Chapter 82 – Rebirth: The Poisonous Concubine (23)
While inside the room, Bai Mo had not seen Xiao Tao’s face through the bed curtains, but he could recognize her voice. She had deliberately softened it, pretending to be gentle, yet in reality, her voice was even more grating than a shrieking hen’s.
“I-I… Big Sister Jin Xin and I have had some misunderstandings. I never intended to bully her! If you don’t believe me, you can ask them—they can vouch for me.”
Tears welled up in Xiao Tao’s eyes as if she were about to cry. She seemed certain that the young maids wouldn’t dare oppose her and would stand by her side.
After all, Jin Xin was from the Bai Manor and could leave at any time, but the maids of the Yu Manor had no such freedom. As long as Xiao Tao remained, she could make their lives miserable whenever she pleased.
Bai Mo and Yu Chenyi turned to look at the young maids. The latter hesitated, their faces clouded with uncertainty. Clearly, they were thinking the same thing as Xiao Tao.
Xiao Bobao had been in “lights-out mode” ever since the wedding began yesterday, but that didn’t mean she was unaware of what was happening around her.
“That Xiao Tao wants to step on Mo Mo to climb her way up and become Yu Chenyi’s concubine. She tried to undermine Jin Xin to establish her authority, but Jin Xin was furious that Mo Mo was being disrespected, so she argued with her a bit,” Xiao Bobao summed up the situation in a few words.
Then, worried that Mo Mo wouldn’t understand what a concubine was, she helpfully added, “The polite term is ‘concubine,’ but bluntly speaking, she’s just a homewrecker. Her greatest wish is to bear ten or eight children for Yu Chenyi, overthrow Mo Mo, seize the Yu family’s fortune, and become the matriarch.”
In reality, women of lower status in ancient times had limited options. As servants or maids, if their masters didn’t arrange a good marriage for them, becoming a concubine or a chambermaid was sometimes the only way out. It was a common occurrence. However, the fact that this was happening with Yu Chenyi—causing trouble for Mo Mo—made it far from ideal.
Xiao Bobao chomped down on a piece of bamboo, the crunch reminding her of a past matchmaking experience in the social channel. That person had acted one way in front of her and another behind her back, even trying to steal her partner. She cast a scrutinizing glance at Yu Chenyi. Hmph. Men.
Despite both being maids, Xiao Bobao much preferred Jin Xin, who knew her place and followed the rules. In contrast, Xiao Tao, desperate not to be looked down upon, made every sentence about herself when speaking to her master.
It wasn’t that maids couldn’t have self-respect, but knowing when to assert oneself was important. What right did Xiao Tao have to try and assert dominance over Jinxin?
Bai Mo turned to the young maids and said, “Speak freely. If the Yu Manor won’t keep you, then you can come work in my Bai Manor. As long as I am here, as long as you haven’t broken the law, no one can touch you—unless the Emperor himself says otherwise.”
As the son of the Minister of Justice, Bai Mo’s words carried significant weight. Even ordinary people and lower-ranking officials had to show respect to his father.
Hearing Bai Mo’s promise, the young maids hesitated for a moment. Weighing the choice between enduring Xiao Tao’s bullying and taking a gamble that might offer them a way out, they ultimately decided to side with Bai Mo.
“We can testify that Xiao Tao bullied Big Sister Jin Xin and even forbade her from sending people back to the Bai Manor. She intended to imprison her.” The first part was true, but the last sentence was fabricated.
Even though the young maids weren’t well-educated, they understood that “if you strike a snake, you must kill it.” If someone like Xiao Tao got the chance to retaliate, they would all suffer.
Besides, if Bai Mo hadn’t stood up for Jin Xin, there was a high chance that Xiao Tao really would have tried to imprison her.
“Big Sister Jinxin, you have suffered,” Bai Mo said to his loyal maid.
Jin Xin’s eyes reddened, but she smiled and replied, “With Young Master’s words, this servant does not feel wronged.”
See? That’s the difference between them.
