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

This year's Qixi Festival is destined to be unforgettable.

This night was marked by both the Qixi Festival (a traditional Chinese festival for women to pray for skill in needlework) and fires.

There was laughter and joy, but also heavy casualties.

Tonight is the most special night since the founding of the Great Ye Dynasty.

Han Cuiyin and her entourage traveled in two carriages to the residence of Princess Jinghe.

Qingshan only mentioned the words "land deed," and Han Cuiyin immediately understood.

Luo Jingqian is quite reliable; he only brought it up in the middle of the night, and now he's already resolving the matter.

In her previous life, she encouraged herself by listening to the stories of Princess Jinghe, but unfortunately, she never met her.

It is said that after her husband's death, the princess was heartbroken and refused to see anyone.

Even on their wedding day, Princess Jinghe only sent a gift and did not show up.

This matter has always been a regret for Han Cuiyin.

After all, Princess Jinghe had helped her out of a predicament in her previous life, and was one of the few people who helped her.

Now that they are about to meet, she doesn't know whether she's excited or timid, but she can't calm down.

"Is your young master alright?"

Han Cuiyin recalled that Luo Jingqian's spiritual power was exhausted tonight and he had also been ambushed by Lian Yao. She was a little worried, but in her heart she was thinking about how to steer the conversation toward Princess Jinghe.

"The young master is alright, but the princess and the two young ladies were frightened, and the young master is a little worried."

Qingshan's tone remained flat; he was focused on driving the carriage and completely unaware of Han Cuiyin's ulterior motives.

"Are we going to the Duke of Dingguo's residence? Not the Grand Princess's residence?"

Han Cuiyin lifted the carriage curtain and naturally recognized that this road led to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

She had walked through it just three hours ago.

"The Grand Princess is at the Duke of Dingguo's residence, so naturally we'll go there to see her."

Qingshan noticed the roadblock ahead but didn't pay it any mind.

"Why is the Grand Princess at the Duke's mansion so late?"

Han Cuiyin was surprised. In her previous life, the Grand Princess rarely left the palace and always stayed with her husband, who was said to be seriously ill.

"The servants thought something had happened to the Duchess and went to the palace to report it, and that's when the Grand Princess arrived."

Qingshan had no doubts; with just one sentence, he revealed a great deal of information.

Princess Jinghe was once the regent princess, overseeing the country for many years.

His relationship with the emperor was never tense; he simply didn't have many friends among the concubines in the harem, so it was certainly not a time for him to be chatting with them so late.

Han Cuiyin frowned, wondering what important event had occurred in the Daye Dynasty that would trouble a princess who hadn't been to the palace for many years to go there.

During the day, Emperor Chu Yuan was cheerful and showed no displeasure.

Could it be... something about that carefree prince?

What is the background of this carefree prince, and why does Emperor Chuyuan attach so much importance to him?

At the Han residence, no matter how much Emperor Chu Yuan tried to conceal it, he could not hide the anxiety in his heart.

Her mother remarried, which meant she married into trouble.

"Stop the car! Routine inspection, sorry!"

The officers standing next to Han Zhen stopped their two carriages.

"Where are you going in the middle of the night, a young woman all alone?"

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Han Cuiyin's dark face.

When Han Zhen saw that it was her sitting in the car, his face fell, and he put on his fatherly airs.

"If I don't leave now, I'll be beaten to death by Princess Mingxia's servants! Am I supposed to wait for my mother to collect my body?"

When Han Cuiyin saw him, her words were barbed.

The misfortunes of the mother and daughter were brought about by the youngest Grand Secretary of the Great Ye Dynasty.

"What do you mean? Being alone with someone, a man and a woman, in the middle of the night, don't you care what people think!"

Han Zhen was busy dealing with the fire on Changjie Street and comforting the families of the victims.

Among those injured or killed were the masters of powerful and wealthy families.

He handled it with great care.

Standing in this position, I truly understand the meaning of "the higher you climb, the colder it gets."

"Lord Han! I am Qingshan, a guard by Prince Luo's side. This time, Princess Jinghe has summoned Miss Yang. Please rest assured, nothing will happen."

Aoyama answered in a measured and respectful manner.

