Tomorrow is the real day of the competition.

Compared to the contests in Yelan City, the real experts of Yexuan Country will compete in the Imperial City.

With plenty of time left, Han and his companions prepared to tour the Yelan Imperial City.

Each had different sights they wanted to see, and after traveling together for some time, they parted ways.

Han walked through the Yexuan Imperial City, experiencing the scenery of a foreign land.

Perhaps it was because the land was impoverished and lacked resources.

For many years, Yexuan Country has been at peace.

Additionally, due to the deliberate promotion by Yexuan's government, the whole nation's people have developed a peculiar confidence in Yexuan Country.

Walking along the roads of the Yexuan Imperial City, like an ordinary traveler, quietly observing the lives of people in a foreign land.

On the roads, individuals of noble status frequently come and go.

Because Yexuan Country is humid and hot, the upper class here use open and cool carriages.

Without any cover, just open like that.

The Yexuan Imperial City isn't large, and after a round, Han had seen quite a few upper-class individuals.

These people noticed Han and took another closer look at him.

From his clothing, it was apparent Han was not from Yexuan.

These upper-class people should also be aware of the recent major events in Yexuan Country.

Upon seeing Han, they guessed he was someone from Great Wei.

Han's personal dress code was quite casual; though he could wear gold and silver, he chose comfortable, slightly plain attire, yet still looked handsome.

The upper class of Yexuan likely couldn't determine Han's exact identity.

Merely judging from his attire, they assumed Han's status wasn't high.

After all, people here of high status are dressed luxuriously.

Han walked leisurely, noticing the local delicacies along the roadside and prepared to buy some to try.

But after checking his storage ring, it seemed he only had a large piece of gold...

The snack he had picked up was put back again.

He smiled helplessly, realizing he should have prepared some small change.

With a piece of gold, it was too much trouble to ask for change, and impossible to get it.

Coming to his senses, he noticed a well-dressed middle-aged woman looking at him not far away.

Her attire was elegant, even the edges of her sleeves had many exquisite ornaments hanging.

Her face bore the marks of time, yet still displayed a bit of beauty.

Undoubtedly, this lady must have been stunningly beautiful when she was young.

Han frowned slightly, feeling the woman looked familiar, pondering for a while before realizing.

He and she clearly shared a resemblance...

Seeing Han staring at her, the lady frowned slightly and walked towards Han.

"Are you... Han..."

She called out his name as soon as she spoke, leaving Han momentarily stunned.

Thinking there had been no speculation in his heart, the woman before him was indeed the Third Madam of the Shen Mansion, his biological mother, Ji Zhi, who had fled years ago.

Han was truly surprised to encounter his biological mother in the remote Yexuan Country...

Seeing Han nod, the woman's face seemed to darken slightly.

She then asked her attendant to wait at a distance, as she had something to discuss.

After a moment when everyone had moved far away, Ji Zhi began to speak.

"Have the Shen Family treated you well?"

Han's face carried a slight smile as he gently shook his head.

"The Old Dowager couldn't hate me more, so how could they treat me well?

Furthermore, although I am still outwardly a member of the Shen Family, I have long since broken with them."

Ji Zhi had been mistreated by the Old Dowager of the Shen Family in the past, and naturally loathed the Shen Family.

But hearing Han had broken with the Shen Family made her face turn even more troubled.

From her expression, Han could vaguely discern something.

"Han, who told you I was here..."

At these words, Han adopted a composed expression and shook his head.

"No one said a word, meeting today was merely a chance encounter."

A chance encounter...

Ji Zhi refused to believe this was a mere chance encounter.

She had just seen Han unable to purchase snacks due to lack of funds.

From his words, it was clear he had broken with the Shen Family.

It seemed there may even be issues with basic sustenance.

Meeting today wasn't a coincidence, he had surely come to seek refuge...

Worried someone might overhear, Ji Zhi stepped a few paces closer to the roadside.

Taking cover under a large tree, she spoke.

"Child, you should probably know my current identity.

After fleeing the Shen Mansion back then, I escaped south to avoid the Shen Family.

By chance, I ended up in Yexuan Country.

Fortunately, I met the Third Prince here and became his Princess Consort...

It wasn't easy for your mother to get to this point, even in the Prince Mansion, I must tread carefully.

If the Prince discovers I once had a child, he might readily cast me out of the mansion..."

Saying this, Ji Zhi looked up at Han.

Contrary to her expectations, upon hearing this Han maintained a calm demeanor.

As if he didn't care.

"Han, it's not that I don't want to accept you, it's just that I already have a son with the Third Prince, two years younger than you.

If the Prince casts me out of the mansion, what will your brother do...

That child is also of an impulsive nature..."

Ji Zhi's words were disjointed, her thoughts unclear.

"Since we parted years ago, the bond between us as mother and son was really severed...

I can give you some traveling money later, but you should leave Yexuan soon..."

Ji Zhi spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

Her main intention was just one thing: hoping Han would leave quickly.

So that others wouldn't discover their relationship.

Having been in Yexuan Country for nearly seventeen years, she knew the temperament of the Third Prince well.

And she wasn't the only Princess Consort in the mansion.

If it was known she once had a child, all her current favors would vanish.

And her current child would be treated even worse in the mansion.

Hearing her words, Han's expression remained unflustered.

He had no affection for Ji Zhi after all.

If any maternal bond should be felt, it should be for Madam Yun.

In his most destitute times, it was Madam Yun who helped him.

The Princess Consort before him was just a stranger connected by a thread of blood.

Although he could understand her predicament, he couldn't agree to leave promptly.

"There's no bond between me and the Princess Consort, today's meeting could be considered a first.

So, Princess Consort, please be at ease, I, Han, will not seek any aid from you.

Just as before, we remain strangers."

Hearing these words, Ji Zhi was still somewhat dissatisfied.

"Han, it would be better for you to leave Yexuan Country...

If the Third Prince learns about our relationship, neither of us will fare well..."

At this, Han raised his eyes to look at Ji Zhi.

"This is my private matter, once I've dealt with it, I will naturally leave Yexuan.

No need for the Princess Consort to urge."

With these words, Han turned and left.

Watching Han's back, Ji Zhi felt some anxiety...

After all, Han's words implied he wasn't planning on leaving immediately...

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