Chapter 40 ROTNDOAHRF

FlamingoBees

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

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Ranking Family

Chapter 40:

Suicide for Fear of Punishment

Ouyang Zhi held the small portrait in his hand and stormed out of the room. Zhou Yiniang, who had been feeling quite pleased these days, thought that she had finally turned the tide of her misfortunes. However, she was bewildered by the unexpected slaps she received. She stood there in a daze for a while, thinking to herself, "This is bizarre! How could that portrait be in my room?"

Ouyang Zhi left the room and headed straight to the Furuai Courtyard. Lin Wanru hadn't rested yet and was holding a silver lamp with a smile on her face as she welcomed him. Ouyang Zhi's face was filled with anger as he slammed the small portrait onto the table. Lin Wanru pretended to examine it and asked in feigned surprise, "Why is the master here at this hour? And what's this?"

Ouyang Zhi angrily recounted the incident to Lin Wanru. Lin Wanru exclaimed, "Oh my, did the master really stumble upon this matter? Oh dear, please don't let anger harm your health. I too had my suspicions, but without evidence, there was nothing I could do."

Ouyang Zhi urgently asked, "If you suspected, why didn't you say anything earlier?"

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Lin Wanru smiled and said, "My dear husband, Zhou Yiniang was bestowed by the Minister, and without evidence, how could I accuse her? I have long suspected that the child's background was questionable, but unfortunately, both Grandmother and the master thought I was just jealous. Now, you see the depth of my sincerity, don't you?"

Ouyang Zhi, accustomed to relying on Lin Wanru, was extremely angry at this moment. With a strong intuition that the child was not his own, he felt that Lin Wanru's actions harming the child were only to be expected. Ignoring the fact that he had previously forbidden her to leave, he asked directly, "What should we do now?"

"It's not difficult at all. If the master wants her dead, then we'll reward her with a white silk. If he spares her life, we'll send her away to where she came. Keeping her by our side will only bring trouble. But we need to make a decision quickly; if you show any signs of softening tomorrow, it will be much harder. Moreover, Grandmother already knows about this matter and believes the child is the master's. If the master accuses her of adultery, Grandmother might think I'm resentful and obstructing matters!" Lin Wanru said calmly and unhurriedly.

Ouyang Zhi seethed with hatred, "If it weren't for the fear of causing a public scandal, I would have beaten her to death just now! The more I think about it, the angrier I get. Hmph, sparing this despicable creature's life won't ease my anger!"

Ouyang Zhi, filled with rage, led someone back to Zhou Yiniang's He Xiang Courtyard. In the garden, he bumped into Li Yiniang, who had just returned from Shou'an Hall, with Ouyang Nuan walking behind her. Li Yiniang hastily bowed upon seeing Ouyang Zhi, but she was shocked when she noticed the person standing beside him. She blurted out, "Madam?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized her mistake and glanced unconsciously at Ouyang Nuan. However, Ouyang Nuan didn't even furrow her brows. Instead, she stepped forward cheerfully and greeted, "Father, Mother, where are you both going?"

Ouyang Zhi, still furious, snorted coldly and left with his entourage. Lin Wanru flashed a smile at Ouyang Nuan and said, "Nuan'er, Zhou Yiniang has done something disgraceful. Your father is going to deal with her, but he refuses to listen to my advice!"

"How could that be?" Li Yiniang's face paled. In the secluded inner courtyard, the so-called disgraceful act would likely refer to adultery. If that were the case, wouldn't everything that had happened in Shou'an Hall be in vain, and all their previous efforts be wasted? As she thought about this, her expression involuntarily turned ugly.

However, Ouyang Nuan chuckled and said, "Mother has always been kind-hearted. Zhou Yiniang is just a small matter, but Father's health is more important. It wouldn't be worth it if he were to fall ill from anger. You should go and check on him quickly, Mother. Don't let Father soften his heart after hearing a few complaints from Zhou Yiniang."

Lin Wanru was stunned by Ouyang Nuan's words, realizing how cunning she was. Unfortunately, Zhou Yiniang would never have the opportunity to plead her case. With this thought in mind, Lin Wanru gave a cold smile and turned to leave. Li Yiniang watched Lin Wanru walk away, her expression becoming even uglier. Unconsciously, she looked at Ouyang Nuan and said, "Miss..."

