Old Madam Li’s expression softened slightly as she said, “Child, you are far too kindhearted. You don’t even realize when you’re being used. Do you think she sought you out for any reason other than the fact that you’re young and easy to deceive?”

“Grandmother, your admonition is right. It was indeed reckless of me.” Ouyang Nuan’s eyes immediately reddened, looking rather guilty.

In truth, Old Madam Li was not actually angry with Ouyang Nuan. She had already entrusted the management of the household affairs to Li Yue’e. If Ouyang Nuan had stepped in directly, it would have been overstepping her bounds, but bringing someone to Shou’an Hall was a different matter. This was a serious issue, beyond Li Yue’e’s authority, and only Old Madam Li had the final say. Thus, Ouyang Nuan’s actions were understandable. Seeing her unease, Old Madam Li’s heart softened, and she reassured Ouyang Nuan, “Nuan’er, I’m merely reminding you to be more cautious in the future. This matter concerns the bloodline of the Ouyang family, so you did nothing wrong.” After saying that, she turned to Yurong and instructed, “Go and summon Concubine Zhou.”

Before long, Concubine Zhou followed Yurong into the room, her head lowered submissively. Upon seeing Old Madam Li, she immediately knelt to pay her respects before also bowing to Ouyang Nuan.

“Rise.” Old Madam Li said indifferently.

Only then did Concubine Zhou carefully stand, looking visibly nervous. Her reddened eyes flickered toward Ouyang Nuan, as if hoping she would speak on her behalf. However, Ouyang Nuan merely lowered her head as if unintentionally avoiding her gaze.

Old Madam Li cast a cold glance at Concubine Zhou and asked, “Nuan’er said you blocked her in the garden and refused to leave. What grievance do you have that even Concubine Li cannot resolve, forcing you to seek me out instead?”

Although Old Madam Li intended to put Concubine Zhou in her place— lest she forget her lowly status and make a fool of herself— her gaze unconsciously swept over the woman’s barely noticeable abdomen.

From the side, Ouyang Nuan observed everything with a detached gaze, clearly understanding Old Madam Li’s thoughts. Currently, the Ouyang family only had her and Ouyang Jue as siblings, aside from Ouyang Ke, who was born of Lin Wanru. For someone like Old Madam Li, who valued lineage above all else, nothing was more important than offspring. This was precisely why Ouyang Nuan dared to bring Concubine Zhou directly to Shou’an Hall. No matter how ruthless Old Madam Li could be, she would never allow harm to come to her own grandchild.

Concubine Zhou trembled slightly upon hearing the question and spoke in a shaky voice, “Old Madam, I had no other choice. This matter involves the madam. Concubine Li simply cannot make a decision on it, so I had no choice but to beg you!”

Old Madam Li was momentarily stunned. She had assumed that Concubine Zhou had merely wanted to publicly announce her pregnancy to gain favor, but she had not expected this to involve Lin Wanru. Her face darkened. “Oh? Then explain yourself.”

Concubine Zhou knelt again and heavily kowtowed, her expression resolute as she declared, “Old Madam, I know my status is lowly. In the rear courtyard, I have always respected the madam and dutifully served the master, speaking and acting with the utmost caution. I always thought that merely being favored by the master was already a great fortune, and I never dared to ask for more. But the heavens took pity on me and allowed me to conceive a child…… Yet, from that day on, my courtyard has been unsafe. My monthly allowances have been reduced, and the servants frequently bully me. There have been people lurking outside my courtyard, and in my food, I found safflower. My sachets contained musk, and someone even placed ice near my door……”

As Concubine Zhou spoke, Old Madam Li’s expression grew increasingly grim. Throughout history, there had been countless ways for a main wife to suppress concubines, and Old Madam Li had never cared to interfere. However, the Ouyang family’s bloodline was thin, and she had already reprimanded Lin Wanru multiple times over the years, urging her to find ways to provide descendants for Ouyang Zhi. And yet, now, Lin Wanru dared to do such things right under her nose?

Fixing her gaze on the kneeling woman, Old Madam Li questioned sharply, “Are you certain of this? How can you be so sure it was the madam who did it?”

Concubine Zhou’s voice steadied as she responded, “Old Madam, I would not lie! Since the day I entered this household, I have kept my eyes open. Master’s superior sent me here, and in order to train me in dance and song, he even hired an old courtesan to teach me. That old courtesan once told me that the means used by the main wives of noble households to deal with concubines were countless. She warned me to always be on guard. She was the one who taught me to recognize safflower and musk.”

She continued, “I have kept all the items I mentioned intact and untouched. My maid Huan’er can testify for me. She is a servant of the Ouyang family, and her parents also serve in the household. She was not brought in by me, so she would never risk her future by fabricating lies for a mere concubine like myself. Old Madam, you may summon her to verify my claims.”

With a sharp crack, Old Madam Li slammed her teacup onto the ground, shattering it into pieces.

Ouyang Nuan appeared shocked, but her voice remained steady, “Concubine Zhou, you must think carefully. Accusing the madam of the household is a crime beyond your bearing! Even if you are truly pregnant, Grandmother will not easily forgive such an offense.”

Concubine Zhou lifted her face and spoke firmly, “Eldest Miss, you are kindhearted and cannot imagine that madam is a woman with a honeyed tongue but a ruthless heart! If she only targeted me, I could endure it, but she is targeting the master’s child! Over the years, it hasn’t been just me— Concubine Rou, who died of sudden illness six months ago, Concubine Wang^[1]王, who hanged herself last year, the maid Yuhong, who jumped into a well the year before after being favored by the master, and even the esteemed Concubine Wang^[2]汪, who drowned three years ago— all of their deaths were connected to her! If you doubt me, Old Madam, send someone to search my courtyard. I am willing to swear on my life that every word I speak is true! If even a single statement is false, I am willing to be punished however you see fit. Even if it means being skinned alive and thrown into a fire, I will have no complaints!”

Her words left the entire room in stunned silence. For a long moment, even the sound of a pin dropping could have been heard.

Just as Old Madam Li was about to speak, a startled exclamation rang out from Yurong. “Concubine Zhou has fainted!”

Nanny Zhang swiftly stepped forward and caught her before she collapsed completely. She pressed against Concubine Zhou’s philtrum for a long time, but there was no response. Turning back, she asked, “Old Madam, what should we do?”

Old Madam Li’s brows furrowed deeply, her suppressed concern for the family’s lineage finally surfacing. She ordered, “Summon Physician Wang. I want to see for myself whether she is truly pregnant.”

Concubine Zhou was carried to the adjacent room to rest. Meanwhile, Old Madam Li’s expression remained dark and unreadable.

Ouyang Nuan silently applauded Concubine Zhou’s performance. As expected of a woman who had survived under Lin Wanru’s watchful eyes for so long— she was indeed formidable. Fainting at the perfect moment ensured that the matter was now out of her hands. If Physician Wang confirmed her pregnancy, Old Madam Li would undoubtedly soften. Even if she did not severely punish Lin Wanru, she would still have to uphold justice for Concubine Zhou.

Old Madam Li’s voice turned icy. “Nanny Zhang, take some men and bring over that Nanny Cui as well as the servant girl. Gather all the evidence Concubine Zhou spoke of. Nothing must be left out.”