"Not bad at all," Ning Shi thought, "it's actually quite ordinary." Ning Xiang's courtyard wasn't large. Entering the gate, only a few seasonal flowers were planted in the front yard—not many, just about ten feet long and half a foot wide. There weren't many seasonal flowers planted either. Aunt Liu seemed to particularly like green plants; two rows of evergreens, while making the courtyard vibrant and green, lacked a certain charm. It was as ordinary as some moderately wealthy people's homes, affectedly refined but lacking true essence. A mocking glint flashed in Ning Shi's eyes. Aunt Liu originally came from a scholarly family, but was now a fallen heiress, without wealth or power, yet possessing the pedantry of a scholar at heart. However, this only gave her a shallow and laughable impression, which was why Ning Shi couldn't be bothered with Aunt Liu.
Concubine Ming was second only to her in status in the household. Concubine Hong was a minor official's daughter, but she was adept at being subservient and ingratiating herself with her, so she could spare some attention to take care of her. Concubine Hua came from a brothel, but she was the master's favorite, whom she utterly despised, but she couldn't show it too much. As for Concubine Liu, she truly didn't take her seriously; judging from the decorations of Ningxiang Courtyard, this person was nothing to fear.
When Ning entered Liu Yiniang's room, the furnishings were even more ordinary and unremarkable. Ning's eyes still held a mocking glint, but her expression stiffened at the same time. She said to Lin Mama with some dissatisfaction, "Lin Mama, what kind of work are you doing? How come my sister's room doesn't even have a decent piece of furniture? My sister is supposed to be a concubine of the General's Mansion; how can she be laughed at? Go and tell the Old Madam to change all the furnishings in Liu Yiniang's room today."
Madam Lin immediately agreed to go. Meanwhile, Madam Ning had completely changed the furnishings in Concubine Liu's room. This would not only make Concubine Liu grateful and kind to her, but also ensure that, although Concubine Liu was Ouyang Zhide's concubine, she was neither the most favored nor did she receive her own monthly allowance. The other concubines, on the other hand, were lavishly decorated, some with subsidies from their own families, and others with rewards from Ouyang Zhide. Concubine Liu, lacking favor and family support, lived the poorest life in the household.
Moreover, Ning's actions weren't just about gaining Liu's gratitude; they were also a way to embarrass Ming and Old Madam Ning. Everyone in the household knew that Ouyang Yue had vandalized Ming's courtyard, and that Ouyang Zhide, in a fit of anger, had refused to allow the household to purchase any furnishings. Ming had been forced to use her own savings to buy some essential items to tide her over. It was said that Ming had been cursing ever since she paid for the items herself, and only then did she quiet down. Furthermore, everyone in the household was probably aware of Old Madam Ning's past favoritism towards Ming. Ouyang Zhide's severe punishment of Ming and this act of kindness were both a disgrace to her. Fortunately, she was the matriarch of the household, and no one dared to say anything against her.
However, not saying it doesn't mean others won't say it in their hearts or in private. Ning's actions at this time were intended to annoy the two of them, but it would have been fine if she had done it in her own name. Instead, she used Aunt Liu's purchase of items as an excuse, clearly using Aunt Liu as a shield while she herself stood aside and watched the spectacle.
Aunt Liu's expression immediately changed, and she said softly, "This humble concubine is grateful for Madam's consideration and affection. However, this humble concubine comes from a lowly background and cannot compare with Madam's background at all, nor does she have Madam's broad vision. This humble concubine feels that the environment of this humble concubine's Ningxiang Courtyard is very suitable and does not need to be added or replaced. However, this humble concubine will never forget Madam's love for this humble concubine."
Madam Ning smiled faintly, but Lin Mama said with some dissatisfaction, "How can Aunt Liu be so ungrateful? Madam's favor is so rare. Madam has never spoken like this before. The other concubines in the mansion are even more eager for Madam to pay more attention to them and receive Madam's reward. Today is such a good opportunity, but Aunt Liu does not know how to cherish it. She should know that once this opportunity is gone, it will be gone forever. It will be too late for Aunt Liu to regret it later."
Aunt Liu's expression became even more respectful: "This humble concubine knows the madam's kindness and will never forget it. However, these things have never been changed since this humble concubine entered the manor. This humble concubine is used to them and would not be used to new ones. This humble concubine is of lowly status and is already very satisfied to be able to use such fine items. I dare not have any other extravagant desires."
Lin's mother snorted and then fell silent.
