《Abandoned Woman Busy Farming》 Chapter 1 - 1 001 The Abandoned Pregnant Woman ?Chapter 1: Chapter 001 The Abandoned Pregnant Woman Chapter 1: Chapter 001 The Abandoned Pregnant Woman Mountain Village was rumoured to be a Feng Shui Treasure Land, sitting at the foot of a magnificent mountain, just somewhat secluded. Wang Shugen, the village head of Mountain Village, didn¡¯t know if the Feng Shui was as good as the legend claimed. He only knew that most of the folks in the village were honest and there were hardly any disturbances or problems. However, an inexplicable ruckus seemed to kick off that day. In the western part of the village was a vast field, and on the way to the field, a flamboyantly dressed woman was arguing with a visibly pregnant girl. ¡°Oh, who do we have here? Isn¡¯t this the Bai Family¡¯s sweet girl? How come your belly¡¯s swollen without being wed?¡± The speaker was the third daughter-in-law of the Liu Family, a well-known gossipmonger in the village. Although her chitter-chatter was usually harmless and didn¡¯t cause any major trouble. The other women around her started mocking and pointing at the pregnant girl as well, laughing at her for being unwed and pregnant. Bai Ruozhu unconsciously touched her large bump, which couldn¡¯t even be hidden by her oversized clothes, and her eyes welled up. Biting her lower lip firmly, she strained to hold back her tears. Today was a busy summer day, and the entire Bai Family was working in the fields. Seeing the sun blazing harshly overhead, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want to step out but was concerned that her parents and brothers in the fields might suffer from heatstroke. Thus, she reluctantly went out to take them green bean soup, only to run into these gossips the moment she stepped out of the house. There were too many grievances associated with the child in her belly, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want to argue with these women and tried to bypass the third daughter-in-law of the Liu family to make a quick escape. ¡°Oh, you can¡¯t speak now? Where¡¯s your face when you¡¯re pregnant?¡± Seeing that Bai Ruozhu did not dare to retort, the third daughter-in-law of the Liu family got even more boisterous. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s lip was almost bleeding from her biting, as she held back the tears welling up in her eyes. The third daughter-in-law of the Liu family felt a sudden surge of displeasure, Bai Ruozhu was widely known for her beauty in the village. Now that she was pregnant, her sharp face appeared a little plump, the sight of her looking so pitiful aroused jealousy and made the third daughter-in-law even more upset. ¡°Are you deaf or mute? Can¡¯t you respond when talked to?¡± The third daughter-in-law of Liu family got angry, and roughly grabbed Bai Ruozhu¡¯s cloak, saying, ¡°Where¡¯ve you been? Say something to us, why are you avoiding us?¡± ¡°I have nothing to say to you all, please don¡¯t delay me in delivering the green bean soup,¡± Bai Ruozhu shook her arm off, but the third daughter-in-law of Liu Family had pulled her so hard that the pot of green bean soup she was carrying spilled a significant amount ¡ª some splashed onto the Liu Family daughter-in-law¡¯s newly made floral skirt. She shrieked instantly. ¡°What do you mean by this? You pay for my skirt!¡± The third daughter-in-law loves to dress up, but being a peasant, she couldn¡¯t afford to make new clothes often ¡ª she cherished this new skirt especially. Seeing her rush over, Bai Ruozhu hastily stepped back, using the pot in her hands to shield her protruding belly. ¡°You little wretch, such a black heart. The Bai Family prides itself on being scholarly but they bred such a shameless daughter like you!¡± Now furious, the third daughter-in-law of Liu Family swore and shoved Bai Ruozhu a couple of times. Suddenly, someone screamed. Everyone turned to see Bai Ruozhu pushed down on the ground by the third daughter-in-law. The pot of green bean soup tipped over on the ground, scattering all over. But it was not as glaring as the blood seeping from Bai Ruozhu¡¯s head, and she laid there motionless, as though lifeless. ¡°My goodness! Didn¡¯t she just kill someone? Third daughter-in-law, you were too rough!¡± Someone frightened, cried out. The third daughter-in-law too was startled with her speech stuttering, ¡°I¡ªI didn¡¯t use much strength... it was¡ªit was her who fell down herself, don¡¯t make things up!¡± After saying that, she cautiously prodded Bai Ruozhu¡¯s leg with her foot, and hesitated to say, ¡°Hey, Bai Ruozhu, I know you¡¯re fine. Stop faking it!¡± Sadly, Bai Ruozhu still didn¡¯t respond. ¡°It¡¯s over, someone could lose their life, we must hurry to tell the Bai family and the village chief!¡± Someone yelled and took off running. Liu San¡¯s wife wanted to call after them, but ultimately didn¡¯t dare to stop them. Just when Liu San¡¯s wife was so scared her legs were trembling, Bai Ruozhu, who was lying on the ground, suddenly moaned. Liu San¡¯s wife immediately perked up, excitedly saying, ¡°Look quickly, she¡¯s not dead, she can still make sound, right?