“Young Master Hong, since you are going to pay your respects to the old lady of the General’s Mansion, you should hurry up and go. It’s right next to this house. I think you shouldn’t have trouble finding it. If that’s the case, why do you insist on having Miss Ouyang take you? If someone sees you like this, it will be hard to explain.”
Hong Yicheng stared coldly at Leng Caiwen. This was his business; what did it have to do with Leng Caiwen? Did he think he didn't know? Leng Caiwen had always been close to the Ninth Prince, and today, contrary to his usual behavior, she spoke to Ouyang Yue. She was probably trying to curry favor with General Ouyang upon his return. How could he let Leng Caiwen beat him to it? If the Crown Prince found out, he would be in deep trouble!
"Young Master Leng, it's not your place to speak here. Besides, given my relationship with Sister Yue'er, it's only natural that we're close."
Ouyang Yue finally turned around. She wanted to get a good look at the face of this shameless man, Hong Yicheng. She was so curious. How could Hong Yicheng say something like, "What do I have to do with you?"
Hong Yicheng smiled and puffed out his chest with what he thought was arrogance: "Sister Yue'er, have you forgotten our engagement?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the expressions of everyone in the room changed. Leaving aside the men, even Ouyang Hua, Ouyang Rou, and Ouyang Yue looked quite surprised. Ouyang Hua couldn't help but give Hong Yicheng a deep look. This Hong Yicheng really dared to speak like that! He was the one who made a scene by coming to the manor to annul the engagement, using his status as the Crown Prince to pressure people, forcing them to break off the engagement in the end. And now he still has the nerve to say that!
Ouyang Rou's face showed resentment. They had agreed that Hong Yicheng would propose marriage to her after breaking off the engagement. However, he hadn't immediately come to propose; there was still a verbal and physical agreement with Ning Shi regarding a marriage exchange. Unfortunately, she was tormented by the mad princess in the palace, and Hong Yicheng denied it on the spot. Now, if he wanted to marry her, it would be difficult—wouldn't that be contradicting himself? Ouyang Rou knew this very well; it was a shameful matter for Hong Yicheng, hence her inner turmoil. But his breaking off the engagement with Ouyang Yue was a done deal; was he acting as if it hadn't happened? Thanks to her deliberate publicity, few in the capital didn't know about it. For him to say something so self-contradictory was something he would never have done before!
This made Ouyang Rou even more resentful. Why did everything change when it came to her? Just because Ouyang Yue was the legitimate daughter, everything went around in circles and became a good thing for her? Why?!
Ouyang Yue almost punched Hong Yicheng. She had put in a lot of effort to break off the engagement back then, and now he just said it was still valid? What did he take her for? This kind of scumbag didn't deserve her!
As for the other three men, Baili Chen looked at Hong Yicheng with a half-smile, Leng Caiwen's face was full of mockery, and Lin Baiyu's eyes darted between Ouyang Yue and Ouyang Rou, coldly smiling.
“Young Master Hong, please watch your words. You are one of the three most talented men in the capital. How can you speak so recklessly? This is damaging a woman’s reputation, which is contrary to your reputation as a talented man,” Ouyang Yue couldn’t help but mock.
"What does 'Moon Sister' mean?" Hong Yicheng pretended not to know.
"Hong Yicheng, our engagement was dissolved the moment you blocked my door to force me to break it off. Don't try to act like I'm your fiancée anymore, or don't blame me for being impolite. Young Master Hong, are you the kind of person who forgets everything? I still remember how you left my General's Mansion. If you've forgotten, I don't mind putting on another show for everyone." Saying this, Ouyang Yue walked to the window, looked down, and pointed. "There are quite a few people on Chenghua Street. If Young Master Hong is interested, why don't we do it here? I'm willing to swallow my pride and rehearse with you again, making sure the people of the capital are entertained. What do you say?"