Madam Ning smiled at Aunt Liu and nodded with great satisfaction: "Aunt Liu is indeed the most sensible and considerate person in the mansion. I have always liked you the most, and I was right."
Aunt Liu's voice remained respectful and humble: "This humble concubine has always been grateful for Madam's kindness and has always respected Madam."
Seeing that her show of force had worked well, Ning nodded and took the lead in entering the room and sitting down. Aunt Liu, however, did not dare to sit down and could only stand beside her, on the left and right of Lin Mama.
Ning shook her head, slightly reproachfully saying, "Look at you, I came to your courtyard to spend more time with you and get closer, but look how scared you are. Sit down, sit down. This is your Ningxiang Courtyard. How can I, a guest, sit while the master stands?"
Aunt Liu shook her head, insisting, "Madam, this is not in accordance with the rules. I am of lowly status and will serve you standing up."
Madam Ning frowned, her voice sharp: "What nonsense are you talking about? These words are for outsiders to hear, and these things are for outsiders to see. Why are you so reserved in front of me? Sit down quickly. If you keep acting like this, aren't you deliberately trying to drive me away?"
Seeing that Madam Ning was about to explode with anger, Aunt Liu could only lower her head, respond with a nod, and sit down, but only dared to sit halfway to the side. Madam Ning did not stop her this time, and then let the servants of Ningxiang Courtyard pour tea for the two of them. Madam Ning picked up a cup, first smelled it, and found the tea to be fragrant and refreshing. She couldn't help but take a small sip and say, "Good, indeed good tea. No wonder Aunt Liu has such good tonics. After tasting this tea, I think the rumors are indeed true."
Aunt Liu, sensing something amiss, immediately said, "Madam, you flatter me. They are just a few folk remedies. It's alright for a lowly person like me to use them. Besides, not everyone is suitable for these remedies. I only dare to use them occasionally to nourish my body. They are not worthy of being called good remedies."
Madam Ning disagreed: "Sometimes, these folk remedies are even more effective than the imperial prescriptions passed down in the palace. Back then, our ancestor Emperor suffered from a strange illness, and all the doctors in the palace were helpless. Later, a wandering monk offered him a strange prescription, and he was cured. So, the same principle applies to tonic prescriptions. It doesn't matter how precious the ingredients are, as long as they work. To be honest, I haven't been feeling well lately, and I haven't felt fully recovered. Although I saw some improvement after using Yue'er's prescription, after all, what happened to Concubine Hua had nothing to do with Yue'er, right? But I'm a bit hesitant to use that soup anymore, so I came to Concubine Liu for help. I hope Concubine Liu won't refuse me this favor."
Aunt Liu's expression shifted slightly. Seeing that Madam Ning had gone this far, she would no longer refuse: "Yes, this humble concubine will fetch it right away." Then she whispered something in Greenie's ear, and Greenie handed a prescription to Madam Ning. Madam Ning didn't even look at it before handing it to Lin Mama, and smiled at Aunt Liu, "Alright, the goal has been achieved. This lady is really curious about this medicine, so I'll go back and brew it to try. Aunt Liu, you don't need to send it."
"Respectfully seeing off Madam."
As soon as Madam Ning left, Aunt Liu and the others breathed a sigh of relief. Aunt Liu's personal maid, Lü'er, frowned and said, "Aunt, what do you think Madam meant by this? She just came to our courtyard to ask for a prescription. Why didn't she just send someone over? She even said she wanted to cultivate a relationship by visiting each other. She took the prescription and left immediately. Something doesn't seem right."
Green Leaf nodded and said, "Yes, Auntie, Madam seems a bit strange."
"It is indeed very strange." First, they came to her courtyard to give her a hard time, and then they asked for her prescription. There was no connection between them. It's just that Aunt Liu asked Greenie to give her the most gentle and nourishing prescription, which is suitable for everyone. There shouldn't be any problems.
Aunt Liu felt uneasy, but after thinking it over, she figured that Madam Ning probably couldn't figure anything out, so she had no choice but to relax.
However, two days later, Ning suddenly fell ill and was completely bedridden, which shocked many people in the General's Mansion. Old Ning immediately summoned a doctor to examine Ning. Early in the morning, Ning's Shanyu Pavilion was filled with masters and servants from all over the General's Mansion.
The doctor examined her for a while before coming out looking unwell. Old Madam Ning immediately asked, "Doctor, what's wrong with Caiyue?"
The doctor shook his head and sighed, "Madam, you need to be more open-minded. Your improper supplementation has damaged your health, and I'm afraid you won't be able to conceive again."
