Chapter 98 - 98: Planning Ahead
Chapter 98: Planning Ahead
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Xie Xingyun sat on a rock. From this position, he could see the foot of the mountain.
“Young Master, Fifth Miss Bai and the rest have already left. Then, we…” Xiao Zheng looked at his expression. “Why don’t 1 get someone to prepare for us to return to the Marquis Manor?”
A while later.
“One day late.” The young man’s voice was hoarse from being drunk. “Leave a few people behind here after you leave. If they find anyone suspicious, report immediately.”
There was no trace of the person who had knocked him out the other day. It was as if he had disappeared from Buddha Temple.
Perhaps it was because these few days his Young Master and him had been guarding Fifth Miss Bai, that person did not dare to act rashly.
However, this was also a hidden danger.
Xiao Zheng said solemnly, “Yes.”
As there was no hurry to travel, Bai Xianyu and the others only returned to the capital five days later.
The Kingdom-Stabilizing General’s Manor occupied a large area and was majestic. The stone lions on both sides were majestic.
Green Pearl took a short stool and put it down. Bai Xianyu held her hand and walked down. Her face was exquisite, and her clothes were as white as snow.
However, a few pedestrians gathered together and whispered when they saw her get out of the carriage.
“Is what you said true? I was on the same path as Fifth Miss Bai just now. They did come back from outside the city.”
“Why would I lie to you? A few days ago, when I went to the Buddha Temple, 1 heard from the guards in her residence who accidentally divulged that she was unable to seek treatment anywhere, and had no choice but to pray to Buddha now.”
“It’s really a pity. With her family background, she definitely wouldn’t have to worry about getting married. I’m afraid it’s a little uncertain now…”
Green Pearl vaguely heard something and puffed her cheeks as she glared at those people.
Those people dispersed guiltily.
Bai Xianyu raised her eyebrows slightly and smiled. “Looks like this matter has spread very quickly.”
“Of course. There’s an endless stream of visitors to the Buddha Temple these days. Because it’s close by, most of the people who come here are from the capital. I’m afraid it won’t be long before word spreads throughout the capital…” Green Pearl said. “When the time comes, it will be difficult for Miss to get married.”
Bai Xianyu’s eyes were light. “It’s good not to get married.”
There were fewer trivial things to worry about, and she did not have to divert her attention to deal with her in-laws’ troubles.
More importantly, she did not want to become a tool for the marriage-alliance those factions were fighting each other for. It was even more impossible to drag her brothers down with her.
After experiencing her previous life, although Bai Xianyu hated Emperor Wu Xuan, her brothers, and also him, were as loyal to their country as her in the past.
This kind of attitude could not be changed overnight. She needed to subtly and slowly plan it.
At the same time, she had to make plans for the future.
In the past, it was Xie Xingyun who saved them, so she could not count on him now.
Since Eldest Brother did not raise suicide squads, she would. Only her own people could be trusted.
Second Brother only cared about doing business to earn money and never interfered in political matters. Then, she would go and smooth things over and let Second Brother become an imperial merchant.
While ‘Scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants’ ranked merchants as the lowest, even the Emperor did not dare to neglect that talented first imperial merchant of Great Kui. Not only did he receive silver, but he also had inextricable connections with the princes and nobles of the other countries. He even once monopolized all the trade between Great Kui and the Western Barbarians.
At her level, even if she wanted to search the house and confiscate the property, the person above would have to consider if it would cause him great damage.
At the same time, the dark money must be properly hidden and a portion of it had to be transferred. If that person was determined to hurt Second Brother, she had to avoid the outcome like in the previous life where all the wealth of the entire family was emptied.
Third Brother was smart but too ruthless. He had offended many people, so she often advised Third Brother to accept retainers in his name and nurture disciples so that he would not be isolated in the court and be attacked by a group the moment his weakness showed.
As Bai Xianyu was thinking, she unknowingly walked into the main courtyard.
The maidservants, attendants and guards bowed all the way.
Just as she was about to step into the Pear Fragrance Courtyard, she heard Bai Yu’er’s ear-piercing voice coming from the courtyard.
“No, Miss Yu’er, this belongs to Miss!”
“A bunch of stupid slaves. This is my cousin’s room. This is the dress my cousin said she would give me. What’s wrong with me wearing it?!”
Bai Xianyu stood outside the arched door and looked at Bai Yu’er. “Spring Breeze, Lotus, come here.”
The two maidservants who were being scolded were her personal servants.
“Miss, you’re back!” The two of them ran to Bai Xianyu’s side as if they had seen their savior.
Bai Yu’er’s clothes were torn and in a mess, and she looked at Bai Xianyu with indignation.
Her maidservants were really loyal. After hearing that Bai Xianyu had gone to the Buddha Temple, she wanted to come to her place to get two sets of clothes, but she did not have the chance at all.
Today, she managed to enter when they were cleaning, but before she could get out of the courtyard, she encountered these wretched girls. Now, she was even bumped into by Bai Xianyu.
She was really furious.
Bai Yu’er said, “Cousin, didn’t you promise Grandmother that you would give me a dress last time? Why are you still guarding against thieves now? Are you so petty?”
Bai Xianyu flicked her sleeves and smiled. “Is that so?”
Bai Yu’er gritted her teeth. “Yes!”
“Oh… Perhaps 1 was in a good mood, so it was fine to reward you with a few pieces. In any case, I usually also reward the maids in the residence.”
Bai Xianyu’s casual tone almost angered Bai Yu’er to death.
The latter looked unconvinced and said sarcastically, “Then 1 don’t have to give the one I’m wearing to you, right? You have so many dresses. You won’t lose a piece of flesh even if you lose two pieces.”
Bai Yu’er had long taken a fancy to Bai Xianyu’s dress. It seemed to be as thin as the cicada’s wing and was fairy-like. Today, she was afraid she would be caught by Bai Xianyu’s maidservant, and the dress would be snatched back, so she directly changed into it in her room!
Bai Xianyu raised her eyebrows and said in a lazy tone, “But I’m not in a good mood now.”
With that, she glanced at the maidservants behind her. “Go and take off her clothes.”
Green Pearl and the two maidservants were stunned for a moment and did not move.
If they took off her clothes, how was she going to return to Old Madam’s courtyard later?
There was still a long way to go. She would have to walk for half an hour.
Bai Yu’er widened her eyes and glared at her. “If you dare to strip me of my clothes, I’ll tell Grandmother and let Grandmother strip you of your clothes too!”
She was fierce, as if she was certain that Bai Xianyu would not dare to let anyone strip her of her clothes.
However, Bai Xianyu laughed when she heard this. Her eyes curved. “Strip me of my clothes? Bai Yu’er, haven’t you figured out the situation yet? Not to mention stripping you of your clothes, even if I were to strip of your parents’ clothes, Grandmother won’t dare to let anyone touch me.”
Her voice was wild and fearless.
Bai Yu’er snorted disdainfully and was about to leave in a rage. “Who doesn’t know how to brag? Grandmother is still looking for me for something. I’m leaving.”
Bai Xianyu said coldly, “Catch her.”
Green Pearl was the first to respond, “Yes, Miss!”
When the two maidservants saw Green Pearl move, they also rushed forward and grabbed Bai Yu’er’s arms tightly..