"You don't need to get involved in this," Liu Jingyue mused. "I'll look into it myself. It's not convenient to take you back to the Yun family for now. You stay in the mansion for the time being. We'll talk about everything after your eighteenth birthday."
But Yun Xi wasn't convinced. After a moment of silence, she suddenly looked up and said seriously, "No, I must be involved in this."
"Not only do I want to be involved, but I also want to be officially acknowledged as a member of the Yun family with great fanfare."
"No way!" Liu Jingyue naturally couldn't agree. She anxiously grabbed Yun Xi's slightly cool and slender hand. "Yingying, be good. It's not the right time yet. This matter..."
"Mother."
Liu Jingyue's heart tightened. She stood there, stunned. "What did you just call me?"
"Mother." Yun Xi smiled and called her again.
Liu Jingyue's nose turned sour, and tears welled up in her eyes. She responded several times in succession. Unable to hold back any longer, she opened her arms and hugged Yun Xi tightly, calling her Yingying over and over again.
Yun Xi's eyes also welled up with tears. She patted Liu Jingyue on the back, temporarily suppressing her strong emotions. She helped Liu Jingyue stand up straight and got back to business. "Mother, listen to me."
"I was just thinking. Master Qingyi told you to secretly send me away and specifically warned you not to let anyone else know. Does that mean there was someone around the Yun family at that time who wanted to harm me? That's why you were told not to acknowledge me back then."
"If so, instead of hiding, we might as well take the initiative."
"It would be wonderful if we could uproot the problem once and for all. Moreover, I don't know who secretly planted the first layer of the Gu on me. We still haven't found out who's behind it. Back then, the Ye family wanted to transfer the suppression placed on me by Master Qingyi to Ye Jueyao. That means..."
"The first layer of the Gu on me must have been planted between the time you sent me away and when I was taken to that mysterious person."
Yun Xi's expression grew more solemn. She continued, "During this period, the only people who had contact with me were You Shang, that mysterious person, and Nanny Xi. You Shang was carefully selected by you. I believe she won't betray me."
"So, the only ones left are that mysterious person and Nanny Xi. Or rather, the master behind that mysterious person and Nanny Xi."
"However, no matter which one it is, they must be related. So..."
Yun Xi looked up at the dazzlingly blue sky in the distance and said seriously, "I must be involved in this matter. And I should be acknowledged as a member of the Yun family now."
Liu Jingyue stared at Yun Xi for a moment. She felt that her daughter was far more intelligent and brave than she had thought. She was even better than herself back then.
Pride shone in her eyes without any disguise. Liu Jingyue gritted her teeth and said, "Fine. Since my Yingying has made up her mind, there's no reason for me, as a mother, to be timid."
"Acknowledge her! Right away! I'll make the arrangements. Your father will be in the capital soon. Then our whole family can have a joyous reunion."
After reaching an agreement, Liu Jingyue was overjoyed. She happily hugged Yun Xi and then turned around impatiently and led Lu Qiong away to make arrangements. She even forgot to inform Yun Qi, who was still feasting in the prince's mansion.
But before leaving, she didn't forget to give Yi Yuan a dirty look, which made Yi Yuan shiver.
"Have you sorted everything out?" Yi Yuan silently walked up to Yun Xi. He didn't even dare to hug her for a moment. He just asked in a low voice.
Having talked so much, Yun Xi coughed lightly. Her eyes were filled with joy. Her hoarse voice became even more raspy, but her happiness was undeniable. "Yes. I... might be acknowledged as a member of the Yun family soon."
As they walked back slowly, Yun Xi told Yi Yuan everything she had just said to Liu Jingyue.
Yi Yuan stroked her head. The coldness in his eyes melted away. He said gently, "This is a good thing. But be careful of Yun Qianying."
"She's always been so arrogant, looking down on others because of her status as the Yun family's young lady. Now that she suddenly finds out she's an imposter, God knows what bad ideas she'll come up with."
"Yeah, I know." Yun Xi replied sweetly. The two of them walked slowly on the bluestone alley. Their tall and petite figures drew closer to each other, as if they were going to walk hand in hand until the end of time.
Meanwhile, at the Yun family...
"What did you say!" Yun Qianying's sweet voice became shrill and unpleasant because of her raised tone. "Did Mother really say that?"
Liu Yun nervously looked around. Frowning, she said anxiously, "Miss, keep your voice down. Don't let others hear you."
"I heard this with my own ears in the madam's courtyard. It's absolutely true. I guess in about two quarters of an hour, after the madam and Nanny Lu finish discussing the matter of acknowledging that Miss Xi back into the family, they'll come to talk to you."
"Miss, you must keep your temper in check then. You mustn't let the madam find out anything."
"Slut!" Yun Qianying angrily smashed several porcelain cups. Her face was distorted like a demon. "I knew I didn't like her the first time I saw her. Sure enough, we're just not compatible!"
"I'm the only one who should be the young lady of the Yun family! I've been raised in the Yun family since I was a child, filially serving the couple. What right does she have to come back and compete with me!?"
"Miss..." Liu Yun quickly grabbed Yun Qianying and advised, "Keep your voice down. If the madam hears you, all your previous good-girl image will be ruined."
"I think the madam is planning to hold a grand banquet to acknowledge her back into the Yun family after the master comes back. We still have time. The most urgent thing now is to finalize your marriage with Young Master Shen. As long as you marry into the Shen family, even if things come to light later, you won't have to be restricted by the Yun family anymore."
Yun Qianying's angry and excited emotions gradually calmed down. She bit her lip and said, "Yes, you're right."
"Before this matter gets out of hand, I have to finalize my marriage with A Zhou first. Otherwise, once the Shen family finds out that that slut is the real young lady of the Yun family, they definitely won't force A Zhou to marry me anymore."
Yun Qianying forcefully grabbed Liu Yun's wrist. Her pretty face was ferocious. The malicious look in her eyes sent shivers down one's spine. "Go and send a message to the Fourth Princess. I want to enter the palace."
"Okay, I'll go right away." Liu Yun replied and was about to leave when Yun Qianying grabbed her back.
"Wait!"
"Send a message over there too..." Yun Qianying's venomous gaze fixed firmly on Liu Yun's eyes. She continued, "Tell them I want that slut's life!"
"But this is too risky. If you're not careful, Miss, you..."
"What do you know!" Yun Qianying impatiently interrupted Liu Yun's advice. "As long as she's dead, I'll be the only young lady of the Yun family. As long as she's dead, all our problems will be solved."
"I should have taken action at the Forest of Gathered Elegance Banquet. If I had been more decisive then, this wouldn't have happened today."
Pointing at the door, Yun Qianying said excitedly, "Go quickly! First go to the palace, then go over there. Be careful not to let anyone find out!"
Liu Yun had no choice but to follow the order and leave.
Meanwhile, Yi Yuan and Yun Xi had just returned to the prince's mansion hand in hand when they bumped into Yun Qi who was coming out.
Yun Qi looked a bit anxious and asked, "I heard that my mother had some conflict with you just now. What happened?"