“Concubine Li, if you have any questions, just ask. Everyone here is an old hand in the household and won’t bully a newly arrived concubine like you. Otherwise, neither Grandmother nor Father would let them off.” After Ouyang Nuan finished speaking, she said no more and lowered her head to sip her tea.

Although Li Yue’e had received Ouyang Zhi’s favor after entering the manor, she was constantly suppressed by Lin Wanru in every possible way. She had never felt so dignified before. Upon hearing that, she couldn’t help but smile and said, “Then I would like Steward Sun to tell me about the household’s situation.”

Steward Sun took a step forward and cautiously replied, “Yes.”

Ouyang Nuan lifted her gaze and, in an indifferent yet deliberate manner, said, “Steward Sun, just focus on the important matters. Let’s not delay our time to report to Grandmother.”

Steward Sun’s heart trembled and he bowed slightly. “Yes, Eldest Miss.”

At that moment, he gained a bit of understanding that this seemingly unremarkable young lady was not one to be easily deceived. He immediately composed himself and meticulously went over the responsibilities of each person in the household. Then, he carefully summarized the key matters of the estate in an orderly fashion.

Li Yue’e accepted the roster that Steward Sun handed over. When she looked at Ouyang Nuan again, the smile on her face became a bit more sincere.

After Steward Sun finished his report, Li Yue’e turned to Ouyang Nuan and asked, “Eldest Miss, do you have any instructions?”

Ouyang Nuan nodded and asked Steward Sun, “Are the account books prepared?”

Steward Sun was momentarily stunned. He hadn’t expected Ouyang Nuan to ask about the accounts, but he had made preparations in advance. He immediately responded, “Eldest Miss, I will organize them at once and personally deliver them to you this afternoon.”

Li Yue’e was even more delighted when she heard that. “Then I must thank Steward Sun.”

Before Sun He could reply, Ouyang Nuan said indifferently, “Steward Sun, you have been managing this household for a long time. I assume you have already categorized and selected the most relevant accounts before handing them over to Concubine Li, correct?”

Sun He’s heart trembled again. The eldest miss was truly not easy to deal with. If he were to simply send the account books in bulk, they wouldn’t even know where to start. But now that Ouyang Nuan had specifically mentioned the need for a careful selection, he would have to put in more effort. He quickly replied, “Of course, Eldest Miss.”

“Then let’s disperse.” Ouyang Nuan said as she rose and walked out. Li Yue’e hurried to follow…… The rest of the people in the hall exchanged glances. Wasn’t Concubine Li supposed to be in charge? Why did it feel like, the moment the eldest miss took a seat, everyone had completely overlooked Concubine Li?

────ρя


“Eldest Miss, thank you. If you hadn’t stepped in, I really wouldn’t have been able to hold my ground against them. In the future……” Li Yue’e trailed behind Ouyang Nuan cautiously, her tone carrying a hint of unintentional wariness.

Ouyang Nuan smiled slightly. “There’s no need to be so formal, Concubine Li. I’ll just say one thing— this is a large household with a vast estate and many people. The more you manage, the more criticisms and trouble will come your way. Just remember, Grandmother is your backing.”

Li Yue’e stared blankly at Ouyang Nuan as she walked away, almost speechless. Why did she feel that this young girl didn’t seem like a mere twelve-year-old? With just a few simple words, she had laid out the power dynamics so clearly. If she understood everything so well, why was she still helping Li Yue’e……?

────ρя


When Ouyang Nuan returned to her own courtyard, Hongyu seemed like she had something to say but didn’t dare to ask. It was the always-silent Nanny Fang who finally spoke. “Young Miss, the stewards already recognize your authority. Why not simply take back control instead of giving it to a newly arrived concubine? Even if it’s taken back in half a month, you could still take advantage of this opportunity……”

Ouyang Nuan looked at Nanny Fang and smiled faintly. “Don’t you understand Grandmother’s intentions? She wants to reclaim that authority herself. If one cannot endure the small, they will ruin the grand. There is no need to rush.”

After saying that, her gaze seemed to drift casually to the courtyard, where a maid was quietly sweeping the ground. She smiled and asked, “Has she been behaving since she was let out?”