"What!" Old Madam Ning was stunned, while the other concubines in the mansion were overjoyed. This meant that Madam Ning would not be able to give birth to a legitimate son, so if they had illegitimate sons in the future, they could also inherit the family business. Back then, Madam Ning's inability to conceive was both shameful and she had not given up, so the news had not spread, and Concubine Hong and the others were unaware of it.
Aunt Liu's face turned pale upon hearing this, and the unease she had been harboring resurfaced. Ouyang Yue frowned slightly; Ning Shi's actions were too sudden, as if they had been pre-planned.
Just then, Lin Mama rushed over from inside the room and tried to scratch Aunt Liu: "Aunt Liu, you vicious woman! How could you give Madam such a harmful thing? Madam can no longer conceive because of you! You venomous woman!" Aunt Liu was pushed and staggered, almost falling over.
Old Madam Ning regained her senses and looked at the pale-faced Aunt Liu and the crazed Lin Mama. She already knew what Ning's purpose was. After thinking for a moment, she said to Aunt Liu, "The prescription Aunt Liu gave to Madam was unsuitable, causing damage to Madam's health and making her unable to conceive again. Her fault is huge. However, considering that you have been well-behaved in the mansion all these years and have given birth to a son, I will not punish you this time. However, you may escape the death penalty, but you cannot avoid punishment. You will be punished by being confined to Ningxiang Courtyard to reflect on your mistakes. As for the boy, bring him to Madam to raise."
"No!" Aunt Liu exclaimed in surprise.
Old Madam Ning's face darkened: "This matter is not up to your consent!"
☆、082, We must be ruthless!
As soon as Old Madam Ning finished speaking, the expressions of everyone else in the courtyard changed. Concubine Hong, Concubine Hua, and Ouyang Rou, who had been secretly gloating, now had grim faces. Madam Ning's inability to produce a legitimate son over the years had already become a source of gossip. Shu Jin Nu Fan was also spared because Ouyang Zhide was often away leading troops and rarely at the General's Mansion. Otherwise, Madam Ning's behavior of remaining childless for over a decade and preventing the other concubines from having children would have made her a laughingstock, causing her to lose face in the capital.
In this way, Ning's status as the head mistress will definitely be affected, and may even affect her status as the principal wife. Now that Concubine Ming is crippled, no matter how much Old Madam Ning valued Concubine Ming in the past, it is impossible for her to help Concubine Ming back to power now. Therefore, Ning's inability to conceive is great news for them, but if Ning were to take Ouyang Tong away, the situation would be different.
Ultimately, Ning Shi is the mistress of the household, and all the children in the household are her children. It is understandable that Ning Shi wants to do this, but the key issue is that Ouyang Tong has become Ning Shi's bargaining chip, which is not what they want to see.
Aunt Liu was so shocked that her face turned pale. Originally, Ouyang Tong was supposed to be sent to Old Madam Ning to be raised, but he was very weak from birth, and Old Madam Ning gradually stopped caring about him. Aunt Liu then took it for granted that she would raise him herself, even though she knew that this was against the rules. But what mother would be willing to send her son away, especially since Madam Ning had no good intentions in wanting to take Ouyang Tong away?
Aunt Liu gritted her teeth and pushed away the crazed Lin Mama: "Lin Mama's words are truly laughable. Madam cannot conceive after taking my tonic. Not to mention that Madam herself came to collect the tonic a few days ago. I have many tonics at my disposal, and I specifically chose the mildest and easiest formula for Madam, making sure that even if it didn't work, it wouldn't cause any harm, before I dared to give it to her. A tonic formula causing Madam's infertility is truly laughable!" In the past, Aunt Liu would never have argued or resisted, but this was her son, and at this moment, all compromise was out of the question.
Madam Lin was even angrier than Aunt Liu: "Hmph, it's fine for ordinary people, but Madam was already weak before, how could she be an ordinary person? Since Aunt Liu said she had many prescriptions, why didn't she give them all to Madam that day? Using this prescription caused problems, but using another prescription, Madam might not necessarily have any issues. With so many prescriptions, Madam could have consulted a doctor to see which one is most suitable for her constitution. It's not up to you, Aunt Liu. There are so many doctors available, yet Aunt Liu is so stingy, causing Madam's health to suffer. Aunt Liu should naturally bear the responsibility."
Aunt Liu, who was usually incapable of arguing and too lazy to bother, was now nearly driven to the brink of collapse by Lin Mama's anger. That day, Ning Shi had forcefully demanded Aunt Liu's prescription. Aunt Liu, always wary of Ning Shi's actions, had deliberately chosen a moderately effective prescription, which proved unsuitable for Ning Shi. It was practically a prescription that wouldn't cause any major problems. Lin Mama's words were clearly intended to make things difficult and were simply sophistry.
