CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The spring season had slipped away in the blink of an eye. The trees, once adorned with delicate blossoms, were now bare. The gentle breeze that kissed our cheeks had been replaced by the sweltering heat of summer, painting the world in vibrant hues and suffocating humidity.

It had been three months since Bai Liu's coming of age banquet party. The eleventh month came and went, marking Bai Lang's birthday, followed by Bai Sheng's in the first month of the new year.

Bai Lang sat beside Bai Liu and Bai Nuo, the three of them engrossed in learning the art of embroidery from their training Mama. While Bai Nuo and Bai Lang worked haphazardly, Bai Liu remained focused, diligently embroidering her wedding dress.

During their lesson, Bai Lang couldn't help but notice that Bai Nuo would often drift off, lost in her own thoughts.

"Hey, do you think the Second Prince is already betrothed?" Bai Nuo asked, breaking the silence.

Bai Liu sighed, knowing where this was going. "Nuo-er, please stop. I've told you countless times to let go of such fantasies."

"I haven't said anything wrong. It was just a simple question," Bai Nuo defended herself.

"A dangerous question," Bai Liu replied with a serious tone.

Bai Nuo's frustration grew as she towered over both Bai Liu and Bai Lang. "If you don't want to talk to me, just say it. Just because you're the legitimate daughter doesn't mean you can treat me like this."

Bai Liu couldn't believe what she was hearing. "When have I ever used my status against you, Bai Nuo? I've treated you no differently and I've done nothing wrong. I'm just trying to warn you about the consequences of your actions."

Bai Liu glanced at Bai Lang, silently pleading for Bai Nuo to stop embarrassing herself. Bai Nuo's resentment was evident in her eyes as she shifted her gaze between the two.

Bai Lang observed the argument unfold, realizing that this wasn't the first time Bai Nuo had expressed such thoughts. It seemed that Bai Liu had dealt with this before.

However, Bai Lang remained indifferent to whatever Bai Nou did, as long as it had no impact on her or tarnished the reputation of the Bai family.

Bai Nuo sneered, fixing her icy gaze on Bai Lang.

"She's not as pure as you believe." Bai Nuo hurled the fabric she held in her hand at Bai Liu's face before hastily escaping.

"Bai Nuo!" Bai Liu shouted. "What's gotten into her?"

Bai Lang remained silent throughout the altercation. "Jeijei, what was all that about?!"

"Not something child should worry about."

"Jeijei Bai Lang is not a child."

Bai Liu gazes down at Bai Lang. "That may be true, but there's nothing wrong with being one."

She always made an effort to not boast about her privileged position among her concubine sisters. After all, she had no reason to compete with them.

As the legitimate daughter, she knew she would become the lawful wife in the future. If anything, she felt sympathy for her mei mei who was naive about the world and her other sister who yearned to leap over rocks and climb mount Tai.

Before Bai Nuo could ruin everything, she decided to inform her Muqin. Her marriage was just around the corner, and Bai Nuo chose now to cause trouble.

"What do you mean by that Jeijei?"

Bai Liu ignores Bai Lang's question and continues her lesson. The mama, who had paused due to the young misses' argument, resumes the lesson as if nothing had happened.

Bai Lang wisely kept her silence, understanding that some things are better left unsaid. She carefully packed up her sewing bag after the lesson, glancing in the direction Bai Liu had gone.

Normally, their lessons would continue for another few hours, but Bai Liu had abruptly ended it.

Throughout the lesson, Bai Lang had noticed that Bai Liu seemed preoccupied. She had pricked herself with the needle multiple times, lost in her own thoughts.

It was clear that the eldest Bai sister was in a hurry, lifting her skirt slightly to walk faster without the risk of tripping. With grace, Bai Liu swiftly made her way to her mother's courtyard, unharmed.

"Muqin," Bai Liu greeted Qu Rou Li, her voice hushed. "Muqin, may I have a moment?" She discreetly glanced at her mother and scanned the room, aware of the servants present.

"Speak without restraint," Qu Ru Li declared, her words a clandestine signal to her most trusted servants. She made it clear that within the confines of her courtyard, no information would escape.

Bai Liu steadied herself and spoke with caution. "Nuo-er has developed an unhealthy obsession with one of the imperial princes. Despite my warnings, she accused me of mistreating her."

Amidst the ongoing race for the throne, officials treaded cautiously, this was why Bai Nuo's dangerous thoughts posed a potential threat to the entire Bai marquise Fu.

Qu Rou Li's expression turned ugly, and in a fit of rage, she hurled her cup across the room, startling Bai Liu.

Qu Ru Li was known as a benevolent wife and mother figure to all the children of the Bai fu. The household ran smoothly under her guidance, and she never showed hostility towards the concubines' children, as long as everyone understood their roles and played them accordingly.

But now, this young girl yearns to conquer challenges and soar to new heights. What is her position for her to nurse such thoughts, where did she put the imperial family in her eyes?

With her lowly status, what could she hope to achieve, was this yatou trying to climb on top of Bai Liu head. Qu Rou Li is determined to ensure that she regrets any foolish actions.

Regaining her composure, Qu Rou Li gracefully puts on a warm smile.

"It seems like mother's hand slipped, someone, come, cleaned up this mess."

As she looks at her daughter, Qu Rou Li smiles gently, reassuring her not to worry.

"Mother will have a conversation with Nuo-er and concubine sou."