Chapter 6: A Venomous Snake

Bai Jinxi had been agonizing over whether or not to tell Banxia about her previous life.

After much deliberation, she decided that this secret couldn’t be revealed! At the same time, Banxia couldn’t be kept completely in the dark about the Bai residence’s predicament.

If she kept everything hidden, Banxia could still fall prey to the same fate as before – being cruelly harmed by a villain.

So, she chose this method, letting Banxia accidentally overhear Yun Moyi and Lu Yian’s scheme.

Although she wanted to protect Banxia, she couldn’t be by her side at all times. Banxia had to stand on her own.

Her previous life had taught Bai Jinxi a lesson: relying on others is unreliable. Only herself was truly trustworthy!

“Guard the gate. Don’t let anyone in, not even Tiandong.”

Bai Jinxi dismissed the servants, ordering the young men to stand guard at the entrance of Yuxiu Studio.

When they returned to Yuxiu Zhai, Tiandong was still gone. It was clear that she was diligently serving her “new masters.”

Hearing Bai Jinxi’s order, Banxia hesitated, then sighed and remained silent.

She wasn’t stupid. She had seen Tiandong’s recent actions, taking matters into her own hands. She knew Tiandong’s heart was no longer in the right place. To continue to deceive herself and speak up for Tiandong would only put the young lady in a precarious position.

“Young lady, why can’t we tell the old master?”

On their way back to Yuxiu Zhai, Banxia tried to adjust her mindset.

She was still angry, but more importantly, she needed to protect her young lady.

“Banxia, I heard my mother mention that Aunt Yun… Yun Moyi has connections. Our Bai family can’t afford to offend her. We can’t cause any trouble for Uncle.”

Bai Jinxi said seriously, making up a reason on the spot.

Actually, this wasn’t entirely untrue.

Since Banxia had witnessed Lu Yian’s secret meeting with the Princess Qingyang in her previous life, it was possible that they had already met by now. It wasn’t impossible that Yun Moyi had indeed climbed the ladder to become the Princess Qingyang’s patron.

Bai Jinxi pretended to ponder for a moment, then said slowly,

“We just need to endure for five years. When I come of age, I can manage the household legitimately. Then Yun Moyi will have no reason to stay here.”

Banxia felt a little reassured by Bai Jinxi’s words, but then she suddenly thought of something, her delicate brows furrowing.

“But Madam Yun said that you and Young Master Lu have a betrothal agreement…”

“Don’t worry. Five years is enough for a lot of things to happen. Besides, didn’t you hear? Yun Moyi doesn’t plan to actually fulfill the betrothal agreement.”

Bai Jinxi had gone over the events of the next few years in her head. She knew what she had to do!

The key was to lie low and observe.

In her previous life, she had been deceived by Yun Moyi’s deceitful facade for five years. As long as she didn’t show any resistance, she would be safe until she came of age.

However, she wanted more than just safety. She wanted Yun Moyi’s schemes to crumble, to see Yun Moyi and Lu Yian fall from grace, never to rise again!

But Bai Jinxi knew that her own strength was far from enough to bring down Yun Moyi.

She needed leverage!

Bai Jinxi remembered a story she had heard in her previous life…

A few days before the summer solstice in the eighteenth year of the Qingde reign, Liangzhou City suffered from consecutive torrential rains, causing landslides on the mountain.

On the summer solstice, a landslide occurred outside Liangzhou City. A woman who happened to be collecting herbs saved the Prince Yi, who had secretly left the palace.

Later, the Prince Yi recognized her as his sworn sister and took great care of her.

This became a local legend in Liangzhou City. Many women secretly envied her for not going out of the city on the summer solstice…

It was now February 10th of the eighteenth year of the Qingde reign. All she had to do was wait until the summer solstice and save Prince Yi before the herbalist. Then she would have a powerful patron.

There were more than four months until the summer solstice.

As long as nothing unexpected happened in these four months, she didn’t care about anything else!

“Young lady, Lu Yian is so dangerous. Should we warn Tiandong…”

Banxia stopped mid-sentence, her voice trailing off.

She remembered the young lady’s order: guard the gate. Don’t let anyone in, not even Tiandong…

Bai Jinxi sighed inwardly. Banxia was too kind. Even though Tiandong had acted so outrageously, she still couldn’t bear to abandon their childhood friendship. If this continued, she would probably be harmed by Tiandong.

“Banxia, let Tiandong do as she pleases. Remember, she’s not one of us. Be wary of her in the future.” Bai Jinxi stood still, turned around, and looked into Banxia’s eyes, speaking seriously.

“But since we grew up together, as long as she doesn’t cross the line, I won’t do anything to her. But that’s all. Do you understand?”

Seeing that Banxia’s only reaction was to breathe a sigh of relief, Bai Jinxi sighed inwardly again.

Alas, so be it. I’ll keep a closer eye on her and prevent her from harming her. As for whether Banxia can figure things out on her own, we’ll see…

“Get out of my way! I’m coming in! Don’t you know who I am?” A loud commotion came from outside the door.

Bai Jinxi frowned fiercely; her gaze sharp as she swept towards the window.

“Sister Tiandong, the young lady said no one can enter, no matter who it is. Please wait here for a moment!” It was the voice of the gatekeeper.

“Then why is Banxia inside? You lowly thing, I’m telling you, you’ll all be begging for my favor soon!”

Hearing Tiandong’s words becoming increasingly outrageous, Bai Jinxi glanced at Banxia.

Banxia, receiving her signal, opened the door and walked towards the gate.

“Tiandong! Master and Madam have just passed away. How dare you make such a fuss! Do you have any respect for them?!” Banxia scolded.

“Oh, so you’re putting on airs now? Who do you think you are? While I was gone, you were gossiping with the young lady!” Tiandong didn’t back down, her neck stiff as she spoke sarcastically.

“You!” Banxia was truly angered. “You’re being unreasonable!”

Seeing Banxia speechless with anger, Bai Jinxi walked over slowly, her eyes narrowed as she looked at Tiandong.

“Tiandong, since you enjoy serving others so much, why don’t I give you to Aunt Yun? It will save you from running back and forth.”

Tiandong was startled.

“Young lady! This servant was just afraid that you wouldn’t have experience entertaining guests, so I took the liberty of helping. Please understand!”

She couldn’t be driven away. Yun Moyi had instructed her to stay close to Bai Jinxi and watch her every move.

If she were driven away, she would be worthless in Yun Moyi’s eyes.

“Oh? So, I should thank you for that?” Bai Jinxi said with a stern face.

“This servant wouldn’t dare. It’s this servant’s duty to serve the young lady and alleviate her worries.” Tiandong quickly flashed a flattering smile, so bright it was chilling.

This person, with her thick face and black heart, was truly not to be underestimated.

She was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.

It was better to tear off the mask and make her guard obvious…

Thinking this, Bai Jinxi suddenly stepped forward and yanked the begonia flower from Tiandong’s hair, scolding loudly.

“My parents’ bodies are still unburied, and you dare to wear flowers and make a scene in the mansion! If you’re not punished for such behavior, won’t people laugh at the Bai residence for having no rules?!”

“Bring someone over! Twenty strokes of the cane! Let all the other servants watch!”