Chapter 20 ROTNDOAHRF

FlamingoBees

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

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Ranking Family

Chapter 20:

Planting Evidence and Framing Others is a Strenuous Job

Ouyang Jue looked at his sister and suddenly realized that beneath her smile lay immense resentment, something he hadn't noticed before. While he didn't know the exact grievances his sister had endured, his thoughts naturally turned to Madame Lin. His expression grew increasingly solemn.

Ouyang Nuan patted his head gently. "If Mother were alive, she wouldn't want you to strive for success at any cost. All she would wish is for you to study well and become a better person. I don't want you to harbor any hatred. I'll take care of things at home. Do you understand?"

He nodded heavily. "Sis, I'll listen to you."

© 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.

Ouyang Nuan nodded back and instructed Hongyu, who had been waiting by the curtain, "Prepare some pastries."

Hongyu responded and left. Ouyang Jue asked in confusion, "Sis, where are you going?"

Ouyang Nuan smiled. "I'm going to check on Second Sister. She was accidentally bumped by Baihe and fell. I'm not sure how badly she's injured."

Ouyang Jue snorted, his lips pouting slightly. "Sis, why bother with her? She's just like her mother, not a good person. She's been instigating trouble behind the scenes!"

Ouyang Nuan shook her head, looking at her brother with resignation. He was truly just a child. After a few more words from Ouyang Jue, seeing that she hadn't changed her mind, he said, "Then I'll go with you. Don't want them bullying you while I'm not around!"

Ouyang Nuan chuckled, amused by her brother's childish words. However, she couldn't help but ponder over the idea of bringing him along. It was actually a good idea.

Arriving at the Haitang Pavilion, Ouyang Nuan first had Hongyu find someone to announce their arrival, then she and Ouyang Jue waited in the corridor. The house was eerily quiet. Although they had seen someone go in to announce their arrival, there was still no sound after a while. Eventually, a maid came out with a look of embarrassment and said, "Miss, Second Miss is resting. Would you like to come back later?"

"Resting? Isn't it a bit early for that, let alone taking a nap at this time?" Ouyang Jue's expression turned peculiar. "Sister, let's go. You came here with good intentions to see her, but she doesn't appreciate it!"

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly and called out loudly from outside the door, "Little sister, both Jue and I were worried about your injury, so we came to check on you. Are you feeling any better?"

There was a crisp sound of something breaking inside the room, followed by Ouyang Ke storming out angrily, pointing at Ouyang Nuan's nose and saying coldly, "Cat crying to the mouse; pretending to be compassionate! Are you here to mock me?"

Ouyang Nuan noticed her demeanor when she was in the garden, always mindful of her sister's composure. But now, it seemed like she had suddenly torn off her mask, and Ouyang Nuan immediately guessed that something must have hurt her pride, causing her to become angry and embarrassed.

Ouyang Jue tried to explain, "Sister, you've misunderstood. Elder sister and I..."

"Misunderstanding? Look at my arm!" Ouyang Ke sneered, rolling up her sleeve to reveal a scraped elbow, with a faint trace of blood. "Ouyang Nuan, you clearly directed your servant to bump into me intentionally. Are you trying to ruin my appearance on purpose?"

"Such a minor injury amounts to deliberate harm?" Ouyang Nuan chuckled. "Ke'er, you're in the wrong here. We came to check on you out of concern. Why would you say such hurtful things?"

Ouyang Ke, always extremely cautious about her appearance, feared even the slightest scar on her arm. Upon hearing these words, she exploded in anger: "So what if I say that? I've been harmed by your servant and ended up like this. You owe me compensation!" Ouyang Ke approached step by step, while Ouyang Nuan retreated step by step, her face serious as she said, "How should I compensate you? Do you want me to have a scar on my body too? Second sister, we are sisters, don't say such ridiculous things..."

Ouyang Nuan maintained a gentle expression, but Ouyang Ke saw a look of contemptuous provocation in her eyes. Suddenly, anger surged in her heart, fueled by recent experiences of being cold-shouldered by her grandmother. Disregarding Madam Lin's warnings, she lost her composure and shouted angrily, "Who said we are sisters... you poisonous woman! Do you even deserve it?"

Ignoring the desperate attempts of the senior maid Qiuyue to restrain her, she raised her hand and swung it towards Ouyang Nuan's face. Just as her hand was about to reach Ouyang Nuan's face, Ouyang Nuan exclaimed in pain and staggered backward, falling to the ground.

"No one touches my sister!" Ouyang Jue rushed towards Ouyang Ke with his hands raised. Ouyang Nuan signaled with her eyes, and both Hongyu and Fang Mama immediately understood, quickly grabbing and restraining him. In the chaos, the pastry box he was holding fell to the ground, scattering the pastries everywhere.

"What's going on here?" Just then, Ouyang Zhi's thunderous voice boomed at the entrance of the courtyard. He had heard the commotion between the sisters from afar and had not expected to walk in on such a scene.

Ouyang Nuan took the initiative to stand up and positioned herself to the side, looking surprised and aggrieved. "Father, why are you here? It's nothing, really. My sister and I were just playing around!"

Ouyang Zhi remained silent, but he rushed forward and delivered a resounding slap to Ouyang Ke's face. His face was grim as he stood there, trembling with anger, pointing at her. "You little beast! How dare you speak to your sister like that in front of the servants, and even raise your hand! What kind of behavior is this! Do you want to disgrace our Ouyang family's reputation? Where is the family discipline? Bring it forth!"

With tears streaming down her face, Ouyang Ke glared hatefully at Ouyang Nuan, covering her face. "This isn't over between us!" In that moment, she truly despised Ouyang Nuan, wishing she could tear her apart. If it weren't for her fear of Ouyang Zhi, she might have actually lunged at her.

Following behind, Madam Lin immediately stepped forward, tightly grabbing Ouyang Zhi's arm. "Master, don't be angry. Ke'er is still just a child!"

Ouyang Zhi exploded in rage: "She's a child? Which child in their right mind dares to lay hands on their own sister!" He forcefully pushed away Madam Lin's hand and scolded her, "Are you blind? You said she fell and hit her head, passed out, talking nonsense! Look at her lively and kicking, hitting and cursing like what kind of image is that! It infuriates me!"

Ouyang Nuan suppressed the cold sneer in her heart. She had guessed early on that Madam Lin would inform Ouyang Zhi about the incident right away, attempting to sow discord. It was clear that Ouyang Ke had only been lightly bumped, and there was no guarantee she would suffer any serious injury or faint.

However, Ouyang Zhi, who always doted on Ouyang Ke, would rush to see her. If Ouyang Ke pretended to be half-dead, and the incident was portrayed as intentional harm, she would truly have no defense. Perhaps Madam Lin had instructed Ouyang Ke to endure, but Ouyang Nuan persistently insisted on visiting, exposing her true nature, which was seen clearly by Ouyang Zhi and the others who hurried to her side. In terms of cunning tactics, Ouyang Ke was far inferior to Madam Lin!

Ouyang Zhi deeply felt that he had been deceived. He turned to vent his anger but saw Madam Lin pale-faced, tears welling up in her eyes, looking on the verge of collapse. Knowing she was still recuperating, Ouyang Zhi found himself with no outlet for his anger, rendered speechless by his frustration.

"Everything is my fault, I've disappointed Master's trust." Madam Lin hung her head in distress, tears streaming down her face. Her voice started as a soft whimper but grew louder with each word. As she swayed unsteadily, she suddenly leaned against Li Xiang, causing a chorus of gasps and cries: "Oh dear, Madam has fainted!"

•••