Chapter 15 ROTNDOAHRF

FlamingoBees

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

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Ranking Family

Chapter 15:

The Art of Usurpation

The next day, Ouyang Zhi still couldn't bring Madam Lin and Ouyang Ke, indicating that Madam Lin had made up her mind to feign illness. Well, if she could change her mind just because of a few words of admonishment from Ouyang Zhi, she wouldn't be the cunning and scheming concubine-born daughter of the Marquis Mansion.

Ouyang Nuan expressed her deep concern, saying, "Yesterday, when I went to my mother's place to pay my respects, I heard that she was very ill and couldn't even get out of bed. Father even called two doctors for consultation, but I couldn't go in either."

Old Madam Li sighed coldly and took Ouyang Nuan's hand. "Since that's the case, let's go together to see her," she said. Then, turning to Zhang Mama, she instructed, "Take my invitation and fetch Doctor Wang."

Ouyang Nuan lowered her eyes to conceal the slight curl of her lips and replied, "Grandmother is kind-hearted."

© 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.

Walking into the main courtyard of the Ouyang residence, known as the Furui Pavilion, one could sense its grand and majestic layout, with luxurious and elegant furnishings meticulously arranged in every corner, exuding an air of nobility and sophistication, truly embodying the style of an aristocratic family.

Supported by Ouyang Nuan, Old Madam Li walked straight to the main seat and took her place. Ouyang Zhi paid his respects to his mother, saying, "I have been unfilial, causing trouble for Mother."

Old Madam Li gave a cold smile. Indeed, there was no reason for a mother-in-law to visit her daughter-in-law when she fell ill. However, she wanted to personally assess the extent of Lin's acting skills. She asked, "What did the doctor say? If it's an infectious disease, it's better to separate the households early. Even Ke'er should be separated from her mother to prevent the condition from worsening."

Ouyang Zhi was slightly taken aback. "The doctor didn't confirm that it's definitely contagious."

Old Madam Li slammed the table and exclaimed, "If it's not contagious, why isn't Ouyang Ke coming to pay her respects! What kind of doctor did you invite, and what illness is he treating! This will only bring disgrace upon us if it spreads!"

Ouyang Zhi's face showed embarrassment, with beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Ouyang Nuan spoke gently beside him, "Father, don't worry. Grandmother is just concerned about Mother's condition. Doctor Wang is highly skilled and well-respected. Let's have him take a look."

Doctor Wang, whose family had been practicing medicine for generations in the Ouyang household and was exclusively consulted by Old Madam Li, was summoned today, indicating the extent of Old Madam Li's anger.

Ouyang Zhi felt a sense of relief and immediately invited Doctor Wang, whose hair and beard were all white, to take the pulse. The senior physician, indeed a master of his craft, diagnosed and prescribed medication seamlessly. However, before leaving, he addressed Old Madam Li, who had maintained a cold demeanor throughout, "Madam Ouyang is usually in good health. This illness seems to stem from some emotional distress. It's best to advise her to relax and not let anger affect her health in the future."

With that statement, Old Madam Li's expression darkened noticeably. However, Ouyang Nuan maintained her usual gentle and composed demeanor, saying, "Grandmother, since it's not an infectious disease, let me go in and see Mother."

Old Madam Li gave a cold smile and replied, "I should also see this daughter-in-law who's been driven to anger."

In the inner chamber, Madam Lin lay on the bed, looking feeble and pale. Wang Mama stood beside her with a worried expression, while all the maids and servants kept their heads down, holding their breath. It truly appeared as if the mistress was indeed unwell. Upon seeing Old Madam Li enter, Wang Mama hurriedly fetched a chair for her.

Ouyang Nuan glanced at Ouyang Ke, who was standing by the bed, and smiled at Madam Lin. "Mother, Doctor Wang said you don't have any serious illness. As long as you relax and open your heart, you'll recover soon. Fortunately, you have your daughter here to accompany you, and grandmother has come to visit you in person. So, you can rest assured and take a good rest."

