After several weeks of recuperation, the wound on Lady Liang’s head finally healed.

But it left behind a reddish-brown scar.

Her once beautiful and radiant face was ruined.

It was as if a crack had appeared on the surface of a Desert Pearl, rendering it no longer perfect.

Her appearance was what Lady Liang was most proud of. She could not accept the reality that she had become ugly.

She pressed the Imperial Physician, asking if there was any way to remove the scar.

The Imperial Physician had used every method at his disposal but could only lighten the scar, not remove it completely.

Lady Liang sat before her vanity, looking at herself in the Glazed Mirror. She lifted the wisps of hair on her forehead, revealing the light-brown scar.

Stunned for a long moment, she finally couldn’t hold back and swept the Glazed Mirror to the floor.

CRASH! The mirror shattered into pieces.

The palace maids standing by turned pale with fright and hurriedly knelt on the ground.

Lady Liang collapsed onto her vanity, crying her heart out.

「...」

Feihua Zhenren’s medical skills were truly excellent. He not only healed He Family’s injury but also completely cured Hua Manman’s leg.

Now, Hua Manman’s leg had recovered fully. She could run and jump without any lingering effects.

After her recovery, she returned to the Zhong’an Bo Mansion to visit He Family.

She didn’t mention that she had injured Lady Liang to avenge He Family, lest her mother worry.

She recounted some of the happenings in the Prince Mansion, assuring her mother that she was living well and that Prince Zhao took great care of her, so there was no need to worry. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

As a woman of experience, He Family could naturally tell her daughter was speaking from the heart.

If a woman’s life after marriage was unhappy, it would show in her expression and behavior.

But joy radiated from Hua Manman’s eyes. She was full of spirit, showing no signs of having been worn down by life.

He Family thought this was for the best.

No matter what outsiders said about Prince Zhao, as long as he was good to Manman, that was enough.

Eventually, the conversation inevitably turned to the topic of having children.

He Family said worriedly, "This year is almost over, yet there’s still no news?

Why don’t you have Feihua Zhenren take a look at you and the Prince?

Could it be that there’s a problem with your bodies, and that’s why you can’t conceive?

You mustn’t be in denial. If there really is a problem, it’s best to discover and treat it early. You absolutely must not delay."

Hua Manman’s skin crawled with embarrassment, her expression awkward.

"Rest assured, Mother. The Prince and I are both perfectly healthy. There are absolutely no problems in that department."

He Family was puzzled. "Then why haven’t you conceived yet?"

Hua Manman gave a hollow laugh. "Perhaps fate hasn’t brought it to us yet. Having children is also a matter of fate. You can’t rush it."

He Family looked at her suspiciously.

"You haven’t been taking the prescription I gave you, have you? Otherwise, there’s no way you wouldn’t be pregnant."

Back then, she had gotten pregnant only three months after marrying Hua Dingzong.

It was because she had followed the prescription and gotten her body into excellent condition.

In truth, Hua Manman had not taken the medicine.

She felt a pang of guilt but put on a smile. "Mother, don’t be so anxious. What’s meant to be will be."

He Family felt quite helpless.

Actually, she didn’t want to rush her daughter into having a child either. After all, for a woman, childbirth was both arduous and dangerous.

If she could, she would wish for her daughter to remain a girl her whole life, never having to bear children.

But in their environment, many things couldn’t be avoided just because one didn’t want to do them.

If she had a child, Hua Manman’s position as Princess Consort would be more secure. Even if Prince Zhao fell out of love with her in the future, she would still have a child to rely on and wouldn’t be left helpless in her old age.

He Family patted the back of her daughter’s hand and instructed her seriously.

"When it comes to having children, the sooner the better. The sooner you have a child, the more stable your position as Princess Consort will be."

Hua Manman answered vaguely, "I know."

Just then, a maidservant walked in and curtsied respectfully.

"Madam, Mr. He has arrived with Young Master Zhiyuan. Elder Zhong’an is receiving them now. He sent me to inform you that Mr. He and Young Master Zhiyuan will likely come to see you shortly."

He Family was very surprised. "My brother is here?"

Mr. He was her elder brother, and thus Hua Manman’s maternal uncle.

As for the "Young Master Zhiyuan" the maidservant mentioned, he was Mr. He’s son and Hua Manman’s cousin.

He Family had once considered betrothing Hua Manman to He Zhiyuan. Unfortunately, Prince Zhao had appeared out of nowhere, and Hua Manman was carried directly into the Prince Zhao Mansion, their paths diverging.

Since her marriage, Hua Manman hadn’t seen He Zhiyuan. Hearing he was here today, she was also quite surprised.

He Family could now get out of bed and walk around, but her head was still wrapped in gauze. The wound still needed some time to heal completely.

With Hua Manman’s help, she changed her clothes and tidied her hair.

Hua Manman looked at He Family in the mirror and said with a beaming smile.

"Mother, you still look so young and beautiful. If we went out together, people who didn’t know us would think we were sisters."

He Family’s eyes crinkled with a smile at the flattery, but she said, "You’re talking nonsense."

Soon, Mr. He arrived with He Zhiyuan.

Having heard about He Family’s injury, they had specially brought many restorative tonics to visit her.

Unexpectedly, Hua Manman was also there. Mr. He was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed to her in greeting.

"Greetings, Princess."

He Zhiyuan, who was behind him, also bowed in greeting.

When they were children, He Zhiyuan often visited the Zhong’an Bo Mansion. In Hua Manman’s memory, this cousin of hers was a sturdy-looking boy, capable of anything from climbing mountains and trees to stealing birds’ eggs—a notoriously mischievous child.

Now, after not seeing him for a long time, he had grown much taller. His skin was a healthy wheat color, and with his sharp brows and bright eyes, he was sunny and handsome.

The mischievous child had not only grown up, but he’d also gotten handsome.

Hua Manman quickly said, "Uncle, Cousin, there’s no need for such formalities."

He Family also said, "We’re all family here. Don’t be so polite. Please, sit."

Mr. He asked with concern about He Family’s injuries.

Upon learning that the idler who had injured He Family had been punished, Mr. He finally relaxed his clenched fists.

He gritted his teeth. "He dared to bully someone from our He Family? He must have a death wish! He should be glad the government took him away, or I would’ve killed him myself!"

He Family placated him. "Alright, that’s all in the past now. Don’t say such things in front of the children."

So, Mr. He changed the subject.

He started talking about his son’s future.

"I recently found an assignment for Zhiyuan in the Tiger Roar Camp. He reports for duty tomorrow. I hope he can seize this opportunity, work hard, and secure a good future to bring honor to our He Family."

Having been singled out, He Zhiyuan scratched his head and laughed shyly.

When he smiled, two small canine teeth would show at the corners of his mouth.

It made him look a little goofy.

He Family took the opportunity to encourage him.

"Work hard, Zhiyuan. Once you’ve made something of yourself, I’ll find a good match for you."

At the mention of marriage, He Zhiyuan became even more embarrassed.

He couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Hua Manman.