The next day, Ouyang Zhi still failed to bring Lin Wanru and Ouyang Ke over, proving that Lin Wanru had firmly decided to feign illness to the end. Of course, if she had been someone who could change her mind just because of a few reprimands from Ouyang Zhi, she wouldn’t be the deeply scheming and resourceful concubine-born daughter of a marquis household.

Ouyang Nuan spoke with concern, “Yesterday, I went to visit Mother and heard that she is so ill she can’t even get out of bed. Father even invited two physicians for a consultation, but I wasn’t able to go in.”

Old Madam Li let out a cold laugh and held Ouyang Nuan’s hand. “Since that’s the case, let’s go take a look together.” After thinking for a moment, she turned to Nanny Zhang and said, “Bring my invitation and go invite Physician Wang over.”

Lowering her gaze to conceal the slight upward curve of her lips, Ouyang Nuan said, “Grandmother is truly kind-hearted.”

As they entered the main courtyard of Ouyang Manor’s primary residence, Furui Courtyard, the grand and imposing layout was immediately apparent. The furniture was luxurious and elegant, with every detail meticulously arranged, exuding the dignity of a prestigious household— a true aristocratic atmosphere.

With Ouyang Nuan supporting her, Old Madam Li walked straight to the main seat and sat down. Ouyang Zhi stepped forward to greet the old madam, “Your unfilial son has troubled Mother.”

Old Madam Li sneered coldly. Indeed, there was no reason for a mother-in-law to visit a sick daughter-in-law, but she was determined to see just how far Lin Wanru’s performance could go. She said, “What did the physicians say? If it’s an infectious disease, it would be best to isolate this courtyard early. Ke’er must also be separated from her mother to prevent her condition from worsening.”

Ouyang Zhi was momentarily stunned. “The physicians didn’t confirm that it was contagious.”

Old Madam Li slammed the table and scolded, “If it’s not contagious, then why hasn’t Ke’er come to pay respects? What kind of physicians did you hire, and what kind of illness is this? If word gets out, we will become a laughingstock!”

Embarrassment flashed across Ouyang Zhi’s face and a faint sheen of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. At his side, Ouyang Nuan spoke gently, “Father, don’t worry. Grandmother is only concerned about Mother’s health. Physician Wang is highly skilled and greatly trusted. Let him take a look.”

Physician Wang had served the Ouyang family for generations, exclusively treating the old madam. The fact that he had been summoned today showed how truly furious Old Madam Li was.

Ouyang Zhi, as if granted amnesty, immediately ushered in the elderly physician, whose hair and beard were completely white. As expected of a master physician, Physician Wang diagnosed and prescribed medicine in one seamless motion. Before leaving, he turned to the ever-cold-faced Old Madam Li and said, “Madam is usually in good health. This time, she fell ill due to pent-up anger and emotional distress, which caused her blood and energy to stagnate. It would be best for her to relax her mind in the future.”

Upon hearing that, Old Madam Li, who had been sipping tea outside, immediately had a darkened expression. Meanwhile, Ouyang Nuan maintained her usual gentle and composed demeanor. “Grandmother, since it isn’t an infectious disease, may I go in and see Mother?”

Old Madam Li let out another cold laugh. “I should also take a look at this daughter-in-law who has been driven to illness by anger!”

Inside the inner chamber, Lin Wanru lay weak and pale on the bed, her breath feeble. By her side, Nanny Wang looked deeply worried, while all the servants kept their heads lowered and were holding their breath, creating the perfect illusion of a seriously ill mistress.

Seeing Old Madam Li enter, Nanny Wang quickly moved a chair for her.

Ouyang Nuan glanced at Ouyang Ke, who was standing by the bedside, then smiled at Lin Wanru. “Mother, Physician Wang said that you are not seriously ill. As long as you keep a calm mind, you will recover soon. Fortunately, you have Ke’er accompanying you, and Grandmother has personally come to visit. You may rest without worry.”

