Jiang Wanru woke up early, lying in bed quietly listening to the sounds outside. The snowflakes were falling heavily on the window, and the sound entered Jiang Wanrus ears, making her pull the quilt tighter and carefully move her stiff feet inside. She listened intently to the courtyard, where she could hear the voices of Jiyu and her brother shoveling snow, and faintly, the soft voice of Jiyu chatting with them. A subtle smile appeared on Jiang Wanrus face; since Jiyu arrived, this yard had become more lively.

  Jiang Wanru heard the sound of Ji Yans father and brother bidding farewell to Ji Yan, and the soft closing of the courtyard door. She quickly got up, tidied herself up, and had breakfast. When she saw Ji Yan walk into the room with a messy bun of black hair, she shook her head secretly in her heart.

  During the New Years festival, it is a time for family reunions. The Jiang family was also particularly lively, with Mr. and Mrs. Jiang, who were officials outside, having announced that they would return to their hometown earlier. Now hearing the commotion, it seemed that they were quite close to the capital. Everyone in the Jiang family was busy, except for Jiang Wanru. Her mother, Madame Ji, couldnt even spare time in the morning to help her younger daughter with her hair due to the many things she had to attend to in the mansion.

  Jiang Wenci came over two days ago, taking advantage of Jiyuans departure, and whispered to Jiang Wanting: "Third sister, my father is coming back for the New Year this time. He will bring many delicious foods. And he will ask me what I want, third sister, what do you want?" Jiang Wanting thought for a moment, feeling that she didnt need anything. She shook her head lightly and said: "Wenci, I have everything I need to eat and use, dont need anything." It was the first time Jiang Wenci had entered Wantings room, looking around at her empty and bare room, not even a brazier with charcoal fire.

  He looked back, his eyes slightly moved, and he glanced at Jiang Wanru, thinking for a moment before saying in a soft voice: "Third sister, Ill talk to Father about it, and ask Big Brother and Big Sister-in-law to treat you better from now on." Jiang Wanru was frightened by his words, covering his mouth and saying: "Wen Qi, our interactions must not be known to anyone in the family, including your father. If you dont agree, I wont see you again."

  Jiang Wenqi nodded at Jiang Wanyu, who then removed her hand from his mouth. After a moment of thought, she explained: "I think its good that Im like this. The old lady hasnt even allowed anyone to mention me in all these years. Your father is a filial son and grandson, so he probably didnt want his children to have close contact with me either. As for your older brother and sister, I dont remember much about what happened before they were three years old, so I dont know if theyve ever seen me. But after they turned three, I do recall that I never saw them again, nor did I see your uncle."

  Although Jiang Wenqi was young, he had experienced many things living under his stepmothers care over the years. Compared to people of the same age, he was more mature and sensitive. He listened to Jiang Wanyus words and thought about the things that the servants mentioned. In his heart, he somewhat understood. His own aunt managed the household strictly, but the rumors about his third sister being foolish had been circulating for a long time. Even people outside the Jiang family knew that there was an unintelligent Third Miss in the Jiang family.

  Lian Si Shao Ye had agreed to the oral engagement, and then came to visit Jiang Wan Ru. In fact, there was also this layer of meaning inside. If Jiang Wan Ru was indeed as foolish as rumored, this marriage would slowly disperse over time. Jiang Wen Qi had heard about these things, but he had more contact with Jiang Wan Ru than others, knowing that his third sister was not stupid, just not talkative. Now listening to Jiang Wan Rus words, thinking of her solitary residence in a remote small courtyard, even learning to recognize and write characters while hiding from people, his heart felt slightly sour.

  Jiang Wenqi nodded and promised, "Third sister, I wont let my father know about our relationship." Jiang Wanyu nodded again and urged Jiang Wenqi to leave quickly. After Jiang Wenqi left, Jiang Wanyu thought back to her situation in the Jiang family and felt like a underground party member before liberation, having to be extremely careful with every move, always on guard, and never forgetting her true intentions. She comforted herself, feeling very self-satisfied, thinking that things would definitely get better in the future. Enduring hardship is necessary to become a superior person.

  Jiang Wanru and Ji Yan had breakfast, then sat in the room for a while before getting up to move around. They went out into the courtyard, where the snow on the middle path was thicker, and used wooden boards to clear it away from both sides. Jiang Wanru had experienced many years of such quiet days, from her initial restlessness in the first year to her current calmness, forcing her to develop a tranquil mindset over time. However, Ji Yan was still in her first year, young and hearing the distant sounds of revelry from afar. She couldnt help but pace back and forth in the courtyard. When the wind blew, her loose hair fluttered everywhere.

  Jiang Wanru rushed out of the room, looking at her with both hands holding her hair, her eyes gazing out into the courtyard. Her gaze seemed to want to penetrate the door panel and shoot straight out. Jiang Wanru dragged her into her own room, pressing her onto a stool. She turned around to fetch a comb, standing behind Jiyan. She combed out her tangled hair, then styled it according to how Jiyans mother had always done for him.

  Jiang Wanru helped Ji Yan comb her hair, and seeing her sitting on the stool in a daze, she said to her: "Ji Yan, go find your mother. Dont tell others that I combed your hair." Ji Yan couldnt believe it, touching her own hair, then looked up at Jiang Wanrus hair and whispered: "Miss, doesnt Mu Gen Aunt come secretly every day to comb your hair?" After she finished speaking, she shook her head and said: "Miss gets up later than me, Ive never seen Mu Gen Aunt come in the morning."

  Jiang Wanmu glanced at Jiyuan, who was stiff and disbelieving. She reached out to pull her up and dragged her outside the door. After closing the door behind them, she let out a soft sigh in her heart. Over these few years, she had transformed a delicate woman into someone capable of living independently. She gently stroked her own hair, which was now thick and luscious. She couldnt help but chuckle as she recalled how much she used to dislike such hair in her past life. Whenever it grew a bit longer, she would go to a specialized hairstylist for a trim.

  Jiang Wanting had learned to braid her own hair half a year before Mugen Niang left. However, she and Mugen Niang kept this from outsiders, who thought Jiang Wanting was foolish and stupid. As Mugen Niang said: "Miss, its better for you to be a bit foolish, its safer that way. You wont attract attention and can grow up peacefully." Yu Niang had already understood this point and didnt dare visit Miss for the past two or three years. Alas...

  Jiang Wanru heard the commotion outside and Jiyans joyful voice saying, "Miss, Im going to welcome Master and Madam back home." Jiang Wanru didnt respond to her, but instead started jumping up and down in the room. A few days ago, Jiyan had whispered to her several times that Master and Madam of the Jiang family were returning to the mansion, saying that everyone who went to welcome them would receive a reward.

  The old master and mistress of the Jiang family have been abroad for many years, often sending back letters and gifts. The young masters and misses in the mansion almost all received a share, even newborn babies had a gift to receive. However, Jiang Wanru never received such gifts, they forgot that Jiang Wanru was also their illegitimate granddaughter, just like everyone else in the Jiang family.

  What is heartache? Jiang Wanru had experienced it when she first woke up. Later, as Yu Xixi stopped visiting her, she gradually told herself, This is just a temporary place to stay, I shouldnt ask for more emotions from them. This place allows me to grow up safely, and I should be grateful.