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Lin Yuejuan’s lips had turned white with tension, managing only a strained smile. Stirred by the words she overheard, she followed Hu Miaomiao’s pointing finger and saw a large gate in the distance.

Her steps involuntarily slowed, and she stared blankly at the gate, the tension in her heart easing somewhat, only to be replaced by a mix of emotions and trepidation about the unknown. The little girl of those years had truly become a consort in the palace...

It had been six years since they last saw each other. Who knew what she looked like now, or if she truly still remembered them, or thought of them...

While Lin Yuejuan was lost in thought, Hu Miaomiao glanced backwards, a sneer forming in her heart. She had calculated the timing to clear any obstacles beforehand, yet, even so, what a coincidence that she still found some sneaky figures at the Imperial Garden in the early morning westward.

Some people were truly too eager to gather information. Though things looked quiet on the surface, the little tails underneath always wanted to stick out. If you want to pry, first weigh whether you have the skill, lest in failing to inquire, you lose your life.

In a place invisible to Lin Yuejuan, he gestured towards the trees.

Sure enough, the leaves on the treetops rustled slightly, as if something had flown past.

Hu Miaomiao accompanied Lin Yuejuan in slowing down their pace, and when she came back to her senses, Hu Miaomiao gestured politely, "Madam Lian, please."

Lin Yuejuan composed herself and resumed walking. Hu Miaomiao uttered several words of reassurance and continued to lead the way.

The group soon entered the gates of Canglan Court.

Lin Yuejuan kept her head lowered, her entire focus concentrated on the person she was about to meet, paying no attention to the surroundings.

As they walked, a crisp call broke through her ears:

"Clan Aunt."

She looked towards the voice in bewilderment, and saw a beautiful young lady of about seventeen or eighteen, her smile radiant and warm.

For a moment, Lin Yuejuan felt as if she had plunged into her memories; the image of the girl from the past overlaid with that of the lovely young woman standing before her, taking her back to their first encounter:

Years ago, on an ordinary day, Lin Yuejuan’s husband had told her that a distinguished guest would come with his family soon, asking her to prepare a spare room and a table of fine food and drink.

Her husband’s face was bright with an excitement she had never seen before, affectionately calling the guest ’Brother Changhe’, showing a warmth he had never shown even to his own brother. After speaking to her, he took the servants to greet the visitors.

Back then, their daughter Huihui had not yet married. Together, they had prepared a table of dishes. Just as they finished, sounds came from outside the courtyard – the guests had arrived.

She quickly wiped her hands and went out to receive the guests with Huihui, only to see several large horse-drawn carriages at the door. In the front were her husband and a handsome man, arm in arm, laughing and talking, both addressing each other as ’brother’ warmly.

From behind the carriages, a Young Master jumped down; he seemed to be in his mid-teens, tall and strong, and reached out to help his ’third brother’ down from the carriage.

The Young Master who emerged was exceptionally handsome. If not for the boy’s attire, one might think it was a girl.

Next, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a serene and graceful lady appeared. Seeing Lin Yuejuan, she smiled and, assisted by the hands of the youth who was the head of the procession, stepped down from the carriage. She was none other than Brother Changhe’s wife—Su Ran.

She and Huihui went forward to meet them, and after greetings, the two young masters were introduced: the elder, robust one was called Wan Zhen, the second brother, while the younger handsome one like a girl was called Lian Bao, the third brother; the eldest wasn’t there as he was studying at the academy.

Both young masters were very polite, offering their respects upon their introduction.

She and her sister-in-law stood in front of the carriage having a warm conversation for a while, and just as she was about to invite the latter inside, her sister-in-law slightly flushed, apologized for any offense, and explained that her youngest daughter was still asleep in the carriage, having seen her sleeping so soundly, she hadn’t woken her, which was impolite.

She was taken aback, realizing there was another girl.

She said that her sister-in-law was fortunate to have both a son and a daughter, something to be envied, as every family has a daughter, and the heart of a loving mother is something everyone understands.

Her sister-in-law, slightly apologetic, gestured to have Da Zhuang, the second master’s son, go and call someone. Yet before Da Zhuang could reach the carriage, the curtain lifted of its own accord.

A cute and clever little girl appeared before them, looking as if she had just woken up, dazed and bewildered, with the imprint of sleep still reddening her face.

The little girl looked over, seemingly unaware of what was happening, with a confused expression.

It wasn’t until her sister-in-law, Su Ran, spoke a few words and asked her to come over to greet them that the little girl reacted.

In an instant, the little girl’s face became animated and lively, appearing extremely excited.

Without needing to be helped off the high carriage, she lightly and daintily jumped down and ran toward her and Huihui, shouting sweetly and clearly upon seeing her, "Clan Aunt!"

Her lively big eyes were filled with starlight, and her smile was both sweet and warm, filling those who saw it with joy. Who wouldn’t like such a jubilant little girl?

Upon seeing this, her sister-in-law chided her lightly and bent over with a handkerchief to wipe the girl’s face and tidy up her disheveled clothing and hair, scolding her for being too boisterous and lacking manners, for not greeting elders and sisters properly, without politeness.

The little girl obediently admitted her fault and respectfully greeted her and Huihui again, extremely cute and endearing, melting the hearts of all who watched.

Brother Changhe, upon seeing everyone had gotten down, promptly came over with her husband, and after introductions all around, they exchanged formal greetings.

Brother Changhe then asked the little girl if she had slept well and showed warm concern for her. He then took the little girl by the hand to introduce her individually to her husband, extolling his daughter’s many virtues.

The little girl, known by the nickname Nannan, though not yet of age, was very sweet and articulate. Even her husband was smitten with the girl, praising how bright and charming she was.

After a round of pleasantries, they finally welcomed everyone inside.

Back then, she could see that this little girl was probably even more cherished than her two brothers, the apple of Brother Changhe’s entire family’s eye, adored by everyone from top to bottom.

Even though the sister-in-law appeared to scold the girl, her every word and action were filled with love.

She had never seen a girl so doted upon in any other family, not even her husband could hide his immense adoration.

Lin Yuejuan had not been able to bear a son in this lifetime, and her mother-in-law, while still alive, had despised her for it, often being subjected to the petty machinations of the Clan Aunt and the idle talk of neighbors.

Fortunately, her husband had his own mind and defended her, not succumbing to his mother’s manipulations to take a concubine.

Still, she yearned for a son, a regret that lingered in her heart. If she had had a son, she wouldn’t have had to walk on eggshells in her youth, unable to raise her head in her mother-in-law’s presence.

Wanting a son was her affliction.

Thus, she envied her sister-in-law, who had been blessed with both a son and a daughter, but she could not quite understand why they doted so much on this little girl.

A girl should be gentle, demure, and quiet, practicing needlework and staying peacefully at home, learning the things a girl should know, and only after marrying into her husband’s family and bearing a son would she be truly respected.