"Mm." Bai Xiao lazily responded with a nasal sound and then held Xiao Jia's hand again, continuing downstairs.
Bai Youyuan, even more adept at putting on an act, introduced courteously, "Family head, this is Bai Yu, who I mentioned to you before. She was expelled from the family; by rank, she is your cousin."
"Mm." Bai Xiao sat down on the sofa, her calm gaze falling on Bai Yu, commanding respect without anger, "Little Uncle, how many cousins do we have in our generation—cousins, both male and female?"
"Inside and outside, there are seventeen people." Bai Youyuan replied.
"At yesterday's succession ceremony, I didn't see Cousin Bai Yu. I think it's because of the expulsion." Bai Xiao deliberately added the name before "cousin" to show estrangement, assert authority, and distinguish among many cousins.
Bai Yu was displeased: "Family head, among our generation, I am the eldest."
"I can see that. You're thirty, aren't you?" Bai Xiao asked.
