The Unveiling of Secrets

“Is that so? While I was away, she actually caused such a ruckus.”

Bai Muya’s tone was flat, utterly devoid of emotion, making it impossible to discern her feelings. Yet, Bai Lingyi understood. This was anger; someone had dared to touch her belongings.

“Second Miss, Miss Yixiya only likes you, which is why she—”

“Are you teaching me how to do things?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“Enough. Help me dress. I’ll be seeing Yu Lian shortly.”

“Very well.”

Bai Lingyi retrieved clothes from a nearby wardrobe. She picked up a pair of underwear, gently lifted one of Bai Muya’s legs, and slowly helped her put them on.

Bai Muya remained silent, deeply engrossed in her thoughts, whatever they might be. It wasn’t until Bai Lingyi spoke that her consciousness fully returned.

“Second Miss, you like Miss Yu Lian, don’t you?”

“If I didn’t like her, would I have brought her back?”

“Oh.”

A hint of sadness clouded Bai Lingyi’s spirits.

After helping her put on her underwear, Bai Lingyi began assisting with her bra. Suddenly, Bai Muya raised a hand, pinching Bai Lingyi’s chin and lifting her gaze. She saw that the other woman’s eyes were misty, veiled by a blurry film of tears.

“Are you sad?”

Bai Muya gently wiped away the tears from Bai Lingyi’s eyes.

She knew that this housekeeper, who had served her since childhood, harbored an unusual affection for her. Though Bai Lingyi had never confessed it, Bai Muya could feel it distinctly.

‘She has always liked me.’

Bai Muya had always understood.

“Of course not.”

Bai Lingyi broke free from the grip, turning her head and sniffing hard. When she turned back, she had already regained her composure.

“Lingyi, put away your superfluous feelings. You are the housekeeper, and I am the Second Miss. We never had a chance from the very beginning.”

“Lingyi would never dare to harbor inappropriate feelings for Second Miss.”

Bai Muya remained silent for a long moment, then let out a soft sigh.

Just like her childhood friend Yixiya, she could not take them in. She absolutely could not, even though her plan to collect beauties from across the land had only just begun. She couldn’t lay a hand on them.

Because…

They deserved a better future.

Bai Lingyi, supporting Bai Muya’s lower, pristine white body, adjusted her bra and finally helped her into a knee-length dress. Through it all, the earlier inappropriate thoughts were gone, replaced by the respectful demeanor of a maid serving her mistress.

“Second Miss, there’s one more thing I’m not sure whether I should mention.”

“What is it?”

“Miss Yu Lian, she went out without any undergarments.”

“…”

Bai Lingyi carefully watched for changes in Bai Muya’s expression. She knew her Second Miss was highly possessive, unable to tolerate even a speck of dust in her eye.

“I understand.”

Bai Muya simply said this.

Then, she suddenly reacted, asking, “How do you know that?”

Bai Lingyi produced the broken scissors, lowering her head as she explained, “It was during Miss Yixiya’s incident when she lifted Miss Yu Lian’s skirt that I… Also… I saw it when I took her to the bath.”

‘Bathing couldn’t be concealed. Once Second Miss saw the clothes Yu Lian was wearing, she would understand. It was better to confess proactively and avoid any unpleasantness from being kept in the dark.’

“Oh.”

Bai Muya nodded. It seemed she hadn’t given it much thought or suspicion. Being merely seen was acceptable to her; as long as no one tampered with what belonged to her, she wouldn’t fuss.

It was just this Yixiya…

She was becoming increasingly presumptuous.

Bai Muya found herself without a good solution for her childhood friend. Scolding or hitting her wouldn’t work; in fact, Yixiya might respond with shy, blushing dirty talk.

‘What a headache.’

She rubbed her temples.

“Also, regarding Miss Yu Lian’s diet, she doesn’t eat meat, only vegetables. I’m not sure why.”

“Hmm?”

Bai Muya raised an eyebrow. Was this some kind of vegetarianism?

