Chapter 11 ROTNDOAHF

FlamingoBees

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Family

Chapter 11:

If There is No Enemy, Create One

Ouyang Nuan gently opened the window a crack and looked outside. In the courtyard, the iron tree flowers were blooming proudly. The flowers resembled cylindrical spikes, layered one upon the other, shining in a brilliant golden hue. Today, she had used this iron tree to lure her grandmother, intending to gain power directly from her mouth and to provoke dissatisfaction toward Madam Lin from both her grandmother and father. Now, it seemed that her plan was working quite well.

Ouyang Jue hurried over and said, "Sister, don't be angry. It's not worth it for those petty people!"

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly. "I've never been angry with them, Jue'er. Today, I want you to witness how to deal with these people. I hope you understand that no matter how insolent the servants are, they are still servants. With just one word from the master, their lives can be decided. You hold the power, and everyone will fear you. But if you are too lenient and kind, you will allow these people to climb over you. Over time, you, as the master, will become their servant without even realizing it."

"Got it!" Ouyang Jue listened attentively, appearing to understand, albeit with some uncertainty.

© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

Using such ruthless methods to deal with those servants was something the Ouyang Nuan of her past life could never have done. Back then, she was kind and compassionate, finding it difficult to be harsh on them. But when she suffered and fell on hard times, aside from Fang Mama and Hongyu, none of these people showed her any sympathy. They all added to her troubles, never showing a shred of compassion.

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly. "From now on, every move in this courtyard must be orderly. The maids must follow the rules in everything they do. Do you understand?"

Ouyang Jue looked at the list written meticulously on the paper by Hongyu, detailing rules and regulations for every aspect, his eyes widening in surprise. "Sister, you didn't just come up with this on the spot. You've been preparing for this!"

Ouyang Nuan reached out and tapped his little head with her finger. "Silly boy!"

Today's actions amounted to a demonstration against Madam Lin. Madam Lin was cunning and would not give up easily. Although Father might be temporarily angered, he would soon be swayed back by this woman's sweet words. However, this is just the beginning.

If she recalled correctly, the Ouyang Mansion was about to welcome a distinguished guest soon. For Madam Lin, this could be bad news...

From that day forward, Ouyang Nuan visited the Old Madam punctually every day without fail. On this particular day, as she went, Grandmother Li warmly greeted her, saying, "Come here quickly and take a look at your cousin."

Ouyang Nuan took a closer look and indeed saw a beautiful young woman sitting beside Grandmother Li. She appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, with a delicate bun slightly tilted to the side and a casual arrangement of green silk tied behind her head. A simple silver floral hairpin adorned her bun, complementing the teardrop-shaped earrings on her ears. She was dressed in a goose-yellow jacket and skirt, resembling a clever little bird.

Since the incident last time, the Old Madam had shown a noticeable difference in her treatment towards Eldest Miss and Ouyang Ke. When she saw Eldest Miss arrive, Zhang Mama hurriedly instructed the maidservants to bring a straight-backed chair with a thick cushion and place it next to the heated kang, saying, "Miss, the Old Madam has been thinking about you!"

Ouyang Nuan smiled gently and amiably replied, "Zhang Mama is right. I heard that there's a beauty by Grandmother's side who looks like a celestial maiden, so I came to bask in her radiance."

With just one sentence, both Grandmother Li and the beautiful woman laughed. Grandmother Li took the woman's hand and introduced her to Ouyang Nuan, saying, "You always have a way with words. This is my nephew's daughter, your cousin. Hurry up and greet her!"

It's not often to see such a young cousin, but Ouyang Nuan didn't feel uncomfortable at all. She affectionately called her "Auntie," and Li Yue'e curiously sized up the young mistress of the Ouyang family.

In her past life, Ouyang Nuan remembered that this "Aunt" Li Yue'e came from a literary family, with her father being a distant cousin of the Li family. Her father not only passed the imperial examination but also ran a private school. Unfortunately, her parents passed away within a couple of years.

