Bai Chunhua's eyes flashed with a sudden, hidden thought, yet she maintained a serene, practiced smile on her face.
"If that is the case, I shall take my leave first." Bai Chunhua said, her voice like silk.
As Bai Chunhua and her entourage of maids departed the courtyard, Bai Xifeng narrowed her eyes, watching their retreating figures. She was not fooled for a second. Bai Chunhua had given up far too easily.
The accumulated allowance of twelve years was a staggering sum. If Bai Chunhua could get her hands on it, she could purchase a vast array of high-grade resources to accelerate her cultivation. There was no way a girl as ambitious as Chunhua would simply walk away from such a fortune. Bai Xifeng knew the "retreat" was merely a facade. Bai Chunhua was undoubtedly already plotting a more devious way to seize the gold.
'Baishe, are you absolutely certain that no one can enter the mirror world besides me?' Bai Xifeng asked internally.
'Of course. That mirror is now bound to your very consciousness. Unless someone can tear your soul apart, no one can touch your hoard.' Baishe replied.
He was beginning to understand Bai Xifeng's character quite well. This girl did not just like money. She worshipped it with a protective ferocity that was almost admirable.
'Then that's a relief. My treasures are safe.' Bai Xifeng thought, her shoulders relaxing.
"Young Miss... did you manage to save your money in the bank today?" Xiao Li asked tentatively.
She remembered her mistress leaving the house earlier that morning carrying the entire heavy bag of coins. Upon her return, the bag was nowhere to be seen. Only a few parcels of food remained. A sudden, terrifying thought struck the maid.
"Young Miss, please don't tell me you spent all of it in one day?" Xiao Li asked, her expression one of pure horror.
"Not all of it... but probably about eighty percent." Bai Xifeng admitted, looking away to avoid her maid's judgmental gaze.
"What?! That much?!" Xiao Li's eyes went wide, her voice nearly a squeak.
"I had essential items to purchase for my future. Don't worry so much, Xiao Li. I have a plan to earn it all back, and more, very soon." Bai Xifeng said, gently patting Xiao Li's shoulder to reassure her.
She had no intention of relying on that old witch's handouts forever. She would build her own empire.
"I'm exhausted and ready for bed. Could you fetch some water for me to wash up?" Bai Xifeng asked.
Xiao Li, ever the loyal attendant, immediately moved to fulfill the request. She hurried off to the kitchen to fetch a fresh basin of water.
"Do you intend to begin clearing the first layer of poison tonight?" Baishe's voice echoed in her mind.
"Of course." Bai Xifeng nodded. "I'm not waiting another day to get this trash out of my system."
"Then prepare yourself. It will not be a pleasant process." Baishe warned.
"I'm ready." Bai Xifeng replied firmly.
A few minutes later, Xiao Li returned with the water. Bai Xifeng cleaned herself up, the warm water soothing her tired muscles after the long day in the city.
"Xiao Li, you should go and rest now. It's been a long day for you too." Bai Xifeng said.
"But Young Miss, I should stay and look after you tonight." Xiao Li protested, her sense of duty as strong as ever.
"If you don't sleep tonight, how can you possibly take care of me tomorrow when you're collapsing from exhaustion? Go to bed. This is an official order." Bai Xifeng stated.
She disliked using her status to boss Xiao Li around, but she knew it was the only way to get the stubborn girl to actually take care of herself.
"Yes, Young Miss. I obey. Please call for me if you need anything at all." Xiao Li said, bowing respectfully before retiring for the night.
***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. It breaks my heart when someone steals my hard work. Can you consider reading it on the original website for those who read my novel on another website besides w e b n o v e l .c o m, as your support to me? Thank you, from, your shameless author, ZerahNeko***
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