¡± The crowd turned their gaze to Bai Ruozhu, only to see Bai Ruozhu slowly sit up, holding her head wound, her eyes somewhat vacant, probably from the blow. But no one knew that this Bai Ruozhu was no longer the Bai Ruozhu they knew. Bai Ruozhu held her head. She had worked hard for many years in the United States, finally earning a Master¡¯s Degree in Dentistry. After returning she opened a dental clinic. Just as the business was starting to improve, someone deliberately caused a hassle. As a result of an accidental shove, she hit her head on a machine. When she woke up again, everything had changed. She was sitting on the ground, surrounded by village women dressed in ancient attire, and found herself wearing a floral dress with a bit of heaviness in her belly... The wound on her head was in the same spot as before. When she reached up to touch it, her hand came away bloodied. Before she could even scream, she felt a wave of pain in her head as if a flood of information had just poured in. When she regained her senses, her vision cleared up, but she was filled with frustration. Bai Ruozhu wanted to scream. She had toiled hard for over twenty years. How could she just time-travel, and to some remote, desolate village at that? It was like going back to primitive conditions! Of course, that wasn¡¯t the worst of it. The unfortunate thing was that her new identity was that of an abandoned pregnant woman, almost six months along! If it weren¡¯t for the liberal attitudes of her new era which was akin to the Tang Dynasty, her predicament of pregnancy before marriage could have led to her being thrown into a pigsty. Before Bai Ruozhu could think any further, she heard Liu San¡¯s wife say, ¡°See, I told you it¡¯s nothing. She¡¯s just too heavy and tripped herself, what does it have to do with me?¡± The current Bai Ruozhu was not one to be bullied. Coupled with her bad mood, she immediately turned and glared at Liu San¡¯s wife, ¡°What do you mean, you didn¡¯t push me? Everyone saw you pushing me, and I couldn¡¯t even dodge in time. If you didn¡¯t push me, then why am I bleeding?¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hand was covered in blood from holding her head. After speaking, she shook it out, splattering blood onto Liu San¡¯s wife. ¡°See? Blood is visible, are you trying to murder me?¡± Liu San¡¯s wife was a delicate woman, pampered by her parents and married into a decent family with conservative attitudes. She hardly had any housework to do, and never even killed a chicken. So when Bai Ruozhu splashed her with blood, she was immediately scared into screaming, ¡°What are you doing? What are you doing?¡± Bai Ruozhu slowly got up, clutching her stomach. She moved behind the others and loudly said, ¡°You all saw her just push me. Please stop her if she goes crazy again. Our village is full of good people; we don¡¯t behave like this, endangering lives!¡± When Bai Ruozhu fell down, the spectators who had come to observe the commotion got scared. Now hearing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words, they hurriedly pulled Liu San¡¯s wife aside, advising her not to cause a catastrophe. At that moment, a woman¡¯s shout could be heard from afar: ¡°Liu San¡¯s family, I¡¯ll fight you!¡± ¡ª Two points ~ 1. The VIP Senior Group is established, recruiting readers with over 5000 fan points. Please check the pinned post in the book comment section. Remember to verify by replying to the post to get approved. Those with less than 5000 fan points can first join the regular Book Friends Group ~ 2. Asking for monthly tickets, as many monthly tickets as possible. Chapter 2 - 2 002 The whole family is protective ?Chapter 2: Chapter 002 The whole family is protective Chapter 2: Chapter 002 The whole family is protective Bai Ruozhu recognized the voice. It was the voice of her mother from her inherited memories. She turned around to look, and not only had her mother arrived, but also her father and her two older brothers. Upon seeing the bleeding on her daughter¡¯s head, Lin Pinger let out a cry and rushed forward. Before Bai Ruozhu had a chance to react, her mother was already wrestling with Liu San¡¯s wife. Those who wanted to intervene were taken aback by the ferocity of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother and were at a loss as to how to intervene. ¡°Uncle Bai, you need to stop them before someone gets killed.¡± Seeing that they could not restrain Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother, the bystanders pleaded with Bai Ruozhu¡¯s father. ¡°If someone dies, I will take responsibility. Anyone who dares to hit my daughter should not expect anything good to come out of it!¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s father, Bai Yihong, said coldly. His solemn expression scared the people who tried to intervene into silence. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes sparkled. She knew that the Bai family cherished their daughters, but she hadn¡¯t expected them to be so protective. She was envious of having such loving parents. After finishing his sentence, Bai Yihong quickly stepped forward to support Bai Ruozhu. The icy look on his face melted away as he asked with concern, ¡°Girl, where do you feel uncomfortable?¡± Bai Ruozhu pouted, adopting a whiny tone involuntarily: ¡°My head is broken. It hurts!¡± Perhaps it was because she never had a father to pamper her in her previous life, or perhaps it was because of the emotions she inherited from her predecessor. She felt slightly embarrassed, but she quickly accepted it. After all, she was only seventeen years old now. At this thought, she couldn¡¯t help but wince, oh my, a seventeen-year-old unmarried mother... Bai Yihong, assuming that Bai Ruozhu was in great pain, turned to his eldest son, Bai Zehao, and shouted: ¡°Eldest son, go get Doctor Li to examine your sister¡¯s injury.¡± Bai Zehao, who had been worrying intensely, immediately responded and turned to run. However, he didn¡¯t forget to glare at Liu San¡¯s wife and her crew before leaving. If it weren¡¯t for him refraining from hitting women, he would have already rushed forward to avenge his sister. Watching her mother, Bai Lin, still fighting and cursing, Bai Ruozhu voiced her concern: ¡°Dad, we should get mom to stop, I¡¯m afraid she might get hurt.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, your mother is quite tough. If we don¡¯t let her vent her anger for you, she won¡¯t be able to sleep for days.