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

A gentle female voice rang out, and the women craned their necks to look behind the screen.

Han Cuiyin happened to stop at the screen, and the mother and daughter looked at each other.

After a thousand years, the mother and daughter met for the first time.

"Cuiyin, your face~"

Yan Shunhua was also somewhat taken aback when she first saw him.

She was certain that her daughter only had some redness on her body when she was born. Later, her brother's letters made no mention of her having a dark face; instead, he repeatedly said that Cuiyin resembled her as a child, and was as lovely as jade and snow.

Why does this happen?

Did your elder brother not treat you well?

Yan Shunhua's expression changed several times, and finally her eyes filled with tears, like a clear spring that made people unconsciously fall in love with her.

"Mom's here! It doesn't matter if I'm a little ugly."

Yan Shunhua is stunningly beautiful; even after all these years, she still looks like a young woman in her late teens.

As soon as she appeared, everyone's eyes were drawn to her again.

Han Cuiyin was momentarily stunned.

Things are getting more and more unexpected.

She had just tried to take the opportunity to leave the Han family to avoid being discovered and captured by Lianyao.

Now it's not so easy to leave.

Her mother didn't appear before her until three years later.

Back then, her mother's clothes weren't as fancy; they were very simple, and her appearance wasn't as radiant as it is now.

In their past life, when the mother and daughter first met, both were in dire straits.

This time, her mother was dressed in an air of nobility.

Han Cuiyin turned her head away, dodging Yan Shunhua's hand, "Mother, where have you been all these days since you disappeared?"

"We'll have to ask Mrs. Han about that!"

Yan Shunhua looked up and stared directly at Princess Mingxia.

However, she lost her previous gentleness, and her eyes became sharp.

Everyone turned to look at the person in the main seat.

There weren't many elders who came to offer their congratulations this time. The older ones dined with Madam Han in the inner room, rather than in these pavilions.

The lady, who had previously been at odds with Princess Mingxia, made no attempt to hide it, and openly smirked as she watched Princess Mingxia make a fool of herself.

"How would I know where you went? You're not a concubine in this household, how could I possibly control where you go?"

Princess Mingxia placed her hands under the dining table and vigorously rubbed the handkerchief in her hands.

She thought she was well-maintained, but Yan Shunhua's sudden appearance made her pale in comparison.

"Oh? You don't know? Should I bring up the person who came to pick me up that day?" Yan Shunhua's face was cold, and her aura was no less imposing than that of Princess Mingxia.

After hearing these words, Princess Mingxia's expression changed several times.

The ladies present—which family doesn't have a few troublesome concubines? They're also very good at manipulating people's hearts.

The way Princess Mingxia reacted after being refuted on the spot—no one would believe there wasn't something fishy going on.

Why didn't you take action in the previous ten years or so, but now you're doing it now? Is it because you think Han Zhen's career is going too smoothly?

There were also those with quick minds who hoped this matter would become a big deal, ideally to the point that the whole palace knew about it.

At that time, it's still uncertain who will hold the position of cabinet minister!

At this point, someone started stirring things up, saying, "After all these years, Madam Yan's charm remains unchanged, even more so than before. She still looks like a young girl of sixteen or seventeen."

It was Xu Yanran who threw the bowl and hit this lady. She couldn't swallow her anger and was praising Yan Shunhua excessively in her tone.

After she finished speaking, she glanced at Princess Mingxia and said, "Princess Mingxia has been managing the inner quarters for many years, and you have to take care of the concubines and illegitimate children in the house. It must have been quite tiring."

The others could only admire the man's courage, for daring to get involved in such a situation.

Princess Mingxia naturally understood what this person meant, but she gave her a cold look and said, "Guards, throw this person and her husband out. They are not allowed to set foot in the Han residence again."

The Han family held a banquet, but it only lasted one day, as they didn't want to be too high-profile.

This woman's family were imperial merchants, and her husband was the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.

Princess Mingxia was not about to swallow this insult, even if the censor impeached her tomorrow.

Otherwise, anyone could take a jab at her, and where would she put her dignity?

With the help of people from the Xu Prince's mansion, the brocade-clad men threw the couple out.

