Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 721 - 674 Evidence (2)

There weren’t many servants in the mansion.

Guoguo sprinted all the way, sneaking into the house without anyone noticing her.

After all, Madam Baili had arrived at that moment, and all the maids and old servants were busy welcoming her. Who would have the time to notice a little figure?

Behind Madam Baili were two maids, each holding gifts.

The maids of the Xue Family knew that if Madam Xue didn’t like those gifts, they would soon end up in their hands.

Because of this, every time Madam Baili visited, the servants in the mansion greeted her with great enthusiasm.

Everyone ushered Madam Baili into the main room, and shortly after, a maid called Madam Xue out.

The two sat by the stove, sipping tea and chatting idly.

Taking advantage of everyone being busy, Guoguo quietly ran into Madam Xue’s bedroom.

There wasn’t a soul in the bedroom.

Guoguo brought over a stool, placing it by the dressing table.

She climbed onto the stool, rummaging through the dressing table.

Small drawers, little boxes—any place where letters might be hidden, she searched them all. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Perseverance paid off, and Guoguo found several letters in a compartment of the dressing table.

She glanced at the writing on the envelopes and stuffed them into her bosom.

Then, she searched other places.

In Madam Xue’s pillow, she found a stamp the size of a finger and put it into her pocket.

After confirming there was nothing else useful to find, Guoguo left the bedroom, running out through the half-open door to the front of the main hall.

On either side of the main hall’s entrance were two large flowerpots with three-foot-tall evergreens growing inside.

Guoguo hid behind the flowerpot, craning her neck to peek into the main hall.

Perhaps because they were discussing secrets, there were no maids in the main hall, nor were there any at the door.

The people inside spoke quietly.

Guoguo strained to listen.

"You haven’t acted yet?" Madam Xue sneered, "The New Year and the festival have passed, and the old couple’s health is much better. I suspect Li Yuzhu and Mu Yuanxiu will leave Liangzhou City in a few days. How will you act then?"

"..."

"If they leave, your hope will vanish too."

Madam Baili’s voice said, "Most of the people in the mansion have been replaced by people from the village. They all listen to the second daughter-in-law, and I can’t find an opportunity."

Madam Xue sneered, "If you can’t find an opportunity, make one. If there’s no chance, create one. Circumstances are fixed, but people are flexible. Think carefully; there will always be a way."

Madam Baili then said, "I’m foolish. Does the lady have a good idea?"

Madam Xue laughed, "An idea? I have one. If it’s successful, how will you thank me?"

Madam Baili said, "A reward of five thousand taels of silver, promptly delivered to you."

"Do I look like someone who needs money? I’m just saying it casually. Don’t take it seriously," Madam Xue said with a smile.

Madam Baili continued, "The lady is straightforward. I’ve made a good friend in Ms. Wu."

Madam Xue laughed heartily, "Thank you for the compliment. I am deeply grateful."

Suddenly, their voices became lower.

Guoguo struggled to hear.

Madam Baili oh-ed, "That’s a good idea, Madam Xue. Thanks for the reminder."

"What did I remind you of? I didn’t say anything," Madam Xue laughed, "Stop praising me."

Madam Baili’s tone was embarrassed, "Look at what you’re saying."

The following topics were all about eating, drinking, and having fun, with no particular importance.

Guoguo took a glance at the main hall door and quietly left.

She dashed to the mansion’s gate, hiding behind a tree.

The gate was still open.

The gatekeeper stood by the mansion door, talking with a maid from Madam Xue’s side.

Guoguo looked left and right, picked up a stone from the ground, and hurled it at the maid.

Then, she quickly darted to hide behind another tree.

The maid yelped in pain when her leg suddenly hurt.

"Who hit me?" she clutched her leg, looking around, "Who is it?"

"I didn’t see anyone, Yingying?" the old gatekeeper said in surprise.

"No, there was clearly someone," the maid said, rubbing her leg and walking towards where the stone came from.

The gatekeeper followed her.

Seizing the opportunity, Guoguo ran swiftly towards the entrance.

The distance from the tree to the door was only about ten steps.

She quickly ran out of the mansion gate.

Neither the maid nor the old man noticed her.

Mrs. Baili’s carriage driver was napping at the driver’s seat.

Guoguo easily climbed to the underside of the carriage.

The bottom of this carriage had a small space used for storing the horse’s hay.

But Mrs. Baili’s carriage only traveled within the city, and the journey wasn’t long, so it didn’t carry much fodder.

This small space only held about half a bag—roughly ten pounds of oil cake crumbs.

More than half of the space was still available, enough for a child Guoguo’s age to hide.

Guoguo lay in the compartment under the carriage, staring at the ground, pondering over what she had just heard.

After an unknown period, the voice of Madam Baili came from the mansion’s gate, "No need to send me off. Please stay."

"Madam, take care."

"Madam, come again next time."

Afterwards, there was the driver’s greeting, followed by the maid urging the driver to drive the carriage.

Soon, the carriage started moving.

Inside the carriage, Madam Baili and the maid were chatting about inconsequential matters, and Guoguo listened absentmindedly.

Unknowingly, the carriage stopped.

Guoguo climbed out from under the carriage and ran in the opposite direction.

The carriage exited through the front gate; she could enter Baili Mansion through the back gate.

In the alley, she was caught by Li Yuzhu.

"Guoguo!" Li Yuzhu frowned, hands on hips, "Where did you run off to again? I had quite a time finding you."

She was looking for Guoguo and Baili Rui, wanting to take the two children out to play. But Baili Rui said Guoguo wasn’t in the garden and had gone out to look for something, promising to return soon.

That talk was just to appease Baili Rui, as Li Yuzhu knew Guoguo had run off again.

"Aunt is angry, Aunt is going to break ties with Guoguo!" Li Yuzhu said sternly, hands on her hips.

She had never seen such a daring and mischievous girl, only two and a half years old. Wouldn’t she just fly away when she grew up?

"Auntie, here." Guoguo took out a few letters from her bosom and handed them to Li Yuzhu, "Found them at Madam Xue’s house."

Li Yuzhu was stunned, "Letters from Madam Xue’s house? You just went to her house?"

"Yes, Madam Baili went to see Madam Xue. I hid under the carriage and followed," Guoguo confessed honestly.

Li Yuzhu was even more astonished. Her niece was too capable, even knowing to go to Madam Xue’s house to find letters!

"Let’s go back first. Your uncle is worried about you too. Quickly apologize to him! Do you know how worried we were when you disappeared?" Li Yuzhu tugged her hand, leading her through the alley, back into Baili Mansion through the back door.

Guoguo looked up, grinning at Li Yuzhu, "I’m smart. I won’t get lost."

"Hehe!" Li Yuzhu still wore a stern face.

Look at what she’s capable of!