Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 711 - 664 Shocked (3)

In the courtyard of Second Madam Baili, aside from the fact that Nanny Qing, who takes care of Baili Xin, wasn’t replaced since she’s the old madam’s dowry, even Baili Huang and his sibling had to give her some leeway; however, all the other servants were replaced by First Madam Baili.

Second Madam Baili’s four dowry attendants from back in the days were let go and married off due to age; all other servants belonged to the Baili Mansion. With the First Madam wanting changes, she had no way to oppose.

Xiang Lan and Qiao Lan, the two maids, were transferred from the First Madam’s side.

On the day they came to serve at the Qixia Courtyard, Second Madam Baili was too ill to get out of bed, hadn’t eaten anything all day, yet still had to get up to express gratitude to the First Madam with the words, "Sister-in-law, hard work."

Thinking back, the Second Madam could only laugh coldly from her heart.

Nanny Qing went to the dwelling of the First Madam Baili.

At this time, First Madam Baili was having breakfast. Hearing Nanny Qing say that the couple of Second Madam Baili were looking for her, she was quite surprised.

Early in the morning, what could it be?

She asked Nanny Qing the reason, but Nanny Qing wouldn’t say, only insisting that she’d know when she went.

First Madam Baili quickly finished her soup, took a nanny and a maid along, and headed to Second Madam Baili’s Qixia Courtyard with Nanny Qing.

Upon entering the main room, First Madam Baili immediately saw Qiao Lan and Xiang Lan both kneeling on the ground, appearing terrified.

She slightly furrowed her brow, forcibly putting on a smile as she said to Second Madam Baili, "Second brother, sister-in-law, what’s going on? Punishing servants early in the morning?"

Baili Huang kept a stern face, silent, maintaining his usual authority.

"It’s nothing, just a slight issue. The thing is, these people were arranged by you, sister-in-law, so we invite you to decide." Second Madam Baili gave a small smile, casually speaking about Qiao Lan and Xiang Lan’s theft.

"Second Madam, the maids didn’t steal, Second Madam..." The two maids begged desperately.

Second Madam Baili paid no heed, still calmly saying, "This is the bracelet given to Xinxin by the old madam. It’s not worth much, but it’s Xinxin’s first birthday gift. If it were something else, lost then lost, I wouldn’t mind, but about Xinxin’s first birthday gift, I must be concerned."

Only then did First Madam Baili notice the golden lotus bracelet on the table, cherished by Baili Xin.

The Baili Family in Liangzhou City had roughly a dozen households, with grandchildren numbering over dozens, but only two granddaughters, one legitimate and the other not, with Baili Xin being the only legitimate granddaughter and from the eldest legitimate line, she’s the old madam’s precious darling.

In the Baili clan, Baili Xin could act willfully without anyone daring to challenge her.

No injustice could be allowed upon Baili Xin.

First Madam Baili glared fiercely at Qiao Lan and Xiang Lan; of all people to offend, why Baili Xin?

Have they lost their minds?

Before she bore a daughter of her own, she too needed to curry favor with Baili Xin!

These two maids denied stealing anything, regardless of Second Madam Baili’s accusations, they would not admit.

First Madam Baili awkwardly remarked, "Sister-in-law, they say they didn’t steal, could this... be a misunderstanding?"

"I think it’s not a misunderstanding but rather with intent." Second Madam Baili then pointed to the medicine stove in a corner, "Sister-in-law, look in that pot."

First Madam Baili was baffled, walked over to uncover it herself, "What’s wrong with this medicine?"

"Nothing much, merely some dry leaves and flowers of Yellow Azalea added," Second Madam Baili said with a slight smile while looking at First Madam Baili, "These are well-known toxic plants. The soup brewed with these could have harmed Xinxin if consumed... she had caught a slight cold yesterday, so I had Li San Niang prescribe some medicine."

Qiao Lan inhaled sharply, her face turned pale as death. Clearly, it was Second Madam’s medicine, how could it be Baili Xin’s? Had she made a mistake?

First Madam Baili’s expression turned exceedingly grim.

She cast a cold glance at the two maids.

Upon hearing "Yellow Azalea," Qiao Lan and Xiang Lan already dared not breathe, lying on the ground, trembling.

"Why can’t I understand? Sister-in-law?" First Madam Baili forced a calm smile.

Second Madam Baili smiled gently, "Alright, let me sort out today’s events for you, sister-in-law."

She cleared her throat and began speaking.

She told the First Madam that Nanny Qing discovered a pair of bracelets belonging to Baili Xin was missing, and after searching, found them in Qiao Lan and Xiang Lan’s room.

Yet these two maids stubbornly denied and instead accused the guest Li San Niang’s niece Li Guoguo of stealing.

They even beat Li Guoguo.

Li Yuzhu was quite angry over her niece being beaten and falsely accused.

Then, at the time for Baili Xin to take medicine, Li San Niang prepared to pour out the decoction from the stove pot, when suddenly, the pot lid fell to the ground, revealing the steaming medicinal dregs inside, a familiar Li Yuzhu noticed mixed Yellow Azalea in the herbs; Baili Xin’s medicine should have been Red Rhododendron.

This is a deadly poison!

She resolved to find the culprit!

The servants were ordered to search, finally discovering a packet of dried Yellow Azalea leaves and flowers in Qiao Lan and Xiang Lan’s room.

Second Madam Baili claimed that the two maids feared Baili Xin would cry and fuss about the lost bracelet, so decided to silence her to cover up their theft.

The accusation was severe!

The two maids broke down crying with fright.

Sweat gradually formed on First Madam Baili’s palms.

"Sister-in-law, these two are yours, so you should handle them. We won’t interfere. Given that Xinxin calls you auntie, surely you won’t let the wicked escape, right?" Baili Huang grabbed the packet of herbs on the table, handed it to First Madam Baili, "This was found in their room—Yellow Azalea."

First Madam Baili was so enraged she nearly fainted.

The people were sent by her, the herbs given by her, what could she say?

Failure to deal with them properly definitely meant they’d implicate her!

Additionally, explaining to the old madam wouldn’t be easy!

"Second brother, second sister-in-law, rest assured, I’ll punish them well!" First Madam Baili said through clenched teeth, taking the herbs, turned and shouted to the nanny and maid she brought, "Take them away! Lock them in the woodshed, I will question them myself!"

The nanny and maid advanced to drag Qiao Lan and Xiang Lan away together.

First Madam Baili had no face to linger here, claiming she would go punish the servants, she quickly departed.

Watching her flee in panic, Second Madam Baili subtly curled her lips into a smirk, letting out a humph.

.

In the guest room, Li Yuzhu had just finished breakfast when Baili Rui came with Guoguo to visit and play. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Baili Rui was regarded as Bai Xiaosheng in the Baili Mansion; he quickly informed Li Yuzhu about the fate of Qiao Lan and Xiang Lan.

"First Madam sent people to beat them, then sent them to the manor outside the city," Baili Rui said, "Humph, grandmother was furious knowing they stole Xinxin’s things and wanted to harm her!"