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

Xiao Jingyan was silent for a moment, then asked in confusion, "Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

Yun Jin sighed softly before whispering, "Mother said she doesn't want a divorce. She wants to be widowed. I think Mother is probably worried that a divorce will affect Lang Ge'er's career. Lang Ge'er will be studying at the Imperial Academy after the New Year, and he will eventually take the imperial examination to enter officialdom. If his parents divorce, others will inevitably gossip, which will ultimately be a blemish on his future."

She paused, "But Ayan, I'm not sure how to balance ruining Yunheting's future without affecting Mother and Langge'er. You're smarter than me, so help me figure out how to do this in a way that satisfies both sides."

After listening, Xiao Jingyan reached out and ruffled her hair, his tone filled with affection: "You're quite smart, don't underestimate yourself."

Yun Jin raised her hand and brushed his hand away, scolding him, "You've messed up your hair. I'm being serious with you."

Despite saying that, her ears turned slightly red.

Xiao Jingyan smiled and withdrew his hand, then said seriously, "With me here, how could I not protect Lang Ge'er? However, I still suggest that you divorce him. After the divorce, Lang Ge'er can find a reason to break with Yun Heting and leave the Yun family."

Otherwise, once Yun Heting's corruption is exposed, your aunt and Lang'er will inevitably be implicated. You need to make this clear to your aunt. She truly hates Yun Heting, but I think she cares more about your and Lang'er's future.

Yun Jin was silent for a moment, then sighed softly and said, "I'll try to persuade her again in a few days when she's calmed down."

Xiao Jingyan nodded and said gently, "Alright. Now can you tell me your thoughts? Since you said you don't want to wait any longer, you must already have a plan in mind."

Yun Jin then slowly recounted the plans she had been devising on her way here.

She spoke slowly, pausing occasionally, as if she were deducing an extremely complex game of chess.

Xiao Jingyan listened quietly, nodding occasionally, but without interrupting.

After saying that, she looked at Xiao Jingyan and asked uncertainly, "Ayan, do you think this is feasible? However, this plan is still missing the most crucial link... a witness."

Xiao Jingyan leaned back in his chair and said meaningfully, "This isn't difficult either. If we don't have witnesses, we can create them. You can do it like this..."

After listening to him finish speaking, Yun Jin's brows gradually relaxed, and a knowing smile appeared in her eyes.

The two discussed a few more details, and finally, Xiao Jingyan made the decision: "Then it's settled. We'll give them a big gift on Yunxiu's wedding day."

Yun Jin nodded, then suddenly remembered something and casually asked, "By the way, has there been any news about Princess Ya Min lately? I haven't heard from her since the New Year's Eve banquet."

Xiao Jingyan chuckled and said, "My dear aunt sent her to a hot spring resort outside the city. She heard that Shen Qingyun went to the hot springs outside the city and her health improved. Now that she is pregnant, she decided to try it as a last resort and see if she could also improve her health."

After he finished speaking, he gave Yun Jin a meaningful look. "Speaking of which, Ya Min's high fever was quite strange. Several imperial physicians came and went, but none of them could diagnose it, and the cause remains unknown. Jin'er, do you think... it's possible that it was caused by someone?"

Yun Jin's expression froze for a moment, then she feigned composure and said casually, "Who knows? Maybe Heaven couldn't stand it anymore and stood up for those she had bullied. They say there are gods watching over us, so perhaps this is retribution."

But her momentary stiffness had already caught Xiao Jingyan's eye.

He leaned back in his chair, watching her, the smile in his eyes growing deeper, but he didn't expose her, only saying slowly, "Perhaps. God is indeed quite shrewd."

Yun Jin felt uneasy under his meaningful expression and quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Dong Xue said a gang of notorious thieves has recently come to the capital, stealing everywhere. Is that true? You didn't arrange this, did you?"

Xiao Jingyan shook his head and explained, "It was indeed a coincidence. However, their main targets were some merchants and shops. Hongling and the others used this incident to lure Meixiang out."

However, you don't need to worry. The city patrol and the Prefect of the Capital have already been mobilized for a city-wide search. It shouldn't be long before they catch him.

Yun Jin seemed to be deep in thought. "Targeting merchants? Could we take advantage of that?"

She tentatively asked, "Are they only targeting merchants?"

Xiao Jingyan, unsuspecting, explained softly, "These people are very clever. Officials' homes are mostly guarded, making them difficult to target; ordinary officials don't have much wealth, so it's not worth the risk. Merchants, on the other hand, have money and are not as heavily guarded as officials' homes, making them their targets."

Yun Jin suddenly thought of Lan Qi, stood up and said, "I have to go. I promised my uncle I would go today, so I'll remind him while I'm at it."

Xiao Jingyan quickly reassured him gently, "You don't need to worry. Your cousin has been doing business in the capital for many years and is much more informed than you. He probably already knows about these things and has taken precautions."

He paused, then added, "I'll talk to the city patrol command later and ask them to keep an eye on things."

"Ayan, thank you." Yun Jin said as she picked up her cloak. "I also wanted to go to the First Prince's residence to see Sister Shen, but I don't know if I'll have time today. She's pregnant now, and Consort Zheng is eyeing her residence covetously. I'm really worried about her."

Xiao Jingyan also stood up, personally tidied the sash of her cloak, and escorted her to the gate of the mansion, repeatedly instructing her: "Take a few more people with you when you go out, and bring Hongling and Dongxue with you. If anything happens, have someone come and find me."

Yun Jin smiled and agreed, then took Hong Ling and Chun happy into the carriage and headed towards Juxian Pavilion.

Lan Qi was sitting in the hall on the first floor drinking tea when he saw Yun Jin enter. He quickly greeted her with a smile and teased, "Why are you so late? Did you oversleep? Your uncle has already drunk two pots of tea. If you hadn't come soon, I would have sent someone to the Yun residence to wait for you."

Yun Jin said helplessly, "Please forgive me, Uncle. I went to Prince Yu's residence this morning and some things took up my time. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Lan Qi waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's alright. My uncle is just anxious to know how those soaps you mentioned are made."

I've prepared everything, and I've brought two trustworthy servants.

As he spoke, he waved behind him.

Two women, one older, around twenty years old, and the other in her teens, both with their hair styled in a married woman's updo, stepped forward and curtsied to Yun Jin.

Lan Qi introduced them to her: "The older one is called Ruizhu. She's been with your maternal aunt for over ten years. She's reliable and learns everything quickly. This one is called Xique. She's the daughter of the steward in my household. She grew up here. You can take care of these two."