Translator’s Note: TL: “Wei Shizi” (魏世子) can be understood as “Heir of the Wei Family”.

Lu Deyuan’s gratitude towards Xiao Cao deepened further. What had happened to him was an immense humiliation for any man. But she maintained his dignity and saved him from further embarrassment and ignorance, all while giving him hope.

Of course, there was something else—a feeling that this younger sister-in-law was not like others. Typically, when encountering such matters, people would show some odd expressions, making one feel as though half their clothes had been stripped off in public, plunging them into a deep sense of shame and anger. But she did not. She had not even the slightest reaction, treating the situation as though it were a trivial matter not worth dwelling on, or perhaps she possessed an unfalteringly upright mentality, staying above others’ opinions of right and wrong.

If the world were full of such people, how could anyone be tormented by gossip and rumors?

Xiao Cao walked over to the Old Madam’s side and inquired after her health.

“I’m doing fine. You check on me every morning and evening, and didn’t miss this morning either. What could be wrong?” The Old Madam’s tone sounded somewhat impatient, but Xiao Cao just smiled good-naturedly.

The Old Madam gave a glance at Wenren Hui and Lu Deyuan, then her gaze fell onto Xiao Cao, her intention clear.

Xiao Cao gently shook her head, offering no response.

The Old Madam understood and stopped asking further questions. What could be done had been done, and that was all she would concern herself with.

“Old Madam, the people from the Han family have arrived. The First Madam requests the Fourth Miss to go over,” a servant girl came in and reported.

The Old Madam nodded. “Fourth Girl, go ahead. They’re your maternal family; stay close to them. Today you are the lead role, and you’ll be busy enough.”

Xiao Cao felt a little troubled by the day’s events. Meeting so many guests at once—it was the first time in both her past and present life.

With so many people, it would be easy to develop “face blindness.” But there was no other option. Since she had entered this household, she had to adapt to the world of this family. There was no escaping it, so Xiao Cao braced herself.

When Xiao Cao arrived, the ladies from the Han family had already entered the second gate.

When Xiao Cao appeared, every eye naturally turned in her direction.

A bit nerve-racking! Xiao Cao hesitated slightly, then steadied her nerves and walked over to Han Shi, who grabbed her hand with a smile and began introducing her to everyone. Xiao Cao politely greeted each one by name.

“My, my, such a good child! Come here and let your grandmother get a good look at you,” Old Madam Han warmly fussed over her for a while. “It’s so good you’re back, so good. Your mother can finally be relieved of her heartache.” As she spoke, the bangle on her wrist was swiftly slipped off and placed into Xiao Cao’s hand. “From now on, come to the Han family often, spend time with your sisters, and settle in.”

Compared to the Old Madam Wenren’s sternness, Old Madam Han was much more outwardly kind—plump and always smiling.

As someone who practiced medicine, Xiao Cao’s wrists were usually bare, except for a silver bracelet holding acupuncture needles. During her years with Tingyu, she had eaten well and dressed well, but she didn’t own particularly valuable items. So Xiao Cao had little understanding of jewelry or accessories. Despite that, even she could tell that this bangle was no ordinary piece—it was lustrous and translucent, gleaming with high quality. What’s more, wasn’t she feeling the burning gazes fixed on her wrist, as though they could sear a hole through it? It wasn’t just her cousins; even her aunts were sneakily glancing at it.

“Grandmother, this…”

But before Xiao Cao could finish speaking, Old Madam Han held down the hand trying to give the bangle back and interrupted her with a smile. “A gift from an elder cannot be refused.” She patted Xiao Cao’s wrist. “This bangle’s color suits any age, and it looks beautiful on our Xuan’er.”

Han Shi, with a faint smile, gave a glance around and patted Xiao Cao’s arm. “You should thank your grandmother now.”

Xiao Cao blinked. Why did it seem like something was happening that she didn’t know about? Upon closer observation, those envious and jealous looks were gone. So, it wasn’t just her imagination? But what exactly had happened?

Xiao Cao thanked Old Madam Han and silently accepted the bangle.

The group then moved to the Old Madam’s place, while the men from the Han family had already gone ahead to pay their respects. Of course, they were all of the younger generation, with the exception of Han Xiaojiu—whom Wenren Hui had previously mentioned looked most like him. Indeed, the uncle and nephew did bear a strong resemblance. Han Old Master and the other uncles hadn’t returned from court yet, so they might be later than usual. Given the circumstances, the male heads of the Wenren family had all “left early” today.

Xiao Cao received another wave of gifts, and aside from Old Madam Han staying behind to chat with Old Madam Wenren, everyone else dispersed in search of entertainment. Actually, the way each household’s banquets unfolded was quite similar, and the activities were much the same.

Upon leaving the courtyard of Old Madam Wenren, Xiao Cao suddenly spotted a stranger not far away, clearly a servant. Han Shi frowned and was about to speak when her sister-in-law tugged her sleeve and whispered, “That’s Wei Shizi’s attendant. Wei Shizi is here too.”

“Wei Shizi?” Han Shi blinked in confusion before she remembered. “The heir apparent of the Marquis of Pingyang who is physically disabled?” As she spoke, she took a closer look. Among the bushes near the rock garden, she could see a servant standing respectfully, though only his upper body was visible. He was standing with his head lowered and posture deferential. His master should be nearby, but from this angle, she couldn’t see him; however, she did glimpse a part of a wooden wheelchair and the corner of a thin quilt draped over it. “The Marquis of Pingyang’s household has no connection to ours. What is this heir doing here?”

“Have you forgotten, Sister-in-law? Our Seventh Sister-in-law is Wei Shizi’s maternal cousin. Her mother was the half-sister of Wei Shizi’s maternal grandmother. But it’s not a particularly close relationship.

“For some reason, though, a few days ago, Wei Shizi visited our Han household. While the chances of him inheriting the title of Marquis of Pingyang are slim, he still holds the title of heir, which means we must treat him with proper respect.

“What’s strange is that he stayed at our house for two days without interacting with anyone. When we tried to show him some care, he would just look at us with this cold, gloomy expression that sent chills running up our spines. His attitude was worse than the host’s—more like we were entertaining some master, not a guest.

“After two days of this odd behavior, he suddenly asked to accompany us to the Wenren family today. Who knows what’s wrong with him.” her sister-in-law’s tone was casual, with a hint of scorn and dissatisfaction.

Now that she explained it, it indeed seemed strange, although her sister-in-law’s dismissive attitude was irksome. Han Shi glanced at her briefly. Before her marriage, her sister-in-law had been utterly deferential, doing everything she could to please her. But since time had passed, and her maternal brothers had gained some success, she had become more assertive.

Han Shi couldn’t be bothered to engage more. “A guest is still a guest, and it’s only right to…”

Just as Han Shi was about to step forward, she stopped mid-sentence. The attendant had already pushed his master away, leaving only their retreating silhouettes behind.

Her sister-in-law chuckled softly. “Sister-in-law, it seems that despite your wish to show proper hospitality, someone has higher ideas and isn’t interested in your courtesy.”

“I’m just a woman of the inner court; courtesy means little to me,” Han Shi replied in a cool tone.