Chapter 19 ROTNDOAHRF

FlamingoBees

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

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Ranking Family

Chapter 19:

Sisterhood Harmony is Just a Myth

Just as they were speaking, Ouyang Ke pushed aside the curtain and entered with a smile. "Good morning, Grandmother. Sister, you're here so early. It seems I'm late," she said casually as she sat down beside Ouyang Nuan. "Sister, you're clearly Grandmother's favorite, always so diligent."

Ouyang Nuan casually smoothed her sleeve as if it were a minor action, then spoke calmly, "Grandmother is getting older, and it's only natural for us younger ones to serve by her side. I know you're taking care of mother, so that's probably why you arrived late. Don't worry, Grandmother won't blame you."

Ouyang Ke's breath caught for a moment, but Ouyang Nuan smiled again and casually changed the subject. She mentioned the delicious deer meat recently acquired by the mansion and suggested sending some to Old Madam Li. Then she talked about a new embroidered picture of a hundred birds facing the phoenix that she had obtained, saying she wanted to view it with Ouyang Ke. "When we were younger, my sister used to play with us siblings quite often. It's a pity that as we grew older, we grew apart. Our Ouyang family has few siblings, so we should be closer."

Ouyang Ke had already calmed down by now, and he smiled, saying, "You're right, sister. I promised you the Ying Mountain Cloud tea but forgot to send it. I almost forgot if you hadn't reminded me. I'll have someone send it over later."

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Ouyang Nuan smiled back, saying, "Thank you so much, sister."

Old Madam Li nodded, her face showing a hint of contentment. "Sisters should be like this, harmonious and reasonable. With you two getting along so well, I can rest assured."

As they were leaving, Ouyang Nuan went out first. Ouyang Ke thought she had already left, but to his surprise, when he stepped out, he found Ouyang Nuan standing in the corridor with a smile on her face, waiting for him. "Sister, aren't we leaving together?"

Ouyang Ke looked at her with a puzzled expression, feeling increasingly uneasy in the face of her smiling eyes and gentle demeanor.

Ouyang Nuan walked along, chatting warmly with Ouyang Ke, who responded absentmindedly. As they reached the garden, suddenly someone recklessly emerged from behind the artificial hill. Ouyang Ke, lost in thought and unaware of what was happening, was caught off guard. With a loud "Ah," she fell backward, tumbling awkwardly and even dislodging her hairpin.

Ouyang Nuan immediately went to help her sister, and the maidservants panicked. The garden was suddenly in chaos. Ouyang Ke, now furious, was helped to her feet. Nearby, the senior maid, Qiu Yue, rushed forward and gave the young maid who collided with Ouyang Ke a hard slap on the face. "How dare you bump into Second Miss! Are you blind?" she scolded angrily.

The young maid lifted her head, her face marked by two distinct handprints. She looked like a startled rabbit, her eyes reddened with panic, tears welling up. "I... I... didn't mean to! Please forgive me, Second Miss!" she pleaded.

Ouyang Ke was not easily appeased, but he heard Ouyang Nuan exclaim, "Baihe, it's you!" Baihe, tearful and filled with regret, appeared apologetic. "Miss, Young Master has arrived. Fang Mama asked me to fetch you back. I was in a hurry and accidentally tripped, unintentionally bumping into Second Miss. I beg for your forgiveness!"

Ouyang Ke was itching to kick over the clumsy maid. Hearing that she was from Ouyang Nuan's courtyard only fueled her anger further. However, she heard Ouyang Nuan's cold voice: "If you had bumped into anyone else, you would have deserved a beating. But you're lucky. My sister has always been the most soft-hearted. She wouldn't even utter a harsh word, let alone hit or scold a maid. She's renowned for her kindness and gentleness. Now, hurry up and thank her."

Ouyang Ke was seething with anger, her face turning red with suppressed rage. Seeing Baihe kowtow heavily to the ground, she could barely contain her frustration. Despite their master-servant harmony, what was originally a serious offense was now easily brushed aside. Ouyang Ke's complexion fluctuated between shades of green and white, but she dared not explode in front of the crowd. She tightly gripped Qiuyue's arm, causing her to tremble.

Ouyang Nuan turned around, her face darkening, and scolded the maidservants sharply, "Why are you all standing there foolishly? Hurry up and help Second Miss back to rest!" Ouyang Ke glared hatefully at Baihe, as if wanting to etch her image into her memory. Baihe flinched in fear and quickly lowered her head. Ouyang Ke, supported by someone, had no choice but to leave.