Han Zhen rushed over from the study, accompanied by Mo Changdao and Xu Tianyun.

He had only just heard about the commotion here.

What started as a quarrel between juniors, with neither willing to back down, escalated into this situation in such a short time, much to his surprise.

Princess Mingxia is very capable and manages the affairs of the inner quarters very well, never causing him any worry.

Ever since she tried to bring Cuiyin back last year, she has made a series of foolish moves.

Out of consideration for the Xu family, Han Zhen couldn't say anything, and only asked Old Madam Han to give them a slight reprimand.

Unfortunately, Madam Han had two other sons to worry about, and Princess Mingxia managed to appease her with some favors.

Today, they almost caused a major disaster.

Han Song had already explained the situation regarding the women to him in detail.

The daughter raised outside the household is indeed less troublesome than the one kept in the manor, and she also lacks manners.

Yan Shunhua had her back to the courtyard gate, so Han Zhen did not recognize her.

He walked straight to Han Cuiyin's side and said, "Ever since you came to the capital, there has been no peace at home. If you really like Yanjiacun, I will send someone to send you back soon. Your father can't afford to cause you any more trouble."

Han Cuiyin didn't speak, but gave him a meaningful look.

"Your father will prepare a generous dowry for you. As long as you don't squander the money after you get married, you can live a good life."

Han Zhen thought Han Cuiyin didn't want to leave, so he quickly added more conditions.

"Lord Han, since you look down on her so much, why don't you write a contract to sever your father-daughter relationship? From now on, we shall never see each other again."

Yan Shunhua slowly turned around and looked directly into Han Zhen's eyes.

More than a decade ago, she also enjoyed looking into Han Zhen's eyes, but now, when they meet again, there is no longer any affection in her eyes.

Han Zhen swayed and took a few steps back, but Han Song reacted quickly and caught him.

"Shunhua, you're back? You...you came by yourself?"

“Lord Han, our past is over. Please do not call me by my maiden name. Please call me Madam Zhao.”

Yan Shunhua remained indifferent, not avoiding Han Zhen's gaze, and appeared completely open and honest under everyone's watchful eyes.

"Madam Zhao? You...remarried?"

"You're allowed to marry someone else but I'm not? Fine, I'm not here to reminisce. I'm taking Cuiyin with me. Let's write a deed severing ties. There are so many people here to witness it."

Princess Mingxia couldn't sit still any longer. She walked over to Han Zhen in a few steps, took his hand, and said, "Alright! I'll write it now."

"Wait! You can't take away the descendants of my Han family. We absolutely will not write this severance agreement."

Old Madam Han came out of the inner room and hurried over, supporting Han Yueshi's arm.

When Princess Mingxia saw this, she glared fiercely at her beloved daughter, feeling a chill run down her spine.

"You have not conceived a child for many years, so it is only right that our Han family divorces you. Now that you are married, do not come here again, lest you tarnish my son's reputation."

Madam Han looked Yan Shunhua up and down, curious about her current identity. "Your years of practicing at Suyue Nunnery were a pretense; you actually remarried long ago."

"Madam, put away your filthy thoughts! My remarriage is also thanks to your good daughter-in-law."

Yan Shunhua had long lost her former gentleness, and Madam Han's attempt to intimidate her with her power was completely ineffective.

Han Cuiyin acted as if she were an outsider, letting them dictate her story.

"Aren't you going to help your black girl?" The Fourth Prince moved closer to Luo Jingqian and nudged him with his elbow.

"With so many court officials present, we should be more cautious."

Luo Jingqian did not answer directly. He stood in the sunlight with a bamboo umbrella, looking through the screen as if trying to see through the other side.

A gentle breeze seemed to blow towards Han Yueshi, causing her hair to fly in all directions.

No one noticed the commotion except Han Cuiyin, who was watching and trying to make a move in secret, but was interrupted by Princess Mingxia.

"Why did you come back? Wouldn't it have been better to leave obediently? I heard you were rescued by bandits, you—"

Before Princess Mingxia could finish speaking, a palm print was thrown from mid-air, causing her to fall to the ground, unable to get up. Han Zhen was also pulled down by the blow.

Yan Shunhua's eyes lit up with surprise, "Husband!"