Zhang Huahan stayed too long at Wutong Pavilion, and by the time she returned to Grandmother’s courtyard, the other Zhang Family girls were already impatient from waiting.
Unable to resist her granddaughters’ coaxing, the Zhang Family matriarch had set out the fabrics and jewelry that the eldest Zhang master had brought back from the provincial capital, which the Zhang Family girls were eagerly inspecting.
Seeing Zhang Huahan return, the matriarch immediately smiled and asked, "Have you seen your mother?"
Zhang Huahan lowered her eyes and replied, "I just sat in the outer hall for a while."
Upon hearing this, the Zhang Family girls showed expressions of mockery, as if their guess had been confirmed.
The matriarch opened her mouth as if to speak, but held back, her gaze a mix of pity and distress as she looked at Zhang Huahan, which ultimately ended in a sigh.
In response, Zhang Huahan felt nothing, neither sadness nor joy.
It was always like this; whenever she went to pay her respects to her mother, such a scene would inevitably occur.
Her grandmother seemed to pity her, but if she truly cared, why would she expose her wounds publicly?
Whether her mother saw her or not, she couldn’t believe that her grandmother, who governed the Zhang Residence’s inner quarters, wouldn’t know.
Seeing Zhang Huahan’s lack of response, the matriarch felt somewhat dull.
This girl had indeed inherited her mother’s nature—stubborn and cold. Although she appeared respectful outwardly, the matriarch knew that this girl was not close to the Zhang Family.
Ah, though she is of the Zhang bloodline, alas, she cannot be cultivated to familiarity!
The matriarch composed herself and smiled while pointing to the items laid out in the room, "These were brought back by your father from the provincial capital. They’re all the latest materials and headpieces. Your eldest sister and the others are looking at them now; go ahead and choose what you like first."
Upon hearing this, the faces of the Zhang Family girls showed some dissatisfaction, especially the second, third, and fourth sisters, who were older than Zhang Huahan.
The three glanced at Zhang Huahan and stood firmly in front of the materials and headpieces they liked, indirectly indicating which items they had their eyes on. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Zhang Huahan noted everyone’s expressions and chose to ignore them, stepping forward directly to pick whatever she liked, regardless of the angry glares from others.
That person didn’t like the fifth girl, but no matter what, the fifth girl was her daughter. In her words, she could bully her, but no one else could.
Thinking of this, the matriarch didn’t immediately express her stance.
The eldest sister thought the matriarch was in a dilemma and quickly stepped forward to ease the situation, laughing, "Second sister, I still have a moon-white floral silk in my courtyard that’s perfect for your complexion. Go and take it later."
Saying this, she also looked at the third sister.
"Third sister, didn’t you say you liked my set of Red Coral Headpieces last time? I have others to wear, so I’ll give that set to you."
"Both of you are the older sisters, is it proper to fight with the fifth sister over things?"
Upon hearing this, the second and third sisters exchanged glances, somewhat puzzled, as they looked at the eldest sister.
Regarding the fifth sister, the eldest sister had never shown much fondness usually. What was going on today that she unexpectedly stood up for the fifth sister against them?

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