One fine day, at the Zhou family mansion.
The maids were all engrossed in their household chores, yet they didn't forget to chat during their downtime.
"Hey, have you heard? She's back in the country," one of them whispered.
"Yeah, I heard. The second young miss, right?"
Another maid spat in disgust, "Pah, what 'second young miss'? It's nothing more than an illegitimate child the old master brought back from outside. The madam and the first young miss loathe her to the bones! If not for the old master's face. . ."
Upon hearing her mockery, another housemaid sighed wearily, "Tell me about it! An illegitimate daughter, but treated as if we are preparing for an emperor's visit."
All the maids chatted and murmured, showing resentment towards this second young miss.
These words reached Madam Zhou, the mistress of the house. However, she didn't express any anger. When she heard the butler announce the arrival of the second young miss, she simply tidied herself up a bit and deigned to go downstairs to welcome her.
The maids all watched surreptitiously. After all, it had been four years of studying abroad, and they speculated whether this second young miss would be any different now. However, the moment they saw the woman who entered, they all looked at her with disdain.
Despite four years studying abroad, Ling Kexin still showed a sense of timidity and panic when she returned home. She was still wearing old-fashioned clothes, her hair was unchanged - simple black fringe and long hair - and she wore chunky black-framed glasses on her nose. The freckles on her face seemed to have increased.
Everyone felt a touch of nausea. This was not the grand lady who studied abroad, more like she'd spent time in the countryside!
Upon seeing the approaching middle-aged woman in high heels, she hurriedly greeted respectfully, "Auntie."
Madam Zhou gave her a glance, then laughed scornfully, "You've studied abroad for so long, but why do you still look so rustic? A pheasant is a pheasant, no matter how hard it strives, it can never become a phoenix!"
The housemaids around them accompanied this statement with their mocking laughter, causing immense embarrassment on her face.
Just then, a sweet and gentile voice sounded out, "Mom, no matter what, sister is still the second young miss of our family. Please show her some respect."
Everyone looked towards the direction of the staircase. A fashionable young woman gracefully descended the stairs exuding an aura of nobility that inspired awe in those beside her. In comparison to today's protagonist, it was a stark contrast between a swan and an ugly duckling.
Seeing her beautiful face, Ling Kexin cast her glance down in self-abasement: "Sister."
Zhou Keyi, intimately holding their mother's hand, glanced back at the shabbily dressed woman and couldn't help but be taken aback: "Little sister, you've been in France for so long, you should at least improve your sense of fashion. If people see you like this, they might think our Zhou family is been treating you poorly."
"Sister, you are right," she conceded obediently.
Madam Zhou snorted dismissively, "Don't bother with her. If not for your father's insistence on sending her abroad to study, I would not have agreed at all. You better not tell anyone outside that you are part of our Zhou family. After all, the Zhou family is an esteemed clan, we can't afford such disgrace."
Tears welled up in Ling Kexin's eyes as she bowed respectfully, "I understand, Aunt."
The maids snickered at her formality, finding it amusing.
Madam Zhou ignored her further, taking her daughter's hand, she headed for the study: "Your father is still waiting for us in the study, let's go."
