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

"Princess, the master has entered the palace."

The maid, named Jin Yi, was the person Princess Mingxia trusted most, besides Granny Wang. She was handpicked and sent over by her mother, Princess Xu.

With Granny Wang absent, Jin Yi was the most senior servant in the main courtyard.

Jin Yi gave Princess Mingxia a wink.

"You may all leave now!" Princess Mingxia dismissed the others. "Jinyi, what information did you get from those two guards?"

Jin Yi was no ordinary maid; she was trained as a death squad by the Xu Prince's mansion and possessed several unique skills, which were admired by the guards in the mansion.

Han Zhen did not order anyone to keep quiet, and the two guards did not hide it from him either.

"Yang Cuiyin was not good-looking, and her skin was very dark. Compared to the two girls, she wasn't even worthy of carrying their shoes. When Han Song first saw Yang Cuiyin's true appearance, he was also very disappointed."

Jin Yi paused for a moment, then said what she couldn't understand either, "But suddenly one day, Han Song started taking great care of Yang Cuiyin. When they were fleeing for their lives, Han Song even turned back to save her!"

"Also, that Yang Cuiyin doesn't seem to have any scheming. She heard somewhere that servants should avoid using their masters' names, and on the very first day, she embarrassed Cuiying and forced her to change her name to Da Ni."

"Oh~" Hearing this, Princess Mingxia became interested. "Her mother is such a shrewd and cunning person. She would rather suffer herself than make things difficult for others. Could it be that she was just pretending?"

At the mention of Yan Shunhua, Princess Mingxia's eyes darkened. "There are still no leads on that woman?"

Jin Yi was used to his master's quick change of topic and quickly replied, "No, I don't know what the person behind the scenes is after."

Princess Mingxia fell silent for a moment, while Jin Yi stood quietly, not disturbing her.

"Wang Mama may have been tricked this time. Maybe that girl forced her to do it. But what is it about her that makes the master so concerned?"

Princess Mingxia knew Wang Mama's nature well; it would be more interesting to send her to the capital to be tormented right under her nose.

"Should we write to the old woman and ask her about it?"

"No need. They'll be back by land in a few days. No matter what happens, nothing can really harm us. That girl's idea of ​​getting involved through the master is just wishful thinking."

After sharing a bed for so many years, no matter how deep Han Zhen's thoughts were, she could still guess a thing or two.

If Yang Cuiyin didn't possess immense wealth, Han Zhen wouldn't have gone to such lengths.

There is a girl in the household who has been kidnapped by river bandits, which is not a good look.

Even if Han Zhen were willing, her proud mother-in-law would probably not be.

That old woman didn't care about her own children, but she cherished the children in the other houses like the apple of her eye.

"Give the order not to inquire about anything these days. The Han family is already in a precarious situation. Let's wait and see. The Xu Prince's Mansion won't watch us mother and daughter suffer."

Jin Yi quickly agreed, but a sense of curiosity about Yang Cuiyin arose in his heart.

Such an ugly girl, before even entering the capital, has already stirred up the waters of the capital. She cannot get involved. If she fails to seize the throne, she will suffer a terrible fate!

......

"Minister Han, is the information that Grand Preceptor Mo has gone missing near Changji Village accurate?"

Mo Changdao had already reported to the emperor when he went out to track down the evil cultivators, and the emperor had no suspicions.

“Of course it’s reliable. My daughter also went missing there. It was the steward of the manor who brought back the news. At that time, Grand Preceptor Mo happened to be on a boat. He said that after he went into seclusion, he would pursue the evil cultivators. That place happened to be within the territory of Changji Village.”

Han Zhen's demeanor was calm and his eyes were firm, so the emperor had no doubts. "Summon the heir of the Duke of Dingguo to the palace, and also summon the fourth prince."

The emperor gave the order and began to inquire about family matters, "Is Minister Han's daughter returning to her ancestral home to visit relatives? Now that she has returned from her disappearance, I will find her a good family to marry into."

Han Zhen's work was very well-received, and it didn't cost him much to save face for his subjects.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! However, the missing person is not my adopted daughter, but the child who grew up in my hometown," Han Zhen said awkwardly.

The story of the three of them back then was already being told as a tale in teahouses in Beijing.

If it weren't for the intervention of the Xu Prince's Mansion, they wouldn't have had the face to stay in the capital, let alone the opportunity to become important ministers of the emperor.

Luo Jingqian, the heir of the Duke of Dingguo, returned to the capital ten months ago and has remained secluded at home ever since.

Han Zhen never expected that the Emperor would allow this precious child to lead troops to suppress bandits.

Luo Jingqian was sickly, a fact known to everyone in the capital.

Even his appearance is a mystery.

It is said that he always wears a mask and never shows his true face. It is unknown what his true appearance will be like when he meets the emperor this time.

"Minister Han, if you save a girl, you must sacrifice another. Jingqian is getting on in years; it's time to bestow a marriage upon him," the emperor said meaningfully.

Han Zhen's face flushed red. "Unfortunately, the marriage of the eldest daughter in the family is not something I can decide. It seems that my father-in-law has some plans."

The emperor was clearly displeased upon hearing this.

Just then, Luo Jingqian arrived first, finally easing the awkward atmosphere.

The person was dressed in white, and after entering, the hall seemed to become a little cooler.

"Jingqian pays his respects to his maternal uncle, the Emperor. Maternal uncle—"

"Get up, sit down quickly."

Luo Jingqian's physical defect was no secret within the royal family, but he had issued a gag order, and no one dared to publicize it.

"Jingqian, that's why I called you here. You need to assist Changshou. Changji Village has been raiding for years, and the disappearance of Grand Preceptor Mo is partly their doing. And Yang..."

"Your Majesty, my daughter is Yang Cuiyin," Han Zhen quickly replied.

"Yang Cuiyin?" Luo Jingqian's voice was clear and cold, but there was a slight fluctuation when he mentioned this name, though the other two did not notice it.

The emperor recounted what happened back then, without making any attempt to conceal anything from Han Zhen.

"Since she is the daughter of Lord Han, why is she raised in the countryside and not surnamed Han?"

Luo Jingqian had a deep impression of the dark-skinned girl. Once he was certain that she was the one who had gone missing, he wasn't in a hurry.

That girl is ruthless; she won't die so easily.

He was just a little curious about her background.

The emperor stopped him, "Alright, don't pry into old matters. Once Changshou arrives, gather five thousand naval troops and set off immediately. You must find Grand Preceptor Mo!"

The fourth prince arrived quickly, eager to lead troops, but upon seeing Luo Jingqian, he felt a slight unease:

“Father, how about letting my elder brother come with me? Jingqian shouldn’t come along; he’s in poor health.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Jingqian exclaimed that he was a fool, wanting to share the credit that was already his. There was no brotherly affection in the royal family!

“Uncle, I’m fine! As long as I don’t stay in the sun for too long, I’ll be okay. As for my maternal grandmother, I’ll let you know three hours after I leave.”

If they find out, he won't be able to leave.

"You idiot, what's so fun about fighting and killing? You might as well go back to bed and rest." Luo Jingqian twitched upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words.

"I'm not a young lady anymore, it's nice to go out and see the scenery. Cough cough~"

After a brief struggle, the two set off immediately.

At the same time, Yanjiacun also underwent changes.

"Uncle Clan Chief, the protective barrier over Yan Family Village is gone, what about us—"

"Set off for the capital immediately, and the entire clan will relocate." Yan Qingping's voice echoed only in Yan Family Village.

Everyone was stunned by this decision.