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

Qinghe muttered somewhat dejectedly, "Madam, back then I was busy preparing food for you in the small kitchen, never expecting that Master would... If I had known earlier, I would have stayed by your side every step of the way."

Chu Wanqing shook her head, her expression calm: "It's not your fault. I wasn't even on guard myself, let alone you."

She paused, her gaze unconsciously shifting to Yun Jin sitting beside her, a gentle light appearing in her eyes: "Fortunately, Jin'er is back."

Yun Jin met her gaze, smiled slightly, and then looked at Qing He: "Aunt Qing He, did she say what the master did with the things after they were given to him?"

Qinghe shook her head, her tone full of sympathy for Zijuan: "She doesn't know anything. The master only told her that he needed to bribe officials and didn't want to keep asking the madam for money, so he set his sights on the madam's dowry. Moreover, she gave the things to the master, but he rarely brought her any money back. Over the years, he has given her less than two hundred taels in total."

Yun Jin raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "She's so naive. She thinks she can be a concubine with a brain like that? The adults are supposed to be educated men; how could they possibly choose a girl who can't even read a few words as a concubine?"

A thought struck her, and she asked again, "Aunt Qinghe, did you tell her that most of the things she stole went into Madam Liu's courtyard, and Madam Liu is the master's mistress?"

Qinghe smiled wickedly: "She told me. She immediately broke down, crying her heart out, saying she had been deceived. Otherwise, she wouldn't have spilled everything out."

Seeing that she had asked enough questions, Chu Wanqing waved to Qinghe and said, "Go and rest. You worked hard last night."

Qinghe bowed and withdrew.

After she left, Chu Wanqing held Yun Jin's hand and patted it gently: "Jin'er, take your time. What's yours will be yours, and your mother will help you get it back."

Yun Jin looked at her solemnly: "Mother, it's not just mine. What we took from you, we must take back every single penny."

Just then, Chunxi's cheerful voice came from outside: "Miss, I'm back!"

Yun Jin's eyes lit up, and she quickly waved to her, "Come in quickly!"

Chunxi dashed in, her face beaming with barely concealed excitement.

"How is it?" Yun Jin asked anxiously.

Chunxi leaned closer, lowered her voice, and said mysteriously, "We've caught up! Miss, guess what I saw?"

Yun Jin was amused by her and said reproachfully, "You silly girl, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me!"

Chunxi then said in a serious tone, "I followed the carriage all the way to the east of the city, winding and turning, and finally stopped in front of a small courtyard. An old woman came out to greet her and respectfully called her 'Madam'!"

Yun Jin's lips curled up slightly.

As expected, Liu Zhixue was unwilling to leave the capital. That courtyard should have been her residence before she entered the Yun family mansion, and it was also her and Yun Heting's former hideout.

She looked at Chunxi: "Do you still remember how to get there?"

Chunxi nodded vigorously: "I remember!"

Yun Jin handed her a cup of tea: "Draw it and let me see."

Chunxi took the teacup, dipped it in the tea, and began to draw on the table. She talked as she drew, and although her drawing was hasty, she clearly marked the key positions.

Yun Jin looked at the route and silently memorized it.

The girl had a good memory and expressed herself clearly, which pleased her greatly. She couldn't help but praise her, "Well done."

Chunxi was overjoyed to receive the praise and beamed with delight.

After Chunxi left, Chu Wanqing spoke, her tone full of curiosity: "Why did you make her follow that bitch?"

Yun Jin smiled slightly: "Mother, your dowry isn't so easy to take. I'll get it back for you just as she took it."

Chu Wanqing's eyes lit up: "What's your plan?"

Yun Jin smiled without saying a word, only saying, "Mother, just wait and watch the show. By the way, do you need me to keep an eye on those people in the outer courtyard?"

Chu Wanqing pondered for a moment and nodded: "Later, have Chai Hu bring the men he brought from the General's Mansion. I don't care about the others, but I'm going to put these men to use."

As the mother and daughter were talking, they suddenly heard footsteps outside, followed by Yun Heting's voice.

The two exchanged a glance, and Yun Jin pointed to the inner room. Chu Wanqing understood, got up, and quickly went in, taking off her shoes and lying on the bed.

Just as he lay down, Yunheting lifted the curtain and came in.

Seeing that no one was outside, he asked, "Where is Madam?"

Cui Zhu, who followed in, bowed her head and replied, "Madam has a headache and is lying in the inner room."

Yun Heting frowned slightly: "Has the imperial physician come to see me?"

Cuizhu shook her head: "Madam won't allow me to come."

"Where is the young lady? Is she not here?" Yun Heting asked again.

Cuizhu replied, "The eldest young lady came to pay her respects to the madam early this morning, but the madam had a headache, so she sent her back first."

Yun Heting nodded and walked inside: "I'll go in and see Madam."

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Yun Jin sitting on a chair to the side.

Yun Jin stood up and bowed, saying, "Uncle-in-law."

Yun Heting hummed in agreement, his gaze falling on Chu Wanqing, who was lying on the bed with her eyes closed. He casually said, "Jin'er, you go ahead and do your work. I'll take care of things here with your aunt."

Yun Jin curtsied and withdrew.

Yun Heting walked to the bedside and sat down on the edge of the bed, his tone full of concern: "Why does Madam suddenly have a headache?"

Chu Wanqing opened her eyes, glanced at him, and said indifferently, "How can you tell I'm perfectly fine? Yesterday, that treacherous Zijuan came along, and then your good daughter came and said those things. How could I possibly be alright?"

Yun Heting chuckled awkwardly, "Madam, you're too kind. Xiu'er is still young, so her thinking is inevitably a bit simplistic. We'll teach her slowly."

Chu Wanqing sneered: "Isn't this all thanks to the good teacher you hired who taught this good student!"

Yun Heting's smile froze for a moment, but he still patiently said, "It can't all be blamed on Mr. Liu. Xiu'er didn't understand the situation and her good intentions backfired..."

"Is that so?" Chu Wanqing interrupted him, her tone sarcastic. "Why does it sound to me like Master is blaming me for not going along with Xiu'er's wishes and giving you a concubine?"

Yun Heting's expression changed, and he quickly waved his hand, "Madam is joking, I didn't mean that!"

Chu Wanqing stared at him, her gaze sharp as a knife: "What does that mean, sir? Do you regret promising me you wouldn't take a concubine? Should I take one for you right now? Who do you want? Liu Zhixue or Zijuan? Zijuan is out of the question, she's already hanged herself. How about I bring Liu Zhixue back for you, and properly bring her into the household?"

Yun Heting blushed, speechless at her barrage of words, but dared not get angry. He could only force a smile and say, "Madam, I really didn't mean that. I promised you I wouldn't take a concubine, and I will keep my word."

Chu Wanqing snorted softly and closed her eyes: "Anyway, you've already sworn a solemn oath, so I'm not afraid."

Yun Heting chuckled awkwardly, "Yes, I swore an oath. What else is there for you to worry about, Madam?"

"Alright, is there anything else? If not, I want to rest." Chu Wanqing closed her eyes and dismissed him.

Yun Heting opened his mouth, wanting to ask her if she had someone check Liu Zhixue's suitcase. But when he remembered her barbed words, he swallowed the words back.

He coughed lightly and changed the subject: "Madam, should I have someone investigate who Zijuan gave those things to?"