The cannon fodder heiress trembled with fear after being recognized as a member of her family.

"If we're talking about offending someone, there has indeed been one recently. Senior Mo should also know that it's Lu Cheng of the Kaiming Marquis's residence, the former prefect of Chang Le County. It was he who dug a pit in his residence to frame him a few days ago."

Han Zhen's whole demeanor turned cold when Lu Cheng was mentioned.

Consort Rui in the palace is pregnant and will give birth in a month. Emperor Chuyuan attaches great importance to this.

Being humiliated like this and not retaliating, especially since it happened to be the day he joined the cabinet, would not have let it go so easily if it weren't for this reason.

He knew very well that although Emperor Chu Yuan outwardly disregarded Consort Rui and the child in her womb, he had secretly visited them many times.

The princes were fiercely competing, and Consort Rui was said to be carrying a little prince, which put Emperor Chuyuan at ease.

"The Enlightened Marquis? That idle marquis who's lucky with wives?"

Mo Changdao was not familiar with the Kaiming Marquis's residence, having only met it once in Changle County and Lucheng.

"Good fortune with wives? That's certainly true. If Marquis Kaiming were a bit younger, he could rival Lord Han," Xu Tianyun remarked.

Whether intentional or not, the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Han Zhen also rose to prominence through his wife's family, but he was more capable than Marquis Kaiming and reached a completely different level.

He's quite old now. In his youth, he leeched off his wife's family, but now that he's older, he has his daughter and son to rely on, and he's living a more carefree life than he did in his youth.

Han Zhen forced a smile. "The current wife of the Marquis of Kaiming has only given birth to one son, as you two seniors should know."

"But that Lu Yong?"

Xu Tianyun was the first to ask the question.

The Xu family has a prince, so they are well-informed about various sources.

Xu had also tried to win this person over for the Third Prince.

"Yes! This person is the Emperor's secret dagger, and is extremely favored."

"We don't usually have any relationship; one of us is in the open while the other is in the shadows."

"Now that I've joined the cabinet, could it be that he's jealous and using Lu Cheng to harm me and my family?"

Han Zhen voiced his suspicions, which deepened his doubts about Lu Yong.

Could it be that she wants to compete with him for the emperor's favor?

They were equally matched in the eyes of the emperor, one a scholar and the other a warrior.

Some people are in the spotlight, while others hide in the shadows and remain unknown.

"This...this is impossible, isn't it? I have met Lu Yong in private, and he is definitely not a sinister person."

As the Imperial Preceptor, Mo Changdao was also highly trusted by Emperor Chuyuan.

He was naturally aware of Lu Yong's existence.

He was now unsure whether Han Zhen genuinely suspected Lu Yong or was simply trying to eliminate dissidents.

Xu Tianyun then said, "Lord Han, have you perhaps forgotten your daughter?"

They had seen that girl on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month; she wasn't one to suffer a loss.

"Yes! Could it be that Miss Yang? She came ashore alone on the Pinglian River that day; she's no ordinary person."

Han Zhen didn't listen at all. "Cuiyin's arrival here is nothing special. Why don't you take a look at my mother, Elder Mo? She's been having a terrible headache since this morning."

The people in the manor had been having nightmares for several nights in a row; he wouldn't believe there wasn't something going on.

Han Cuiyin was thus ignored by Han Zhen.

Mo Changdao and Xu Tianyun exchanged a glance. "We'll come back tonight and see what's going on. Give this pill to your mother; it will relieve her pain."

Ignoring Han Zhen's attempts to persuade them to stay, the two left the Han residence together.

"Brother Mo, could Han Zhen be trying to eliminate dissidents?" Xu Tianyun had always looked down on Han Zhen. If this man wasn't still useful, why would he condescend to come here to handle these matters?

"I don't think so. What Lu Cheng did that day was indeed absurd. If it weren't for Consort Rui pleading for him, things probably wouldn't have ended well. Also, Lu Yong was sent away by the Emperor for almost half a month. I'm afraid Lord Han has misunderstood."

