Lady Hou is reborn and, by pampering her illegitimate son, reclaims her life of wealth and privilege

Looking at Liao Wan'er, Old Madam Chao suddenly remembered something and said, "Wan'er, do you know that I also went through a lot of hardships when I was young?"

Liao Wan'er shook her head and looked at Old Madam Chao with curiosity.

Old Madam Chao smiled and began to tell her story from her youth. She was once the daughter of a high-ranking official in the imperial court, and later married into the Chao family, becoming Old Madam Chao. She had experienced many hardships in her youth, but she had overcome them all in the end.

Liao Wan'er listened with great interest and couldn't help but feel respect for Old Madam Chao. She felt that Old Madam Chao was not only a respected elder, but also a woman full of wisdom.

After telling the story, Old Madam Chao looked at Liao Wan'er and said, "Wan'er, I hope that you can be like me in the future, bravely facing any difficulties and becoming a heroine of our country."

Liao Wan'er nodded firmly: "Wan'er will definitely keep the old lady's teachings in mind and strive to become a useful person to society."

Looking at her daughter, Mrs. Liang felt immense joy.

Old Madam Chao carefully examined Liao Wan'er, then nodded in satisfaction and praised with a smile, "Wan'er is indeed a child of great bearing, and she is becoming more and more like her mother."

Upon hearing this, Madam Liang smiled slightly and said humbly, "You flatter me, Madam. Wan'er is still young and needs more training."

Madam Liang's gaze involuntarily fell on Chao Huimin, the granddaughter beside Old Madam Chao. She wore a light purple dress, her demeanor elegant, and her eyes and brows exuded an innate noble air. Madam Liang secretly admired her; this Miss Chao was indeed extraordinary.

Madam Liang turned to Old Madam Chao and said with a smile, "Old Madam, this granddaughter beside you has a unique temperament, truly extraordinary. Could it be because you personally raised her?"

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Chao smiled proudly and looked at Chao Huimin with affection, saying, "Indeed, Huimin has been clever and quick-witted since she was little. Although she is a bit spoiled, I still love her very much. Now that she is older, I should let her have more contact with the outside world and broaden her horizons."

Madam Liang nodded in agreement, saying, "What the old lady said is true. Girls must learn how to treat others in order to better shoulder the responsibilities of the family."

Chao Huimin was secretly observing Liao Wan'er, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes. She walked up to Liao Wan'er and smiled, "Sister Liao, I heard from my grandmother that you are proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Would you mind letting me see them?"

Liao Wan'er smiled slightly and replied gracefully, "Sister Huimin, you flatter me. I don't deserve such praise. If you're interested, we might as well have a friendly match."

The two girls smiled at each other, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Seeing this, Madam Liang was delighted and said to Old Madam Chao, "Old Madam, it seems that Wan'er and Huimin get along very well."

Grandma Chao smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, they are both good children, and I look forward to them becoming good friends."

Liang discovered that although Chao Huimin was arrogant, she was also intelligent and insightful, which made her look at her with new respect.

During the conversation, Madam Liang frequently observed Old Madam Chao's expression. She noticed that whenever Chao Huimin was mentioned, Old Madam Chao's face was always filled with doting affection. Although her words contained a hint of reproach, her eyes were full of love.

Looking at the ill-mannered Chao Huimin, Madam Liang remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she thought to herself, "This Miss Chao is indeed living up to her reputation. She knows nothing about etiquette. How can she be worthy of my son with such behavior?" She slightly lowered her brows, her dissatisfaction growing stronger.

At this moment, Old Madam Chao looked at Madam Liang with a smile and said, "Madam Liang, Huimin is a straightforward girl, and there may be some things that you find laughable. But she is kind-hearted and treats people well, which is also part of the Chao family's upbringing."

Madam Liang smiled gently and said, "Grandma Chao, you flatter me. Children are always a bit willful. However, there should be limits to willfulness, otherwise how will they stand on their own two feet in the world in the future?"

Old Madam Chao understood the implied meaning in Madam Liang's words, but she only smiled and did not respond.

Madam Liang turned to Madam Li beside her and said, "Sister Li, I heard that your son recently passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. Congratulations!"

Madam Li's face showed a proud expression as she said, "Yes, my son was fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination and become a Juren, which does not disgrace our family's reputation. Madam Liang, how is your son?"

Madam Liang smiled slightly and said, "My son is still young and needs to work hard. However, I also hope that he will achieve something in the future and bring honor to my Liang family."

Everyone chimed in, and the atmosphere gradually became lively.

Madam Liang felt a pang of unease. She knew that everyone was secretly comparing her son to Chao Huimin. And she clearly didn't want her son to marry such a woman.

She glanced at Chao Huimin, who was still chatting and laughing with everyone without any restraint. Madam Liang thought to herself, "How could such a woman be worthy of my son?"

Madam Liang turned to Old Madam Chao and asked, "Old Madam Chao, what do you think of Huimin?"

Old Madam Chao smiled slightly and said, "Huimin is a clever and straightforward child, and I like her very much. Madam Liang, if you are interested, we can discuss the marriage of our children."

Madam Liang was startled and quickly said, "Old Madam Chao is joking. My young master is still young and needs to study hard. How could I dare to mention marriage?"

Old Madam Chao smiled and didn't bring up the matter again.

Madam Liang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that she would never agree to this marriage.

During the meal, Madam Liang tried her best to engage in conversation with everyone and change the subject. She discussed poetry and literature with Madam Li, everyday matters with Madam Wang, and health and wellness with Madam Zhao. Everyone chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

However, Liang's heart remained unsettled. She glanced at Chao Huimin from time to time, only to see her still smiling happily and without any restraint.

Liang thought to herself, "This Chao Huimin is truly unexpected. Doesn't she fear being laughed at for acting like this?"

Just then, Madam Weng, the wife of the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, glanced at Madam Liang and deliberately raised her voice, saying, "I've heard that the feud between the Marquis of Jing'an's mansion and the Marquis of Jiaxing's mansion is truly astonishing. The conflict between Liao Yuteng and Wei Fenghui has caused quite a stir in the city."

Upon hearing this, Madam Liang's face immediately turned somewhat awkward. She forced a smile, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere: "Sister Weng, you're too kind. This matter is long over, and we don't need to mention it again."

Madam Weng smiled slightly, but she did not intend to give up. She turned to another official's wife and said, "Sister Li, what do you think?"

Madam Li nodded slightly and replied, "That's true. However, the Lady of Jiaxing took this matter to the Dali Temple and ultimately won, which shows how angry she was. Liao Yuteng deserved to have his leg broken."

Madam Liang's face grew increasingly grim, and she couldn't help but interject, "Sisters, this matter involves my second son, so please be lenient with your words."

Madam Weng smiled gently, a sly glint in her eyes: "Sister Liang, we were just talking about the past, nothing more. It's your second son who is truly a pity."

Upon hearing this, Liang felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.

What Ms. Weng and others said was true; that conflict did indeed make her lose face in front of everyone.