Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

Zhou Haoyang was shy around strangers, but she was quite familiar with her maternal grandfather's family, who were relatives. At her mother's instruction, she immediately knelt down and kowtowed earnestly, calling out in a clear voice.

"Wishing my maternal grandparents a Happy New Year! May my maternal grandparents, my eldest uncle and aunt, my cousin, my third aunt, and my youngest uncle all live long and healthy lives!"

His eyes darted around, clearly showing he'd been taught by an adult. But for someone so young, to remember so many people and call them out so fluently is quite remarkable.

The gloom hanging over the roof of the Yu family's house seemed to be dispelled by the innocent voices of the children.

Yu Man picked up the prepared red envelope, which contained only five coins, and stuffed it into Zhou Haoyang's hand. She then picked up the little boy from the ground and bounced him around in her arms.

"Your mother takes such good care of you, the little one seems to have gained some weight again? Haha!"

He deliberately poked his grandson's tender face with his stubble beard. The two of them, one playfully teasing and the other dodging, laughed throughout the roof. Ji Chunhua's initially unpleasant expression calmed down considerably.

Zhu Xiaozhen and Yu Xiaoxiang stood outside the door, watching this heartwarming scene.

Zhu Xiaozhen wore a forced smile, her two wet hands nervously wiping her apron repeatedly. Yu Xiaoxiang's large eyes, on the other hand, held a longing envy.

From the time she was old enough to understand, she knew that she was a worthless little girl.

This caused her mother to constantly get scolded by her grandmother, and made her grandfather and father sigh more than once. However, every time, she couldn't help but envy her cousin who came to visit.

He was only a year younger than me, yet he was loved by everyone.

Yu Wanran noticed her little niece's forlorn expression. Taking advantage of everyone's attention being focused on Zhou Haoyang, she took Yu Xiaoxiang's hand and led her into her own small cubicle.

"Third Auntie also prepared a New Year's gift for Xiaoxiang, which she specially saved for Xiaoxiang today. Xiaoxiang, come and see, do you like it?"

She took a small cloth bag from the bedside table, placed it on the bed, and opened it. Inside was a brand-new set of linen clothes for a little girl.

Yu Man and Ji Chunhua originally planned to make two new outfits for their daughter with the fabric they bought at the market in Shixi Village.

But Yu Wanran thought that she already had a set of old clothes given to her by her older brother, so making another set would be enough. Therefore, she insisted that Zhu Xiaozhen make a set of clothes for a little girl.

Her little niece, all grown up, is barely clothed. She's never had a proper outfit, let alone new clothes; it's truly pitiful. Besides, even a noble family like the Duke's wouldn't treat a girl like this.

After much back and forth, the couple finally relented and agreed to let Zhu Xiaozhen make new clothes for their daughter to wear for the New Year. After all, on the second wife's side, Yu Xiaoxiang was the only representative of the third generation.

Yu Xiaoxiang stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the new clothes her third aunt had brought out. She glanced at her smiling aunt, then at her mother who had quietly followed her in through the door.

“Come on, try it on. I told you your mother made it too big, but she insisted that if the edges were properly sealed, it wouldn't be noticeable, and you could still wear it when you grow up.”

Yu Wanran unfolded the new clothes and held them up against Yu Xiaoxiang. What she didn't say was that it wouldn't be long before she could buy her niece even better clothes, but Zhu Xiaozhen didn't believe her.

Yu Xiaoxiang's small hands, covered in chilblains, timidly touched the edge of her clothes.

Worried about getting her clothes dirty, she quickly pulled back. She nervously stopped Yu Wanran's hand, which was constantly untying her belt: "Third Aunt, is this really for me?"

"Silly child, look at the size of this dress! Besides you, who else in the family can wear it?"

Zhu Xiaozhen walked into the cubicle with a big smile.

“You should thank your third aunt. It was she who gave up her fabric for making clothes. She also persuaded your grandparents to let your mother make you a new outfit as a New Year’s gift.”

Yu Xiaoxiang's eyes suddenly stung and burned, and she threw herself into Yu Wanran's arms, hugging her neck tightly.

"Third Aunt..."

Yu Wanran felt a dampness that quickly spread inside her clothes. She hurriedly patted Yu Xiaoxiang's thin body and helped her up.

"You're not allowed to cry during the New Year! Auntie didn't really do anything..."

She laughed self-deprecatingly: "Your grandparents paid for the fabric, and your mother sewed the clothes stitch by stitch. My third aunt... all she has to offer is her mouth!"

She deliberately spoke in a pitiful tone, implying that she had nothing. This made the mother and daughter burst out laughing.

Yu Xiaoxiang hugged her even tighter.

Even so, she knew very well that if it weren't for her third aunt's sincere concern for her, even her own mother might not have thought of making new clothes for her daughter.

Her mother, prioritizing thrift, would alter various adult clothes to fit her. Just like her aunts and uncles in the past, who only got to wear a new dress of their own on their wedding day.

Yu Wanran helped her niece change into her new clothes, frowning slightly.

It's too big! Is Zhu Xiaozhen making clothes for her daughter based on an adult's size? Even with the hems rolled up, the sleeves and pants are still big enough to sweep the streets.

She managed to tie her folded waistband tightly with a belt, and seeing the mother and daughter happily stroking their new clothes with joy on their faces, she could only smile back.

"Our Xiao Xiang looks so radiant in her new clothes, like a young lady..."

It's not like a naughty child who steals an adult's clothes.

Zhu Xiaozhen didn't notice the smell; instead, she was proud of her craftsmanship: "This fabric is sturdy; Xiaoxiang can wear it for at least ten years. When she grows up, we can gradually let it heal. Third Sister, thank you so much this time..."

She's a useless mother.

If it weren't for my sister-in-law's intervention, my mother-in-law definitely wouldn't have agreed to give such fine fabric to her daughter to make new clothes.

Yu Wanran grinned.

Alright, as long as you two are happy.

After a while, Yu Cuicui, having finished chatting with her parents, slipped into the cubicle: "Third sister, sister-in-law, what are you doing..."

Seeing Yu Xiaoxiang shyly hugging herself, as if trying to hide the fact that she was wearing new clothes, he was immediately amused.

"Oh, Xiao Xiang is wearing new clothes for the New Year? Your mother must have made them for you by hand..."

I thought to myself, "My parents are really generous. They didn't get new clothes for themselves, but they made new clothes for the child. What's the point of making new clothes for a child, especially a girl? They'll grow up and outgrow them in no time."

However, upon discovering that the clothes were made too big and could probably be worn for several years, I refrained from saying anything and instead praised my niece a few times.

When Zhu Xiaozhen saw her come in, she guessed that she had something to say to her third sister-in-law, so she quickly pulled Yu Xiaoxiang out.

"The fire in the kitchen is still burning, I'll go check it out. Second sister, third sister, you two chat."

Yu Cuicui reached out Erkang's hand, trying to keep her there. She and this new third sister were complete strangers; what could they possibly talk about? However, Zhu Xiaozhen was introverted and never used to crowds, so she went to the kitchen as if fleeing a disaster.

Yu Cuicui could only glance at Yu Wanran, who was looking at her, and gave a dry laugh.

"Hey, Third Sister, you're back! Are you settling in well? As for the food... it's probably nowhere near as good as the Duke's mansion, right? You must look down on us country folk..."

Yu Wanran's lips twitched as she listened.

This second sister of mine, when she argues, she's like a raging fire, and her hits hurt. I never expected that even when she tries to talk to me nicely, she'll still clash with me.

They were at odds in their previous life, but... we can't simply blame her, can we?