Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1182: Disdain

Observing closely, Ouyang Ming remarked, "It’s good that you know your mistake. You can be willful, but you must not lack respect for your elders."

Her parents had granted her life, and Ouyang Ming refused to let anyone ridicule them.

Upon hearing these words, Ouyang Yu seethed with dissatisfaction. What defect existed in her statement? Despite their lofty positions, they were merely two departed souls, and she had already issued an apology. Why, then, did Ouyang Ming persist in lecturing her so arrogantly?

Nanny Li noticed the resentment etched on her young lady’s face and quickly stepped forward to steady her arm, addressing Ouyang Ming, "Third Miss, please quell your anger. Fifth Miss recognizes her error. She has always honored her elders. She meant no disrespect toward Second Old Master and Second Madam; it was just a careless slip."

While speaking, she pressed gently with her hand, signaling Ouyang Yu to drop the matter. If rumors spread of her deriding the deceased elders, her good name would suffer irreparable damage.

Ouyang Yu nurtured lofty ambitions, dreaming of a royal marriage, and grasped the vital role of an impeccable reputation. At these words, she stifled her grievances and replied, "Third Sister’s teaching is right; the fault lies entirely with me."

Ouyang Ming had already reprimanded her sufficiently and saw no need to press further. Her face softened as she said, "I was wrong too for shooting that warning arrow. I hope Fifth Sister won’t hold it against me."

Her apology stemmed solely from a desire to preserve sisterly harmony, lest their grandfather grieve.

Ouyang Yu listened and inwardly fumed: First the scolding, now the apology—what a two-faced act!

Ouyang Ming sensed Ouyang Yu’s lingering bitterness but chose to disregard it henceforth.

As her cousin, she believed she had shown ample kindness—never dragging her into troubles, correcting her errors, and even apologizing during her own frustrations to soothe the storm. What more could Ouyang Yu possibly demand?

Ouyang Ming resumed her archery, yet Ouyang Yu could tolerate it no longer. She cast a sneaky scowl at Ouyang Ming and whispered to Nanny Li, "Assist me back."

Turning her gaze toward Mrs. Han, who lingered nearby, she snapped sharply, "Mrs. Han, are you dozing off? Servants must attend Third Sister diligently. If she collapses from the scorching heat, that would spell disaster."

These remarks not only demeaned Mrs. Han but also hurled curses at Ouyang Ming.

Ouyang Ming’s brow furrowed; her Fifth Sister grew ever bolder in insolence. Such biting sarcasm, if voiced publicly, could easily provoke offense and backfire upon herself.

After a brief reflection, Ouyang Ming decided to discuss Fifth Sister’s unruly disposition with Grandfather. While youth still offered time, strict guidance was essential now, or reform would come too late.

Mrs. Han absorbed the barb without flinching, offering a deferential bow. "Gratitude for the advice, Fifth Miss. This servant will ensure Third Miss receives proper care. Fifth Miss has a fragile build; with the fierce sun blazing, please retire to rest and evade the heat’s grasp."

"What did you say?" Ouyang Yu, far from dim-witted, grasped the subtle barb instantly and flared with rage, fixing Mrs. Han with a venomous stare.

"Third Miss, Fifth Miss, we maids have been tasked to bring thank-you presents for you both." Two maids in matching skirts appeared nearby, curtsying elegantly as they spoke to Ouyang Ming and Ouyang Yu.

Ouyang Yu redirected her glare from Mrs. Han to the pair of maids. "Gifts? Has Grandfather sent us presents? Show me."

"Yes." The maids affirmed, one stepping forward with a tray for Ouyang Yu. "Here is a fan for Fifth Miss."

Fresh from her outburst and sweltering in the heat, Ouyang Yu unveiled the fan and fanned herself vigorously. Eyeing its exquisite embroidery, she commended, "Superb needlework, rivaling a master embroiderer’s. Grandfather truly owns treasures aplenty."

Ouyang Yu felt delighted at first, but her face twisted in the very next instant.

The reason was the maid’s follow-up: "This comes from Miss Gu of Da Feng Village, gifted to Fifth Miss."

"Miss Gu from Da Feng Village? That sibling of those peasant kids studying with Grandfather? Sending gifts once more?!" Ouyang Yu recoiled in shock, her features contorting as if she’d ingested a fly. She flung the fan aside at once.

How repulsive! She had unwittingly accepted another offering from those lowly rural folk!

Ouyang Ming furrowed her brows upon seeing this, strode forward, lifted the fan from the dirt, examined it briefly, and remarked, "The stitching on this fan is superb, crafted needle by needle by Miss Gu herself as a gift to you. It comes from someone's sincere respect, so you ought to honor that respect in return. How could you simply toss it onto the ground like that?"

Social hierarchies exist, and disdain for peasants is common, yet discarding gifts from others is unacceptable. This conduct already lacks the grace befitting a lady of nobility.

Ouyang Yu stood speechless, realizing her impulsive act, yet she genuinely despised gifts from rural folk. What qualification did peasants have to offer items to someone of her noble status? Did they fancy themselves as intimate companions?

"Third Sister, you appear quite fond of this fan; take it then." Ouyang Yu refused any ties to country bumpkins. Journeying to the village for her grandfather was concession enough. Forming sisterhood with peasant lasses would drive her insane: "I feel weary now. I won't stay with you further, sister. Goodbye for the moment."

Dreading even brief contact with those farm girls, she swiftly departed, bringing Nanny Li and her two personal maids along.

Ouyang Ming observed her departure and shook her head. Xiao Wu's disposition needed reform, lest disaster strike.

She faced the gift-bearing maids and ordered, "Seal your mouths tight. Say nothing about matters best left unsaid."

"Yes." The maids bowed in compliance. They wouldn't dare gossip on Fifth Miss's arrogant rudeness, knowing it meant grueling labor in the estate, unbearable to them.

Ouyang Ming brushed off the fan's dirt, gazed at it with a sigh, and commented, "Miss Gu's needlework rivals a master's, the landscapes she depicted burst with vitality, and that tiny wolf looks ready to leap off."

Depicted on the fan were two playful wolf cubs tumbling in a fiery red meadow, brimming with energy.

Ouyang Ming lingered in appreciation of the fan, slipped it back into its wrapping, then eyed the two wine bottles on the nearby tray: "These are meant for me?"

"To answer Third Miss, yes, they are yours," the maid responded. "Second Old Master mentioned it's a fresh brew by Second Miss Gu for your sampling. Once tasted, share a few cups with him to savor as well."

Ouyang Ming grinned: "Fine, I'll sample it, then have some sent to Grandfather shortly."

Her personal attendant Shan Ru approached, rinsed two cups at the stone table with fresh water, uncorked the bottle, and served Ouyang Ming a pour.

A delicate scent wafted gently as the wine flowed out. No overpowering flower notes, just a subtle hint of fresh grass and leaves. A single sniff transported one to a dawn woodland, utterly revitalizing.

Ouyang Ming held back no more. She cleaned her hands with the maid's offered cloth, grasped the cup, and downed it swiftly. The mellow taste electrified her palate: "Excellent wine!"