Chapter 7 ROTNDOAHRF

FlamingoBees

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

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Ranking Family

Chapter 7:

Dirty Things Must Be Cleaned Up!

Ouyang Nuan saw Ouyang Ke approaching with a charming smile, followed by a maid who carried a tea tray with a jade tea bowl containing ten-petal lotus tea.

She smiled and said, "Grandmother, this is freshly brewed Yingshan Yunwu tea. Please moisten your throat." With that, she handed it to Old Madam Li, and the maid beside her took it.

She naturally took a seat next to Ouyang Nuan, smiling innocently. "The water used for brewing this tea was brought from Yuquan Mountain yesterday, and it's infused with jasmine that has been roasted over fire. After blending it with dry tea leaves and brewing it in the tea bowl, it exudes both the fragrance of tea and flowers. Sister, would you like me to bring you some later for us to enjoy together?"

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Seeing her behave like this, Ouyang Nuan smiled slightly and nodded. "You're so considerate, little sister." If it were in the past, she would have thought that Ouyang Ke genuinely respected her as an elder sister, considering her in everything. Now, having lived a second life, she realized that the other party had ulterior motives, pleasing Old Madam Lin while also creating the illusion of sisterly affection in front of everyone. Despite her young age, her thoughts were as deep as Madam Lin's, quite profound indeed.

However, after taking a sip of tea, Old Madam Lin smiled and said, "Look at this child. I told her she didn't need to come, but she insisted. The weather is strangely cold, and I was afraid she would catch a chill. It's pitiful, her filial piety knows no bounds."

Zhang Mama, standing nearby, also smiled and chimed in, "Yes, Second Miss is truly thoughtful and filial. Whenever Old Madam coughs, she massages her back, and whenever Old Madam frowns, she offers her tea. I've been serving Old Madam for almost half my life, and even I haven't been as attentive and considerate as her."

Madam Lin nodded in satisfaction. "Being able to serve in front of Old Madam is her blessing. After all, she is her own granddaughter. What does a little exhaustion matter? Ke'er, make sure to take good care of Old Madam."

Ke'er responded cheerfully, her voice sweet and pleasant. "Yes, Aunt Lin," she said, smiling.

Even Ouyang Nuan couldn't help but smile. "That's right," she said. "Ke'er has always been smart and clever, so endearing. Unlike Jue'er, that foolish boy, who only knows how to bury himself in books."

Old Madam Li immediately set down her teacup, a smile appearing on her face, though she pretended to be angry. "You're not allowed to speak about my good grandson like that," she said. "He's diligent in his studies, dedicated to his homework. Even if he doesn't come to see me, what does it matter? I'm always thinking about him, and the Ouyang family will rely on him in the future!"

Ouyang Nuan smiled and agreed, noticing the slight paleness in Ouyang Ke's face nearby. She was determined to make them understand that in the Old Madam's heart, her own younger brother was the top priority, and all other efforts were in vain.

Ouyang Ke thought for a moment before saying with a smile, "Grandmother, the courtyard is filled with evergreen pines. If we plant some red plum blossoms, won't it be splendid when the white snow reflects off the red plum flowers? I have a fine red plum tree, I'll send it to you later."

"Indeed, Sister. When we were young, Grandmother personally taught me and Jue'er about red plum blossoms. Now, the decorations in his courtyard are all arranged according to Grandmother's teachings back then. Especially the iron tree in the courtyard, Grandmother personally had it planted the year my brother was born. It's been ten years since then, and this winter marks its first flowering," Ouyang Nuan added, her tone tinged with nostalgia.

Old Madam Li's eyes warmed with a hint of affection. "You mentioning it makes me want to go see it now."

Ouyang Ke was frustrated that she couldn't get a word in edgewise. She had intended to please her grandmother, but Ouyang Nuan stole the spotlight. With her mother, Lin, having only given birth to her and no sons, the Old Madam had always been critical. Ouyang Nuan's constant mention of Ouyang Jue today sounded particularly grating to her ears. Madam Lin must have felt quite stifled by it all. This elder sister was usually not so clueless; she always trusted her mother so much. Why did she suddenly become like this today?

Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly, "Grandmother, there's no harm in you going to have a look. How about..."

"Nuan'er, you really don't understand. How can we let Grandmother go all the way to her grandson's residence? Besides, Jue'er is still studying and not in the courtyard. Why don't you come tomorrow to see Grandmother and bring Jue'er along?" Madam Lin hastily intervened.

Ouyang Nuan smiled even more amiably, "Mother, younger sister personally brought us fine tea, but enjoying tea also requires the right environment and mood. In the painting 'Brewing Tea at the Jade River' by the artist Ding, the tea room is located in the courtyard, under the shade of lush bamboo. Delicate tea sets are placed on the table, and another pot of tea is brewed on the stove. Just by looking at the painting, the fragrance of the tea seems to waft right to us. Considering our home, only Jue'er's Song Zhu Yuan resembles the scenery in the painting the most. If Grandmother is willing to move there, wouldn't it be a different kind of pleasure?"

Madam Lin exchanged a glance with Ouyang Ke. Although Ouyang Ke was unsure why Lin was reluctant to let her grandmother go to the Pine Bamboo Courtyard, she immediately understood her intention. She was about to say something when the old lady spoke up: "I'm not so old that I can't walk. Alright, let's go see that iron tree."

The iron tree prefers warm and humid climates, it is not cold-resistant, and it never blooms in winter. This unusual sight might signify something auspicious, thought Old Madam Li. Seeing that Old Madam Li had made up her mind, Madam Lin signaled to her trusted maid Wang Mama beside her.

Jue'er, your sister will soon take care of all the dirty things in the courtyard for you. With this thought in mind, Ouyang Nuan smiled faintly, approached, and gently took Madam Lin's arm, subtly interrupting the interaction between her and Wang Mama. "Mother, let's go quickly."

Old Madam Li's attendant, Zhang Mama, was always very proper. She went ahead to the Songzhu Courtyard to instruct the servants to prepare for the Old Madam's arrival. However, just as she entered the doorway, she noticed a maid sweeping the floor. Zhang Mama found her unfamiliar and glanced at her a few more times. Unexpectedly, the maid raised her head arrogantly, emitting a cold snort. This behavior displeased Zhang Mama, who immediately furrowed her brows, wondering why the servants in the Songzhu Courtyard were so disrespectful. She scolded the maid, who then turned around, dropped the broom, and hurriedly went inside. Zhang Mama, being an influential figure by the Old Madam's side, had never been treated disrespectfully before, causing her expression to change abruptly.

Zhang Mama walked a few steps into the courtyard and saw a beautiful young girl leaning against a pillar of the corridor, softly reciting a poem. A young servant boy stood beside her, eagerly commenting, "Sister, your poem is so beautiful." Upon hearing the poem, which was "I Wish to Express My Heart to the Bright Moon," Zhang Mama furrowed her brows again and loudly reprimanded her, "Instead of doing your work properly, you're reciting poetry!" The maid turned pale and staggered back into the house. The servant boy, realizing it was Zhang Mama, felt disheartened. He forced a smile and approached, saying, "Madam, you're mistaken. The young master went to school today and isn't in the courtyard. I'm not sure why you..."

"The Old Madam is arriving shortly! Go inform the overseers and quickly tidy up the courtyard. If there's any mishap, you'll bear the consequences!" Today happened to be Qingfeng's turn for duty, the same servant who accompanied the young master on the previous outing. He was taken aback, his face turning pale, and he hurried off to make preparations. But calling it preparations was generous; the people in the courtyard were accustomed to laziness. Even the maids responsible for brewing tea and pouring water were nowhere to be found. Hearing that the Old Madam was coming in person, they suddenly panicked...

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