Bai lang had taken her bath after returning, she was now dressed, sitting in front of the mirror while lou meng combed her hair. The  ten-year-old third miss was in a delicate pink robe dress; the robe was made from the highest grade of cloth, embroidered with plum blossom; it made the young girl's appearance look healthy and fresh.

Lou Meng coiled Bai lang’s hair into two buns on top of her head, this hairstyle was usually worn by girls who have yet to reach the age of maturity.  Lou Meng finished off the look with a gold Buyao, the craftsmanship on the buyao was esquist; and bai lang could not help but reach up to caress the delicate piece. Even though sha’ kingdom was not poor, it was rare for her to see this type of buyao there, and bai lang appreciated it even more.

Bai lang was satisfied with her hair, and lou meng placed the wooden comb down. “ Third miss you look so beautiful, this buyao fit third miss the best.” seeing the smile on bai lang’s face made lou meng know that the third mis was happy.

“Let’s go”

Lou meng wasn’t satisfied with bai Lang’s answer, and showed a displeased face. Why wasn't the young miss complimenting her now? Like She used to. Lou meng thought.

Coming out of the courtyard, bai Lang followed lou meng to the main yard. Upon entering the main hall, Bai Lang saw who she assumes is this body’s grandfather, father, the main wife and her father’s three concubines; including her biological mother.

“Bai Lang bids good morning to grandfather, father, mother and concubine mothers.”

Seeing bai lang come in, whatever that was being discussed stopped. Bai Lang’s grandfather Bai Si, let out a jolly laugh. Bai Si genuinely loves his grandchildren; and to see the one in which doctors said was on death’s bed, now perfectly healthy, he was glad.

“Bai Lang, take a seat. It will not be good if sickness takes root in you once more. “Bai kang, Bai Lang’s father said.

Lou Meng supported Bai Lang as she sat down. “Daughter is sorry for worrying you.”

Bai Kang didn’t answer the girl, he doesn't remember his youngest being so outspoken. Qu Rou Li, Bai Kang’s official wife, spoke. “ it is good seeing Xiao Lang well. Isn’t that right su rou Xue?”

Bai lang was at a loss at what was happening, when Qu Rou Li spoke. “Whats going on?” seeing the confused look on the young girl’s face, the majority of the adults in the room smile. The little girl was so cute and adorable, with that tilting head and confused expression it makes you want to spoil her.

“It is wonderful.” Su Quing, her father's second concubine and Bai lang’s mother's paternal cousin spoke.

“Xiao Lang, come visit aunt later. I have your favourite candied Kumquats.” bai lang bowed, thanking su Qing. “thank you, Concubine mother.” that adorable smile was all it took to put su Qings mind at ease.

She had worried about the child under the care of her cousin. Su rou xue is not well known for being gentle or motherly. Bai Lang's timid personality had made Su Qing worried.

Bai Lang looked around the room noticing the tense atmosphere of the room has not yet dissipated. Her grandfather and father looked upset, the madam looked aggrieved and the person who she can now assume is her mother had tear tracks down her cheeks.

If it were anyone else, pity would swell up in their  hearts for a weeping beauty, but Bai Lang could see the anger within those tearful eyes.

“Xiao Lang, mother is so happy you’re better. Small beads of tears escape from the women’s eyes. She used a handkerchief to wipe her tears and eyes, making them even redder. “You should have rested more. I know you’re still weak from your sickness.”

The woman speaking is Su Rou Xue, Bai Lang’s biological mother.She was crying so loudly you would think someone was dead.

Bai kang first concubine Yun yi rolled her eyes at the dramatic women.no one seemed to pay Su Rou Xue any mind as if the scene was a regular occurrence. 

Bai Kang pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Xiao Lang are you feeling better now?”

The question, to Bai lang, was more of a statement, rather than a question. “Daughter is feeling better now, father. I had woken up a week ago, but I wanted to be well rested before visiting you. Daughter is sorry for being unfilial, but daughter did not want you all to catch my cold.”

“A cold?” bai Kang said.

Bai Lang's adorable face turned sad. “Yes, daughter wanted to see father and grandfather but was told by the doctor I could not leave my room, or my cold would worsen.”

Five pairs of eyes turned to Su Rou xue as if to say why were you crying over a cold? Su rou Xue avoided the questioning eyes as if she didn’t see them and glared at Bai Lang, it was Bai Lang’s turn to act as if she didn’t see Su Rou Xue’s glares.

A hint of guilt surfaced in Bai Si and Bai Kang’s hearts. No one paid any attention to the youngest girl until Su Rou Xue brought her up, but they couldn’t be blamed. The previous Bai Lang often kept to herself, and stayed away from the family. It would be a miracle if one saw Bai Lang two days out of seven.

“Bai Lang, father will accompany you later. Go on and visit your siblings.they have been worried about you.”

Now excused,Bai Lang figured they were going to continue to talk about what was left unsaid earlier. She left the main hall and traveled to the main gardens where her older sisters were.Bai Lang two eldest brothers wouldn’t be here as they are with their teachers.

From what she gathered about this current family. Bai Si is the current patriarch of the Bai family. The Bai family has only one branch, as Bai si’s brothers had died after an internal fight within the fu. Bai Si had only one child, bai kang, who has one wife and three concubines.

The wife, Qu rou li has two Children, bai sheng the eldest son who is sixteen years old and bai lui the eldest daughter who is fourteen years old. Just about reaching marriageable age, bai lang  had overheard the servants gossing that the prime minister’s son was interested in Bai Lui.

Bai  Kang’s first concubine Yun Yi had no children, but she is still highly favored even by Qu Rou Li. The second is Su Qing, Su Rou Xue paternal cousin. The only difference is that Su Qing’s family is a family of merchants. Su Qing also has two children, twins, second son Bai Wen and second daughter Bai Nuo, both thirteen years old.

The third and final concubine is su rou xue, bai Lang's biological mother. Su Rou xue, is of noble birth, she hails from a marquise house, unlike her cousin, from what Bai Lang could see Su rou xue is a troublemaker. Sooner or later she would implicate bai Lang along with her, but whatever her plans were, Bai Lang wanted no part of it, she wanted to live the life she wasn't able to in her past life, and for that to happen; she needed to abandon this concubine mother of her’s.

Bai Lang spotted her sisters in the center of the garden; several servants can be seen placing tea and sweets on the table in front of the sisters. Others were holding umbrellas shading the young misses from the rising sun.

“Jie jie?” Bai Lang called sweetly. She wanted to see what her new sisters were like.