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

Han Lingzhi's performance was a complete surprise to the couple.

In previous years, Han Zhen only thought about how to get ahead in front of Emperor Chu Yuan and did not pay attention to the situation of his children.

He rarely inquired about even his only legitimate son, only showing up once on the first day the son went to study at the Imperial Academy. As for the upbringing of his legitimate daughter, Princess Mingxia was in charge, and he never inquired about it.

As for the concubine's daughters in the inner courtyard, if even the legitimate daughters are treated like this, how could they possibly gain Han Zhen's attention? Their fate is nothing more than being sent out by Han Zhen for arranged marriages.

Princess Mingxia had fallen deeply in love with Han Zhen in previous years, focusing her attention solely on her husband. She only put some effort into her eldest daughter and eldest son, while her second daughter was treated as if she had been picked up and completely left to fend for herself.

Her maternal family, the Xu Prince's Mansion, had mentioned that Han Lingzhi was exceptionally talented, but she didn't take it seriously at all, thinking it was just an exaggeration.

In this competition, Han Lingzhi did not lose out at all, and fought back and forth with Princess Yunxiu, showing no inferiority whatsoever.

Princess Yunxiu rose to fame on the northwestern border at the age of thirteen. She was a capable female general who participated in countless battles.

This is also why many noble ladies do not want to cross her.

A princess who has made a name for herself among men is someone these delicate young ladies can't compare to. Before the competition, these women naturally stayed as far away as possible, not wanting to get involved.

When they saw the changes in Luo Tianyun, they couldn't sit still and started making sarcastic remarks.

"I can go, it's not difficult. I know some moves, at most I'll just get beaten out like Princess Tianyun."

"That's right, if Miss Han can last this long, why can't we?"

From the start of the competition, these girls gathered in twos and threes to watch the excitement.

Han Cuiyin was not familiar with these people, but their conversation became increasingly skewed, eventually bringing up her, and some even started to mock her.

"If you ask me, the one who should go in is that Miss Han. She'll definitely come out completely transformed. Hahaha~"

"Indeed. I don't know how she could be so dark-skinned when her birth mother was so beautiful and Lord Han was so handsome. Could it be that her birth mother really cheated on her? Otherwise, how could she look like this? She doesn't look like a member of the Han family at all."

These people weren't speaking loudly, but Han Cuiyin's hearing was exceptional. She originally intended to pretend she hadn't heard them and not argue with them, but since these matters involved Yan Shunhua, she couldn't let it go so easily.

The women here value their purity above all else; otherwise, she wouldn't have been drowned in a pig cage in her previous life.

Han Cuiyin suddenly stood up, quickly walked to the group of girls, and slapped the girl who had slandered Yan Shunhua across the face. "You foul mouth! Your family still owes me money, pay it back now!"

During the Ghost Festival, she saved some young ladies, and almost all of their families signed IOUs.

Those who were particular about money would pay back the money on the IOU long ago.

There are still about ten households whose IOUs are lying in her space.

She hasn't had time to visit them lately, and these families seem to have forgotten about the matter, showing no intention of returning the money.

I originally planned to wait until she finished dealing with the Pinglian Mountains matter before going to collect the debt, but these people are too gossipy.

Everyone in the area started watching the girls bickering, and no one paid attention to the exciting competition on the stage.

Someone has already come over to advise, "Miss Han, a woman should pay attention to etiquette. It's improper for you to tug at someone's clothes like that!"

"What, you want to pay off her family's debt? You're practically half-buried in the ground, and you're still thinking about that girl? You're shameless!" Han Cuiyin didn't tolerate these people and directly mocked them.

That man was from the Imperial Academy. He enjoyed drinking and listening to music and naturally couldn't bear to see a delicate woman being wronged, so he came to her aid.

"Vulgar! Hmph, I'll go and have a word with Lord Han." The man flicked his sleeve and left, heading straight for Han Zhen.

The other girls, knowing they were in the wrong, said, "Miss Han, we're so sorry. We lost our composure for a moment. We'll apologize to you right away. But you're too magnanimous; the Emperor is watching. If things get out of hand, Lord Han will also be implicated."

Han Cuiyin acted as if she hadn't heard. She didn't let go, but looked the girl up and down who was gossiping about her mother. "You look like a decent person, but all you can say is bullshit. Your family should send me that ten thousand taels right now, or don't blame me for being impolite."

She was eager for Han Zhen to be implicated, so she ignored the advice of others and said, "I'll give you half an hour. If you don't pay, I'll find a way to deal with you."

Han Cuiyin let go, took out a handkerchief and wiped her hands, as if they had been stained with something dirty.

The girl's face turned pale and then red; she had completely lost face.

Fortunately, only a small group of people noticed their conflict; those further away were unaware and focused on watching the competition from the stands.

Han Lingzhi ultimately lost; she put away her whip, clasped her hands in surrender.

Princess Yunxiu did not let her leave like Luo Tianyun; she simply flicked her sleeve and sent Han Lingzhi out.

The competition between the two was exciting, and Han Lingzhi also gained a lot.

Just then, the second prince suddenly knelt down and said, "Father, I request to marry Miss Han. Please grant my request."

The incident happened suddenly. Han Lingzhi paused, then leaped upwards and returned to the location of the Han family.

Princess Mingxia was stunned by the Second Prince's words, and when her second daughter returned, she didn't even react in time to offer her any words of comfort.

Emperor Chu Yuan held the jade dragon cup and asked casually, "Are you truly sincere? Miss Han is not like the woman you used to like."

The woman the second prince liked was like his mother, gentle and frail, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

Han Lingzhi is clearly not this type of woman.

Han Zhen felt a surge of resentment upon hearing the Second Prince's marriage proposal. This girl was so capable; if she caught the Emperor's eye, what chance would Lu Jiazi and Lin Laosan have? They would both have to step aside.

All he could do now was pray that the Emperor wouldn't agree. This girl hadn't brought anything to the Han family yet, so she couldn't be married off so easily.

The second prince was just a bald prince, powerless and without influence, possessing only the title of prince but actually having no one behind him.

His second legitimate daughter won't get any benefits from marrying into the family.

However, even if Emperor Chu Yuan heard his prayers, he would not care. With a simple "yes," he shattered Han Zhen's hopes.

Han Yueshi, inside the blood-red bead, was equally unwilling to accept defeat.

When she heard that the second prince was proposing to marry her sister, she felt like the sky was falling. She had tried for many days, but the second prince completely ignored her and instead showed great favor to her uncouth second sister.

Han Cuiyin noticed her unusual behavior and watched with amusement.

Princess Mingxia's days are about to get lively; the rivalry between sisters is no less intense than the infighting among brothers.

"Miss Han, shall we begin?"

Princess Yunxiu spoke, pulling everyone back to reality.

Han Yueshi was so angry she was practically spitting out a crooked nose. She didn't have time to care about any details, so she nodded in agreement and immediately took action without holding back.