Chapter 10: The Lin’s Counterattack
In Fu Rui Courtyard
Madam Lin’s face looked completely ashen, but Ouyang Zhi pretended not to see. w.a.n.g mamatook the initiative to interfere inside the room before their conversation started, and ordered all of the servant girls to go outside.
Thump!
Madam Lin was knelt in front of Ouyang Zhi, “Master, today was entirely my mistake. I provoked Esteemed mother’s anger!”
Ouyang Zhi stared at her, thinking that at present, he doesn’t want to deal with Ouyang Ke. He shouted coldly, “You! Since you know your mistakes, normally wouldn’t you restrict those lowly servants? Now you speak in regret, what’s the use?”
Madam Lin was filled with grief and started crying. She said in a distressed voice, “Minister Zhi, please tolerate this servant, please let this servant resolve this!”
Ouyang Zhi was taken aback, still filled with hate and regret. He asked, “Do you still have something to resolve?” Could it be… “What happened earlier to Jue’er in the courtyard made you upset, and yet you still feel wronged? Now I recall… You stand up and explain!”
What happened to Jue’er that day in the garden was bad. Madam Lin really might not get away with this matter. She gently wiped her tears and mournfully spoke,
“Esteemed mother was in charge of the matter, so I did not dare speak! Since you have allowed me, this servant will speak of the right and wrong of the matter. A few years ago when I entered the household, a pozi servant girl talked and said that I am simply a concubine daughter who replaced older sister’s position. She claimed that this position belonged to her. I was not sensitive, but Jue’er heard it from somewhere and treated this servant with cold indifference. I believed that it was merely a few ignorant servants wanting to gossip. I thought that since Jue’er is still a child, once he grew up, he would naturally be able to know the truth behind those false words. I thought of these rumors with little importance, and did not dare to trouble Master. I secretly endured it. I believed that this servant’s honesty and purity would stick around far longer than the rumors would. I did not believe… Master actually also doubted me!”
She spoke this dialogue and then cried out in a long, loud sound of mourning. She gently wiped her wet cheeks with her jade-white fingers, and said in a depressed tone, “Master, Jue’er has already blamed me inside of his heart. As a stepmother, I took care of him and served him loyally, but only for him to think that, in the end, my intentions are not good.
“All of those years…
“…I once endured for 3 nights to provide for all of his needs. I put aside entering a distinguished family. Back then, Esteemed mother was aware of the incident and later summoned me. She ordered me to look after the needs of Jue’er. I, henceforth, did not dare to manage Pine Bamboo Courtyard for having feared Jue’er would misunderstand that I had ulterior motives.
“But who would have thought that those servants seized the opportunity to cause trouble and completely make a mess of the courtyard!
“That Xin mama! That servant was like family and served for more than 10 years beside older sister. Older sister personally set her aside for Jue’er. And so, I desired to hand over Jue’er’s household to her. Who would have thought…she unexpectedly consented for those servants to break the rules! But out of all things, she must blame me,” Madam Lin said, crying.
“Even if in this way… Don’t tell me I should let you off for those mistakes!?” Ouyang Zhi coldly groaned, his voice monstrous and full of anger.
Madam Lin knelt down and moved forward slowly. She looked at him while her beautiful face turned as white as a sheet of paper. She was choking on small sobs, and after a moment, she spoke up, “If I were to tell of the insignificant matters, I was afraid my relationship with Jue’er would become even more stiff. I did not dare to take advantage of the burdens that came up. If I could have actually managed the household, perhaps today, none of these matters would have happened.”
She continued, “Master… I was afraid as stepmother to find fault in the people running stepson’s courtyard. This is entirely my mistake. I was considerate to indulge the people that harmed Jue’er. When I meet Yama, he will also not let me off easily! After all, I am only a concubine to Jue’er’s father. I sincerely care about that child!
ED/N: Meeting Yama is referring to being judged in the underworld after she dies
Ouyang Zhi became a little moved while listening to her, and quietly sat down.
Ouyang Ke looked from side to side, showing a small smile and pondered to herself, Father…even suspected mother! He does not have enough evidence, but…he…logically speaking, how did he think it was her? Mother should not have acted like this while kneeling and complaining to Father, but at least she successfully relieved his suspicions.
Madam Lin was crying with a stuffed nose, and looked extremely pitiful.
