[What’s going on? It’s morning—did that scumbag father spend the night here?? No way! They’re about to divorce, and he’s still trying to cozy up to my mother??]

Lin Yuxin looked at her scumbag father, running through all sorts of suspicions in her mind.

“Xinxin, you’re here! Come, sit down. We’ll leave after breakfast.”

Zhao Hanya quickly spoke up to interrupt her daughter’s thoughts.

If she let her keep thinking, she might even suspect there was a fifth child on the way.

Right now, just looking at Lin Xiongan made her feel disgusted.

There was no way she’d still be involved with him.

“Yes!”

Lin Yuxin snapped out of her thoughts, stepped forward, and formally greeted Lin Xiongan with a symbolic bow.

“Father!”

“Hmph!”

Lin Xiongan didn’t think much of this daughter, so he didn’t even bother to look at her properly.

He simply snorted and spoke coldly to Zhao Hanya:

“It’s settled, then. Do not bring up the matter of divorce again during this period.”

After saying this, he flicked his sleeves and walked out without looking back.

Lin Yuxin blinked, watching him leave, then curiously asked Zhao Hanya:

“Mother, was he here because of the divorce? What did he say?”

“What else? He said the imperial banquet is coming up, and he doesn’t want to create a scandal that might displease the Emperor. He wants to wait until after the banquet to discuss it again.”

Zhao Hanya calmly continued eating.

“Mother, don’t worry. He won’t be able to delay for long.”

Seeing that her mother wasn’t in a bad mood, Lin Yuxin felt reassured.

After finishing breakfast, the mother and daughter set out on their journey.

Half an hour later, at the entrance of the Grand General’s Manor—

As they stepped down from the carriage with the help of servants, Lin Yuxin looked up at the imposing plaque that read Grand General of the Nation’s Manor and suddenly felt a deep sense of respect.

The Zhao family had a history of loyalty and heroism.

Zhao Shijie had come from humble beginnings.

Because of poverty, he joined the army and, after surviving countless battles, earned the title of Grand General.

Later, he contributed to the Emperor’s rise to power and was honored with the title Grand General of the Nation.

Zhao Shijie had five sons and one daughter:

The eldest son, Zhao Yingbo, died in battle ten years ago, leaving behind his wife, Shi Hui, and two sons, Zhao Chenxi and Zhao Chenxuan.

The second son, Zhao Yingfeng, survived but was crippled in the same battle that claimed his elder brother. He had been bedridden for ten years. His wife was Chen Lanzhi, and they had a son, Zhao Chendong.

The third son, Zhao Yingwen, was born prematurely and was physically weak. Instead of pursuing martial arts, he took the civil service examination three times, but each attempt was thwarted by mysterious incidents. His wife was Qian Li, and they had two sons, Zhao Chenhai and Zhao Chenfeng.

The fourth and fifth sons, Zhao Yinglan and Zhao Yingshu, were still unmarried and currently serving under Zhao Shijie in the military.

The only daughter was Zhao Hanya, Lin Yuxin’s mother.

Zhao Hanya had been the most beloved child of the Zhao family, but due to a conspiracy, she had been forced to marry Lin Xiongan.

Though heartbroken, the Zhao family had secretly helped her as much as they could over the years. Without their assistance, there was no way Lin Xiongan would have climbed to the position of Minister.

Lin Yuxin collected her thoughts and followed Zhao Hanya inside.

When they entered the reception hall, it was already filled with people. At the head of the room sat an elderly couple.

The old man looked stern, but there was a flicker of joy in his eyes—he was clearly pleased with Lin Yuxin’s arrival.

Beside him, the old lady had a much kinder and more welcoming demeanor.

Lin Yuxin glanced at the crowd and felt a bit overwhelmed.

[So many people in my maternal family? This feels like a grand trial! The two elders sitting up there must be my grandfather and grandmother. Grandfather looks so serious, but Grandmother seems much easier to talk to.]

Zhao Shijie furrowed his brows. Just now… what was that sound?

“Grandfather?”

There was only one person here who would call him that.

Zhao Shijie glanced at the younger generation in the room.

None of them seemed like the source of that voice. But the voice had clearly been female.

His sharp gaze landed on Lin Yuxin, who was walking toward them.

[Why is Grandfather staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?]

Lin Yuxin felt a bit uneasy under the gaze of a man who had been through countless battles, but only for a moment.

She had the soul of a modern person—she deeply respected soldiers, so any fear was negligible.

Zhao Shijie’s sharp eyes flashed with intrigue.

“Father, Mother, I’ve brought Xinxin to see you!”

Zhao Hanya led Lin Yuxin forward and introduced her.

“Xinxin, greet them!”

Following her mother’s cue, Lin Yuxin sweetly called out:

“Greetings, Grandfather! Greetings, Grandmother!”

“Good, good! What a good child. You have suffered all these years, but now you’re home, and that’s all that matters.”

Fang Lan, the old lady, was immediately fond of Lin Yuxin. She reached out with her wrinkled hands and held Lin Yuxin’s tightly, her voice filled with emotion.

“Grandmother, I haven’t suffered! I’m back now, aren’t I?]

Lin Yuxin smiled as her grandmother enthusiastically pulled her closer.

[Grandmother is so warm and welcoming. I like her! Hehe. But Grandfather still hasn’t said a word. Does he not like me? If he didn’t, why would he call me back?]

Lin Yuxin peeked at Zhao Shijie, only to meet his stern gaze head-on.

She froze for a moment but then quickly flashed him a bright, sweet smile.

[No matter what, Grandfather is a hero. I can’t let him intimidate me! I have a mission to accomplish during this visit, so I won’t let Grandfather scare me away. Stay strong!]

At that moment, Fang Lan also turned to look at Zhao Shijie. Seeing his stiff expression, she immediately raised her hand and gave him a slap.

Slap!

“You old thing, why are you sitting there with a sour face? Xinxin has finally come home, and if you scare her away, you can sleep in the woodshed tonight!”

“W-What? When was I ever sour-faced?! Can’t you at least save me some dignity in front of the children?”

Zhao Shijie, who had been slapped, instantly lost his imposing aura.

He grumbled in protest, but his tone had completely softened.

Lin Yuxin was stunned.

[Wow! Are all Zhao family women this fierce? Grandfather is actually henpecked? Hahaha!]

Zhao Shijie and Zhao Hanya both heard her thoughts.

One looked embarrassed, while the other struggled to hold back laughter.

The rest of the family, however, seemed completely unfazed—it was a daily occurrence for their father and grandfather to be scolded by their mother and grandmother.

Lin Yuxin was then introduced to her many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

“Eldest Aunt, Second Aunt, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Fourth Uncle, Fifth Uncle, Eldest Cousin, Second Cousin, Third Cousin, Fourth Cousin, and Little Cousin!”

After greeting them all, her head was spinning. She hadn’t even remembered their names, only their rankings and titles.

“Ahh! So many people! Having a big family is great, but it’s too much to remember!”

Zhao Hanya sighed helplessly. It was indeed a lot for her daughter to take in on her first visit.

“It’s fine. If you can’t remember now, just come back a few more times, and you’ll get used to it.”

She reassured Lin Yuxin softly.

“Yes, Mother!”

Lin Yuxin readily agreed.