As a result, the couple grew even more satisfied with their daughter. The more they loved her, the more they felt a deep longing for her, and the more they wanted to do better by her – to make up for what they had missed in the past and provide her with the best life had to offer. It can only be said that this is a fundamental aspect of human nature.

Xiao Cao was indeed patient and responsible when it came to dealing with patients, and she had also grown accustomed to caring for her adoptive father during her younger years. However, someone who is so devoted to others may not always prioritize their own circumstances. Xiao Cao served as a prime example of this. If she were willing to invest just a little more effort in herself, she could have lived a more refined life.

As the carriage’s rocking motion subsided, Xiao Cao lifted the curtain and peeked out the window. The scene that greeted her was one of sudden transformation: the ground was now paved with blue bricks, and the houses were significantly grander and more luxurious than before. The disparity between rich and poor in Kaiping was truly striking.

Surrounding the noble family’s mansion were mainly the residences of high-ranking officials, creating an even more refined environment. As the carriage arrived at its destination, a small crowd had already gathered in front of the gate, their faces betraying some excitement, but mostly curiosity.

As for Xiao Cao, now nearly eighteen years have passed since her disappearance, and aside from Han Shi, it’s likely that few others would still harbor hopes of her survival. The reason they hadn’t entirely forgotten about her wasn’t because Han Shi had always thought about her, but rather because she was a member of the Wenren family. In fact, Han Shi had even wanted to include her in the family genealogy, but her father-in-law, Wenren Taibo’s father, had refused.

When they saw the person emerge from the carriage, they were still somewhat skeptical, but in that moment, nearly everyone thought that she was indeed a member of the Wenren family – no mistake there.

Gazing upon Xiao Cao’s disheveled attire, one could detect a faint medicinal aroma wafting from it.

A woman turned away, covering her nose with a handkerchief and waving it in front of her mouth, clearly expressing disdain. Yet, she was the first to approach Han Shi, sporting a slightly exaggerated smile as she said, “Oh my, sister-in-law, congratulations! It’s been nearly eighteen years, and you’ve finally got her back. This dedication, it’s truly one of a kind. I must say, this girl is blessed. As for others…”

Her hand reached out to touch Xiao Cao’s face, exclaiming, “Oh, she’s really pretty. It’s as if she was raised at home, not in the wilderness. She’s just as refined as any girl I’ve met. I suppose our other girls will have to take a step back for a while.” Xiao Cao gazed at her fourth aunt, sensing that she had already attracted attention – and envy – before even setting foot inside the house.

As for subtleties, Xiao Cao might be oblivious, but who was responsible for the other party’s blatant behavior? When it came to cunning and manipulation, Xiao Cao was undoubtedly naive. However, she had one redeeming quality: a heart as big as the sky and a spirit that could weather any storm. No matter which direction the winds of adversity blew – east, south, west, or north – she would stand firm, unshakeable.

Han Shi moved her hand away and smiled as she asked, “We don’t usually see the shadows of Fourth Wife around here. Is it that Fourth Brother hasn’t returned yet?”

The other person’s face changed, and she twisted her mouth into a forced smile, “My husband has been quite busy lately.”

“Yes, he’s been busy, but what is he busy with? Tell him to come find me when he has time.” Wenren Taibo said.

As soon as he opened his mouth, the other person’s face became more colorful, and she timidly replied with an “Of course.”

Even the insensitive Xiao Cao knew that this fourth aunt was just rebuked by her parents. It seemed that the fourth uncle was the fourth aunt’s Achilles’ heel.

Wenren Taibo was typically indifferent to the conflicts between women. However, since his daughter had just returned, and the Fourth Aunt spoke with such a sarcastic tone, he couldn’t tolerate it. Feeling overprotective of his daughter, he couldn’t do anything to her directly but could certainly deal with her husband.

Although not everyone from the fifth branch of the family was present, enough were there. The fourth aunt, seeing this, retreated sullenly. Only then did others step forward, standing at a respectful distance, saying a few kind words.

“Elder sister,” a beautiful and lively girl with a thousand smiles and a hint of naivety spoke enthusiastically to Xiao Cao, “I’m called Xiao Qi, my given name is ‘Ying’, which means ‘clear’ or ‘pure’. My parents must have told you about me, right?”

“Seventh sister,” said the other girl wearing a gauze skirt of the color of lotus root, laughing. “I’m sure Fourth Sister has been wandering around since childhood and probably hasn’t read much. Aren’t you making it hard for Fourth Sister by saying this?” That was sixth young lady Wenren Xiang.

When Wenren Ying heard this, she immediately turned red in the face, “No, I apologize, Fourth Sister; I didn’t think about it at the time, nor did I do it on purpose…”. She looked like she was about to cry.

“Ying’er,” Han Shi stretched out her hand and patted her back, saying, “You’re the most mischievous one among us all, expecting everyone to be like you. When it comes to studying, you’ll hide away and be lazy. In comparison, your fourth sister is so studious.” She continued, “Xuan’er, this is your little sister – she’s ranked seventh among the siblings and is spoiled rotten.” Han Shi seemed to disapprove, yet her strong sense of doting was obvious.

The girl who had opened her mouth was completely ignored by Han Shi, and her face turned a little blue.

“Seventh sister,” Xiao Cao said with a faint smile. She felt that this sister was slightly strange, but couldn’t quite pinpoint why. She seemed to be an ordinary person.

“Fourth sister.” Wenren Ying immediately smiled happily.

Han Shi sighed as she gazed at Wenren Ying. “She’s already grown up,” she said, “but she still acts like a child. She’s getting married next year, and how can we be at ease about that?”

“Don’t I have my parents and siblings?” Wenren Ying blushed with embarrassment but pretended not to care, slipping her arm around Han Shi’s as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Han Shi grew furious, slapping her.

Just then, a handsome young man in his twenties appeared, his smile eerily reminiscent of their patriarch. “Father, mother, it’s getting late,” he said. “Fourth sister is back; she can’t be gone again, right? We can talk later.”

“Absolutely disgraceful! What did you say?” Han Shi said with a look of anger.

He immediately slapped his lips twice, muttering under his breath, “It was the son who said the wrong thing; he deserves to be punished, don’t get angry, don’t get angry.”

The woman standing next to him smiled sweetly and interjected, showing great concern for Xiao Cao as well.

This must be the elder brother and sister-in-law. They exchanged greetings before entering the house together.

However, the twin brother was nowhere to be seen. As it turned out, he had run to another person’s house early that morning, with a thick face, to ask for a rare ancient book. He probably wouldn’t return today, and as for the others, they seemed accustomed to such things happening. This sort of thing likely occurred all too often.

Xiao Cao was back home, and while it was indeed a big deal for those in the house, it wasn’t that significant in the grand scheme of things. For the family as a whole, it wouldn’t prompt them to go to great lengths to welcome her return. Once inside, everyone split up and returned to their respective rooms.