Chapter 21

Han Jing’s father—the husband of Princess Yi Feng—was an official of Qing’an. He was born into the Han family as the second son of a duke and his first wife.

Han Jing could not recall much about her father in her scattered memories as he did not visit her mother’s residence often. They were merely living under the same roof instead of living as spouses.

Han Jing questioned the situation, but her memories were in a blur. She had forgotten what happened, and she never asked her mother for a reason.

Han Jing was also confused by something else. Han Siju should be inferior to her mother—the Emperor’s formidable sister feared by everyone in Hanjing City—because she got married beneath him. From what she knew, Han Siju did not only have residences full of beautiful concubines, but he had many other children. None of them were Princess Yi Feng’s children.

Han Jing was Princess Yi Feng’s only daughter, and she was not even her biological child.

No one seemed to hide the fact that she was brought from the outside by Princess Yi Feng.

Han Jing did not really mind whether she was the princess’s biological child or not. She was uncertain whether she would receive Princess Yi Feng’s unconditional love even if she was a legitimate child.

She was curious about the odd relationship between her parents. However, it was not the time for her to ask such a question.

Han Jing followed Su Yaozheng into the inner chamber. It did not take long for Han Siju to enter.

“Why are you punishing Yan’er to copy scriptures on her knees in the ancestral hall? She injured her fingers, and she can’t even get off her bed because she caught a cold.”

It was clear that Han Siju was there to plead on behalf of Han Yan. He was straightforward, and he did not even try to initiate small talk.

Su Yaozheng did not even look at him when she nonchalantly asked, “Which hand did she injure?”

Han Siju furrowed his brow. “Left.”

“I don’t think Han Yan is left-handed,” Su Yaozheng sneered.

Han Siju was rendered speechless.

He knew that he could never talk any sense into Su Yaozheng. He turned to Han Jing after contemplating for a while.

Although Han Jing was his eldest daughter by title, she had nothing to do with him as she was a bastard child brought back by the princess.

Han Jing usually took Han Siju’s words to heart, although they never interacted much. She was only a child; it was normal for her to adore her father.

To Su Yaozheng, Han Jing’s words could defeat thousands.

Of course, Han Jing got Han Siju’s hint.

However, she only threw Han Siju a glance and did nothing else that day. It was clear that she disappointed Han Siju.

Han Siju was helpless as Han Yan would be forced to go to the ancestral hall if he could not stop Princess Yi Feng in time. He was clueless as to what happened that day. He did not have the time to inquire.

All he heard was Li Shi’s cries that Han Yan injured her fingers badly and caught a cold. She could not afford to get punished in the ancestral hall. He then went to visit Han Yan, and she was indeed severely injured.

That was the reason he came to Su Yaozheng personally to talk on Han Yan’s behalf. He rarely stepped foot into the Hanguang Court under normal circumstances.

Han Siju exasperatedly turned to Han Jing. “Jing’er, Yan’er is your sister. As her elder sister, you should take better care of and talk your mother out of this. You shouldn’t allow Yan’er to get sick. You should be taking care of each other. After all, you are sisters!”