Lin Wanru’s face turned extremely ugly and she seethed with resentment in her heart. At this moment, Ouyang Nuan slowly stood up and said in a low voice, “Father, do not blame Mother. After all, she married into the family later. As for Jue’er…… Sigh, when it comes down to it, the servants in this courtyard are at fault. The last time Jue’er had an accident, no one was by his side. And now, they have neglected Grandmother as well. As the elder sister, I cannot absolve myself of blame either……”

Her words carried three layers of meaning. First, Ouyang Jue was not Lin Wanru’s biological son, so how could she possibly care about him? Second, Ouyang Jue’s previous accident was also due to the servants’ negligence, making Lin Wanru guilty of yet another crime, perhaps even with ulterior motives. Lastly, while Lin Wanru did not care for Ouyang Jue, Ouyang Nuan, as his elder sister, was different.

Ouyang Zhi’s mind immediately became clouded with suspicion. He shot Lin Wanru a sharp glare, while Old Madam Li, who was seated above, watched her daughter-in-law with a cold sneer before finally speaking, “Nuan’er has grown up. From today onward, she will take charge of this courtyard. It is time for her to learn how to manage one.”

Ouyang Zhi immediately agreed. “Mother is right.”

Ouyang Ke stared expressionlessly at Ouyang Nuan. Seeing her smiling so gently and humbly, fury ignited in Ouyang Ke’s heart. She wished she could tear apart that ever-composed face.

As Lin Wanru walked out, she stumbled and nearly fell. Ouyang Nuan quickly stepped forward to support her. “Mother, be careful.”

The way Ouyang Nuan addressed her as ‘Mother’ was so affectionate that Lin Wanru felt a shiver run down her spine. Looking at Ouyang Nuan’s soft and gentle face, she suddenly found her utterly terrifying. Lin Wanru realized that she had severely underestimated this stepdaughter all along. Immediately, she withdrew her hand, her face void of expression, and left with Ouyang Ke.

Ouyang Nuan did not immediately deal with the servants but waited until Ouyang Jue returned from his studies, seating him beside her to watch.

Nanny Fang and Hongyu stood by her side. The courtyard was eerily silent as all the servants— young girls, young boys, and old women— gathered, awaiting their fate.

Ouyang Nuan sat at the head of the room, as composed as ever. Nanny Xin carefully handed her a cup of hot tea. She gazed indifferently at the floating tea leaves, saying nothing.

The gathered servants secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that the eldest miss would now be managing Songzhu Courtyard. If the old madam had taken action on the spot, it would have been terrifying. This eldest miss, on the other hand, supposedly listened to the madam in everything and was known for being mild-tempered, never punishing people without reason. Yet, watching her now, sitting there silently, an inexplicable sense of unease crept over them.

After finishing her tea, Ouyang Nuan glanced at Ouyang Jue, who was blinking at her with wide eyes. She smiled slightly. Silly boy, just watch and learn.

Her gaze swept across the courtyard. The young servants, though usually playful, understood that today was no ordinary day. Each one shrank back, lowered their heads, and held their breath.

“I trusted you to take care of the young master.” Ouyang Nuan said in a calm but authoritative tone. “Yet you took advantage of his young age and dared to step over him. How bold.”

Her voice, though not loud, carried immense weight, “Which one of you is Qingfeng? Step forward.”

Qingfeng shrank back but had no choice but to kneel.

Ouyang Nuan’s voice turned cold, “The young master left something behind at the academy, and you allowed him to return alone? What kind of duty is that? Go receive fifty strikes and leave the residence immediately.”

Qingfeng’s entire body trembled in fear and he repeatedly begged for mercy. Serving in Ouyang Manor was a good job. He neither wanted to be beaten nor lose his position. But no matter how much he kowtowed, even until his forehead bled, Ouyang Nuan remained unmoved. He was dragged away, crying desperately.

Last time, even if Qingfeng hadn’t actively harmed Ouyang Jue, he certainly hadn’t put much effort into protecting him. Such a servant had no place in the household.

