Li Yue’e turned to look at Ouyang Zhi, who was dumbfounded, her eyes filled with grief and indignation as she said, “Master, just now, Madam accused Concubine Zhou of being unfaithful. But you should think carefully— what exactly does she love about Steward Zhang? Is it his character, or is it his wealth? Although I haven’t been in this household for long, I know that Concubine Zhou has always been the most well-behaved. She has been deeply devoted to you, truly unwavering in her loyalty. A woman’s greatest fear is to be falsely accused of such disgraceful things. You have already believed that the child in her womb does not carry the bloodline of the Ouyang family so why keep living? Let me say something perfectly clear— if she were truly an adulteress, she would never have chosen death. Her willingness to die proves her innocence and purity. But now, she is already dead, so what use is there in proving her heart’s sincerity?”

Hearing her words, Ouyang Zhi was immediately filled with doubt. For a moment, he looked at Lin Wanru, who was full of anger, then at Li Yue’e, who was weeping bitterly. He truly did not know who was telling the truth and who was lying. The decisiveness he once possessed in court affairs was now completely muddled by this household turmoil, rendering him speechless.

Ouyang Nuan sighed softly, as if deeply saddened, and gently advised, “Since she is already dead, what is the point of arguing over right and wrong? Father, don’t grieve too much. Leaving her body here is also improper. It would be best to send word to have someone prepare burial clothes and a coffin. However, you must instruct them to say she died of illness and not let any idle gossip spread.”

After speaking, she turned to Lin Wanru and said in a gentle tone, “Father was furious just now. Mother, why did you not try to calm him down? Instead, you led people here so ostentatiously to deal with Concubine Zhou. If word gets out, it will sound terrible. Now that she is already dead, continuing to argue over who is right and who is wrong is not only disrespectful to the deceased but also unwise. After all, she was a gift from the minister of personnel. If he hears of this and suspects that Father deliberately used this as an excuse to deal with Concubine Zhou, wouldn’t that be a terrible misunderstanding?”

Ouyang Zhi was startled by Ouyang Nuan’s simple yet piercing words. He had been eagerly anticipating the birth of Concubine Zhou’s child, so when he first heard that the child might not be of Ouyang blood, he had been blinded by rage. How had he forgotten that she was a gift from the minister of personnel? Even if she had truly done something improper, he should have dealt with it discreetly. Now that she had been driven to death, if word spread, wouldn’t his superior suspect that he was deliberately retaliating against someone the minister had sent?

At that realization, a cold sweat broke out on his back. He immediately turned his fury toward Lin Wanru, who had been secretly pushing him to take action against Concubine Zhou. “Why didn’t you stop me? Why did you have to push things to this point?!”

Lin Wanru had not expected the situation to take such a drastic turn. She had schemed tirelessly to eliminate Concubine Zhou, believing that by doing so, she could convince Ouyang Zhi that all her actions were for the good of the Ouyang family. Yet, with just a few words from Ouyang Nuan, Concubine Zhou’s innocence was no longer the focal point. Instead, she herself had become the one responsible for damaging her husband’s political reputation!

She opened her mouth to argue but ultimately swallowed her words with great effort. “Husband…… I acted in haste and failed to consider everything carefully. Don’t worry, I will handle Concubine Zhou’s funeral properly. I will make sure this matter does not reach the minister of personnel’s ears.”

“There’s no need! Just take care of yourself! Concubine Li will handle this matter!” Ouyang Zhi, overwhelmed with frustration, flung his sleeves and left without another word.

Li Yue’e’s heart surged with joy, and she couldn’t help but feel admiration for Ouyang Nuan. She had pleaded and wept for so long, yet Ouyang Zhi had remained unmoved. Meanwhile, Ouyang Nuan had only spoken a few words, and he had instantly changed his mind. Truly impressive!

Lin Wanru watched as Ouyang Zhi walked away without hesitation, feeling utterly defeated. All her careful calculations had been in vain. Her rage surged, causing her blood to rise. Suddenly, her vision darkened, and she nearly fainted.

