Zhou Xiuer followed the little maid leading the way into the elegant courtyard, looking at the two-story pavilion inside, her eyes filled with envy.

This must be the Embroidery Building where the young ladies of wealthy households reside, kept sheltered within, raised in such Embroidery Pavilion deep away from the world.

"Miss, Miss Zhou is here." Standing at the door, a maid in pink lifted the curtain to report inside.

A proud female voice came from within, and the maid smiled at Zhou Xiuer: "Miss Zhou, please."

Zhou Xiuer tugged at her upper garment, lowered her head slightly, and walked inside.

Upon entering the house, a burst of warmth greeted her, Zhou Xiuer lifted her head and saw two young women sitting on the beauty couch by the window, both dressed in luxurious and exquisite gowns, with precious and beautiful jewelry adorning their heads, sitting upright with a noble demeanor.

These were noblewomen raised in the capital!

And she herself...

Zhou Xiuer had never felt such embarrassment and inferiority, along with envy.

"Are you Wufu’s cousin? What’s your name again?" The woman on the left slightly raised her chin and asked.

Zhou Xiuer steadied herself to look over, initially stunned, as this woman somewhat resembled Wufu. However, she lacked Wufu’s sharpness and grace.

"I am Zhou Xiuer."

Wu Yining glanced at her up and down, a hint of disdain flickered in her eyes before she lowered her gaze.

"So it’s Xiuxiu sister." Wu Yilin stood up, pulled Zhou Xiuer to sit down, and said with a smile: "I’m Yilin, twelve years old this year. This is my sister Yining, she’s fourteen."

Zhou Xiuer smiled and slightly bowed her knees.

"Sister, sit." Wu Yilin pressed Zhou Xiuer to sit down, then had the maids serve tea and pointed at a plate of snacks, saying: "The snacks our cook makes are exceptionally good, have a try."

Zhou Xiuer took a piece and tasted a little.

Wu Yilin began asking where she came from, then glanced at Wu Yining, who also joined the conversation.

Zhou Xiuer explained her origins but didn’t elaborate on her family affairs, only mentioning that her father and brothers had offended some people and were waiting to be rescued, which led her to come here.

"We thought Aunt was here, but the Lady said they hadn’t returned to the clan; we don’t know why either?" Zhou Xiuer began probing.

Her cautious probing, however, was met with unreserved disclosure from the other side, with Wu Yining explaining mostly about Wufu’s time in the spotlight, the reason for not returning to the clan, and some misunderstandings between both sides.

Listening, Wu Yilin lightly furrowed her brow, glanced at Zhou Xiuer, and wondered if her sister was saying too much.

Yet Zhou Xiuer was utterly dazed, her mind buzzing, watching Wu Yining’s mouth open and close, no longer hearing what she said, with only one piece of information in her mind.

Wufu was named County Lord by the Emperor for saving a princess, and a Prince from a foreign country proposed marriage to her in public; she is about to become a Princess Consort!

Is there any news more shocking than this?

In this world, some people climb higher and higher, to unreachable heights, like Wufu. Yet others fall lower and lower, like her.

Why is heaven so unfair, so unfair.

Zhou Xiuer tried to pull out a smile, but her lips twitched, unable to smile no matter what.

Wu Yining glanced at her expression, a flicker of disdain and mockery in her eyes, feeling somewhat better inside, knowing she wasn’t the only one jealous, but there were others too.

Look, isn’t this country bumpkin in front of her one too?