Xiao Tao was stunned, sensing that Ouyang Nuan was different from before. “Young Miss, I—”

“Shut up.” Ouyang Nuan commanded, her voice sharp as she ignored Xiao Tao’s usual bright and cheerful smile. “Did you not hear me tell you to kneel?”

Ouyang Nuan had always been kind to others and had never spoken so harshly before. Xiao Tao immediately dropped to her knees with a thud, her eyes brimming with tears. “Young Miss, this servant was only anxious, worried that the medicine would cool and make you uncomfortable if you drank it. I had no intention of disturbing your rest.”

Inside the room stood Nanny Fang, Hongyu, and Xiao Tao. Outside the door, two senior maids, four second-rank maids, eight third-rank maids, and four old female servants stood with their heads lowered, all looking on in shock. They had no idea what Ouyang Nuan was planning.

Ouyang Nuan’s voice was icy, “Without my command, who dares to intrude into my room? Xiao Tao, where did you learn such rules? Someone, come.” She called.

“At your command, Eldest Miss.” A voice responded.

Ouyang Nuan’s long, waterfall-like hair cascaded down her back. Though her expression remained calm, a ruthless glint flashed in her eyes.

“Intruding into my chambers, defying the head nanny, and even daring to talk her way out of it— drag Xiao Tao out and give her fifty strokes.”

Hongyu was startled and immediately pleaded for Xiao Tao. “Young Miss, Xiao Tao was just reckless for a moment. If she receives fifty strokes, she won’t survive!”

Won’t survive?

Ouyang Nuan let out a faint smile. That wouldn’t do. Xiao Tao was still useful. “Since Hongyu has pleaded on your behalf, I will reduce it to thirty. The remaining twenty will be recorded for now. Once the punishment is done, lock her up for three days. Only water is allowed, no food.”

“Young Miss……” Xiao Tao was completely dumbfounded as a strong servant forcefully dragged her out. In the distance, her wails could still be heard, “Young Miss! Young Miss, I was wrong…… I was wrong…… Please forgive me…… Spare me……”

Hongyu listened, feeling uneasy. She seemed to want to speak further, but Ouyang Nuan softly said, “I’m tired.”

Nanny Fang was surprised by Ouyang Nuan’s strict handling of the situation but found it satisfying nonetheless. That maid had become too unruly. If things continued this way, who would still respect their mistress? She quickly helped Ouyang Nuan lie down. Seeing Ouyang Nuan’s cold and emotionless expression, Hongyu swallowed her words and silently began cleaning up the broken pieces on the floor.

Ouyang Nuan glanced at Hongyu and sighed inwardly. Xiao Tao had always relied on her favored status to bully others, yet Hongyu still defended her. It showed how kind-hearted Hongyu was. But to deal with those people, her heart was too soft.

Less than half an hour later, a maid reported from outside, “Madam has arrived.”

Lin Wanru…… Ouyang Nuan’s lips curled. News traveled fast. She had just shut the door after punishing the dog, and now the dog’s owner had come. It seemed this courtyard needed some cleaning up.

Hongyu personally lifted the curtain as a gorgeously dressed woman entered. She wore an elaborate high bun and was adorned in a red silk robe embroidered with gold, with a long trailing skirt featuring all kinds of bird patterns. Her eyes shimmered like flowing water, and her lips curved in a warm smile.

Ouyang Nuan narrowed her eyes at the woman, a strange feeling washing over her. Her mother had passed away early, and Lin Wanrubore a five-part resemblance to Lin Wanqing. Perhaps that was why she had liked Lin Wanru upon their first meeting.

Ouyang Nuan smiled and was about to sit up to pay her respects, but Lin Wanru quickly stopped her, her eyes filled with concern. She took Ouyang Nuan’s hand affectionately, her tone utterly sincere, “Silly child, don’t get up. Let Mother take a look at your forehead.”

Hearing the word ‘mother’, Ouyang Nuan felt so disgusted she nearly gagged. This woman was too fake. After pretending to be a loving mother for so many years, Ouyang Nuan had to admit that Lin Wanru’s act was truly impressive.

Lin Wanru carefully examined the wound. After a long while, she finally revealed a relieved smile, letting out a breath as if reassured. She did not notice the coldness in Ouyang Nuan’s eyes and instead comforted Ouyang Nuan gently with a warm smile, “Fortunately, the injury isn’t severe. Nuan’er, you’ve suffered. I was visiting your maternal grandfather’s house and only just received the news. I rushed back without even taking a sip of tea. Your younger sister is too mischievous. I’ll have to discipline her properly later!”

