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

The Imperial Garden was a riot of color, and on the fifteenth of August, the flowers bloomed even more profusely.

The concubines in the palace and the people who came to the banquet were in no way inferior to these flowers.

Han Cuiyin and Qi Yuejiao were talking under a flowering tree. With her there, they didn't have to worry about their conversation being overheard, but she didn't deliberately remind Qi Yuejiao either.

"Princess Jialuo actually brought the Liu family here. It seems she has a close relationship with the Empress Dowager," Qi Yuejiao said softly.

"The Liu family? The girl who was traveling with Miss Lin?" Han Cuiyin searched her memory but couldn't match the name to the person.

In her previous life, her status was awkward, and she couldn't attend all banquets.

Even if she came to the palace, she could only serve as a maid. How could she possibly remember all the noble ladies, and she would never be able to get close to them?

She had absolutely no recollection of the Liu family.

"The Liu family is the Empress Dowager's maternal family, and this young lady is the Empress Dowager's grandniece. She's so stunningly beautiful, and she's even brought before the Empress. Tsk tsk~ There's going to be some fun to watch later!"

Qi Yuejiao still maintained a spectator's mentality.

"Which family does the Empress Dowager come from? What rank do the Liu family officials hold in the court? Why is this Miss Liu brought from Princess Jialuo's side? Where are her mother and family?"

Han Cuiyin's eyes flickered; this Miss Liu was no ordinary person.

With such a captivating appearance, I wonder which wife she'll eventually become a formidable rival to.

"The Empress Dowager's family... is the Liu family, just ordinary people. How could Liu Min's mother be qualified to attend a banquet in the palace? If the Empress Dowager hadn't returned this year, Liu Min probably wouldn't have been able to come to the palace either."

Qi Yuejiao's father had just become the Minister of Personnel and, like Han Zhen, was a favorite of Emperor Chuyuan.

Qi Yuejiao is the future fourth prince's wife, which puts her in a higher position than ordinary girls.

Some noble ladies, seeing the two of them there, and those who were interested in doing something, had already walked over.

"Let's not talk about it for now. In short, stay away from Liu Min and don't let her get close to us." Qi Yuejiao naturally noticed those people coming this way, sighed, and then put on a smile.

"You need to be more careful. She's probably after the Fourth Prince. She has no interest in me, the daughter of a discarded wife. You should be the one to watch out." Han Cuiyin had excellent hearing and had already heard Liu Min fawning over Empress Yang.

The Fourth Prince, that reckless fellow, still manages to attract so many girls; it's truly... hard to explain.

Several girls gathered around, but Han Cuiyin wasn't familiar with them, so she returned to the Luo sisters' side.

Their positions were not far from Empress Yang, and even closer to Consort Xu.

Consort Xu was surrounded by many people, but more of them were on good terms with the Xu family, and people related to the Xu Prince's Mansion also gravitated towards her.

Han Yueshi was showing off in front of Consort Xu, which fooled some naive girls who all looked at her with admiration.

Just as she was feeling smug, she noticed someone staring at her from behind. When she turned around, her eyes met Han Cuiyin's again.

Han Yueshi quickly looked away, then placed her right hand on the jade bottle hanging around her neck, giving Lin Jiabao a furtive glance.

Han Lingzhi, who was beside her, glanced at her without making a sound and frowned slightly.

This scene naturally caught Han Cuiyin's eye, and she suddenly realized that Lin Jiabao had fallen into this person's trap.

Lianyao also taught Han Yueshi quite a bit.

"Your Majesty, Miss Han Cuiyin is right here. She's the one who rescued us that day. Her appearance... is unique; those filthy things are terrified of her—ah~"

A cold glint flashed in Han Cuiyin's eyes, and with a flick of her right hand, Lin Jiabao's next words were interrupted.

Lin Jiabao, who was ruining Han Cuiyin's reputation, felt a sharp pain in her throat, and black smoke rose from her clothes.

"Protect Your Majesty! There's a demon on Miss Lin!" Upon seeing this, Liu Min disregarded Lin Jiabao's life or death and kicked her away, then stood in front of Empress Yang.

Princess Jialuo's eyes darkened. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Jiabao just came from Cining Palace and would certainly not have caused any trouble. Miss Liu is making a mountain out of a molehill!"

If she still can't see through Liu Min's behavior, then she's wasted these past few decades.

It's not that you can't please the Empress, but you can't use her daughter as a stepping stone.

As long as Liu Min dares to make accusations, she will go all out to shift the blame onto the Empress Dowager.

Her husband is no longer the weak and powerful young master he once was. His discord with the Empress Dowager might cause the Empress to pay less attention to him.

Liu Min smiled awkwardly, "It was my concern that clouded my judgment. Jiabao and I will go downstairs and change into clean clothes."

After being kicked away, Lin Jiabao rolled on the ground, and the smoke on her body dissipated.

Hearing Liu Min's words, she didn't show much resentment. Instead, she calmly said, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Liu!"

Two young women were already being led down, and Empress Liu's coldness temporarily dissipated.

Han Cuiyin saw what was happening here and a smile appeared in her eyes.

Han Yueshi wanted to use Lin Jiabao to cause trouble, so I directly destroyed your methods on Lin Jiabao.

This person has truly mastered the art of manipulating people's minds.

Lin Jiabao's actions today now make sense.

In their first encounter, Han Cuiyin emerged victorious.

Han Yueshi stroked the jade bottle around her neck in frustration, unable to understand how Lin Jiabao had lost control and severed the faint connection between them.

Be puzzled.

Lin Jiabao went to change her clothes, and Liu Min followed right behind her.

"Have I done anything out of line this past month?"

Lin Jiabao's clothes had many burned holes; if she had reacted even a second slower, she would have been burned alive.

"About the Imperial Estate?" the maid asked, then quickly lowered her head.

After hearing this, Lin Jiabao had some images flashing through her mind: "Am I really the future Crown Prince's consort?"

The events of the past month felt like a dream. She did remember those events, but she didn't feel like she had truly experienced them.

The outcome was good; she did indeed fall in love with the eldest prince.

The person behind this actually did her a great favor.

I just don't know what happened today that allowed her to break free of control.

"Who did I argue with at the Imperial Estate that day? I can't quite remember." Lin Jiabao's memory of that day was a bit hazy, and so was her memory of today.

"That day you had an argument with Miss Han. You were so angry that you pushed her," the maid said cautiously.

She knew the girl had been acting strangely lately, but the matter was too serious for her to mention to anyone. At this point, she could only answer cautiously, careful not to get herself into trouble.

Han Yueshi!

Lin Jiabao's eyes turned cold, and she knew that someone was using underhanded tactics behind the scenes.

She's not that muddle-headed or unruly.

Every time it's related to Han Cuiyin, how much Han Yueshi fears this dark-skinned girl.

After Lin Jiabao returned to normal, the maidservant felt much more relaxed. She had been living in fear for days, but finally, the ordeal was over.

Liu Min, who was traveling with them, was kneeling at the feet of the person dressed in bright yellow, trembling.

If she had known this would happen, she would have waited a little longer. Her great-aunt would have torn her apart if she found out!

"Keep your head up!"