But for Bai Sasa, this had been her home for five years.
There were too many memories here.
Learning manners being scolded by Nanny, failing to properly greet the Family Head’s wife leading to being punished by learning more manners, ingeniously striving to gain the Family Head’s favor at family banquets among sisters...
Although it is true that the Bai Yang Clan was the First Shi Clan, and even their legitimate daughters were welcomed by nobles and children of poor families.
Yet, others did not know how oppressed and insignificant the concubines were behind the splendid façade, living a mechanical life day after day.
Back then, Bai Sasa never thought anything was wrong.
Which Shi clan did not live ?
Wasn’t this how all concubine-born daughters lived?
However, since she began wandering and escaping, Bai Sasa’s views had changed, and she suddenly awakened from her puppet-like state.
Looking back now, the more she thought about it, the more suffocated she felt, so much so that she found herself resisting both old acquaintances and her previous environment.
Just then, when she saw that familiar yet strange gate, her mind uncontrollably recalled those complicated rules and the oppressive life.
Thinking of this, she felt so weighed down that she could not lift her feet.
Bai Sasa didn’t know what was wrong with herself, but at that very moment of dread, Li Wenli suddenly patted her head and told her, "We’re home."
Bai Sasa abruptly detached herself from that suffocating feeling.
Yes, the past was gone, and the present was the reality.
She should be brave as her elder sister had said, not setting limits for herself.
She was her own person, not someone’s accessory, nor a clan’s puppet.
Bai Sasa quietly gripped Li Wenli’s sleeve and walked inside.
Bai Lingyu seemed to sense Sister Shi Yi’s anxiety.
However, unaware of Sister Shi Yi’s thoughts, and thinking she was scared of the children’s talks of ghosts, he affectionately took Bai Sasa’s hand.
"Sister Shi Yi, don’t be afraid, I will protect you."
Bai Lingyu’s hand was soft, chubby, and warm, and holding Bai Sasa’s hand warmed her heart.
So, they slowly walked into the courtyard.
The Bai Residence was a compound with three sections, each section containing its east and west wings, each wing also having its own separate pavilion.
Following the central axis down, the first section of the courtyard was where the Bai family received guests and accommodated ordinary retainers.
The second section was where the Family Head worked and where distinguished guests stayed.
The final section housed the Family Head’s close family and children in four major gardens.
But right now, everywhere there were wildly overgrown weeds, with every building dilapidated, inhabited only by snakes, bugs, rats, and ants.
Many doors and windows, neglected by everyone, had rotted away, and the furniture had already been looted in the wars.
Those still here were just the immovable larger pieces of furniture.
However, having been vacant for three years, everything had succumbed to mould, and one could smell a strong musty odor approaching the houses.
Li Wenli felt that not a single room in this large compound was habitable.
While they were hesitating about how to manage it, Bai Junjun came back with some people.
Captain Polar Bear had once again brought back plenty of supplies, but for this dilapidated courtyard... the supplies were of no use.
Li Wenli and Bai Junjun stared in dismay at everything.
Suddenly, a clear female voice called out from the other side of the wall.
"Good heavens. It’s really a sight for sore eyes, you wouldn’t happen to be from the Bai family, would you?"
All of them looked over together, only to see half of a woman’s figure appearing on the courtyard wall.