Hong Yicheng's face darkened completely. How could he forget how he left, how Ouyang Yue had thrown a chair at him and sent him packing! That was the most humiliating moment of his life. Even after leaving the General's Mansion, he could still feel the mocking laughter of the servants inside. As a noble young master, how could he forget? He had thought more than once about how he would find an opportunity to torment that bitch Ouyang Yue!
"Oh, I'm interested in how Young Master Hong got out. Miss Ouyang, you've gone to so much trouble, please demonstrate." Leng Caiwen said with a smile.
Ouyang Yue glanced at Hong Yicheng and said, "That depends on what Young Master Hong thinks. I will definitely do my best to arrange it."
Leng Caiwen immediately smiled and said, "Young Master Hong, I think you should give it a try. Let us see something new."
Hong Yicheng's expression was incredibly varied; he was clearly being humiliated, his face turning red and then dark, never looking happy for a moment.
Ouyang Rou felt a surge of satisfaction. Even if Ouyang Yue hadn't spoken up, she would have. Who did Hong Yicheng take him for? Did he think Ouyang Yue would agree to another marriage? He was hers; how could she let him marry Ouyang Yue? Otherwise, wouldn't all her years of effort have been in vain? She would never allow it. Ouyang Rou thought to herself that even if Hong Yicheng couldn't marry her as his principal wife, with her physical satisfaction and her cunning, she could still drag that woman down with her, just as she had made Hong Yicheng annul the engagement. If she wanted to, nothing was impossible! She would relentlessly pester Hong Yicheng to take her into his household, and the Crown Prince's tutor would be hers. Therefore, she absolutely could not allow Hong Yicheng and Ouyang Yue to have even the slightest chance of rekindling their relationship!
"Sister, please say less. Young Master Hong was forced to break off the engagement back then, wasn't he? Sigh... Young Master Hong, Grandmother and Mother are next door. Would you like to go over now?" Ouyang Rou winked at Hong Yicheng, who immediately understood. This was giving him a way out. He had originally wanted to take this opportunity to build a relationship and not let General Ouyang escape, but Ouyang Yue was clearly still putting on an act, and with so many people around, it would only make him lose face. If all else failed, he could find a secluded place next time... There would be plenty of time later.
"Then I'll trouble you to lead the way, Second Miss." Hong Yicheng smiled, reverting to his original noble demeanor. "Ninth Prince, I'll take my leave now." He then followed Ouyang Rou out of the house.
Baili Chen looked at Lin Baiyu, who was standing there dumbfounded, and said indifferently, "If Young Master Lin is too busy with business, there is no need for him to keep me company."
Lin Baiyu glanced up at Baili Chen, and Ouyang Yue couldn't help but look over as well. She understood the implication: Baili Chen clearly knew that Xiangmanyuan was Lin Baiyu's property. But thinking about it, it made sense. Who was the Ninth Prince? He probably knew things much more easily than she did. That was why she had been so eager to implement her plan; she currently had far too few cards to play…
Bai Lichen's words immediately made Ouyang Rou stop in her tracks. She turned her head in surprise: "Young Master Lin has businesses in the capital?" Actually, this was obvious. Which young master or young lady from a noble family in the capital didn't own one or two properties? Even if they didn't now, their families always had one or two. But Lin Baiyu was just the child of the second branch of the Huaiyuan Marquis's family. He had no parents. How could Ouyang Rou have imagined that he would have his own businesses under such circumstances?
Lin Baiyu's eyes turned somewhat cold: "I do have some businesses, and this Xiangmanyuan is one of them."
"What!" Ouyang Rou felt her mind explode!
Xiangmanyuan was actually Lin Baiyu's property! And some other properties too! Were all his other properties as profitable as Xiangmanyuan?! She was now filled with regret. How could this be? Lin Baiyu was the second son of the Huaiyuan Marquis's family. Even though the first son's family didn't have any children yet, they wouldn't have divided the family property so quickly and given Lin Baiyu a share. And judging from Lin Baiyu's words, it wasn't the first son's family managing it for him; it was truly his. Such a huge piece of meat had slipped through her fingers? How could this be?
