"My face was first disfigured by them, then it was slashed by the well wall when I fell into the well, and I was soaked in the water for several days. When I appeared in front of the master, my face was still bleeding. Didn't I look like a ghost?"
Bai Yumei said self-deprecatingly, "After the news of the haunting in the mansion spread, Madam had the well sealed off. Wasn't she just feeling guilty? As for me, I was both scared and angry at the time. I wanted to expose her, but how could I dare to face anyone looking like this?"
"When I got so hungry I couldn't stand it anymore, I would sneak into the kitchen to steal food when it was quiet at night. I was too ashamed to face anyone, so I ran as fast as I could and was never caught. Later, the old man sold the house and moved away!"
Tao Wanniang felt a pang of sympathy upon hearing Bai Yumei's words.
"This house was sold several times afterward, and rumors spread that it was haunted. You were behind it all, weren't you?"
"Yes, I know the house like the back of my hand. I know how to avoid people. Sometimes when there's no food in the kitchen, I go to other rooms to look for it."
Bai Yumei admitted, "I was discovered a few times, but I ran fast, so to others it was as if I came and went without a trace."
"This house... wasn't your master the first one?"
Tao Wan asked curiously, "How can the well be connected to the artificial hill?"
"No, our master also bought this house. But that was before I got married."
"Now that I've found you, you shouldn't hide anymore. But you don't know this, we're refugees. We've only rented this house for a month, and we don't know how we'll make a living after that. If you want to stay, you'll probably have to eat chaff and drink thin gruel with us."
Tao Wanniang sighed and said, half-jokingly.
"I... also have some jewelry."
Bai Yumei immediately said that this was the first person who wasn't afraid of her when she met her and was willing to listen to her talk.
“I had hidden some money in the house I used to live in, which is why I went looking for it, but I almost got caught several times.”
Tao Wanniang was secretly pleased to hear this, but looking at the pitiful woman again, she suddenly felt that, as a concubine, she was somewhat dim-witted.
"I don't know which room you lived in before. You were the one who was in front of my room during the day, right? Could it be that I'm sleeping here now?"
"No, I live in the backyard. The front yard is where the master and mistress live."
Bai Yumei immediately said, "I was starving for too long, so I just searched around randomly and disturbed you, elder sister. Please forgive me!"
"So... you're still going to live in the backyard?"
Tao Wanniang hesitated for a moment and said, "I do need to buy some more clothes and bedding. I can go out for a walk tomorrow, but..."
"Big sister, thank you for letting me see the light of day again. If you can find my money, consider it my reward for taking me in."
Bai Yumei immediately spoke, her injured half of her face covered by her black hair, but the one eye that was exposed held a mixture of flattery and expectation.
"Alright, I'll go with you. It's so late at night, and you're all dressed in white with your hair down. You're so thin you look like you could be blown away by the wind. If someone sees you like this, don't you think it'll be scary?"
Tao Wanniang's words were direct, which made Bai Yumei lower her head in embarrassment and brush her disheveled hair aside.
In the quiet night, Tao Wanniang, carrying a candle, led Bai Yumei to the backyard, where she watched as Bai Yumei pushed open the door to a room and went inside.
"Big sister, look, my savings are still there!"
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Bai Yumei brought out a small box covered in dirt.
"Big sister, take it all. I can't go out anymore now. From now on, I'll have to rely on you for my food, clothing, shelter and transportation."
Tao Wanniang looked at the small box that had been stuffed in front of her eyes. This... must have been dug out of the ground!
"Where did you put this box? What's inside?"
"It was placed under the floor tile under the bed. The bed is gone now, but I still remember which tile it was."
Bai Yumei's words carried a hint of pride, "Eldest sister, quickly open it and see if it's enough. These are all the things I've saved up over the years. Master used to like me a lot and would often give me some rewards."
As Bai Yumei reminisced about the past, Tao Wanniang opened the box, which contained a pile of loose silver and several silver notes wrapped in oiled paper.
By the candlelight, Tao Wanniang flipped through the notes, her eyes widening in surprise. There were four fifty-tael notes, and she weighed the loose silver in her hand; it amounted to about ten taels.
That is to say, there are two hundred and ten taels of silver here!
"Little sister, you're really willing to give me all this?"
Tao Wanniang couldn't help but say, "Isn't Bai Yumei a little silly?"
"I also have a pair of gold bracelets and a jade pendant, which are in the cave under the artificial hill. I'll get them for you later!"
Bai Yumei truthfully replied, "With my appearance, it's impossible for me to see outsiders anymore. If you, my elder sister, are to support me, what is this little bit of money?"
"Alright, I'll take the money. Tomorrow I'll have someone furnish your house. Since I've taken your money, I'll give you a stable home."
"Thank you, sister! Thank you so much!"
Bai Yumei almost knelt down; she was finally free from sleeping in that dark, gloomy cave.
"By the way, this house isn't always occupied. It was vacant for a while, didn't you ever think about coming out?"
Tao Wanniang couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you think about digging this thing up?"
"No one is moving in, and I can't get out, so there's no use for the money!"
Bai Yumei replied directly, "Besides, elder sister, it was your words that touched me: 'Don't make things difficult for others who are already suffering.' We're all living such a hard life, I believe you definitely won't make things difficult for me!"
Tao Wan's mother was speechless for a moment. "Then you should rest first. I'll come to see you tomorrow morning. Would you like to get to know my family?"
"No, big sister, I don't want to!"
Bai Yumei immediately shook her head, "I don't want to be seen by anyone, sister. Please bring the food to my room tomorrow."
"That's fine then. You'll just have to make do for one night? I'll come back tomorrow to confirm what you want to buy?"
"Thank you, elder sister!" Bai Yumei said immediately.
The box in her hand was getting quite heavy. Had she met a naive and innocent girl?
Tao Wanniang felt the burden on her shoulders had become heavier, but with these two hundred and ten taels, she was truly financially secure!
After briefly explaining her family situation, Tao Wanniang parted ways with Bai Yumei.
She slept soundly through the night. When Tao Wanniang woke up the next morning, her two daughters-in-law had already prepared breakfast.
There was nothing else, just plain porridge.
"Mother, where are you taking this porridge?"
Seeing that Tao Wanniang had finished eating and then filled another bowl, intending to take it away, Ling Dahu couldn't help but wonder.
“An important person has come to the backyard. I’m bringing her some food. Don’t go to the backyard unless you have to.”
As Tao Wanniang spoke, she took the porridge and left.
The Ling family members were very puzzled, when suddenly Ling Dapeng had a flash of inspiration.
"Do you think Mother has set up Father's mourning hall in the backyard?!"
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