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

Han Family Village.

No longer disturbed by nightmares or struck by lightning, Madam Han finally slept soundly.

She was given a new head maid named Xiangcao, and Da Ni was secretly taken away by Han Zhen and disappeared without a trace.

"Xiangcao, don't tell anyone about Da Ni's matter. From now on, you'll be my head maid. Once the younger maids are capable enough, I'll decide to give you to the master."

Xiangcao was more beautiful than Da Ni, and even Aunt Zhao couldn't compare to her looks.

When she looks into someone's eyes, her almond-shaped eyes are filled with tears, as if they can speak.

This girl was bought from a slave trader by her, and she has been raising her here for a long time.

When this estate was initially purchased, it was registered under the name of the Xu Prince's Mansion, but it ultimately ended up in the name of Old Madam Han.

Princess Mingxia was newly married at the time and did not take it to heart.

Madam Han had never interfered in her eldest son's affairs before.

Originally, Han Zhen married a woman surnamed Yan, hoping that the Yan family would pay for his studies. Old Madam Han never pressured him about having children. After enduring this for several years, Princess Mingxia, whose background was hundreds of times better than Yan's, the two hit it off immediately, and Yan was driven out of the Han residence.

However, after Princess Mingxia married into the family, her womb was not cooperative, and her first child was a girl.

Fortunately, this daughter-in-law was very sensible when she was pregnant, and she promoted her two dowry maids to concubines.

However, the two concubines were rather ordinary in appearance.

Compared to the Yan family, they are far inferior.

Madam Han had prepared the herbs well in advance and had been cultivating them on the estate for many years, to the point that they were almost as fine as those of a young lady from a minor official's family.

Especially his fur coat; even women would feel ashamed of themselves in comparison.

After Madam Han finished speaking, Xiangcao's eyes lit up, "It's all up to you, Madam!"

Han Zhen had visited the village before; she had seen him from afar, and that single glimpse of his profile had left an indelible mark on her.

When she was bought and placed here, the nanny who taught her skills said that she would become the concubine of the most promising young man in the Han family.

Now that she has turned eighteen, she has finally been remembered by Old Madam Han.

With Madam Han's words, Xiangcao served even more diligently, more attentively than when Da Ni and Granny Zhao were around.

Upon arriving at the village, the Han family ate all three meals a day in the courtyard of Old Madam Han.

Except for the first day when they arrived and were a bit flustered, they used their own yard.

The second and third wives arrived early, and when they saw such a beautiful maid like Xiangcao standing next to Old Madam Han, they couldn't help but notice her.

The second wife didn't think much of it, but the third wife felt a little uneasy when she saw Xiangcao.

"Mother, is this your new maid? Da Ni won't be serving you anymore?"

The third branch of the family was the most favored, and they were the first people Old Madam Han would think of when she had something good.

The third wife, seeing how beautiful the maid was, couldn't help but wonder: "Could she be put in our room? She has such a seductive look; it would be a waste to put her in our room. It would be much better to put her in the main house for a good show!"

"Da Ni has been redeemed and will no longer be in the Han family. This maid is called Xiangcao, and she will be my head maid from now on. That one is Granny Wen, filling the vacancy left by Granny Zhao."

Granny Wen stepped forward to bow, but her every move was even more... than Granny Zhao's back then.

The third madam's eyes flashed. She thought to herself, "Old Madam, please don't take this nanny with you when you go out to visit others, or the Han family will be laughed at to death."

This old woman doesn't look like she comes from a respectable place; she looks more like someone from a brothel.

Xiangcao's movements were no different from those of Granny Wen; they were of the same ilk.

After Princess Mingxia arrived, Xiangcao and Granny Wen greeted each other again.

However, her complexion wasn't as good as when she first entered the room.

“Mother, please forgive my bluntness. These two are not suitable to go out with us. In the future, if you go out to visit guests, it would be better to bring people from the manor. This kind of behavior in the brothel may not be a problem in front of us, but if the young masters in the manor see it, who knows what trouble might arise!”

Princess Mingxia spoke without any politeness.

Han Zhen had three concubines in her room, two of whom were her dowry maids. They were of average appearance but were obedient.

Aunt Zhao, however, left from the old lady's room.

She had misjudged the situation, thinking the mother and daughter were good people, and bought them to put in Old Madam Han's room.

Who knew that the mother and daughter were so ambitious, they actually managed to get Aunt Zhao into their bed.

She didn't care whether Old Madam Han was involved or not. Trying to use the same methods a second time? Did they really think she was stupid for not caring?

Princess Mingxia couldn't contain her anger. "You two get out! Don't pollute the young ladies' eyes in this room!"

“Xu, you…you have no respect for your elders! Don’t think that just because the Xu Prince’s Mansion is backing you, my son won’t dare to divorce you! Don’t forget how you—”

"Go ahead and say it! I want to see if Grand Secretary Han dares to divorce me! Also, don't let me see those two filthy women in my vicinity. I've already been lenient by having Aunt Zhao, but if another one comes along who's used to brothel tricks, don't blame me!"

Princess Mingxia turned and left, followed closely by her two daughters.

The room was quiet, except for Old Madam Han, who was red-faced with anger, and Second Madam, who looked bewildered.

The third wife secretly cheered, thinking that this old hag needed to be properly disciplined to prevent her from becoming so unreasonable.

The rest of the people ate breakfast absentmindedly.

Xiangcao and Granny Wen came in later, bowing their heads and silently serving Old Madam Han her meal.

Everyone tacitly agreed to leave in a hurry after finishing their meal.

"You can stay here and serve me with peace of mind. I won't treat you badly." After saying this, Madam Han asked Granny Wen to help her go for a walk in the courtyard to aid digestion.

While Xiangcao was embroidering a headband for Old Madam Han in the house, she accidentally pricked her finger.

At this moment, she was also very uneasy. After the mistress of the house said those words, was it still possible for her to go back to the Han family in the capital?

The third wife, who left Madam Han's courtyard, inadvertently ended up last with her daughter.

“Runji, let me tell you, you don’t need to rely on your grandmother for your marriage. Spend more time with your older sister and win over your aunt. It’s better to let her help you choose a spouse than your grandmother.”

The third wife has now seen through it all; this mother-in-law is just a crooked woman, and her children and grandchildren, having spent so much time with her, will never learn to be good.

"I understand, Mother. It seems that my eldest sister is going horseback riding with my second sister. Should I go with them?" Han Runji's beautiful eyes were bright and full of anticipation.

"Go! Pick a small, docile one, have the guards lead it, don't rush it."

After the third wife gave a few instructions, the mother and daughter returned to their courtyard.

Princess Mingxia returned to her room and set out breakfast again. "You two should eat quickly! Didn't you say you were going for a stroll? Take more guards with you."

Originally, after Han Zhen entered the palace, her two daughters' marriages became increasingly sought after, but now no one has come to propose marriage, and she is not sure what to do.

While there are many people in the village now, we might as well go out for a stroll.

The princes have come, and the sons of powerful families have come too; there's always an opportunity.

Han Yueshi naturally understood what Princess Mingxia meant and was not offended. "My sister and I will go horseback riding later. While the sun is still low, we can also go hunting in the mountains."

It would be more natural to have a chance encounter like that.

After hearing this, Han Lingzhi perked up considerably, "Yes!"