Suddenly, a voice rang out from inside the room: "It was that maid who killed your predecessor. She was truly vicious."
These words were actually said to Ouyang Yue...
☆、003, I have unspeakable suffering!
Ouyang Yue looked over at the sound and saw a little boy wearing a white Mickey Mouse short-sleeved T-shirt and black and white striped shorts, turning his head to look at her right next to the bed where she was sitting.
Now, this little boy was so adorable that everyone who saw him would sigh in admiration. He had a small, round face and a pair of round, bright eyes that shone with a pure, clear, and sparkling light. His fair face had two rosy circles painted on it, making him look cute and healthy. His little mouth was slightly pursed, and his cheeks were slightly puffed out, indicating that he was not in a good mood.
But from Ouyang Yue's perspective, she could see the little boy's figure, vague and indistinct, as if he were a real shadow.
Ouyang Yue smiled slightly at the little boy. When she first woke up, she only felt a headache and didn't think much of it. Now it turns out that she is alive again and has been reborn in the body of an ancient girl who is also named Ouyang Yue.
As for the true identity of this little boy, he is the son she was pregnant with for eight months but could not be born. Speaking of this, we also need to talk about Ouyang Yue's identity.
Ouyang Yue was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage sponsored by the state. However, Ouyang Yue was different from ordinary people from a young age. She was exceptionally smarter than other children and had a calm temperament, which made her stand out from many orphans. Until the fifth grade of elementary school, when she was ten years old, she was secretly taken to an organization to receive a more advanced education.
This organization is a secret training ground for national talent. Those who emerge from here will become the pillars of the nation's younger generation. Of course, the organization's secrecy also means that some of its members will have to serve the country after completing their training and do some extremely confidential things. Ouyang Yue is such a person, a legendary special agent!
Within the organization, Ouyang Yue was arguably the most dedicated, studious, and hardworking member. By the age of twenty, she had become the captain of the organization's S Special Team. Over the next five years, she completed thirty missions, each one extremely dangerous and life-threatening. Despite missions that seemed impossible to others, she always returned safely. Faced with everyone's envy and disbelief, Ouyang Yue remained calm. That was true strength!
Of course, she felt it was only right to work so hard. Years of arduous training had forged her strong inner strength, and she also understood that the country had nurtured her and given her these abilities, so it was only fair to give back by contributing to the country in any way she could. Therefore, she felt it was her duty to do so.
When Ouyang Yue turned thirty-five, she felt her life needed to change. She couldn't continue like this, so she applied to the government for a transfer and then, using the network of relationships she had built up over the years, she scourds the sperm of the most elite sperm banks in the world and decides to use the sperm to conceive a child, the little boy beside her.
However, when Ouyang Yue was eight months pregnant, the organization encountered a thorny problem, an SSS-level issue. This problem happened to be related to a mission Ouyang had previously completed, one she was very familiar with. Despite being eight months pregnant, she resolutely chose to participate in the mission. Although the mission was ultimately successful, she died…
She died and became a ghost. Then she should drink the Meng Po soup and be reincarnated, right?
Who knew that because her reincarnation period hadn't arrived yet, she had to make an appointment for the next batch. Speaking of which, Ouyang had to marvel at how advanced the underworld had become. Putting that aside, she never expected that her son, who was eight months pregnant, would be so successful down there, managing everything so meticulously. This made her realize how right she had been to choose so many elite sperm donors.
When the day of reincarnation arrived, her son used his cuteness to pull some strings and was reborn into the body of an ancient girl who was said to have a noble status and shared the same name. However, when Ding Zi woke up, the memories of her original self that suddenly exploded in her mind told her that although this girl's status was indeed noble, she was just too unlucky!
The original owner of this body was far too naive and innocent. Moreover, how could she not see that her half-sister Ouyang Rou and her fiancé Hong Yicheng had an ambiguous relationship? She trusted these two people too much, so she didn't notice many things that bystanders could see were wrong. In the end, she was killed by the two of them. I don't know whether to call her stupid or just plain dumb!
Of course, this body now belongs to Ouyang Yue. She has a blood feud with Ouyang Rou as soon as she transmigrated. Given her cautious nature, she would never give Ouyang Rou another chance to harm her. Moreover, Ouyang Rou secretly bribed her personal maid Chan'er under the pretense of being on good terms with her, which Ouyang Yue could not tolerate!
