Lin Xiong’an was also frightened by Zhao Hanya’s outburst.

His expression changed, and he said ingratiatingly:

“Hanya, why are you so angry? I was just disappointed in Yuxin and said those things out of frustration. Don’t take it seriously! Yuxin is my daughter too—how could I not care for her?”

“Besides, Yuxin just came back, so let’s not bring up the matter of divorce anymore. We don’t want to make a joke of ourselves in front of the children. Don’t you understand my heart?”

【Ugh! Disgusting! I feel like throwing up! What a shameless man—how can he even say such words? Your so-called heart has been fed to the dogs! If it weren’t for you and that mistress conspiring to drug my mother’s wine, forcing her into a relationship and using public pressure to make her marry you, do you think a low-ranking official like you could have ever married the daughter of a great general?】

【And after all these years, you’ve climbed your way up to a minister’s position! You must have taken full advantage of the general’s family resources!】

Lin Yuxin rolled her eyes internally and complained in her heart.

Zhao Hanya, who had been trying to calm herself down, was suddenly overwhelmed by fury after hearing Lin Yuxin’s thoughts.

Her vision darkened, and she collapsed backward.

Lin Yuxin immediately reached out to support Zhao Hanya.

“Mother, are you okay?”

“Mother!”

Lin Shaoyang also rushed over anxiously and helped hold Zhao Hanya up.

Without drawing attention, Lin Yuxin pressed a few acupuncture points on her mother, and gradually, Zhao Hanya regained consciousness.

Supported by Lin Yuxin, she finally came to her senses.

Looking at the man she had been blind to for so many years, she suddenly felt disgusted.

She took a deep breath and said coldly to Lin Xiong’an:

“Master, I also spoke out of anger just now. But Yuxin is my daughter, and I won’t allow anyone to insult her. As her father, you should know better than to belittle her. Let’s leave it at that for today. I will take Yuxin away now.”

With that, Zhao Hanya left with Lin Yuxin and Lin Shaoyang supporting her.

Lin Xiong’an stood there, his face dark, staring at Zhao Hanya’s departing figure with an unreadable expression.

“Father! Look at them…!”

Lin Qianqian gritted her teeth and stomped her foot in frustration, calling out to her father.

“Enough! Don’t stir up trouble anymore. The dowry hasn’t been secured yet—bear with it for now!”

Lin Xiong’an, having been humiliated by his wife, was already in a foul mood.

He had no patience to comfort Lin Qianqian.

With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and left.

Lin Qianqian stood in place, seething with resentment.

..

Zhao Hanya brought Lin Yuxin and Lin Shaoyang back to her courtyard and had the servants bring some food.

“Eat up. You didn’t get to eat much earlier.”

She placed a piece of meat in Lin Yuxin’s bowl, speaking gently.

“Mother, you should eat too! You didn’t eat much either.”

Sensing that her mother was in a low mood, Lin Yuxin picked up a piece of food and placed it in Zhao Hanya’s bowl.

“Alright, let’s eat together.”

【Sigh, looks like that scumbag father really hurt Mother’s feelings. Should I give him a little lesson tonight? Shave his head bald? Or throw a sack over him and beat him up? Or maybe sneak into his room and drug him while he’s… occupied… make him impotent so he can’t mess around anymore? Hmm, that sounds like a great idea!】

As Lin Yuxin ate, she plotted how to deal with her scumbag father that night.

Hearing her thoughts, Zhao Hanya and Lin Shaoyang both choked on their food.

“Cough cough!“

“Cough cough…!“

“Mother, Brother, are you okay?”

Lin Yuxin quickly got up and patted Zhao Hanya’s back to help her.

After recovering, Zhao Hanya exchanged a glance with Lin Shaoyang, both of them understanding each other’s thoughts.

Then, Zhao Hanya turned to Lin Yuxin and said:

“I’m fine. Yuxin, why don’t you sleep with me tonight? It’s been so many years since I found you—I want to spend more time talking with you.”

“Sure!”

Lin Yuxin agreed without hesitation.

She had never experienced sleeping next to her mother before.

That night, Zhao Hanya and Lin Yuxin stayed up late chatting.

Zhao Hanya asked a lot about her childhood, but since Lin Yuxin didn’t have the original owner’s memories, she relied on her knowledge from novels and made up stories—no, she “told” stories, as tragic as possible.

In the end, Zhao Hanya cried, and Lin Yuxin suddenly realized she might have gone too far.

She quickly started comforting her mother.

Since she was the one who made her cry, she had to be the one to cheer her up!

On their first day together, the mother and daughter grew much closer.

Lin Yuxin’s revenge plans, however, were completely forgotten.

…

The next morning, Zhao Hanya was already up early, handling household affairs.

By the time Lin Yuxin woke up, her mother was no longer there.

After freshening up, a maid led Lin Yuxin to the dining hall.

From a distance, she could already hear Lin Qianqian’s sarcastic tone:

“Mother, is Sister still not up yet? Making us all wait for her—how inconsiderate! That’s what happens when you grow up in the countryside. No manners at all!”

Before Zhao Hanya could respond, Lin Yuxin stepped inside and greeted everyone.

“Good morning, Mother! Brother!”

Since Lin Xiong’an was not present—he had likely gone to court—only her second brother, who handled business as a royal merchant, was here.

Half of his earnings had to go to their eldest brother’s military expenses and the emperor’s treasury.

So, in a way, he was working for the emperor.

【Ugh, what a terrible way to start the day—listening to a crow squawk. If she annoys me too much, I’ll just give her some mute medicine so I won’t have to hear her screech!】

Lin Yuxin glanced at Lin Qianqian and felt her mood sour.

Zhao Hanya’s lips twitched into a slight smile as she got up and pulled Lin Yuxin to sit beside her. She spoke gently:

“Did you sleep well last night? If you’re still tired, you can go back and rest after breakfast.”

“I slept great! Like a baby!”

Lin Yuxin answered sweetly.

“Mother!”

Lin Qianqian was irritated at being ignored and called out in frustration.

“Why are you yelling? You have no poise whatsoever! Do you have any manners at all?”

Zhao Hanya’s eyes turned cold as she reprimanded Lin Qianqian.

Lin Qianqian flinched and shrank back in fear, biting her lip unwillingly.

However, she glared at Lin Yuxin in fury. It’s all because of her! Ever since she came back, she took my place! Mother used to dote on me the most!

Lin Yuxin! I won’t let you off!

【Oh wow, Lin Qianqian looks like she wants to eat me alive! That glare… So scary!】

Zhao Hanya and Lin Shaoyang both heard Lin Yuxin’s thoughts and instinctively turned to look at Lin Qianqian, catching her resentful expression clearly.

Both of their gazes turned cold, but they remained silent.

Now was not the time.

Zhao Hanya turned back to Lin Yuxin and said gently:

“Eat up. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I had the kitchen make a little of everything. See if there’s anything you enjoy.”

“Thank you, Mother!”

Lin Yuxin beamed and happily picked up her chopsticks, stuffing food into her mouth like a little squirrel.

Lin Shaoyang’s fingers twitched—he had a strong urge to poke his sister’s chubby cheeks.

But he held back.