¡± Bai Yihong responded. Although Bai Ruozhu was still worried as her mother was all by herself, she noticed a group of people running from the direction of the fields. Leading the group was Village Head Wang Shugen. At the village head¡¯s command, the people he brought with him were finally able to separate Bai Lin and Liu San¡¯s wife. ¡°This is the busy time of summer, what are you causing a ruckus for? You¡¯ve even roused this old man from his rest!¡± The village head shouted angrily. The village had been becoming increasingly troublesome lately, with these housewives having the time to bully others during the farming season. This was particularly true for Liu San¡¯s wife. However, the fact that Ruozhu from the Bai family was pregnant before marriage was indeed a public scandal. The Liu family had also arrived. Liu San¡¯s third son was particularly protective of his wife. On one hand, he fancied his coquettish wife. On the other hand, she had given birth to a big fat boy within a year of their marriage. Now, seeing his wife with dishevelled hair, a swollen face, and a bleeding mouth, he started to make a fuss, ¡°Village Head, they are trying to beat someone to death! Are they bullying us because they think the Liu family has no one to stand up for them?¡± Bai Yihong sternly stepped forward, glaring at Liu San. ¡°Dog leftovers, get out of my way! Who exactly bullied who? Your wife attacked my daughter, and now you¡¯re playing the victim?¡± ¡°Dog Leftovers¡± was Liu San¡¯s nickname. He was in his twenties this year and by seniority, he should actually address Bai Yihong as uncle. Therefore, there was nothing wrong with Bai Yihong scolding him. Upon hearing this, Liu San¡¯s wife immediately protested: ¡°I didn¡¯t hit her. She fell on her own. Village Head, ask everyone if you don¡¯t believe me.¡± After saying that, she quietly signaled the other women. With her hand on her head, Bai Ruozhu loudly declared: ¡°It was her who pushed me. I swear to the heavens, anyone who dares to say she didn¡¯t just push me will face heavenly retribution, do they not fear being struck by lightning?¡± People in ancient times were superstitious, especially those in rural areas. Originally, a few women were ready to lie for Liu San¡¯s wife, but they dared not speak up for a while. Liu San¡¯s wife had indeed pushed Bai Ruozhu, and even multiple times. What if they were really struck by lightning for lying? The village head tapped the ground with his walking stick. It wasn¡¯t that he needed it for walking, but because it added to his imposing demeanor during important times. He harshly knocked it on the ground a few times before saying, ¡°Liu San, take your wife and go home. In the future, don¡¯t always stir up trouble. During the busy farming season, you should help out at home more and not wander around aimlessly.¡± ¡°Village Head, the matter can¡¯t end like this. The Liu family must compensate my sister¡¯s medical expenses.¡± The speaker was Bai Ruozhu¡¯s second brother, Bai Zepei. He had been silent all this time, but now suddenly spoke up, his tone firm and resolute, as though he would not stop until he got justice for his sister. Bai Ruozhu glanced at her second brother. From the memories of her previous life, she knew her second brother was a man of few words. Usually, he would be buried in his books, having passed the preliminary Imperial examination. But there was no pretension about him. When it was necessary to work the fields, he would do it without complaint. It was just that he was a bit cold. Looking at Bai Zepei¡¯s expression, she understood that his demand for the medical fee was not about the money, but to teach the Liu family a lesson so they could be more restrained in the future. Families in rural areas had limited income. Raising a pig for a year wouldn¡¯t earn much silver. If the Liu family had to cut into their budget because of Liu San¡¯s wife¡¯s antics, they would surely give her a proper telling-off, and hopefully, this would keep her in check in the future. The village head felt a bit of a headache looking at Bai Zepei. This young man had passed the preliminary imperial examination at the age of eighteen and was now preparing for the official Imperial examination. If he became a scholar, the Bai family would have another scholar in addition to Old Master Bai. That would be quite an achievement. The prospects of such a promising young man were hard to ignore; who knows, he might become an important official in the future. ¡°That¡¯s true. Miss Bai has a head injury, and has lost quite a bit of blood. When the doctor arrives, the Liu family should pay the consultation fee.¡± The village head said. ¡°And the recovery fee.¡± Bai Ruozhu added coldly in the back. She had lost so much blood; she would need to replenish her strength, right? Moreover, from the memories of her previous life, she knew that her family¡¯s economic condition was very poor. Her parents had even worried about money, and her mother had planned to borrow some from her family. Upon hearing this, Liu San¡¯s wife wasn¡¯t happy. She shouted, ¡°What kind of person does she think she is? She¡¯s pregnant before marriage, and the village hasn¡¯t kicked her out yet. This is a disgrace. And now she wants to swindle money from us, the Liu family, to support the illegitimate child in her belly? Is she worthy?¡± Liu San¡¯s wife sure had a nasty mouth! Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother was the first to react. She wanted to rush over to Liu San¡¯s wife, but Bai Ruozhu restrained her, ¡°We¡¯re all decent people in our village. Everyone knows who is at fault here today. There¡¯s no need to bully people to death. No one in our village would be so despicable.