Nanny Zhang lowered her head and responded with a “Yes”, then immediately led the other old female servants away.

Seeing the situation unfold, Ouyang Nuan softly said to Old Madam Li, “Grandmother, since this matter involves Mother, it would be inconvenient for me to stay. I should return first.”

Old Madam Li was momentarily stunned before taking a deep breath and replying in a firm voice, “No, you should stay as a witness.”

Ouyang Nuan nodded slightly. Watching the drama unfold? Naturally, she was more than willing. Sooner or later, this fire would burn Lin Wanru beyond recognition. She wanted to see how Lin Wanru could continue to maintain her virtuous wife persona after this!

Not long after, a maid led Physician Wang into the room. The elderly physician hurried inside, thinking that the old madam had fallen ill, but when he saw Old Madam Li sitting perfectly well on the heated brick bed, he was puzzled.

Old Madam Li spoke slowly, “Physician Wang, you have been treating me for decades, and I trust you the most. Today, I called you here to examine a concubine. This concerns the continuation of my family’s bloodline, so I must ask you to do your best.”

Physician Wang was renowned for his medical skills and esteemed reputation. Ordinary households could not even dream of inviting him, and he had come today purely out of respect for Old Madam Li. However, having him examine a lowly concubine was certainly inappropriate. But since the old madam spoke with such seriousness, he nodded and said, “Rest assured, Old Madam. I will do my utmost.”

With that, he followed the maid to the adjacent room.

Physician Wang returned after the time it took to drink half a cup of tea and reported, “The lady next door is indeed more than two months pregnant.”

Hearing that, Old Madam Li’s eyes lit up with joy. She quickly said, “Please, have a seat and enjoy some tea. I will need your assistance again later.”

Physician Wang sat aside, sipping his tea.

At that moment, Nanny Zhang rushed back, bringing along Nanny Cui, the maid named Huan’er, and an assortment of women’s accessories— hairpins, bracelets, sachets, and dresses.

Old Madam Li said in a deep voice, “Physician Wang, please come forward and examine these items. Are they safe for a pregnant woman?”

Physician Wang stepped forward, a look of doubt on his face. He carefully inspected each item, rubbing them between his fingers before bringing them to his nose to sniff. Initially puzzled, his expression grew increasingly grave. He rechecked everything, even opening the rouge container and dabbing some onto his tongue. As his face darkened further, he finally understood why the old madam had summoned him.

Turning to Old Madam Li, his expression was as black as the bottom of a pot. He truly had not expected to be called there for this.

Seeing his reaction, Old Madam Li instinctively asked about his findings, but he furrowed his brows and remained silent. Even after she pressed him multiple times, he refused to speak.

Ouyang Nuan solemnly said, “Physician Wang, you come from a long line of renowned physicians, and your father once served as an imperial physician. With such an esteemed heritage, if even you refuse to tell us the truth, my grandmother truly would not know whom to trust.”

Physician Wang hesitated for a long moment before finally speaking, “Since that is the case, I will not mince words. Old Madam, where did these items come from? They are all tainted with harmful substances!”

At that moment, Nanny Cui, who had been trembling all along, suddenly fainted in fright. But unlike Concubine Zhou, she was given no special treatment. No one paid her any mind, leaving her lying there. Huan’er cast her a glance, her eyes filled with disgust.

Hearing Physician Wang’s words, Old Madam Li instantly understood everything. Without even looking at Nanny Cui, she sighed and said, “Physician Wang, no need to explain further. I understand it all now. Please, go rest for now. Nanny Zhang, send someone to summon the master, the madam, and Concubine Li.”

Ouyang Nuan automatically took a seat beside Physician Wang and accompanied him in drinking tea.

Nanny Zhang glanced at the unperturbed eldest miss, secretly nodding in admiration. Without making a sound, she had fanned the flames of a great fire. Now, with just a gust of wind, the entire household would be set ablaze, yet she merely sat back drinking tea. Truly ruthless! It was hard to believe that the once aloof and passive former mistress had birthed such a daughter— truly remarkable!

Li Yue’e’s courtyard was closest to Shou’an Hall, so she was the first to arrive. The moment she stepped in, she sensed the heavy atmosphere in the room. Recalling how Concubine Zhou had come to her earlier, she immediately understood the situation and quickly lowered her head, speaking in a subdued voice, “Old Madam, you summoned me. How may I serve you?”

However, Old Madam Li’s usual kind demeanor was nowhere to be seen. Instead, she coldly commanded, “Kneel. We will speak once the master and the madam arrive.”

Li Yue’e had always been treated favorably in this household. She had not expected such treatment today, but she still obediently knelt down.

Ouyang Nuan softly said, “Grandmother, the floor is quite cold. Concubine Li’s health is delicate. Perhaps we should……”

Old Madam Li glanced at the docile and meek Li Yue’e. Realizing she might have been taking her anger out on the other party, she relented slightly and said, “Bring her a cushion.”

A maid immediately placed a large red embroidered cushion beneath Li Yue’e. She lowered her head and knelt quietly.

Soon, someone announced the arrival of Lin Wanru. Ouyang Nuan clearly saw the fury and dissatisfaction in Old Madam Li’s eyes. She found it amusing but kept a calm expression, showing no trace of schadenfreude. Instead, she appeared slightly worried, as if she genuinely cared.

Lin Wanru entered and greeted Old Madam Li as usual, but Old Madam Li did not acknowledge her, leaving her kneeling in silence. Lin Wanru clenched her teeth in resentment. Since marrying into this family, she had always been the household’s mistress. While the old madam had never been easy to serve, she had never been openly harsh. But now, making her kneel alongside a concubine was a blatant humiliation.

Ouyang Ke had also arrived by now. Seeing the tense atmosphere, she forced a smile and said, “Grandmother, the floor is cold and Mother is in poor health. Shouldn’t she be allowed to rise and speak?”

It was quite the coincidence— Ouyang Nuan had said the same thing earlier, and Old Madam Li had granted a cushion. But now that Ouyang Ke said it, Old Madam Li raised her brows and retorted, “Since when has she become so fragile? I did not permit her to rise, so she will continue kneeling.”

Ouyang Ke’s face turned pale. He glanced at Ouyang Nuan and Physician Wang, growing more perplexed. What exactly happened?

Nanny Zhang quickly intervened. “Second Miss, please take a seat over there. The old madam and the madam have important matters to discuss.”

Ouyang Ke had no choice but to sit beside Ouyang Nuan, but the doubt on her face only deepened. Although Ouyang Nuan remained calm, Old Madam Li wore a dark expression, making Ouyang Ke hesitant to speak.

The room remained deathly silent. No one dared to speak, and even the servants held their breath.

Li Yue’e, at least, had a cushion beneath her, making it somewhat bearable, but Lin Wanru, kneeling directly on the ground, had long since lost feeling in her legs and was on the verge of collapsing.

At that moment, Ouyang Zhi finally stepped into the room. Seeing the scene before him, he was momentarily stunned.

“Mother, what is going on? What could have angered you so much? The children are still here. Punishing Wanru like this seems inappropriate……”

Old Madam Li’s gaze turned cold in an instant. Her sharp gaze shot toward Ouyang Zhi, and she spoke in an even, unwavering tone, “Since everyone is here, they should listen and learn. Doctor Wang, tell the master exactly what you have discovered.”