So, she later learned what this fourth young lady was lacking.

It was a kind of power, an aura that came from the heart.

But this girl didn't give her the impression of having the aura of a young lady from a wealthy family. Perhaps it was because she grew up in the countryside and was surrounded by tenant farmers that she developed this slightly weak temperament.

But upon meeting her today, those eyes, which she had previously thought were lifeless, were now staring at her with bright, piercing gaze. At that moment, she felt that the fourth young lady in front of her seemed a little different.

When Li Ma was in a daze, Bai Qianmo spoke up: "I invited Li Ma here today because of this month's monthly interest."

Li Ma was taken aback.

Could it be because of the missing pendants? Or perhaps, neither the girl nor Xiao Huan noticed that the pendants were missing?

Thinking about it, it makes sense. The jewelry box was full of jewelry, and the pair of earrings were small, so even if they were lost, it would be difficult to find them in a short time.

Thinking of this, Li Ma's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly settled down.

"Fourth Miss, I had Qing'er deliver your monthly interest yesterday."

"It was delivered, but the quantity is incorrect."

"Oh? What's wrong?"

Bai Qianmo placed the silver dollars that had been delivered yesterday on the table: "Li Ma, please count them."

Li Ma stepped forward, carefully counted the number of silver dollars, and her expression changed slightly.

"There are twenty."

"I inquired and found out that Miss Xu and Young Master Xu receive thirty silver dollars a month. Why am I the only one who is short ten dollars?"

She hadn't paid much attention to the twenty-five silver dollars that were delivered yesterday.

“This… Fourth Miss, this is what Madam instructed. Your monthly allowance is twenty silver dollars.”

"Madam gave the order? Heh, doesn't the Xu family's monthly dividends come from the Xu family's accounting office? As far as I know, the Xu family's accountant is ordered by the head of the Xu family, who is also my aunt, Xu Jierong. Are you saying that my aunt actually withheld my monthly profits?"

Bai Qianmo's words left Li Ma speechless.

She stared at Bai Qianmo in astonishment, her heart filled with shock.

When did this girl become so shrewd?

However, considering her situation in the Xu family, Li Ma felt no fear.

"Fourth Miss, if this old servant may speak unpleasantly, there are currently only three young ladies in the manor who have not yet married. The Second Miss is born to the Madam, and she is the true apple of the Xu family's eye. The Third Miss is born to the Second Concubine. Although she is born out of wedlock, because the Second Concubine is favored by the Master, the Third Miss is the Master's favorite daughter. Fourth Miss, how can you compare yourself to these two young ladies?"

His words were full of sarcasm.

If it were someone with a thin skin, they would probably be so embarrassed that they would want to disappear on the spot.

But Bai Qianmo wasn't buying it.

She remained calm, letting out a soft, authoritative laugh.

"Oh, I understand what Li Ma means. So I'm unloved by my parents, so even if I'm bullied, I have nowhere to complain?"

"Fourth Miss, that's not what I meant, but if you put it that way, it's actually the truth."

Bai Qianmo gently placed one hand on the table, her slender fingers rhythmically tapping the surface.

A deathly silence fell over the study.

"Fourth Miss, is there anything else you need?"

Bai Qianmo glanced at Li Ma and said, "It's alright, you can go back to your work."

Li Ma thought she had completely shut Bai Qianmo up with her words, and she was secretly pleased with herself.

Before leaving, he deliberately raised an eyebrow and glanced at Bai Qianmo, his eyes full of sneer.

After Li Ma left, Xiao Huan gritted her teeth and spat at the empty door.

"Miss, this Li Ma only treats you this way because she's favored by the Madam. She's just a petty person who's gotten her way. Bah!"

Bai Qianmo remained silent.

The reason I called Li Ma over today was to see where she took the pendants after she stole them.

What she saw in Li Ma's eyes just now was not Chen Xin'e, but her second aunt Xue Caiying.

This result surprised her.

According to what she had recently learned, Xue Caiying was a very low-key person who was extremely respectful to the First Madam. Among Xu Jiangfeng's concubines, she was the one most favored by the First Madam.

Moreover, she never competed for Xu Jiangfeng's favor. In the eyes of the servants in the mansion, the second concubine was gentle and kind, and treated everyone with courtesy. She was simply a perfect woman.

Even a young maid like Xiao Huan, who had only been back in the Xu household for half a month, spoke highly of the Second Madam.

However, people who appear too perfect to the outside world are often the ones whose inner selves are hard to fathom.

Bai Qianmo knew that Xue Caiying was no ordinary person.

I never expected that she would actually send Li Ma to steal those earrings. Could it be that those earrings have special meaning to her?

"Xiao Huan, go and stand guard outside the study. No one is allowed to come in without my permission."

Xiao Huan was still angry about Li Ma's attitude just now. When she heard Bai Qianmo's instructions, she responded listlessly and then turned and left the study.

*

The Second Madam's Residence

The courtyard was deserted. A young maid sat on the steps in front of the gate, her hands supporting her chin, her eyes warily glancing around every now and then.

A dark figure passed through the wall like a ghost, without attracting the attention of the young maid.

The door was tightly closed, and a faint, ambiguous sound could be heard coming from inside.

"Don't be silly in broad daylight." The woman's charming voice was tinged with a hint of desire and pleasure.

The man chuckled: "I haven't seen you in a long time. Now that I've seen you, won't you let me ease my longing?"

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