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

Yun Jin's lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

"Deal with them? Wouldn't that be too easy on them?" she said softly. "Mother, you were kept in the dark before, and since they were unprepared, it was impossible for you to guard against them. Now that you are on guard, can they still scheme against you? Besides, if we deal with them now, we'll only alert them. Keeping them around is actually more useful."

Looking at her, Chu Wanqing suddenly realized that this daughter was much more composed than she had imagined.

That smile clearly contained a hint of cunning, a touch of certainty, and a composure that even filled her, as a mother, with awe.

"You mean... to turn the tables on them?" she asked tentatively.

Yun Jin smiled slightly: "Mother, you decide what kind of messages you want them to spread. They think they are monitoring you, but in reality, they are just pawns in your game."

Chu Wanqing's eyes gradually brightened.

"However..." Yun Jin changed the subject, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes, "Mother can start by dealing with Zijuan. Yun Heting is just a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, how much is his salary? He has to spend money everywhere he goes, socializing and making friends with powerful people. Where will this money come from? Besides asking you for it, I'm afraid most of the money for supporting Liu Shi comes from Zijuan taking money out of your dowry."

She paused, then said, word by word, "Mother, why don't you cut off Yunheting's arm first?"

Chu Wanqing's eyes gradually brightened: "That's right, I'll find an excuse to take stock of the dowry and then find someone knowledgeable to verify the authenticity of those items."

Yun Jin couldn't help but praise Chu Wanqing, who was indeed a noble lady from a prominent family. She was not ignorant of the ways of palace intrigue. She wasn't really stupid before, and now she understood things very well.

"How about I accompany Mother out tomorrow and visit the Grand Tutor's residence while we're at it?" Yun Jin said. "Old Madam Zheng needs acupuncture. Mother, we can't afford to lose our connections with the Grand Tutor's residence; we must maintain them."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wanqing was somewhat surprised: "Jin'er, you still haven't told me how you got involved with the Grand Tutor's mansion?"

Yun Jin didn't hide anything and told her about how she had met Chen Mengyao by chance on the road to Qingping County, saved her life, and later helped Old Madam Zheng with her medical treatment.

Chu Wanqing was shocked and relieved at the same time.

What I fear is the perilous journey my daughter faced, but I am fortunate that she had this opportunity.

"But..." she suddenly remembered something and lowered her voice, "You've told everyone you're a cousin in our family, what about the household registration? What if Yunheting or Liu gets suspicious and sends someone to investigate..."

Yun Jin patted her hand reassuringly: "Mother, don't worry, Grandmother has made all the arrangements. There won't be any flaws."

She's not afraid of being found out; at worst, she'll confront them openly.

Chu Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief.

As the mother and daughter were talking, Bitao's voice suddenly came from outside: "Madam, the eldest young lady has arrived."

The two exchanged a glance, and Yun Jin quickly concealed the coldness in her eyes, replacing it with a gentle and obedient demeanor.

Chu Wanqing also picked up her teacup, regaining her usual composure.

The curtain was lifted, and Yunxiu walked in with a smile, followed by a maid carrying a stack of clothes.

"Mother, Jin-meimei." Yunxiu stepped forward and sat down affectionately next to Yunjin. "I just went back and rummaged through my trunk and found a few clothes. Jin-meimei came in a hurry, so I guess you didn't bring many changes of clothes? These clothes of mine are all newly made and I haven't worn them many times. If you don't mind, please wear them for now."

As she spoke, she gestured for the maid to bring up the clothes.

Chu Wanqing glanced at it and a feeling of unease welled up inside her.

Those clothes were all worn by Yunxiu, and the styles were fashionable last year.

Why should she, Chu Wanqing's biological daughter, wear the old clothes of a concubine's daughter?

Just as she was about to politely decline, Yun Jin gave her a wink.

Yun Jin smiled and accepted the clothes, her tone sincere: "Sister Yunxiu, you're too kind. I was just worried about not having any clothes to change into, these are perfect. Thank you, sister."

Seeing that she had accepted the gift, Yunxiu's smile deepened, and she took her hand, chattering, "Jin-meimei, don't be shy. From now on, we're sisters. If you need anything, just tell me..."

Watching this scene, Chu Wanqing secretly admired her daughter's composure.

Yunxiu sat for a while longer, chatted for a bit, and then made an excuse to go back to practice her zither and left.

After everyone had walked away, Chu Wanqing couldn't help but say, "What kind of clothes were those? They were clearly just leftovers to get rid of you!"

Yun Jin smiled faintly, casually flipping through the clothes, her tone calm and unperturbed: "Why should Mother care about this? Whatever she gives me, I'll accept it. I won't actually wear it anyway. I'm just accepting it to put her mind at ease."

Looking at her, Chu Wanqing suddenly realized that this daughter's thoughts were much deeper than she had imagined.

Meanwhile, outside the gate of the Yun Mansion.

As soon as Yunhe Pavilion's sedan chair came down, an old woman hurriedly went to greet it.

It's Granny Qi.

"Master, you're finally back." Granny Qi lowered her voice. "Mr. Liu has been waiting for you for a long time, saying he has important matters to discuss."

Yunheting paused, glancing instinctively toward the main courtyard.

"Is Madam back?" he asked the butler who came to greet him.

The butler replied respectfully, "Yes, Madam brought along a cousin who says she's a relative of the General's Mansion."

Yun Heting asked again, "Where is the young master? Did he come back with you?"

The butler shook his head: "No, only Madam and that cousin."

Yun Heting frowned slightly, about to head towards Qingshui Garden, when Granny Qi stepped forward and whispered, "Master, Mr. Liu really has something urgent to discuss, it concerns the young master..."

Yun Heting's expression hardened, and after a moment's thought, he changed direction and headed towards the west courtyard.

Granny Qi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed.

In the west courtyard, Liu Zhixue had been waiting anxiously for a long time.

Upon seeing Yun Heting enter, she quickly rose to greet him, dismissed the servants, and went straight to the point: "Yun Lang, Yun Lang has been left at the General's Mansion and hasn't returned."

Yun Heting sat down on the couch, his expression also unpleasant: "I know. The steward just said that only Wanqing and that other young lady have returned."

Liu Zhixue sat down beside him and lowered her voice, saying, "Yunlang, don't you find it strange? Wanqing went back to her parents' home for one night, and when she came back, she brought a cousin with her, but left Lang'er at the General's Mansion. What does she mean by this?"

Yunhe Pavilion remained silent, lost in thought.

Liu Zhixue continued, "And there's that young lady, surnamed Bai, given name Jin. Listen to that name, sir: Bai Jin, Yun Jin—just one surname difference. I've sent someone to inquire; that girl is fourteen or fifteen years old. Could she be that girl?"

Yun Heting suddenly looked up: "You mean...?"

Liu Zhixue sighed, "I don't want to overthink it, but what a coincidence! A maid just arrived over there, and now Lang'er has been detained. My lord, do you think it's possible... that child has returned?"

Yun Heting's expression changed several times before he finally said, "Impossible. Everything was arranged perfectly over there. That thug is keeping an eye on her; she can't escape."

"What if?" Liu Zhixue stared into his eyes. "What if she escapes? What if she finds the General's Mansion? My lord, don't forget what happened back then... if it comes back to haunt us..."