With one person speaking up, the others couldn’t help but expose Xiao Tao’s past misdeeds. Stealing others’ rations and allowances, bullying others into doing her work, not lifting a finger for her own duties yet being the first to collect her monthly wages—one by one, her wrongdoings came to light.
When servants misbehave, it reflects poorly on their masters—especially since Xiao Tao carried the title of Yu Chenyi’s servant. Yet she had dared to bully Bai Mo’s head maid right after he had just married the love of his life.
“I don’t recall acquiring a concubine—one that my mother supposedly forced upon me,” Yu Chenyi said with a smile, but his eyes were ice-cold. The way he looked at Xiao Tao was no different from how one would look at a dead thing.
Still oblivious to the danger, Xiao Tao brightened when she saw Yu Chenyi looking at her. She immediately put on her most charming expression and cooed, “It was Madam who sent me to serve you, my lord.”
She thought to herself, As long as Yu Chenyi protects me, what does Bai Mo’s status matter? He may have a noble title, but he’s just a man who can’t bear children. A married man must follow his husband’s authority.
“My mother may have sent you to serve me, but did she ask you to bully my people? Does that mean I can punish you as I see fit?” Bai Mo sneered, furious that Xiao Tao was using Madam Yu as a shield.
Since Yu Chenyi had spoken to her first, Xiao Tao didn’t take Bai Mo seriously at all. She retorted, “Jin Xin said herself that she is from the Bai Manor, so the rules of the Yu Manor don’t apply to her. I, however, am a servant of the Yu Manor and only follow its rules.”
Her underlying message was clear: You have no authority over me.
The young man puffed up his cheeks in anger when he saw Xiao Tao still trying to seduce Yu Chenyi. His brows carried the charm of someone basking in the glow of love, and he shot a sharp glare at Yu Chenyi. “Your concubine, your problem—not mine.”
With that, Bai Mo took Jin Xin to fetch money and went to the steward to buy back the indenture contracts of the young maids.
He had promised not to abandon them, and he was a man of his word.
The young maids, who had initially believed that Bai Mo was powerless against Xiao Tao and would be unable to protect them, were deeply moved when they realized he was actually purchasing their freedom.
Young Master Bai is truly a good master. They envied Big Sister Jin Xin, but soon they wouldn’t have to. From now on, they would be working under Jin Xin, free from Xiao Tao’s bullying.
“Mo Mo, I don’t even know her! Let me explain—” Seeing his beloved storming off, Yu Chenyi tensed up and quickly reached out to stop him.
However, just as he touched the young man’s hand and was about to grasp it, Bai Mo suddenly yanked it away. Huffing in anger, he snapped, “Whether you know her or not isn’t my concern. But the promise you wrote yesterday is still in my mother’s hands. If you take a concubine, I’ll divorce you.”
Bai Mo knew that his reaction was irrational—after all, Yu Chenyi had nothing to do with Xiao Tao. But he was simply furious. Furious that Xiao Tao was openly seducing Yu Chenyi. Furious that Yu Chenyi didn’t immediately reject her.
It’s impossible to reason with a jealous person—especially one as spoiled as this little snow ferret. In this world, Brother Chenyi was no longer the male lead. Bai Mo had no obligation to save him. And yet, he had done his best to change his fate and that of his entire family.
Was this his reward? To suffer grievances in return?
Absolutely not! Others might take small losses, but a snow mink will never be the one to suffer.
Fuming, Bai Mo stormed off. The young maids, sensing the tension in the air, hurriedly lowered their heads and followed him. We know nothing. We’re just ordinary little maids!
As most of the people left, Xiao Tao was still basking in her triumph, thinking that Yu Chenyi had driven Bai Mo away for her sake. Little did she know that the man she saw as her ideal husband was so enraged he was on the verge of murder.
By the time Bai Mo received the indenture contracts from the steward, news had already reached Madam Bai. Furious, she skipped breakfast and immediately ordered the carriage to be prepared before storming off to the Yu Manor.
