Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1181: Family Background

"Brother Jin’an, you’ve arrived—the teacher is waiting for you." Zheng Qing had returned early the previous day without catching sight of Gu Jin’an and the group. That morning, as soon as he showed up, he learned of their return and stood by the entrance to welcome them.

"Brother Qing." Spotting Zheng Qing, Gu Jin’an smiled, offered a bow, and patted his head, "You’ve grown quite a bit taller."

Brother Cheng had shot up in height too; the little fellow, once barely reaching Gu Jin’an’s waist and stomach, now came nearly to his chest.

Zheng Qing chuckled, returned the salute to Gu Jin’an, and invited, "Brother Jin’an, Brother Dexing, please come inside."

Gu Jin’an and the rest nodded before stepping into the Ouyang household. Thrilled, Gu Dewang whispered, "Brother Dexing, linger here longer if you can, best till late afternoon, so the old man stays too occupied to pester us."

Gu Defa chimed in, "Brother Dexing and the others being here might keep the teacher from us, but he’ll dump triple the usual homework on us—a whole day’s effort wouldn’t finish it, far more exhausting than his lectures."

Gu Dewang’s face drained to green as he smacked Gu Defa’s head, "You jinx—can’t you stay silent?"

Yet Gu Defa’s words rang prophetically true.

Before heading to the study for Gu Jin’an and company, Master Ouyang loaded them with three times their normal homework.

Gu Dewang felt utterly doomed, helpless against Master Ouyang, forced to grit his teeth and endure. While grinding away at his assignments, he shot occasional death glares at Gu Defa.

Gu Defa stayed utterly composed, behaving as though he noticed nothing.

Gu Dewang seethed in rage, while Brother Cheng and Brother Qing dissolved into wild laughter.

...

Within the study, Master Ouyang gazed at the wine and ham Gu Jin’an had brought, letting out a chuckle, "You deliver such lavish gifts each time—I scarcely dare accept. The Dou Family lad told me this ham’s price has climbed again."

That Dou Family boy excelled at hawking wares; prime goods flew off his hands at golden rates.

Meeting Master Ouyang’s eyes, Gu Jin’an explained, "These repay two life-saving deeds, so their cost is fitting. Please take them, sir."

"Two life-saving acts?" Master Ouyang eyed Gu Jin’an, mulled it over, then grinned, "Ah, spot on as ever, sharp one. My third granddaughter’s always upheld justice since childhood; stumbling on your robbery, she naturally stepped in to save you."

Ouyang Ming had called upon the Ouyang Family’s Shadow Guards for the rescue, impossible to conceal from Master Ouyang, so he confessed to aiding Gu Jin’an and his group right upon their meeting.

"So the girl who rescued us that day was truly Master Ouyang’s granddaughter." Qi Kangming and his companions gasped in surprise, aware only of her Ouyang name, never suspecting she belonged to Master Ouyang’s own lineage.

Master Ouyang flicked his hand dismissively, "A mere trifle—no need to dwell on it."

"Yes, as you say," Gu Jin’an and the others responded, mindful of male-female propriety, knowing it improper to prattle on about Miss Ouyang.

Still, Gu Jin’an cleverly presented the thank-you gifts for the two Miss Ouyangs, framing it as: "Our sisters back home send these to the two Miss Ouyangs—freshly brewed drinks Xiao Yu prepared specially for Third Miss. Hope they’re not too modest, sir."

"Oh, Xiao Yu’s whipped up new flavored drinks again—excellent!" Master Ouyang, who relished fine cuisine and beverages alike, keenly desired a taste upon hearing this. Yet destined for his third granddaughter, he refrained from claiming any before her trial.

So he summoned two maids: "Deliver these gifts to Third Miss and Fifth Miss."

"Yes." The maids acknowledged, each taking one present as they departed for the inner quarters.

...

Deep in the rear residence, Ouyang Ming honed her archery skills amid the garden.

Ding, ding, ding!

Sharp reports of long arrows piercing the bullseye rang out, with all three striking true in the crimson center.

Ouyang Ming beamed with satisfaction at her precision. Watching closely, Ouyang Yu scowled and commented, "Third Sister, with archery practice at dawn each day, do you aim to clash with the Rong people on the battlefield?"

Ouyang Yu’s tone rang soft and refined, but the sarcasm and irritation laced clearly through for all to catch.

Familiar with her disposition, Ouyang Ming skipped the quarrel and answered, "If duty calls, what harm in charging to the frontlines to slaughter Rong foes?"

The Da Rong Army had overrun Longshan Prefecture, staining it blood-red, stirring every Great Chu soul who heard to crave war and vengeance against the Rong horde.

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Yu knitted her brows and remarked, "Third Sister, you really wish to head to the battlefield? That’s a task for men. We ladies from noble houses ought to remain secluded in the inner chambers, mastering etiquette, blending fragrances, stitching embroidery, overseeing household duties, and readying ourselves for marital alliances."

Though raised side by side, Ouyang Yu simply couldn’t grasp her third cousin’s mindset. She viewed Ouyang Ming as peculiar—a refined noble lady had no business riding horses; she must have been born into the wrong form, fated to live as a man.

Family alliances?

Ouyang Ming let out a laugh in response, "Just joining in family alliances will do. The great noble clans, imperial nobility, and elite officials in the Capital likely wouldn’t select me anyhow."

A sharp whoosh echoed as an arrow soared forth, unerring and precise, striking the bullseye dead on.

Ouyang Yu grinned briefly at the words but promptly hid her smile, "Third Sister, you’re thinking too highly of the odds. As the rightful granddaughter of the Ouyang family, even though your parents departed young and you lack brothers for support, your destiny appears a bit meager—yet, being your grandfather’s direct lineage and cherished by Great Uncle, securing a fine noble match later on remains feasible."

She let out a sigh, "What a shame Second Uncle and Second Aunt left us too soon. If only they’d lingered a few years longer, Third Sister might have shone as the Capital’s brightest noble lady."

Reflecting on her third cousin’s circumstances, Ouyang Yu felt a surge of superiority. Hmph, no matter her beauty, skills, or talents, without parents or siblings, no young aristocrat would take her as a wife.

True scions from noble houses and sons of high officials wed ladies backed by fathers and brothers for lifelong aid; wedding Ouyang Ming offered no such backing, rendering it pointless.

Whoosh!

An arrow whistled right by Ouyang Yu, slamming deep into the tree trunk behind her.

Ouyang Yu paled in terror, grasping what happened, and shrieked in accusation at Ouyang Ming, "Ouyang Ming, you—you truly mean to kill me!"

Nanny Li along with Ouyang Yu’s two personal maids trembled with fear, their knees buckling, but as mere servants, they couldn’t challenge Ouyang Ming.

"Fifth Sister, you must be jesting. You’re my dear cousin, and I’ll shield you forever as family. This shot was merely a warning against slighting the departed ancestors." Ouyang Ming’s gaze pierced like arrows, locking onto Ouyang Yu, "My parents aren’t topics for you to discuss."

Her mother had perished in childbirth, and while her father was gone too, faint memories lingered of his tender care—guiding her tiny hand to grip the brush and form characters, staying vigilant through feverish nights without rest.

Aware of her blunder, Ouyang Yu refrained from retorting and humbly begged pardon from Ouyang Ming, "Third Sister, please quell your anger; it was my error."