"Don't talk nonsense, Yu Lan is not that kind of person," said Old Master Bai, seeing her talk more and more outrageously. He quickly spoke up to defend his daughter.
"She's not that kind of person? Then why is my daughter lying in bed? I almost lost her." Madam Bai looked at Wu Caiwei with hatred. If looks could kill, she would have been sliced into a thousand pieces long ago.
"You need to be clear, Yu Lan is our daughter. The one lying in bed is born to someone else. Whoever's daughter it is will naturally care for her. Stay away from her. I believe in my daughter. Besides, even if she did it, so what?" Old Master Bai quickly stood in front of Wu Caiwei, acting the perfect protector.
"She is not my daughter. I do not have such a cruel and ruthless daughter. As expected, the rumors outside are all true; she is a murderer." For years, Madam Bai had not dared to confront Wu Caiwei directly because she could not forget the ferocity with which she had killed someone back then. Now, in front of her, she finally spoke her mind.
Every time she remembered the knife wound in her abdomen, she was plunged into deep fear, and her hatred for Wu Caiwei grew bit by bit.
"You are simply unreasonable. This is the last time. Next time, I will directly place you under house arrest." If it weren't for considering his son and daughter, Old Master Bai truly wished he could divorce her.
"How dare you! My daughter is the future Empress. I am the future mother-in-law of the nation." Speaking back and forth, Madam Bai's thoughts were actually the same as Bai Shu Xue's. She wanted to crush Wu Caiwei under her feet but couldn't help but rely on her.
"Father, she is right. She is the future mother-in-law of the nation and should pay more attention to her words and actions. But I see Mother is rambling a bit now. Is she ill? We should find an imperial physician to treat her. During her recovery, someone must take over the management of the household for her. I think Concubine is quite suitable." Wu Caiwei suddenly thought of a good way to deal with her and was eager to try it.
When Old Master Bai heard that his daughter had spoken, he breathed a sigh of relief and ordered people to confine her to her own courtyard. She was not to leave or see anyone without his permission from now on.
Madam Bai heard that this was tantamount to house arrest and immediately protested, "You ungrateful wretches! You can't treat me like this. Bai Yu Lan, I am your mother. If you abandoned me back then, fine, but if you abandon me again this time, I will go out and speak of all your evil deeds, letting the world know that the future Empress is an unfilial daughter. Let's see how you can still be Empress."
Old Master Bai was furious. The Bai family was about to make history, and he would not allow his wife to ruin everything. He had only intended to teach her a lesson, but now he decided to send more servants to guard her, ensuring she wouldn't leave the door and spread rumors.
Bai Shu Ming, who had just finished boasting to his friends and was feeling satisfied because everyone was flattering him, received news of his mother's confinement upon returning to the mansion. He hurried to his father to plead for mercy. He wasn't worried about his mother but feared that Bai Shu Jie would get ahead of him, as his father had been paying particular attention to him lately.
Old Master Bai looked deeply at his eldest son. If he had known this would happen, he would have kept his son by his side no matter what, preventing him from having too much contact with his wife.
"If you've returned to talk to me about this, I advise you not to waste your efforts. Furthermore, I must remind you that your sister is about to become Empress. We are about to bring glory to our ancestors. If you dare to speak ill of your sister outside or cause unnecessary disputes, I will show no mercy and act against my own kin." Old Master Bai looked at him sternly, his eyes conveying that he was serious.
Bai Shu Ming's burning heart felt as if it had been doused with a basin of cold water. He felt a pang of fear. Although he was Bai Yu Lan's biological brother, their relationship was not harmonious. He had even heard that she had recommended the concubine to manage the household. Recently, his father had been focusing all his attention on Bai Shu Jie. Was he being abandoned? He felt a deep sense of unease.
He had intended to retort a few words, but upon hearing Old Master Bai's words, he obediently agreed, "I understand, Father."
Wu Caiwei felt a little relieved that Old Master Bai had not asked her what had happened from beginning to end. He was, after all, a qualified father, as families often valued sons more.
As soon as Bai Shu Xue woke up, she recalled the events leading to her falling into the water. She quickly asked her maid what had happened after she passed out. Upon learning that her mother had been confined and her brother had pleaded for their mother, only to be reprimanded by their father, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
She believed that if Bai Yu Lan were the one lying there today, her father would have wanted to kill her. Was this the difference between love and not loving?
Was she destined to never receive anyone's affection in this life? Even the general's gentle demeanor towards her was only because he wanted her to befriend Bai Yu Lan. At this moment, she felt a sense of despair, as if everyone had wronged her. The desire to drag Bai Yu Lan down to hell with her grew stronger and stronger.
Wu Caiwei watched Bai Shu Xue, who had just begun to recover, carrying a food box to her courtyard. She frowned, feeling that every encounter with her brought no good.
Bai Shu Xue, acting as if they were old friends, sat beside her and said somewhat sheepishly, "After this brush with death and lying in bed for days, I've thought a lot. Father used to call me ungrateful, but I didn't feel it then. Now I've deeply reflected on myself and feel that jealousy has made me ugly. I felt uneasy lying in bed, so I got up and specifically made some pastries to send over, hoping to alleviate my guilt."
As she spoke, she opened the lid, revealing a plate of uniquely shaped pastries. "I heard you like osmanthus, so I specifically asked the servants to run to many apothecaries to buy some osmanthus. I made these pastries in the shape of osmanthus flowers. Don't be fooled by the small number of pieces; this is the result of my morning's work. I hope you'll try them."
Wu Caiwei looked at her deeply, sensing that her intentions were not pure. Based on her understanding of Bai Shu Xue, how could she have reformed so quickly in just a few days?
Bai Shu Xue became flustered by her gaze and asked nervously, "What... what's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? Can't you give me a chance?"
"I understand your thoughts and have forgiven you. You can leave now," Wu Caiwei said expressionlessly.
Upon hearing this, Bai Shu Xue felt relieved, yet she also sensed hidden meaning in her words. Her goal had not yet been achieved, so how could she leave?
"I don't know if you're speaking in anger or sincerity. Regardless, I woke up so early and worked hard all morning. If you've forgiven me, then please eat one piece to show respect for my morning's labor." Bai Shu Xue smiled at her, gesturing with her eyes towards the pastries on the table.
"I'll pass on the pastries. I'm not in the mood for sweets today." Wu Caiwei sensed something was wrong with the pastries and wouldn't easily try them.
"Why won't you eat them? Are you afraid I've poisoned them?" Bai Shu Xue stared at her fixedly and asked somewhat gloomily.