CHAPTER EIGHT

In a quaint, serene courtyard adorned with delicate white flowers, Bai Lang stood frozen, her gaze fixated on the shattered vase lying at her feet.

She observed with a heavy heart as a breathtaking woman, draped in a flowing red gown, wreaked havoc in her path. Fueled by fury, Su Rou Xue seethed at Furen's audacious proclamation that her daughter would be bound to a noble duke's household.

Unable to contain her wrath any longer, Su Rou Xue hurled a vase with great force, narrowly missing her daughter's head, as she stood at the threshold.

"Foolish girl!" she bellowed, her anger piercing the air. The four maids cowered in fear, retreating into the shadows. They were all too familiar with the consequences of provoking their mistress.

Bai Lang observed Su Rou Xue's outburst, understanding the importance of not further inciting her.

Despite Su Rou Xue's troublesome nature, she was still her mother. Bai Lang knew that if she wished to secure a prosperous marriage, she had to tread carefully.

The Su family, while not as prominent as the Prime Minister's family, held a respected position among the scholarly families on the continent. Su Rou Xue, being the eldest daughter, had the potential to become a Furen by birthright.

However, due to her infatuation with Prime Minister Bai during a palace banquet, she caused a commotion in the Su Fu household, forcing Teacher Su to reluctantly marry her off as a concubine.

Despite main wife not having a higher status than Su Rou Xue's, Prime Minister Bai was captivated by the serene and gentle Qu Rou Li and ultimately made her his Furen.

In the neighboring courtyard, Yun Yi savored the warmth of her tea as her maidservant leaned in and whispered in her ear. A mischievous grin played on her lips, and she delicately placed her cup on the table before rising from the comfortable futon she had been lounging on. 

"Let us venture forth and indulge in a splendid performance " she suggested with a twinkle in her eye.

Meanwhile, Lou Meng stood beside Bai Lang, her fists clenched tightly beneath her sleeves. She knew that trouble awaited her, for she had lost control over the miss.

The madam was undoubtedly displeased, as Lou Meng had failed to bring Furen down. Just as she was about to intervene and prevent the madam from approaching, a soft, soothing voice interrupted.

"Oh my, are you not in a good mood, jeje?" 

Yun Yi playfully asked. As she entered the room, she couldn't help but notice the chaotic state of it.

A mischievous smile crept upon her face as she anticipated the master's reaction to this mess. It was evident to her that Su Rou Xue would be confined to her courtyard for quite some time.

Yun Yi had always harbored a deep dislike for Su Rou Xue, who had brought nothing but trouble since marrying into the Bai Fu family. Su Rou Xue, not one to be fooled easily, could sense Yun Yi's attempt to find fault with her.

Taking a moment to compose herself, she straightened her attire and took a seat, forcing a smile towards her unwelcome guest. Locking eyes with Yun Yi, she calmly uttere.

"Well, why are you here mei, mei? And why shouldn't I be in high spirits?" 

Yun Yi giggled, delicately covering her mouth with a dainty handkerchief.

 "Well, After all, the Eldest Young Miss is marrying a duke, of all people" she said. 

Su Rou Xue clenched the chair's handle tightly, resisting the urge to yank at Yun Yi's hair. She knew all too well how Yun Yi wanted to provoke her, but Su Rou Xue refused to succumb to her taunts.

Taking a deep breath, Su Rou Xue regained her composure."This is indeed a cause for celebration in the Bai Household. However, if you'll excuse me, as you can see i am not in good health, so forgive me, i cant entertain you further"

Sou Rou Xue retorted, a subtle hint in her words that Yun Yi had overstepped her boundaries.

It was Su Rou Xue's way of making it clear that she was not welcome any longer. Yun Yi had only sought amusement, with no intention of lingering in Su Rou Xue's courtyard.

She glanced at the sullen face of Bai Lang in the corner and let out a mischievous chuckle before gracefully exiting the same way she had entered, her two maid servants trailing behind her.

Su Rou Xue watched her leave, her expression darkened.As Su Rou Xue observed Yun Yi as she left her courtyard with airy steps, her gaze shifted towards her own daughter who seemed so different from her.

Bai Lang appeared timid and unappealing in her eyes. However, Su Rou Xue noticed that Bai Lang's red cheeks from her slaps, did not accompany the usual tears that would flow whenever the yatou was in her presence.

In fact, there was a chilling expression on the young girl's face, causing Su Rou Xue to take a closer look. But before she could fully comprehend the situation, Bai Lang had turned her face away, unable to control her emotions. 

Lou Meng, standing beside her, caught a glimpse of this and trembled in response. This was the scene that unfolded before Bai Lang's eyes. Despite the joyous atmosphere that lingered since the announcement, Bai Lang couldn't help but view Su Rou Xue as a deranged concubine.

The woman incessantly complained and expressed her grievances regarding the first madam and the engagement for her own courtyard hear.

Bai Lang pondered the consequences if someone happened to overhear Su Rou Xue's malicious words. Knowing Su Rou Xue's lack of intellect, Bai Lang feared that she would inevitably be entangled in whatever punishment awaited her.

As Bai Lang disregarded her, Su Rou Xue grew furious."Ungrateful daughter, kneel down!" 

Bai Lang remained unmoved by her mother's command. The servants watched in astonishment, for Bai Lang had never defied her mother's orders before.

With her typically meek and timid nature, Bai Lang always sought to please Su Rou Xue. However, today was different. Bai Lang shed no tears nor paid any heed to Su Rou Xue's demands.

Lou Meng, attempting to display bravery, tugged on Bai Lang's dress, silently pleading for her to kneel.However, it appeared that on this particular day, Bai Lang displayed extraordinary bravery and remained resolute.

Su Rou Xue's face flushed with fury as she observed her daughter, who defiantly stared back at her. Bai Lang's sole desire was to annihilate this woman.

In her previous life, she had endured unimaginable hardships and vowed not to allow any insignificant concubine to demean her in this lifetime."Niang, what wrongdoing has Bai Lang committed?" Bai Lang inquired calmly.

"Are you not feeling any better, or has the fever driven you mad?" Sou Rou Xue words lingered in the air, pressing Bai Lang to acknowledge her error.

Yet, as he locked eyes with her, it was evident that she wouldn't yield today; her stubbornness knew no bounds. Su Rou Xue was utterly exasperated by her daughter's newfound obstinacy.

In a fit of frustration, she swiftly straightened up and approached Bai Lang with determined steps. Without a second thought, she unleashed a resounding slap that landed on both of the young girl's delicate cheeks.

The force of the slap was so overwhelming that Bai Lang stumbled and collapsed onto the ground, her small frame unable to withstand the blow.