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

"and many more."

Xiao Ran quickly stepped forward and stopped Shen You, who was about to lash out.

"What's wrong, Ranmei? Are you scared? It's okay, just stand here, I'm here."

Shen You spoke gently, but her eyes remained wary as she stared ahead.

Xiao Ran shook her head and turned her gaze back to the dark figure.

The shadowy figure seemed to sense their presence, freezing in place, motionless. A night breeze swept by, rustling a few withered leaves.

However, Xiao Ran keenly noticed that the dark figure seemed to be trembling slightly.

She didn't say anything and walked straight up to them.

As she got closer, she realized that the dark figure was actually a woman, thin and slender, as if a gust of wind could blow her away.

Xiao Ran's heart tightened, and she called out uncertainly:

"Zi Jin?"

The figure in the shadows was clearly startled, then slowly turned around. Moonlight shone on her face, revealing a pale yet familiar face—it was indeed Chen Zijing.

Chen Zijing approached slowly, her voice so soft it was almost carried away by the night breeze: "Are you... Miss Xiao?"

Seeing this, Shen You hurried over as well. She glanced at Chen Zijing, frowned slightly, and asked in confusion:

"Ranmei, do you know this person?"

Xiao Ran nodded, her tone tinged with complexity: "This is Chen Ruonan's younger sister, and also a good friend of mine."

When Chen Zijing heard the name "Chen Ruonan," her body trembled slightly, and a barely perceptible pain flashed in her lowered eyes.

Shen You, however, showed a hint of disgust as she looked Chen Zijin up and down.

She was dressed in thin, outdated clothing, with only a few hairpins casually tucked into her hair. This appearance hardly resembled that of a noblewoman; rather, it seemed like…

She looked like a poor girl who had come from a run-down alley.

She thought of Chen Ruonan, who always wore brocade and had emerald hair. But the Chen Zijin in front of her was completely different from her sister. If it weren't for the faint resemblance in their eyes and brows, it would be hard to believe they were sisters.

Shen You chuckled, her tone laced with sarcasm:

"These Chen sisters are quite interesting. One is so flamboyant that she wants the whole world to know she exists, while the other is so timid and secretive, as if she can't stand the light of day. Ran-mei, do you think they were born of the same mother?"

Xiao Ran was taken aback, then explained, "Sister Shen You, please don't tease me. This Zijing is a good person. If it weren't for her saving me, I doubt Sister Shen You would have ever seen me again after what happened at the Summer Palace..."

"Sister, please don't confuse her with the eldest daughter of the Chen family."

Shen You was taken aback, and then took a closer look at Chen Zijin.

Under the moonlight, Chen Zijing appeared meek and submissive, yet a hint of resentment lingered in her eyes. However, Shen You immediately recognized that she seemed accustomed to being obedient and would never show her resentment, even if she harbored it.

"I understand." Shen You suddenly sighed, the sarcasm in her tone dissipating somewhat.

She stepped forward, grabbed Chen Zijin's hand without saying a word, and pulled her out of the dark corner.

"Why are you so timid?" Shen You's voice softened for once. "Since you heard me speak rudely, why didn't you yell back? Do you think I'm going to eat you?"

Chen Zijing was startled by her sudden action and trembled, her voice barely audible: "Zijing wouldn't dare..."

"What is there to be afraid of?" Shen You raised an eyebrow, then suddenly released her hand, gave a proper bow, and spoke sincerely:

"Sister Zijing, I was wrong just now, and I apologize to you."

Chen Zijin looked up abruptly, her eyes wide with astonishment, and she couldn't utter a word for a moment.

Xiao Ran, standing to the side, couldn't help but chuckle upon seeing this:

"Zijin, please forgive Sister Shenyou quickly, otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight."