CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Madam Sou waited until the girls were no longer in sight or earshot before inquiring, "Is the room prepared?"

Su Rou Xue replied, "I have arranged the west room near the main hall. Sometimes Bai Sheng uses it to rest. "

What she failed to mention was how she had called Bai Kang the previous night and tearfully admitted to going along with her brother's idea, pretending to be innocent as she sobbed uncontrollably.

It had seemed as though she hadn't even considered the idea but now her her father-in-law frightened her away.

Clearing her throat, Su Rou Xue looked at her sister-in-law, wanting to emphasize that it wasn't her fault and she didn't want to betray her maternal family.

However, she had to prioritize her own safety and that of her daughter, just as Bai Lang had advised her. Only Bai Lang could help Su Rou Xue after she found a good marriage.

"How will you manage to get Bai Sheng into the room?" she asked after a brief pause.

Madam Sou simply chuckled, knowing that everything was going according to her plan. "I will take care of that," she replied confidently.

Looking down on Su Rou Xue, she considered her sister-in-law to be nothing more than an empty-headed individual. After all, despite being married into the Bai family for a long time, Su Rou Xue remained an insignificant concubine.

Clicking her tongue in displeasure, Luo-shi couldn't help but think that her sister-in-law was stunningly beautiful. It was the only reason why she had been accepted as a concubine by the Marquise Bai fu, in the hopes of gaining some advantage for their family.

But now, as she watched her sister-in-law's insolent child, Bai Lang, Luo shi couldn't help but express her disappointment.

"Never mind that," Luo shi said, her voice filled with frustration. "How is it possible for you to have given birth to such a disrespectful child? Don't you teach her any manners or respect? A son would have been so much better. Well, you're still young, so it could still happen."

***

Bai Lang led Sou Tan Mei along the familiar path once again. As they walked through the gardens, they came across Yun Yi.

"Yun Yi Niang," Bai Lang greeted.

Yun Yi nodded, her gaze shifting towards the young girl standing beside Bai Lang. "And who is this?"

"My Biaojie, Sou Tan Mei of the," Bai Lang introduced.

Sou Tan Mei stood still, refusing to move an inch to greet Yun Yi, recalling her mother's words about being superior to a concubine.

"What a disrespectful child. Even dogs have more manners than you," Yun Yi remarked sharply.

Sou Tan Mei's face turned pale, her mind racing for a response. "Sou Tan Mei greets Furen," she finally managed to say.

"Don't address me as madam. Only Furen is worthy of that title," Yun Yi corrected coldly.

Yun Yi had always despised Sou Rou Xue and anything associated with her. "Now even any random stray animal can come and go as it pleases," she remarked with disdain before adding.

"When spring has passed, the birds no longer sing to it," Yun Yi said, effectively implying that it was too late for Sou Tan Mei to offer her greetings.

Bai Lang had no positive opinion of Yun Yi, but the same could be said for Sou Tan Mei. She allowed Yun Yi's berating to continue before stepping forward herself.

"My apologies to Yun Yi Niang. My sister has lived in the countryside and is not familiar with the customs of a prestigious household."

Sou Tan Mei's voice trembled as she tries to apologized.

"As expected. One cannot expect a dog to speak words of wisdom," Yun Yi sneered, insinuating that Sou Tan Mei was unworthy of any respect.

Sou Tan Mei felt the urge to slap Yun Yi's face, infuriated that a mere concubine would dare to call her a dog.

Yun Yi glared at Bai Lang with contempt.she wouldn't dare to she speak to Bai Lang in such a manner? After all, Bai Lang was still the third young miss of the Bai marquise.

But she couldn't let her frustration go unnoticed. With a huff, she turned and walked away, accompanied by her two servant girls.

"Who does that concubine think she is?" Sou tan mei sneered, Bai Lang stood watching Sou Tan Mei embarrass herself in front of her servants.

The servants were already gossiping behind Sou Tan's back, calling her uncouth, vulgar, and lacking in manners.

Did Sou Tan Mei not realize that a concubine of a marquise and vice Minister of the courts was worth more than the wife of a sixth official?

"Would you like to continue or go back to the main hall, Biaojie?" Bai Lang interrupted, breaking the tirade.

"Continue!" Sou Tan Mei exclaimed. Her mother had briefed her on what to expect. "I've only seen the garden. The Bai manor is enormous. I must see more."

Bai Lang led the way, despite both of them growing tired. Each time Bai Lang suggested taking a break or returning, Sou Tan Mei made up an excuse.

Since morning, Sou Tan Mei had been trying to catch a glimpse of Bai Sheng, but to no avail.

Bai Lang purposely avoided the areas where Bai Sheng usually spent his time. She enjoyed teasing Sou Tan Mei by making her overhear someone calling Bai Sheng, only to quickly move to another area.

Now, Bai Lang brought Sou Tan Mei back to the room where her jiumu and Su Rou Xue were waiting.

"Bai Lang, take Sou Tan Mei to the room on the west side. Look at her, she needs some rest and a change of clothes."

Sou Tan Mei's exhaustion was evident. Her hair clung to her face, as if it were a second skin, and her body glistened with sweat under the afternoon sun.

As Bai Lang led Sou Tan Mei to the west side room, they passed by a male servant who seemed oddly familiar. Bai Lang raised an eyebrow but quickly disregarded it.

Leaving Sou Tan Mei in the room with the maidservant she brought along, Bai Lang was surprised to see Bai Sheng outside.

"Gege?" Bai Lang exclaimed. She had no idea that Sou Rou Xue had informed her father about everything, and that Bai Kang had decided to let things unfold in order to catch Lo-shi and her uncle. Bai Lang's surprise was genuine.