Ouyang Yue watched coldly, noticing the barely concealed smugness in Lin's mother's eyes. Although Ouyang didn't know the specifics of the matter, based on her understanding of Aunt Liu, she knew Aunt Liu wasn't the type to act foolishly; she was the type to feign ignorance. She wouldn't easily give anyone a chance to punish her, much less let this matter implicate her children. However, in this family, Aunt Liu's status, while seemingly superior, was also quite awkward, because her lack of ambition left her with little competitive advantage.
Furthermore, compared to Consort Ming and others, Madam Ning understood Old Madam Ning very well, perhaps even better. In anyone else's case, the matter would have been thoroughly investigated, but with Old Madam Ning in charge, things were vastly different. Ouyang Yue couldn't fully understand the undercurrents of competition between Old Madam Ning and Madam Ning, because she didn't know them, but there must be some major conflict involved. Their shared Ning family background allowed them to unite when facing external threats. This factor could be both an asset and a liability, and it was clear now that they were united. Consort Liu already struggled to deal with Madam Ning alone, let alone Old Madam Ning.
Aunt Liu shook her head: "No, there's absolutely no problem with that prescription. It's very nourishing and wouldn't cause Madam to become infertile. There must be something else involved, unrelated to the prescription. If that's the case, someone must have maliciously framed Madam. If things end so hastily, wouldn't Madam be wronged? I believe we must find the real culprit who poisoned Madam. We can deal with other matters later." Aunt Liu thought for a moment, her brows furrowing. "As for who did it, Lin Mama, you are Madam's most trusted servant. You should know more about these things than anyone else."
Madam Lin was taken aback, then said angrily, "Aunt Liu, what do you mean by this? Madam has just been found out about this. How much harm does this do to a woman? It's one thing to be worried, but you actually want to make things up and make Madam continue to be sad. Humph, you say you're the most sensible person in this mansion who doesn't like to fight, but I think the one who bites is the one that doesn't bark."
"How dare you!" Aunt Liu shouted, raising her hand to strike Lin Mama. But halfway up, her hand was suddenly stopped. Aunt Liu turned her head in surprise and saw Ouyang Yue say coldly, "It's understandable that Aunt Liu is reluctant to part with her younger brother, but you can't be impulsive."
Aunt Liu's pent-up anger seemed to vanish suddenly. Her eyes darted around, and she bit her lip, struggling fiercely. Aunt Hong and Aunt Hua, watching from the side, were extremely anxious. They wondered why Aunt Liu hadn't made a move yet. Once she did, everything Aunt Liu had done would be nullified; she would only be seen as an arrogant and domineering person who caused trouble at Shanyu Pavilion while the principal wife was ill. Even if this matter reached Ouyang Zhide, it would still be seen as Aunt Liu's insensitivity. After all, Ning was the principal wife, and her desire to raise Ouyang Tong should have been a blessing for him. If Ning liked him and registered him under her name, Ouyang Tong would instantly become the legitimate son of the General's Mansion. Then, no matter which concubine became pregnant and gave birth to a child, none would have the same rightful claim as Ouyang Tong.
It seems that Aunt Liu got a great deal.
Aunt Liu felt nauseous, as if she had swallowed a swarm of flies, but she pursed her lips tightly, her face darkening, and remained silent.
Aunt Hong and Aunt Hua, who had been watching the show with glee, secretly resented Ouyang Yue for ruining their plans. They glared at her coldly and then fanned the flames, saying, "Mother Lin is undeniably loyal to Madam, but you shouldn't have done something to harm her because of that."
Aunt Hua nodded and echoed, "That's right. I just had a miscarriage, so I understand the pain of this time best. Especially at this stage, one must not be overworked. Otherwise, Madam's body is already weak, and taking care of an even weaker young master will only make things more difficult. If the young master suffers from illness, or if we pass on illness to him, neither is something we want to see. At this time, Madam is feeling down and needs guidance. We should let Madam rest more. If Madam's health improves, perhaps she will conceive again when she is more at ease." But the premise is that Ouyang Zhide must go to Ning's courtyard. Since the master returned, he has only visited Shanyu Pavilion a handful of times. No wonder Ning is anxious, but Aunt Hua cannot allow Ning to have an heir.
She is currently quite close to Aunt Hong, and the two of them, working together, are a considerable force in the mansion. Allowing others to grow stronger would only weaken their power, so they absolutely cannot agree to it.