Ouyang Nuan glanced at Ouyang Jue, who looked like he wanted to plead for mercy. The boy shrank back, his black eyes flickering with sympathy before quickly shifting to an ingratiating expression.

“Liu’er, Cui’er, step forward.”

The two maids, delicate and charming, looked pitiful. Ouyang Nuan eyed them and sneered. “Judging by your demeanor, you must be hoping to climb the social ladder. Unfortunately, the young master cannot afford to entertain such ambitions. Enough. You two will be demoted to kitchen maids from now on.”

Liu’er and Cui’er turned pale. They tried to beg for mercy, but Ouyang Nuan waved her hand, signaling for them to pack their things.

Liu’er cried out, “Eldest Miss, this is unfair! I refuse to accept this! I have never committed any wrongdoing. I was in the courtyard all day today. Why should I be punished over a few words of gossip? I was given to this courtyard by the madam, not by you!”

A cold glint flashed in Ouyang Nuan’s eyes. She smiled slightly. “Nanny Xin, what do you think?”

Nanny Xin stepped forward and delivered a loud slap. Liu’er’s pale, jade-like face immediately swelled.

“Shameless wench! No matter who gave you to this courtyard, once you are here, the masters can kill you if they please! How dare you talk back to the eldest miss? Where did you learn such disgraceful manners? Another word and I will break your mouth!”

Ouyang Jue had never liked these flirtatious maids. They constantly winked and made suggestive gestures at him. How annoying! Seeing Liu’er disrespect his sister, he immediately shouted, “Drag her out and give her thirty strikes!”

Liu’er could no longer hold out. She sobbed uncontrollably as a strong old female servant grabbed her. Just as she was about to be taken away, Ouyang Nuan suddenly said, “Wait.”

Liu’er’s eyes lit up with hope. Perhaps the eldest miss was reconsidering?

Ouyang Nuan glanced at her languidly, shattering her last bit of hope. “Did you forget to give thanks?”

Tears streamed down Liu’er’s face. Her lips trembled as she suddenly realized that her fate lay entirely in Ouyang Nuan’s hands. She fell to her knees, kowtowed, and choked out, “Thank you, Eldest Miss…… Thank you for punishing me……”

With that, she was dragged away, completely limp.

Ouyang Nuan picked up her tea, stirring it lightly. She then turned to Cui’er. “Liu’er seems to have accepted her punishment. What about you? Would you like to return to the madam?”

Returning to the madam would be just as bad— perhaps worse— than becoming a kitchen maid. Cui’er silently cursed Liu’er for speaking out and bringing trouble upon them both. Terrified, she immediately fell to her knees, trembling.

Ouyang Nuan spoke coldly. “From today onward, return to where you came from.”

Cui’er felt the chill in her words and dared not resist, kowtowing repeatedly. Nanny Xin, wearing a disdainful smile, ordered someone to take Cui’er away.

Ouyang Nuan glanced at Nanny Xin, who immediately lost her previous arrogance. Ouyang Nuan gave a gentle smile. “Nanny Xin, you are a senior servant in this courtyard, and I have always respected you. However, you have truly disappointed the old madam this time. Since you are the head of the servants here, if I do not punish you, it would be difficult to set an example. You……”

Nanny Xin broke out in a cold sweat.

Ouyang Nuan continued lightly, “……will have half a year’s wages docked.”

Nanny Xin sighed in relief. Though half a year’s pay was no small punishment, it was far better than what had happened to the others. Her earlier efforts in helping Ouyang Nuan punish those two maids had paid off.

“From now on……”

“Rest assured, Eldest Miss! I will put my life on the line to keep order in this courtyard!” Nanny Xin said with a fawning smile.

Ouyang Jue blinked his bright eyes and cheerfully said, “Sister, it’s cold outside. Let’s go inside.”

Ouyang Nuan swept her gaze over the courtyard, which had suddenly fallen silent as a graveyard.

She smiled. “Alright.”