As soon as she woke up, she instinctively regarded Chan'er as an enemy. In addition, the situation was uncertain, and she could not let Chan'er rush out to report the news. Her son, Ouyang Su, took advantage of the fact that he was still a ghost and no one could see him, and acted even faster, directly causing Chan'er to fall to the ground and break her nose, giving her a chance to recover!
"Crackling, crackling, crackling!"
The punishment of twenty strokes of the cane for Chan'er continued. Chan'er went from being shocked and terrified by Ouyang Yue's awakening, to feeling the pain of the blows, to crying and screaming incessantly, and now, exhausted from shouting, lying on the torture bench like a dead dog. She swore she had never been so miserable, and her hatred for Ouyang Yue was rising in her heart.
"Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen..."
"What's going on... Ah, stop!" Just as the final blow was about to be delivered, a commanding voice, filled with alarm and uncertainty, suddenly came from inside the house. The servants in the courtyard looked up and were startled to see Ouyang Yue emerge. The Third Miss really wasn't dead...
Ouyang Yue ran into the courtyard with a worried expression: "Chan'er, Chan'er, what happened to you? How did you get beaten up like this?"
Chan'er's angry face changed, and she stammered, "It was Chuncao, it was Chuncao who falsely conveyed Miss's orders!"
Chuncao was startled and immediately knelt down to explain, "Miss, how could Chuncao dare to falsely convey your orders? You yourself just said it, and I even asked you..."
Ouyang Yue looked at Chuncao's face, which had initially been filled with anger but then turned to surprise. Suddenly, she slapped her forehead, regretting, "Oh dear, Chan'er is my most trusted maid! How could I possibly know? I just woke up to hear someone screaming. My head is throbbing, I couldn't even see who it was! That was just me being angry! Oh, Chan'er, you've suffered. I'll make it up to you." Though she said this, Ouyang Yue's eyes held a strange glint in them. Chan'er, however, didn't notice; at this moment, she was seething with anger!
What! Just because you misread it doesn't mean you can hit her! And you only stopped after she'd been hit nineteen times. One more hit and she'd be done for. Ouyang Yue's words seemed unintentional, but they drew the attention of the servants in the courtyard. If Chan'er hadn't screamed, would she have been beaten by her mistress? She deserved it. She didn't act like a proper maid. Hitting her was pointless!
Chan'er had to swallow her anger and maintain a happy expression of relief, but she was truly suffering in silence!
"It's Chan'er's fault, Chan'er deserves to be punished!"
Ouyang waved her hands repeatedly: "This time it was my mistake, how can I blame you? Someone come quickly and help Chan'er down to rest. She can come back to serve me after she recovers from her injury."
Chan'er thanked him repeatedly, but she was extremely angry and resentful. She was determined to get revenge. However, she wondered how this stupid young lady had come back to life.
Ouyang Yue squinted at Chan'er's constantly changing expression, a cold smile playing on her lips. How could she let go so easily of the person who had plotted to poison her? She was letting Chan'er go now, because something even more cruel was waiting for her!
Ouyang Yue is definitely someone who will seek revenge!
☆、004, returned in pain and sorrow!
After the matter was over, Chuncao cautiously followed Ouyang Yue into the house, feeling very embarrassed that Ouyang Yue would blame her for Chan'er's matter. However, after waiting for a while, Ouyang Yue remained calm, which made Chuncao even more uneasy.
Before an incense stick could burn out, word came that Ouyang Rou, the second daughter of a concubine from the General's Mansion, and her birth mother, Aunt Hong, had come to visit her.
"Please come in!"
Before long, a woman dressed in a peach-colored dress embroidered with bright chrysanthemums, her hairpins jingling in the breeze, looking like a nouveau riche, and Ouyang Rou, dressed simply in a white silk dress with only two hairpins, rushed into the house. From the sound of their footsteps, one could tell how anxious she was.
Ouyang Rou was one step ahead of Aunt Hong. As soon as she entered the inner room, she saw Ouyang Yue sitting calmly with a faint smile on her face. Her heart skipped a beat, her pupils shrank sharply, and she gasped!
