Sitting in front of the dressing table, I couldn't help but stare at the large box of gold-inlaid and jade-adorned jewelry that Yin Yin was holding in her hands. Yin Yin took out a golden bob that was adorned with red agate from the box and handed it to me, whispering, "Miss, wear this today. Every time you dressed up before, you always liked wearing this bob. Your servant can only see you as the one who can carry such a luxurious bob with grace."

Looking at Yin Yin's step tremor in her hand, my thoughts seemed to go back to a winter night when I was seven years old. My father came back from a business trip to Jiangnan and called me into the study. He took out this step tremor from his pocket and gently inserted it into my hair. I still remember that my father held my hand and looked at me with complicated eyes. At that time, I didn't understand the complexity in my father's eyes. Looking back now, it was probably guilt. I remember my father said to me at that time, he said, "A Ying, father has been away from home often these years and hasn't been able to accompany you properly. Your mother passed away early, and your older brother is busy with his studies. Naturally, he can't take care of you. After thinking it over, father thought that you might need a playmate. How about father bringing you a little sister in the future?"

At that time, I was still young and did not understand the meaning behind my father's words. I was only confused by his sudden tenderness. I couldn't help but nod in response. That night, my father was in a very good mood. He changed his usual stern demeanor and held me in his arms, telling me many interesting stories about the Jiangnan region. From the misty Rain and Wind Painting Tower to the Willowbank by West Lake, he even promised to take me to Jiangnan when he had the time. It was at that moment that a dream of Jiangnan formed in my heart.

Not long after, my father indeed brought back a girl, around four or five years old. She had double braided hair, with a delicate appearance. Accompanying the girl was also a heavily made-up woman. I remember that day, my father pulled me in front of that woman and said in a calm tone, "Aying, this is your mother."

When my mother passed away, I was young, but I was already five years old. I remember what my mother looked like. Whenever she held me, there was always a faint scent of jasmine on her, definitely not the overpowering smell of cosmetics. I didn't understand why my father wanted me to call a stranger "mother". I just stared blankly at them. I still remember that the woman reached out and lifted my chin, saying, "Sir, this must be Aying, she's so beautiful. Look at this little face, so delicate and exquisite. Compared to her, our Zhu Zhu is far inferior." Her nails were extremely long and scratching my chin caused some pain, but because my father was present, I couldn't speak out. I could only lower my head and endure the pain on my chin, my eyes also filled with a hint of bitterness.

Father's laughter came, and I remember how joyful he was at that moment. He said, "Don't worry, Zhu Zhu is still young and hasn't blossomed yet. When she grows up, she will definitely be more beautiful than Aying. Besides, with a mother like you, Zhu Zhu's appearance will certainly not be lacking." I never knew that father would praise girls. In front of me, father would either criticize my manners or punish me by making me copy books. I couldn't help but look towards the girl named Zhu Zhu. She covered her face with her sleeve, shy and timid. I couldn't see her appearance clearly, nor did I understand why she received such high praise from father.

"Our Aying is the most beautiful girl in the world. What's that woman's worth? Standing next to Aying is not even qualified. Where does she have the face to compare herself with Aying?" Big brother returned at some point without my knowledge. He pushed away the woman's hand that was holding my chin and shielded me behind him. His tone was very sarcastic as he spoke, and this was the first time I had heard my big brother speak like this. I couldn't help but be stunned.

I remember at that time, my father was extremely angry. He reached out and slapped my older brother, then pulled me out from behind him and pointed at that woman, saying, "Yu Jin, whether you acknowledge it or not, she will be your and Ah Ying's mother from now on. Ah Ying is your younger sister, and Zhu Zhu is also your younger sister. If you ever treat Zhu Zhu unfairly, then get out of this house."