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

The Han family mansion in the capital.

The main courtyard was brightly lit.

Princess Mingxia changed into her newly made clothes and put on her newly bought jewelry. Under the osmanthus lantern, she was dignified and gentle.

In the distance, a tall, slender figure, like a pine tree, gradually approached, becoming clearer from a hazy silhouette.

Princess Mingxia couldn't hide her smile as she descended the steps to greet him, "Husband, you're back!"

"There are so many mosquitoes on summer nights, why don't we wait indoors?" Han Zhen took her hand and the couple went back to their room hand in hand.

The two had been in a cold war for nearly ten months, and this was the first time Han Zhen had stepped into the main courtyard.

The servants in the main courtyard moved about hurriedly, yet their actions were orderly amidst the chaos, and everything proceeded smoothly.

"Madam has prepared a very lavish meal; you've put a lot of thought into it! Please sit down and eat."

Han Zhen was only thirty years old and had not yet grown a beard.

The person in front of me has fair skin and slightly upturned eyes. When they look at me, I can feel boundless affection in their eyes.

After all these years, Princess Mingxia was still as dazed as if it were the first time she saw her.

"Madam?" Han Zhen smiled slightly when he saw that she did not move. "Sit down and have your meal first. Go and call Yue Shi and Ling Zhi over as well. It's been a long time since our family has eaten together."

Their eldest son studied at the Imperial Academy and did not return home to live at night.

"It was my oversight. Go and have the two young ladies come over."

Princess Mingxia was beautiful and gentle. Sitting with Han Zhen, she was no longer as sharp as before, but instead gentle and considerate.

Even so, the servants in the main courtyard dared not slack off, for fear that if they made a mistake in their duties, the madam would find an excuse to punish them later.

The aroma of sweet and sour fish was irresistible, and Han Zhen's smile deepened. "It's been so long since I've had sweet and sour fish from my hometown. My wife is so thoughtful."

Princess Mingxia's expression changed instantly, and she looked at the maid serving the dishes with a hint of coldness.

However, she quickly composed herself, and no one noticed.

The maid was later sent to the laundry room, for reasons unknown.

"I'm glad my husband likes it!" Mingxia forced a smile.

This dish was Yan's specialty, and sweet and sour fish had never been served since she married into the family.

Seeing this dish reminded her of the scene of Han Zhen and Yan Shunhua arriving hand in hand.

Back then, anyone who saw them would have exclaimed that they were a perfect couple!

"Dad, Mom, we're here!" Han Lingzhi rushed in, grabbed her chopsticks, and picked up the sweet and sour fish in the center of the table. "This is how Changxing County makes it. It's delicious, I love it!"

Han Lingzhi resembled Princess Mingxia in appearance, and was bright and elegant.

She's a bit unruly, and Princess Mingxia tried to discipline her several times without success, so she simply gave up and let her be.

Normally, it wouldn't seem like anything, but today it was an eyesore to Princess Mingxia.

"The elders haven't even touched their chopsticks yet, and you've already started eating! Don't you have any manners? Wasn't being grounded enough last time? Do you want to do it again?!"

The resentment and indignation she felt just moments before happened to come from Han Lingzhi, giving her an outlet for her frustration.

"Mother, you're just biased towards my sister. You can't stand me starting to eat before she arrives. Last Mid-Autumn Festival, she caused such a huge disaster for the family in the palace, and you treated her leniently and even comforted her. Do you think she's the only one who's your biological daughter, and I'm just an adopted child?"

Han Lingzhi bit her chopsticks, tears welling up in her eyes.

“If Lingzhi is hungry, she can eat first. Madam, don’t be angry. The family should be happy together.”

Han Zhen comforted Han Lingzhi with his eyes, and then began to coax Xu Mingxia.

Han Yueshi entered and immediately sensed the awkward atmosphere. She quickly switched to being the understanding mother, "Mother, with Father around, have you forgotten about us sisters? In your heart, Father is the most important person. If Father is unhappy, we sisters won't get anything good from you. Father, your daughter is so envious..."

In just a few words, Han Zhen expressed Princess Mingxia's usual affection and the sacrifices she had made, and a sense of guilt appeared on his face.

Han Lingzhi slammed down her chopsticks. "I'm full. You all enjoy your meal!"

After saying this, he left the main courtyard with his two head maids.

"This child's temper has been unpredictable ever since he returned from Changxing County. I don't know what happened to him!"

Princess Mingxia rubbed her forehead and complained, "It's all my fault! Yan Family Village is such an unlucky place. If I had known she secretly went there to find good medicinal herbs for us, I would have stopped her."

