Ouyang Jue looked at his elder sister and suddenly realized that beneath her smile lay an overwhelming hatred. Yet, in all the days past, he had never noticed it at all. Though he did not know exactly what kind of grievances she had suffered, his thoughts instinctively turned to Lin Wanru, and his expression grew even heavier.

Ouyang Nuan patted his head. “If Mother were still alive, she would not ask you to achieve great success. She would only hope for you to study diligently and become an upright person. Right now, I do not want you to be caught up in any grudges. I will handle the matters at home. Do you understand?”

He nodded firmly. “Sister, I will listen to you.”

Ouyang Nuan nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Hongyu, who had been standing by the curtain, and said, “Go prepare some pastries.”

Hongyu responded and left, while Ouyang Jue asked curiously, “Sister, where are you going?”

Ouyang Nuan smiled. “I’m going to see Second Sister. She accidentally got knocked over by Baihe and took a fall. I don’t know how badly she’s hurt.”

Ouyang Jue let out a snort, his little mouth curving upward in a sarcastic smile. “Sister, why bother with her? She’s just like her mother, nothing but trouble, always stirring up conflict behind our backs!”

Ouyang Nuan shook her head helplessly as she looked at her younger brother. He was still just a child. Ouyang Jue continued to grumble, but when he saw that she was unwavering in her decision, he said, “Then I’ll go with you! Otherwise, they might take advantage of you while I’m not around!”

Ouyang Nuan couldn’t help but laugh at his childish words. However, after some thought, she realized that bringing Ouyang Jue along was actually a good idea.

When they arrived at Haitang Courtyard, Ouyang Nuan first had Hongyu send someone to announce their visit while she and Ouyang Jue waited under the corridor. The courtyard remained silent, and though someone had gone in to inform them, there was no response for a long time. After a while, a maid came out with an awkward expression and said, “Eldest Miss, Second Miss is resting. Perhaps you could come back later?”

Resting? At this hour? Was she really taking a midday nap? Ouyang Jue’s expression turned odd. “Sister, let’s just leave. You came to visit out of kindness, but she doesn’t appreciate it!”

Ouyang Nuan gave a faint smile and called out loudly at the door, “Ke’er, Jue’er and I are worried about your injury and came to check on you. Are you feeling better?”

A sharp crashing sound came from inside, followed by Ouyang Ke storming out, pointing at Ouyang Nuan’s face with a sneer. “Crocodile tears! You just came to mock me, didn’t you?”

Ouyang Nuan recalled how Ouyang Ke always maintained the demeanor of a noble lady in the garden, but now she had completely torn off that facade. Instantly, Ouyang Nuan guessed that Ouyang Ke must have suffered some injury and was feeling humiliated and furious.

Ouyang Jue quickly explained, “Second Sister, you’ve misunderstood. Eldest Sister and I—”

“Misunderstood? Look at my arm!” Ouyang Ke sneered and lifted her sleeve, revealing a small scrape on her elbow with a faint streak of blood. “Ouyang Nuan, you deliberately ordered your maid to knock me down! Are you trying to ruin my looks on purpose?!”

Such a minor injury, and she was already accusing her of malicious intent? Ouyang Nuan smiled. “Ke’er, you’re being unreasonable. We came to check on you out of concern, yet you’re speaking like this? That’s really hurtful.”

Ouyang Ke was extremely vain and feared any scars on her body. Hearing those words, she instantly flew into a rage. “So what if I say it like this? Your maid harmed me, so shouldn’t you compensate me?” As she spoke, she stepped forward aggressively.

Ouyang Nuan took a step back, her face turning serious. “And how should I compensate you? Do you want me to get another scar? Ke’er, we are family. Don’t say things that will make people laugh at you……”

Ouyang Nuan’s expression remained gentle, but Ouyang Ke saw a hint of mockery and provocation in her eyes, which only ignited her fury further. She had already been suffering under Old Madam Li’s cold treatment lately, and now, all of her frustration erupted. Forgetting Lin Wanru’s warnings, she completely lost her composure and shouted, “Who is family with you?! You wretched woman! Do you even deserve it?!”

Ignoring her maid Qiuyue’s desperate attempts to hold her back, Ouyang Ke raised her hand and swung it toward Ouyang Nuan’s face. Just as her palm was about to land, Ouyang Nuan let out a startled cry and staggered backward, falling to the ground.

“Don’t you dare touch my sister!” Ouyang Jue charged at Ouyang Ke with his fists raised. Ouyang Nuan shot a look at Hongyu and Nanny Fang, who immediately understood and rushed to hold him back. The box of pastries they had brought fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

“What is going on here?!” At that moment, a thunderous voice rang out from the courtyard entrance.

Ouyang Zhi had heard the sisters’ argument from a distance, but he hadn’t expected to witness such a scene upon entering.

Ouyang Nuan quickly stood up and moved to the side, her face filled with shock and grievance. “Father, why are you here? It’s nothing, really. Ke’er and I are just playing around.”

Ouyang Zhi said nothing, merely storming forward and landing a heavy slap across Ouyang Ke’s face. His expression was grim as he pointed at her, his whole body trembling with rage. “You wretched child! How dare you speak to your elder sister like this in front of the servants? How dare you raise your hand against her? What kind of disgraceful behavior is this? Do you want to bring shame upon the Ouyang family? Where is the family discipline? Bring it here!”

Tears streamed down Ouyang Ke’s face as she clutched her cheek, glaring at Ouyang Nuan with hatred. “This isn’t over!”

In that instant, she loathed Ouyang Nuan to the core, wishing she could tear her into pieces. If it weren’t for her fear of Ouyang Zhi, she might have pounced on Ouyang Nuan right then and there.

At that moment, Lin Wanru hurried forward and clung to Ouyang Zhi’s arm. “Husband, please don’t be angry! Ke’er is still just a child!”

Ouyang Zhi roared, “A child?! What kind of child dares to strike her own sister?!” He shoved Lin Wanru’s hand away and continued, “Are you blind? You said she is badly injured and unconscious. What nonsense! Look at her, alive and well, yelling and hitting like a shrew! You two are driving me mad!”

Ouyang Nuan suppressed a cold smile. She had expected Lin Wanru to seize this opportunity to sow discord, reporting exaggerated injuries to Ouyang Zhi to provoke him. If things had gone according to plan, Ouyang Ke would have played the role of a pitiful victim, and Ouyang Zhi, who doted on her, would have rushed over to check on her. If Ouyang Ke had feigned serious injury and accused Ouyang Nuan of intentional harm, she would have had no way to defend herself.

But Lin Wanru must have told Ouyang Ke to endure, and Ouyang Nuan had deliberately persisted in visiting, forcing Ouyang Ke into a corner. Unable to keep up the act, she had lost her temper, revealing her true nature before Ouyang Zhi arrived.

Compared to Lin Wanru, Ouyang Ke still had a long way to go when it came to scheming.

Ouyang Zhi felt utterly deceived. Just as he turned around, ready to unleash his fury again, he caught sight of Lin Wanru’s pale face, her eyes brimming with tears, and looking as though she might collapse at any moment.

Thinking of her frail health, Ouyang Zhi’s anger had nowhere to go. He stood there, unable to say a word.

“It’s all my fault…… I’ve disappointed you, Husband.” Lin Wanru murmured, lowering her head, tears streaming down her face. Her quiet sobs grew louder, and after swaying unsteadily, she suddenly collapsed onto Lixiang, causing a chorus of gasps and cries.

“Ah! Madam has fainted!”