“I faintly overheard from outside the door that she would vomit incessantly if she ate meat. Therefore, I have already instructed the maids to arrange future meal deliveries accordingly. If Second Miss blames me for making decisions without your consent, please punish me.”

Bai Muya waved her hand. “Forget it.”

Though she didn’t understand the reason, she wasn’t an inflexible person.

“Finally, Miss Yu Lian’s skin is incredibly smooth, truly extraordinary, and she is also…”

At this, Bai Lingyi leaned close to Bai Muya’s ear and softly whispered two words. A ‘Bai’ could vaguely be heard.

Bai Muya’s eyelids lifted slightly, a hint of surprise in her heart. ‘Yu Lian is such a woman?’ But then another thought quickly struck her. She looked at Lingyi, displeased, and said, “So, you touched her with your hands?”

Bai Lingyi’s breath hitched, and she quickly explained, “No, no, I didn’t. When I was assisting her with bathing, my finger accidentally slipped past the towel and touched her skin. I absolutely did not touch any sensitive areas, Second Miss, please rest assured.”

Bai Muya hummed softly.

‘It had better be true.’

She led Bai Lingyi out of the room. It was time to see her adorable concubine; she had missed her greatly after a day and a half apart.

Yu Lian, unaware that Lingyi, her secret crush, had revealed all her secrets, was still fantasizing about a beautiful and blissful future with Lingyi when she heard the door open.

Yu Lian sprang up from the bed with a carp-like flip. Upon seeing who the newcomer was, her face stiffened slightly, and she felt a sudden unease.

‘Why is it the Second Miss?’

‘Well, it could only be her, after all. Lingyi had mentioned she would be out today. How could I have forgotten so quickly?’

“What’s wrong, my concubine? Are you unhappy to see me back?” Bai Muya smiled as she approached, taking Yu Lian’s small hand in hers.

Yu Lian forced a smile, though she felt it must look worse than a cry. “How could I be, Second Miss? I am truly overjoyed to see you return.”

‘So overjoyed I could cry,’ her heart twitched.

“Is that so? Then don’t let your mouth droop. Smiles curve upwards. Come, I’ll help you adjust.”

Yu Lian’s downturned lips were hooked by Bai Muya’s hands, her fingers slipping into Yu Lian’s mouth, touching her clean, even teeth, and becoming moist with saliva.

Then, her lips were gently pulled upwards by Bai Muya, shaping them into a smile.

“There, that’s better.”

Bai Muya released her hands and stepped back slightly, nodding with satisfaction. Yu Lian’s eyelids twitched frantically, maintaining a forced, stiff smile.

Bai Muya took Yu Lian’s hand and led her to sit on the bed. Her gaze swept over Yu Lian, and she mused, pinching her chin, “You seem to have lost a tiny bit of weight. Haven’t you been eating well?”

“No.”

“Really? But why did I hear the maids outside say you don’t touch any meat dishes? Are their meat dishes not to your liking?”

Yu Lian shook her head. “No, it’s for personal reasons. I… I’ve had a condition since childhood where I feel nauseous and want to vomit whenever I see seafood.”

‘Seafood?’

‘So, it’s just seafood she can’t eat; other meats are fine?’

‘It seems Lingyi’s conclusion wasn’t complete. It’s more specific and reliable to ask the person directly.’

“Then I’ll have the maids prepare other meats for you in the future, just no seafood.”

Yu Lian suddenly felt that this crazy woman was still quite gentle with her, not so bad after all. Perhaps she should try to get along with the Second Miss; there was nothing to lose.

“Second Miss, vegetables are fine. There’s no need for such trouble.”

“You call this trouble? You’re going to be my concubine. If I can’t even satisfy this request, wouldn’t my title as the Second Miss of the Bai Manor be nothing but an empty name?”

‘Fine, then.’

Yu Lian no longer wanted to resist.

She nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, her body lost its balance as she was pressed down onto the bed. Yu Lian looked up at the person above her, swallowing hard.

‘What are you trying to do?’