Aunt Hong nodded repeatedly: "In the end, the reason Madam had this accident is because you, Lin Mama, didn't take good care of her. Madam always trusted you and entrusted everything to you. Although Aunt Liu sent the prescription, we've used it before, and the people in Aunt Liu's Ningxiang Courtyard have used it too, and none of them were hurt. But Madam had an accident after using it. What a coincidence! Could it be that you, you lowly servant, did something wrong and are afraid of being blamed by your master, so you've made up a false charge to frame your sister?"
Madam Lin's confident expression changed slightly. She looked coldly at Aunt Hong and Aunt Hua, who were up to no good, and snorted, "My loyalty to Madam is as clear as day and night. Aunt Hong and Aunt Hua's guesses are completely unfounded. Please do not wrong innocent people."
"Is that so? But Lin Mama's explanation to my sister is just speculation, isn't it? Which doctor can be certain that Madam is definitely affected by the medicine prescribed by Aunt Liu? Madam has taken quite a few medicines lately; could it be due to some kind of conflict? Miss also sent herbal decoctions to various courtyards before; were those related to the decoctions? There are many possible reasons; Aunt Liu isn't necessarily guilty. Besides, at this point, the most important thing is to find out what caused Madam's infertility, right? Hehehe." Although Aunt Hua was impulsive, she was the sharpest one in the household, and her roundabout way of insulting people was also excellent. She indirectly accused Ning Shi of fabricating something out of nothing, claiming that she couldn't give birth herself and was using all sorts of excuses to have malicious intentions towards Aunt Liu's son, whom she was carrying for ten months. Her heart was truly despicable.
Of course, Aunt Hong and Aunt Hua had also considered Ning's idea, but they didn't dare to do it as openly as Ning. They didn't have a powerful backer like Old Ning, and competing with Aunt Liu would only earn them a vicious reputation. Right now, it was not advisable for them to make any big moves, but they could still thoroughly stir up this mess.
Although Concubine Hong and Concubine Hua could muddy the waters, they couldn't change the outcome. Ning Shi hadn't conceived in all these years. While Ouyang Zhide's frequent absences from the manor and his lack of affection for her were one reason, they weren't the only one. Ouyang Yue pondered deeply. Ning Shi dared to bring up the matter of sterilization, so she probably did indeed have this serious illness. Otherwise, if things really escalated and she didn't, it would be a laughing stock. Then, whether Concubine Liu was truly wronged or not, Concubine Liu wouldn't fare well. Ning Shi had the Ning family backing her. If the matter came to the Ning family's door demanding an explanation, Old Madam Ning would have to compromise. Therefore, it was better for Old Madam Ning to stand by Ning Shi's side from the beginning. Moreover, the General's Mansion did need a legitimate grandson to bolster its prestige, so Old Madam Ning naturally had no reason not to help.
As expected, Old Madam Ning's expression grew increasingly somber after hearing their conversation: "You're all wolves in sheep's clothing! Caiyue is De'er Mingmei's lawfully wedded wife, while you're all just concubines. Do you even know your place? How dare you try to take things from the Madam! Aunt Liu, I've always thought you were the most carefree one in the household, but it turns out you harbored malicious intentions too. The Madam is currently seriously ill in bed and only wants Tong'er to come and stay for a few days as a gesture of comfort, but you've been blocking her way. Do you think you could have entered the General's Mansion so comfortably without Caiyue's consent?!" After her outburst, Old Madam Ning's voice softened slightly, "Aunt Liu, you're a sensible person, but everyone has moments of confusion. Don't let petty squabbles blind you. In other households, it would be a great blessing for the mistress to take in your illegitimate son, so why are you so obstructive?"
Just as Aunt Hong was about to speak, Old Madam Ning immediately swept her cold eyes over her: "Shut up about everything else that's unimportant. The most important thing now is to take good care of De'er and have him have more children like Aunt Liu. Stop thinking about all that nonsense. It's like people will think you're mute if you don't speak." Aunt Hong and Aunt Hua immediately swallowed back what they were about to say.
How could Aunt Hong not want to? She did, and she was extremely eager, but whether or not to give birth wasn't up to her. Besides, Old Madam Ning's meaning was all too clear: these concubines could be brought in, and it would be easy to kill them silently, indicating that she wouldn't allow anyone else to interfere. As for Aunt Hua, she was furious. If it weren't for Aunt Ming, she would soon be pregnant with a son, and her life would be a thousand times better than Aunt Liu's. With Ouyang Zhide's protection, she was certain she wouldn't live such a stifled life as Aunt Liu. On the contrary, she felt that Aunt Liu, even after giving birth to a son, was still soft and easily manipulated, which was really weak. In addition, she was afraid of Old Madam Ning, so naturally she dared not say anything more.
