For two consecutive days, Ouyang Zhi and Li Yue’e ‘accidentally’ ran into each other at Old Madam Li’s residence. Given Old Madam Li’s shrewd nature, it didn’t take her long to understand what was going on. Her sharp eyes flickered between her son and her niece, and she quickly formed a plan.

In the early years after marrying into the family, Lin Wanru had been respectful and deferential toward her mother-in-law. But now that she had secured her position, she had grown arrogant and even dared to lay hands on Ouyang Jue. Old Madam Li felt it was time to suppress her a little. Moreover, it was common for officials of Ouyang Zhi’s rank to take multiple concubines. Having seven or eight of them was nothing unusual. Yet, he only had two, and neither had borne him a child. In matters of lineage, children were of utmost importance. Lin Wanru, despite her family background, ought to understand this reasoning.

However, Old Madam Li hesitated. Ouyang Nuan treated Li Yue’e with great kindness. If she arranged for Li Yue’e to marry her son and it upset her granddaughter, it wouldn’t be ideal. But as a grandmother, discussing her son’s concubines with her granddaughter was unseemly. So, she first sent Nanny Zhang to probe for information.

Nanny Zhang sought out Ouyang Nuan and chatted about trivial matters for a while before finally getting to the point. With a fawning smile, she said, “Eldest Miss, the old madam cannot bear to see Miss Li leave our household. It just so happens that the master lacks a confidante by his side…… But since you and Miss Li are close, the old madam sent me to ask you first, hoping you won’t take it the wrong way.”

Ouyang Nuan’s lips curved upward bit by bit as she cheerfully replied, “Then I must congratulate Father. When is the wedding set?”

Nanny Zhang had envisioned countless possible reactions but had never expected such a response. She was momentarily taken aback before quickly recovering with a smile. “That will depend on Miss Li’s wishes. As long as you understand, Eldest Miss, that’s enough.”

Ouyang Nuan took Nanny Zhang’s hand warmly and said, “Grandmother asked me before even asking Aunt, which shows how much she truly cares for me. If there are ever matters like this in the future, just send someone to inform me. No need to trouble Nanny Zhang to make a special trip.”

Standing nearby, Nanny Fang discreetly slipped a thick red envelope into Nanny Zhang’s pocket and said, “Our eldest miss is still young. Only you understand the old madam’s thoughts best. If the eldest miss does anything improperly, please guide her.”

Nanny Zhang left with a beaming smile, her eyes nearly disappearing in joy. Hongyu, watching from the side, couldn’t help but whisper disdainfully, “This kind of person who flatters the high and tramples on the low— Young Miss, why bother with her?”

“The more despicable a person is, the more useful they become.” Ouyang Nuan replied lightly. “Hongyu, don’t underestimate people like her. They will be quite useful in the future.” As she watched Nanny Zhang walk away, the gentle smile on her face curled into one of mockery.

“Yes, Young Miss.”

By adding this fuel to the fire, the flames in Lin Wanru’s courtyard would only burn hotter. And, of course, the more secretly things were carried out, the more destructive the eventual explosion would be……

Old Madam Li had initially expected her granddaughter to be displeased, but upon seeing her so reasonable and understanding, she became even more convinced that her plan was correct. Without further hesitation, she told Li Yue’e about the matter as well.

Li Yue’e was a clever woman. When Nanny Zhang, who served the old madam, first brought it up, she was momentarily shocked before becoming thoroughly enraged.

She was an unmarried maiden of good standing. Did they think she was a helpless orphan, easy to bully?

But after calming down and thinking it over, she recalled the Ouyang Zhi she had glimpsed outside Ouyang Nuan’s courtyard that day. He was young, held a high official rank, and carried himself with refined elegance. The issue was that she could have been married as a principal wife into a respectable household, yet now they wanted her to be a concubine? If her parents were still alive, they could have arranged for her to marry her cousin as a proper wife and that would have been a truly good match. But now? What kind of arrangement was this?

Li Yue’e felt both regret and indignation. Lin Wanru, though born into a marquis’s household, was merely a concubine’s daughter. In terms of looks and talent, Li Yue’e was not inferior in the slightest. Only luck had been against her.

Feeling restless, she absentmindedly opened the jewelry box given to her by Ouyang Nuan. Her eyes instantly locked onto the glittering treasures inside. If she married into an ordinary household, even as the principal wife, would she not still live a life of hardship? But if she married Ouyang Zhi……

She pondered over it all night, turning it over in her mind. At last, she sought out Old Madam Li herself and, blushing, gave a shy nod.

