The least clever of the Yu family’s sons, the Third Son, had spent years building his credentials in a provincial post before maneuvering his way back to the capital. The family had originally planned to keep this foolish one close under their watch, yet even so, trouble still managed to arise!

"I know, and it’s my fault too. I only asked Madame Sun about it twice, and both times she claimed the child was too timid to meet strangers after just arriving. I believed her… Ah, what a mistake."

The truth was, they had genuinely assumed the girl was merely an adopted daughter, and neither the matriarch nor Madam Zhang had paid her much attention.

As for the Third Son’s wife—whose only redeeming quality was her pretty face—Old Madam Yu was filled with regret.

She never should have softened back then and allowed the Third Son to marry her.

The old matriarch continued, "I always said that among all the children in this household, whether legitimate or otherwise, only Sixth Miss from the third branch didn’t resemble our family—nor the Suns. Now we know why! She was never one of ours to begin with!"

That girl’s looks were merely passable. If not for Madame Sun’s extravagant pampering, her appearance and bearing wouldn’t even measure up to the maidservants in the household.

Seventh Girl, on the other hand—the moment Old Madam Yu laid eyes on her, she knew she was a true Yu.

Meanwhile, the eldest branch was also discussing the matter. Madam Zhang sighed, "The Third Son and his wife have acted disgracefully. Passing off their own flesh and blood as an adopted child! And in this household, especially in the third and fourth branches, some insolent servants even dared to refer to Seventh Girl as ‘the young mistress from outside’ behind her back!"

She had punished a number of them upon finding out, but with Madame Sun shielding them, there was little she could do as the elder sister-in-law to interfere in her younger sister-in-law’s affairs.

The fourth branch, being of lesser birth, had quieted down somewhat, though Eighth Miss still occasionally stirred up trouble.

"Keep a closer eye on Seventh Girl. That child has suffered terribly all these years outside."

Elder Master Yu had reviewed the investigation his father ordered into the cruelties the Zhou family had inflicted on the girl.

Had she not been sold to a Taoist temple, she wouldn’t have survived to this day.

"I know. I always thought Sixth Miss was no good—just as domineering as the unruly Eighth Miss, always competing with her sisters, putting on airs, and pretending to be meek. And for her sake, the Third Son’s wife has neglected her own flesh and blood."

Yue Fuguang suddenly noticed a shift in the Yu household’s atmosphere. Old Madam Yu and Madam Zhang had both sent her an abundance of gifts—fine clothes, delicacies, and other luxuries.

All her attendants had been replaced; not a single one of Madame Sun’s people remained.

Even the fourth branch, though of lesser status, sent gifts. And most surprisingly, Madame Sun, whom she hadn’t seen in nearly a month, actually deigned to visit her courtyard.

Ah, yes—her residence had also been changed. The cramped, dilapidated little place she had lived in before had been carelessly assigned by Madame Sun.

Remote, old, and tiny!

This new courtyard was spacious and bright, and Yue Fuguang found it far more comfortable.

"Seventh Girl, don’t blame me, and don’t blame your Sixth Sister. Now that you’re back, you’ll have plenty of good days ahead. Just don’t go coveting things that aren’t yours. In the future, you must get along well with your siblings."

Madame Sun sat in the seat of honor and delivered this long-winded speech, the gist of which was: Don’t resent your past suffering, and don’t dare lay a finger on Sister Rou’s belongings!

As if! If Yue Fuguang didn’t resent, didn’t fight, didn’t seek revenge—she wouldn’t be Yue Fuguang at all!

She had suffered nearly a month of torment at the hands of the Zhou couple after transmigrating here!

Thinking back to her frail body when she first arrived—too weak to even run away, her system afraid to replenish her strength—she had endured two agonizing days before recovering. Ah, what misery!

So she was preparing a grand surprise for everyone. Let’s see if they could handle it!

But for now, to secure her place at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, she would endure.

Thus, Yue Fuguang put on a timid expression and whispered, "Yes, I’ll listen to Madam."

Hearing her say "Madam," Madame Sun froze. Now that she thought about it, ever since this child had been brought back, had she ever once called her "Mother"?

Truly, a child not raised by one’s own hand would never be close!

Madame Sun instantly lost interest in further conversation. Truthfully, she barely knew this daughter of hers.

She didn’t even correct her on the proper form of address.

And Yue Fuguang was relieved she didn’t. The idea of calling Madame Sun "Mother" made her skin crawl.

It wasn’t an age issue—she had already accepted that she was now an eight-year-old, and her mentality had adjusted accordingly under the influence of her youthful body.

No, it was simply because Madame Sun didn’t deserve the title. The original Yue Fuguang never had a mother like her, and neither did she.

"The Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet is the day after tomorrow. Prepare well and practice your etiquette. I don’t expect you to match your Sixth Sister’s excellence, but at least don’t embarrass our third branch."

With that, she left as abruptly as she had arrived, as if this visit were merely a formality.

Who was she putting on this act for?

Honestly, it would have been better if she hadn’t come at all.

"System, what do you think Madame Sun came here for?"

Surely not just to spout those few words?

[Old Madam Yu ordered her to come. She plans to add you to the family register at the start of next month.]

Originally, as an "adopted daughter," Yue Fuguang’s inclusion in the family registry hadn’t been a priority for the Yus.

"She didn’t mention that just now. Let’s pretend we don’t know."

A sudden thought made Yue Fuguang smirk. She hoped the Third Son and his wife—these two heartless creatures—would be able to withstand the fury of the Yu family’s patriarch and matriarch after the Empress Dowager’s banquet.

Time passed swiftly, and the past few days had been the most comfortable since Yue Fuguang’s transmigration.

If one ignored the grueling etiquette drills and Yu Ningrou—that impostor—constantly flaunting her status in front of her, then yes, it could be considered a good life.

Though the Empress Dowager’s banquet wouldn’t begin until noon and last into the evening, the Yu household was already bustling with preparations at dawn.

Yue Fuguang was no exception. After breakfast, her senior maid, Lvzhu, and Nanny Zhao fussed over her appearance.

"Our Seventh Miss is such a lovely girl," Nanny Zhao remarked with satisfaction as she admired her handiwork.

Lvzhu nodded in agreement. "Truly! With Nanny’s skillful touch, our young mistress looks like a fairy child stepped right out of a painting."

Yue Fuguang did appear younger than her eight years—closer to six or seven—so the term "child" still suited her.

She followed the third branch’s members toward Old Madam Yu’s main courtyard.

Madame Sun held Yu Ningrou’s hand in one of hers and her ten-year-old second son, Yu Ninghao (sixth in the family’s male line), in the other. Beside Yu Ninghao walked the third branch’s eldest son, thirteen-year-old Yu Ningchen (fourth among the brothers).

Yue Fuguang trailed behind them, listening quietly to the cheerful chatter of the four ahead, her expression serene.

There was no trace of discomfort at being excluded, nor the longing for affection typical of a child her age.

Lvzhu, however, ached for her young mistress. Such a sweet girl—why couldn’t Madame Sun see that?

When they arrived at the main courtyard, the entire family paused at the sight of the third branch’s favored members—and Yue Fuguang, left behind as always.