She seemed to have inherited all the best qualities of Lin Xiongan and Zhao Hanya.

Although Lin Xiongan was a scoundrel, there was no denying that he was quite good-looking.

Lin Yuxin looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed, “With this face, I’m definitely one of the most beautiful women in the capital!”

After admiring her appearance, Lin Yuxin headed to the front hall to meet her mother.

“My Yuxin is indeed the most beautiful.”

Zhao Hanya’s eyes lit up when she saw her daughter all dressed up.

She held Lin Yuxin’s hand and praised her warmly.

“Mother, I was born naturally beautiful,” Lin Yuxin said proudly, lifting her chin with a confident air.

“Heh, my little sister is certainly the most beautiful.”

At that moment, her second brother’s voice came from outside. Soon after, he walked in, dressed in dark-colored robes, making him look much more composed and mature.

“Second Brother!”

Lin Yuxin greeted him with a smile.

“Little sister, you look wonderful today. Mother, let’s go; it’s time. Eldest Brother and Third Brother are already waiting at the door.”

Zhao Shaoyang complimented her, then signaled that it was time to leave.

“When did Eldest Brother return?”

Lin Yuxin asked curiously as she followed her mother and second brother outside.

She was surprised to hear that both her eldest and third brothers had returned.

“Hah! You little heartless thing. Your eldest brother has been back for two days! He had to attend the state banquet due to his official duties, so he returned early. But you’ve been running around from morning to night these past two days, and you didn’t even notice!”

Zhao Shaoyang rolled his eyes and playfully accused his sister.

The three brothers had initially been excited to finally reunite and spend time with their little sister. However, she turned out to be even busier than they were.

When they asked their mother about it, they learned that their sister had been helping their maternal grandfather with medical treatment.

The brothers had been skeptical—since when did their little sister know anything about medicine?

But after so many days without any bad news and hearing that their second uncle’s surgery had been a success, they had to admit it was true.

A sense of pride swelled in their hearts.

Their sister was so capable—how could they not be happy?

Even so, Zhao Shaoyang still felt a little wronged. They had finally reunited, yet their sister didn’t even have time for them? Had they been replaced as her favorite brothers?

When the three of them arrived at the door, they saw their long-estranged father waiting outside as well.

“Father. Eldest Brother. Third Brother.”

Lin Yuxin stepped forward with Zhao Hanya and greeted them formally.

“Hmph. I’ve heard that you’ve been leaving early and returning late every day. You’re acting nothing like a proper young lady. What kind of behavior is this?”

Lin Xiongan immediately reprimanded her.

“Father, I was merely visiting Grandfather’s house. I wasn’t doing anything improper. Are you accusing me without reason?”

Lin Yuxin’s expression grew cold.

[This scummy father is really asking for it. Hmph! After this state banquet, I’ll make sure you and Mother divorce, and you leave with nothing.]

She rolled her eyes inwardly.

“This is how you speak to your father? Is this what your mother has taught you?”

Lin Xiongan grew furious at her attitude.

The bond between a father and daughter is sometimes predestined, but sometimes, it’s a matter of choice.

Some father-daughter relationships are close, while others are full of hostility.

Lin Yuxin and Lin Xiongan fell into the latter category.

Ever since Lin Yuxin had returned, Lin Xiongan had never shown her a pleasant face.

He had never accepted her as his daughter and instead found fault with her at every turn.

But Lin Yuxin didn’t care. As long as she was happy, that was all that mattered.

So she looked directly at Lin Xiongan and asked, “I wonder how Sister Qianqian’s marriage arrangements are going? Has the date been set? She, too, has a mother to teach her, though I wonder which mother taught her to engage in secret affairs?”

“You… you insolent girl! I’ll beat you to death today!”

Lin Xiongan was enraged. He raised his hand, ready to strike her.

“Lin Xiongan, do you dare?”

Zhao Hanya’s sharp voice rang out, laced with internal energy. The force of her words made Lin Xiongan hesitate, his hand freezing in midair.

“Lin Xiongan, if you lay a hand on her today, have you thought about the consequences?”

Zhao Hanya pulled Lin Yuxin behind her protectively and glared coldly at Lin Xiongan.

“Hmph! Look at the daughter you’ve raised!”

Lin Xiongan, intimidated by Zhao Hanya’s presence, could only shout in frustration.

“My daughter is doing just fine. You never cared about her before, and you certainly don’t need to now.”

Zhao Hanya’s voice was cold as she pulled Lin Yuxin onto the carriage.

Throughout the entire confrontation, the three brothers remained silent. When they saw their mother and sister board the carriage, they followed suit, ignoring Lin Xiongan entirely.

Lin Xiongan was left standing alone, watching the departing carriage with hatred in his eyes. Just you wait. I’ll get rid of all of you and make way for my son, Zhi’er.

Unaware of her father’s dark thoughts, Lin Yuxin sat inside the carriage, feeling excited.

[Wow! This is my first time going to the imperial palace! I wonder if it’s as grand and magnificent as it looks on TV? And the emperor—he’s the most powerful person in this world! I have to see him!]

Zhao Hanya chuckled as she watched her daughter chatter excitedly. It seemed the earlier conflict hadn’t affected her at all. Yes, this was her lively and mischievous daughter.

When their carriage arrived at the palace gates, Lin Yuxin curiously lifted the curtain to peek outside.

She saw numerous noble carriages lined up, with elegantly dressed ladies and young misses stepping down one after another.

“Mother, are we getting off here?”

Lin Yuxin asked in confusion.

The palace was enormous—were they really going to walk inside?

“Yes, we must dismount here. This is the imperial palace. Nothing from outside is allowed inside. We must walk to Qiankun Hall for the state banquet.”

Zhao Hanya explained patiently.

[No way! We really have to walk? Ugh, my legs are doomed today.]

Lin Yuxin leaned against the window in despair, watching as the people ahead of them began to disembark. Soon, it would be their turn.

Zhao Hanya ignored her daughter’s complaints.

The moment she stepped out of the carriage, she became cautious and composed, careful with every movement and word.

Lin Yuxin quickly noticed the change in her mother’s demeanor.

She soon understood—this was the imperial palace, not their home.

Here, there were countless people of higher rank and greater power than her father. Offending them would spell disaster for their family.

Even if they didn’t care about Lin Xiongan, they had to consider her brothers’ futures.

Realizing this, Lin Yuxin immediately adjusted her behavior.

Gone were her earlier complaints.

She now carried herself with grace and poise, her beauty dazzling yet dignified, her smile warm and charming.

Zhao Hanya noticed her daughter’s transformation and felt gratified.

As expected of her daughter—so quick-witted and perceptive.

The Lin family proceeded forward, with Lin Xiongan leading, Zhao Hanya and Lin Yuxin behind him, and the three brothers bringing up the rear.

They walked through the palace, occasionally exchanging polite greetings with familiar faces.

Lin Yuxin maintained perfect decorum, walking respectfully beside her mother.

Finally, they arrived at Qiankun Hall.