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

Yun Jin vaguely guessed what was going on and nodded: "Please ask, Madam. I will answer whatever I know."

"When I was young, I had a close friend named Lan Ying," Old Madam Zheng said slowly. "She is now the matriarch of the General of the State's Mansion."

Yun Jin's eyelids twitched suddenly. Sure enough... they had figured it out.

She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shadow beneath them, and remained silent, waiting for the old lady to continue.

Upon seeing this, Zheng Hong already understood seven or eight parts of the situation. The place this girl was looking for her relatives must be the residence of the Assistant General.

He took over the conversation, his tone steady: "General Chu Duanshan is a pillar of the nation. He has spent his life on the battlefield, guarding the border for decades and protecting the peace and prosperity of the country. Now he is old and plagued by old injuries. He only relinquished his military power two years ago and returned to the capital to take up a post."

He looked at Yun Jin, his gaze gentle yet scrutinizing: "Although General Chu and I have occasionally clashed in court, we are quite close in private. If you are his grandson, according to seniority, you should call me 'Grandpa Zheng.' I just don't know, what exactly is your relationship with Lan Ying?"

These words were both a revelation and a test.

Zheng Hong spoke frankly, his eyes revealing no calculation, only genuine inquiry.

Yun Jin looked up at him, then at Old Madam Zheng, and saw the favorability ratings above their heads: 65% and 72%, confirming that they meant her no harm.

Moreover, the old lady's eyes were full of expectation and concern, which she couldn't hide.

Knowing that they had already guessed, continuing to hide it would only make her seem dishonest.

She composed herself, stood up, and bowed deeply to Zheng Hong and Old Madam Zheng: "I am Yun Jin, Xiao Bai is an alias derived from the character Jin. General Chu Duanshan should be my maternal grandfather; Old Madam Lan Ying is my maternal grandmother."

"You are…" Old Mrs. Zheng's eyes widened suddenly, and she was so shocked that she almost stood up from her chair. "You are Wanqing's daughter?!"

The Chu family only has one daughter, Chu Wanqing. If it's a granddaughter, she can only be her child.

She looked at Zheng Hong with shock in her eyes, and Zheng Hong was also surprised. He never expected that she was Chu Duanshan's granddaughter!

Chen Mengyao, who was listening from the side, was even more confused. She tugged at Yun Jin's sleeve and asked, "Xiao Bai... no, Yun Jin, what's going on? You and Yun Xiu...?"

"I'm sorry, Sister Mengyao, I didn't tell you the truth." Yun Jin apologized to Chen Mengyao first, then looked at Zheng Hong and his wife, her eyes slightly red: "I don't know what my relationship with Yunxiu is, but my mother is indeed Chu Wanqing. I was taken away and brought to Qingping County when I was born. It wasn't until recently that someone told me about my background, which is why I came to the capital."

She didn't mention that she was personally switched by her scumbag father, Yun Heting, nor did she mention the Yun family and Liu Zhixue. Some things are better left unsaid without solid evidence.

Grandma Zheng composed herself, pulled Yun Jin's hand to make her sit down, her fingertips trembling slightly with excitement: "Do you have any evidence to prove it..."

With tears welling up in her eyes, Yun Jin said, "Madam, I can't prove it, but my master said it is me. He wouldn't say that without reason."

After thinking for a moment, Grandma Zheng said, "Child, if you can't prove your identity, it won't be easy for you to go back."

Zheng Hong looked at Yun Jin's reddened eyes, tapped his fingertips lightly on the table twice, and after a long while asked, "Child, what are your plans?"

Yun Jin was silent for a moment, then looked up at Zheng Hong: "I want to see my maternal grandmother first. I believe she will believe me."

She paused, then expressed her concerns, "I was taken away shortly after birth; this is something no outsider could easily do. My mother must have an accomplice. Even if I know I am her daughter, if I rashly go to her door, let alone claim kinship, I might not even be able to get in the door, and might even..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was crystal clear: there might be someone lurking in the shadows who didn't want her to rejoin the Yun family, and might even try to kill her.