“Mother, don’t blame Sister. She’s still young.” Yes, she’s still young yet already vicious. Ouyang Nuan replied with a gentle smile.

“She will never be as sensible as you. That’s why I love you so much.” Lin Wanru’s gaze lingered on Ouyang Nuan’s forehead with a look of deep affection. After a moment, she sighed. “Even though the wound isn’t serious, if it leaves a scar, what will we do?”

Her eyes were filled with concern as she finally said, “Oh right, I have a box of top-quality ointment that promotes skin regeneration and blood circulation. I’ll have someone bring it to you later.”

Beside them, Nanny Fang watched anxiously, afraid that her young miss would be deceived once again by this honey-tongued yet venomous woman. However, Nanny Fang could not say anything due to her status.

Ouyang Nuan sneered in her heart. Originally, her forehead had only suffered a minor wound, but it was this very Madam Lin who had brought her the so-called ‘miraculous medicine.’ After applying it, the wound seemed to heal quickly on the surface, but it left behind an indelible scar. Ouyang Nuan had been forced to style her hair with thick bangs to cover it, almost obscuring her eyes. She would never forget the pity and ridicule from others, nor the astonishment and sympathy in the eyes of noble ladies when she attended banquets.

For the sake of her own daughter, Ouyang Ke, this stepmother had been truly ruthless. But what crime had she, Ouyang Nuan, committed? She understood all too well. Her greatest sin was holding the position of the di granddaughter of Marquis Zhenguo Manor and the eldest di daughter of Ouyang Manor. Ouyang Nuan’s very existence meant that Ouyang Ke could never surpass her.

Ouyang Ke was beautiful and proficient in the four arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. But as long as Ouyang Nuan was there, no matter how exceptional Ouyang Ke was, she would always be just the second young miss of the Ouyang family. More importantly, her mother had been merely a shu^[1]concubine-born daughter from Marquis Zhengou Manor. In Dali Dynasty, where strict distinctions between di and shu lineage were paramount, her birth was Ouyang Ke’s fatal flaw. This was why, in their past life, no matter how outstanding Ouyang Ke was, the truly prestigious noble families had never sought her hand in marriage. In the end, Ouyang Ke had set her sights on the wealthiest merchant family, the Su family.

“Xiao Tao, once the medicine arrives, make sure to apply it to your young miss’s forehead three times a day. She will recover quickly. Hmm? Where is Xiao Tao? Why isn’t she here serving her mistress?”

As expected…… Ouyang Nuan deliberately showed an angry expression. “Mother, please don’t mention her. Just now, while I was resting, she barged in without permission. It reminded me that she was the one closest to Ke’er at that time, yet she didn’t even think to shield Ke’er. She’s nothing more than a blockhead! So I had her punished with a few strokes of the rod. She must learn her lesson. Next time, she should know who is the master and who is the servant!”

Ouyang Nuan’s words were half-truths, strategically vague. Even someone as shrewd as Lin Wanru only showed slight suspicion and did not delve too deeply. Instead, she gently patted Ouyang Nuan’s hand. “Silly child, you truly care for your sister. Seeing you two get along so well puts my mind at ease.”

Just as expected, Lin Wanru did not bring up Xiao Tao again and instead focused on instructing Hongyu to apply the medicine on time.

Lin Wanru‘s real intention was to ruin Ouyang Nuan’s face. Ouyang Nuan maintained an expression of deep attachment, but inside, she was sneering coldly.

Lin Wanru, do you realize that the twelve-year-old girl before you has already changed? Do you know that the soul within this body loathes you to the bone? Do you have any idea what fate awaits you in the future?

It took a full hour before Ouyang Nuan finally sent off the endlessly chattering, seemingly loving Lin Wanru. Ouyang Nuan leaned against her pillow, quietly lost in thought.

Vengeance would take time. As for now, the most important matter was not revenge……

She felt as though she had forgotten something incredibly important. What was it? What was it exactly?

Ouyang Jue! Her younger brother!

She had been reborn at twelve years old. In this year, she had injured her forehead, and in this year, Ouyang Jue had drowned!

Ouyang Nuan suddenly sprang up from the bed and grabbed Hongyu’s arm. “Where is Jue’er? Where is he?!”