Aunt Liu was indignant. If Madam Ning genuinely wanted Ouyang Tong, Aunt Liu wouldn't have had any grounds for objection, nor would she have been in a position to stop her. Yet, Madam Ning resorted to such despicable means. She couldn't believe Madam Ning acted out of kindness. Ultimately, what Aunt Liu feared most was Madam Ning's ruthlessness and her silent, deadly attack on the defenseless Ouyang Tong.
Ouyang Yue stepped forward, looking worriedly at Ning Shi's room: "We've been talking for so long, and there's been no movement from Mother's room. She must be exhausted and needs rest. Let's not disturb her. Mother, Yue'er has come to see you. I hope you recover soon." She then bowed to Old Ning Shi and turned to lead Chuncao and the others back to Mingyue Pavilion. Ouyang Yue's actions surprised Old Ning Shi. She had thought Ouyang Yue's personality meant she would interfere again, which would be problematic with Ouyang Zhide.
Regardless of Ouyang Yue's concerns, there was absolutely no possibility that Ouyang Tong would remain in Ningxiang Courtyard. Aunt Liu swayed precariously, but was quickly supported by Lü'er. Upon seeing this, Lin Mama immediately said, "Aunt Liu, this old servant will take you back to fetch the young master. Don't worry, given Madam's background, even if Madam's health is temporarily poor, she will find very experienced wet nurses and other special personnel to come to the manor to serve the young master. There will absolutely be no problem with the young master."
Aunt Liu, her face pale, refused to look at Mama Lin any longer. But Mama Lin, shameless and smiling, kept trying to find topics to talk about, and the matter was thus settled. Old Madam Ning naturally left with her entourage. Aunt Hong and Aunt Hua, seeing no way to change the situation, looked somewhat embarrassed and left sullenly.
In Rouyu Courtyard, Ouyang Rou frowned as soon as she returned and said, "Grandmother is becoming more and more biased. If Madam is really in trouble, how can she raise this child? If she is rumored to be sick again, Ouyang Tong will die even sooner. Humph, it is obvious that the two of them conspired together. Aunt, we were too late. We should have taken Ouyang Tong back then."
Aunt Hong sighed, "Don't be fooled by Aunt Liu's lack of ambition and arrogance in the household all these years; she's incredibly difficult to deal with. She's extremely cautious and meticulous, making it hard to get a hold of her. In the end, Ning beat her to it." Aunt Hong gritted her teeth inwardly. It had been quite some time since she gave birth to Ouyang Rou, but there had been no sign of pregnancy. She was more anxious than anyone else. She had considered Ning's idea as well, but she was only of equal status to Aunt Liu, and already had Ouyang Rou. She had no right to have this child. Unless Aunt Liu suddenly died, there would be no chance for things to change. But she hadn't expected Ning to act first. Now that Old Ning had made the decision, she was completely out of luck.
"Hmph! That's not a problem. Ning is sick now, so we can make her really sick and unable to take care of Ouyang Tong." A wicked glint flashed in Aunt Hong's eyes. Upon hearing this, Ouyang Rou immediately smiled, "Auntie is resourceful. You must have come up with another plan."
Aunt Hong sneered: "I've heard from your uncle that those people have acquired some good items. Let them pick one from them; I'll have my own use for it."
Ouyang Rou nodded: "Then let's hear Aunt's good news."
The two women are now truly dispensable figures in the household. They desperately need to change this situation. While cooperating with Concubine Hua may seem advantageous, it's not. What they truly need is to seize control. Having a child could regain Ouyang Zhide's attention, or it could make all the other children in the household appear sinful, or it could simply provide them with more protection…
Back at Mingyue Pavilion, Ouyang Yue told Chuncao that she wanted to rest and didn't want to see any outsiders that day. She asked Chuncao not to disturb her and then lay down on the bed to rest. Chuncao had always been very wary of Ouyang Yue on the day she left the manor; her mistress had been truly terrifying that day. Although Ouyang Yue's temperament had changed somewhat after returning, Chuncao could still keenly sense that her mistress seemed much colder towards people. Naturally, she would do whatever Ouyang Yue said.