Following her mistress’s gaze, Hongyu saw that it was Xiao Tao sweeping the courtyard and replied, “She has been quite obedient, no longer making a fuss. I believe she has truly changed.”

Ouyang Nuan raised an eyebrow slightly. From a first-rank maid to a third-rank servant sweeping the floors— no one could easily endure such a fall. On the surface, Hongyu’s words seemed reasonable. However, could a person’s nature truly change? A servant girl like Xiao Tao, who had once betrayed her mistress, would likely do so again.

Nanny Fang was extremely cautious by nature. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Young Miss, Xiao Tao has been lingering near your room these past few days. I noticed and turned her away. I’m not sure if she wanted to beg for mercy.”

“Oh? Was I present at that time?” Ouyang Nuan asked casually.

“Now that I think about it, it was always when you were paying respects to the old madam……” Nanny Fang still hadn’t grasped Ouyang Nuan’s point.

“That’s right! Just now, Wenxiu was complaining that while we were all in the side hall discussing matters today, Xiao Tao suddenly ran out of your room in a panic. Could it be……” Hongyu blurted out, then exchanged a look with Nanny Fang. Both of them felt something was amiss.

Ouyang Nuan’s gaze turned cold as she looked at Xiao Tao outside the window. “Go check if anything is missing or if anything has been added in my room.”

“Young Miss, do you suspect……” Hongyu was stunned. Could Xiao Tao have been bold enough to steal something from the room? Hongyu’s face turned pale instantly. Was Xiao Tao really so reckless?

Nanny Fang, being an experienced hand, immediately grasped the severity of the situation as soon as Ouyang Nuan gave the order. Her expression turned grim. “Yes, Young Miss.”

────ρя


Early the next morning, Ouyang Nuan went to pay respects to the old madam. The room was warm, with a charcoal brazier and incense burner. The doors were covered with thick embroidered curtains, making the interior cozy. When she entered, Old Madam Li was sipping tea with the help of Nanny Zhang. She leaned against a brocade pillow, absentmindedly listening to her maid, Yurong, recount some amusing gossip from outside.

When Ouyang Nuan stepped in, Old Madam Li subtly straightened her posture before slowly reclining again.

“Grandmother.” After Ouyang Nuan saluted, she saw Old Madam Li nod in acknowledgment, so she stepped forward to sit by the bedside as usual.

Old Madam Li seemed pleased. “How was the situation in the side hall yesterday?”

Ouyang Nuan smiled slightly. “Concubine Li was worried she didn’t know the household stewards well, so she insisted on dragging me along. But I thought, since Grandmother had already spoken, what trouble could there be? Sure enough, once they heard it was your decision, they had no objections.”

Old Madam Li nodded and asked, “Were there any issues with the account books?”

Ouyang Nuan’s gaze was clear and sincere, her smile even more humble. “Grandmother is teasing me. I’m just a young girl, what do I know about account books? Besides, it was already decided that Concubine Li would manage things. I merely sat for a while, drank a cup of tea, and then left.”

Upon hearing that, Old Madam Li’s eyes flashed with satisfaction, though her expression remained one of mild disapproval. “Silly girl, I just wanted you to familiarize yourself with household affairs so you’ll be prepared when you marry. But you’re so lazy!” Saying that, she lightly tapped Ouyang Nuan’s forehead in a playful manner.

Ouyang Nuan immediately smiled and leaned against Old Madam Li affectionately. At the same time, she concealed the cold glint in her eyes.

Old Madam Li’s real intention in involving her was merely to silence Lin Wanru, not to truly let her take charge. Yesterday’s events proved that Li Yue’e had already reported everything beforehand. Now, Old Madam Li’s words contained a subtle test— was Ouyang Nuan interested in power?

To be so guarded, even against a young granddaughter…… Old Madam Li was indeed cunning.

Thinking that, Ouyang Nuan’s eyes curved into a crescent moon as she nestled closer and whispered, “Grandmother, please spare me! Managing the household is such a tedious chore, I’d rather not suffer through it!”

“You!” Old Madam Li laughed, clearly satisfied.