In a trembling voice, she spoke, “Ma…aaaa…aster. Originally, I came from a Marquis Family, born as a concubine daughter. This lowly life has been attached to Master until death. If Master refuses me, I might as well just go and die at once. I understand myself that I provoked and angered esteemed mother and made esteemed mother unhappy. She loathes and blames me, but I did not dare argue with her! I only look forward to the day that I may also be able to give the Ouyang Family a son. Perhaps then Esteemed mother would also consider me more then!”
Ouyang Zhi had always been aware of his mother’s att.i.tude towards Madam Lin.Laotaitai Liwas dissatisfied that Madam Lin was unable to give birth to a son. Listening to her words, Ouyang Zhi pondered for a little bit to himself. Mother probably made a fuss because of this grudge. Jue’er’s drowning accident and all of the other matters were blamed on Madam Lin because oflaotaitai Li hatred.
It’s to be expected… So, Madam Lin was innocent after all. Suddenly, his heart felt pained, and he quickly pulled her up. He gently asked,
“Are you alright? In the end, why do you do this?”
Madam Lin looked up, and he saw that her eyes were still br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears. His grievances turned into dust. He could not bear to let them stand.
He sighed, “Let it be. I will not allow anyone to mention this thing.”
After sending out Ouyang Zhi, Madam Lin returned inside of the room. A servant girl, Li Xiang, had long ago prepared a few pieces of sandalwood tree bark and warm water for tea. Even though her legs were tired from kneeling the entire day, Madam Lin suddenly threw the water.
Splash!
Li Xiang was frightened, and immediately knelt down. w.a.n.g mama heavily kicked at her feet and roared, “Still not quickly leaving? Scram! Close the door!”
Doooooonggg!
The only three individuals that remained in the room were Madam Lin, Ouyang Ke, and w.a.n.gmama.
Madam Lin furiously spoke, “Both of you! Speak!”
“Whether or not that Ouyang Nuan was the mastermind, for what reason did she suddenly stand against me!?”
Ouyang Ke simply shook her head when it came to Ouyang Nuan’s change. Her older sister’s two lovely eyes indeed looked different. They were too calm and transparent, and on her face she constantly wore a sincere smile. Yet when she spoke, it was indignant and vicious. Ouyang Nuan truly had changed in a way that makes people unable to fathom her.
“Master, perhaps what Eldest Miss said was all by chance. She’s the sort of useless person whose life depends entirely on you,” w.a.n.g mama said in encouragement.
w.a.n.g mama was Madam Lin’s trusted aide. She had accompanied Madam Lin from where she started as a young concubine daughter of the Marquis Household. w.a.n.g mama stayed with her step by step until Madam Lin had obtained her position as Ouyang’s second wife, in charge of the whole household as a madam. As w.a.n.g mama was unable to bear seeing Madam Lin fraught with difficulty, she needed to work hard and think fast. She was aware of how distraught Madam Lin’s mind was at the moment.
Madam Lin rebuked her, “Silly! Ouyang Jue just had this accident, and then Ouyang Nuan’s incident followed closely after.
Esteemed mother and Master both certainly doubt me! The way you handled things are not reliable, if you pull the plant, then you must completely eliminate the root. If, at that time, in the garden…
Ouyang Ke hastily moved forward, whispering, “Mother, when speaking, you must be careful.”
“He…hehehe…” w.a.n.g mama laughed. “Ai, miss, from the top to the bottom, this courtyard’s servants are all Madam’s people. Put your heart at ease.”
Madam Lin’s complexion turned gloomy and said, “Originally, I thought she was stupid, but all of these years I was deceived by that servant girl.”
She pulled Ouyang Ke towards her side.
“Mother, although you are married to father, this family completely disregards me,the concubine daughter. They entirely favor older sister. No matter how many outstanding achievements I have, they only serve as a background to big sister.
Madam Lin showed gentle affection on her face, but her expression quickly changed to resentment. She chuckled, “Why bother with her when you are proficient in the zither, go, calligraphy, and painting? Ai, this child, there is a huge distance in between a bird and a phoenix. Ouyang Nuan is a little sparrow, apart from the eldest daughter status she has nothing to compare with you! That formerly naive and obedient child dares to go against me! Mother will thoroughly end and ruin her.”
Ouyang Ke thought, Mother’s words are meaningful and powerful. I always thought that older sister had a fathomless glance…not sure when her eyes turned so strange.
She mulled over how she would describe Ouyang Nuan. She was uncertain. Ouyang Nuan had a gentle, smiling appearance, and a sweet lovely face. Yet, contrarily, Ouyang Nuan gave off an obstinate, cold aura.