CHAPTER NINE

Su Rou Xue couldn't bear witnessing her daughter's newfound stubbornness any longer. In a sudden surge of anger, she straightened her posture and approached Bai Lang, delivering a forceful slap to both of her delicate cheeks.

The impact was so strong that Bai Lang stumbled and fell to the ground. Su Rou Xue's voice grew sharper as she exclaimed, "Impudent!"

Lou Meng, startled by concubine Su Rou Xue's sudden display of violence, recoiled in fear, distancing herself from Bai Lang as she tumbled over.

Bai Lang, consumed by anger, felt a fire burning within her, but she was powerless. Su Rou Xue's control over everyone in the courtyard made it impossible for Bai Lang to retaliate.

For now, she had no choice but to endure the abuse. However, she refused to accept her fate as a mere punching bag for a deranged concubine.

Bai Lang couldn't help but notice that not a single servant dared to come to her aid during the ordeal. Even Lou Meng, who had witnessed the abuse, gazed at Bai Lang with a peculiar expectation.

Once Su Rou Xue had inflicted enough bruises on Bai Lang, she suddenly burst into tears, apologizing and pulling Bai Lang into a tight embrace.

It was a familiar pattern - first the hit, then the curse, followed by an attempt to comfort, all while blaming it on Qu Rou Li. Bai Lang remained silent throughout the entire ordeal. "Xiao Lang, mother's love for you is immeasurable.

I never wanted to lay a hand on you, but that despicable woman in the main seat has stolen everything from us. Remember this, Xiao Lang, everything in Bai Liu's possesses rightfully belongs to you.

You must be smarter and stop pretending to get along with these deceitful people in the courtyard."

Bai Lang remained silent, hoping that Su Rou Xue would soon grow tired and allow her to return to her own room.

Su Rou Xue let out a weary sigh as she continued speaking, gently rubbing Bai Lang's back. "Listen, everything your mother does is for the sake of securing your future. Your so-called main mother will never care for you like I do. Remember this, Xiao Lang.

It seemed that Su Rou Xue was growing exhausted, as she pushed Bai Lang away from her embrace.

"Lou Meng, please escort your young miss back to her courtyard and tend to her wounds," she said, dismissively signaling Bai Lang to leave her presence.

As Bai Lang left her mother's room, she could hear Su Rou Xue instructing the servants to clean up the mess she had caused, while she entered her inner room, complaining of an impending headache.

***

In the tranquil haven of her inner chambers, Bai Lang savored the succulent flavors of exotic fruits from her homeland.

As the sun began to sink lower in the sky, Lou Meng suddenly appeared, bearing news of an unexpected visitor. Bai Long, clad solely in her comfortable undergarments, felt a wave of laziness wash over her, dissuading her from making the effort to change and properly welcome the uninvited guest.

"Allow her to enter." 

Despite Bai Lang being born a concubine, she was still considered a young lady of the Bai household, and the other concubines were expected to show her respect. As Yun Yi stepped into the inner room, her eyes immediately fell upon Bai Lang, who was reclining on a futon. 

The young girl was dressed in a flowing, blue inner robe that seemed to make her appear as light as a feather. Her waist-long, jet-black silk hair cascaded around her, and her skin was as fair and smooth as milk.

With her rosy lips, it almost seemed as if they had been painted. She delicately indulged in some fruit from a nearby bowl. Yun Yi had always admired Bai Lang's beauty, even at the tender age of twelve.

She couldn't help but imagine how breathtaking she would become as she grew older. It was the reason why Yun Yi treated this concubine's daughter kindly, despite her disdain for her mother.

Yun Yi could sense that the master had plans for this young girl, as no discussions of marriage had been presented for her, even though she was the most beautiful yatou in the Bai household.

Yun Yi's smile bloomed as she settled into the seat opposite Bai Lang. "It seems, fourth miss, that you left the mosquito net down, there are red marks on your cheeks.

They appear rosy," she gently inquired, her eyes casting downwards, feigning innocence and docility.

This kind of act could easily deceive her father and the old Bai Lang, but Bai Chen, who was accustomed to the inner court's battles, did not take Yun Yi's innocent probing lightly.

Bai Lang covered her mouth and leaned forward, spitting out the fruit seeds. Lu Meng swiftly retrieved a bowl and handed a handkerchief to Bai Lang, allowing her to wipe her mouth.

Bai Lang's movements were neither rushed nor sluggish, but rather carried the elegant grace ingrained in her since childhood.

As the esteemed legitimate daughter of a duke's household, Bai Chen had been trained in the four arts, and even though she had been reborn, everything she had learned from the palace mamas remained deeply rooted within her.

Yun Yi observed with admiration as Bai Lang gracefully adjusted her posture, her innocent eyes fixed upon her.

Despite Yun Yi's friendly demeanor, her mind couldn't help but wonder if Su Rou Xue had a retired palace mama secretly teaching Bai Lang these refined mannerisms.

Bai Lang glanced back at Yun Yi, a mischievous smirk forming on her lips. "Mosquitoes, aren't they pesky creatures?" she remarked softly and innocently in the tranquil room.

"These bothersome insects keep appearing, buzzing around and disturbing the serenity of my courtyard," Bai Lang continued, her gaze shifting towards the vivid red jade bangle adorning her delicate wrist.

Despite her dislike for Su Rou Xue, she couldn't deny that she was still the mother of this body.

Although Su Rou Xue had a fiery temper, she believed that the woman loved Bai Lang in her own way.

It was just her obsession with becoming the main wife in her father's heart that had driven her to occasional madness.

On the other hand, her grandmother from her maternal family had a deep affection for Bai Lang. From the memories she had gained in this body, she recalled how her maternal family always welcomed Bai Lang whenever she visited with her mother.

Her maternal grandmother would often admonish her mother's behavior and remind Bai Lang that her mother was still immature, urging her to forgive her spoiled upbringing.

Yun Yi's smile froze on her face, taken aback by the words of the young girl before her. Had she just been called an annoying bug? Gripping the handkerchief tightly in her hands, she pondered when Bai Lang had changed.

She had always relied on Yun Yi for support, seeking comfort whenever Su Rou Xue had unleashed her cruel attacks.

With a hint of unfamiliarity in her voice, Yun Yi finally responded, "Perhaps you should find a repellent to keep mosquitoes away."