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

Han Lingzhi and Han Cuiyin were standing at the entrance of Mingyue Terrace when they returned and saw Han Yueshi and Princess Yunxiu coming out together.

"Then you'd better be careful! I can tell she's interested in the Second Prince, and she's probably going to cause you trouble."

In her past life, Han Yueshi was the Third Prince's consort. In this life, she suddenly changed her mind, and Han Cuiyin didn't believe there wasn't something fishy going on.

"What can I do if others request an imperial decree to grant me a marriage? I have always kept my distance from the Second Prince. These days he has been overseeing the construction of the Prince's Mansion. How could we have had the opportunity to exchange gifts privately?"

Han Lingzhi had already guessed how Han Yueshi would try to sow discord in front of her parents, and there was nothing she could do but feel helpless.

Her status in the Han family was far inferior to that of her older sister and younger brother. Caught in the middle, she was ignored by everyone. Only when she went to the Xu Prince's Mansion could she feel a little bit of family affection.

Han Cuiyin patted her shoulder, "Just have a clear conscience. Caring too much won't change other people's opinions. Don't let yourself be bound by them. Here, take this pill and recover well."

Han Lingzhi did not refuse, but after swallowing the pill, she was surprised to find it was different. "This...this is a pill used by immortals? It's too precious, I can't afford it, I have nothing of equal value to give you."

"No need to give it to me, just make sure you don't suffer any losses in the Han family!" Han Cuiyin winked mischievously, speaking with a righteous air.

Not wanting to suffer a loss at the Han residence meant she was destined to clash with Han Yueshi. Han Lingzhi understood her intentions and could only smile helplessly, "I'll try my best!"

Even if she doesn't want to suffer losses, with biased parents, she won't get any advantage.

This time, Han Yueshi also defeated Princess Yunxiu, restoring face for the Daye Dynasty and giving her a chance to win back the treasure.

At this point, she had no choice but to swallow the bitter pill even if she didn't want to.

Compared to the treasures of the Great Ye Dynasty, how could she, someone who had the chance to become a royal princess, compare?

Even if she performs brilliantly this time, it won't change her situation.

Han Lingzhi was very fortunate to have had a precognitive dream, and she became much more composed than before.

If she hadn't experienced those things in her dream, and had encountered her parents' favoritism and injustice again, she probably would have just hidden in her room, sulking and crying under the covers at night.

Having experienced that life in her dream, she has become indifferent, but that doesn't mean she won't retaliate after suffering losses.

Han Lingzhi was the first to notice the strangeness about Han Yueshi.

She didn't know where her sister had acquired this evil skill, but she happened to secretly witness her sister biting a hen's neck and drinking its blood.

She never mentioned that scene to anyone.

"Wearing this bead will protect you three times. Even if Han Yueshi attacks you, she won't get the better of you."

If you want a horse to run, you have to feed it grass; Han Cuiyin understood this principle.

Han Yueshi is no longer the weak young lady she was in her previous life; Han Lingzhi can suppress her with force.

The benefits Han Yueshi gained from this competition were unknown to others, but she knew them.

The color of the blood-red bead had dimmed somewhat, which was naturally due to Han Yueshi's touch.

It was precisely because Princess Yunxiu discovered this that she readily admitted defeat.

That proud princess wasn't one to easily admit defeat; she had suffered a hidden loss at Han Yueshi's hands, a loss she couldn't even voice.

Han Lingzhi happily put it on and then tucked it inside her clothes. "Thank you! Even if she goes crazy, I'll have a way to protect myself."

She wasn't stupid. After what happened in the woods during the Ghost Festival, she wouldn't regard Han Cuiyin as an ordinary young lady.

Han Cuiyin was no ordinary person; otherwise, that large group of people wouldn't have survived the Ghost Festival.

I heard that the number of people who have died unexpectedly in the capital is almost double that of previous years.

Her father was so busy dealing with these matters that he was practically living at the government office and rarely came home.

Talking to a smart person saves a lot of breath, and seeing that she was not pretentious, Han Cuiyin accepted her as her younger sister.

As soon as the two left, Han Lingzhi apologized for her rudeness in the Pinglian Mountains that day. She was flexible and adaptable, unlike most women.

The two chatted amiably, but when they returned to their seats, the Han family members' expressions changed.

Princess Mingxia glared coldly at Han Cuiyin, "It's about to end, go wherever you want, just don't let me see you again."

"Watch your words! Cuiyin is also of Han family blood. The Emperor has issued an imperial decree recognizing her as a relative. How can you, as the mistress of the house, hold a grudge against a child!" Han Zhen scolded in a low voice, secretly glancing at Emperor Chuyuan. Seeing that no one was paying attention, she said, "You can return home whenever you want, but the Emperor has set a date for recognizing your ancestors. You must come back on that day."

"Does His Majesty concern himself with such trivial matters?" Han Cuiyin was surprised, wondering why Emperor Chuyuan was watching her so closely. This was not a good thing.

It seems this emperor is too idle; we need to find him something to do.

Liu Min's charming and alluring appearance caught Han Cuiyin's eye; she certainly had the makings of a palace intrigue hero. With such a beauty around, the concubines were bound to start fighting each other, and with the harem unstable, Emperor Chuyuan would have no time to worry about the affairs of others.

"The date has been chosen well; it's set for the sixth day of the sixth lunar month next year. This date was calculated by the Imperial Advisor Mo, who said it would be beneficial to the nation's fortune." Han Zhen probed in a low voice, "Do you have a relationship with Imperial Advisor Mo?"

After the incident of Old Madam Han being struck by lightning in her dream was resolved, Mo Changdao stopped associating with Han Zhen.

The date was revealed by Mo Changdao, and Emperor Chuyuan issued an imperial edict.

Han Zhen secretly examined the daughter he had taken in halfway through his life. He couldn't see anything different about her. How did she end up being connected to the fate of the nation?

"We have no relationship!" Han Cuiyin answered crisply, afraid that if she hesitated, the person in front of her would seize the opportunity and benefit from her.

Han Zhen was ruthless in his pursuit of promotion, which Han Cuiyin neither agreed nor disagreed with, but she looked down on his past actions.

After saying this, Han Cuiyin left the Han family and went to Princess Jinghe's place.

"It's different when you climb the social ladder. Look at yourself! Even if Marquis Jingyun is sickly, he wouldn't marry her." Princess Mingxia was unhappy and couldn't hold back her thoughts.

Some people who hadn't left yet overheard this and were surprised by Princess Mingxia's attitude, which was quite different from her usual demeanor.

After the Han family left, the Grand Princess was still waiting. Han Cuiyin waited with her for a while, and people started coming over to greet her and ask where the money she owed was going.

"Just send it to the Princess's residence!" Luo Jingqian said directly to ease the awkwardness.

Upon receiving this reply, those people couldn't help but look at Han Cuiyin with suspicion, asking, "What does Miss Han think?"

Han Cuiyin ignored the gazes of these people and said directly, "As the Marquis wishes."

We can't send it to the Han family; we can't let the Han family benefit from it.

As people gradually dispersed, Princess Yunxiu also left with the envoys.

The Duke of Dingguo was still accompanying them, but when they went out, a cloud of black mist enveloped the Duke of Dingguo.

Han Cuiyin glanced in the direction they had left, her eyes flashing.

No one saw it except her.