¡± ¡°What are you saying, you little girl? I¡¯ll discipline my own wife!¡± Hearing Bai Ruozhu call his wife despicable, Liu San was instantly furious. ¡°Now, Brother Liu San knows how to reason. According to what you¡¯re saying, it¡¯s not your place to interfere with my younger sister¡¯s affairs, right? What is the meaning of your wife blocking the road to hit someone?¡± Bai Zepei¡¯s voice was soft, but it echoed crisply and clearly through the air. Chapter 3 - 3 003 Who is the Childs Father ?Chapter 3: Chapter 003 Who is the Child¡¯s Father Chapter 3: Chapter 003 Who is the Child¡¯s Father Liu San was choked by the words and his face turned red. He glanced at his wife with a somewhat resentful look. Just then, Bai Zehao, who had gone to fetch the doctor, returned with Dr. Li. As Dr. Li began to treat Bai Ruozhu¡¯s wound, all the Bai family members were too anxious to care about Liu San and his wife, they gathered nervously around Bai Ruozhu to listen to what Dr. Li had to say. ¡°This wound is deep and the weather is hot. It might leave a scar.¡± After inspecting Bai Ruozhu¡¯s forehead, Dr. Li said candidly. The medicine had stopped the bleeding, but the weather was too hot to bandage it. Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother broke down and hugged her, saying, ¡°My poor daughter, who has always been so kindly to others, was intentionally harmed by such evil-hearted people.¡± Bai Ruozhu patted her mother¡¯s hand. A scar was not beyond removal, and she was not too concerned about her looks. She didn¡¯t want her family to be overly heartbroken over it. ¡°Ahem, everything else is fine. There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± Dr. Li coughed awkwardly, avoiding the topic. What he referred to was the baby in Bai Ruozhu¡¯s belly. He had heard about her situation and felt it was inappropriate to mention it directly. Bai Ruozhu touched her belly with a daze. After such a severe fall, the baby did not suffer any harm. Was it because her predecessor had been trying to protect the baby until her death? Or was it because the fetus had a strong will to survive? The warmth emanating from her belly filled her with unexpected affection. This was something she had never experienced before. People always say that a woman¡¯s maternal instinct is natural, she never expected that hers would be so suddenly triggered. Even though the child was not hers, she started to care for the little life inside her. But, who is the father of this child? Bai Ruozhu began to search through the memories of her predecessor. As it turns out, the child in her belly had an extraordinary origin. A year and a half ago, her father, Bai Yihong, went hunting in the mountains. Instead of returning with game, he came back with an injured young man draped over his shoulders. The young man was severely injured, and while he survived, he lost all memory of his past, even forgetting his own name. Yet, this young man was sincere and hardworking, easily winning the affection of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s family. Bai Yihong even named him Chang Sheng, showing his hope for the young man¡¯s peaceful future. After a year of living together, the Bai family grew increasingly fond of Chang Sheng. Bai Ruozhu also developed strong feelings for him. After discussing with his wife, Bai Yihong made the decision to betroth his daughter to Chang Sheng. The couple thought that it would be a good arrangement since Chang Sheng had no family of his own. Bai¡¯s wife was initially reluctant due to Chang Sheng¡¯s unknown origin, but she finally agreed under Bai Yihong¡¯s insistence. However, before the wedding day could arrive, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s virginity was broken during one of their trips to gather firewood in the mountains. Subsequently, Chang Sheng disappeared. When Bai Yihong led a search party for him, all indications pointed to Chang Sheng accidentally rolling off a mountain. Despite this, the villagers failed to locate him despite looking at all possible spots. Some speculated he was rescued by people from another village, others speculated that he was taken by a wild beast and yet others thought that Chang Sheng, being an outsider, had left purposely. Meanwhile, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s belly gradually began to show. It has been almost half a year since Chang Sheng vanished, and there was still no word from him. The only thing he left behind was a jade pendant that he had secretly given to Bai Ruozhu. Bai¡¯s wife shed countless tears for him and Bai¡¯s father was filled with self-reproach. As Bai Ruozhu thought of Chang Sheng¡¯s face, she could only recall a blurred smile. It seemed that Chang Sheng was very charming when he smiled. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t recall his face clearly. Perhaps because the events surrounding Chang Sheng had brought so much pain to her predecessor, that all memories of him were blurry. Something about her predecessor¡¯s memories didn¡¯t add up though. Bai Ruozhu remembered her predecessor as a well-behaved, shy young woman. How on earth did she end up getting intimate with Chang Sheng before the wedding and becoming pregnant? Unfortunately, her memories about this were also blurry. She figured she could inquire with her family at a later time. Touching her belly, Bai Ruozhu sighed softly. Her transmigration journey had truly been unfortunate. Without ever experiencing love, she was already expected to bear and raise a child. Rumor has it that giving birth in ancient times was akin to a dangerous trek through the lore known as ¡°the ghost gate¡±. She wondered how much suffering she would have to endure. Just as she was feeling sorry for herself, the little life in her belly moved. Bai Ruozhu had never experienced such a feeling in her twenty-something years of life. She looked down at her belly in surprise, an unexpected wave of emotion rising in her heart. Was the little one trying to comfort her? The Bai family members were relieved to learn that the baby was unharmed. However, the matter couldn¡¯t just end like this. Bai Zepei said to his mother, ¡°Mother, you take Ruozhu back to rest. We will handle what follows. Whether we¡¯re making amends or paying compensation, we¡¯ll see to it.