Lin Wanru nearly fainted from rage. How had things reached this point, yet Ouyang Nuan still managed to turn the tables? The only explanation she could think of was that Xiao Tao had betrayed her and never took Ouyang Nuan’s belongings! But…… how had it ended up being her own daughter’s golden hairpin?!

She never would have imagined that Ouyang Nuan had deliberately instructed a servant girl to knock into Ouyang Ke, taking the golden hairpin from her head, while Hongyu had used the ensuing chaos to secretly make the switch. Nor could she have foreseen that tonight, Ouyang Nuan had planned everything meticulously, selecting only the most trusted people to execute her scheme, leaving not a single clue behind. With every step so carefully arranged, how could she possibly figure out what had really happened?

Ouyang Nuan’s eyes flickered as she glanced at Lin Wanru, who stood there dumbfounded. She then spoke gently, “Father, Mother, you must not let this person slander Ke’er’s reputation any further!”

Lin Wanru’s face turned an ugly shade of green. Her daughter was still so young, how could she possibly have met with a man in secret? But men and women were expected to keep their distance from the age of seven. By making such a public spectacle, wasn’t Ouyang Nuan trying to make people believe that Ouyang Ke had an inappropriate relationship with an outsider? Ouyang Nuan was clearly trying to drag Ouyang Ke down and turn this matter into an irredeemable mess!

At this point, it could be said that Ouyang Nuan had successfully distanced herself from the scandal. Even if Zhang Wending had been invited by someone, to outsiders, it would appear that Ouyang Ke had been the one to invite him. Moreover, he had been caught and beaten before he could even step into the courtyard. In the eyes of others, the noble eldest miss had simply been implicated. How pitiful!

Lin Wanru stared at the golden hairpin, realizing that Ouyang Nuan had successfully shifted the blame onto her own daughter. Now, the most important thing was to ensure Ouyang Ke remained unharmed. As for Zhang Wending…… he was of no concern to her at all.

In an instant, she understood the stakes and immediately shouted, “Zhang Wending, you wretch! Not only did you steal, but you even dared to slander the daughters of the Ouyang family!”

Zhang Wending’s face turned deathly pale. “Madam, it was clearly you—”

Lin Wanru wouldn’t let him continue. “Shut his mouth! Drag him out and beat him! Once you’re done, send him to the authorities for punishment!”

Zhang Wending tried to speak, but his mouth was quickly stuffed, rendering him incapable of uttering another word. Just as things seemed to settle, Ouyang Jue suddenly lunged forward, shoving the guards aside and shouting furiously, “Speak! Who ordered you to do this?!”

Zhang Wending could no longer care about the consequences. He screamed, “It was Madam! Madam ordered me to come tonight! She promised to marry the eldest miss to me and even gave me silver!”

Ouyang Zhi’s expression darkened as he suddenly slammed his palm against the table. “Drag him out and beat him! He dares to falsely accuse Madam?! He’s worse than an animal!”

Ouyang Nuan watched it all unfold, her cold smile deepening. How ridiculous. By now, any clear-minded person could see who was truly behind this, yet Ouyang Zhi still stubbornly protected Lin Wanru. How utterly foolish! What kind of father was he? What kind of official could he possibly be?

Nanny Wang rushed forward, signaling two strong male servants to gag Zhang Wending and bind his hands and feet. Like a captured wild beast, he thrashed and struggled, but he was swiftly carried away.

The room fell into a suffocating silence. Only the rustling of leaves outside, swayed by the cold night wind, could be heard.

“Mother, thank you for upholding justice. Otherwise, Ke’er’s innocence would have been ruined by that villain……” Ouyang Nuan’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Li Yue’e, who had been quietly observing, immediately stepped forward to console her, “Eldest Miss, what are you saying? That scoundrel stole Second Miss’s belongings and, when caught, tried to slander her to save himself. Rest assured, Master will not let him go unpunished!”

Lin Wanru listened to those words, feeling as though a raging fire was burning within her. However, she still retained some rationality and forcibly suppressed her fury. Her gaze swept over Ouyang Ke, who was so terrified she nearly collapsed, before coldly scanning the surrounding servants. “If a single word of tonight’s events leaks outside, none of you will live to see another day!”

“Yes, Madam.” All the servants instantly dropped to their knees, and the entire room filled with an oppressive air.

Old Madam Li sat above them all, watching coldly. She didn’t understand how Ouyang Ke had been dragged into this, but one thing was clear— Lin Wanru was nothing but trouble, always causing problems for her. What a truly ‘filial’ daughter-in-law……

Ouyang Nuan glanced at the enraged Lin Wanru, sneering internally. This was her own doing. From today onward, in order to protect Ouyang Ke’s reputation and cover up her own vicious schemes, Lin Wanru would have her hands full!

As they exited the main hall, Hongyu’s legs nearly gave out. She stumbled at the threshold, barely saved by Nanny Fang’s steady support. Ouyang Nuan noticed and smiled slightly. Hongyu was kind-hearted and loyal, but she lacked the necessary ruthlessness.

Against villains, kindness was useless. To defeat Lin Wanru, one had to be cruel— crueler than her a hundred, a thousand times over— until she could never rise again!

────ρя


The first thing Ouyang Nuan did upon returning was to promote Changpu to a first-rank maid.

Hongyu glanced at the foolishly grinning Changpu before hesitantly asking, “Miss, what about Xiao Tao……?”

Ouyang Nuan gazed out at the blooming plum blossoms outside the window and replied indifferently, “She will not return.”

If tonight’s plan had succeeded, Lin Wanru would have silenced Xiao Tao. If it had failed, she still wouldn’t have been spared. A servant who betrayed her master had to bear the consequences.

Hongyu pondered for a moment and understood. However, having spent considerable time with Xiao Tao, a trace of sadness flickered across her face.

Nanny Fang saw this and sneered. “You shouldn’t pity that wretched girl. If their scheme had succeeded last night, do you think it would have only harmed Young Miss? As her close servant, you would have been accused of encouraging your mistress to meet with a man in secret. Do you think you would have survived? At best, you’d have been beaten to death. At worst, you’d have been sold off, and your fate would have been even worse!”

Hongyu shuddered violently at those words, immediately nodding. She dared not entertain such thoughts any longer.

Nanny Fang observed Ouyang Nuan’s delicate yet determined profile and felt deeply gratified. She had never expected the young miss not only to avoid Lin Wanru’s trap but also to counter so beautifully.

She hesitated for a moment before offering a cautious suggestion, “Young Miss, this could be an opportunity to bring Madam Lin down……”

Ouyang Nuan looked at Nanny Fang, who had always been devoted to her, and her gaze softened slightly. She shook her head. “No, Nanny. Everything must be timed precisely. One strike must be enough to win. If we miss, we must retreat. Tonight, did you not see where Father stood? If he does not turn against her, it will not be easy to succeed.”

“But the master has always favored his second wife. I fear he won’t change his mind so easily……”

That wasn’t certain. No matter how much he dotes on Lin Wanru, it would never outweigh his love for power and status. Just wait and see.

Ouyang Nuan’s lips curved into a mysterious smile. “Favor? Even the deepest favor has its limits.”