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

The streets were bustling with people.

In preparation for the annual grand event, the prefect ordered his men to clean all the streets in the city overnight.

Chang Le County had convenient access to water, with water outlets on every street within the city.

Even more remarkably, despite continuous wind and rain, the city can still drain the water, so Chang Le County is rarely affected by natural disasters that result in crop failures.

The city's drainage system was designed by the previous dynasty, but in the end, it was the common people who benefited from it.

The governor of Changle County always exceeded his tax revenue targets and lived the most comfortable life.

The prefect rarely gets up early; if it weren't for the grand event today, he would rather be cuddling with his twelve concubines in bed.

"That girl is the one you're talking about? The one who completely disregards me?"

“Brother-in-law, it’s her! She took in the Gao family this morning. Widow Gao captured Gao Xiaolan and forced her into prostitution.”

The leader who blocked the Gao family's house yesterday to demand repayment was bowing and scraping, with a fawning smile on his face.

He had mentioned Gao Xiaolan to the prefect long ago; she was a rare beauty. He had let her escape before, and yesterday, besides asking for money, he also wanted to lure her out when he went to the Gao family.

Unfortunately, a black demon appeared halfway through.

That same day, he went to the prefect's residence and embellished his story.

The prefect had already thoroughly investigated the background of the Han family, who were searching for people, so he had no choice but to swallow his anger.

He would make his move after the grand event was over and the Han family had left.

Unexpectedly, the Gao family members sold themselves into slavery and entered the Han household.

The prefect also had powerful connections in the capital, being a member of a wealthy and influential family, which made Han Zhen resent him.

"Bring them back on the night the rally ends."

The prefect instructed that Twelfth Prince's younger brother was efficient and decisive in handling matters, leaving no room for future trouble, and he trusted him greatly.

"Brother-in-law, will Lord Han... give you a hard time?" This lackey was perceptive and thought long-term. "How about I find you someone else? There's bound to be someone prettier than Gao Xiaolan."

The prefect had no other faults; he was not greedy for money, but he was fond of beautiful women.

The lackey could only offer a few words of advice and dared not say more.

"No, I want Gao Xiaolan. The Han family should have been sensible and sent her over. Han Zhen is just relying on his wife's family..."

The prefect wanted to continue speaking, but unfortunately, the merchant ships had already begun to land and set up.

He turned around and led his men to check if there were any oversights.

After they left, Han Cuiyin turned around and stared at their backs, already having made up her mind.

"Hey little black girl, I'm talking to you, didn't you hear me?"

The fourth prince swaggered over and poked Han Cuiyin's shoulder with his fan.

"We know each other? What do you want?"

Han Cuiyin knew that the person in front of her was the Fourth Prince, who had died in her previous life during the siege of Changji Village.

She didn't want to pay attention, but the man persisted.

"Fourth Young Master, Madam has instructed us to keep an eye on you. Let's go and pick out some things for Madam to take back with us."

He was followed by two guards, the older one of whom quickly stopped him.

"My mother sent you here to protect me, not to control me," the fourth prince said coldly, then turned and left.

"Fourth Young Master, Miss Yang has already returned to the Han family, so your mission is considered complete. Why bother with further trouble?"

Upon hearing this, the fourth prince's face fell. "Cousin, that girl stole my master-disciple relationship, I—"

"Even without her, did Grand Preceptor Mo say he would take you as his disciple? Besides, even if Elder Mo was interested, would Princess Mingxia agree?"

The older guard was none other than Yang Yuxiao, the Empress's nephew and the heir to the Duke of Zhenguo.

I came all the way from the capital to attend this gathering, and also to inquire about the whereabouts of the Fourth Prince on behalf of my aunt.

They met at the inn this morning.

Both parties concealed their identities and dressed discreetly, avoiding attracting attention.

Once the Fourth Prince's complexion returned to normal, Yang Yuxiao asked in a low voice, "Where is Prince Luo? Aren't you two on good terms? Why haven't I seen him come out?"

