C8 The Path of the Tea Made People Unable to Leave

Bai Yun suddenly burst out with a wail, startling everyone around her. Mrs. Chen was so frightened that she took several steps back. "Are you a person or a ghost?"

"Eldest Aunt-in-law, what are you saying?" Bai Yun covered her face, lightly sobbing. The reason for covering her face was simple—though she had been in the school drama club, she was usually cast in roles that were more about looks than acting skills. Crying on cue was a challenge for her, and without any tear-inducing tricks or eye drops, she could only hide her face. "Do you really wish that Yun was gone?"

Mrs. Chen was taken aback by Bai Yun's words and glanced at her husband, Bai Shu, who looked equally surprised. She silently cursed him for being useless, unable to handle even this small matter. "Of course not. It's just... where did you come from? Weren't you in the firewood room? How did you sneak out in the middle of the night?"

"Yesterday, I seemed to upset Grandmother, and I felt guilty. So, I thought I'd get up early to gather some dry branches to start a fire and make breakfast for everyone. But as soon as I stepped out, I saw flames near the firewood room. I thought there might be a fire, but I was alone and couldn't do much, so I called for help. I guess everyone came because they heard me shouting."

Earlier, when the fire broke out, everyone panicked and started shouting. Who yelled first was anyone's guess, but after exchanging glances, they all agreed it was Bai Yun's voice they heard and nodded in agreement.

Although Bai Yun was still half-kneeling by Mrs. Zhao's feet, she kept sneaking glances at the others' reactions. Seeing that Mrs. Chen wanted to speak, Bai Yun quickly took over the conversation.

"It's strange, really. There were no candles or matches in the firewood room, so how did it catch fire? Thankfully, my eldest aunt-in-law was kind enough not to tie me up too tightly. I was worried about Grandma and left the room on my own. Otherwise, it would have been hard to explain to the family."

Mrs. Chen was at a loss for words. When Mrs. Zhao looked her way, she forced a smile. "After all, she's family. Her third uncle passed away early, and as her eldest aunt-in-law, I couldn't bear to be too harsh."

"Is that so?" Mrs. Zhao, despite her age, had managed to keep the Bai family under control after Mr. Bai's passing, proving her sharpness. Initially, the sudden fire and the thought of losing fifty taels with Bai Yun in the blaze had unsettled her. But now, even though they lost a shabby firewood room and half a room of wood, the fifty taels were safe, which calmed her.

Bai Yun's words had indeed sparked Mrs. Zhao's suspicion. There were no flames in the firewood room, and Bai Yun was never favored in the family; otherwise, she wouldn't have been made to stay there. They wouldn't have bothered to give her a candle holder, so how did the fire start?

Just after the fire was put out, Mrs. Chen mentioned that Bai Yun was inside. Without even checking, she brought up the idea of Bai Shao taking her place in marriage, which seemed like a plan she had all along. "Alright, we've been at this all night. Let's call it a day. It's almost dawn, and we should rest a bit before getting back to work."

"Grandmother." The young woman who had been standing behind Mrs. Zhao stepped forward cautiously to support her.

"Yun fell into the water yesterday and is quite weak. She was locked in the storage room for a long time. Although the fire didn't harm her, it must have frightened her. Plus, the merchants are coming today. Perhaps Yun should rest for the day... Of course, I'll take care of her chores."