On the way back, Wenren Taibo had Xiao Cao walk beside him, keeping his sons at a distance, as he stroked his beard. “Since you visited Wenzheng’s hometown when you were young, it’s possible you’ve also been to the ancestral land of the Wenren family,” his mind wandering a bit.

“If Father is referring to the Wenren clan of Suiyuan County, then yes,” Xiao Cao paused for a moment, then continued, “Mother previously mentioned that Cheng Gongzi’s hometown is not far from the Wenren ancestral land. Now that you bring it up, I do recall that when I was following my foster father, we entered the Wenren family’s ancestral residence. I remember an older lady even joked that I resembled one of the Wenren family’s daughters-in-law in the capital… perhaps…”

Wenren Taibo was taken aback, suddenly stopping in his tracks. He stared at Xiao Cao in surprise. To think that my own daughter had entered our home yet wasn’t recognized, and thus we missed her completely. If things had gone differently, if…

Xiao Cao understood what Wenren Taibo was thinking and smiled. “Father, there’s no need to dwell on it. At the time, perhaps it simply wasn’t meant to be. Besides, I was small, skinny, and rather dark back then. I probably looked very different from how I do now. My foster father was always focused on his work and disinterested in other matters, so he never mentioned anything. Naturally, no one would have investigated my identity.”

Though her reasoning made sense, Wenren Taibo still couldn’t quite shake the feeling of regret. However, the Wenren family’s ancestral land hadn’t been entirely aware of Xiao Cao’s background.

“Father, I’m back now,” Xiao Cao said softly.

Wenren Taibo broke into a smile and patted her shoulder. “Yes, you’re back, and that’s all that matters.” His eyes held a trace of moisture.

Xiao Cao felt that inevitable pang of guilt, as though she were taking advantage of this family. If the original owner of this body were still alive, wouldn’t there be a chance for a true family reunion? Unfortunately, by the time she arrived, this body had already been an empty shell.

Since I’ve received this, I must repay the kindness…

When they arrived, Han Shi was a bit surprised to see them entering together. Smiling warmly, she asked what had happened.

Wenren Taibo explained the situation cheerfully.

Han Shi was genuinely astonished by the coincidence, almost finding it too incredible to be true. It felt like a fateful gift from the heavens. Recalling the Wenren family’s ancestral land brought a pang of pain to her heart, but when she noticed Xiao Cao’s calm expression, she chose not to let it show. She suppressed her emotions and said nothing more about it. However, as her mind briefly drifted back to Cheng Wenzheng, a faint sigh of regret escaped her lips.

“What’s wrong?” Wenren Taibo asked, puzzled.

“I think… perhaps we’re thinking along the same lines, but… I fear our daughter’s heart might already belong to someone else,” Han Shi said in a low voice. “If she’s truly as sentimental as I believe, her affections might run deeper than we imagined.”

Xiao Cao was chatting with Wenren Yang at the time, and Wenren Ying happened to be standing nearby. Overhearing bits and pieces of the conversation, Wenren Ying’s mind immediately began to whirl. What does this mean? Does my fourth sister already have someone in her heart? If that were the case, it would be perfect.

“If that’s truly the case, we shouldn’t force anything. If she’s unwilling, we can take care of her for the rest of her life,” Wenren Taibo replied, his tone resolute.

Han Shi nodded, deciding to put aside the matter for now and revisit it in a year or two.

Wenren Ying’s gaze flickered subtly towards Xiao Cao. So, her heart is occupied—by someone who died, or perhaps by someone she cannot be with for other reasons? Regardless, as long as no competition arose, it worked in her favor.

Though Wenren Ying tried to calm herself, the rollercoaster of emotions she had experienced in the span of just half an hour left her feeling unstable. If this kind of turmoil continued, she feared for her physical well-being. Once again, she reminded herself that she was no longer a young girl—she was a grown woman with a lifetime of experience. She couldn’t afford to be swayed by her emotions. Aside from Cheng Wenzheng, nothing matters. I must live a long and prosperous life in this second chance I’ve been given.