¡± ¡°What compensation? I got hurt too. Why doesn¡¯t she pay me?¡± Liu San¡¯s wife mumbled discontentedly in a low voice. The village head was eager to have the matter resolved. Seeing Liu San¡¯s wife stirring up trouble again, he used his walking stick to thump the ground and reprimanded her, saying, ¡°That¡¯s all your own fault. Why bother others for no reason?¡± Being somewhat fearful of the village head, Liu San¡¯s wife dared not talk back when scolded by him. She slipped behind Liu San, looking like a wronged wife, and acted as if she was the one who had been picked on and bullied. Bai¡¯s wife had no patience to waste on Liu San¡¯s wife. Now, she was more concerned about Bai Ruozhu¡¯s health. After saying goodbye to the village head, she was about to lead Bai Ruozhu away when Bai Yihong called out to them, ¡°Wait, I have something I want to say!¡± Bai Ruozhu and her mother both looked at Bai Yihong in surprise. Why had he suddenly stopped them? The village head was also very surprised. What else was there to say? Bai Yihong looked around at the gathering of onlookers, cleared his throat, and loudly declared, ¡°Since everyone¡¯s here today, let me, Bai Yihong, make things clear, to prevent any further slander being cast upon my daughter.¡± At this point, he glared fiercely at Liu San and his wife. It was clear to everyone at this point that there was bad blood between the Bais and the Lius, and that Bai Yihong was very protective of his daughter. ¡°I arranged Ruozhu¡¯s marriage myself. My wife and I love our daughter and didn¡¯t want her to get married and leave, so we decided to bring Chang Sheng into our family. Although Chang Sheng has no parents, the situation was a bit embarrassing, so we didn¡¯t hold a large wedding feast in the village. But the two children have officially married in the ancestral hall, and I even had my good friend Zhou Deshun serve as a witness. Feel free to ask him.¡± Zhou Deshun was a close friend of Bai Yihong. ¡°I¡¯ve made myself clear today. If anyone dares to say that my daughter isn¡¯t officially married in the future, don¡¯t blame me, Bai Yihong, for being ruthless!¡± Bai Yihong¡¯s voice was loud and assertive, showing that he was willing to challenge anyone who dared to besmirch his daughter¡¯s reputation. Bai Ruozhu looked at Bai Yihong in surprise. In her predecessor¡¯s memories, there had never been a wedding, nor had Zhou Deshun been invited as a witness. It turned out her father was telling a lie to protect her! Chapter 4 - 4 004 Do you regret it now ?Chapter 4: Chapter 004: Do you regret it now? Chapter 4: Chapter 004: Do you regret it now? In her predecessor¡¯s memory, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s father Bai Yihong was a very upright and honest man, who never resorted to violence or anger. Yet today, for her sake, Bai Yihong not only had to fight but also contradicted his own principles by lying. Bai Ruozhu felt a little heartache. If only her own father could treat her so well. However, she quickly rationalized, wasn¡¯t he now her father? Along with a mother who defended her siblings, the life given to her by the heavens in this life was not too shabby. Liu¡¯s wife was still a little unconvinced and murmured under her breath, ¡°Who knows if it is true, even if it is, the man still fled.¡± Bai Yihong glared at her. His eyes were already big, and now with them wide open, he looked quite frightening, causing Liu¡¯s wife to swallow her retort. ¡°Regardless of what you think, you cannot wrongly accuse young Chang Sheng. When he met with misfortune that day, I went to find the village head, and later, many people followed me to Back Mountain. The signs we saw indicated he might have slid down to the other side of the mountain, which the village head can attest to,¡± Bai Yihong added. The village head quickly nodded, ¡°Indeed, this is true.¡± ¡°While the boy Chang Sheng indeed met with an accident, he is blessed and will eventually come back safe and sound.¡± Bai Yihong sighed. Lin Ping¡¯er also quickly said: ¡°That¡¯s right. The boy is blessed. He will surely turn a calamity into a blessing!¡± After speaking, she gently pulled Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hand, afraid she would worry too much about Chang Sheng. ¡°What blessings, soot-black that one.¡± Liu¡¯s wife quietly muttered to herself. Bai Ruozhu remembered that Chang Sheng seemed to be quite handsome but of unclear origin, which is why Bai Yihong always made him smudge his face black. She suddenly remembered the jade pendant she had received from Chang Sheng. She immediately showed it to everyone, saying, ¡°This is the family heirloom of Chang Sheng, and also a token he gave me for our engagement. Surely there can be no fake, right?¡± Everyone looked at the jade pendant. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s pendant was pure white and lustrous, and it clearly had some years. Therefore, everyone stopped doubting Bai Yihong¡¯s words. Who would casually gift a family heirloom unless they were truly engaging? Then, the village chief knocked on his cane and loudly spoke, ¡°Everyone has heard Bai Yihong and Ruozhu explain, nobody is allowed to spread rumors or to cause trouble again!