That bitch isn't dead! Wasn't Hong Yicheng certain she was dead? How could this be?! Her whole plan has failed! How hateful!
This stupid and ignorant fool actually tried to put himself on top of her!
Although Ouyang Rou was filled with hatred, she appeared relieved on the surface. She ran over and hugged Ouyang Yue tightly, crying, "My poor sister, I'm so glad you're alright. I fainted when I heard you were in trouble. As soon as I woke up and heard you were alright, I rushed over. Sister, are you really alright?"
Her body was warm?! Ouyang Yue really wasn't dead! Then... wouldn't her plot to frame him, and my affair with Hong Yicheng, be exposed?!
Thinking of this, Ouyang Rou's face turned pale instantly...
Ouyang Rou's expression did not escape Ouyang Yue's eyes. She sneered inwardly, but smiled innocently on the surface, holding Ouyang Rou's hand and saying with a grateful look, "Second sister is still the best to me. You are the first to come and see me." She said this with a dissatisfied look.
Actually, Ouyang Yue is quite pathetic. As the legitimate daughter of a general's mansion, no one came to visit her after her death. If it weren't for Ouyang Rou's guilty conscience and visit her, it would have been too late by the time those people remembered her.
Ouyang Yue's enthusiasm startled Ouyang Rou, who visibly trembled and stared at Ouyang Rou in disbelief. But Ouyang Rou's eyes were bright and her smile was sincere, not at all fake. A strange feeling flashed through Ouyang Rou's mind: "Little sister, do you still remember how you got hurt?" As she spoke, she stared intently at Ouyang Yue, observing her expression.
Ouyang Yue was prepared. A hint of suspicion flashed across her face as she touched the back of her head, where a simple bandage had stopped the bleeding, but the swelling was still slightly painful. Her heart sank further, and she said strangely, "You're telling me? I woke up with a bump on my head. That brat Chan'er was yelling in my ear about some kind of zombie apocalypse. I thought Chuncao had called me down to be punished. That girl is getting more and more disrespectful, daring to curse me to death! Humph..."
Ouyang Yue muttered to herself, but Ouyang Rou caught on to an important piece of information. Her heart skipped a beat, and she exchanged a glance with Aunt Hong before hurriedly seeking confirmation: "Sister, are you saying that you don't remember how you fell at all? Do you remember going to the back garden before?"
Unconsciously, Ouyang Rou gripped Ouyang Yue's hand tightly, her heart pounding like a drum, her face flushed red.
Ouyang Yue suddenly realized, "Ah, Second Sister, are you talking about what I saw in the back garden?" Ouyang Rou's grip on her arm tightened noticeably, and her face turned ashen. Just as she was wondering what to do, Ouyang Yue said leisurely, "Why would I go to the back garden? What's so interesting about it? Does Second Sister know anything interesting? Tell me!"
Ouyang Yue spoke to her with a smile as usual, but every word she said felt like a heavy hammer blow to her heart, causing Ouyang Rou's heart to clench again and again. When Ouyang Yue finished speaking, Ouyang Rou felt as if someone was choking her, making it difficult to breathe. She looked at Ouyang Yue nervously, but the latter's expression was pure and serious, without a trace of impurity, and without the resentment of dying because of her poisonous scheme. This was definitely not the expression one would have after being murdered. Did this mean that Ouyang Yue really didn't remember?!
Ouyang Rou looked surprised. Aunt Hong, who had been watching quietly from the side, suddenly realized something was wrong and was about to stop her when Ouyang Yue asked excitedly, "Second Sister, what's going on in the back garden? It seems you know! Tell me quickly, what's fun about it!"
Ouyang Rou was startled. Regardless of whether Ouyang Yue had truly forgotten, she could not reveal what had happened back then, otherwise she would be caught red-handed. A woman's virtue was of utmost importance; if her affair with a man were to be exposed, her life would be ruined.
Ouyang Rou shook her head repeatedly: "How would I know? It's just that my sister had an accident in the back garden, and I thought you saw something, so I asked you a question."
Ouyang Yue looked at Ouyang Rou mysteriously. Her clear eyes, so pure, seemed all the more sharp to Ouyang Rou, like a sword piercing her chest: "Something's not right. Second sister doesn't look like that. You must know something. Tell me quickly, I want to hear it!"
