Lin Wanru was utterly horrified. She had believed that everything had been flawless, so how had it been discovered? Damn it!

Ouyang Nuan looked at her, her eyes cold. Ouyang Zhi was in his prime, yet the Ouyang family remained lacking in offspring. To Old Madam Li, this was a heart-wrenching pain, but for Lin Wanru, it was most advantageous. Ouyang Nuan had long suspected that Lin Wanru must have been manipulating things in the rear courtyard. She had originally planned to use Li Yue’e’s new authority as the household manager to secretly investigate the matter. However, it turned out she didn’t even need to as Concubine Zhou had delivered herself right to the door. Such a heaven-sent opportunity could not be wasted!

Over the past two years, Ouyang Zhi had taken in several women, yet those who received his favor either died mysteriously or were sold off. Those who remained had failed to conceive for years. Lin Wanru had calculated everything meticulously, ensuring that no one else bore a child before her. She had spared no effort in dealing with the women in the rear courtyard. Every item she sent appeared harmless on the surface, yet each contained hidden schemes. Given this, Concubine Zhou must have struggled greatly to conceive this time.

Upon realizing the full extent of the situation, Ouyang Nuan couldn’t help but applaud Lin Wanru in her heart. Such cunning means were truly impressive! Even better, let Ouyang Zhi open his eyes and see just how good his so-called ‘virtuous’ second wife really was!

At this moment, the atmosphere in the room was stiflingly tense.

Ouyang Zhi’s gaze was icy, his voice as sharp as a blade as he directed it at Lin Wanru. In a low voice, he asked, “Wanru, I will ask you once more— do you admit or deny what Mother just said?”

Lin Wanru’s face was deathly pale and she swayed as if she might faint. When she lifted her head, she saw her husband, who had always treated her with kindness, now glaring at her with a vicious expression. She immediately crawled forward on her knees to clutch at the hem of his robe, sobbing pitifully. “Husband, I know Mother has always resented me for not bearing a son, but it has been ten years! I have served her with the utmost care, never daring to be negligent for even a moment. Even if I were guilty of a thousand wrongs, neither you nor Mother should suspect me of having such a vile heart! Husband, I truly did not do this! Someone is deliberately framing me! You must uphold justice for me!”

As she spoke, tears streamed down her delicate face in an endless flow.

Ouyang Zhi hesitated slightly, but Old Madam Li was shaking with fury, her hands trembling uncontrollably as she pointed a quivering finger at Lin Wanru. “You— you— How shameless can you be? Still refusing to admit it? Who in this household would go out of their way to frame you? And even if they wanted to, how could they possibly succeed?!”

Lin Wanru wore an expression of deep grievance, her voice choked with sobs. “Mother, please have mercy. For the sake of my husband, if I have done anything to displease you, you may punish me as you see fit. However, please do not accuse me of such a heartless crime! No matter how cruel you believe me to be, I would never cut off my husband’s bloodline. Wouldn’t the child call me ‘mother’ once born? I beg you, say no more! I will kowtow to you right now!”

With that, she began knocking her head against the floor with force, bruising her forehead in the process.

Ouyang Zhi’s expression wavered, and Ouyang Ke suddenly rushed forward, clinging to his mother while wailing pitifully, as if they had suffered an enormous injustice.

Ouyang Nuan had never before seen Lin Wanru put on such a performance in front of everyone. She couldn’t help but admire her in secret. No wonder her grandmother and father had been deceived by Lin Wanru for so many years. She truly had skill and intellect. A matter as clear as day had now been twisted by Lin Wanru’s words, turning herself into the victim of slander.

With that thought, Ouyang Nuan stepped forward and gently stroked Old Madam Li’s back, speaking softly, “Grandmother, do not believe these slanderous accusations. I, too, believe Mother is innocent. Think about it— over the years, has she not treated me and Jue’er with the utmost care? If not perfectly, then at least without any fault……”

Old Madam Li’s expression changed instantly. Yes, this woman had once harmed her grandson behind the scenes. If she had done it once, what was stopping her from doing it again? And now, with just a few words, she had already begun to sway her son’s heart! What a vile creature!

Old Madam Li’s face turned white with rage, and she nearly fainted from sheer anger. Seeing this, Nanny Zhang hurriedly stepped forward with a cup of water, trying to calm her. “Eldest Miss, please tend to the old madam for now.” She urged.

After finishing her words, Nanny Zhang composed herself and took a few steps forward before saying in a gentle voice, “Master, may this servant be allowed to speak?”

Ouyang Zhi remained silent for a moment before nodding slowly.

Nanny Zhang said, “Madam, this servant is but a lowly nanny, but there is something I do not understand. May I trouble you to clarify?”

Lin Wanru wiped away her tears and looked up at her.

Nanny Zhang continued, “According to you, someone in this household is framing you? Then who could it be? Concubine Zhou or Concubine Li? Do you have any evidence? While Nanny Cui remains silent for now, if Master orders her to be beaten, do you really think she will keep her mouth shut? No matter how strong she is, could her son and daughter withstand such punishment? In the end, the truth will come out.”

At those words, Ouyang Zhi was shocked, and Lin Wanru’s face turned ashen on the spot.

Nanny Zhang had indeed served Old Madam Li for many years and knew her temperament well. Even if Nanny Cui refused to confess, there would still be evidence— who had made the purchases, who had delivered them into the household, who had distributed them to Concubine Zhou? Even the smallest details, down to a single needle or a box of rouge, could leave behind clues.

Ouyang Nuan sneered inwardly, while Nanny Zhang continued in a calm voice, “Master, in most households, it is common for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Over time, there will inevitably be conflicts and struggles. For a wife to discipline concubines is usually nothing more than petty jealousy, hardly worth mentioning. However, Master has always had few offspring, and the Ouyang family lacks descendants. If Madam truly cared for Master, then when Concubine Zhou was diagnosed with pregnancy, she should have immediately reported it to Master or to Old Madam. Why, then, did she remain silent? If something had gone wrong today, Master’s child would have……”

Ouyang Zhi’s anger gradually subsided and clarity returned to his mind. He looked at Lin Wanru with deep disappointment.

Lin Wanru, sharp as ever, opened her mouth to speak again, but Nanny Zhang cut her off. “Madam, this matter should not even require a lowly servant like myself to bring it up. However, having served the old madam for years, I have seen and heard much about household conflicts, yet never has a wife been punished too severely for such matters. But in this case, I cannot defend you. First, because you have gone too far in harming Master’s offspring. Second, because you claim to be falsely accused— but are you implying that the old madam is the one falsely accusing you? Such blatant defiance and disrespect— can you still claim to be worthy of the trust that Old Madam and Master have placed in you?”

Nanny Zhang’s words were simple, yet each one struck at the heart of the matter.

Lin Wanru let out a heart-wrenching wail. “Nanny Zhang, when have I ever wronged you? Why must you frame me like this? Do you truly believe that failing to bear a son is such an unforgivable crime? Must I be condemned entirely because of it?”

Nanny Zhang responded calmly, “Madam, what are you saying? Children are destined by the heavens. Those who can bring descendants to the Ouyang family do so by fate, a fate cultivated over past lives. There is no point in being envious.”

This remark was truly cutting, and it struck directly at Lin Wanru’s fatal flaw!

Ouyang Nuan smirked to herself. So you couldn’t bear a son as well? Serves you right!