“My child is just too kind.”

Qin Man shook her head helplessly, but the pride in her eyes was evident. She glanced over at Yang Nianwho was still standing in the doorway, overlooking the entire exchange.

“You’re the one who taught me well.” Yao Ran’s face flushed dark red. Seeing that everyone’s eyes were finally on her, she quickly waved her hand and looked away.

“There’s really no need to praise me.”

Old Madame Yao, disinterested from hearing all the compliments, glanced over at Yang Nian. When she saw that he was still standing, she quickly ushered him in. “You should come in,” she called out. “It’s not good standing in the hallway like that.”

“Thank you.” Yang Nian smiled politely and stepped inside.

Yao Yuan also followed.

Only Qin Man and Yao Ranwere left staring at each other. Seeing as the interest had already fallen, they couldn’t help but feel a little awkward with each other. At this point, they didn’t know whether they wanted to continue the topic or follow the rest of them.

Her fingers dug into her palm as Qin Man struggled to control her irritation.

Knowing that she shouldn’t push any further, she could only suppress her anger and nodded at Yao Ran. “Let’s go,” she snapped.

“Okay,” she replied in a low voice.

Just then, Aunt Zhang came running over with the ointment in hand. Seeing that the two of them didn’t look too well, the smile disappeared from her features. “Madame, Miss Yao Ran, I’ve already brought the ointment with me,” she said. “Does Old Madam Yao still want it?”

At the mention of her mother-in-law, Qin Man directly turned out and left the vicinity—off to join the other guests.

Her expression was extremely dark and vengeful, which surprised the duo just for a moment. Who would’ve thought that she’d go in without even waiting for her?

Aunt Zhang shuffled nervously. “What happened to her? Have I said something wrong?”

“It’s really nothing.” Yao Ran shook her head dejectedly. “You can head back first. Besides, I don’t think this ointment will be of any use anyway.”

Aunt Zhang couldn’t help but frown.

Before this, she didn’t really think that Old Madam Yao’s attitude to Yao Ran wasn’t necessarily this bad. It was as civil as ever. However, ever since Yao Tanghad come into the picture, she began to see the difference.

Back then, she had assumed that the old woman had preferred sons over daughters. That’s why she treated Yao Ran so coldly from the start, but ever since they met Yao Tang, she knew that this wasn’t the case.

She shook her head.

Wasn’t this unfair to Yao Ran?

For more than ten years, Yao Ran had stayed by the old woman’s side. But ever since Yao Tanghad returned, why did the old woman suddenly switched sides?

Why was she so rude to her own granddaughter?

Her heart couldn’t help but ache in pain for her. “Miss Yao Ran, you shouldn’t be discouraged,” she comforted her. “The two of you are different. She’s just some peasant who’s recently gained power. You’re…you’re the true daughter of the Yao Family. She’s incomparable to you.”

Yao Ran’s eyes flashed, and she slowly blinked the tears away. “You don’t have to comfort me,” she murmured. “I’ll be fine.”

“I’ll always be fine as long as I can be by my parents’ side. It doesn’t matter how my sister treats me. You mustn’t do anything for me. If she finds out then…”

Fear flashed across her face.

When Aunt Zhang saw this, she couldn’t help but sigh in disbelief. Yao Ran had always been such a kind and simple girl. Just the thought of seeing her become such a pushover was enough to break her heart.

She clenched her fists.

Aunt Zhang agreed to an extent that she shouldn’t interfere, but she just didn’t want Yao Tang to destroy the little sanity Yao Ranhad left in her.

However, as to how she was going to go about this, she had no idea.