Chen Ajiao said she didn't understand and couldn't comprehend what was wrong with Aunt Xue.
They're attacking Xue Baochai? Isn't she her most beloved daughter?
Xue Baochai covered her slapped face, her ears ringing, and looked at Aunt Xue with some confusion, "Mom, what are you doing?"
Aunt Xue was startled by Xue Baochai's confused and hurt look. She came to her senses and hurriedly went to check Xue Baochai's face, but Xue Baochai dodged her.
“Baochai, it’s…it’s my fault, I…I was too anxious…I…”
“You’re usually the most obedient and well-behaved, you understand your mother, right?” Aunt Xue looked at Xue Baochai with eager eyes, waiting for her answer.
Xue Baochai glanced at Shen Ajiao in the crowd and replied calmly, "I don't blame Mother. Mother, go back first. I'll stay here."
Aunt Xue was both surprised and delighted, nervously rubbing her hands, wanting to step forward and pull Xue Baochai away.
Xue Baochai saw through Aunt Xue's thoughts, strode forward, and knelt before Madam You. "Madam Jia, I know that no matter what we say, we can't bring back your life. So, whether to report to the authorities or settle privately is entirely up to you, Madam!"
"My child!" Aunt Xue rushed forward and covered Xue Baochai's mouth, then frantically pounded on her, "What nonsense are you talking about? How can your brother see the officials? How can he see the officials?"
Then, turning to Madam You, he said, "We have all the money you need...we just beg you not to report this to the authorities."
Those present were all acquaintances of several families. They knew that Xue Panyu had committed a crime in Jinling, accidentally killing someone. If he were to report this to the authorities again, he would likely face multiple charges and be punished accordingly, leaving him with no chance of survival.
Xue Baochai looked at You Shi earnestly and said, “Whatever Madam chooses, we will accept it. It is our duty to do so. Madam doesn’t need to think too much about it.”
"My son! My son!"
...
Without even glancing at Aunt Xue, Madam You looked directly at Xue Baochai and asked, "Are you capable of making this decision?"
Xue Baochai nodded, "Of course."
Madam You closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and helped Xue Baochai up. "Good child, you are a good one. I know everyone acted impulsively yesterday, and so did I..."
“I understand my wife, so I’ll leave the decision to her.”
"Good boy, good boy, you're so kind. Take your mother home first, and I'll come find you after we've taken care of things."
Xue Baochai did not show much emotion, but knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Madam. Please take care of yourself."
As Xue Baochai led Aunt Xue out of the Ningguo Mansion, a gust of wind blew by, and she realized that she was already soaked in sweat and felt exhausted. She almost fell over. Aunt Xue was already in tears. "My child, I've wronged you."
"Mom, are you feeling smug? Are you feeling at ease?"
Xue Baochai said to herself, "After this incident, I don't want my brother to appear in the family shop again."
"Wh...what?" Aunt Xue staggered half a step. Did Baochai mean...that she was going to take charge of the household?
She...she's a young woman!
How could you go out in public like that!
"You...I'm not dead yet!" Even if Xue Pan was stupid, he understood the meaning behind those words and immediately shouted.
"I am the head of this family!"
Xue Baochai glared at him, and Xue Pan shrank back in fright, looking at his aunt Xue with a wronged expression, "Mom, look at her!"
"I can save you today, and I can send you in another day!"
"If you behave yourself, I guarantee you wealth and honor. But if you go out and cause trouble again, don't blame me for being impolite!"
"Mom!" Xue Pan screamed in terror at Xue Baochai's gaze and tone. "I'll never dare to do it again. I'll listen to my sister from now on, I'll listen to my sister."
Xue Baochai snorted coldly, "You'd better keep your word!"
Aunt Xue hesitated to speak, but seeing that Xue Baochai was angry, she comforted Xue Pan for a while and then hurriedly went to chase after Xue Baochai.
Xue Baochai gave them no chance. She went back and found a set of men's clothing, put it on, and, carrying the head of the household's order, went to various shops in the family.
Just as Shen Ajiao saw Xue Baochai off, she heard Lady Wang shouting for her son.
Shen Ajiao was completely bewildered, while Wang Xifeng remained mysterious.
"Walk?"
"Walk!"
Lin Daiyu: She won't go; she finds it disgusting.
"I'm going home now. I haven't finished my homework yet. I'll come back tomorrow."
Without waiting for anyone to stop him, he drifted away.
Wang Xifeng was left behind to pull Shen Ajiao along, and they hurriedly headed to the next scene of gossip.
This time, Wang Xifeng was smarter. She casually picked up a snack box containing melon seeds, dried fruit, snacks, and two pots of tea.
The two of them walked slowly in the direction of the sound.
"Didn't you say Baoyu wasn't feeling well? Why is he nowhere to be found now?"
Lady Wang coldly looked at the little maid who was relaying the message in the garden, "If anything happens to Baoyu, I'll skin you alive!"
The maid was so frightened that she knelt on the ground and said in a tearful voice, "It was Second Master Bao who said it. I saw Second Master Bao walking unsteadily and was afraid that something might happen, so I hurriedly informed Madam."
Lady Wang's complexion improved, and she asked about the direction Baoyu had gone. She led her people to look for him and encountered Wang Xifeng with Shen Ajiao.
Upon hearing that they were looking for Baoyu, Wang Xifeng was extremely enthusiastic and quickly called for people to help with the search.
In the end, even Qin Keqing was alerted, and Lady You came to help with the search.
Lady Wang was also anxious, fearing that something else might happen to Baoyu, and she couldn't bear such an accident. Everyone helped to search for him.
Wang Xifeng walked at a leisurely pace, neither too fast nor too slow, until the group reached a secluded courtyard.
"I heard a sound."
Shen Ajiao: Hmm? What's that sound?
Wang Xifeng gestured to a furtive little maidservant ahead.
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