Old Madam Li lifted her head and asked, “Who is it?” After a moment’s thought, she felt that this was inappropriate and quickly corrected herself, “Let them in at once.”

At that moment, a middle-aged woman with a slender figure and an oval face entered. She was dressed in a silver-gray mink-lined jacket embroidered with pine and orchid patterns, layered over a blue damask vest. She stepped forward and greeted them respectfully.

Ouyang Nuan looked at the other person and slowly stood up. In that instant, a genuine smile blossomed on her face. “Nanny Du!” But her joy faded quickly. Nanny Du was her maternal grandmother’s closest confidante, and she would not have come there without an important reason. Something must have happened at Marquis Zhenguo Manor……

Ouyang Nuan curtseyed to Old Madam Li, then walked around the dining table to stand beside Nanny Du. She asked slowly, “Nanny Du, why have you come?”

Nanny Du glanced at Ouyang Nuan but remained silent. Instead, she first saluted Old Madam Li before respectfully saying, “Greetings, Old Madam.”

Old Madam Li smiled politely and exchanged a few pleasantries before instructing Nanny Zhang to arrange a seat and serve tea.

Nanny Du declined the offer to sit and then said, “Old Madam, I have come today for two reasons. First, the grand madam sent me to visit you. Secondly……” She turned to look at Ouyang Nuan. “Secondly, the Fifth Young Master of Marquis Zengou Manor has just passed away. The grand madam would like to invite the eldest miss to the manor.”

The fifth young master? He was the youngest son of her uncle, Marquis Zhenguo Lin Wenlong! Ouyang Nuan’s heart tightened. She turned to Old Madam Li with a pleading expression. “Grandmother……”

Old Madam Li was evidently shocked as well. After a moment of contemplation, she said, “Since that is the case, you should accompany Nanny Du to see the grand madam and the eldest madam. They must be grieving deeply right now, so comfort them as best as you can. As for your father, I will speak to him.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Grandmother.” Ouyang Nuan bowed respectfully.

As she walked out, her footsteps remained steady, but her smile gradually disappeared. Only after leaving Shou’an Hall did she lower her voice and ask Nanny Du, “How are Grandmother and Eldest Aunt doing?”

Though Nanny Du’s smile remained as usual, Ouyang Nuan could see a trace of strain in it. She moved closer, gently wrapping Nanny Du’s hand in her own. “Nanny Du, whatever has happened, take your time and tell me everything.”

Feeling the warmth from Ouyang Nuan’s palm, Nanny Du seemed to regain some composure. She replied, “Young Miss, you know that the grand madam is elderly and has been in fragile health. Last night, the fifth young master suddenly passed away. The eldest madam cried through the night and fell ill as well. No one has dared to tell the grand madam yet. Young Miss, you are the most cherished person in the grand madam’s heart. Seeing you will surely lift her spirits, and once she is in a better state, this servant will find a way to break the news to her.”

Ouyang Nuan nodded. “Nanny Du, don’t worry. I will make sure Grandmother is comforted and takes good care of herself.”

Nanny Du gazed at Ouyang Nuan with relief and smiled. “Young Miss has grown up and become so sensible. You used to dislike coming to Marquis Zhengou Manor, always saying there were too many rules and it wasn’t fun.”

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly. “Nanny Du, I was thoughtless before. I must have made Grandmother worry.”

Nanny Du patted her hand gently and said in a soft voice, “The grand madam would never blame you.”

────ρя

This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m

Marquis Zhengou Manor was vast, occupying almost half a street. Many officials’ residences stood nearby, but none could compare to the manor’s grand scale.

When the carriage arrived, it did not enter through the main gate but stopped at a side entrance on the western side. The coachmen steadied the carriage shaft before unhitching the mules. Immediately, six well-dressed young servants from the manor stepped forward to carry the sedan chair. They followed a covered walkway for a while before stopping in front of an intricately carved floral gate. Once the servants withdrew, a woman accompanying the carriage spoke gently through the curtain, “Young Miss, we have arrived.”

Hongyu responded, “Understood.” She lifted the curtain and saw that a servant had already placed a footstool for them. Stepping down gracefully, she turned to assist her mistress out of the carriage. By this time, Nanny Du had also alighted from the second carriage.

As they ascended the steps and walked through the covered corridors, four servant girls in blue satin vests stood silently at each corner, their hands respectfully folded. Upon seeing Ouyang Nuan and Nanny Du, they all curtsied in unison.

Ahead stood the main residence, five interconnected halls adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. As they approached the central hall, a young maid standing by the door quickly lifted the curtain and greeted respectfully, “Young Miss.”

Just as they stepped inside the bedroom, a maid rushed out in a hurry.

Nanny Du immediately grabbed her, a hint of urgency in her voice, “Furong, what happened?”

Furong’s face was pale as she answered, “The grand madam…… the grand madam has fainted! I was about to fetch the physician!”

Nanny Du’s face instantly drained of color. She rushed inside, while Ouyang Nuan furrowed her brows and quickly followed.

Beside the ebony inlaid bed, maids were busy fetching water, wringing cloths, and tending to Grand Madam Ning. Though they worked methodically, their faces were filled with worry.

One of the maids, upon seeing Nanny Du, rushed forward as if grasping at a lifeline. “Nanny Du, thank goodness you’re back!” Her eyes brimmed with tears. “The grand madam fainted the moment she heard about the fifth young master’s passing. No matter how we called her, she wouldn’t wake up. I have already sent for Physician Liu.”

Seeing Ouyang Nuan, the maid quickly bowed to her as well.

Ouyang Nuan stepped swiftly to the bed. Grand Madam Ning’s hair was disheveled, her eyes shut, her face pallid, and sweat beaded on her forehead— completely unconscious.

“Grandmother.” Ouyang Nuan called softly, but Grand Madam Ning did not stir. Nanny Du turned away, tears streaming down her face.

Ouyang Nuan abruptly turned her gaze, her expression cold. “Who told the grand madam the news?”

Everyone instinctively looked toward a maid standing in the corner. The girl immediately fell to her knees, her face stricken with fear. “Young Miss, I didn’t mean to……”

Nanny Du glared at her. “Muxi, how dare you?!”

Ouyang Nuan fixed the maid with a piercing stare, forcing Muxi to lower her head. She let out a cold laugh. “Nanny Du, I recall that the maids in Rongxi Hall were always well-disciplined. When did they become so unruly?”

Nanny Du nodded. “Young Miss is right.” She gestured, and several old female servants immediately stepped forward to seize Muxi. The girl struggled but, upon meeting Ouyang Nuan’s icy gaze, shuddered and dared not resist any further. She was promptly dragged away.

Soon after, Furong returned, leading an elderly physician of about fifty, with a dignified face, a solemn expression, and a neatly trimmed three-inch beard.

Physician Liu approached the bed, took the grand madam’s pulse for a while, and then examined her tongue. After a moment’s contemplation, he turned and instructed his assistant to open the small wooden medicine chest he carried. He then sterilized a set of silver needles over the fire before carefully applying acupuncture to several key points.

After some time, Grand Madam Ning finally regained consciousness, letting out a weak groan.

Nanny Du knelt by the bed with tears streaming down her face. “Grand Madam, you’ve finally woken up! You nearly frightened us to death!”

Grand Madam Ning slowly opened her eyes and the first person she saw was Ouyang Nuan. Trembling, she reached out a frail hand toward her……