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly. "Aunt, instead of worrying, you should go and see for yourself."

Li Yue'e felt extremely uneasy and cautiously suggested, "Miss, why don't you come along?"

Ouyang Nuan's eyes shimmered with understanding, as if she had read Li Yiniang's thoughts. Sge calmly said, "Technically, I shouldn't involve myself in Father's affairs. However, considering that Zhou Yiniang was bestowed upon him by the Minister, I fear he might act rashly in his anger. It's better if I accompany you to see what's happening."

Fang Mama and Hongyu exchanged a glance, both realizing that Miss truly understood Lin Wanru very well. She had even anticipated Lin Wanru's recent actions. However, this situation was quite tricky. Once Zhou Yiniang was proven guilty of adultery, no matter how Eldest Miss Ouyang treated her, it would only further strengthen Lin Wanru's position.

Ouyang Zhi arrived at the He Xiang Courtyard to find the courtyard gate tightly shut. Despite calling out, there was no response. Growing increasingly agitated, he ordered his men to forcefully kick open the gate. Upon entering, he pushed open the door of Zhou Yiniang's room and was met with the sight of her pale face, her lifeless body hanging from the bedpost with a long handkerchief.

Ouyang Zhi was stunned at the sight, quickly ordering his men to remove the cloth and lay her on the bed. However, her body was already cold, devoid of breath.

The sudden turn of events left the assembled servants in a state of panic. Some, upon seeing the master standing in shock, moved to inform the Old Madam, but Lin Wanru instructed Wang Mama to stop them, coldly stating, "She chose to end her own life out of fear of punishment. It's outrageous for a maid to seek life or death in our household. Spend a few coins to bury her."

The words "committed suicide out of fear" jolted Ouyang Zhi. His face turned from white to pale green. However, with no one to vent his anger on, he found himself gasping for air, unable to release the pent-up frustration.

At that moment, Ouyang Nuan and Li Yiniang entered the room. Upon witnessing the scene, they understood what had happened. When Ouyang Nuan heard the phrase "committed suicide out of fear," he coldly smiled. Zhou Yiniang had died without even offering a defense. It was likely Lin Wanru had orchestrated this. To sacrifice two lives for her own selfish desires showed her ruthless nature. He whispered to Li Yiniang, "Li Yiniang, you and Zhou Yiniang were always close. Seeing her die unjustly, you should shed a tear for her."

Li Yiniang was initially stunned by the scene inside the room, but upon hearing Ouyang Nuan's words, she looked up to see her calm demeanor hiding a bone-chilling coldness in her eyes. A shiver ran down Li Yiniang's spine, awakening her from her shock. She realized that they couldn't let Lin Wanru pin the crime on Zhou Yiniang.

Without further hesitation, Li Yiniang made up her mind and stepped forward. With tears in her eyes, she approached Zhou Yiniang and cried out, "Zhou Yiniang, you were always the cleverest among us. If these accusations are false, close your eyes. If someone has slandered you, show a sign of your innocence. Master will surely stand up for you!"

Zhou Yiniang's face turned pale, her eyes wide open as if refusing to close even in death. Li Yiniang couldn't help but burst into tears. Lin Wanru, aware of the sharpness in Li Yiniang's words, coldly smiled and said, "Li Yiniang speaks as if Zhou Yiniang has been wrongly accused by others. If she had conducted herself properly, why would the master have seen the steward leaving her room? And why would she take her own life before the master could pass judgment?"

Li Yiniang paid no attention to Lin Wanru's words, continuing to lament, "Zhou Yiniang, oh Zhou Yiniang, you're too kind-hearted. Just a concubine, how could you dare to seek favors for your own relatives? Look at what accusations others have brought upon you now! If you had any difficulties, you could have come to me for counsel. Perhaps I could have helped you resolve them. Why did you choose to end your life like this? Who will understand your intentions?"

Lin Wanru couldn't tolerate Li Yiniang's portrayal of Zhou Yiniang's suicide as a noble sacrifice. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she sternly rebuked, "Li Yiniang, why are you spreading rumors here? Do you think the master would wrongly accuse her?"

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