As he spoke, he reached out and grasped Ouyang Rou's hand. Ouyang Rou was incredibly nervous. Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist and couldn't help but cry out, "Ah!"
Her shout startled everyone inside the house and outside Mingyue Pavilion. They all rushed over to see what was going on. Aunt Hong was shocked and immediately covered Ouyang Rou's mouth. A cold glint flashed in Ouyang Yue's eyes. She seemed startled and jumped back, covering her mouth in surprise: "Second Sister, what's wrong? Why are you so frightened? What's in the back garden?"
For some reason, Ouyang Rou was terrified even though Ouyang Yue seemed as innocent as ever. Ouyang Rou knew that she didn't want to stay here at all: "Second sister really didn't know. Little sister, you just woke up and need to rest. Second sister will ask the doctor to check you again to make sure there are no aftereffects."
Aunt Hong immediately smiled and said, "Second Miss is just concerned about Third Miss. Look how anxious she is to call a doctor for you."
The two didn't bother exchanging pleasantries with Ouyang Yue any longer and hurriedly headed out. But as Ouyang Rou reached the door, her foot suddenly slipped—"thud, bang!"
"Ah!" A dull thud of flesh hitting the ground followed by a scream of pain rang out simultaneously. Ouyang Rou was covered in cold sweat from the pain. Her still-developing chest had slammed into the door threshold. How painful that must have been! Ouyang Rou rolled around on the ground!
Aunt Hong was startled and cried out, "Quick! Quick! Get a doctor to examine the Second Miss!"
Ouyang Rou's face turned pale with pain, but she cried out, "No, I can't see a doctor, I can't!" How could a young lady like her, who hadn't even left home yet, see a doctor after being injured in such a place? Ouyang Rou couldn't help but cover her chest with both hands. Aunt Hong was startled and hugged Ouyang Rou tightly, saying to the maid beside her, "Quickly, carry a sedan chair and send the second young lady back."
Soon the sedan chair arrived, and Aunt Hong hurriedly led Ouyang Rou, whose chest was still throbbing with pain, away. They had come to gather information, but instead returned in agony, which was a disgrace to them!
The servants of Mingyue Pavilion were a little surprised to see the mother and daughter leave. Was this still the gentle and weak Second Miss? She was really frightening just now!
Inside the room, Ouyang Su had already floated onto Ouyang Yue's shoulder and asked, "Are you just going to let her go like that? It's too lenient to only let Ouyang Rou fall."
Ouyang Yue stared coldly at the doorway: "Of course it's not just that. Even if I make a scene about Ouyang Rou's affair now, the General's Mansion will try to suppress it for the sake of its reputation. That would just make things more complicated for me. She's capable of doing this, so I need to make sure everyone knows about it. Of course, I can't do anything to her now!"
"Oh!" Ouyang Su nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite. Originally, even if his mother didn't touch that woman, he would have tormented her anyway. Now that he didn't have to, hehe, he would just watch the show. Did the woman who had offended his mother expect to have a good ending? Dream on!
Back at Rouyu Courtyard, Ouyang Rou rolled around on the bed for a good half hour before the pain subsided. She sat up abruptly, her face cold and ruthless: "Xiang'er, come here. Go to the Crown Prince's residence immediately and send a message to Young Master Hong. Tell him that Ouyang Rou is not dead and that he should hurry up and take action!"
Xiang'er immediately obeyed and left. Aunt Hong frowned and said, "Does the Second Miss think that the Third Miss actually remembers?"
Ouyang Rou's lips curled into a cold smile: "Whether I remember or not, I can't wait for her to make the first move. She definitely can't outmaneuver me!"
Aunt Hong nodded. She rose to power in the General's Mansion thanks to the Second Miss, so marrying into the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor's Mansion was a shortcut for them to climb the social ladder. The candidate had to be her daughter, Ouyang Rou. Since Ouyang Yue was foolish enough to be used once, she would naturally be used a second and a third time!
They want to use her until she's completely exhausted, and then kill Ouyang Yue!
☆、005, Arriving at the door to annul the engagement!
