Du Shi figured that if she expressed her desire to have another child, she would likely be met with cold treatment in the future.

The saying “a doctor has a kind heart” doesn’t seem very fitting in this case. Most doctors wouldn’t say much more than necessary, feeling satisfied enough if they’ve already done their job. Especially those in the Imperial Hospital, who tend to act in self-interest—there’s no way they’d consider the feelings or thoughts of a woman confined within inner chambers.

As Xiao Cao was about to leave, a few other wives, besides Han Shi, came one after another.

Third Aunt and Fourth Aunt didn’t know about Du Shi’s miscarriage. After all, this kind of news isn’t something anyone would deliberately share.

“Oh, Second Sister-in-law, you seem to be in good spirits. It shows that our Fourth Miss’s medical skills are indeed excellent,” said Fourth Aunt Ge, raising her voice slightly.

It sounded like a compliment, but the way her tone fluctuated made it uncomfortable no matter how one heard it.

Xiao Cao gave her a slight glance and said flatly, “Aunts, please sit. I need to go prepare some medicine for Grandmother, so I’ll take my leave.” After a polite bow, she turned and left.

Xiao Cao herself didn’t seem flustered, but Ge Shi was indeed angered. “What kind of attitude is that?”

“Fourth Aunt, what are you saying?” Wenren Xi retorted ungraciously. “Fourth Sister’s got no attitude. She’s just busy with Grandmother’s medicine. You wouldn’t want to let Grandmother hear those words, or she might take offense to you.”

Now, Third Aunt and Fourth Aunt, just like their husbands, were born from concubines. Third Aunt’s background was even poorer than Fourth Aunt’s. However, Wenren Xi especially disliked Fourth Aunt’s behavior. She would get cynical whenever someone did better than her in any regard yet could also fawn over those of higher status outside the family. She didn’t know when others were ignoring her, making the younger generation feel embarrassed. On the other hand, she acted arrogantly toward those she deemed inferior, always looking down at others with her nose upturned.

“You…” Ge Shi almost cursed but managed to hold back in consideration of the situation. She turned to Du Shi, saying sarcastically, “Second Sister-in-law, your daughter is very well taught!”

Du Shi remained composed. In terms of family background, she far surpassed Ge Shi by miles. It was only due to her not having a son and her husband’s indifferent attitude over the long term that she had allowed herself to be looked down upon by the likes of Ge Shi. But things were different now; she had figured things out and regained her confidence. “My daughter is naturally well-raised. Even though Xuan’er grew up outside, she is no less outstanding. After all, she comes from good stock, unlike those who can’t be presented in public. So forgive me, but I really don’t see anything wrong in their words or actions.”

Ge Shi was so startled by this response that it was as if she had seen a ghost. Du Shi had refuted her many times in the past, but never with such directness and sharpness. Now, she was even counterattacking with such confidence, as if she had turned into a different person altogether.

Third Aunt Zhang was equally surprised. What happened over just one night? However, unlike Ge Shi, she remained outwardly calm and inoffensive, even if she wasn’t particularly pleasant to be around.

As for Yan Shi, she deemed that this was exactly how Du Shi should behave. After all, her status was only slightly lower than that of Eldest Sister. Even though her maternal family had declined in recent years, it was still a prestigious one. When she first married into the Wenren family, many envied her. However, ever since she had a daughter and failed to conceive for years afterward, and then gave birth to another daughter later on, Second Master’s attitude toward her changed drastically, causing her status to plummet.

And because Wenren Zhongyong treated her this way, even her family lacked the confidence to support her. After all, in the eyes of the public, Wenren Zhongyong had done nothing wrong.

But now that Du Shi had found her backbone, who would dare belittle her?

“If you have no urgent matters, it’s best to head back early. I’m feeling a bit tired and would like to rest. Let’s catch up when I’ve fully recovered,” Du Shi continued, now bluntly issuing a dismissal.

Zhang Shi and Yan Shi didn’t seem to mind, but Fourth Aunt Ge was fuming, her eyes turning red with anger as they ushered her out.

Unable to contain her frustration, Fourth Aunt Ge loudly grumbled.

Zhang Shi ignored her and left without further interaction after stepping out of the Second Household.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, calm down,” Yan Shi said with a gentle smile.

“What? Now Fifth Sister-in-law wants to lecture me too? Does the whole family want to step all over me?”

Yan Shi remained unbothered. “If that’s how you see it, there’s nothing I can do. But as you’ve seen, Fourth Miss’s medical skills are quite impressive. We women are fortunate to have such a skilled healer in our midst. She just returned home, yet you’ve already been so hostile toward her. Aren’t you afraid she might take offense?”

“What could happen? Me, an elder, will need her help one day, and she’d dare refuse?”

Given what she said to Second Uncle last night, it was indeed possible. “Whether she does or doesn’t help is one thing. Whether she does her best or not is another. Besides, if something small went wrong under the radar, leaving you in a bit of pain, I’m sure that would be easy enough for her to arrange. My words are said, Fourth Sister-in-law. Take them to heart.” After these final words, Yan Shi gracefully left with her handkerchief in hand.

In truth, Yan Shi wasn’t particularly fond of giving Ge Shi advice. She simply had a growing admiration for Xiao Cao and didn’t want anyone making her life harder. After all, how could anyone endure being estranged for more than a decade only to come home to more drama?

Now that Wenren Xuan was Eldest Sister’s cherished treasure, she wouldn’t tolerate anyone bullying her. These past few days had been calm, but wait—Fourth Aunt was bound to face consequences, likely suffering in silence with no way to complain.

It’s only because Fourth Aunt mistakenly thought Eldest Sister was too kind and Second Sister-in-law was easy to push around. Ha!

Ge Shi stood dumbstruck, her face alternating between shades of pale and green. She then turned and vented her anger on the maidservants trailing behind.

Life continued as usual. Two days later, the Wenren family reopened the ancestral hall, this time formally recording Wenren Xuan, the Fourth Miss of the family, into the genealogy. She was the only girl of her generation whose name did not follow the tradition of including the character for “water.”

Invitations for the family banquet had already been sent out. Many families close to the Wenren Household, especially from the extended family or prominent in-laws, such as Eldest Sister-in-law Han’s family or the eldest legitimate daughter Wenren Hui, held back from visiting beforehand.

The family banquet was planned for the evening before the imperial examination, giving Wenren Taibo plenty of time to attend.

In the illustrious city of Kaiping, banquets like this—simple gatherings of close relatives—were usually held as evening meals, typically just an hour earlier than their usual daily dinner.

Some overly eager guests arrived not long after noon, just after the midpoint of the afternoon.

Han Shi took her eldest daughter’s hand and asked, “Why are you here so early? Didn’t your husband come with you?”

Wenren Hui smiled. “He had something to attend to. He’ll come along later with my mother-in-law.”

Han Shi’s eyes twinkled with thought as she nodded. “That’s fine then.”

“Mother, where is Fourth Sister? I can’t wait to see her,” Wenren Hui changed the subject, unwilling to linger on the topic.

“Didn’t know you’d be back this early. Xuan’er still has some matters to handle, probably can’t come right away. Let’s go to her place directly. I think Yan’er and Ying’er are there with her,” Han Shi said, as she held Wenren Hui’s hand and ushered her outside.