Mo Changdao was impartial and did not speak ill of either side.

Their Mo family is dwindling in number and cannot withstand further turmoil.

After the two left, Han Zhen went to Old Madam Han's courtyard. "Mother, swallow this pill first; it will relieve your headache a bit."

"My son, have the two immortals explained what happened?"

Madam Han lay on the bed, and a maid beside her lightly tapped her head with her fist.

Han Zhen dismissed the maid and gently massaged Old Madam Han's head, saying, "No, they'll come check again tonight! If you ask me, it must be that dark-skinned girl's doing, oh dear~"

Mentioning Han Cuiyin made Old Madam Han's head feel like it was being pricked with needles.

"How could she have such great abilities—"

After taking the pills and feeling somewhat better, Madam Han voiced her suspicions, "It's either her or Yan Shi. That Prince Xiaoyao is so powerful; perhaps he's torturing us because he's backing her up! That girl in green said she was going to punish us for a month!"

The problem is that she has to repeat the same terrible dreams every night, and she can't take it anymore.

The servility she once showed her is a thorn in her side.

"Mother, check on things tonight." Han Zhen stopped what she was doing and solemnly instructed, "Cuiyin is determined to be recognized as a member of the family. This is a secret decree from the Emperor. When she comes back, you still need to keep an eye on things here."

They, mother and son, have weathered many storms along the way.

Madam Han now favors the second and third wives, but when it comes to her eldest son's future, she will support him no matter what.

But this time seems a little different.

"We'll see! She choked me and tried to hurt me that day, it wasn't a lie. At most, I can just ignore it. As for what your wife does, that's none of my business."

Moreover, she now suspects that the girl in the green dress is Han Cuiyin.

She suffered so much yesterday; it's already incredibly generous of her not to hold a grudge.

The mother and son parted on bad terms.

In the main courtyard, Princess Mingxia and Han Yueshi were also gathered together.

Han Yueshi wrapped ice cubes in a cloth and applied it to her head, trying to comfort Princess Mingxia, "Mother, it must be Han Cuiyin who is up to something behind the scenes. Don't stop her from recognizing her ancestors and returning to the Han family. It will be easier to deal with her once she's actually in the Han family."

When the imperial edict arrived at the Han family, Princess Mingxia, upon learning its contents, wanted to return to the Xu Prince's residence, hoping to use her maternal family to stop the matter.

If Han Yueshi hadn't stopped her, she probably would have already gone back to her parents' home.

The mother and daughter were whispering to each other in the room when Han Cuiyin sneezed several times.

She was already at the Grand Princess's farm, receiving the imperial decree.

Recognizing one's ancestors and returning to one's roots?

It's still mandatory.

good very good.

Han Cuiyin had a dark expression on her face, and no one could detect any change in her expression.

Yan Ruyi walked over at this moment, "This time we are returning to the Han family in a proper and open manner, instead of staying with Miss Biao. At least our status is better."

"hope so!"

Han Cuiyin showed no joy. This imperial edict was suspicious. Could it be aimed at her cheap father, the Prince Xiaoyao?

This farm is very large, and the mistress of the Grand Princess's residence sometimes comes here for a short stay.

Luo Jingqian rushed back and went straight here. "Have you received the imperial edict?"

Han Cuiyin picked up the bright yellow scroll in her hand and waved it at him. "Here it is! Does Your Majesty have another intention?"

"Of course, I went to see the Emperor today and told him that the Carefree King had returned to the Immortal Mountain, but he seemed not to believe me. No sooner had I left than he issued two imperial edicts, first bestowing upon me the title of Marquis of Jingyun, and then decreeing that you acknowledge your ancestors and return to your clan..."

"Oh." Han Cuiyin said calmly, "Just play it by ear. You can't take advantage of me so easily."

Yan Ruyi stood to the side, and asked nervously, "Cousin Cuiyin, can we go up the mountain with you?"

Han Cuiyin did not refuse directly, but instead asked, "Life on the mountain is harsh, are you sure? Tell me, why did you come here, what happened?"