CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Su Rou Xue was no fool; she was well aware of her position in his heart, and as long as she didn't overstep his boundaries, he treated her well. He conveniently turned a blind eye to her constant quarrels with Qu Rou Li.

But she knew that Bai Kang would never replace Qu Rou Li with her as the main wife.

Bai Lang couldn't understand what Su Rou Xue was whispering, but he could only imagine that it was nothing pleasant.

"Niang?" Bai Lang cautiously entered the room, knowing that Su Rou Xue wouldn't leave without a confrontation.

"Xiao-Lang!" Su Rou Xue appeared on the verge of losing her composure. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for over an hour!"

"I was with grandfather," Bai Lang replied, carefully observing Su Rou Xue's reaction.

Her face contorted with a mix of dread and fear, Bai Lang could see that Su Rou Xue had already jumped to her own conclusions. Su Rou Xue may have been foolish, but she understood how that sly old man operated. If he had summoned Bai Lang, it meant he knew something.

"Oh, really?" Su Rou Xue stammered, her voice trembling. "Why did he call you?"

"To play chess," Bai Lang replied innocently.

"Chess? Did you talk to him about what mother told you?"

Bai Lang turned her head away, avoiding Su Rou Xue's gaze. "Grandfather didn't ask about my mother, but he did inquire about our aunt and cousin," she said nonchalantly.

Bai Lang knew that even revealing this much would send Su Rou Xue into a state of anxiety. Good for her, Bai Lang thought to herself. It was about time Su Rou Xue learned to sever ties with our manipulative grandfather.

Su Rou Xue's countenance dropped, her face reflecting a sense of impending sickness.

"Your Biaojie will be arriving tomorrow. Mother won't be able to entertain all of you and accompany your Biaojie. Mother shall take her leave now," she uttered.

"Yes, Niang," Bai Lang responded, waiting for Su Rou Xue to exit before revealing her disapproving expression. A sour taste filled her mouth, as if she had ingested a lemon. Being in the presence of sou Tan Mei was proving to be a challenge for Bai Lang.

With a desolate demeanor, Bai Lang gazed pitifully out of the window. She remained resolute in pursuing the life she had always yearned for, but now she realized that the path ahead would be even more arduous.

Once Bai Lang departed from Bai Si's courtyard, the old man summoned another individual in the room. "What are your thoughts?" Bai Si inquired.

"She possesses quite the unique character. I never anticipated your granddaughter to respond in such a manner," a voice filled with wisdom and age responded. Just by listening to him speak, one could discern his wisdom.

"Is she deserving of instruction?"

"Without a doubt. She possesses immense potential, and I am the only one who can unlock it. I have full confidence that in three to four years, she will become a valuable asset, even to our allies."

"Do remember that I have another granddaughter."

"She, on the other hand, lacks substance."

Bai Si chuckles once more. "I will make the necessary preparations. Once the obstacle has been removed, Bai Lang will be entrusted to your guidance."

Bai Lang casually sipped her tea, observing Sou Tan Mei squirming uncomfortably next to her.

Sou tan mei and Sou Madam arrived at Bai Fu bright and early, completely disregarding the fact that the residents might still be asleep.

Bai Lang felt her eyes twitch in irritation and stifled a yawn with her hand. It was far too early in the morning for her to be awake.

The silence in the room had lingered for almost thirty minutes now. Bai Lang, the reluctant host, made no effort to offer any hospitality. Sensing a momentary lapse in Bai Lang's demeanor, Sou Madam took the opportunity to criticize her.

"What a disgraceful display, Bai Lang. Weren't you raised better? Just look at your Biaojie." Sou Madam gestured towards Su Tan mei.

The young girl, Su Tan mei, continued to fidget in her seat, causing tea to spill onto her dress sleeve.

"How graceful!" Bai Lang drawled sarcastically.

Sou Madam coughed, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"I apologize for my lack of manners. It was such an early morning that I had to rise before the sun. Jiumu, you wouldn't blame Xiao Lang for being tired, would you?"

Bai Lang blinked innocently, as if she hadn't just uttered the words that sou Madam had caused her to lose sleep.

Sou Madam choked on her tea, desperately coughing to clear her lungs of the liquid.

"Oh, don't worry, I won't hold it against you. Jiumu can provide you with a remedy for your sleep troubles," Sou Madam said, trying to alleviate the awkwardness of the moment.

"How kind of you, jiumu. Your niece just needs some more rest," Bai Lang responded, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Despite Sou Madam's attempts to steer the conversation elsewhere, she couldn't help but glare at Bai Lang, placing the blame squarely on her.

Silent and unwilling to engage with Bai Lang any longer, Sou Madam silently labeled her an unruly child in her mind.

"Just wait and see," Sou Madam muttered to herself, elbowing her daughter, Sou Tan Mei, in the side. She could tell her daughter was feeling nervous.

Sou Tan Mei coughed lightly, catching on to her mother's subtle gestures. "Biaomei, I didn't get a chance to see your garden last time. Would you be willing to show me around?"

With a gleeful expression, Sou Madam eagerly expressed her approval. "Yes, yes. Bai Lang, show your Biaojie around. She needs to familiarize herself with the manor."

Biaojie, Bai Lang questioned, "Why does she need to get used to the manor? Sou Tan Mei is just a guest, not marrying into the family."

Sou Madam clenched her teeth and glanced at her unusually quiet daughter.

"Rou Xue?" Madame Su whispered to her, nodding towards Bai Lang.

"Does jiumu have a problem with your neck?" Bai Lang asked when the woman used her head to indicate at her.

"Bai Lang!" Su Rou Xue shouted. "Your Biaojie is our guest, Sou Rou xue emphasize the word guest. Luo Shi did not miss it and she clenched her hand around her tea cup, displeased with a sour expression. Ignoring her, Rou Xue gave Bai Lang a meaningful look.

Take her on a tour."

"Daughter understands," Bai Lang replied, getting up from her seat. "Biaojie, please follow me."