Chen Mengyao was alarmed and gripped Yun Jin's hand tightly, looking at her with concern.

Zheng Hong stroked his beard, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

This young girl is so thoughtful and astute, knowing how to assess situations and avoid acting rashly, which is quite rare.

He looked at his wife and said in a deep voice, "Here's what we'll do: find an opportunity to send a letter to Lan Ying, saying that you'd like to invite her out for tea and a chat. Don't mention this in the manor, and don't disturb anyone else in the manor."

Grandma Zheng immediately nodded: "Yes, yes, meeting outside is the safest option. If she wants to acknowledge Jin'er again, that would be best; if..."

She glanced at Yun Jin and reassured her, "If you don't want to acknowledge her, that's fine too. Yun'er, from now on, you're the granddaughter of the Zheng family!"

"That's true." Zheng Hong nodded. "My Zheng family can still afford to raise a granddaughter."

Yun Jin felt a warmth in her heart, stood up and bowed deeply to the two of them: "Thank you both for taking care of this junior. I will never forget this kindness."

"Silly child, what are you thanking me for?" Grandma Zheng held her hand, her smile deepening the wrinkles around her eyes. "You are Lan Ying's granddaughter, which means you are half my granddaughter. You also saved Yao'er. This connection is extraordinary."

Chen Mengyao nodded in agreement: "That's right! From now on, you're my little sister! I'll be the first to stand in for anyone who dares to bully you!"

Zheng Hong glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late, and you two children must be tired. Go back and rest first."

Yun Jin and Chen Mengyao took their leave together.

Back at Tingyao Pavilion, Tingzhu had already prepared hot water.

After washing up, the two lay on the same bed. Chen Mengyao quickly fell asleep, but Yun Jin kept her eyes open, staring at the top of the tent, recalling the information Tuoba Hui had given her.

According to the records, Chu Wanqing doted on Yunxiu and granted her almost every request. When Yunxiu got married, her dowry was a magnificent procession of ten miles of red bridal procession, and almost all the dowry prepared for her by the General's Mansion was given to Yunxiu.

However, the information shows that Chu Wanqing was not brainless. It's just that Yun Heting in her previous life was too good at pretending, so she didn't know that her daughter had been switched until she was on her deathbed.

I wonder how she would react if she knew beforehand that Yunxiu wasn't her biological daughter.

The next morning, Yun Jin and Chen Mengyao had breakfast, and then Wang Shi took the two of them out for a stroll in the street.

After all, this is the capital city, and although it is winter, there are still quite a few people on the streets.

Yun Jin looked at the bustling crowds on the street, the carriages and sedan chairs coming and going on the bluestone road, and the shops lined up on both sides, with vermilion gates and white walls, flying eaves and upturned corners, all of which revealed the prosperity of the capital.

"Is this your first time in the capital?" Wang noticed her curiosity and introduced with a smile, "This East Street is the liveliest place in the capital. Huajinge is right in front of you. The noble ladies of the capital like to come here to shop."

As they were talking, the carriage arrived at Huajinge, and the group got off and went inside.

The shop was indeed bustling with activity, with small groups of elegant ladies gathered in front of the counter, chatting and laughing quietly while holding fabrics.

Yun Jin followed Wang Shi inside, her eyes sweeping over the dazzling array of silks, from the shimmering Yun Jin to the elegant Hangzhou silk, there was something for everyone.

"Jin'er, which one do you like?" Madam Wang pulled her to a counter.

Chen Mengyao picked up a piece of smoky-colored brocade and held it up against the brocade: "This color suits you! Look at the lotus embroidery, the stitches are so delicate."

As she spoke, she pulled her towards the counter inside, saying, "There are also newly arrived Suzhou embroidery fabrics there. It's said that the flowers and birds on them change color depending on the light."

Yun Jin was pulled forward by her, and her fingertips had just touched a piece of moon-white soft satin when she heard a shop assistant's eager greeting from the doorway: "Madam Yun, Miss Yun, please come in! We just received a batch of fine Hangzhou silk; you two are welcome to take a look!"