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

Yunheting walked out of the main courtyard, paused for a moment, said a few words to the servant beside him, and then turned and walked towards the west courtyard.

The west courtyard is not large, but it is kept exquisitely clean and elegant.

This is the courtyard where Liu Zhixue lives. To the outside world, it is only said to be "a guest house for female teachers". In fact, Yunheting has spent most of his time staying here over the years.

He pushed open the door and went in. Liu Zhixue was sitting under the lamp reading a book. When she saw him, she put down her book and stood up: "Yunlang, you've arrived? Have you had dinner yet?"

"I've already used it." Yun Heting sat down on the couch, his brows slightly furrowed.

Observing his expression, Liu Zhixue sat down beside him and asked softly, "What's wrong? Is something wrong at the General's Mansion?"

Yun Heting was silent for a moment, then said, "Wanqing went to the General's Mansion to visit her mother-in-law today, and after she came back... something seemed off."

Liu Zhixue's eyes flashed: "Something's not right? How is something not right?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it." Yun Heting frowned. "She was the same as usual, taking off my outer robe, eating with me, and saying the same things as always. But I just feel... something's different."

Liu Zhixue lowered her eyes, and after a moment smiled, "Master is overthinking things, isn't he? Perhaps Madam is just worried about Old Madam Chu's illness and is a little uneasy."

"Maybe." Yun Heting rubbed his temples, thinking that perhaps he was just overthinking things.

Liu Zhixue reached out and massaged Yun Heting's temples, saying softly, "If Yun Lang is worried, I can have someone keep an eye on things for you?"

Yun Heting grasped her hand and sighed, "I'm sorry to have wronged you. All these years, you've followed me without any official status..."

Liu Zhixue's eyes were slightly red, but she forced a smile and said, "I'm not wronged. As long as I can see Yunlang every day and watch Xiu'er grow up, I'll be content."

Yun Heting pulled her into his arms, his voice low and deep: "Don't worry, one day I will make you my legal wife."

Liu Zhixue leaned against him, a slow smile curving her lips.

That smile was gentle as water, but her eyes were icy cold.

……

Qingshuiyuan.

Chu Wanqing lay on the bed, staring at the top of the bed curtains with her eyes open.

The look Yunheting gave her as he left was like a thorn stuck in her heart.

Did he figure something out?

Unable to calm down, she simply put on her coat, got up, and went outside.

Seeing this, Bitao, who was on night watch, hurriedly asked, "Madam? What would you like?"

"I can't sleep, go check on Lang'er." Chu Wanqing's voice was a little hoarse.

Bitao quickly helped her get dressed and asked if she wanted to invite others.

Chu Wanqing waved her hand: "Let them rest, you can come with me."

Bitao was bought from human traffickers years ago, and she has been loyal to her all these years, so she should be trustworthy.

The two walked towards the east wing. As they walked, Chu Wanqing kept thinking about where she was when she gave birth to her first child. Who was with her then? Who could be the possible mole?

Night had fallen, and the mansion was quiet, with only the occasional old woman on night patrol passing by.

As Chu Wanqing walked on the bluestone path, a gust of night wind blew, making her shiver and clearing her mind a bit.

Yes, she also has Lang'er.

Yunxiu may have been switched, but she was certain that Lang'er was her biological son. She had been fully conscious since giving birth to Lang'er and there was no way she could have been switched.

Yunlang lived in the east wing next to the main courtyard, close to her, making it convenient for him to take care of her.

A lamp was still lit in the courtyard, and the old woman on night watch hurriedly bowed when she saw the lady arrive.

Chu Wanqing waved her hand, quietly pushed open the door, walked to the bedside, and looked at the little figure on the bed in the dim light.

Yun Lang was asleep, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were having a bad dream.

The thirteen-year-old child was thin and small, lying in the quilt with barely any movement.

Chu Wanqing felt a pang in her heart, sat down by the bed, and gently stroked his face.