Seeing Ouyang Rou's surprised expression, Lin Baiyu's eyes grew even colder. This woman, originally his fiancée, had actually broken off the engagement while he was away from the capital! Although it was Ouyang Yue who had caused the scene, Ouyang Rou hadn't really given him a second glance since he entered. If she truly felt remorse, she wouldn't have acted so calmly. Moreover, Ouyang Rou's obvious fawning over Hong Yicheng earlier—did she think he was blind?! He had harbored some doubts since their last meeting when Ouyang Yue had said those things, and now, seeing Ouyang Rou, he sensed that she had at least intended to break off the engagement in the first place!
So he might as well provoke her a little more: "Although my parents passed away early, they left me a lot of property. Even if I just laze around and do nothing for the rest of my life, I'm afraid I'll never be able to enjoy all of these shops."
Ouyang Rou's face paled even more. Lin Baiyu had actually inherited his father's business, and not just one. She believed him when he said he could enjoy endless wealth. Not to mention anything else, Xiangmanyuan was a famous restaurant in the capital. How could the annual income be small? She regretted not investigating Lin Baiyu's background earlier. Actually, Lin Baiyu was very good at hiding it. If he hadn't deliberately provoked Ouyang Rou today, he wouldn't have said anything. Ouyang Rou only knew that Lin Baiyu was an orphan without parents to take care of him. She never imagined that he had so much wealth.
Although Hong Yicheng had a better reputation and a brighter future by following the Crown Prince, it wasn't as tangible as Lin Baiyu's wealth. Ouyang Rou swayed, her heartbroken expression making her look so fragile and pitiful. Lin Baiyu, however, snorted coldly, "Isn't Miss Ouyang here to lead the way for Young Master Hong? Hurry up and go, don't delay Young Master Hong's important business."
“Young Master Lin, I…” Ouyang Rou was in a hurry to say something.
Hong Yicheng frowned. Today, Ouyang Yue was out of control, getting close to Leng Caiwen, which was bad enough, but Ouyang Rou, this used-up woman, wanted to continue entangled with Lin Baiyu. How could he save face? "Second Miss, please lead the way." He said this, but he grabbed Ouyang Rou's wrist and forcibly pulled her away from the room to the next room. Along the way, Ouyang Rou's expression was one of astonishment and regret, which made Hong Yicheng grit his teeth.
"In that case, I will go and give my regards to the old lady of the General's Mansion, and I will not disturb the Ninth Prince any longer." Lin Baiyu's cute baby face revealed two small dimples, and he looked very cute when he smiled.
Ouyang Hua's eyes flickered. She was equally surprised by Lin Baiyu's identity. She hadn't expected that the fiancé whom Ouyang Rou had gone to such lengths to get rid of would have such abilities. This Lin Baiyu was no less capable than Hong Yicheng! He had truly shot himself in the foot!
“Why don’t I lead the way for Young Master Lin? I happen to be going back to visit my grandmother as well.” Ouyang Hua gave a slight bow and said with an elegant smile. Lin Baiyu’s smile deepened, and he nodded. However, Ouyang Yue saw the malice in his eyes. His trip to the General’s Mansion this time was not just a simple visit to pay his respects.
For Lin Baiyu, it wasn't just her, not just Ouyang Rou, but the entire General's Mansion had trampled on his self-esteem. If Ning Shi hadn't thought Lin Baiyu had no future, would Ouyang Yue have been able to ruin the marriage? Absolutely not! So now that he'd been exposed in front of Ouyang Rou and Ouyang Hua, he naturally wouldn't let everyone in the General's Mansion know, let them know how foolish they were to throw away their pearls!
Lin Baiyu and Ouyang Hua also left one after another. Ouyang Yue, who had originally said she was leaving, instead went back to Liangzuo and sat down on one side. She didn't want to go back now. With Hong Yicheng and Lin Baiyu in the room, it was already quite lively. Moreover, both of them had some connection with her. If she were there, things would be better. She didn't want to stay on the sidelines and be bullied for no reason.