Madam Yu was puzzled as to why her in-laws had come so early in the morning. Smiling, she ordered the servants to prepare tea and refreshments. However, Madam Bai spoke in a mocking tone:
“What an impressive display of grandeur your esteemed household has! It seems my Bai family is simply not worthy. I won’t be drinking any tea—wouldn’t want people saying that we came here to freeload. My dear Mo Mo has been spoiled by me since childhood and lacks discipline. I’ll take him back home to teach him proper manners.”
She deliberately emphasized the words “teach him proper manners.” Like Jin Xin, she believed that Xiao Tao, as a mere servant in Yu Chenyi’s courtyard, could not have spoken so brazenly unless someone was backing her. Yu Chenyi, what an act you put on!
During the wedding, he had sworn to the heavens, pounded his chest, and made grand promises about cherishing Mo Mo. But now that he had him, he no longer valued him. In the blink of an eye, even a lowly servant girl dares to step all over Mo Mo.
Madam Yu was baffled by Madam Bai’s sarcasm and found herself growing irritated. What does she mean by this? Out of consideration for Bai Mo, she hadn’t even insisted he wake up early to observe household rules. And yet, here came Madam Bai, storming in like a madwoman.
“Momo didn’t come to pay his respects to me this morning, but did I say anything about it?” Madam Yu was a kind person, but she wasn’t one to let others scold her without retaliating.
Madam Bai instantly understood—so that’s how it is. Judging by his stature, Mo Mo was obviously at a disadvantage in this household. So my child has suffered such humiliation, and all because he failed to greet his mother-in-law in the morning? A mere servant used that as an excuse to mock him, stomp on his dignity, and establish dominance?
“Yes, my Mo Mo lacks discipline, but I don’t need the eldest young master of your noble house’s concubine to educate him! Sorry to trouble you—now, open the storeroom. We’ll be taking back the dowry. Clearly, my child is unworthy of marrying your great young master.”
The moment Madam Bai realized how Bai Mo had been treated—and after seeing Madam Yu’s indifferent attitude—her rationality flew out the window. No matter how flawed Mo Mo may be, he is still my child. If anyone is to discipline him, it should be his father and me. Since when does a mere servant have the right to slap him in the face?
Madam Yu was beginning to grasp the reason behind Madam Bai’s fury. Does she think there’s actually a concubine in Chenyi’s courtyard?
Just as she was about to clarify, Yu Chenyi suddenly appeared at the doorway and called out loudly, “I won’t allow it!”
He stepped into the room against the light, first bowing to greet his mother before turning to pay respects to Madam Bai.
Madam Bai gave a cold snort. “I wouldn’t dare accept such a greeting from Young Master Yu.” With that, she slammed a written contract onto the table. The thin piece of paper fluttered to the ground.
“Here—take back this promise letter.”
“Mother, you must be joking. As your son-in-law, I have never had any disloyal thoughts toward Mo Mo.”
Yu Chenyi picked up the promise letter and presented it to Madam Bai. At that moment, the two women seated at the head of the room finally noticed something surprising—the person following behind Yu Chenyi was actually tied up! The other end of the rope was still firmly held in Yu Chenyi’s hand.
“Chenyi, you claim you’ve never wronged Mo Mo, but what about the concubine in your courtyard?”
Madam Yu was very pleased with Bai Mo as her daughter-in-law—smart, quick-witted, and with both looks and skills. My foolish son was lucky to marry someone this wonderful. What more could he ask for?
Yu Chenyi sighed helplessly. “Mother, this time, you’ve nearly ruined me…”
Madam Yu frowned. “Nonsense. I never assigned anyone to you.”
Yu Chenyi then calmly recounted the entire incident, explaining everything in detail. He had even brought the culprit along—Xiao Tao was bound tightly, her mouth stuffed with a rag, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Madam Yu, silently pleading for her help.
Madam Yu was utterly dumbfounded after hearing the truth. She had only acted out of goodwill, but in doing so, she had nearly cost herself a daughter-in-law.
Meanwhile, Madam Bai sat upright, sipping her tea, watching their performance in silence. Who knows if they had staged this whole act just to deceive me?
She remained unmoved. She would wait for Mo Mo to arrive—she wanted to hear the truth from Mo Mo’s own lips.