Old Master Bai originally wanted to find a new governess for her, but Wu Caiwei directly refused. She knew her own manners well enough.
Madam Bai seemed to have a grudge against her. She never took her out when she went out, but she always took Bai Shuxue with her, buying her jewelry and tailoring clothes. These matters always found their way to Wu Caiwei's ears.
Wu Caiwei would just smile and let it go, knowing they were doing it on purpose. If the original owner were here, perhaps she would still care due to her youthful disposition. But who was Wu Caiwei? Having gone through so many lives, what good things hadn't she seen?
Her indifference didn't mean others were indifferent. The steward originally didn't want to meddle. In his mind, the Master was far more important than the Madam. Seeing that the Master was paying more and more attention to the eldest young lady, he hesitantly told the Master of his discovery.
Old Master Bai was stunned when he heard this. He usually pondered matters of the court and had never considered the complexities of the inner chambers.
He immediately sent someone to summon his daughter. "It was my oversight. Forbidding your mother from interfering in your affairs meant you couldn't go out or socialize with young ladies. I'll have a word with your mother and ask her to take you along next time you go out. As for the money for outfits, just ask the steward for it directly."
Wu Caiwei found the idea overwhelming. For her, engaging in the scheming among those young ladies was too troublesome. Moreover, at those banquets, many madams would point and scrutinize her, which was simply annoying. If she wasn't careful, something might happen, leading to endless trouble. It was more fun to stay at home and do as she pleased.
She quickly refused, "Father, you worry too much. In fact, I get news from the servants every time they go out, but I've never been tempted. For me, instead of spending time socializing with them, it's better to give me some money to go into business."
"Don't worry, your father can still afford to support you. There's no need to show your face in public." In Old Master Bai's understanding, girls should stay at home to learn etiquette, arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Appearing in public was something for children from poor families and was detrimental to the reputation of their family.
"But I love doing business, and I'm no worse than men. I know what Father is worried about. To put it realistically, even if I don't show my face and do business, will those ladies and young ladies from noble families look down on me? No matter how well I do, they'll still think I'm a country bumpkin with no upbringing," Wu Caiwei said calmly, stating a truth he didn't want to admit.
"Although it's true, there's no need for us to add insult to injury to your already poor reputation. Besides, if they look down on you, it's their lack of vision." Old Master Bai said this with a clear conscience. In his eyes, his daughter was a rare genius. Any family that married his daughter would surely see their family prosper for another hundred years.
"If Father thinks it's not appropriate, I can disguise myself as a man. I've been accustomed to freedom since I was young and don't want to be confined to the inner courtyard my whole life, burying my talent." Wu Caiwei spoke with such confidence that she seemed to radiate light.
Old Master Bai looked at his confident and radiant daughter, his heart shaken. Under her expectant gaze, he remained silent for a long time. Unable to bear the thought of refusing, he finally sighed and said helplessly, "Just say you're a distant relative of the Bai family. You can't let anyone know your true identity."
Wu Caiwei nodded happily. She knew this was Old Master Bai's greatest concession. Any other family that didn't dote on their daughter as much would never allow her to do something so unconventional.
That afternoon, the steward brought two thousand taels of silver. When the Master had instructed him to give this much money to the eldest young lady for her business and to help conceal her identity, the steward was surprised. He hadn't expected the Master to agree to such a thing. It seemed he needed to re-evaluate the eldest young lady's standing in the Master's heart.
The next day, Wu Caiwei disguised herself and went out with Qiu Yan.
She had been in the capital for so long but had never gone out to stroll. The streets were bustling with people, and various vendors enthusiastically conducted their businesses. Wu Caiwei finally felt a sense of worldly life.
She shuttled through various shops, buying things that caught her eye, but mostly just looking around and inquiring about prices. After all, to succeed in business, one had to know oneself and the enemy to win a hundred battles.
As she was strolling, she suddenly saw two familiar figures. Qiu Yan couldn't help but exclaim, "Isn't that..."
Wu Caiwei placed a finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture. She quickly covered her mouth, feeling as if she had discovered a shocking secret, yet she couldn't help but be curious, constantly peeking behind her young lady.
Wu Caiwei watched Bai Shuxue walk shyly beside Huang Xuefeng, one beautiful and bashful, the other refined and handsome. They were a match made in heaven. It would be a waste if they weren't together.
At this moment, Bai Shuxue had no idea she had been discovered. She said coquettishly to Huang Xuefeng, "Brother Xuefeng, how long will you be staying in the capital this time?"
"I have to set off in three days. Every meeting with you is so rushed. We've known each other for so many years, when can you marry me? Then I won't have to endure this longing," Huang Xuefeng said to Bai Shuxue with some melancholy.
He vividly remembered a childhood incident when his family suffered misfortune. His father was framed and thrown into prison. His mother took all the family's silver to seek help, and he, left unattended, wanted to find his mother but got lost.
He was exhausted and hungry, and in his confusion and helplessness, he met Bai Shuxue, who was like a fairy. She had her servants give him dozens of taels of silver and told him to hurry home.
He stood there clutching the silver, and after waiting for an unknown amount of time, his anxious parents finally arrived to find him. It turned out his mother had spent all the family's silver to finally get his father out of prison. Upon returning home, they discovered their child was missing.
They didn't even have time to rest before rushing out to find him. He remembered his mother crying with relief, hugging him tightly.
Their family's silver was gone, and they had even sold their house, with an agreement to hand it over in six days. They couldn't find a single copper coin at home. It was the dozens of taels of silver she had given him that allowed them to get through the most difficult days. From then on, he kept this girl in his heart. Sudan Novel Network.
Later, he returned to their hometown with his parents but never forgot her. He even regretted not asking clearly at the time where she lived and what her name was.
But heaven favored him. Two years later, he returned to the capital with his parents. While strolling on the street, he unexpectedly met her again. This time, he mustered the courage to walk up to her and ask for her name and address.
Not long after, they returned to their hometown, and from then on, he would often send Bai Shuxue gifts or write her letters.
At first, Bai Shuxue didn't pay much attention. She would casually read the letters and have her maid put away the gifts.