The gatekeeper saw him and asked with a displeased expression, "What are you still doing here?"
Seeing his attitude, the groom was furious, but reason told him he couldn't lose his temper. At this moment, he couldn't afford to offend anyone in the Bai manor. He could only humbly say, "Please trouble yourself to inform them. I don't want to bother the young lady, but if she doesn't help me again, we'll be sleeping on the streets. We are truly at our wit's end."
"Wait here. I'll inform her for you. Whether the young lady sees you or not is not something I can decide." The gatekeeper was also one of Bai Shuxue's long-time trusted subordinates. Seeing the groom's predicament, he empathized, wondering if he himself might face such a situation one day. That's why he was so willing to relay the message.
When Bai Shuxue heard about this, she secretly felt a bit unlucky. This incompetent fool, who was good for nothing, had the audacity to ask her for money. However, she didn't have the courage to get rid of him. After all, with so many people in their household, making too much of a scene was risky. She could only secretly summon him inside.
Upon seeing Bai Shuxue, the groom immediately kowtowed. "I apologize for disturbing the young lady today. But without your help, I cannot make a living, which is why I had to shamelessly come and beg you."
Bai Shuxue fiddled with her nails, remaining silent for a long time. The groom grew increasingly anxious, yet he dared not ask openly. He could only engage in an internal battle, breaking out in a cold sweat.
Seeing that the time was right, Bai Shuxue slowly spoke, "You must understand that this is the first and last time. You are now common folk outside. I have plenty of ways to deal with you. As long as I'm willing to spend money, there will be plenty of people eager to do my bidding."
The groom's heart leaped with relief upon hearing this. He quickly promised, "Yes, yes, thank you for your mercy, young lady. Our family will live well from now on and will not trouble you again."
Seeing his tact, Bai Shuxue gave a look to the maid beside her. Soon, the maid brought fifty taels of silver. The groom eagerly stepped forward to take it.
Before his hand could touch the money, the door was suddenly burst open. The expressions of everyone in the room changed drastically as they saw the figures appearing at the entrance.
Old Master Bai strode to the table, sat down, and looked at Bai Shuxue with a somber expression. "I want to know why."
"I don't understand what Father means." Bai Shuxue instinctively didn't want to admit anything, as she felt she couldn't bear the consequences.
"You're still being stubborn when death is at your doorstep. What is he doing here? Why did you give him money? Bai Shuxue, don't treat everyone as a fool." Old Master Bai pointed at the groom with disappointment and questioned her.
"It's just because his wife used to serve in my courtyard. I saw that they were quite diligent, and now they are in trouble, so I wanted to help them," Bai Shuxue lied insincerely.
"Bai Shuxue, I'm giving you one last chance. If you don't tell the truth, I will expel you and publicly announce your actions." Old Master Bai issued his final ultimatum.
Bai Shuxue was on the verge of breaking down. She dared not test whether Old Master Bai was bluffing, as she knew she held little weight in his heart. Closing her eyes, she gritted her teeth and finally confessed.
"Why? What else could it be? Jealousy! I've lived in this manor for over ten years, treating you as my own father. I've always tried my best to be perfect, longing for you to look at me just once, but you never did," Bai Shuxue choked out, seizing the opportunity to vent her feelings.
After composing herself, she continued, "I initially thought you were just that kind of person who didn't like daughters. But when Bai Yulan appeared, I realized I was terribly mistaken. She could easily win your attention, and you could pour all your love onto her. I've thought about it countless times these past few days. I wish she had never been found."
"So you conceived such a wicked plan? Did you ever consider that all your years of prosperity and wealth were stolen from her? If your mother hadn't carelessly lost her back then, where would you be? Our Bai family has raised you for so many years. You should be grateful, not be a complete ingrate like you are now," Father Bai truly couldn't comprehend her logic.
Bai Shuxue sat there crying, not out of regret, but because she was contemplating how she would survive in the Bai family and whether this would affect her marriage prospects. She regretted not having planned more meticulously to eliminate Bai Yulan in one go.
Old Master Bai had been contemplating how to deal with Bai Shuxue for some time. Punishing her too harshly would be difficult to explain to his wife, especially since Bai Shuxue was the Empress's chosen wife of the General who defended the country. However, a light punishment would feel unfair to his daughter.
He could only sigh helplessly and say, "You have done such a thing, and I cannot let it go unpunished. You will stay in this courtyard obediently and not step out until you are married."
Upon hearing this, which was equivalent to house arrest, Bai Shuxue rushed to Old Master Bai's side and knelt on the ground, pleading, "I know I was wrong. I beg Father to show mercy. If I remain unseen for too long, others will surely gossip, harming my reputation."
"Rest assured, I will spread the word that you are ill and will not receive any visitors until your wedding." As soon as Old Master Bai finished speaking, he saw Bai Shuxue about to say something else and quickly stopped her, "My mind is made up. You need not say another word."
When Madam Bai received the news, Old Master Bai had already left for half a day. Two burly women were already guarding the entrance.
Seeing Madam Bai, they respectfully said, "We apologize, Madam. The master has instructed that no one is to see the young lady. We are acting under orders, so please do not make things difficult for us."
"I'll just go in for a moment. If you don't speak, and I don't speak, no one will know." She was desperate to know what had happened to her daughter and had no choice but to try and placate the two women.
"There's no secret that can be kept forever. If others see, our lives will be in danger. We beg for your understanding, Madam." No matter how Madam Bai spoke or threatened, the two remained unyielding. Su Dan Novel Network
They knew that if they opened this door, and it reached the master's ears, their entire family would suffer.
Madam Bai stomped her foot in frustration, looking at the two unmovable women, and turned to find the master.
What further alarmed her was that this time, the master refused to see her, something that had never happened in all their years of marriage.
Indeed, Bai Yulan was a troublemaker. In the years before her arrival, although Aunt Yun was the master's cousin, the master always prioritized Madam Bai. Even Aunt Yun's son, Bai Songjie, had always kept a low profile in the manor and never sought prominence.
But ever since Bai Yulan returned, the master had begun to neglect Madam Bai. She was truly a calamity.