Nanny Wang hurried over and grabbed Ouyang Ke. “Second Miss, Madam had already planned everything. She invited Master to examine your injury. When the time comes, you only need to lie in bed and claim that you hit your head badly. That maid who bumped into you will either die or be severely punished. The master will also suspect that the eldest miss deliberately ordered someone to harm you. But after the scene you caused today, who would still believe you were injured? If it weren’t for Madam trying to cover for you, why would she have fainted in front of everyone? Now, the old madam has even more reason to seize power and refuse to return it!”

“I don’t care! She stood at the door, refusing to leave no matter what and insisting that I forgive her. I just couldn’t stand the sight of her! Now, everyone in this household respects and fears her. She is the high and mighty eldest miss of the Ouyang family. What does that make me? Just because my mother is the second wife, does that mean I can never surpass her? The servants secretly whisper that my mother is a concubine’s daughter, and that I, the second miss, am worthless! Do you know that? It wasn’t like this before! It wasn’t!”

Ouyang Ke suddenly erupted, and both Lin Wanru and Nanny Wang were momentarily stunned by her words.

Lin Wanru was well aware of the subtle changes within the household. Ever since the old madam had taken a liking to Ouyang Nuan, she had gradually purged certain people from the estate. As a result, the servants grew even more fearful and respectful of Ouyang Nuan. Behind closed doors, they whispered that the second miss was raised by a concubine-born mother, incomparable to the dignified and noble eldest miss born to the eldest di daughter of a marquis. However, Lin Wanru had never imagined that these rumors had deeply affected Ouyang Ke.

She understood Ouyang Ke’s resentment all too well. Back when she was in the marquis’s residence, she had also been suppressed at every turn. After becoming the madam of the Ouyang family, she believed that her past grievances had been left behind. Her elder sister was dead and was no longer standing in her way. But now, Ouyang Nuan had slipped out of her control, and Ouyang Ke had become just like she once was. No, perhaps it was even worse for her daughter.

Back then, Ouyang Nuan had been timid, dull, and kind-hearted— far from being a match for Ouyang Ke in terms of intelligence and scheming. But now, Ouyang Nuan surpassed Ouyang Ke in every way. How could her daughter possibly accept that?

Lin Wanru embraced Ouyang Ke tightly. “Ke’er, listen to me.”

Ouyang Ke gradually stopped crying, her strength drained. Lin Wanru gently smoothed her daughter’s disheveled hair and felt a deep ache in her heart when she saw her swollen eyes from crying. “I only regret one thing— that I was deceived by Ouyang Nuan’s pretense. I should have destroyed her long ago. It was my mistake for not realizing it sooner. But don’t worry, Ke’er. I will help you get revenge soon. She won’t remain arrogant for long!”

A ruthless glint flashed in Lin Wanru’s eyes. Ouyang Ke looked at her, suddenly feeling a tinge of fear. “Mother, what are you going to do?”

Lin Wanru saw through her daughter’s hesitation but did not answer. Today’s events have proven that Ouyang Ke was too impulsive. Despite repeated instructions to stay in bed, she had still been provoked by Ouyang Nuan’s words. For now, Lin Wanru couldn’t risk revealing her plans to her daughter, lest she ruin everything. So, she softened her tone and changed the subject, “Ke’er, I’m doing this for your own good. Remember my words. You are intelligent, so why should you be inferior to Ouyang Nuan? Focus more on your skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I refuse to believe that she is superior to you in every aspect. If she is talented, you must surpass her. What is there to gain by showing off within the household? When I take you out to meet esteemed guests, everyone will see how exceptional my daughter is! I will let the world know that, aside from holding the title of the Ouyang family’s eldest miss, she is nothing compared to you!”

Ouyang Ke wiped away her tears and nodded. She broke free from Lin Wanru’s embrace and wiped her eyes. “Understood! Nanny Wang, help me freshen up.”

“Ke’er?”

“I heard Father’s words. I will go and apologize to her. I want everyone to see that I am gracious and forgiving.”

Lin Wanru nodded approvingly. “Good, my Ke’er finally understands me.”

────ρя


Ouyang Nuan was practicing calligraphy in her room when her maid, Zilin, came in to report that the second miss had arrived.

Voices could already be heard from outside. Ouyang Nuan curled her lips into a slight smile and exchanged a glance with Hongyu, signaling her to step out first and accompany Wenxiu. She then deliberately took her time before emerging from the room.

“Sister!”

“Why has Ke’er come?”

As soon as Ouyang Ke saw Ouyang Nuan, she immediately stepped forward and hesitated before explaining, “Mother was furious when she found out about my foolish actions. She was so angered that she fell ill and scolded me severely, forcing me to come and apologize. I was badly injured and momentarily lost my senses, saying things I shouldn’t have. Sister, you are kind-hearted, please forgive me this time.”

As she spoke, she began to lower herself as if about to kneel. With so many servants watching, if she really knelt down, wouldn’t it make Ouyang Nuan appear cruel and a bully?

Ouyang Nuan glanced at Hongyu, who quickly stepped forward and supported Ouyang Ke by the arm, forcibly preventing her from kneeling. Hongyu spoke gently, “Second Miss, what are you saying? What anger? What offense? The eldest miss hasn’t said a single word about it to anyone!”

“Hongyu is right. I thought you had something important to discuss. That incident? I didn’t take it to heart at all. It was Baihe’s fault for accidentally bumping into you. Fortunately, you weren’t seriously hurt. You merely acted on impulse. It’s not worth coming all this way just to apologize.”

As she watched Ouyang Ke’s expression, Ouyang Nuan sneered internally. If you are truly here to apologize, why did you make such a fuss before even entering the door? Clearly, you want everyone to know. If I let you kneel now, those unaware of the truth will think I’m oppressing you!

“Second Miss, don’t stand outside. Please come in.” Wenxiu and Zilin also chimed in, persuading her. Only then did Ouyang Ke enter the room, where Hongyu helped her to a seat before returning to stand behind Ouyang Nuan.

Ouyang Nuan spoke with a calm smile, “Ke’er, when you return, be sure to console Mother. It’s normal for sisters to have minor disagreements. She should rest well and not worsen her illness. Managing the household is already hard enough for Concubine Li.”

Ouyang Ke had been keeping her head down, but upon hearing those words, she nearly lunged forward to slap Ouyang Nuan. However, recalling Lin Wanru’s warning, she clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and suddenly fell to her knees before Ouyang Nuan.

Everyone in the room was stunned. Nanny Fang quickly led the servants out, leaving only Hongyu behind.

“Sister, today was my fault. Though we were not born of the same mother, we grew up together. I have always regarded you Jue’er as my full siblings…… That time when Jue’er fell into the pond, I stayed up all night worrying about him.”

As she spoke, she dabbed her tears with a handkerchief and continued pitifully, “Mother loves you dearly— sometimes even more than she loves me. This time, when she heard I angered you, she was livid and forced me to come apologize immediately. I also feel truly guilty and had to come……”

Watching Ouyang Ke weep like a delicate flower in the rain, Ouyang Nuan recalled the moment she was about to be drowned in the river. Ouyang Ke had admitted it was Lin Wanru who orchestrated Ouyang Jue’s death.

Ouyang Nuan knew they were merely putting on a performance to win her trust. The smile on her lips remained gentle, yet beneath it, an imperceptible chill lurked.