¡± Everyone nodded, concurring with the village chief, and even though Liu San and his wife were dissatisfied, they didn¡¯t dare say another word. ¡°Alright then, today Liu¡¯s wife started the fight and injured someone first. As compensation, she should pay half a silver coin to the Lin Family.¡± The village chief proposed after some thought. ¡°What? Is she worth half a silver coin?¡± Liu¡¯s wife started shouting again. The village chief promptly knocked the ground firmly with his cane, saying sternly, ¡°So my words don¡¯t carry any weight now? If you won¡¯t pay half a silver coin, let the Bai Family report this to the officials.¡± Liu San jumped in fright. If the officials got involved, regardless of the outcome, his wife would end up in jail, a place known to be quite dreadful. Even if she were to get out, she would lose much. ¡°Chief, please don¡¯t be angry. My wife is young and impulsive. We will pay the money. I don¡¯t have it at hand, so I need to go back and get it from my mother,¡± said Liu San with an apologetic look on his face. ¡°Then make sure to send it to the Bai Family as soon as possible, don¡¯t delay it until tomorrow,¡± The village head said unabashedly, ¡°Alright, everyone should go back now. Pay attention to your fields as our livelihood depends on them and stop wasting time on these pointless matters.¡± Seeing the village head had spoken, everyone did not dare to linger. Only after Bai Yihong thanked the village head and paid the doctor¡¯s fee did they leave with their family. ¡°Daughter, don¡¯t mind those people. We just need to live our lives well.¡± After returning home, Lin Ping¡¯er carefully tidied Bai Ruozhu¡¯s disheveled hair. She said with a heartache, ¡°This injury has taken up a large part of your head, I just hope it doesn¡¯t leave a scar.¡± Bai Yihong was flashing signals at her discreetly, worried that Bai Ruozhu would be more upset. Lin Ping¡¯er realized this too late and felt somewhat regretful. ¡°Dad, Mom, I¡¯m fine. This minor injury won¡¯t leave a scar. Don¡¯t harm your health over this incident. We live well, let them stew in their jealousy.¡± Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but offer comforting words to her beloved parents. Bai Yihong and Lin Ping¡¯er were very surprised. Their daughter had always been sensible, but lately, she had been constantly frowning. They knew the troubles plaguing her but were powerless to help. They had not expected her to have such a change in attitude after this incident. This might have been a blessing in disguise. ¡°You¡¯re right, we¡¯re living well and that¡¯ll make them furious!¡± Lin Ping¡¯er was a forthright person. Originally, she had been plotting how to make Liu San¡¯s wife suffer, but she changed her mind after hearing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words. ¡°Darling, you take a rest. I¡¯m going to feed the pigs. Your father, you should go and water the vegetables in the backyard.¡± As soon as Lin Ping¡¯er finished speaking, she led Bai Yihong out of the room. Lin Ping¡¯er called out to her eldest son, Bai Zehao, to chop wood. Soon, the sound of chopping echoed in the yard. Bai Ruozhu lifted her head to look at the humble mud house, and her heart ached a little. She lay down on the hard kang bed fully dressed. The sharp sensation immediately hurt her back. The living conditions at home were indeed too simple. The Bai family was of average means. When they had split from the old mansion, they had built their own house. However, due to financial strain, they could only afford to build three rooms. Lin Ping¡¯er, showing great care for her daughter, insistently allocated one room solely to Bai Ruozhu while the two sons shared a room. However, with their eldest son about to get married and Bai Ruozhu soon to have a baby, their current housing was insufficient. These things she had inadvertantly heard while passing her parents¡¯ window. Lin Ping¡¯er also said that they had just managed to save a little money, but all of it was spent trying to save Chang Sheng. Their current financial situation was tight, they couldn¡¯t even afford to build a house, let alone cover the costs of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s upcoming childbirth. The previous Ruozhu often secretly shed tears over this issue, but as the current Bai Ruozhu, she would not wallow in sorrow. Lying in bed, she considered how to improve their current situation and make life at home better. Just as she was deep in thought, there was a knock at the door. Bai Ruozhu, while supporting her belly, slowly got up and said, ¡°Who is it, please come in.¡± The one who came in was the knowledgeable Bai Zepei. It¡¯s no wonder he knocked so politely. If it had been the elder brother, he would likely have pounded on the door. Bai Zepei walked to the bedside and took out a bun wrapped in oil paper from his bosom and stuffed it into Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hand, ¡°Quick, eat it while it¡¯s hot.¡± The bun was still hot to the touch. Bai Ruozhu looked at her second brother in surprise and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Where did you get the money?¡± ¡°I earned it by writing letters for others. You need to recuperate from your injury,¡± said Bai Zepei simply, with a tone that did not allow for any contradiction. Bai Ruozhu indeed was hungry, and just so happened to have a craving for buns. Unable to resist, her stomach unknowingly grumbled loudly. Bai Zepei almost laughed when he heard it, but he restrained himself in order not to embarrass Bai Ruozhu. Ruozhu chuckled softly, then scratched her head and said, ¡°Thanks, second brother.