Finally, Father smiled and said, "My heart knows the path, firm as a rock, unafraid of worldly criticisms or challenges. Ming’er, though you are young and may not understand these words now, if you ever encounter something you believe in but others don’t understand, just remember your father’s words. They will surely help you."

Every time Ouyang Ming thought of her father’s words, she felt warmth in her heart.

Therefore, no matter what others said about her being an orphan girl without parents or brothers, or even that she had a cursed fate destined for loneliness, she didn’t mind.

She had her own path in her heart, unafraid of anything in the world.

"Nanny, the sun is nice today. After tidying up the compensation gifts, let’s move the books, paintings, and other moisture-sensitive items to the courtyard to dry. This will preserve them better." Ouyang Ming said with a pleasant smile, taking out a few sheets of silver frost paper as one of the four gifts and placing them beside the Criminal Law.

Mrs. Han felt distressed. This silver frost paper was also left by the Old Master and was of great value.

But seeing the comforting smile on her young lady’s face, Mrs. Han swallowed her words of advice. After preparing the compensation gifts for Gu Jin’an, the group of master and servants moved the books and paintings to the courtyard to dry, busy but content.

Ouyang Yu, who lived in the same courtyard with Ouyang Ming, saw the scene from her room and snorted, "Drying them out to show off your abundance? They were all left to you by Second Uncle, weren’t they!"

Ouyang Yu felt quite bitter. Although Ouyang Ming had no parents or siblings, she inherited everything from her Second Uncle and Second Aunt while Ouyang Yu had to share everything with her siblings. By the time she received her share, there was almost nothing left.

And grandmother!

When Grandmother passed away, she pitied Ouyang Ming, who had lost her parents, and left half her dowry to her. The other grandchildren only received a box of Grandmother’s private possessions, with no good items.

Remembering all this made Ouyang Yu furious, and she lightly scolded the maid, "How are you waving the fan? There’s no strength at all, I’m sweating here."

"Forgive me, Miss Wu." The maid hurriedly increased the speed of the fan.

But Ouyang Yu was still dissatisfied, covered her nose, and shouted toward the courtyard, "Third Sister, what are you drying out there? There’s a strange smell that’s wafting over here. You’d better bring them in soon, before a storm comes and ruins everything!"

Nanny Li softly advised, "Miss, half of those items are legacies from the Second Old Master and Second Madam. You shouldn’t speak this way; if word gets out, you’ll be considered unfilial."

Although Nanny Li didn’t like Ouyang Ming, as the nanny of Miss Wu, she couldn’t watch her make such a blunder on a major issue. If people took hold of her words, even they, the servants, would be punished.

Hearing this, Ouyang Yu puffed up her face with anger, wanting to lash out but mindful of her reputation. In the end, she slammed the window shut with a bang, preferring not to see.

Shan Cong quietly complained, "Really, what’s wrong with them blaming the smell?"

These items were carefully preserved, regularly brought out to air, and treated with moth-repellent and fragrant substances. How could they have an odor? Miss Wu was just finding fault.

"Shan Cong, stop talking like this. Don’t say such complaining words in the future." Ouyang Ming reproached Shan Cong. After all, Xiao Wu was her cousin, and talking behind someone’s back wasn’t good. If you’re going to speak up, it’s better to do so face to face, gaining a reputation for forthrightness.

Although Shan Cong was dissatisfied with Ouyang Yu, she didn’t want to trouble Ouyang Ming, so she nodded, "Yes, this slave was wrong."

The group of master and servants were busy in the courtyard for two hours. After finishing, Ouyang Ming thought of Brother Cheng and took Shan Ru to the kitchen to personally make two kinds of pastries as a thank-you gift for Brother Cheng.

Thus, late in the afternoon, when Brother Cheng finished class early, he received not only the compensation gift for Gu Jin’an but also four boxes of pastries.

Brother Cheng was overjoyed and exclaimed, "It smells so good! What tasty treats are these? Are they all for me?"

Ouyang Ming smiled, "Grandfather wasn’t lying when he said you loved to eat. These four boxes of pastries, two are for your running-around fee, and the other two are for you to share with Brother Fa and your friends. You study together and need to return together, so you can’t have it all to yourself."

Brother Cheng nodded obediently, "Hmm, Third Sister is right, I was too greedy to think of that. Third Sister is so thoughtful, many thanks to Third Sister."

Saying this, he gave Ouyang Ming a bow. Second Sister had said that if he wanted a good life in the future, he had to get along well with his elder sister-in-law. Although he didn’t know if Third Sister might become his elder sister-in-law, it was right to respect Brother’s beloved.

Ouyang Ming had no brother of her own and in childhood often imagined how nice it would be to have a real brother. Brother Cheng was adorable and well-behaved, and she liked him very much.

"Third Sister, what are these pastries? Did you make them yourself?" Brother Cheng asked, knowing his big brother would definitely ask about them when he got home. He needed to be clear so he could tell Big Brother.

Ouyang Ming replied, "They are Jade Cake and Small Heavenly Crisp. The Jade Cake is a vegetarian dessert made from mung beans mixed with tea, with a refreshing taste and tea fragrance, good for relieving heat. It’s perfect for this season. Small Heavenly Crisp is a non-vegetarian treat made of chicken, a court dessert."

Brother Cheng’s eyes lit up as he looked up at Ouyang Ming, "Third Sister, can I give the Jade Cake to Big Brother? He likes these kinds of pastries."

Ouyang Ming hesitated and said to Shan Ru, "We should have one Jade Cake left, pack that one for Brother Cheng to take home."

She also liked Jade Cake and had planned to keep one for herself, but since Brother Cheng asked, she was willing to part with it. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Yes." Shan Ru returned to the courtyard, wrapped up the remaining Jade Cake, and brought it over, "Young Master Gu Er, here you go."

"Thank you, Sister Shan Ru." Brother Cheng was elated, his eyes smiling in slits, wondering how Big Brother would praise him for bringing back a pastry.

Brother Cheng was eagerly anticipating the praise from his big brother, so he quickly took his leave, "Third Sister, it’s getting late, Brother Wang and the others are still waiting for me, I shall head off now."

"Alright." Ouyang Ming had Shan Ru and Mrs. Han escort Brother Cheng out, helping him carry his things.

Brother Cheng thanked Mrs. Han again and then left, holding the box of pastries.

Brother Cheng was eager to get home and hear the gossip about his big brother, urging Da Tuan on the way, "Da Tuan, faster, faster."

Upon hearing this, Da Tuan quickened the pace, and they reached home in an hour.

Brother Cheng rushed into the house with his parcels, shouting, "Big Brother, Big Brother, your little brother is back and brought you something nice that Third Sister made herself!"