Back home, Li Wanying bustled about with Auntie Zhang, preparing dinner. A tender smile graced her face; she was no longer the woman who had been weeping so loudly earlier. Shangguan Rou also dutifully helped with the cooking, while Old Madam Shangguan sat chatting with Auntie Zhang. Auntie Zhang always kept a careful distance of three feet whenever Li Wanying was present. Since Shangguan You wasn't home, Auntie Zhang didn't need to be overly busy. The family chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere was quite pleasant.
The men were naturally in the study; downstairs, the women were busy preparing dinner.
As soon as Shangguan You returned, Shangguan Rou affectionately latched onto her arm, calling out "Sister! Sister!" repeatedly. Li Wanying, playing the part of an even more virtuous stepmother, also called out "Youyou, Youyou," demonstrating for Shangguan Hao how much she supposedly doted on her stepdaughter.