A soft, delicate hand swiftly reached out to support her. A gentle voice whispered, “Mother, the wind outside is strong. You should go back and rest. Concubine Li will take care of everything here. You needn’t worry.”

Nanny Wang hurriedly stepped forward to support Lin Wanru and said to Ouyang Nuan with a forced smile, “Eldest Miss, you need not trouble yourself. I will take care of the madam.”

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly, her expression as warm and gentle as a spring breeze in March. “Then I’ll leave it to you, Nanny.”

Even someone as shrewd as Nanny Wang couldn’t help but shudder at that smile. She quickly assisted Lin Wanru and, along with the other maids, hurried away as if they had seen a ghost.

Li Yue’e wiped away her tears and walked up to Ouyang Nuan. “Eldest Miss, I will go instruct the servants to make the funeral arrangements. Please excuse me.”

Ouyang Nuan nodded, watching as Li Yue’e swayed her hips gracefully while walking away. Then, she turned and stepped into the room.

Nanny Fang immediately tried to stop her. “Young Miss, this room is inauspicious. We should leave.”

Ouyang Nuan did not pause. She walked straight to where Concubine Zhou lay, her lifeless eyes still staring upward. Ouyang Nuan stood there for a long time before gently reaching out and closing the woman’s eyes.

────ρя


The next morning, Ouyang Nuan went as usual to pay respects to the old madam. To her surprise, Li Yue’e had arrived unusually early. As soon as Ouyang Nuan entered, Li Yue’e immediately vacated the seat beside the old madam.

Ouyang Nuan smiled slightly, as if she hadn’t noticed Li Yue’e’s transgression in overstepping her status. She naturally sat in the empty seat, massaging the old madam’s shoulders as she softly said, “Grandmother, about yesterday’s events……”

The old madam sighed and said, “I already know. Ah, such a pity. I had hoped that the child would bring prosperity to the Ouyang family, and that Jue’er would have a younger brother. Who would have thought……”

Ouyang Nuan said gently, “Grandmother is right. It was simply Concubine Zhou’s misfortune. She could not bear the blessings you intended for her. But don’t be too sad. Father is still in his prime, and Concubine Li will surely give birth to more children for the Ouyang family in the future. Soon, there will be so many grandchildren running around that you’ll find them noisy.”

Hearing that, the old madam’s mood lifted. She smiled and said, “Yue’e, did you hear that? Nuan’er is urging you to give her a little brother.”

Li Yue’e blushed and laughed. “Old Madam, please don’t tease me……”

Old Madam Li chuckled before her expression turned serious again. “As for Lin Wanru……”

Ouyang Nuan said calmly, “I was just about to ask Grandmother. Concubine Zhou was pregnant first, so Mother must have felt wronged. But now that Concubine Zhou is gone, let’s put this matter to rest. Continuing to pursue it will only bring unrest to the household and damage Father’s political reputation.”

Old Madam Li looked at Ouyang Nuan in surprise. She and her younger brother had always been secretly oppressed by Lin Wanru, so she had assumed that Ouyang Nuan would take this opportunity to demand punishment for Lin Wanru. Unexpectedly, Ouyang Nuan was so understanding! A surge of sympathy rose in Old Madam Li’s heart. In truth, she had never intended to punish Lin Wanru too severely. Although Lin Wanru was merely a concubine-born daughter of Marquis Zhengou Manor, she had an elder brother who served as the minister of war in court. If Old Madam Li truly enforced the family’s disciplinary rules, it would be difficult to explain to Marquis Zhengou Manor.

“There is no child in this household more sensible than you.” Old Madam Li smiled and patted Ouyang Nuan’s hand, then invited her to stay and have breakfast together. Li Yue’e stood to the side, occasionally serving dishes to Old Madam Li and Ouyang Nuan, making the atmosphere appear harmonious and pleasant.

As they were eating, a maid named Yumei suddenly entered and reported, “Old Madam, someone from Marquis Zhenguo Manor has arrived.”