This scheme was not particularly complicated, but for a twelve-year-old girl to be subjected to such a cruel ploy— this was simply too vicious. Lin Wanru had truly exhausted every means to put her to death!

At first, Zhang Wending still groaned and cursed fiercely, but soon he fell silent, nearly fainting from the pain.

“Just keep him alive.” Ouyang Nuan watched coldly from beginning to end, her expression calm.

Zhang Wending barely managed to open his eyes, only to meet Ouyang Nuan’s icy gaze. In her eyes, there was a terrifying glint— like a hunter who had just caught prey in a trap. That strange, indescribable pleasure sent a bone-chilling cold through his body. No! Impossible! She was supposed to be his prey, the one he had nearly seized!

Just then, a sudden commotion arose outside. Lin Wanru had arrived, leading a crowd of servants. They surged into the courtyard in an overwhelming wave. At the forefront was Nanny Wang, who froze in shock the moment she saw the scene before her.

Lin Wanru was the first to react. In utter astonishment, she exclaimed, “Nuan’er…… what…… what is going on here?”

“Mother, this man was lurking outside the courtyard, sneaking around. Fortunately, the night patrol servants caught him. He scared me half to death!” Ouyang Nuan swiftly ran down the steps and threw herself into Lin Wanru’s arms, appearing utterly frightened. The force of her impact was so strong that Lin Wanru felt a sharp pain in her chest. But in front of so many people, she couldn’t dodge and had to endure it. Her expression stiffened momentarily before she straightened up and cast a glance at Zhang Wending. Her voice turned stern as she scolded, “Where did this scoundrel come from? This is my daughter’s boudoir, and you dare trespass?!”

Heh, Ouyang Nuan had clearly said the man was caught outside the courtyard, but Lin Wanru had deliberately twisted her words, making it seem as though he had broken into her private chambers. It was evident that Lin Wanru was determined to smear her reputation. However, in the end, the ones covered in filth and unable to show their faces still remained to be seen. Ouyang Nuan’s lips curved slightly.

“Everyone, stop!” Nanny Wang, seeing Zhang Wending curled up on the ground from the beating, feared that he might be accidentally beaten to death and ruin their plan. She immediately stepped forward to intervene.

Seeing Lin Wanru arrive, Zhang Wending finally felt reassured. He spat hatefully and cursed, “Damn—”

Changpu, the most simple-minded among them, had stopped like the others, but upon hearing him dare to insult her mistress— who was always kind to the servants— she flung aside her broom, lifted her skirt, and delivered a fierce kick to his stomach.

Zhang Wending let out a painful cry and spat out a mouthful of blood. His eyes widened in terror, and he no longer dared to utter another word.

Ouyang Nuan was secretly pleased. This girl Changpu was truly an adorable powerhouse. She would have to reward her well later. Still, Ouyang Nuan maintained a frightened expression as she clung to Lin Wanru. “Mother, I’m so scared!”

Lin Wanru immediately patted her back in a motherly manner. “Don’t be afraid, I’m here! Someone, go summon the old madam and the master. Tell them there is an intruder in the eldest miss’s courtyard!”

Lin Wanru did this to ensure that Old Madam Li and Ouyang Zhi would witness the scene with their own eyes. After all, calling him a mere thief was one thing, but once rumors spread, who would truly believe that was all he was?

────ρя


In the main hall, not only did Old Madam Li arrive, but even Ouyang Zhi, who had been lying in bed with Li Yue’e, was forced out by the shocking news. Li Yue’e stood to the side, appearing surprised. Meanwhile, Ouyang Jue, upon receiving the news, rushed over immediately. His fair, jade-like face was twisted with anger, and he glared at Zhang Wending with a murderous expression as if he wanted to tear him apart piece by piece.

By now, Zhang Wending had collapsed on the floor, sobbing.

