CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Qu Rou Li provided Bai Kang with a detailed account of the situation, leaving Sou Qing and Bai Nuo feeling embarrassed and ashamed.

"Nuo-er didn't intend any harm with her words," Sou Qing interjected, attempting to save her daughter from further embarrassment. However, Sou Rou Xue, who was not present to defend Bai Lang, made Sou Quin more blod but Bai Lang refused to back down.

"It doesn't matter if she didn't mean any harm. I simply asked her to apologize to Muqin," Bai Lang exclaimed.

"She was the one who lost control and started causing a scene. If she can't handle the consequences of her actions, it's not my problem. Trying to gain favor by climbing Mount Tai has nothing to do with me."

"You!" Bai Nuo screeched.

"That's enough!"

Bai Kang turned to Liang Yu and Bai Liu. "I apologize for this incident occurring during your visit. We are now one family, and we shouldn't let these matters spill outside. It won't benefit either side if our in-law relations are strained because of this."

Bai Kang issued a stern warning, emphasizing the importance of keeping everything that had transpired confined within the compound.

However, Liang Yu brushed it off with a laugh, finding it somewhat refreshing. "Don't worry, Minister Bai. It's just a little sisterly squabble. This incident will not extend beyond the walls of Bai Fu.

It's already late, so I'll escort Bai Liu home and pay visit on another occasion," he assured.

As Liang Yu expressed his desire to leave, the atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable. Qi Ru Li was visibly upset, but all she could do was bid her daughter farewell and watch her leave.

Being of lower status than the duke, Bai Kang and his family were unable to detain them against their will when they wanted to depart.

Bai Kang let out an awkward laugh, attempting to alleviate the tension in the air. He saw Liang Yu and Bai Liu off, only to return to the main hall where everyone had gathered. Overwhelmed by his emotions, Bai Kang lost control and struck Bai Nuo across the face.

Bai Lang took a step back, unwilling to get caught in the middle of the chaos. She had already endured countless blows today, and her face burned with pain.

"Never before have I witnessed a young lady in the capital acting as you have in the past few weeks," Bai Kang remarked with a mix of concern and disappointment.

"I have turned a blind eye to your behavior because of your youth. However, if I don't put an end to it today, a greater calamity awaits outside, and it will be too late for my family's reputation when Bai Fu loses all dignity."

"lǎo ye!" Sou qin cried out in fear for her daughter.

"Silence! I entrusted her to your care. What have you done? She should have been raised by the main wife, but I always wanted a harmonious household," Bai Kang lamented.

"But what good have you done? Look at how she conducts herself, prancing around and talking about marrying the imperial prince, even resorting to violence against her younger sister."

She had completely lost her manners and reputation. If we hadn't silenced those unruly servants, where in the capital could she go without being ashamed? Her only option would be to chop off her hair and send herself to a nunnery."

Bai Kang was furious, his piercing cold gaze causing Sou Qin to tremble.

Then, Bai Kang turned his anger towards Bai Lang. "Xiao Lang, who taught you how to fight like a common beggar?"

"Look at yourself, still standing with poise and perfect posture. No one would suspect the behavior you just exhibited. I thought you were smarter than this."

Bai Lang's eyes shifted, never meeting Bai Kang's gaze. No one had taught her.

In her past life, she had to become a fierce tigress in her own husband's house to protect herself from cunning witches, yet she still met her downfall.

"Muqin!" Bai Nuo cried out. " You Were there, Please tell Father that it was Jei Jei who spoke ill of us concubine daughters. Why do I have to take all the blame?"

"Silence!"

Bai Kang shouted, rising to confront Bai Nuo. "Why should your mother speak for you now? Look at yourself. You need to learn when to choose your battles, or else you may bring destruction to our doorstep in the future."

Bai Nuo slumps into her seat, desperately trying to wipe away the tears that threaten to cascade down her cheeks once again. The feeling of hate consumes her, directed towards none other than Bai Lang.

"How should they be dealt with?" Bai Kang questions Qu Rou Li, reminding her that she is still the overseer of the backyard.

"It doesn't matter who was right or wrong, both girls need to face consequences," Qu Rou Li replies with a heavy sigh, as if the act of punishment pains her.

However, deep inside, she is seething with anger. These two girls, these yatou, have tarnished her daughter's long-awaited return home, and she cannot let that slide.

"Send Bai Nuo to the temple for two months," Qu Rou Li suggests.

Sou Qing gasps in shock, tears streaming down her face once more. "Please spare her! How can you send your own daughter away?" she pleads with Bai Kang, hoping he would reconsider upon seeing her distress.

"Enough!" Bai Kang snaps, his voice filled with frustration. "She's not going to die. She needs to learn humility."

Bai Kang lets out a tired sigh as he dismisses Sou Qing and Bai Nuo. "Leave. You have until tomorrow to gather her belongings."

Once the pair has left, Bai Kang turns his attention to Bai Lang. "You will be under the strict guidance of one of the palace etiquette mamas. It seems that Sou Rou Xue failed to properly raise you."

Bai Lang's countenance soured, yet she concealed her inner trepidation. It was a well-known fact that palace etiquette mamas rigorously groomed the concubine candidates for entry into the court.

Those who failed to meet the standards were banished to the servant quarters. The presence of these strict mamas invoked a haunting memory of Bai Lang's past, where her knees had been mercilessly bruised. The mere thought of training under them filled her with genuine dread.

Bai Kang glanced towards Qu Rou Li and Yun Yi. "Please excuse us, I wish to converse with Xiao Lang privately."

Qu Rou Li nodded understandingly and departed alongside Yun Yi. Left alone in the room, Bai Lang and Bai Kang engaged in a tense standoff, their gazes locked in a battle of wills.

"Bai Lang, there is someone I wish for you to meet," Bai Kang finally spoke, prompting his guard to leave the room momentarily. Moments later, the guard returned with an unknown individual in tow.