Leng Caiwen raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you going back? The neighborhood is going to be lively. Don't you want to go and see?"
She glanced at Leng Caiwen and said, "Young Master Leng has such potential to be a woman, no one can stop you. Please go ahead."
Leng Caiwen's face stiffened slightly: "I am a man through and through, how can you compare me to a woman!"
Ouyang Yue shook her head: "Young Master Leng, as a kind person, I must give you some advice. The worst kind of man in this world is one who looks down on women. You should know that women can make you or break you!" As she said this, Ouyang Yue glanced at the Ninth Prince as if she were talking to him.
No one understood the meaning behind her words better than Prince Baili Chen. The struggles between women in the palace are the most deadly and dangerous, often without bloodshed.
Baili Chen's eyes flickered as he looked up at Ouyang Yue. His expression was unreadable, but his shrewd eyes remained fixed on Ouyang Yue's face, never looking away. Ouyang Yue's heart skipped a beat. She smiled and stood up, bowing to Baili Chen. "I, Ouyang Yue, thank you for saving my life in the palace that day, Ninth Prince. Without your help, I truly wouldn't know what to do."
Baili Chen's eyes curved into a smile, his expression softened considerably, and his voice was deep and resonant: "You really don't know what to do?"
Ouyang Yue smiled and said, "It will naturally be very troublesome, so I am very grateful to the Ninth Prince for saving me."
Baili Chen looked at Ouyang Yue, his eyes flickering. Was it just about rescuing her? "You are quite a peculiar woman. This is the first time I've met one like you."
Ouyang Yue stood up and looked back at Baili Chen. There seemed to be sparks in their eyes, but there was no affection between them. It was as if they appreciated each other. They both felt that they were the same kind of people. At this moment, there was no need to say too many polite words. It seemed that just a look was enough.
"Sit down." A glint seemed to flash in Baili Chen's eyes, a fleeting moment of brilliance.
Ouyang Yue's eyes darted around, but in her heart she thought, "This Ninth Prince's appearance is just too devilishly handsome. If it weren't for the fact that I traveled all over the world in my previous life and saw all kinds of beauties, giving me a certain level of resistance, I really wouldn't be able to resist him!" She sighed inwardly, "It must be because my cultivation technique isn't strong enough. Although that technique trains the sixth sense, it still helps to improve one's mental strength to some extent. Hmm, it must be because my cultivation technique isn't up to par, and it has nothing to do with anything else."
Ouyang Yue's performance surprised Baili Chen, who looked puzzled. Leng Caiwen, on the other hand, was inwardly shocked!
Let alone Ouyang Yue, even he, a man who had known Baili Chen for many years, would sometimes be momentarily distracted when he saw Baili Chen. Yet Ouyang Yue, upon seeing Baili Chen, was completely unaffected; instead, a look of annoyance flashed across her face. This was illogical. If it were any other young lady, she would have been completely captivated, losing all sense of direction. Even if Ouyang Yue wasn't truly bewitched by Baili Chen's appearance, she wouldn't necessarily feel annoyance upon seeing him, would she? Leng Caiwen was somewhat speechless.
This Ouyang Yue is indeed different from ordinary young ladies from prestigious families; she's like a freak!
Finally, Leng Caiwen couldn't help but ask, "Miss Ouyang, what are your thoughts on the Ninth Prince?"
Ouyang Yue looked up, puzzled: "What, what are you thinking?"
Leng Caiwen opened her eyes wide and continued to ask, "So, when you saw his appearance, you didn't have any other thoughts?"
Ouyang Yue shook her head: "What thoughts could there be? What thoughts could there possibly be?"