Those words landed like a sharp slap across Lin Wanru’s face. Her smile stiffened and her voice turned hoarse, “Thank you, Mother, for your concern.”

Lin Wanru had planned for everything but miscalculated this one move. She had originally intended to show the old madam an ugly face, but she hadn’t expected Old Madam Li to bring a physician along. This was completely out of character for the old madam. It had to be Ouyang Nuan’s doing.

Lin Wanru dug her nails into the embroidered silk quilt, seething inside. Ouyang Nuan, why must you always ruin my plans?

Struggling to sit up, she seemed intent on expressing gratitude to the old madam. However, Ouyang Nuan quickly stepped forward to stop her. “Mother, you are ill. There’s no need to get up. Grandmother won’t mind.”

“We have troubled Grandmother. Mother merely caught a chill while bathing the other night. She felt dizzy and unwell in the morning, so I stayed by her bedside to care for her, which is why we couldn’t come to pay respects.” Ouyang Ke softly explained.

“Oh?” Madam Li responded indifferently.

Lin Wanru smiled, adding a touch of pitiful frailty to her expression. “I fell ill early yesterday morning and Ke’er stayed by my side. I was afraid she might pass the illness to Mother, so I didn’t dare let her go over. Please do not blame her.”

Her sincere and remorseful smile seemed so genuine that anyone looking would have believed it. However, Old Madam Li remained silent. Ouyang Ke had always been favored and had never been treated like this before. Slowly, her small face turned red with unease.

Ouyang Nuan smiled and said, “Grandmother, I haven’t seen Ke’er for just a day, and she already looks thinner. Perhaps she really is exhausted.”

Old Madam Li finally looked at Ouyang Ke and said slowly, “She does seem thinner. Your mother caught a chill, and you have been attending to her by the bedside. That is indeed a sign of filial piety.” However, if this so-called filial piety was merely an act to deceive the old madam, it was far less touching.

Ouyang Ke answered tearfully, looking at the old madam with watery eyes, appearing both pitiful and aggrieved, “Thank you for your concern, Grandmother.”

Old Madam Li watched her for a moment before pulling her closer and speaking gently, “Ke’er, you are just a little girl. You must not overthink things too much, as it will harm your health. You should cultivate yourself properly and not learn any improper behavior. If word gets out, it will be difficult to find a good marriage match in the future. You should spend more time learning embroidery and etiquette from your elder sister.”

Although Old Madam Li’s words sounded gentle, they were actually a veiled rebuke. The servants in the room all lowered their heads, pretending not to hear, while Lin Wanru’s smile remained unchanged.

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly. It seemed that Lin Wanru had already regained her composure, but that brief moment of close-mindedness she had shown was enough to make her suffer the consequences.

“If you are feeling unwell, there is no need to force yourself to pay respects in the future.” Old Madam Li said, sipping her tea as she cast Lin Wanru a glance.

Lin Wanru smiled apologetically. “Mother, what are you saying? Paying my respects is my duty. Once I recover in a few days, I will be sure to visit.”

“Weren’t physicians consulted yesterday as well? What did they say?” Ouyang Nuan asked with apparent concern, deliberately ignoring Physician Wang’s diagnosis.

Ouyang Ke thought bitterly, Stop pretending to be kind! But she dared not reveal her anger, instead suppressing it as she earnestly defended her mother, “The physicians said that Mother is unwell and needs plenty of rest, preferably staying in bed for half a month.” Surely, her grandmother wouldn’t blame her mother now. After all, even her father had accepted the physicians’ advice! Ouyang Ke shot Ouyang Nuan a provocative glance.

Lin Wanru saw the deepening smile on Ouyang Nuan’s face and suddenly felt an ominous premonition.

Sure enough, Old Madam Li merely let out a soft “Oh” before saying, “In that case, take your time to recover. Matters of the rear courtyard can be set aside for now.”

At those words, Lin Wanru nearly jumped out of bed. What did the old madam mean by that?!