Old Madam Li was swift and decisive. The very next day, when Ouyang Zhi and Lin Wanru came to pay their respects, she formally brought up the matter. Ouyang Nuan and Ouyang Ke were also present. Ouyang Ke’s face immediately turned pale. She glanced at her mother but found herself at a loss for words.

Lin Wanru fixed Li Yue’e with a piercing stare, her gaze like a venomous snake eyeing a helpless mouse. Li Yue’e shuddered and instinctively hid behind Old Madam Li.

“Mother, this is inappropriate.” Lin Wanru said after a brief pause, smiling faintly. “Miss Li came to seek shelter with relatives. How can she be taken as a concubine? Would this not affect Husband’s reputation as an official?”

Hearing that, even Ouyang Nuan had to admire this stepmother of hers. Despite her initial shock, Lin Wanru had quickly come up with such a dignified excuse. It was no easy feat. But did she really think Old Madam Li was that easy to deal with?

“Reputation?” Old Madam Li snorted. “The minister of personnel outranks Zhi’er and even he took a courtesan as a concubine. Who dares to say anything? Our Yue’e is a respectable young lady. How would she tarnish Zhi’er’s reputation?”

Ouyang Zhi was certainly willing, but he still had to put on a pretense in front of his wife. “Mother, Wanru is right. How can Cousin become my concubine?”

“What’s the problem?” Old Madam Li’s face darkened. “Are you saying that taking Yue’e as a concubine is beneath you? Let me tell you, she is more than worthy to be your wife, let alone your concubine!”

Lin Wanru’s face changed dramatically. The old madam had publicly declared this in front of everyone. Clearly, she was still holding a grudge from the last incident and was deliberately making things difficult for Lin Wanru.

Ouyang Zhi frowned. “That’s not what I meant, I just—”

“Are you afraid your wife won’t approve?” Old Madam Li sneered. “She can’t bear a son, so she refuses to let others continue the family line? Since when is that acceptable?”

Lin Wanru nearly exploded with fury, but just as she was about to lash out, Nanny Wang grabbed her arm tightly, forcibly restraining her.

Over the years, Lin Wanru had dismissed countless women who wanted to marry Ouyang Zhi, but this time was different. This match was bestowed by the old madam herself. As a daughter-in-law, if she refused even this, how could she continue to assert her authority in the household? No matter how many tricks she had, they were useless now.

Ouyang Nuan calmly sipped her tea, watching the show unfold.

Ouyang Zhi was momentarily stunned. Noticing Lin Wanru’s expression, he quickly added, “No, Wanru is not that kind of person.” Lin Wanru certainly did not want this marriage. Otherwise, he would not have had only two concubines after all these years— one was originally a maid whom his mother had promoted, and the other had been a gift from his superior, something he could not refuse.

Old Madam Li’s expression darkened further.

The act could not be overplayed. If his mother truly went back on her decision, it would be a complete loss. Ouyang Zhi immediately forced a smile and said, “I only feel that making my cousin a concubine is a grievance for her.”

“As long as you understand that Yue’e has been wronged.” Old Madam Li’s expression softened slightly as she continued, “From now on, you must cherish her more and not let her suffer.”

With that, the matter was settled. Li Yue’e blushed with shyness, while Lin Wanru’s face turned pale with rage.

Ouyang Nuan’s expression remained as serene as a white pear blossom, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Then from now on, I can no longer call her Aunt. She should be addressed as Concubine Li.”

────ρя

This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m

Two days later, when Ouyang Zhi and Lin Wanrui went to pay respects to Old Madam Li, Li Yue’e deliberately dressed in a newly tailored snow-blue jacket and skirt, embroidered with silver-threaded vines that twined elegantly across the fabric. With every movement, the shimmering embroidery flowed like drifting clouds and flowing water, accentuating her slender waist and graceful figure.

Not to mention Ouyang Zhi, even the young Ouyang Ke couldn’t help but stare at the dazzling dress.

Li Yue’e was secretly pleased. The satin gifted by the eldest miss was truly a perfect color, and when paired with the jewelry from the previous gift, it made Lin Wanru, who had already given birth, appear dull and lifeless in comparison. Taking advantage of the moment, she deliberately lingered near Ouyang Zhi, circling him with subtle gestures that left him utterly entranced. However, while he could look, he could not touch, which only made his longing even more unbearable.

Unable to resist, he persistently urged Old Madam Li to bring forward Li Yue’e’s chamber entry date by half a month……