jin, and said softly, "This is a New Year's gift for you. Do you like it?"

Yun Jin took the brocade box and opened it.

Inside was a jade pendant, with a circle of auspicious cloud patterns carved around its edge and a magnolia flower carved in the center, just like the pattern on the white magnolia hairpin in her hair.

The carving was rather rough, so she hesitated for a moment before asking, "Did you carve this?"

Xiao Jingyan said casually, "I just carved it for fun when I had nothing else to do. If you don't like it, I'll take it back."

Yun Jin grasped the jade pendant in her hand and said earnestly, "I love it. It's the best New Year's gift I've received this year."

Xiao Jingyan's lips curved into a smile as he gently brushed a stray hair from her forehead and said softly, "Go change your clothes. It's cold outside, wear something warm. I'll take you somewhere."