“Uh…” Leng Caiwen’s lips twitched, “It’s just, it’s things like blushing and a racing heart…”
Ouyang Yue frowned, and Leng Caiwen immediately realized how impolite his question was. Asking about one's thoughts on a man in front of an unmarried young woman was highly inappropriate, even bordering on lewd. However, the next moment, Ouyang Yue's gaze towards Leng Caiwen held an inexplicable strangeness. Then, she turned her head, gave Baili Chen a serious look, and when she glanced at Leng Caiwen again, her eyes held an even more ambiguous expression, muttering, "I see, I see..."
Then Ouyang Yue suddenly stood up: "I will not disturb the Ninth Prince and Young Master Leng any longer. I have delayed you both. I will take my leave now." She then quickly walked to the door, opened and closed it in one go, faster than a rabbit.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, Ouyang Yue sighed, "Alas, another pair of homosexuals. The capital is going to be filled with broken hearts." Ouyang Yue shook her head helplessly, speaking very softly. In her heart, she was still thinking, "I didn't expect ancient times to be so open-minded, that homosexuals even existed. No wonder Leng Caiwen is always with the Ninth Prince. No wonder the Ninth Prince is always so sickly; I heard he doesn't even have a concubine. And although Leng Caiwen is known for his philandering and unrestrained ways, he doesn't seem to have any servants in his household either. Could it be…?"
Ouyang Yue touched her chin and narrowed her eyes.
She didn't notice that when she walked out of the room, the two guards outside trembled violently upon hearing her words, staring at her in disbelief, and even seemed to be pondering Ouyang Yue's words.
Inside the house, no matter how softly Ouyang Yue spoke, she was still heard.
Leng Caiwen's face, showing the bewildered expression on her face as she watched Ouyang Yue hurriedly leave, slowly stiffened, then cracked. Even Baili Chen, who had always been very calm, had a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Leng Caiwen suddenly let out a ghostly howl: "You've ruined my innocence! My reputation is gone! I have nothing left!"
Baili Chen frowned: "Innocence? Reputation? When have you ever had that?"
Leng Caiwen persisted, "How could I not? I'm still a virgin..." Suddenly, Leng Caiwen's eyes widened, and she coughed, "Anyway, she misunderstood. Of all people to misunderstand, she had to misunderstand you, you devil!"
Baili Chen raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face: "So the Second Young Master Leng, who frequents brothels, hasn't been deflowered yet. It seems the rumors are wrong."
"Who am I doing this for? Isn't it all for you!" Leng Caiwen growled in frustration. "Besides, aren't you doing it too? What right do you have to criticize me!"
Baili Chen, however, disagreed, saying, "How can I be the same as you, a playboy? I suffer from an old ailment and cannot afford to overexert myself. How can I allow women to get close to me? Well, if you really have such intentions, I might as well recommend a few for you!" He clearly remembered Ouyang Yue's talk of homosexuality.
"Ahhh! You, you... you should really let Ouyang Yue see what you look like now. You don't look like a sickly prince at all. You pretend to be so quiet and noble in front of others, but you're so wicked inside!" Leng Caiwen continued to complain.
Baili Chen raised his eyes slightly: "It's not the right time yet."
"Huh?" Leng Caiwen was a little confused by Baili Chen's train of thought. "What do you mean by 'not the right time'?"
"It's not time for her to know yet," Baili Chen replied seriously.
Leng Caiwen's mouth opened slightly: "You're not serious, are you? I don't see what's so good about Ouyang Yue. You've already given her your family heirloom bracelet, do you mean you want to tell her everything? The noble Ninth Prince of the Great Zhou Dynasty, could he have fallen in love with a crazy girl at first sight?"
"What's so good about it? You should know." Baili Chen smiled meaningfully...
Leng Caiwen didn't speak, but reached out and touched her forehead, rubbing it unconsciously. She muttered to herself, "I'm just a bit more boorish than the average young lady from a prestigious family, and a bit more genuine than those pretentious ladies. There's nothing special about it."
Baili Chen stared blankly at Leng Caiwen, his eyes darkening, then turned to look at the azure sky...