So when Aunt Liu came to visit that evening, Chuncao immediately stopped her outside Mingyue Pavilion: "Aunt Liu, Miss has been working hard lately and hasn't been sleeping well at night. She's finally had a chance to rest. Aunt Liu, please come another day if you have anything to say, so that Miss can get some more sleep."
Aunt Liu had come here today specifically for Ouyang Yue, so she wouldn't leave easily. She simply said softly, "Miss Chuncao, I have urgent business with the Third Miss. Please inform her. I have some excellent nourishing soups that can help you sleep, so the Third Miss won't have to worry."
Chuncao's expression turned cold: "Aunt Liu, your tonic soup just happened to have an accident at Madam's place. Now you're coming to Mingyue Pavilion, not only disturbing Miss, but also wanting the victim's things. What do you mean by this, Aunt Liu?"
At this point, Aunt Liu became even more anxious. She couldn't bear to say anything more to Chuncao, and gave a signal to her two maids, Lü'er and Lüye, who immediately grabbed Chuncao and rushed inside. Chuncao was furious: "Are they all dead? Stop Aunt Liu quickly! She can't disturb Miss!"
The servants of Mingyue Pavilion immediately sprang into action, but Aunt Liu charged forward recklessly. After all, she was the mistress of the mansion, and the servants dared not hurt her too badly. So no one stopped Aunt Liu, and she was allowed to break in.
Chuncao was furious and struggled to break free from Lü'er and Lücao's grasp to grab Aunt Liu. At this moment, Dongxue pushed open the door and coldly glanced at Aunt Liu: "Please come in, Aunt. Miss is inside."
"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Dongxue." Aunt Liu took a deep breath and stepped into Ouyang Yue's boudoir. However, Dongxue suddenly reached out and blocked her from behind. "You two can't go in. Miss didn't invite you."
Greenie frowned: "But we've been serving Auntie all this time, how can we leave?"
Winter Snow said coldly, "Then none of them should come in."
Aunt Liu paused, then said, "Lü'er, you two wait outside. Don't worry." Without looking back, she went inside. Lü'er and Lüye had no choice but to wait outside. Chuncao glared at Dongxue angrily and also stood guard outside. Why else would Aunt Liu come? It was all about the young master's business. The young lady had just had some peace and quiet, and now Aunt Liu was causing trouble again. How could Chuncao not be angry? Besides, she felt that the young lady hadn't done a good job of what she was supposed to do; instead, she had woken her up, which really displeased her.
Ouyang Zhide had always doted on Ouyang Yue, and the luxury of her room was only slightly less than that of Ning Shi. This was only because Ouyang Zhide considered that he could not overstep the bounds of his principal wife; otherwise, he could have sent all sorts of fine things to Mingyue Pavilion. However, facing the exquisite furnishings of Ouyang Yue's room, Aunt Liu did not even blink. As soon as she entered the room, she stared intently at Ouyang Yue. Today, Ouyang Yue was wearing a light, dark blue dress, with no extra decorations on her head. She looked very elegant, yet she also had an indescribable nobility and aloofness.
This third young lady seemed much colder than before. Aunt Liu first bowed to Ouyang Yue, who accepted the bow without making a move. Aunt Liu's expression changed slightly, and she said softly, "Please forgive this lowly concubine for trespassing, Third Young Lady. This lowly concubine really has no other choice. This lowly concubine has come to ask for your help."
"Help? What help? I don't think I can help Aunt Liu." Ouyang Yue's voice was very calm. She clearly knew what was going on, but she seemed indifferent to Aunt Liu.
Aunt Liu's heart pounded. Normally, she preferred to avoid trouble and would never come to Mingyue Pavilion casually, but now things were different. Earlier, when Lin Mama accompanied her back to Ningxiang Courtyard, she had brought people to take Ouyang Tong away. Aunt Liu was extremely reluctant to let him go, but there was nothing she could change. Later, when Ouyang Zhide returned, she sent someone to invite him, but Ouyang Zhide was having dinner with Old Madam Ning. She knew then that she couldn't get help from Ouyang Zhide, and even if she did, he wouldn't stand up for her in this matter.
Aunt Liu couldn't sit still. She paced back and forth in the room, and the only person she could think of to help her was Ouyang Yue.
The feeling was strange. The Third Miss was clearly only a twelve-year-old girl; how could she possibly save her? But thinking of everything that had happened before, the Third Miss's calm and composed demeanor whenever she faced a crisis calmed her heart. If the Third Miss were to intervene, she would surely have a way to save Tong'er. Therefore, even if Chuncao wanted to stop her, Aunt Liu was determined to get Ouyang Yue's consent today, even if it meant her life would never be peaceful again. She couldn't accept the possibility of Tong'er being hurt in the slightest.
