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

Chen Mengyao blurted out, "The Fifth Prince."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she immediately realized what she had said, and her face turned bright red.

She covered her face, both embarrassed and annoyed: "Ugh, I'm not talking to you anymore!"

Looking at her like this, Yun Jin felt a slight sinking feeling in her heart.

The Fifth Prince?

In her previous life, Yunxiu married the Fifth Prince.

He used the power of the General's Mansion to help him ascend the throne, but in the end he had the entire General's Mansion executed. What kind of good person is such a person?

But she couldn't say these things in front of Chen Mengyao, so she pretended to be curious and asked, "Sister Mengyao, from what you're saying, the Fifth Prince is a very good person?"

Chen Mengyao blushed, but still couldn't help but speak.

"He...he's really a good person." Her voice was soft, her eyes shining. "He's exceptionally kind and gentle, always kind and considerate to everyone. His residence is also very clean and tidy, unlike other princes who have a bunch of concubines."

She got more and more excited as she spoke: "He was neither arrogant nor impatient, and he was steady in his actions. If he encountered an injured puppy on the road, he would stop to help it. He would also give money and food to beggars; he was exceptionally kind. The people all called him 'the Wise King.'"

She paused, then added, "And he did every job perfectly; even my grandfather praised him."

After hearing her words, Yun Jin couldn't help but pour cold water on her enthusiasm: "He's so great, must a lot of women like him?"

Chen Mengyao's face dimmed slightly, and she nodded: "Yes. He attracts attention wherever he goes."

Yun Jin thought for a moment, then asked, "What about the other princes? Don't they have suitable partners?"

Chen Mengyao then started counting on her fingers for her.

"The eldest and second princes are already married, so there's no chance. The third prince is the empress's legitimate son, and his status is noble, but he has a somewhat sinister personality, which I don't like. Although he may be a candidate for crown prince, being his princess consort would mean facing the harem in the future, and I can't stand that."

She shook her head and continued, "The Fourth Prince only knows how to play, cockfighting and dog racing, he doesn't do anything productive. The Sixth Prince is weak, he takes medicine for half the year. The Seventh and Eighth Princes are still too young, they're not being considered."

After listening to her, Yun Jin suddenly asked, "I've heard that the Emperor's sons, in addition to their principal wife, also marry two concubines. Won't the Fifth Prince do the same?"

Chen Mengyao was stunned for a moment, then whispered, "He... he said he wanted to be with one person for life."

Looking at the shy smile on her face, Yun Jin felt a mix of emotions.

"Does he like you too?" she asked directly.

Chen Mengyao's face turned even redder. She lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, "I don't know... I don't think so."

She looked up again, a hint of disappointment in her eyes: "Besides, he doesn't have the final say in choosing his consorts. It'll probably be Consort Shu who chooses for him, and then asks His Majesty to grant the marriage. Consort Shu has high standards; she won't be interested in me."

Yun Jin frowned: "You've had dealings with the Fifth Prince?"

Chen Mengyao nodded, her eyes shining: "Two years ago, I went to a banquet at the palace with my aunt. Princess Fu'an bullied me, and he helped me..."

Seeing her like this, Yun Jin couldn't help but speak after careful consideration:

"Sister Mengyao, what you see with your eyes may not be the truth."

Chen Mengyao looked up at her, somewhat bewildered: "What do you mean?"

Yun Jin sighed and squeezed her hand.

"Sister Mengyao, think about it. These princes were born into the royal family. From the moment they could walk, they knew what they would face in the future. You grew up in the Grand Tutor's mansion and experienced what your stepmother did to you. You should see things more clearly than I do."

If even an ordinary official's household has so many sordid affairs, what about the imperial family? These princes and princesses, in order to survive and climb the ranks, sometimes have to feign kindness. The kindness you see on the surface might just be what they want you to see. Their outward mischievousness might simply be a means to protect themselves.

She paused, looking earnestly at Chen Mengyao: "Sister Mengyao, don't easily believe what others say, and don't easily believe what you see with your own eyes. I wouldn't say these things to anyone else."

After a long pause, Chen Mengyao finally said, "You mean... the Fifth Prince was faking it?"

Yun Jin shook her head: "That's not necessarily true. But his reputation is too good, almost perfect. If it really comes down to vying for the crown prince position, he will definitely be the biggest threat to the other princes. On the contrary, someone as unruly as the fourth prince is safer."

Chen Mengyao seemed lost in thought and remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, she finally raised her head, her eyes showing a mixture of disappointment and relief.

"Whether he's being genuine or pretending, I can't marry him. I know my place; I'm not a true noblewoman from the capital, and Consort Shu wouldn't even look at me."

She paused, then gave a self-deprecating laugh: "I'm just... thinking about it."

Yun Jin was slightly relieved and took her hand: "Sister Mengyao, you are so kind, you will meet very good people."

Chen Mengyao looked at her and suddenly smiled: "You've come of age now, shouldn't your mother start arranging your marriage?"

Yun Jin shook her head: "I will choose my own marriage partner; I'd rather have none than settle for less!"

Just as Chen Mengyao was about to say something, a maid's voice came from outside: "Second Miss, Old Madam Zheng is leaving and asked me to invite Miss Mengyao."

Chen Mengyao sighed and stood up: "I have to go. I'll have someone pick you up tomorrow morning, and we'll go see the grand occasion of Prince Yu's return to the capital."

Yun Jin also wanted to see firsthand the grand ceremony in which the ancient emperor personally welcomed his ministers, so she nodded in agreement.

The two chatted as they escorted Chen Mengyao to the second gate.

Chu Wanqing was talking with Old Madam Zheng and Lan Ying when the two stepped forward to greet her. Lan Ying took Yun Jin's hand and gave her a few more words of advice.

"Jin'er, your grandmother will say it again: if they treat you badly, come to your grandmother's house."

Yun Jin felt a warmth in her heart and nodded solemnly, "Grandmother, don't worry, I know."

After seeing off Madam Zheng, Lan Ying, and Chen Mengyao, Yun Jin said to Chu Wanqing, "Mother, I want to go for a walk."

Chu Wanqing didn't think twice, nodded, and turned back to the inner courtyard.

After Chu Wanqing left, Yun Jin whispered to Chunxi, "Where is Shi Yong?"

Chunxi replied softly, "He's outside the west side gate."

Yun Jin whispered, "Go and tell him that I don't want him to stay in the manor for the time being. There are some things I need him to do."

First, I need him to buy me a yard. It doesn't need to be too big, but it has to be safe. If we can't buy a suitable one right away, we can rent one for now.

Secondly, I asked him to keep an eye on Liu Zhixue's every move, noting down who she met, where she went, and everything in detail.

Also, let him check his old friends to see if there are any trustworthy ones. I want to buy a few servants, people with clean backgrounds, preferably capable ones.

Chunxi nodded: "I understand, Miss. I'll go tell him right away."

Yun Jin handed him a silver note: "Give this to him and tell him that the courtyard matter is not urgent, and I must see it before making a decision."

Chunxi agreed, took the silver note, and left in a hurry.

……

During dinner, while they were eating, Yun Heting suddenly asked Yun Jin curiously, "Jin'er, how did you come to recognize Zheng Guodong as your godfather?"