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

“Ke’er, don’t cry. I have never blamed you. Hearing you say these things already brings me comfort.” Ouyang Nuan gently consoled Ouyang Ke with a few words, her expression warm and kind. She personally helped her up and guided her to sit on a chair before signaling to Hongyu to pour tea.

Ouyang Nuan repeatedly assured that she bore no grudge, and only then did Ouyang Ke leave, turning back every few steps as if truly reluctant to part with her elder sister. Ouyang Nuan mused that although Ouyang Ke was easily angered, she was, after all, Lin Wanru’s daughter. How truly alike the two of them were in their hypocrisy.

Nanny Fang looked at her mistress and asked, “Young Miss, was the second miss here to apologize?”

Ouyang Nuan nodded lightly. Nanny Fang sneered and said, “Earlier, she was baring her teeth and claws, ready to hit someone. Now that she realizes the situation is not in her favor, she comes to apologize? Things can’t be that easy! Young Miss, you mustn’t be fooled by her. You don’t know, the second miss may be young, but she has a cunning mind. She has always schemed in secret, frequently running to the master to complain that Young Master bullied her. Heaven knows, Young Master never even acknowledged her, let alone bullied her! At such a young age, she already plays the role of a victim so well. I fear there’s some scheme behind this. You must be careful!”

Ouyang Nuan smiled and said, “Indeed. She smiled so sweetly. Madam Lin must have promised her something. We do need to be cautious.”

That night, Ouyang Nuan did not change clothes to rest but instead sat under the lamplight reading. Nanny Fang and Hongyu did not urge her to sleep, but the two first-rank maids, Wenxiu and Zilin, found it rather strange. Normally, their mistress would have retired long ago, so why was she acting so differently today? Not only had she kept everyone on guard in the courtyard, but she had also extinguished all the lanterns outside. However, they knew that their mistress was not the same as before, so they dared not question her and could only remain highly alert, keeping watch outside the room.

In the silent night, only the distant sound of the night watchman’s gong could be heard. Ouyang Nuan flipped a page of her book and noticed Nanny Fang still keeping watch. She put down the book and said, “Nanny, you should go rest. Hongyu can stand guard here.”

“Young Miss, I just have an uneasy feeling in my heart. I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway. But do you really think they would be so bold? This is the rear courtyard. Who would dare……”

“Today, I forced Ouyang Ke to reveal her true nature. Lin Wanru dotes on her daughter so she will undoubtedly make her move early. I expect it will be either tonight or tomorrow night. It never hurts to be cautious.”

“Who’s there?! Stop sneaking around!” Just as Ouyang Nuan finished speaking, an old female servant suddenly shouted in the courtyard.

Ouyang Nuan immediately stood up and strode outside, flinging the door open.

At that moment, she saw a petite maid grab a large man who had lunged at her and effortlessly fling him into the air. The man let out a sharp scream as he flew high before crashing down, landing upside-down in the branches of a plum tree in the courtyard.

Not just the servants in the courtyard, even Ouyang Nuan was speechless for a long time. Since when did her courtyard gain such a strong-armed girl? Nanny Fang stepped in front of Ouyang Nuan protectively. Seeing this bizarre scene, she, too, was taken aback.

“Hongyu, who is this girl?” Ouyang Nuan asked softly.

Hongyu hesitated for a long time before replying, “Young Miss, this is Changpu, a third-rank maid. She’s always been rather simple-minded.”

Nanny Fang clearly recognized the maid as well. Covering her face, she sighed softly, “Young Miss, this girl’s mother is an old friend of mine. Though she’s a bit too strong and a little foolish, she is obedient and hardworking. So, I found a way to bring her into the household. When I heard you wanted people to stand guard tonight, she was the first person I thought of.”

Ouyang Nuan silently glanced at the man dangling from the tree and then at the seemingly frail maid standing in the courtyard, who looked as though a gust of wind could blow her away. She nodded and said, “Nanny, well done.”

“Bring him down.” Nanny Fang instructed the girl.

Changpu had thick eyebrows and big eyes. Her bangs were ruffled by the wind, making her look somewhat adorable. However, when she carried the man over like a chick, the other servants were completely dumbfounded. Was this really a girl? Was she really just a maid? Heaven above, how much strength did she have?

Ouyang Nuan smiled slightly and, supporting herself on Hongyu’s arm, took two steps forward. “Lift his head.”

The young man’s head was lifted and he saw Ouyang Nuan standing tall on the steps. She was dressed in a silver-white silk robe embroidered with intertwining floral patterns in silver thread, with a pale blue inner garment and a long green skirt. Though she had yet to fully mature, her delicate features were already strikingly beautiful— like a flower bud on the verge of blooming. He couldn’t help but recall Lin Wanru’s promises, and his heart filled with delight.

Ouyang Nuan noticed that he appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old. He wasn’t bad-looking, but his eyes were full of frivolity. Even after being caught, he showed not the slightest hint of fear. She let out a cold laugh and asked in a chilling voice, “Who are you?”

“Eldest Miss, my name is Zhang Wending. I serve the master. He held a banquet today, and I was among the guests. I got drunk and wandered in by mistake……”

It seemed that this man was one of Ouyang Zhi’s retainers. Nanny Fang immediately stepped forward and delivered a loud slap to his face! Though young, the man was utterly useless. Drunken and dazed, he stumbled backward from the force of the slap, nearly collapsing before Changpu grabbed his collar, rendering him immobile. In that brief moment, Hongyu had already stepped forward. While it appeared as though she was simply helping Nanny Fang restrain the man, she swiftly searched him and discreetly pocketed something into her sleeve. The drunken man, too disoriented, didn’t even notice someone had tampered with his belongings.

As soon as Hongyu secured the item, the courtyard maids arrived. Nanny Fang pointed at Zhang Wending and shouted, “How dare you trespass into the rear courtyard?! Beat him hard!”

Changpu, her face slightly darkened yet full of determination, watched as the servants hesitated in their punishment. Finding them too weak, she snatched up a broom and began beating Zhang Wending without hesitation. He howled in pain, for while it was just a broom, it felt like a hammer striking his waist!

Unable to endure it any longer, he roared, “I am your new young master! Your eldest miss’s fiancé! If you don’t stop, I’ll have your families sold! Ouyang Nuan, order your maids to stop— damn it, tell them to stop right now!”

Hearing such shameless words, Nanny Fang’s face turned red with fury. “Beat him! Beat him to death!”

Everyone had initially thought this man was just a petty thief. But upon hearing such outrageous claims, they immediately intensified their blows.

Ouyang Nuan stood high above on the steps, watching. She had once again witnessed the depths of Lin Wanru’s viciousness. If no one had caught this man tonight, by morning, he would have accused her of an illicit affair. He would have presented a stolen personal item as proof, ruining her reputation. In such a situation, no matter how furious Ouyang Zhi might be, he would be forced to marry her off to this man. She would be left with no way to clear her name, her reputation destroyed, and she would have no other choice but to marry him.

But Lin Wanru had underestimated her. Ouyang Nuan had noticed that her cherished jade hairpin had gone missing after Xiao Tao entered her room, and she had already prepared accordingly. Yet, she hadn’t expected Lin Wanru to go to such despicable lengths! How utterly disgraceful!