Xue Baochai left Xi Yun Pavilion, unable to stop a pang of regret from rising in her heart.
A few days earlier, Aunt Xue had caught a chill, so Xue Pan had brought both mother and daughter back to Purple Gold Street to look after them.
Now that Aunt Xue had largely recovered, and Baochai truly could not stand her sister-in-law's behavior, she had returned to Rongguo Mansion alone.
Who would have thought she would run into such a farce?
Had she known earlier, she ought to have endured a few more days, rather than getting swept into this turmoil without knowing why.
But when all was said and done, Wang Xifeng was still too shortsighted.
If she had been willing to take the initiative and share this money with the household, who, inside or outside the family, would not have owed her gratitude?
Her position as the Matriarch would then have been as secure as a rock. Would that not have been better than hoarding a pile of silver and inviting envy and criticism?
Occupied with thoughts of Wang Xifeng, Baochai and her attendants said little along the way. As they entered the side gate of the Grand View Garden, they saw someone ahead waiting beside the road with lanterns in hand.
Ying Er, who was leading the way, hurriedly raised her lantern higher. Peering ahead, she called out, "Which sister is that?"
"I wouldn't dare let Sister Ying Er address me that way!"
A crisp voice answered from ahead. The two lanterns immediately swayed toward them, and when they drew close, their bearers lifted them high as Ying Er had done, revealing two smiling oval faces. The one in front was Cuilu, Shi Xiangyun's maid.
Cuilu gave Xue Baochai a slight curtsey and said with a grin, "Miss,