"Third Miss, you know perfectly well that this humble concubine's trip is for the sake of the Fourth Young Master."
Ouyang Yue glanced at Aunt Liu's worried and sorrowful face and said calmly, "My brother's situation is a done deal and cannot be changed. Aunt Liu doesn't need to worry too much. Mother has no son by her side, and she will also feel lost and helpless, and she will also worry. So she needs a guarantee, which is also a good thing for my brother. Aunt Liu should understand this. I can't help you, so you should go back."
Aunt Liu trembled, and the next moment she knelt down in front of Ouyang Yue with a "plop": "Third Miss, this humble concubine understands, but understanding is one thing, this humble concubine still cannot let the young master leave this humble concubine's side. If he leaves Ningxiang Courtyard, his life will be in danger."
Looking at Aunt Liu's anxious face, Ouyang Yue's voice remained calm: "Mother is not a man-eating demon. Aunt Liu is overthinking it. Aunt Liu is just not used to being separated from her younger brother and is worrying too much. She will be fine after resting for a couple of days. I am tired, so I will not see Aunt Liu off."
"Third Miss, I beg you, you must save the young master! As long as he is safe, I will do anything." Aunt Liu ignored everything else and grabbed Ouyang Yue's leg, refusing to let go. Ouyang Yue looked down at Aunt Liu's pleading face and frowned slightly. "Judging from Aunt Liu's appearance, there seems to be another reason behind this. Would Aunt Liu be willing to tell us?"
Aunt Liu hesitated for a moment before nodding. Ouyang Yue pointed and said, "This posture is not suitable for conversation. Aunt Liu, please sit down and talk."
Aunt Liu rose and bowed to Ouyang Yue before sitting down. She hesitated, unsure where to begin, before finally saying, "I was born into a once-prosperous but now fallen scholarly family. I was fortunate enough to be brought into the household by my master, but it was all my own doing. The so-called 'scholarly family,' with which my family made me study from a young age, was merely a means to give me more leverage to serve them in the future. They instilled in me from childhood the idea that I must bring glory back to the Liu family. They never spoke of the so-called 'three obediences and four virtues,' but rather taught me nothing more than..." It was a display of cunning and manipulative tactics used to vie for favor. However, it was ultimately the sour grapes of a scholar, lacking the ruthlessness of women in the inner quarters, and the strategic vision of men from bygone dynasties; all it possessed were petty, selfish schemes. "My future as a lowly concubine isn't determined by which old man's family I'll end up in, or worse. So when you appeared, sir, I had my eye on you. But I've always loathed their actions, so after entering the household and having a servant, I deliberately kept a low profile, avoiding conflict, hoping to escape trouble and live a peaceful life."
Ouyang Yue listened quietly without offering any opinion. Aunt Liu looked at her, and seeing that the latter had no reaction, she gritted her teeth and said, "However, I am relatively lucky to have given birth to a son in one fell swoop. Even if I don't like to compete, the young master is still a thorn in the side of others. So I came up with a method and have been using a secret formula to make the young master look weak. The medicine has never been stopped. Sure enough, after a while, those who were eyeing him with covetous eyes quieted down and thought that the young master would die sooner or later, even though the old lady gave up. But the medicine has to be taken frequently. If the young master goes to the madam's place, the medicine will stop and his condition will improve. I'm afraid I will never get the young master back."
Ouyang Yue glanced at Aunt Liu indifferently: "Aunt Liu, you seem to have forgotten one thing. You are a concubine in this household, and my brother is your master, not your son. You have no right to speak like that." However, Ouyang Yue secretly admired Aunt Liu. From what she had said, Aunt Liu was quite shrewd and calculating. She simply wanted a peaceful life and deliberately kept a low profile; otherwise, she would probably be the most difficult person to deal with in this household. Ouyang Yue would never help someone who might become her future enemy, and naturally, she wouldn't easily agree to help.
Aunt Liu bit her lip slightly: "This humble concubine knows she has no right to do so, but the young master was born from my ten months of pregnancy. This humble concubine cannot bear to see him die because of his ignorance and youth. The Third Miss is intelligent and brave, far from being an ordinary woman from a wealthy family. This humble concubine asks herself if she has any judgment. This humble concubine has no way to help in this matter, but the Third Miss can help me." If Aunt Liu had been willing to do so, she wouldn't have drugged Ouyang Tong in the first place. After all, all medicines have some toxicity, and this was clearly a last resort, showing her good intentions.