When Yanjiacun was mentioned, Han Zhen's eyes lost their sparkle.

Han Yueshi, who had been watching closely, quickly tugged at Princess Mingxia's sleeve. "Mother, those who know will understand why you're standing up for Father, but those who don't will think you can't tolerate that younger sister. Outsiders may not know, but I saw it. The courtyard you've prepared for your new sister is so enviable to me and Lingzhi."

“This is something I owe to them, mother and daughter, it’s not something I should owe them. And you sisters, when Cuiyin comes, you should be more accommodating to her. She grew up around those people from the Yan family, I don’t know what she’s become.”

Princess Mingxia wiped away her tears, "My husband is too stingy. He only gave her fifty taels of silver. She's just a young girl and it's her first time seeing so much money. I don't know how she'll squander it."

After a few words from the mother and daughter, Princess Mingxia's gentle and magnanimous image was established, making Han Zhen feel even more guilty.

Taking this opportunity, Han Yueshi hurriedly admitted her mistake:

"Father, I was wrong during the Mid-Autumn Festival. I shouldn't have harbored any thoughts of currying favor with the Third Prince. It's my fault that the Han family didn't take sides..."

"No, Father is overthinking it. The Xu family and the Xu family are connected by blood. Even if we don't take sides, others will still categorize me as belonging to the Third Prince."

Your father originally wanted you to marry into the Duke of Dingguo's mansion. However, the heir apparent was in poor health. It would be good if you married him and gave birth to a son. After the heir apparent passed away, you and your son lived a good life.

Now that Father has changed his mind, it's good that he can enter the Third Prince's residence; the bond will be even stronger, and our Han family can also gain merit for supporting the new emperor."

Han Zhen is now eager to get involved with the Third Prince, so that Xu Tianyun won't take his anger out on the Han family over a maid.

Someone outside relayed a message: "Madam, Granny Zhao has arrived. She says... she says she's here to serve sweet and sour fish."

Granny Zhao was the nanny by Old Madam Han's side. She had the old lady from the countryside completely bewitched. Half a year ago, she gave her daughter to Han Zhen as a concubine. A few days ago, her daughter became pregnant, and Han Zhen promoted that concubine to a mistress.

"Madam, Aunt Zhao really likes this dish from Master's hometown. We served the wrong dish earlier."

Granny Zhao entered with a magnanimous air, bowed, and then asked for the fish that was placed in the center of the table.

"Take it away!" Han Zhen waved his hand. "I'll go see her in a couple of days and tell her to take good care of herself during her pregnancy. She doesn't need to pay her respects every day anymore."

Han Yueshi gave Princess Mingxia a wink, "Father, I'm full, I won't disturb you and Mother anymore."

She left one after the other with Granny Zhao, then quickly took a few steps to stop Granny Zhao. Her eyes glanced at the sweet and sour fish on the plate.

"Granny Zhao, pass on a message to Aunt Zhao: take good care of yourself during your pregnancy to bring good fortune to the child in your womb. Don't think about anything else. That lady from before is a thing of the past."

Do you think you can affect my parents' relationship by using these tricks? Even if they have a rift between them, a concubine is still a concubine, and a son born out of wedlock is still a son born out of wedlock.

My younger brother can study at the Imperial Academy; he's not a spoiled brat. You should give up on your plans.

There are no illegitimate sons in the household. If Aunt Zhao's baby is a boy, he will be taken to the old lady's house to be raised.

Few people in the manor knew about this matter.

Han Yueshi knew this, purely because of her background.

"The fish is getting cold. Quickly take it to Aunt Zhao! Otherwise, she might miss out on food and upset her baby."

After saying all this, Zhao Mama was left standing there, still angry.

The matter was easily exposed, and Granny Zhao lost all will to argue. Her face turned pale and then red, and she returned to Aunt Zhao's courtyard.

As Han Yueshi led her entourage away, her maidservant offered a few words of advice, "Miss, you acted impulsively. If Aunt Zhao gets angry and complains to the Old Madam, you'll be the one who suffers! The Buddhist hall is not a good place."

“She wouldn’t dare! Lady Yan is a thorn in the old lady’s side. If she were smart, she wouldn’t bring it up.”

The events that occurred at the main courtyard gate had already been reported to Princess Mingxia.

Han Yueshi had no intention of hiding anything from the beginning.

“Madam, why don’t we talk for a while and then rest?” Han Zhen said, not allowing any refusal, and led Princess Mingxia to the flower hall. “It’s a pity that Yue Shi didn’t join the royal family.”