As evening fell, Yan Wan finished her meal and lay on the rocking chair, watching the sunset and feeling the gentle breeze. Fruits were laid out on the table next to her, and the sunset shone on her, making her seem to glow.

"Miss, I've heard some interesting stories about the Jing family. I wonder if you'd be interested in hearing them?" Gu Yu said jokingly.

"You little rascal, Guyu, stop keeping me in suspense! Tell me already, let's make your young lady happy." Yan Wan said as she picked up a melon from the table, where the onlookers were already in position.

"Miss, you have no idea how much trouble Miss Jing Xi has caused in the Jing family these past two days. I heard that the concubine in the Jing family fell seriously ill, so Master Jing went to invite the imperial physician. When the physician took a look, he said that it was not a serious illness at all, but a serious injury from being beaten."

"And then there's Jing Lian'er, she was beaten so badly she was barely human. People living near the Jing residence say they hear Jing Lian'er crying every day. I heard that Miss Jing Xi dislikes Jing Lian'er for being so unlucky with her constant crying, so she makes Jing Lian'er get up at six o'clock every day to do some kind of morning exercise, run three kilometers at noon, and copy 'Women's Rules' and 'Women's Precepts' in the ancestral hall at night."

"Now that the concubine of the Jing family has fallen, Jing Lian'er is being suppressed, and the power to manage the Jing family has also fallen into the hands of Miss Jing Xi. It seems that Miss Jing Xi and her siblings are not the same as before." Gu Yu said with great interest, as if it were a very rare and unheard-of event that had shattered her previous understanding.

Yan Wan thought to herself, "As expected of a mercenary, the female lead's decisive and ruthless personality is exactly as described in the book. She's just as charming as ever. Wonderful! It seems the Hundred Flowers Banquet will be even more lively, and the capital will no longer be boring."

During the Hundred Flowers Banquet, the female protagonist accepted challenges from all the noble ladies of the capital, winning in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and martial arts. She not only broke off her engagement with the Vice Minister of Revenue, but also won the attention of the first, second, and third male leads, arousing their interest.

"Yes, those two siblings will make something of themselves sooner or later. They've suffered for so many years, it's pitiful. Now, their suffering has finally come to an end," Yan Wan said with emotion.

"By the way, Miss, there are some rumors circulating in the capital today. It's said that His Highness Prince Han has returned." Gu Yu said, her expression showing alarm.

"Oh? Prince Han is back, Ji Mo Han? Gu Yu, why do you look like that when you mention him? Isn't he a prince too?"

"Miss, you don't know this, but although His Highness Prince Han is handsome, imposing, and dignified, he is cold, tyrannical, and indifferent to women. I heard that once a woman came within three meters of him, she was executed. In short, His Highness Prince Han is terrifying." Gu Yu advised her young lady not to get close to Prince Han.

"Hahahaha, Gu Yu, is it really that serious? Maybe he's tough on the outside but soft on the inside."

“Miss, I’m telling you the truth. His Highness Prince Han went to the battlefield at the age of twelve and won many battles. After being enfeoffed as a king at the age of fifteen, he has been stationed on the frontier ever since. His martial arts skills are extremely high, and he can kill without shedding blood. Miss, you should stay away from him.” Gu Yu anxiously advised Yan Wan.

"But I think he's great. He's skilled in martial arts, handsome, capable, loyal to the emperor and patriotic, protecting the people from the ravages of war. Most importantly, he's not interested in women, which proves he's pure. I like him, Miss." Yan Wan stood up with a smile and walked into the house. The sun had set; it was time to sleep.

"Oh dear, Miss, listen to me..." The voice trailed off...

In a corner unseen by anyone, a dark figure flashed past and left the Yan residence.

Prince Han's Mansion

"She really said that?" The person sitting in the main seat stared at the guard on the ground with dark eyes. His eyes were unfathomable, and his angular face looked even more handsome in the candlelight.

"Absolutely true, I heard it clearly."

"That's interesting. Alright, go down now." Ji Mohan smiled, his expression becoming even more wicked.

"Looks like our little Hanhan has already got admirers as soon as she arrived in the capital. Why don't I have anyone who likes me? I'm so jealous." A handsome young man with captivating fox-like eyes, standing next to the main seat, spoke up.

"Get out!" Ji Mohan lifted his leg and walked towards the bedroom.

"Oh dear, Hanhan, don't be angry."

"Bang!" The fox-like boy following behind was turned away.