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

Yun Jin hesitated for a moment and said, "I can't explain it in detail, but I can tell from their eyes. I can tell whether a person is good or bad, and whether they have any ill intentions towards me, just by looking into their eyes."

Her words sounded mysterious, but her expression was so certain that no one could help but believe her.

Chu Wanqing was immediately delighted and grasped her hand: "I have someone's spies around me, can you help me find them?"

Yun Jin nodded: "I can only determine that the person has a problem, but I can't determine whose person they are or what they did."

Chu Wanqing quickly said, "That's enough! I'll call everyone over for a talk later, can you keep an eye on things for me?"

After saying that, she called over Bitao: "Go and call all the maids and servants in the backyard, and tell them I have something to tell you."

Bitao responded and left.

……

In the west courtyard, Liu Zhixue was leaning against the couch reading a book, looking serene, showing no sign of illness.

Granny Qi hurried in, leaned close to her ear, and whispered what she had just seen.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhixue frowned slightly: "Bred a girl back? What's her background?"

"I don't know," said Granny Qi. "I didn't dare to look too long, afraid that Madam would see me, so I hurried back."

Liu Zhixue was silent for a moment, then asked, "What did that girl look like?"

Granny Qi thought for a moment: "Fair-skinned and clean-cut, about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a neat appearance."

Liu's eyes flashed, and her fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the bed.

He brought a girl with him; who could she be?

Granny Qi then remembered something and added, "Oh right, the young master didn't come back with him."

Liu Hexue sat bolt upright: "They haven't come back?"

"Yes, I saw it clearly. There were only the madam and that girl, not the young master."

Liu's face darkened.

Yun Lang was left in the General's Mansion?

Why?

Did they discover something?

She suppressed her thoughts and said to Granny Qi, "Go and keep an eye on things. When Yunlang comes back, tell him to come over as soon as possible and that I have something important to discuss with him."

Granny Qi hurriedly responded and left.

Liu Zhixue leaned against the couch, her gaze deep and unfathomable.

Just then, a maid's voice came from outside: "The young lady has arrived."

As soon as she finished speaking, the curtain was lifted, and Yunxiu rushed in like a gust of wind. She sat down on the edge of the bed, pouting, and said, "Mother!"

Liu Zhixue quickly coughed lightly and waved her hand at the two maids: "You can leave now, you don't need to serve me anymore."

The maids acknowledged and withdrew, closing the door behind them.

As soon as the door closed, Yunxiu couldn't hold back any longer and said in a low voice, "Mother! I have something to tell you!"

Liu Zhixue frowned and scolded in a low voice, "How many times have I told you? You're not allowed to call someone 'Mother' in the manor!"

Yunxiu pouted and reluctantly changed her words: "Sir... I understand."

Liu Zhixue then softened her tone and said reproachfully, "Tell me, what happened? Who upset our young lady?"

Yunxiu leaned closer to her and whispered, "Mother, Mother brought back a girl, saying she's a cousin from my maternal grandmother's side. Mother wants her to stay at Qingshui Courtyard, saying her parents are gone and she brought her back to keep me company. Mother, what do you think Mother is thinking? Is it because she won't be staying long that she doesn't want to give her a courtyard?"

Liu Zhixue looked at her and sighed inwardly.

This child is still too impatient. Getting so worked up over such a small thing, how will she compete with the truly noble ladies of aristocratic families in the future?

"What's wrong? Are you upset?" she said softly. "She's just a cousin. Can she be closer than you? What do you care if she's a long-term resident? You're the eldest daughter of the Yun family. Are you afraid she'll steal your thunder?"

Yunxiu bit her lip and said, "I'm not afraid... I just feel that Mother is too good to her. She actually made her call Jin-meimei (Sister Jin) and even said she wanted you to teach her to read. Mother, please don't agree to that!"

Liu Zhixue's eyes flickered slightly, and she pressed on, "What's her surname?"

"Her surname is Bai, and her name is Bai Jin. She says she's the same age as me, but her birthday is a little younger." Yunxiu pouted. "Mother, do you think she wants to curry favor with our family so she can find a good marriage in the capital in the future?"

Bai Jin and Yun Jin differ by only one surname...

Could it really be the same person?

If it really is her, then Chu Wanqing's trip back to her parents' home is probably not so simple.

And Yunlang, who was left at the General's Mansion and not brought back, what if the poison in that child is discovered?

Liu Zhixue suppressed her emotions and smiled as she tapped Yun Xiu's forehead: "You, you wear your heart on your sleeve. How many times have I taught you that a true young lady of high birth must be able to keep her emotions hidden? Whether she wants to stay in the capital or stay in the Yun family, no matter how much she tries to climb the social ladder, she's still just a cousin. Without a powerful family background, who will value her?"

Yunxiu thought Liu Shi's words made sense, and then she became happy: "Mother is right. By the way, Bai Jin just said that she wanted to learn from you. Mother, you must not accept her."

Liu Zhixue seemed to be thinking about what she heard, but she didn't show it. Instead, she patted Yunxiu's hand and said, "Alright, even if I take her in, I won't teach her the same things as you."

Yunxiu smiled with satisfaction, chatted for a while longer, and then got up to leave.

After she left, Liu Zhixue's face darkened completely.

She called over Granny Qi and whispered, "Granny Qi, the girl they brought over is called Bai Jin. Do you think it's possible she's that girl?"

Granny Qi was startled: "Bai Jin? Yun Jin? The difference is only in the surname..."

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Miss, that place is so far away. A teenage girl like her couldn't possibly travel that far, could she? Besides, everything was arranged there, with that thug keeping an eye on her to prevent her from leaving the county town. It shouldn't be her!"

Liu Zhixue sighed: "It's better to be safe than sorry. Keep an eye on Qingshuiyuan, especially that girl named Bai Jin. I need to know her every move. Also, try to find out the situation in Qingping County."

Granny Qi quickly agreed, "Don't worry, Miss, I'll go and arrange it right away."

Liu Zhixue leaned against the couch, gazing at the twilight outside the window, a sense of unease creeping into her heart.

Who exactly is Bai Jin?

What does Yun Lang staying at the General's Mansion mean?

She had a vague feeling that something was slipping out of her control.

She preferred to think that she was overthinking things.

……

In the main courtyard, Bitao worked quickly and soon gathered all the maids and servants in the back courtyard.

The courtyard was packed with people; at a glance, there were probably twenty or thirty of them.

There were servants in charge of needles and thread, tea and water, and sweeping and cleaning, as well as a few who served in Chu Wanqing's courtyard.

Everyone stood with their heads bowed, wondering why the lady had suddenly summoned them.

Chu Wanqing sat on a chair by the main door, holding a teacup in her hand. Her gaze slowly swept over everyone, and she said in a calm tone, "I called you all here today for no other reason than to introduce a new cousin to me. Please get to know her and be respectful when you see her in the future."

She paused, then beckoned to Yun Jin: "Jin'er, come here."

Yun Jin stood up, walked to Chu Wanqing's side, and glanced at the faces of everyone in the courtyard.

With that one glance, she understood the situation.

Unexpectedly, Chu Wanqing's surroundings were riddled with holes.