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“Xin'er, it's good that you came today; otherwise…” Bai Su returned to her backyard with Ouyang Zixin by her side, still preoccupied with the matter of the Matriarch moving out.
Ouyang Zixin smiled calmly, reassured her for a moment, and then took her leave.
Walking along the gravel path in the backyard, the moonlight fell before her. Ouyang Zixin strolled leisurely, showing no signs of worry like Bai Su.
“Miss.”
“Hmm?”
Liu Ying hesitated; there were things she wanted to ask but felt a bit afraid.
“Just say what you want to say.” Ouyang Zixin brushed her hand through the nearby flower bushes, which were so lush. She wondered what they would look like in autumn. It seemed she had missed the scenery of this garden last autumn. Thinking back, she realized she hadn't taken the time to truly appreciate the scenery at home for quite a while.
“Why aren’t you speaking?” Coming back to her senses, Ouyang Zixin noticed that Liu Ying had not followed her and was standing still, lost in thought.
“Miss, you’re taking your time changing clothes before going to see the Matriarch. Aren't you afraid the Matriarch will blame you?” Liu Ying looked at Ouyang Zixin from a distance; her expression was unclear. Even though the moonlight was enchanting, it couldn't reflect her feelings.
Liu Ying had a strange feeling that Ouyang Zixin seemed different since returning from the Millennium Ruins.
“Blame?” Ouyang Zixin chuckled lightly at the words, her fingers lingering briefly on the green leaves before withdrawing. She softly said, “What would she blame me for? Changing clothes before meeting elders is just polite.”
Liu Ying's throat tightened, and she found herself unable to voice any rebuttal. Yet she felt that things shouldn't be this way; what exactly was wrong?
“But…”
"However, when Matriarch wanted to move out and the lady was in a panic, I was just wasting time. Is that right?"
Ouyang Zixin turned around and resumed walking, not caring whether Liu Ying followed or not, and continued, "Some people, when they are anxious, you have to be patient; others, when they are patient, you can afford to be a little anxious. Matriarch is exactly that kind of person."
"Miss, you've only met Matriarch twice. Why are you so certain she's the way you describe?" Liu Ying recalled. The young lady rarely visited Matriarch, while she had spent more time with Matriarch than the young lady had. Why hadn't she noticed that Matriarch was like that?
"Hehe. Perhaps that's the clarity of an observer." After arriving at Yuhai Continent, Ouyang Zixin had maintained the advantage of being an observer. Liu Ying, being part of this household and involved in this matter, likely observed Matriarch with some effort. But she wasn't as perceptive as Ouyang Zixin.
The night was just right, and the two of them strolled through the courtyard.
"Do you think Matriarch will mention moving out again?"
"Perhaps not." In Liu Ying's view, Madam Bai had already been convinced by the young lady and probably wouldn't bring up moving out again.
"If my father returns early tonight, she might have no choice but to leave."
"Why?"
Ouyang Zixin stopped walking. Liu Ying didn't understand; she didn't blame her, as a person's perspective is often related to their status and experience. It seemed that only a few people in the entire Ouyang Xuan's Mansion could truly understand Madam Bai.
After that, Ouyang Zixin did not answer any more questions from Liu Ying, simply walking in silence until Liu Lvy arrived to say that Ouyang Hao had returned, at which point she finally stopped.
Looking at the sky, it was already quite late; something must have happened in the palace today.
——————————————
"Bai Zhan really has some nerve to send someone to the palace." Ouyang Hao was furious and slammed his fist on the table.
Zi Yi stood with his hands at his sides, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings.
"It's late. If there's something to say, just say it," Ouyang Hao glanced at Zi Yi, suppressing his displeasure, and sat down heavily.
"Well..."
"Dad, you're back."
Before Zi Yi could speak, Ouyang Zixin's voice interrupted him. Ouyang Hao was somewhat surprised that his daughter had returned at this hour.
"Xin'er, why are you still awake?" Ouyang Hao masked his anger and stood up to ask. "A girl should go to bed early; otherwise, she won't be pretty." He gestured for Zi Yi to leave. No matter what the matter was, with his daughter present, it was impossible to discuss it in front of her.
However, Ouyang Zixin seemed to have sensed Ouyang Hao's intention early on. She turned to Zi Yi with a sweet smile and said, "Uncle Zi Yi, since you're here, don't rush off. I'll make tea for you." As she spoke, she gave Liu Ying a glance, and Liu Ying emerged from the shadows outside the door, carrying a tea tray.
Seeing Ouyang Zixin's demeanor, Ouyang Hao realized she was prepared and silently nodded for Zi Yi to stay.
"Dad, why did you come back so late today?" Ouyang Zixin asked while preparing the tea. "You go to the palace every day; I have to stand up for Mom."
Ouyang Hao paused and then burst into laughter. "You little girl, teasing your father in front of Uncle Zi Yi."
"Uncle Zi Yi is not an outsider. Besides, I'm speaking the truth," Ouyang Zixin replied sincerely. She had known Zi Yi for quite some time while he served alongside Ouyang Hao and was very loyal; saying he wasn't an outsider was no mere formality. Then, she passed the freshly brewed tea over Ouyang Hao to Zi Yi first and smiled, "Uncle Zi Yi, don't you think I'm right?"
Zi Yi pursed his lips, wanting to smile but deeply ingrained with the distinction between master and servant; he gently shook his head without reaching out or responding.
"Dad..." Ouyang Zixin said playfully, "Look, Uncle Zi Yi won't even take my tea."
"Haha, Zi Yi, since Xin'er offered it to you first, you should accept it. She's right; you're not an outsider."
Zi Yi then reached out to take the teacup, respectfully saying, "Thank you, Miss."
"Dad, you should drink some tea too." Ouyang Zixin turned around and poured a cup of tea for Ouyang Hao.
"Xin'er, you came so late; it can't be just to serve tea to me and your Uncle Zi Yi, right?" Ouyang Hao raised an eyebrow slightly and exchanged a knowing glance with Zi Yi, then lowered his head to drink the tea, preparing to hear what his daughter really wanted.
"Dad, nothing can be hidden from you." Ouyang Zixin chuckled, watching Ouyang Hao sip the tea before saying, "You go to the palace every day, but you don't even care that our backyard is on fire."
"Poof—"
Ouyang Hao spat out a mouthful of tea in shock, staring at his daughter. Then he looked at Zi Yi, recalling that he seemed to have something to say earlier, and exclaimed, "What on earth happened?"
What a joke; a fire in the backyard was no small matter for any family. Ouyang Zixin’s words startled Ouyang Hao greatly.
Zi Yi was also taken aback by Ouyang Zixin's words but quickly composed himself, silently suppressing the smile that had crept up. The father and daughter were engaged in a battle of wits; he would just be a spectator.
"Indeed, the Matriarch was about to leave home. If I hadn't stopped her, I wonder where you would go to find your wife!" Ouyang Zixin’s words were both alarming and amusing, leaving Ouyang Hao at a loss for words.
"You... you... you mustn't scare your father like this in the future!" Ouyang Hao rolled his eyes at Ouyang Zixin, but her words reminded him that he had been neglecting things at home. He hurriedly stood up to leave while instructing, "Zi Yi, if there's anything you can't discuss with me in time, just talk to Xin'er. I’ll go back and check on the lady..."
With that, Ouyang Hao, like the wind, swiftly disappeared into the night... (To be continued.)
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