Too thin.

The child seems to have been weak ever since he was two years old, requiring frequent doctor visits and almost constant medication.

A thought seemed to flash through her mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.

"Mother?"

A soft voice sounded.

Yun Lang woke up sometime earlier, rubbing his eyes as he looked at her, and asked groggily, "Why is Mother here? Is it dawn yet?"

"It's not light yet." Chu Wanqing quickly composed herself, bent down to tuck the blanket around him, and said, "Your mother couldn't sleep, so she came to check on you. You go to sleep."

Yun Lang, however, was wide awake, his bright black eyes fixed on her. "Mother, were you having a nightmare? Don't be afraid, Lang'er will protect you."

Chu Wanqing's nose tingled, and she almost burst into tears.

This child, despite being sickly himself, always thought about protecting her.

"Alright, Mother isn't afraid." She forced a smile. "Did Lang'er take his medicine today? Was it bitter?"

"I ate it." Yun Lang nodded, speaking like a little adult, "It's not bitter. Lang'er knows that only by taking the medicine can I get better, and then I can protect Mother."

Chu Wanqing could no longer hold back. She gently pulled him into her arms, rested her chin on the top of his head, and silently slid tears down her cheeks.

When she gave birth to him, Yun Heting was away on "business." Lang'er's delivery was very smooth, and he was born in about an hour. When Yun Heting returned, he held his son and was very happy.

At that time, she thought that her family would be happy forever.

Only now do I realize that the happiness was fake, the man was fake, and even the daughter I raised for fifteen years was fake.

The only reality she had in this world was the frail child in her arms.

"Mother?" Yun Lang noticed her unusual expression and looked up. "Why is Mother crying?"

Chu Wanqing quickly wiped away her tears and smiled, "Mother isn't crying, she's happy. Lang'er is so sensible, Mother is happy."

Yunlang blinked, reached out to wipe away the remaining tears from the corners of her eyes, and said earnestly, "Mother, don't cry. Lang'er will grow up quickly and become as tall as Father, so that I can protect you."

Chu Wanqing's smile froze for a moment.

He's as tall as his father...

No, Lang'er, you can't be like him.

But she couldn't say anything; she could only hold her son even tighter.

Yunlang's breathing gradually calmed down, and he fell into a deep sleep again.

Chu Wanqing got up and covered him with the blanket, then sat by the bed for a long time.

She looked at her son's face, that thin, pale face, and felt a surge of indescribable emotions.

Anger, sadness, despair, and an unprecedented clarity.

She couldn't wait any longer.

She needs to know the truth!

She glanced at the sky outside the window and estimated that it was already late Hai hour (9-11 PM).

She stood up and said to Bitao, "You stay here and watch over Lang'er. I'll be right back."

Bitao was taken aback: "Madam, where are you going?"

"Don't ask." Chu Wanqing's voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable firmness. "Stay here and guard Lang'er. Don't open the door for anyone."

Bitao felt a chill run down her spine and dared not ask any more questions, only nodding emphatically.

Chu Wanqing walked behind the screen, took off her outer robe, and said to Bitao, "Take off your outer garment and give it to me."

Bitao was unaware of what was going on, but obediently took off her outer robe and handed it to her.

Chu Wanqing took the clothes and put them on, then gathered her hair and secured it with a hairpin. She pushed open the back window, flipped over, and jumped out.

The moment her feet touched the ground, she felt grateful that she had learned some martial arts from her brother when she was young.

Although I've been living a life of luxury for years and have become quite rusty, climbing out of a window or hiding from someone is still no problem.

Night is the best cover.

She walked briskly along the base of the wall, avoiding the lanterns of the night patrolling women, and made her way to the study of Yunhe Pavilion.

The study was pitch black, and the doorman was dozing off at the entrance.

Is the servant here?

Could Yunhe Pavilion be in the study?

Did I misunderstand him?