Even in the days that followed, he noticed that Wen Ruo's words and actions were sometimes strange.

For example, when faced with familiar etiquette scenarios, she would show a hint of bewilderment and helplessness, and when talking about old acquaintances, her responses would always be slightly stiff and unnatural.

Her decision-making methods in handling some family affairs also differed greatly from the past.

Keluo Qi'an's deep affection for his wife led him to automatically attribute these abnormalities to the aftereffects of premature birth, without delving any deeper.

And so, with caution and secret relief, 'Wen Ruo' painstakingly maintained her disguise and steadily took her place as Madam Luo.

At first, Wen Ruo genuinely loved Luo Yuning.

In her eyes, Luo Yuning was not only the daughter of the Minister of Rites, but also her own blood-related niece.

Despite harboring some resentment towards the Wen family and the real Wen Ruo, she was inherently kind, a kindness that shone like a glimmer of light in the darkness.

In the early days, it illuminated the time she spent with Luo Yuning.

She would patiently teach Luo Yining to say her first words when she was just learning to speak.

When Luo Yuning was learning to walk, he carefully stood by her side, his eyes full of doting affection, afraid that she would bump into something.

She would personally sew beautiful clothes for Luo Yuning, select exquisite hair accessories, and take her to play in the garden of the mansion, teaching her to recognize various flowers, plants, and trees.

Later, she also had her own child, and the focus of her life shifted somewhat.

Although he no longer showered Luo Yuning with the same meticulous care as before, he still maintained basic concern and attention.

In her daily life, she would care about Luo Yuning's studies and ask about her progress in her studies.

When Luo Yuning was sick, she would personally brew herbal medicine and stay by her bedside to take good care of her.

To outsiders, the family seemed to get along well, living a harmonious and joyful life.

However, time is a merciless sculptor, and as the children grow up day by day, their individual personalities and talents gradually emerge.

Luo Yuning is like a carefully polished pearl, becoming more and more outstanding.

Whether it's playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, or poetry and songs, she can do them all with ease and is proficient in everything.

Her calligraphy is vigorous and powerful yet graceful and elegant; her paintings are lifelike, as if they can capture the essence of all things in the world.

She was exceptionally talented in poetry, able to compose verses fluently and spontaneously, and her poems were often circulated among the nobility.

In her interactions with others, she was well-mannered, gentle, and elegant, displaying the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family.

When talking to people, she always has a smile on her face and speaks with humility and politeness.

Whether facing elders or younger generations, she can handle things appropriately, and wherever she goes, she is the center of attention.

In stark contrast, Wen Ruo's two children were of average talent and inconspicuous in a crowd.

They performed only moderately in their studies, and no matter how hard they tried, they could not achieve outstanding results in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and other fields.

In terms of interpersonal skills, she lacks Luo Yuning's intelligence and agility, and often appears somewhat dull and reserved.

Both grew up in the household of the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, enjoying privileged living conditions and excellent educational resources, yet the difference between them is so vast.

At the same time, Luo Qi'an's position in the imperial court became increasingly secure.

With his outstanding political talent and exceptional strategy, he navigated the officialdom with great skill and secured his position as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

His daily words and actions, both openly and subtly, revealed his intention to entrust the heavy responsibility of the Minister's Mansion to his eldest daughter, Luo Yuning, in the future.

He would often take Luo Yuning to important social events, allowing her to get to know powerful figures in the court and celebrities from all walks of life, intentionally cultivating her social skills and political acumen.

When handling family affairs, he would also involve Luo Yuning, imparting his experience and methods to her, and placing high hopes on her.

All these changes were like sharp blades, deeply piercing Wen Ruo's heart.

Her heart began to be filled with resentment, and the jealousy and hatred that had been buried deep inside grew wildly like weeds.

In her increasingly distorted perception, all the suffering she had endured over the years...

The caution with which one disguises their identity, the silent ridicule suffered for lack of knowledge, the grievances of being marginalized within the family.

All of this is thanks to the Wen family and the real Wen Ruo.

This extreme emotion, like a malignant tumor, rapidly eroded her reason.

Coupled with Luo Yuning's increasingly dazzling brilliance, she completely lost herself, was consumed by the flames of jealousy, and began to plot against Luo Yuning.

At first, her methods were relatively subtle; she simply spread rumors about Luo Yuning among the servants in the mansion and at some gatherings in the aristocratic circle.

Or perhaps she was arrogant and disrespectful to her elders, speaking to them with an arrogant attitude.

Or they might fabricate stories about her being improper in matters of the inner chambers, and that her behavior did not conform to the norms of a well-bred young lady.

These rumors, like poisonous fungi breeding in the shadows, are slowly eroding Luo Yuning's reputation without her noticing.