While it sounded nice to say that she came to visit Grandmother Li, in reality, she was a lonely girl with no family to rely on, seeking refuge.

Ouyang Nuan remembered that from the moment she entered the household, Madam Lin didn't like her. Sure enough, within half a year, Madam Lin tried various means to marry off this beauty.

However, now, Ouyang Nuan warmly welcomed the arrival of this distinguished guest.

Without saying much, Madam Lin arrived with Ouyang Ke. During this period, every time Old Madam Li saw her, she wore a displeased expression. Yet, Madam Lin still managed to show up every day, greeting her warmly as if nothing was wrong, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. Ouyang Nuan couldn't help but sneer inwardly. To be scolded like that and still carry on like this, Madam Lin's character was truly not to be underestimated.

When Old Madam Li saw her come in, she simply said, "Please, have a seat." However, Madam Lin didn't sit down. Instead, she personally took the fruit plate from Zhang Mama and placed it on a small lacquered table by the heated kang, adorned with a black lacquer and mother-of-pearl waistband, then turned around to take the tea from the maid's hand.

Li Yue'e smiled sweetly and said, "Sister-in-law, let me do it."

It was just a polite remark, as there were plenty of maids around. After all, the tea was brought to them before they had to handle it. It wouldn't really be much effort. Li Yue'e's gesture was simply to leave a good impression on Madam Lin, hoping that her days under the Ouyang family's roof would be a bit easier in the future.

But as soon as this was said, Old Madam Li became unhappy. She turned to Madam Lin and said coldly, "You are an esteemed person. Don't tire yourself out for an old bone like me. It's not worth it. Go back and rest."

Madam Lin's smile froze on her face. Despite being upset for no reason, she forced a smile and said, "Mother, there's no need to worry about me. I don't feel tired."

"If that's the case, you should go back even more," Old Madam Li replied, her anger rising as Madam Lin persisted with her smile. Her voice grew colder, almost admonishing, "So you won't tire yourself out and have no energy left to manage the household. Then if the servants become unruly, it'll be seen as my fault for not caring enough for my daughter-in-law. Go on, leave."

Madam Lin felt a tightness in her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe. She worked tirelessly but received no appreciation. Instead, she found herself being scolded for no reason, and worse, it happened in front of her stepdaughter and an outsider. How could she face anyone in the future? How could she continue to be the mistress of the Ouyang household?

Neither leaving nor staying seemed like a viable option, and she felt even more trapped.

Ouyang Ke, clever as ever, stepped forward to support his mother. "Mother, since it's Grandmother's kindness, why don't you go back and rest for a while?"

Ouyang Nuan added gently, "Yes, Mother. Sister is right. With your daughter here to take care of Grandmother, what is there for you to worry about?"

Madam Lin looked at Ouyang Nuan and forced a smile. "Then I'll trouble Nuan'er." With that, she suppressed her anger and left the room.

When Ouyang Ke drew back the curtain, she shot Ouyang Nuan a glare full of anger. However, she just smiled faintly and said, "Elder Sister, don't forget about our agreement regarding Mount Yingshan's clouds and mist tea."

The curtain fell with a loud thud, startling Li Yue'e.

Exiting Old Madam Li's room, Ouyang Nuan suddenly stopped Li Yue'e. "Aunt, Grandmother just praised your needlework. Would you mind coming to my place to sit and give me some pointers?"

Li Yue'e looked at her blankly. At that moment, Ouyang Nuan had a jeweled magpie perched on her temples and wore a luxurious grey squirrel coat embroidered with light apricot silk and pink roses. The richness of her attire accentuated her youthful and beautiful face even more. She looked at Li Yue'e with a gentle smile, leaving her unable to refuse. All she could manage was to say, "Alright."

Ouyang Nuan's smile grew even gentler. Setting up an adversary for Madam Lin, giving her something to occupy her time, wouldn't that be clever?

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Chapter 11 ROTNDOAHF

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