"His illness has flared up again; he's hiding indoors from the sun!"

It's the height of summer, and the sun is very strong.

The light stung my face.

Even normal people like them couldn't stand it, let alone Luo Jingqian who had contracted a strange disease.

These people, with their keen eyes and ears, naturally knew about Luo Jingqian's illness.

When he first fell ill at the age of nine, it happened in the Mingguang Hall of the Imperial Palace, and all of his companions witnessed the whole process.

The Luo family did not disclose how they contracted the disease.

However, there is a theory that it was the second branch of the Luo family who did it.

For some reason, Princess Jinghe did not react, and Luo Jingqian disappeared from their sight afterward.

His reappearance this time was because the emperor had assigned him a task.

The three princes before him had also competed for the position, but all their proposals were rejected by the Emperor, which shows how much favored Luo Jingqian was.

Yang Yuxiao reminded him, "Fourth Young Master, pick something for him to take back later."

"I know! Cousin, how did the Prefect of Chang Le County and that dark-skinned girl become enemies?"

The Fourth Prince was paying close attention to Han Cuiyin's situation, and naturally noticed that the prefect and his lackey's expressions were off.

"The slippery Han family won't get on your side right now. Fourth Young Master, you should focus on how to please Grand Preceptor Mo, and also keep an eye on Prince Luo."

"I know, I'm not stupid." The fourth prince flicked his ear a few times, then ignored him and headed straight for the first area.

Yang Yuxiao knew his cousin's temperament, so he had no choice but to accept his fate and follow him.

She had a plan in mind: she would keep an eye on him that night and not make enemies with the Han family.

The fourth prince wanted to use the prefect to get rid of the dark-skinned girl, but he couldn't let him do it so easily.

Most of the guards brought this time were from the Yang family.

Their Zhenguo Duke's Mansion did not want to confront Han Zhen.

This person is somewhat eccentric, his official career is incredibly successful, and he has the Xu family as his backer.

Thinking of this, Yang Yuxiao concealed his thoughts and quickly chased after him, fearing that the Fourth Prince would cause trouble.

Unbeknownst to Han Cuiyin, she inadvertently incurred Han Zhen's wrath. Being rather short, she couldn't see what was in each area.

Granny Wang led her people through the crowd, and soon they disappeared from sight.

"Uncle Han, Granny Wang and the others have disappeared. Let's hurry and follow them to see what's going on."

Han Cuiyin was getting anxious; if she had been any later, she would have missed the excitement.

Just now, a guest arrived, and Widow Gao nodded to her, so it seems the matter has been taken care of.

The real show is about to begin, and Princess Mingxia is sure to be filled with hatred. How could she miss out on such a spectacle?

Chang Le County was once the fiefdom of a princess of the Chen Prince's Mansion. Back then, Princess Mingxia was jealous of her and directly caused her to lose face in the Chen Prince's Mansion, and the fiefdom was also taken back by the emperor.

At this gathering, the princess will also send her trusted confidants to purchase items.

In her previous life, this princess lost to Princess Mingxia, and was once again the subject of ridicule in the capital.

This time, she wants to switch the two of them.

"The things Madam wants to buy are at number three. There's no rush now; we'll start in fifteen minutes."

Han Song had no doubts and told the truth.

"Oh, then let's wait!" Han Cuiyin said, her eyes fixed on a tall, slightly plump old woman.

She had seen this person in her previous life; she was the wet nurse of the princess in the Chen Prince's Mansion.

Han Cuiyin suppressed her smile, her eyes filled with anticipation.

This scene was witnessed by people in a private room on the second floor of the restaurant across the street.

"Let's go downstairs and take a look around in a bit!"

"Your Highness, there are many people and plenty of sunshine today, why don't we stay here—"

Luo Jingqian glanced at him and said, "Qingshan, just take the bamboo umbrella and cover me with it."