¡± She then peeled off the paper and began to eat heartily. Truth be told, the bun barely had any meat and wasn¡¯t made of white flour. It didn¡¯t taste particularly good, but Bai Ruozhu still devoured it gluttonously. Bai Zepei looked at Bai Ruozhu somewhat surprised. It had been a long time since his sister seemed to relish her food so much. He couldn¡¯t help himself and said, ¡°If you like it, I¡¯ll buy you another one in a few days.¡± Bai Ruozhu hurriedly waved her hand, ¡°I¡¯ve had enough. If I eat any more, I¡¯ll get sick of it. Mom wouldn¡¯t want you to neglect your studies by writing letters for others. If you go and buy more, I¡¯ll have to apologize to Mom for it.¡± Bai Zepei didn¡¯t argue with Bai Ruozhu on this matter. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, ¡°Do you regret it now?¡± Chapter 5 - 5 005 - Space, the Gospel of Foodies ?Chapter 5: Chapter 005 ¨C Space, the Gospel of Foodies Chapter 5: Chapter 005 ¨C Space, the Gospel of Foodies Bai Ruozhu was stunned. The words her second brother once said surfaced in her mind: ¡°Chang Sheng is not a simple man. If you marry him, you might not lead a contented life. Marriage is a lifetime affair, you should really think it through.¡± Back then, Bai Ruozhu was deeply in love, she couldn¡¯t take in her second brother¡¯s advice. In the end, she still chose to marry Chang Sheng, and the result... Bai Ruozhu really wanted to say that she regretted, on behalf of her predecessor. But she wasn¡¯t her predecessor, so what use was her regret? After thinking for a bit, she said: ¡°Whether I regret or not is a thing of the past. Now I have the love of my parents and brothers, and later, a lovely little baby. If I put in the effort to lead a better life, there wouldn¡¯t be anything to regret.¡± Bai Zepei was somewhat surprised as he looked at her. After a long while, he said, ¡°It seems you really have moved on. That¡¯s great. Rest well, I¡¯m going to go read.¡± ¡°Thank you, Second Brother.¡± Bai Ruozhu was genuinely grateful to Bai Zepei. Thanks to Bai Zepei¡¯s questioning, she was able to clear up the direction of her future all at once. Bai Ruozhu settled back onto the bed. Perhaps due to the heaviness from her pregnancy, or her previous unrest had tired her out, she fell asleep before she could start mulling over things. By the time her mother woke her, it was already time for dinner. Lin was worried about tiring Bai Ruozhu, so she brought the meal into the room for her. Bai Ruozhu accepted it without decline. After all, it was her first meal in this place, and she might not adapt to it. It was better to adjust before eating with her family. ¡°Eat slowly. If it¡¯s not enough, I¡¯ll add some more. I have to clean up the kitchen.¡± Lin said and then left the room. In front of Bai Ruozhu was a bowl of multi-grain porridge, two bean-flour doughnuts, and a small plate of stir-fried green vegetables with a few tiny pieces of oil slag. This is what¡¯s left after lard extraction, which can be eaten directly with some salt or mixed with vegetables. In an agricultural family, it¡¯s considered quite a rare ingredient, after all, not every family gets the chance to extract lard. Bai Ruozhu did indeed find it hard to adapt, so much so that she nearly threw up. Why was the dish so salty? And it was just salty, very strange. However, she quickly realized that she was used to modern bouillon-based flavors. At this point of time, there was no bouillon, only salt. Isn¡¯t this the taste that just salt would produce? But the Bai family¡¯s taste was really heavy. She quickly drank a few sips of hot porridge, ate a doughnut, only to find the doughnut was too coarse and tasted bad. Only the hot porridge was passable, so she reluctantly let the doughnuts soaked in the porridge before eating them. She was so distressed and stroked her hair. She was a genuine foodie! If she had to eat this kind of food every day, wouldn¡¯t it cost her life? And not to mention, there was not a trace of oil in her stomach. Not only wouldn¡¯t her baby in her womb get enough nutrition, but even if she wasn¡¯t pregnant, wouldn¡¯t she be malnourished? Moreover, she was just seventeen, it was an age of development. Thinking of this, Bai Ruozhu sneaked a glance out of the window, and sneakily touched her breast. She then saw her eyes become dull, her eyebrows twitched, and her face drooped. Oh, God, she really worried about it. She didn¡¯t want to become a flat-chested princess! No, she must find a way to improve her family¡¯s condition, at least starting with their diet. She thought about doing business, but with the Bai family¡¯s situation, they might not be able to gather the initial capital needed. Thinking of that, she unconsciously touched the jade pendant on her body, should she sell it? In fact, the former owner had discussed selling the jade pendant with her parents, but her parents adamantly refused, stating that it was a token left by Chang Sheng. Even if he couldn¡¯t be found in the future, it would be a memento left for their child. Bai Ruozhu estimated that her parents must have silently acknowledged that Chang Sheng was dead. This jade pendant may be the only relic Chang Sheng left for their child. Considering this, Bai Ruozhu decided that she couldn¡¯t sell it even for her child¡¯s sake. Just then, the baby in her belly suddenly gave her a kick. She couldn¡¯t help but laugh and touched her belly, whispering, ¡°Mom didn¡¯t really plan to sell your dad¡¯s relic, you¡¯re really temperamental.¡± As a result, the baby kicked even harder, as if he was drumming inside her belly. Bai Ruozhu was taken aback, and quickly responded, ¡°It¡¯s not a relic, not a relic. It¡¯s fine if mom was wrong, right?¡± As expected, after saying this, the child calmed down, only moving slightly. