"Bai Lang, my dear mei mei," Bai Liu spoke with a gentle and submissive tone. Bai Liu and Bai Nuo stood up to welcome her, each taking her hand to guide her to a seat. "Little sister, I am glad to see you feeling better. But why are you outside? Concubine Mother Su said you are still unwell."

As the older sister and the legitimate daughter, Bai Liu strived to maintain a good relationship with her half-siblings who were born from concubines. She didn't see any difference between herself and them, except that they had different mothers. Bai Lang couldn't decide if Bai Liu was genuinely sweet or simply naive. Having gained knowledge of what had transpired in the main house just moments ago, Bai Lang suspected that Su Rou Xue, her stepmother, wanted to exaggerate her illness and find someone to blame for it.

The most likely target or scapegoat would be Qu Rou Li. Bai Lang had no intention of siding with Su Rou Xue. In her previous life, she had blindly trusted her concubine mother, even though she had taken the place of Bai Lang's biological mother as the first wife after her death. The woman had always been excessively sweet to Bai Lang, never revealing her true intentions. Eventually, Bai Lang had followed her mother's plan into a marriage that led to her demise. In this life, she was still a young noble miss, albeit born from a concubine, but she refused to waste this opportunity and not enjoy her life.

"Sister, I have been feeling better for days, but no one has come to visit me. I was also told that I couldn't visit anyone," Bai Lang said, knowing that her words carried a hidden meaning. Tilting her head in confusion, she asked them, "If I was better, why couldn't I go out?"

Bai Liu furrowed her brows and gently patted her younger sister's head. Bai Lang was truly young and didn't understand the implications of her words. Bai Liu exchanged a glance with Bai Nuo, who was busy stuffing Bai Lang's mouth with sweets. Despite being only fourteen and thirteen years old, the two sisters were incredibly close and almost seemed like twins. In that moment, an unspoken conversation passed between them.

Bai Lang didn't interrupt them and happily indulged in the sweets, knowing that the two were deeply engrossed in their conversation.

"The doctor just wanted to keep you under observation in case you had a relapse," Bai Nuo explained. "Don't worry, little sister. I will bring Bai Sheng and Bai Wen to visit you later, and we'll bring some sweets as well." Both sisters looked at their younger sister, surprised to see that the plate of sweets had vanished and Bai Lang's mouth was covered in evidence of what was once there.

The two burst into laughter, along with their maids. Bai Liu took a handkerchief and wiped her sister's face. "No more sweets for now. First brother and Second brother and I will take you out for a boat ride later."

After spending an hour socializing with her sisters, Bai Lang made her way back to the courtyard she shared with her mother. Lou Meng, walking behind her, observed her every move with scrutiny.

"Is Third Miss close to the Eldest and Second Miss?" Lou Meng questioned, implying something.

Bai Lang, oblivious to the servant's insinuation, pouted and turned around. "Bai Liu and Bai Nuo are my sisters. Who else am I supposed to be close to?"

Like an upset child throwing a tantrum, Bai Lang ran off, leaving Lou Meng dumbfounded. Her third miss had never spoken to her this way. Bai Lang knew that Lou Meng was growing suspicious of her. As she hurried back to the courtyard, Bai Lang came face to face with Su Rou Xue, her mother's concubine.

"Concubine Mother!" Su Rou Xue spun around to face the young girl, though her smile couldn't hide the anger emanating from her.

Without warning, Su Rou Xue slapped Bai Lang's young and tender face. The pain quickly swelled up, and Bai Lang could only think about how much it hurt. In her previous life, she had suffered a similar fate and ended up being confined by her husband mother. She clenched her left hand, covering her hurting cheek with her right.

"You foolish child, didn't I tell you what to do? Why didn't you listen to me?" Su Rou Xue scolded, her confusion evident.

Bai Lang, genuinely confused, acted the part. She had never been told anything by this woman. "Daughter doesn't understand," she replied, struggling to comprehend the situation. Su Rou Xue took a deep breath, reminding herself that she was dealing with a clearly foolish child.

"Didn't I tell you last week to drink the soup I left for you? Why didn't you drink it? Lou Meng said you didn't drink it," Su Rou Xue interrogated. Suddenly, it all clicked in Bai Lang's head as memories flooded in, making her feel dizzy. Su Rou Xue had asked the previous Bai Lang to drink a bowl of soup, which had caused her great pain. Bai Lang had only taken one mouthful before the stomach pains became unbearable, and she hadn't bothered to drink the rest. Su Rou Xue had instructed her to claim that the madam had sent the soup that made her sick.

It wasn't a flawless plan, but it was a start. Qu Rou Li wouldn't be punished, but she would be suspected of poisoning a concubine's child. Why wait ten years? And why choose her? Su Rou Xue was foolish. The first targets for Bai Lang, in her current form, would be either Bai Sheng or Bai Wen, the only two sons in the family.

Su Rou Xue was willing to harm her own child just to frame the main wife. What a wonderful mother she was! Bai Lang held her cheek, forcing tears to stream down her face. She began to sob hysterically, "Sorry, I'm so sorry."

There was nothing worse than a crying woman, except perhaps a wailing child. Su Rou Xue grew frustrated and stopped questioning Bai Lang. "It's alright," she said, dropping to her knees in front of Bai Lang and hugging her. "It hurts when mother hits you, doesn't it? It's all Qu Rou Li's fault. It's her fault that mother is angry, and it's her fault that father doesn't visit us. Remember, Xiao Lang, Qu Rou Li is the enemy."

Su Rou Xue pulled back and looked at the tear-streaked, sniffling child. She wiped away the tears, cringing at the sight. "That's why you need to listen to what mother says and follow her words. Do you understand?"

Bai Lang nodded, and Su Rou Xue let go of the child, turning to Lou Meng. "Clean her up, the Master will be here shortly."

Lou Meng approached Bai Lang, taking her hand and leading her into her bedroom. Bai Lang stared intensely at Lou Meng, realizing that if this maid had reported Su Rou Xue's abuse, perhaps the previous Bai Lang wouldn't have died from that poisonous soup.

Su Rou Xue had used a manipulative approach, corrupting any child, especially the previous Bai Lang. "Do what mother says, and she'll love you. Hate Qu Rou Li for turning mother bad." The previous Bai Lang, being a child, had believed in these words.

Bai Lang didn't realize she was glaring at Lou Meng with murderous intent until the maid called out, "Young Miss?" "Lou Meng, get me some ice. My cheek hurts," Bai Lang requested, expecting her usual response of comfort and care.

"The Young Miss is truly acting differently. She might really be possessed," Lou Meng