Ouyang Nuan made no move to silence him. Since Lin Wanru was so determined to drag her into the mud, she might as well let Lin Wanru go through with it— though in the end, who would truly be disgraced was still uncertain.

Zhang Wending wept bitterly. “Today was the master’s banquet. I drank a little too much and intended to return to rest, but the eldest miss’s maid delivered a message, inviting me to her courtyard……”

Old Madam Li gasped. This man was claiming that Ouyang Nuan had invited him over. Was he suggesting that they had a prior relationship?

Ouyang Jue’s temper flared instantly. He kicked Zhang Wending hard. “You’re spouting nonsense! How dare you slander my sister?!”

Ouyang Ke, who had been hiding on the sidelines, pricked up her ears, while all the gathered servants held their breath in anticipation.

Ouyang Nuan immediately stood up from her seat and ran to Old Madam Li’s side. “Grandmother, I am innocent!”

Old Madam Li gently patted her hand in reassurance. Who would believe that a noble young lady, raised in the rear courtyard, would secretly meet a man? This was an outrageous accusation!

Lin Wanru’s face twisted in anger. “You are insolent! What kind of noble daughter would invite a strange man like you? Don’t speak without proof. I won’t allow you to spout such lies!”

Zhang Wending shouted, “I have proof! I have a witness! The eldest miss’s maid can vouch for me!” He pointed suddenly, and everyone turned to see that he was indicating to none other than Xiao Tao, who had been quietly lingering at the back of the crowd.

Xiao Tao fell to her knees with a loud thud. “Master, please spare me! Madam, please spare me! It was the eldest miss who ordered this servant to do it! I-I-I don’t know anything!”

The entire hall erupted into chaos. In an instant, all the gazes— doubtful, scornful, and disbelieving— fixed themselves on Ouyang Nuan. Even Old Madam Li’s eyes took on a trace of coldness.

Ouyang Jue, furious, attempted to kick Zhang Wending again, but the surrounding servants held him back.

Ouyang Nuan shot him a glance, silently signaling him to stay calm. She knew that Zhang Wending could not have entered the rear courtyard without someone guiding him. He must have had inside help. And the culprit…… she already knew who it was.

“I wouldn’t have dared at first, but that maid insisted that the young miss admired me deeply. She even said…… she even said that the young miss had sworn to marry me after she came of age! So I mustered the courage to enter. But the moment I was discovered, she immediately turned against me, calling me a thief! The most venomous of all is a woman’s heart! If……. if Madam hadn’t arrived in time, I would have been beaten to death!”

Lin Wanru immediately stepped forward and turned to Ouyang Zhi. “Husband, this…… this is something I never expected. I was unwell for only a few days, and the household has already fallen into such disorder.” She shot an unreadable glance at Li Yue’e, causing Li Yue’e’s heart to tremble.

Lowering her voice, Lin Wanru added, “At this point, Husband, let us send the servants away and discuss this matter privately. We must not ruin Nuan’er’s reputation!”

Ouyang Zhi, who had been ready to order Zhang Wending’s immediate execution, hesitated. His daughter was still young, but could it be that she had truly harbored such improper thoughts? This would bring disgrace upon the family name! No matter what, the scandal had to be suppressed!

Just as he was about to speak, Ouyang Nuan suddenly stood up and declared coldly, “Let him speak. I want to hear what other lies he dares to tell in front of everyone!”

Lin Wanru sneered inwardly but wore a worried expression as she grasped Ouyang Nuan’s sleeve. “Foolish child, how can such a scandal be made public?”

“Scandal?” Ouyang Nuan laughed coldly, her face tinged with anger. “Indeed, it is a scandal— but whose scandal, we shall soon see!”

She subtly shook off Lin Wanru’s hand and turned sharply to Xiao Tao. “You were expelled from my inner chamber long ago. Now you are merely a third-rank maid. If I wished to meet a lover in secret, why would I seek you out instead of my trusted attendants? Who do you think you are?”