Ouyang Nuan watched her departing figure and then glanced at the seemingly nervous Baihe. She smiled and said, "Get up, you did well." Baihe was just a third-tier maid, usually ignored by Madam Lin, and she received little favor and was often bullied by Xiao Tao. Now, with Ouyang Nuan needing her, she was eager to please. Hearing Ouyang Nuan's words, she quickly got up from the ground, her face beaming with smiles, the previous despair and regret instantly vanished.

At that moment, Hongyu, who had been trailing behind, hurriedly caught up and made a discreet gesture to Ouyang Nuan, revealing something from her sleeve. It was a golden phoenix hairpin, shimmering in the light. Ouyang Nuan's smile deepened even further...

When Ouyang Nuan returned, Ouyang Jue was indeed waiting in the courtyard, perhaps having just returned from school, with a few ink spots still on his sleeve. His face lit up with joy upon seeing his sister return. "Where did you go, sister?" he asked eagerly.

"It's nothing, just went to pay respects to grandmother," Ouyang Nuan replied, smiling faintly at her younger brother. This time, there was a hint of amusement even in her eyes.

Ouyang Jue glanced toward the door curtain and then asked in a very low voice, "Sister, did grandmother keep you alone because there's something important to discuss?"

Ouyang Nuan now had all her attention focused on her younger brother, Ouyang Jue. However, she gradually realized that perhaps due to losing their mother at a young age and lacking protection, the boy's personality was somewhat impulsive and rash. If she didn't train him rigorously, he could end up in serious trouble. Therefore, her smile faded as she gazed at his youthful yet restless face and asked calmly, "What important matters could there be? Do you think that just because Madam Lin has fallen out of favor with grandmother and been forced to relinquish control of the household, we stand to gain something?"

"Of course, she never should have taken Mother's place in the first place!"

Ouyang Jue was still just a child. Ouyang Nuan took a deep breath, then chuckled bitterly. "Mother's place? Since she passed away, Madam Lin became a second wife, naturally taking her place. With Madam Lin in charge for ten years, the household has already changed significantly. Though they say 'children don't inherit their fathers' mistakes,' Father's personality could easily lead him to reinstate her. It's just a matter of time. Do you truly believe we can seize power during this opportunity? Moreover, just because Grandmother stripped her of her authority, do you think she'll give it to us? Although we are the legitimate children, with our birth mother gone, who in this household would genuinely support us?"

The rapid-fire questions left Ouyang Jue stunned. He sat there stiffly for a while before managing to squeeze out a dissatisfied remark, "Sister, how could you say that? You're the eldest daughter of this household, father's own daughter..."

"What eldest daughter? That's just for show. Let me tell you the truth. Grandchildren will have as much power as they're given. In grandmother's eyes, I'm not even worth as much as a well-controlled Li Yiniang. As for father, he only believes in Madam Lin's words. If it weren't for her not yet bearing a son, even your position as the eldest son wouldn't be secure!"

Ouyang Jue listened, his eyes showing increasing surprise, even mixed with a hint of confusion and bewilderment. Ouyang Nuan continued in a low voice, "You have to understand, our biological mother died early, leaving us with no support in this household. And you're still young. Even if we manage to seize power, who's to say it'll last?"

Ouyang Jue was finally persuaded, and a look of disappointment involuntarily appeared on his face: "But it seems that Old Madam Li has that intention..."

"This matter, Old Madam Li just wants to take back some of the power from Madam Lin, while also undermining her authority a bit." Remembering Old Madam Li's behavior today, Ouyang Nuan had already made her judgment and continued, "Brother, you are still too young. If you were a few years older, or if you were already successful, I would have a way to firmly grasp control of the Ouyang Manor. But now, if you blindly enter the struggle between Madam Lin and Grandmother, it may be more harm than good. Listen to me, don't show anything on your face. Do what needs to be done, even if you hate her in your heart, you should smile on the surface. No matter how malicious she may be, she is nominally your stepmother. If someone sees you looking pleased with her misfortune, just those four words 'disobedience and unfilial conduct' could ruin you!"

Ouyang Jue stared at his sister in astonishment, amazed at how she could suddenly articulate so much. Ouyang Nuan couldn't help but gently stroke Ouyang Jue's temple. "Jue, patience is key. I promise you, once we've endured this frustration, we'll take them down one by one!"

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