The family banquet had been initiated by Wenren Old Madam herself, meaning all the main family members of the Wenren household were present. Since the five brothers of the family all resided in Kaiping and held no external posts, the gathering was quite lively.

Even the concubines of the backcourt, whether or not they had given birth to children, were present in the rear hall for the occasion. Xiao Cao wasn’t required to visit or greet them, but it was necessary for the concubines to meet her. After all, they wouldn’t want to mistake her for an outsider if they bumped into her in the future. Arrangements were made to provide a modest banquet for the concubines, which, in some sense, was considered a favor. Whether they actually perceived it as such or secretly held resentment, no one could be certain.

Before the official start of the banquet, Xiao Cao was formally introduced to the family.

After hearing about the situation with the second branch of the family, Xiao Cao made it a point to observe her second uncle. His desire for a legitimate son had almost become an obsession, visibly intensifying his preference for male heirs.

Even as they entered the room, his gaze immediately fixated on Wenren Xu and Wenren Yang, a broad smile spreading across his face. His words of concern poured out, his doting behavior almost dripping with syrupy affection—so much so that it would even make a mother seem aloof by comparison. Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but Wenren Xu and Wenren Yang were both grown men by now, and his overly affectionate display was less nurturing and more awkward, especially in such a public setting. They looked visibly uncomfortable, Xiao Cao noted, as though they were sitting on pins and needles.

To escape, Xiao Cao’s “adorable” younger brother stealthily activated his “zoning out” ability, leaving his elder brother to endure it alone.

When the eldest son of the fifth branch entered the room, Wenren Xu was finally released from the unwanted attention as their father’s focus shifted.

Wiping imaginary sweat from his brow, Wenren Xu threw a resentful look at his younger brother for abandoning him.

Wenren Yang tilted his head with an innocent look, feigning ignorance, as though to say, What are you talking about?

“You little brat, keep up the act all you want!” Wenren Xu muttered under his breath.

In response, Wenren Yang flashed a wholesome smile, his lips moving soundlessly as he mouthed, Brother, you worked hard.

It wasn’t until that moment that Xiao Cao realized her little brother might be doing this on purpose.

She had always assumed he was an innocent child—a soft exterior with a sweet, pure filling. Yet, it seemed there was a little sesame seed hidden inside that filling too.

Xiao Cao couldn’t help but feel slightly “betrayed,” but as she turned her head, she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. Wenren Xi, the second daughter of the second branch, was glaring with undisguised resentment toward their father and the two brothers of the first branch. Her mother quickly tugged her sleeve, causing her to look away.

What a tragedy, Xiao Cao lamented silently.

Growing up in a wealthy family only spared them from poverty. Had they been born into a poor family, Wenren Xi and her mother might have faced extreme hunger on a daily basis. In a worst-case scenario, they might have starved, or perhaps the daughter would have been sold by her father to “contribute” to the family’s prospects—because to someone like him, boys were the only essential legacy, the ones who could carry on the family name.

Xiao Cao’s thoughts weren’t unfounded. During her travels with her foster father, she had encountered people like Wenren Zhongyong. Though they were often brief encounters, as passersby, they couldn’t help but overhear snippets of such stories.

Back then, those people had nothing to do with Xiao Cao, and hearing their situations became just fleeting details of her travels. But now, things were different…

Speaking of Wenren Zhongyong, Xiao Cao found it even more unforgivable that he practically ignored the presence of his own children simply because they were born out of wedlock, treating them as though they didn’t exist.

Just as this uncomfortable situation was unfolding, Wenren Old Madam arrived, bringing the awkward spectacle to an abrupt end.

Though the old madam no longer managed household affairs, her presence alone commanded authority. A single glance from her sent Wenren Zhongyong into immediate submission. He even took a slight step back in uneasiness.

Through this, Xiao Cao witnessed firsthand the power and influence this old matriarch still held in the Wenren family.