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

Han Cuiyin slept well. After waking up, she stretched and her right hand accidentally poked Luo Jingqian's mask.

"Why are you wearing a mask in the carriage? It's not like I haven't seen your face before!"

She took the opportunity to tear off the mask.

"Your face... how did it get like this? It looks even worse than mine! I was perfectly fine that night, what happened?"

In her previous life, Han Cuiyin only got married and didn't spend time alone with Luo Jingqian, so she didn't know what his face looked like afterward.

Even with her eyes, which had seen countless beauties and handsome men, she had to admit that Luo Jingqian's appearance was the most outstanding.

The reason I rescued the person in the Pinglian Mountains that day was also because of my reputation.

Because of the limitations imposed by her sect, she couldn't live as freely as Qingyun, but that didn't stop her from appreciating beautiful things.

Luo Jingqian's face was covered with red bumps, some of which had become infected.

He didn't know if he didn't react in time or if he was too careless with Han Cuiyin, but Han Cuiyin just ripped off his mask.

"Scared? You look like a monster!" He chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Give it to me!"

"Your Highness, are you alright?"

Qingshan slowed down, wanting to stop.

"It's alright, let's keep going!" Luo Jingqian put on his mask, concealing his distress.

"It's alright! Wouldn't I look even more frightening? So what? I've been beautiful for over ten years, and suddenly I've become so dark, but I'm not discouraged."

Han Cuiyin was unaware of his situation and could only offer dry words of comfort based on her own experiences.

"Your dark complexion is just due to the cultivation technique, but this is an illness that cannot be cured."

"What else do you... know?" Han Cuiyin's attack was swift and ruthless, her right hand already gripping Luo Jingqian's neck.

"I know you're trying to play dumb to get back at the Han family. I know you don't want to acknowledge your ancestors, and you don't want to get married..."

Luo Jingqian recited each point, and they all matched perfectly.

"How did you know?" Han Cuiyin's hand tightened. "Don't think that just because you have martial arts skills, you can resist absolute power."

The leader of Changji Village has already spoken about the Longevity Diagram.

She now has to suspect that Luo Jingqian went to the Pinglian Mountains for the Longevity Diagram.

By a twist of fate, he arrived at Yan Family Village and was even asked to take the items away.

Han Cuiyin never forces opportunities.

But this opportunity slipped away right under her nose, and the man figured her out completely. Anyone would be unable to remain calm in that situation.

"Miss Yang, please be gentle. My skin is very delicate; even a light press will leave a bruise."

Han Cuiyin withdrew her hand in disgust, "A grown man, more delicate than a girl."

She was just testing the waters.

"What happened to your cultivation technique? It was so powerful just a few days ago, how come it's all gone today?"

Han Cuiyin thought it was because her skills had improved, but after checking just now, she realized that this person was the problem.

"Young Master, why don't we rest for a bit, and I'll go hunt some game?"

After Qingshan finished speaking, he left them behind and told the Han family to rest before continuing their journey.

This was the first time he had ever seen his junior brother with a girl. He hadn't expected them to go this far. His junior brother was so indiscriminate in his desires. He even blushed when he heard the sounds they made.

The two people in the carriage had no idea that Aoyama would come up with these ideas.

No one dared to approach this carriage. The Duke of Dingguo's heir was known throughout the capital for his unpredictable temper and frequent beatings and scoldings of his servants.

Even though he was of noble birth and came from a top-tier aristocratic family, no one wanted to marry their daughter to him, especially since he had a strange illness.

The Han family also avoided them like the plague.

Some people who had previously resented Han Cuiyin for marrying into a wealthy family are now secretly overjoyed.

The frustration in Da Ni's heart dissipated somewhat at this moment.

The redness and swelling on her face didn't go down even after rolling six eggs on it.

Jin Yi had secretly observed Wang Mama several times and assumed that she was the one who had hit Da Ni.

The three of them hadn't spoken a word the whole way. Now that they were resting, they got off the carriage and found a shady spot to relieve themselves while waiting to eat.

Granny Wang couldn't hold back any longer and walked up to Jin Yi. "Miss Jin Yi, the master wants our eldest daughter to marry the heir of the Duke of Dingguo. I think that dark-skinned girl inside is quite good. Our eldest daughter deserves better."

“Wang Mama, the affairs of our masters are not something we servants should interfere with. Instead of wasting time gossiping here, why don’t you go and lend them a hand so we can return to the capital sooner?”