When Ouyang Yue returned to her room, Hong Yicheng and Lin Baiyu had already left. However, the faces of the people in the room, including Old Madam Ning, Madam Ning, Ouyang Hua, and Ouyang Rou, were rather unpleasant.
Old Madam Ning didn't question Ouyang Rou's annulment of the engagement much. Firstly, she didn't value this granddaughter; she saw her as merely a pawn in her power struggle, unlikely to rise higher. Secondly, she was aware of the situation at the Huaiyuan Earl's Mansion. Lin Baiyu's prospects were indeed limited. Marrying Ouyang Rou into the Hong family would somewhat benefit the General's Mansion, but marrying into the Huaiyuan Earl's Mansion wouldn't be as advantageous, so she didn't pay much attention.
Who knew that Lin Baiyu's visit, ostensibly to offer greetings, was actually a mockery of the people from the demoted General's Mansion, calling them a bunch of blind fools? This infuriated them, but they felt guilty and, being elders, couldn't very well stoop to the level of juniors, so they had to swallow their anger. Furthermore, while others wanted to win over the General's Mansion, the Huaiyuan Earl's Mansion had already had their engagement broken off, their face trampled underfoot, becoming a laughingstock in the capital for so long. What reason did they have to hold back? The Huaiyuan Earl's Mansion couldn't possibly forgive the General's Mansion's actions just because Ouyang Zhide had returned.
So they were angry for as long as Lin Baiyu stayed, and even after Lin Baiyu left, their anger hadn't subsided!
Furthermore, Hong Yicheng is quite infuriating. He had previously taken the initiative to annul the engagement, and although it was a temporary arrangement that allowed Madam Ning to overlook it, he had publicly rejected Ouyang Rou, effectively severing ties between Hong Yicheng and the General's Mansion. There would be no future for them. Yet, when he arrived just now, he kept mentioning Ouyang Yue and Ouyang Zhide, even saying he and his father would host a banquet for Ouyang Zhide and Ouyang Yue. It's utterly outrageous and shameless!
Putting aside whether Ouyang Zhide returned or not, Hong Yicheng's act of breaking off the engagement and causing the General's Mansion to lose face, followed by his subsequent proposal, begs the question: what does the General's Mansion take for a place where powerless commoners can be manipulated and ordered around at will? Furthermore, Hong Yicheng's immediate arrival and subservient behavior upon Ouyang Zhide's return is utterly distasteful to people like Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning, who come from distinguished families. Established aristocratic families value their heritage and pride above all else; they would never act like Hong Yicheng.
Furthermore, in Old Madam Ning's view, Hong Yicheng, a man who could turn his back on someone so ruthlessly and quickly, was not a good candidate for a marriage alliance. Such a man was destined to betray his principles for his own advancement, and similarly, he would only consider a woman's usefulness. If someone like Ouyang Yue married into such a family, she would soon be rejected, and the marriage alliance might turn into resentment, ultimately harming the General's Mansion and the family. Therefore, Old Madam Ning generally excluded such marriage candidates immediately.
However, Hong Yicheng's actions told her that the competition among various forces in the capital was intensifying. Previously, the Ninth Prince, the Fifth Prince, and the Fifth Princess were all involved, and Hong Yicheng was probably representing the Crown Prince. Could there be any changes in the capital? In the past, these three forces fought in secret, but now they were going to put their struggles into the open?
If that's the case, neither the General's Mansion nor the Ning family is in a suitable position to take sides now. The Crown Prince is the current Empress's eldest son, a legitimate heir, while the Fifth Prince is the son of the favored Consort Sun, known for his benevolence and gentleness in court, and is very popular. As for the Ninth Prince, although he is physically weak, he has a full brother, the Third Prince, who has always kept a low profile and is often sent out by the Emperor, making him seem unlikely to contend for the throne. The Ninth Prince, on the other hand, has been frail and sickly since childhood, making his future as Emperor unlikely, but he is the most favored of the Emperor's children.
