As the two figures gradually disappeared from sight, comments like “Madam is truly fortunate” continuously directed toward Han Shi. Some were genuine, while others carried a tinge of envy or even bitterness. As Du Shi had earlier remarked, Han Shi was indeed lucky. Looking across the realm, few women could compare with her. Even people close to her felt intensely envious, let alone outsiders.

While Han Shi responded with modesty, she was secretly pleased.

Wenren Ying showed great care and thorough consideration in helping Xiao Cao. She would quietly remind Xiao Cao from time to time and chime in at just the right moments. Every time, her actions were appropriate—never overstepping or causing discomfort yet making things much easier for Xiao Cao.

Deep down, Xiao Cao thought in surprise: This younger sister appeared innocent and naive, yet she was surprisingly adept in dealing with people and situations. She was lively without being overly childish, did not flaunt her intelligence but spoke with substance, and neither vied for the spotlight nor got lost among the crowd.

What Xiao Cao did not know was that compared to her, this younger sister was merely a fresh, innocent facade concealing an experienced and weathered core. Wenren Ying perhaps truly had no talent in managing household matters, but she loved socializing, and attending various gatherings had always been a passion of hers. In her previous life, before getting married, Wenren Ying was less skilled in social interactions. However, after marriage, enduring mistreatment and hardships quickly helped her mature. Especially as she became frustrated within her own household, she found greater joy in socializing outside. In her youth, her social circle was relatively small, but after becoming a marquis’ wife, she became highly popular in the circle of noble ladies.

Now, gatherings like this were truly a piece of cake for her.

However, compared to her previous life when she enjoyed going out and socializing, after being reborn she had become more restrained, showing much less interest. While in her first life she had been all about fun and hustle, now, having matured, she no longer possessed the same enthusiasm.

Not only was Wenren Ying wholeheartedly helping Xiao Cao, but Wenren Xi, too, was unwaveringly supporting her, showing great affection.

Originally, Wenren Xi harbored deep resentment toward the eldest branch of the family. Because of this, Wenren Ying didn’t care at all for Wenren Xi in her previous life. In Wenren Ying’s eyes, everything their second uncle had done was his own affair. The two older brothers in her family didn’t even want his so-called “kindness.” Anything Uncle had given them paled compared to the wealth their own family already possessed—why should they care about his trivial offerings?

During her previous life, while still unmarried, Wenren Ying had often secretly clashed with Wenren Xi. But later, Wenren Xi met a tragic end, and Wenren Ying’s mindset matured, making her realize just how petty those past disputes had been. After being reborn, when Wenren Xi initially tried to antagonize her, Wenren Ying simply ignored her. Wenren Xi seemed perplexed by this and eventually, after a while, gave up her provocations, maintaining a distant but non-antagonistic relationship. The two effectively left each other alone.

Wenren Ying was quite clear about the reasons behind Wenren Xi’s change.

While their second aunt was still healing after the abortion, Wenren Ying frequently visited her out of curiosity. Each time she saw her, the aunt seemed better, her eyes bright, her face glowing, and she affectionately clung to the fourth sister like she was her own daughter. Perhaps her fondness for Xiao Cao extended to Wenren Ying as well, making her similarly warm and affectionate—completely different from her previously indifferent and stoic demeanor. It was as if the aunt of before had been a dream.

With the second aunt’s improved mood, Wenren Xi, too, became more vibrant, showing liveliness she had lacked before.

Close acquaintances knew that Wenren Xi and Wenren Ying had never been on good terms. But now, everyone’s attention seemed centered on the newly returned fourth sister, Xiao Cao. What kind of charm did this fourth sister possess to cause such a change?

Many curious gazes focused on Xiao Cao, though most tried to remain discreet. However, among the young, it was difficult to fully conceal expression.

Yet none of this impacted Xiao Cao.

“Well, what a lively gathering! Seems like I’m late.” A bright and hearty female voice rang out.

Before Xiao Cao could turn her head, her sister Wenren Ying subtly rolled her eyes—a clear sign of her disdain or even dislike for the woman who had spoken.

Sensing Wenren Ying had no intention of speaking, Wenren Xi, ever the “rival” of Wenren Ying, took the opportunity to lean in and quietly explain to Xiao Cao: “This is your aunt, surnamed Wu, by the name Yaru. Interestingly, she was born on the same day as you and fourth brother. Because of this connection, Aunt Han favors her greatly, more than any other younger relatives. Even though your aunt was only a concubine-born daughter of the Han family, and only a distant cousin to Aunt Han, her husband, the head of the Wu family, though the legitimate heir, came from a relatively lesser family background. But because of Wu Yaru, Aunt Han has showered her family with special treatment, even influencing her marriage. Wu Yaru’s marriage matched that of any daughter from our Wen family, with half of her dowry provided by Aunt Han. In the past, she even had the audacity to want to marry your fourth brother.”

“A toad wishing to eat swan meat!” Wenren Ying scoffed disdainfully.

“Aunt Han favoring her is one thing, but that could never compare to her feelings towards her own children. Fourth brother is dashing and talented—one of the top young men in the whole capital. And who does Wu Yaru think she is?” Wenren Xi felt just as indignant. Despite her past issues with the main family, she had always admired her fourth brother.

Wenren Ying toyed with her handkerchief as though finally deciding to speak. Her tone was casual: “Before my mother was pregnant with me, she brought Wu Yaru into our home for a time. She sent her back soon after finding out about the pregnancy. As she grew older, Wu Yaru began to see me as her biggest rival, thinking that I stole her affection—that whatever I had should rightfully belong to her. Even now, she believes that everything I have should have been hers.”

Wenren Ying paused and continued, “My mother refused her marriage proposal to my fourth brother, and now her husband, compared to my elder sister’s husband, is inferior in both status and talent. My fiancé is from a Marquis family—those lingering grudges have apparently caused her to even hold resentment towards my mother. Yet in front of my mother, she still acts sweet and obedient, ever the clever manipulator. She was like this even in childhood. I just wonder if it’s her mother or the rest of the Wu family who taught her.”

Compared to Wenren Xi, Wenren Ying’s tone wasn’t loud, but she didn’t go out of her way to lower it either. Quite a number of people nearby heard her clearly.

At this moment, Wenren Ying no longer seemed like the naive, bubbly girl. Instead, she had a bit of an air about her that reminded people of her elder sister Wenren Hui. Her words carried a weight that made others more inclined to believe her. In the past, Wenren Ying had said little about such matters, but now…

Seeing what had just unfolded, Wenren Xi broke into a smile. “Our aunt only ever favored Wu Yaru because she thought she had lost fourth sister, and the two happened to share a birthday. It was all misplaced affection. Now that fourth sister is back…”

“Some people are just insatiably greedy. The further away they roll, the better,” Wenren Ying coldly concluded.