In the carriage behind, Shi Yun approached Han Zhen with the Grand Princess's token in hand. "Lord Han, what is the meaning of this?"

Having been stopped, Shi Yun was already impatient.

Princess Jinghe sent her to invite Miss Yang that very night, so it must be an urgent matter that couldn't be delayed.

Han Zhen recognized Shi Yun; this was the maid who had been by the Grand Princess's side all these years.

Granny Chu also got off the carriage, half-smiling and half-mocking, "Lord Han, don't just focus on your duties. If things aren't stable in the inner quarters, the censors can easily find fault with you."

What happened tonight?

Han Zhen was always perceptive and naturally understood the meaning behind their words.

He glanced at Han Cuiyin, his eyes narrowing. "Who would dare to hit you?"

"Lord Han, can't you investigate? Why aren't you letting them through? Do you want the Grand Princess to have a chat with you?"

Han Cuiyin was too lazy to pay him any attention.

A person obsessed with promotions won't care how good-looking someone is.

I wonder if Princess Mingxia has any regrets right now.

Han Cuiyin unconsciously compared Han Zhen to the carefree prince, and felt only pity for this biological father.

If they hadn't gone to the capital for the imperial examination that day, Han Zhen and Yan Shunhua would probably have been a loving couple.

It's a pity that good luck tricks people.

After letting them pass, Han Zhen gave a few instructions to the guards beside him, and then continued to deal with these miscellaneous matters.

......

Dingguo Gongfu.

This time they entered through the side gate and did not disembark from the carriage.

Upon arriving at the main courtyard, it was brightly lit.

The servants came and went in an orderly manner.

Shi Yun came down and said respectfully, "Miss Yang, please go in by yourself. The Grand Princess is waiting for you in the flower hall."

After saying that, she led Granny Gao and Gao Xiaolan to a side room to wait.

Granny Chu went directly to the main room where the Duchess of the State was.

In the end, only green hills remained.

"Miss Yang, please go in first. The young master will be there soon."

After saying this, Qingshan also slipped away.

Han Cuiyin stood there, looking completely bewildered.

The servants passing by only glanced at her, bowed, and hurried away to attend to their own duties.

Han Cuiyin was even more confused.

These people weren't afraid of her dark face; instead, they were more curious.

The Duke of Dingguo's mansion was much larger than the Han mansion, but she could walk to the wrong place even with her eyes closed.

Having visited the main courtyard and flower hall a thousand times in my past life, I now enter with complete ease.

There was no one else there, only a noblewoman sitting there.

The lights were dim, and only a faint silhouette could be seen.

So this must be Princess Jinghe.

"This humble woman, Yang Cuiyin, greets the Grand Princess."

Han Cuiyin knelt down to pay her respects, this time willingly.

"Get up, no need for formalities."

A soft, pleasant voice rang out, making people forget their tension.

After Han Cuiyin stood up, she looked up and froze.

The person before her was exactly the same as her master, who had been with her in the world of immortality for nearly a thousand years.

Overwhelmed with emotion, the title slipped out: "Master~"

Princess Jinghe didn't hear her clearly, "Miss Yang, what did you say?"

"The Grand Princess is indeed like Guanyin reborn, kind and gentle." Han Cuiyin suppressed the turmoil in her heart and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "This humble woman was momentarily amazed, please forgive me, Grand Princess."

"It seems that Miss Yang is not as likable as the rumors suggest."

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness."

The two exchanged only a few pleasantries before getting down to business.

"Miss Yang, Jingqian said you want to use Qingshuang Mountain to repay the debt of saving your life. Do you know that Qingshuang Mountain is Jingqian's life?"

"I don't know what the secret is," Han Cuiyin shook her head. She didn't know what the Grand Princess meant, so she could only tell the truth.

"In the cold pool between the two peaks of Qingshuang Mountain, there is a piece of ancient ice that has lasted for ten thousand years. It was brought back from the far north by Jingqian's maternal grandfather at the cost of his life."

"Grandmother, why didn't you call me over when you were talking to Miss Yang?"

Luo Jingqian had changed his clothes and was wearing a white jade crown. He strode in.