Furthermore, the Third Prince and the Ninth Prince are both born of the same mother, the sons of the deceased former Empress. The former Empress was the Emperor's first wife, and it is said that they had a very good relationship. However, the former prince died young, leaving behind the Third and Ninth Princes as his only remaining sons. The Ninth Prince, due to his mother's congenital illness, was even more favored by the Emperor. These two have no chance of vying for the throne, and compared to the power in the court, they are far inferior to the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince. However, in terms of lineage, the Third and Ninth Princes are more noble than the Crown Prince. The current Empress is only the step-Empress; the true legitimate sons are the Third and Ninth Princes. The Crown Prince was initially chosen because he was the eldest son, but tracing back, he is only the eldest, not the legitimate heir!
This is why the court is now divided into three factions, but the most intense fighting is between the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince's faction. Only a small number of people believe that only the legitimate heirs are qualified to become emperor and support the Third Prince.
Now that the Empress's family is gaining power and Consort Sun is receiving constant favor, it's hard to say who will eventually ascend the throne. Old Lady Ning doesn't want to take sides too early and drag the entire General's Mansion, or even the century-old Ning family, into it.
He treated Hong Yicheng with indifference until Hong Yicheng finally couldn't take it anymore and left.
Just now, Ouyang Hua brought Lin Baiyu over. Lin Baiyu's behavior infuriated Old Madam Ning, and Ouyang Hua also gave him a cold look. He was feeling angry but had nowhere to vent his anger. When he saw Ouyang Yue enter the room, he sneered, "Sister, you're only coming now. Are you here to apologize to Young Master Leng?"
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Ning's face darkened: "What's going on?"
Ouyang Hua said with feigned helplessness, "My sister is just too impulsive. Before, in the Ninth Prince's room, the Fifth Prince and the Fifth Young Master were driven away by her. Hua'er thought that since the princess had already left, it wouldn't be appropriate for us to stay any longer, so we wanted to bring the two younger sisters back. But for some reason, the Third Sister kicked Young Master Leng, which made him very angry. We tried to persuade her to apologize, but she wouldn't listen. Perhaps she knew she was wrong, but she was concerned about saving face and didn't say it in front of us. Since she's back so late, she must have apologized."
Old Madam Ning gritted her teeth: "I shouldn't have brought you along, you troublemaker! You actually dared to upset the Fifth Prince and the Fifth Princess, and even kicked the Second Young Master Leng down! You've really grown bold! Do you know who those people are? Even your father wouldn't dare to do that! Who do you think you are? Where did you get the guts to do that?!"
Ouyang Yue looked coldly at Ouyang Hua: "Grandmother, the Fifth Prince and the Fifth Young Master were driven away by the Ninth Prince and the Young Master Leng. Yue'er doesn't understand. They spoke in a very literary way, and only someone as learned as Eldest Sister could understand them. Yue'er also doesn't know why the Fifth Prince, the Fifth Princess, and the Second Young Master Leng were angry with Yue'er. It's all Yue'er's fault for being too stupid. However, the Ninth Prince and the Second Young Master Leng should still be here. Why don't Yue'er invite them over now and let them tell me what I did wrong? That way, Yue'er will know how to correct it in the future and won't make the same mistake again, so as not to make Grandmother angry. Is that alright?"
"Sigh, I'd better go now!" Ouyang Yue said, turning around to push open the door and leave.
Old Madam Ning immediately stopped him: "Come back, don't go out. Now that you know you were wrong, be more careful next time. How can you disturb someone as noble as the Ninth Prince? Sit down properly!"
Ouyang Yue obediently sat down, looking at Ouyang Hua with a half-smile. Old Madam Ning had already turned to look at her: "What have you learned by following me all these years? You're always gossiping like a busybody, and you can't even understand what I'm saying. Your third sister is so ignorant. What were you doing at the time? You didn't even go up to help her, but you have the nerve to bring this up!"