The words felt like a heavy slap landing harshly on Madam Lin's face. Her smile stiffened momentarily, and her voice became dry. "Thank you, Old Madam Li, for your concern for your daughter-in-law."

Madam Lin anticipated everything, but she miscalculated. She had intended to save face in front of Old Madam Li, but she didn't expect her to summon the doctor. This was not in line with Old Madam Li's usual style of behavior. It must have been Ouyang Nuan's doing. Madam Lin clenched her nails into the brocade quilt beneath her. Ouyang Nuan, why do you always ruin my plans?

As she struggled to rise, as if to express her gratitude to Old Madam Li, Ouyang Nuan quickly stepped forward to stop her. "Mother, please don't get up while you're ill. Grandmother won't mind."

"Making Old Madam worry, Mother just caught a chill during her bath a few days ago. She felt dizzy and weak yesterday morning, so I've been by her bedside taking care of her. That's why I couldn't go to greet Grandmother," Ouyang Ke said softly and delicately.

"Is that so?" Old Madam Li said indifferently.

Madam Lin smiled, with a touch of pitifulness on her face as she spoke, "Yesterday morning, I fell ill as soon as I woke up. Ouyang Ke has been by my side all the time, afraid of catching the illness and passing it on to Old Madam Li, so she didn't dare to come to greet you. Please don't blame her."

Her sincere and apologetic smile seemed genuine to anyone who saw it, but Old Madam Li remained silent. Ouyang Ke, who was always favored, had never experienced such treatment before. Her face slowly turned red, seeming a bit at a loss.

Ouyang Nuan smiled and said, "Grandmother, I noticed that Ouyang Ke seems a bit thinner today. Perhaps she's truly exhausted."

Old Madam Li finally glanced at Ouyang Ke and slowly remarked, "Indeed, she does look thinner. Your mother caught a chill, and you've been taking care of her at her bedside. It's considered filial piety." However, the thought that this filial piety might be used to deceive her grandmother made it less pitiable.

Ouyang Ke, teary-eyed, nodded in response, looking pitiful and aggrieved as she said, "Thank you, Grandmother, for your concern."

Old Madam Li looked at her for a moment, then reached out to pull her closer, gently advising, "Ke'er, you're just a young girl. You mustn't burden yourself too much, as it could harm your health. Focus on cultivating yourself and your virtues, and refrain from learning improper things from others. It won't bode well for your reputation in the future. You should learn more about proper etiquette and decorum from your elder sister."

The words sounded gentle, but in reality, they were insinuating and critical. All the maids and servants in the room lowered their heads as if they hadn't heard anything. Surprisingly, Madam Lin's smile remained unchanged on her face throughout. Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly, this clearly was indicating that this woman had already recovered. However, her momentary lapse of reason would have consequences enough for her to regret deeply.

"Since you're not feeling well, there's no need to force yourself to come and pay respects in the future," Old Madam Li said, taking a sip of her tea and casting a faint glance at Madam Lin.

Madam Lin smiled apologetically, "Madam, you're too kind. It's my duty to come and pay respects. I'll wait until I feel better in a few days."

"Didn't you also have the doctor come yesterday? What did they say?" Ouyang Nuan, appearing concerned, asked from the side, deliberately ignoring the part about Doctor Wang.

Ouyang Ke couldn't help but think, "You're pretending to be compassionate, but I see through your act." However, she dared not show her anger openly and instead suppressed her frustration. She did her best to defend her mother, saying, "The doctor said that Mother's health is not good and she needs plenty of rest, preferably bed rest for half a month." Hopefully, Grandmother won't blame Mother anymore. After all, even Father agreed with the doctor's words! Ouyang Ke glanced provocatively at Ouyang Nuan.

Seeing Ouyang Nuan's smile deepen, Madam Lin couldn't shake off a sense of foreboding in her heart. Sure enough, when she heard Old Madam Li's soft "oh," she said, "In that case, you should rest well. Put aside the matters in the inner courtyard for now."

Upon hearing this, Madam Lin was almost taken aback. What did the old lady mean by that?

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