Ouyang Ke approached with a bright smile, gracefully stepping forward. She took a ten-petal lotus jade teacup from the tray carried by the maid following her and said with a gentle laugh, “Grandmother, this is freshly brewed Yingshan Yunwu tea. Please have some to soothe your throat.” As she spoke, she brought the tea to Old Madam Li’s side, and Nanny Zhang, who stood beside Old Madam Li, took it from Ouyang Ke’s hands.

Ouyang Ke then naturally sat down beside Ouyang Nuan and smiled sweetly, her expression innocent. “The water used to brew this tea was transported from Yuquan Mountain just yesterday. I also added fire-roasted jasmine flowers, blending them with the dry tea leaves before steeping them in the pot. It carries both the fragrance of tea and the scent of flowers. Sister, I’ll send you some later. Shall we enjoy it together?”

Seeing her act so considerately, Ouyang Nuan smiled slightly and nodded. “Sister, you are very thoughtful.” If it had been before, Ouyang Nuan might have believed that Ouyang Ke genuinely respected her as an elder sister and always considered her in everything. But now, having lived another lifetime, she saw through Ouyang Ke’s schemes. Ouyang Ke was merely trying to curry favor with Old Madam Li while maintaining an illusion of sisterly harmony before others. So young, yet already as deep and calculating as Lin Wanru.

As expected, Old Madam Litook a sip of the tea and smiled. “Look at this child. I told her she didn’t have to come, but she still insisted. The weather is terribly cold, so I was worried she might catch a chill. Such filial piety. How touching.”

Standing to the side, Nanny Zhang also smiled and added, “Indeed, Second Miss is truly considerate and devoted. As soon as Old Madam coughs, she massages her back, and when Old Madam frowns, she immediately hands over a teacup. I have served Old Madam for half my life, yet I have never been this attentive.”

Lin Wanrulooked pleased. “It is her good fortune to serve you, Mother. After all, she is your own granddaughter. What does it matter if she works a little harder? Ke’er, you must serve your grandmother well.”

Ouyang Ke responded in a delicate voice, her smile warm and sweet. Ouyang Nuan also smiled and said, “That’s true. Ke’er has always been clever and likable, unlike Jue’er, that silly boy who only knows how to bury his head in books.”

Old Madam Liimmediately put down her teacup and, though she smiled, she feigned displeasure. “Now, now, you mustn’t speak that way about my good grandson. He is diligent in his studies and focused on his lessons. Even if he doesn’t visit me often, I think of him all the time. The future of the Ouyang family depends on him.”

Ouyang Nuan smiled and agreed. Sure enough, she noticed Ouyang Ke’s expression turn pale. She had deliberately steered the conversation in this direction— to remind everyone that in the old madam’s heart, Ouyang Jue was the most important. No amount of flattery from others could change that.

Ouyang Ke quickly composed herself and said with a smile, “Grandmother, your courtyard is filled with green pines, but if you planted some red plum trees, wouldn’t the sight of white snow against red blossoms be even more beautiful? I happen to have a fine red plum tree, I will send it over later for you.”

“You are right, Sister.” Ouyang Nuan responded lightly. “When we were younger, Grandmother personally taught Jue’er and me how to recognize red plums. Now, the arrangement in his courtyard follows exactly what Grandmother once taught us. Especially that ironwood tree in his yard— it was planted the year Jue’er was born, under Grandmother’s instructions. It has been growing for ten years, and this winter, it bloomed for the first time.”

Old Madam Li’s eyes softened with warmth. “Now that you mention it, I do want to go and take a look.”

Ouyang Ke, being young, failed to find a response in time and was utterly frustrated. She had originally intended to please the old madam, but Ouyang Nuan had completely stolen the moment. Her mother, Lin Wanru, had only given birth to a daughter and had no son— something the old madam had always been displeased about. Now, every mention of Ouyang Jue sounded grating to Ouyang Ke’s ears, and she could only imagine how suffocated her mother must feel. Wasn’t her eldest sister always naive and completely trusting of her mother? Why had she suddenly changed today……?

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly. “Grandmother, if you wish to see it, why not—”

“Nuan’er, you really don’t understand proper etiquette.” Lin Wanruinterrupted hastily. “How can you ask the old madam to go all the way to her grandson’s residence? Besides, Jue’er is still studying and isn’t even there. Wouldn’t it be better for you to visit your grandmother tomorrow and bring Jue’er along?”

Ouyang Nuan smiled even more gently. “Mother, Ke’er personally brought over such fine tea, but the environment and mood also matter when drinking tea. In Master Ding’s famous painting 《Boiling Tea by Yuchuan》, the tea house is situated amidst a courtyard, shaded by lush bamboo. A delicate tea set is placed on the table, and a kettle boils over the fire. Just looking at the painting, one can almost smell the fragrance of the tea. In our house, only Jue’er’s Songzhu Courtyard resembles that scene the most. If Grandmother were to visit, wouldn’t it be a delightful experience?”

Lin Wanru shot a glance at Ouyang Ke, signaling her. Although Ouyang Ke didn’t know why her mother didn’t want the old madam to go to Songzhu Courtyard, she immediately understood her mother’s intentions and was about to speak when the old madam had already decided. “I’m not so old that I can’t walk. Very well, let’s go and see that ironwood tree.”

Ironwood trees thrive in warm, humid climates and cannot withstand the cold. It was impossible for one to bloom in winter. Perhaps this was a sign of good fortune, Old Madam Li mused.

Seeing that Old Madam Lihad made up her mind, Lin Wanrudiscreetly signaled Nanny Wang, her most trusted servant.

Jue’er, your sister will soon rid your courtyard of all the filth. With that thought, Ouyang Nuan smiled and gently took Lin Wanru’s arm, subtly blocking her from signaling Nanny Wang any further. “Mother, let’s go.”

Nanny Zhang, ever diligent, went ahead to Songzhu Courtyard to inform the servants to prepare for the old madam’s visit. However, as soon as she stepped inside, she noticed a maid sweeping the ground. The girl’s face was unfamiliar, so Nanny Zhang observed her closely. Unexpectedly, the maid raised her chin arrogantly, let out a cold snort, and wore an air of disdain. Nanny Zhang frowned. Were the servants there so unruly? She immediately reprimanded the girl, but the maid simply tossed aside the broom and disappeared into the house. Nanny Zhang, who had long been a favored servant of the old madam, had never been treated with such disrespect. Her expression darkened.

As she walked further into the courtyard, she spotted a delicate young girl leaning gracefully against a column while softly reciting poetry. A servant boy beside her eagerly praised, “Sister, your poetry is exquisite!” Listening closely, Nanny Zhang recognized the verse— ‘I wish to offer my heart to the bright moon……’ She frowned again and sternly scolded, “Enough idling! Stop reciting poetry and get to work!”

The young maid turned pale and stumbled back into the house. The servant boy, realizing it was Nanny Zhang, looked uneasy and chuckled awkwardly before hurrying forward. “Nanny, greetings. The young master is at school today and not in the courtyard. What brings you here?”

“The old madam is on her way.” Nanny Zhang snapped. “Go inform the housekeeper at once and have the courtyard cleaned up. If anything is amiss, you’ll pay the price!”

As luck would have it, Qingfeng, the boy who had accompanied Ouyang Jue last time, was on duty today. His face instantly paled at the news and he rushed off to prepare. But the servants of Songzhu Courtyard had grown lazy over time, and even the maids responsible for boiling tea and serving water were nowhere to be found. Now that the old madam herself was arriving, they were thrown into complete panic……