Jin Yi hates her mother-in-law tormenting her daughter-in-law the most; that's how her own mother died.

Granny Wang broke off the engagement and even hit someone last night, yet she's acting like nothing happened. Jin Yi finds this distasteful.

If Han Cuiyin saw this scene, she would be happy to watch the show, but right now she is busy interrogating Luo Jingqian.

Luo Jingqian is now completely defenseless. Han Cuiyin has struck one of his pressure points, causing him to sneeze incessantly.

"Tell me! How do you know about my affairs?"

His folding fan twirled beautifully in Han Cuiyin's hands.

"Achoo! I...I said...Achoo!"

He had specially trained his laughing and crying points, so Han Cuiyin couldn't do anything with him and came up with this method.

"Speak! If you don't tell the truth, I'll let you continue to enjoy yourself. You're powerless to fight back now, and no matter how capable you are, you can't use them. Cooperate well to avoid suffering."

Han Cuiyin snapped her fingers, and Luo Jingqian returned to normal.

"It's actually quite simple. I already found out how you were doing in Yan Family Village before I left. Your face only started turning black after you fell into a trap in the mountains; I think you must have had some extraordinary encounter..."

Luo Jingqian stared intently at Han Cuiyin, carefully observing her changing expressions.

These are just wild guesses. How could this person deduce so much? She still misjudged him in Yan Family Village.

“Miss Yang, your plan is good, but those people in the capital are not like the old ladies in your village. If they can do things without leaving a trace, then the performance will be a bit over the top.”

Han Cuiyin pursed her lips. "Are you saying I'm pretending to be innocent, no, that I'm presenting myself as pure and cute?"

“If you were to regain the appearance you had when we met on the river, that would be fine, but now,” Luo Jingqian looked her up and down, “it won’t work! Your sisters’ cries can evoke people’s pity, but with your dark face, people will only feel bad for you.”

People love beautiful things, and they are more tolerant of anything that is even remotely beautiful.

"There are only so many methods in the inner quarters, why don't you try a different approach?"

Luo Jingqian's words struck a chord with Han Cuiyin; she didn't want to be some kind of innocent, naive girl either.

She would prefer any other way.

In the realm of immortals, might makes right, but things are different here.

"You mean by taking a different approach? What do you mean by that?"

Han Cuiyin waited for Luo Jingqian to come up with a solution.

"I can offer suggestions, but then can my breaking the promise be considered settled?"

Luo Jingqian had a pimple-covered face, but his bright smile caught Han Cuiyin's eye.

“Okay!” She hadn’t taken it to heart at first, since she could get the money back herself anyway.

This time, it's the old fox in front of us who's coming up with the idea, which is the best deal ever.

Only after the two reached an agreement did Luo Jingqian begin to speak.

"Do you know that the methods used in the inner quarters of the capital are limited to only a few types—"

"I know that. For example, if she sets her sights on a certain young master, she might fall into the water and wait for him to save her; or, for instance, a concubine's daughter might be interested in marrying a legitimate daughter, and develop feelings for the legitimate daughter's fiancé beforehand..."

Luo Jingqian listened patiently until the end, then couldn't help but say, "What nonsense! It's all crooked and evil. Haven't these people thought about what others will think of her after she marries into the family? Even the most clever scheme will leave traces. Do they really think those women from the clan are fools?"

Han Cuiyin gave an awkward smile. This was all she had seen in her past life. There was nothing more exciting than eavesdropping.

"Your Highness, let's eat!"

At that moment, Qingshan called out from outside the door.

"Never mind, let's eat first, I'll talk to you on the way." Luo Jingqian pointed to his head, "Read less storybooks, or you'll become stupid."

Han Cuiyin noticed a corner of the storybook peeking out from her sleeve, and angrily put it away. "You're the stupid one! I'd like to see what kind of nonsense you can come up with."

The inner quarters are nothing more than this; it's all about vying for favor and resources.

......

Beijing.

Princess Mingxia took Han Yueshi back to her parents' home. Outside the beaded curtain of the carriage, people would occasionally point and whisper about them.

"Go and find out what's going on. These people seem to be laughing at us."

Princess Mingxia immediately gave the order.

Han Yueshi was preoccupied and didn't notice.

She came here for no reason, and we can't let her fall into that pit of fire again. We must stop her this time.