Volume One, Chapter Three: The True Heiress Is a Powerhouse, Part Three

An Qianqian had already changed into a moon-white ru skirt, which Mistress Wu had arranged for along the way. The fabric was light and soft, accentuating her naturally refined features and making her delicate eyebrows and eyes even more distinct.

As she just lifted the curtain to get out of the carriage, she saw a group of people standing at the gate.

Leading them was a woman whose eyes bore fine wrinkles, yet her grace was undeniable.

Her slightly upturned eyes mirrored An Qianqian’s exactly.

“This... is this really Qianqian? I am your mother,” Cheng Mingyue said, voice trembling. She hurried forward to grasp her hand but stopped midair, tears instantly welling in her eyes.

Mingxia, the Duke of Rongguo’s steward, stood beside them, barely able to contain his excitement. He firmly patted An Qianqian’s shoulder. “It’s good you’re back, good you’re back.”

An Qianqian’s gaze calmly swept over the gathered family members—almost everyone who ought to be here was present: her two aunts, her three elder brothers along with their wives.

Only the two brothers still at school were missing, likely still buried in their studies.

The scene was festive, like a New Year’s reunion.

It was clear that the original family welcomed her warmly.

Just as An Qianqian was about to speak, she noticed a young girl in a pink dress snuggled beside Cheng Mingyue. The girl’s eyes curved shyly, and she clutched an embroidered handkerchief, looking utterly pitiful.

“Mother, this must be my sister, right?” the girl’s soft voice spoke first. “I’ve often heard you mention sister, and I’ve been longing to see her for so long. Finally, she has come back.”

As she spoke, she shrank closer into Cheng Mingyue’s embrace, tears shimmering in the corners of her eyes. “But... will sister blame me for having taken the place that should have been hers all these years?”

Cheng Mingyue quickly hugged her, a trace of embarrassment flickering across her face. She said to An Qianqian, “Qianqian, this is Ruowei. After you were taken away, your father and I were heartbroken, so we adopted her into the family. She has a gentle nature. You two should get along well from now on.”

[Host, this An Ruowei harbors malicious intentions! In the previous life, when Qin Xiaohua entered the mansion, within a month she was secretly violated by beggars at Ruowei’s instigation. Fortunately, the An family was kind, and Duke An Mingxia, considering you his biological daughter, cared for Qin Xiaohua well even after she went mad. As for Ruowei’s act of arranging the beggars, it was never discovered.]

“Mm, I understand. Let’s go inside,” An Qianqian replied calmly, nodding slightly as she followed the Duke of Rongguo.

An Ruowei watched her retreating figure, a faint smile playing at her lips before she quickly masked it with a feigned frailty. She supported Cheng Mingyue and followed along.

“Mother, sister doesn’t seem to like me very much...” she murmured.

“Don’t think too much into it. Qianqian has just returned and isn’t familiar with us yet,” Cheng Mingyue reassured her.

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