After her transformation and rebirth, she manipulates the innocent and ruthless to overthrow the wor

Xiao Mu was the first to notice her. When he turned to look at her, his gaze lingered on her for a moment, seemingly quite pleased with her attire, and his tone softened slightly.

"Ran'er is here. Your sister and I are waiting for you."

He Wan gave a slight curtsy and greeted her softly, "Sister Ran."

Xiao Ran nodded in response, her gaze sweeping around her, and asked seemingly casually:

"Where is my aunt?"

Xiao Mu remained calm and said indifferently, "She is weak and cannot be exposed to the wind, so I let her go to the carriage first."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ran nodded slightly without saying anything more, but her mind was perfectly clear.

Her dear aunt certainly didn't want to see her; she was probably plotting something in the carriage right now.

“I understand. In that case, Wan-meimei, let’s go to the carriage together.” She approached He Wan and slowly took her hand.

He Wan seemed a little stunned, and subconsciously glanced at Xiao Mu beside her. Xiao Mu then explained:

"Wan'er told me that she wants to sit with your aunt. She's new here and shy, so it's good for her to be with someone she's close to."

Xiao Ran smiled slightly, her tone gentle yet tinged with a hint of probing: "But Wan-mei, isn't your older sister also someone close to you? I was thinking that since we're about the same age, we could have some intimate conversations in the carriage."

“Ran’er is right.” Xiao Mu pondered for a moment and then said slowly, “Your sister also attended a palace banquet a few years ago and had some dealings with those young ladies from noble families. If Wan’er sits with her, it will be a good opportunity for her to get to know them beforehand and avoid feeling awkward at the banquet.”

“In that case, it is my fault, sister.” He Wan lowered her eyes and said meekly, “Wan’er will do as Father says and sit with Sister Ran.”

……

The general's carriage was neither too big nor too small; it could comfortably seat two people, but it would be a bit cramped with three. Therefore, the women of the general's household did not ride in the same carriage.

As the carriage swayed, the jade hairpin on He Wan's headdress jingled, the crisp sound complementing her slightly nervous expression, making her appear all the more endearing.

Xiao Ran smiled and said, "Sister, you look really beautiful today, especially the hair ornaments. They complement your lovely appearance perfectly."

He Wan smiled back, her gaze gently falling on her head, her tone playful: "How can I compare to my sister..." As she spoke, she suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, "Just now Father was worried about my sister's marriage, but who knew that as soon as my sister came, even Father's worst expression softened."

"marriage?"

He Wan blinked, feigning surprise, and said, "Yes, didn't Father mention it to my sister?"

Xiao Ran's gaze held a hint of scrutiny. She didn't entirely believe He Wan's words, but she didn't show it on her face. She simply shook her head slightly and said calmly, "I haven't heard Father mention it."

He Wan smiled again, a sly glint in her eyes: "Then you'll have to ask Father properly, sister! Wan'er doesn't want to be the one to expose this."

Xiao Ran sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. If they didn't want to talk, they didn't care anyway. This so-called "secret revealer" was just a pretense of mystery.

"Father must be worried sick. But Wan is only a year younger than me. Since Father has brought up my marriage, he must also be concerned about Wan's marriage." Xiao Ran's tone was indifferent, but her gaze seemed to sweep across He Wan's face.

Upon hearing this, He Wan's expression stiffened slightly, as if something she was thinking had been touched upon.

Seeing this, Xiao Ran smiled slightly and continued, "By the way, Wan-meimei, I remember you once told me that you were fond of Prince Nangong... Now that the winter break has been going on for so long, has he contacted you?"

He Wan was taken aback, clearly not expecting Xiao Ran to suddenly bring this up. She lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper:

"Sister Ran is joking. Wan'er knows that her status is ordinary and has long dared not be interested in the young master."