That night, just as Ouyang Yue was about to go to sleep, Chuncao came to report that Lü'er, the maidservant of Consort Liu, had brought ginseng soup. Ouyang Yue was suspicious; it was strange that ginseng soup was being brought to her in the middle of the night.
"Please come in."
A moment later, a maid wearing a green short-sleeved shirt, dressed simply but neatly, came over, carrying a large gu (a type of ancient Chinese wine vessel). She bowed to Ouyang Yue and said with a smile, "Third Miss, Aunt Liu heard that you were injured, so she specially asked me to brew ginseng soup for you to nourish your body."
Ouyang Yue raised her eyebrows slightly. This Aunt Liu was quite a remarkable person. According to the original owner's memories, Aunt Liu was someone General Ouyang brought back from his campaign. She was originally from a scholarly family, but her family fell into decline and she became a concubine in the mansion. Aunt Liu was the only one in the mansion to have a child. Although her son was born weak and sickly, her position was unshakeable.
However, Aunt Liu has always been low-key and rarely quarrels with others, so she doesn't stand out in the mansion. Why is she like this now?
"Thank you for your concern, Aunt Liu. Please thank her for me when you get back." With that, Chuncao gave a glance and smiled as she handed Lü'er a purse. Lü'er didn't refuse, but as she tucked it into her sleeve, she casually remarked, "Today, I went out to look for something for you, Aunt Liu, and I happened to run into Xiang'er from the Second Miss's room on the street. Xiang'er was in a hurry, seemingly heading towards Chenggan Street, and she didn't even see me. The Third Miss and the Second Miss are close, but is Xiang'er in trouble? We're all from the same household; Aunt Liu said if she's in trouble, we should help if we can."
Ouyang Yue was taken aback, and squinted at Lü'er. Lü'er quietly lowered her head, which amused her: "If you really have any difficulties, just tell me and I will help you. This soup looks good, so I'm grateful to Lü'er for bringing it over."
Chuncao, understanding the implication, slipped another purse into Lü'er's hand. She saw Lü'er out of the courtyard before returning, hurriedly saying, "Miss, Young Master Hong lives on Chenggan Street..."
Ouyang Yue nodded, quite curious about Aunt Liu. Clearly, she meant well this time, wanting her to be prepared. Green Leaf probably went to the Hong residence with Xiang'er and saw it with her own eyes. Ouyang Rou's private contact with the Hong family was a problem that could be big or small.
Ouyang Yue squinted, finally understanding why Ouyang Rou had done this.
Ouyang Rou, will everything go as you wish? I doubt it!
The next morning, Ouyang Yue had Chuncao style her hair in the same way the original owner had on the day she died. She wore the red dress that she had specially chosen for Hong Yicheng and quietly ate some breakfast. Soon after, Lin Mama, who was by Ouyang Yue's stepmother's side, came to pay her respects.
"Third Miss, Young Master Hong has arrived. He seems to have something to say and is waiting for you to come over." Madam Lin took a special look at Ouyang Yue's attire. According to what Hong Yicheng had told Ouyang Yue, he was returning to the capital today. This Third Miss is really infatuated; she's been waiting there so patiently.
Although Ouyang Yue is the lady's daughter, she has been too reckless and ignorant over the years, to the point that even the lady has given up on her. Lin Mama, who is always by her side, is well aware of this and looks down on this so-called legitimate daughter from the bottom of her heart.
Ouyang Yue's eyes flickered slightly as she caught Lin Mama's mocking gaze. She stood up, leaning on Cao's arm, and walked towards the front hall. Along the way, many servants pointed and whispered among themselves. Ouyang Yue pretended not to notice and asked, "Lin Mama, why are the servants in the manor acting so strangely today? Why are they staring at me like that?"
Madam Lin chuckled softly, "This old servant doesn't know either, but Young Master Hong will probably have to wait a long time. Third Miss, you should hurry over." Madam Lin didn't say that Hong Yicheng's expression was rather strange when he came today, and now all the masters in the backyard of the General's Mansion had gone. Based on Madam Lin's experience in the backyard, this was not a good thing!
As she followed Lin's mother into the hall, Ouyang Yue couldn't help but smile faintly, a smile that was both indifferent and cold.