“By the way, Grandfather, Grandmother, I brought you some gifts—just some medicinal herbs that you can keep for future use.”

Lin Yuxin asked Xiaodie to hand her the bundle.

She took it, opened it, and passed it to her grandmother.

Fang Lan accepted it and opened it to take a look. Inside were common medicinal herbs, but each one had a small note attached, detailing its name, usage, and dosage—thorough to the smallest detail.

However, as she reached the bottom, she noticed a cloth-wrapped item. Curious, she picked it up and asked,

“What’s this?”

Fang Lan held the small package in her hands and looked at Lin Yuxin with curiosity.

“Just some herbs, Grandmother. You can open it and see if you like it.”

Lin Yuxin replied with a smile.

Seeing her say this, Fang Lan smiled and unfolded the cloth.

Inside lay two large ginseng roots and a reishi mushroom.

“This…?”

“These are century-old ginseng and a reishi mushroom that I personally harvested. I hope you like them, Grandmother.”

Lin Yuxin explained.

Fang Lan examined the ginseng in her hands.

The roots still had fresh soil clinging to them, indicating they had been dug up recently.

She was astonished.

Century-old ginseng of this size was extremely rare and worth a fortune.

Yet, Lin Yuxin had given them two, along with the reishi mushroom—this was an incredibly valuable gift.

But more than the gift itself, Fang Lan was touched by her granddaughter’s thoughtfulness.

“Alright, Grandmother will accept them. You’ve worked hard to prepare all this.”

She patted Lin Yuxin’s hand and looked at her with warmth.

“It’s what I should do.”

In her heart, Lin Yuxin was filled with worry, though she didn’t show it on her face.

[I hope that after the state banquet, the General’s Manor will make it through this crisis safely. Otherwise, I’ll have to prepare more medicine for treating wounds… But what exactly does the Regent plan to do?]

[I should have asked more last night. Now that he won’t let me interfere, all I can do is wait. If the assassination at the banquet succeeds, the Regent falls, and Qi Kingdom declares war…]

[Then Grandfather will surely go to battle. But the General’s Manor is full of the elderly, the young, and women. There’s hardly anyone who can fight. If they go to war, it’s as good as a death sentence.]

[This is frustrating! But I have to find a way to warn Grandfather—just in case. If the Regent fails, at least the General’s Manor will have a backup plan.]

Lin Yuxin kept these thoughts to herself, not showing any emotion.

Meanwhile, Zhao Shijie, who was listening to her thoughts, was utterly shocked.

This girl… does she even realize what she’s saying? Assassination at the state banquet? Qi Kingdom preparing for war? That the General’s Manor will have no way out?

But Zhao Shijie was a seasoned man.

After a few breaths, he regained his composure and continued listening quietly.

Zhao Hanya, however, already knew about this matter.

In fact, her return home this time was to secretly inform her father so he could make early preparations.

After some casual conversation, Zhao Hanya subtly signaled to her mother, Fang Lan, who immediately understood.

“Alright, Chenxi, as the eldest brother, take Yuxin out for a walk.”

Fang Lan instructed.

“Yes!”

Zhao Chenxi clasped his fists and turned to Lin Yuxin.

“Come, Yuxin, I’ll show you around the manor.”

“Then I’ll trouble you, Cousin Chenxi!”

Lin Yuxin glanced at Zhao Hanya, then stood up, bowed to her elders, and followed Zhao Chenxi out.

[Now is not the time to discuss serious matters. I’ll have to find an opportunity to talk to Grandfather alone.]

She pondered as she walked.

Seeing this, the other male cousins quickly followed.

After all, they had never had a little sister in the family before. Now that their cousin had finally returned, they had to bond with her!

Earlier, they had behaved like obedient quails in front of Grandfather, but now that they were outside, they wanted to make an impression on their little sister!

Thus, the siblings walked out together in a grand procession.

“You all should leave as well.”

Fang Lan dismissed her sons and daughters-in-law.

Once everyone had left, only the two elders and Zhao Hanya remained.

“Hanya, is there something you need to say?”

Fang Lan asked her daughter.

Zhao Hanya took a deep breath and said slowly,

“Father, Mother, I want a divorce.”

“What?! Why? Everything seemed fine before!”

Fang Lan was so shocked that she almost couldn’t sit still.

In this era, divorce was highly disgraceful unless there was an unforgivable reason.

“Did that bastard do something to wrong you? I’ll kill him right now! If he dares to bully my daughter, he must have a death wish!”

Zhao Shijie’s patience ran out. His fierce temper flared up as he stood abruptly, ready to storm out.

“Old man, sit down and listen to what our daughter has to say!”

Fang Lan grabbed his arm and forced him back into his seat.

“Hmph! Fine. Tell me, what exactly did that bastard do?”

With Fang Lan restraining him, Zhao Shijie calmed down slightly.

The Zhao family was known for being fiercely protective—no one could bully their kin.

Zhao Hanya remained calm as she spoke,

“Mother, I only recently discovered the truth. Lin Xiong’an is a beast…!”

She then slowly recounted all the things she had uncovered.

She spoke with a composed tone, as if the story had nothing to do with her.

But by the time she finished, her parents were trembling with rage, too furious to speak.

“That monster Lin Xiong’an! I always suspected something was off about him, and I was right! That scum should go straight to hell! I’ll kill him!”

Zhao Shijie was truly enraged now.

His precious daughter had been deceived for over a decade. And now, even their children were in danger? Unforgivable!

“My child, you’ve suffered so much.”

Fang Lan’s eyes were red with regret.

“Mother, it’s fine. My children are sensible, and that is enough for me.”

Zhao Hanya reassured her gently.

“Alright, if you want a divorce, then divorce him. If you need anything, just come back. Our Zhao family will take care of you and the children.”

Zhao Shijie finally spoke with a steady voice.

“Thank you, Father.”

Zhao Hanya felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Having a family to rely on was a wonderful feeling.

“Silly child, don’t say such things. We are family.”

Fang Lan scolded her gently.

Then, Zhao Hanya took a deep breath and hesitated before speaking.

“Father, there’s one more thing.”

“What is it? Speak.”

Zhao Shijie asked curiously.

“At the upcoming state banquet, something may happen that could affect the peace between the two nations. If things go south, I hope you’ll be prepared.”

She spoke solemnly.

At the mention of the state banquet, Zhao Shijie’s expression turned serious.

He immediately understood what she was implying.

Suddenly, he stood up and said,

“Come with me to the study.”

With that, he strode toward his study. Zhao Hanya quickly bowed to her mother before following him.

Fang Lan, left behind, looked worried and sorrowful.

Will there be war again?