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

Her parents gave her life, and Ouyang Ming does not allow anyone to mock them.

After hearing this, Ouyang Yu felt very discontent. What was wrong with what she said? No matter how senior their status, they were still two deceased people, and she had already apologized. On what grounds does Ouyang Ming still speak to her in such a preachy manner?

Nanny Li saw the resentment on her young lady’s face and hurriedly came over to support her by the arm, saying to Ouyang Ming, "Third Miss, please calm your anger. Fifth Miss knows her mistake. She has always been a person who respects her elders. She had no intention of being disrespectful to Second Old Master and Second Madam; it was merely a slip of the tongue."

As she spoke, she applied some pressure with her hand, reminding Ouyang Yu not to argue further. Otherwise, should word spread about her mocking deceased elders, her reputation would be tarnished.

Ouyang Yu harbored great ambition, aspiring to marry into the royal family, and understood the importance of a good reputation. Upon hearing this, she suppressed all dissatisfaction and said, "Third Sister’s lesson is correct; it is entirely my fault."

Ouyang Ming had already admonished her and did not want to make things difficult for her any longer. She softened her expression and said, "I was also wrong to use an arrow as a warning. I ask Fifth Sister not to be upset."

She apologized only because she did not want there to be discord among sisters, which would sadden their grandfather.

Ouyang Yu heard this and cursed inwardly: First, you scold me, then you apologize; you are truly hypocritical!

Ouyang Ming knew that Ouyang Yu was resentful, yet she no longer concerned herself with her.

As her cousin, she considered herself to have treated her well enough, never implicating her and teaching her when she made mistakes. In times of her displeasure, she would apologize to pacify her wrath. What more did Ouyang Yu want?

Ouyang Ming continued her archery practice, but Ouyang Yu could no longer endure the situation. She shot a furtive glare at Ouyang Ming and said to Nanny Li, "Help me back."

She then looked towards Mrs. Han, who had been standing not far away, and spoke harshly, "Mrs. Han, are you asleep? As a servant, you must serve Third Sister well. Otherwise, in this hot weather, if Third Sister faints from heatstroke, it wouldn’t be good."

These words not only insulted Mrs. Han but also cursed at Ouyang Ming.

Ouyang Ming frowned; this Fifth Sister was becoming more and more disrespectful. Such sarcastic words, if uttered outside, might unintentionally offend someone, and she would only be harming herself.

Ouyang Ming pondered for a moment and thought she should speak to Grandpa about Fifth Sister’s temperament. While she’s still young, efforts should be made to teach her rigorously. Waiting any longer would be too late.

Mrs. Han heard these words yet remained stoic, respectfully bowing, "Thank you for the reminder, Fifth Miss. This old servant will take good care of Third Miss. Fifth Miss has a delicate constitution; the sun is intense, and you should go back to rest to avoid succumbing to heat."

"What did you say?" Ouyang Yu, not being foolish, naturally understood the implication of these words and became quite angry, glaring at Mrs. Han with hostility.

"Third Miss, Fifth Miss, we, the maids, have been ordered to deliver thank-you gifts to both of you." Two maids, dressed in identical skirts, stood not far away, gracefully bowing as they addressed Ouyang Ming and Ouyang Yu.

Ouyang Yu shifted her glare from Mrs. Han to the two maids, "Gifts? Grandfather has gifts for us? Let me see."

"Yes." The two maids replied, with one of them presenting a tray to Ouyang Yu, saying, "This is a fan for Fifth Miss."

Having just thrown a tantrum and feeling hot, Ouyang Yu removed the cloth covering the fan and began to fan herself. Glancing at the embroidered pattern on the fan, she praised, "The embroidery is indeed excellent, comparable to that of an embroidery master. Grandfather certainly possesses many fine items."

Ouyang Yu was quite satisfied, but in the next moment, her expression changed.

It was because the maid said, "This was sent by Miss Gu from Da Feng Village to Fifth Miss."

"Miss Gu from Da Feng Village? She’s the sister of those few brats studying with Grandfather? Why send gifts again?!" Ouyang Yu was shocked, her face displaying an expression as if she had swallowed a fly. She immediately threw the fan away.

It was truly disgusting. She had again taken something from filthy farmers!

Ouyang Ming frowned at this, walked over, picked up the fan from the ground, glanced at it, and said, "The embroidery on this fan is exquisite, and it was stitched by Miss Gu stitch by stitch and presented to you. This is a gift offered with respect from others, and you should reciprocate that respect. Do you understand how you can just throw it on the ground?"

Even if there are social distinctions, even if one looks down on farmers, one can’t throw away gifts others send. Such behavior already falls short of the decorum expected of a noble daughter.

Ouyang Yu was at a loss for words, aware that she had acted rashly in the moment, but she truly found items sent by farmers revolting. Peasants—what right did they have to send things to a noble daughter like her? Did they think they were close friends?

"Third Sister seems to like this fan very much; I’ll give it to you then." Ouyang Yu was unwilling to have any association with farmer folks. Visiting the countryside to see her grandfather was already a great concession. If she had to become sisters with farmer girls, she would surely go mad: "I’m feeling a bit tired. I won’t accompany you any longer, sister. Farewell for now."

Fearing entanglement with the farmer girls even for a moment, she hurriedly left, taking Nanny Li and her two chief maids with her.

Ouyang Ming watched her leave and shook her head. Xiao Wu’s temperament must change, or else there will be trouble.

She turned to the two maids delivering the gifts and instructed, "Keep your lips sealed. Do not speak unnecessarily of things that shouldn’t be mentioned."

"Yes." The two maids responded respectfully. They dared not talk about Fifth Miss’s willful and impolite behavior, for if they did, they would be sent to the manor to work hard labor, which they could not endure.

Ouyang Ming patted the dust off the fan, sighed while looking at it, and said, "Miss Gu’s embroidery is indeed at the level of a master, with the scenery she embroidered vividly coming to life, and the little wolf on it seems almost alive."

On the fan surface was an image of two small wolves wrestling in a field as red as fire, appearing very lively.

Ouyang Ming admired the fan for a while, then placed it back into the cloth bag before looking at the two bottles of wine on another tray: "Are these for me?"

"In reply to Third Miss, they are indeed for you," the maid replied. "Second Old Master said this is a new type of wine blended by Second Miss Gu and wants you to taste it. After trying it, send a few cups to him so he can also enjoy the taste."

Ouyang Ming smiled: "Alright, I’ll try it, and later you can send the wine to Grandfather."

Her chief maid, Shan Ru, came over, washed two cups on the stone table with clean water, opened the wine bottle, and poured a drink for Ouyang Ming. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

As the wine was poured, a faint fragrance subtly diffused in the air. It wasn’t the intense floral scent but a light aroma of grassy leaves. Just a gentle whiff made one feel like they were in the morning forest, truly refreshing and invigorating.

Ouyang Ming couldn’t resist any longer. She wiped her hands clean with the handkerchief handed over by the maid, then picked up the wine cup, and drank it in one go. The not-too-strong wine flavor startled the senses, "Good wine!"