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes. Who did this child take after? So cunning! As she muttered this, she kept patting her belly. Suddenly, her sleeve rubbed up, revealing a red birthmark on her forearm. She was shocked to see the birthmark on her arm. As far as she remembered, she didn¡¯t seem to have a birthmark on her body. Could this have appeared due to her transmigration? The red birthmark looked like a simple sketch of a fish. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but touch it with her hand. She suddenly felt a heat in her fingertips and her vision blurred for a while, and before she knew it, she was in a different place. Bai Ruozhu almost screamed. My God, what did she see? It was water, a large pond! No, this wasn¡¯t the most important thing. The most important thing was that she had entered an amazing space! It was her own space! As expected, God did realize his wrongdoing, and gave her compensation! She hastily moved about and realized this space seemed to be barren. Did she need to do the farming herself? Thinking about how there would be delicious food after farming, Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but drool. After all, she was a genuine foodie. However, her attention was quickly dragged to the pond. The fact that she first appeared on the edge of the pond wasn¡¯t accidental. As she was thinking about this, suddenly a fish jumped out of the water, appearing to be a sea bass, and it was so big that even from afar, it looked plump and juicy. After a gurgling sound, Bai Ruozhu subconsciously swallowed her saliva. She loved steamed sea bass the most, and it was easy to eat because it had very little bones. Thinking of this, she walked towards the pond, wondering how to catch the fish. Suddenly with a splash, the sea bass she was just looking at flung itself ashore and was flopping on the ground as it was still alive. But there were no tools here. How would she kill the fish and steam it? Bai Ruozhu picked up the fish, thinking about leaving the space first. As she had the thought, she indeed found herself back in the cabin, except now there was a slippery live fish in her hand. At this point, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s greed had once again overwhelmed her astonishment. Seeing that no one was in the courtyard, she took the fish and quietly slipped out of the room. Then, standing by the corner of the wall, she called out, ¡°Mom, Dad, why is there a fish here? It¡¯s still jumping around!¡± Bai Yihong and Lin rushed out at the sound, and even Bai Zehao came out, all of them were somewhat surprised to see the still moving fish in Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hand. ¡°Did anyone just come by?¡± Bai Yihong asked. Lin shook her head, ¡°No, and I didn¡¯t hear anything.¡± ¡°Could it be a gift from the Liu family?¡± Bai Zehao scratched his head and asked. Bai Ruozhu almost couldn¡¯t resist rolling her eyes at him. The Liu family still owed them half a penny, how could they secretly give them fish? Her big brother really thought too highly of people, didn¡¯t he? ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Bai Ruozhu said, ¡°No matter where it came from, let¡¯s kill the fish and eat it?¡± She was already so eager that she inadvertently licked her lips. Chapter 6 - 6 006 Steamed Fish and Fresh Soup Noodles ?Chapter 6: Chapter 006 Steamed Fish and Fresh Soup Noodles Chapter 6: Chapter 006 Steamed Fish and Fresh Soup Noodles Perhaps her expression had exposed her desires too transparently, for the other three quickly nodded in agreement. Bai Lin turned her head to wipe her eyes covertly. It was a common occurrence for a daughter with child to crave nourishing food, and the sight of her own daughter lusting after a fish must mean the baby in her womb longed for it too. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll go prepare the fish,¡± declared Bai Lin, suppressing her own emotions and moving to pick up the fish. But Bai Ruozhu stopped her in her tracks, suggesting, ¡°Mother, you¡¯ve had a hard day. Please rest. I can handle the fish.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t do. You lost a lot of blood today; you mustn¡¯t overwork yourself,¡± Bai Lin immediately countered. Bai Ruozhu quickly took her mother¡¯s arm, her tone playful and cajoling as she protested, ¡°Mother, I¡¯m not made of paper! I¡¯ve been resting all afternoon and I¡¯m fine now. If I don¡¯t do anything, my health will only deteriorate. Plus, I¡¯m only planning on steaming it. It¡¯s simple, really and requires no effort.¡± ¡°Mom, let the girl do it. I¡¯ll help her clean the fish,¡± Bai Yihong suddenly intervened, then took the fish to the well for cleaning. Bai Lin, reassured her daughter won¡¯t have to clean the fish, said nothing more. Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief. She was determined to cook the hard-won fish to perfection, eager to show off her culinary skills to her family. During her study in the United States, she¡¯d learned to cook to avoid the local fast food. As a result, over the years, her culinary skills had dramatically improved. She could prepare a variety of standard home-cooked dishes very well, and even a few signature dishes worthy of a banquet. In the year before she left the United States, she was even invited to work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant, which helped her quickly save up the money to set up a clinic back home. As a foodie with excellent culinary skills, how could she not make good use of the fresh and tender sea bass at hand? Soon, Bai Yihong had prepared the fish. Bai Ruozhu made three cuts on each side, then placed it in a dish. She quickly used the available condiments to create a sauce, poured it over the fish, stuffed the fish with sliced ginger, flipped it over, covered it with chopped spring onions, and then put it in the pot to steam. Steaming fish was a delicate process. Both the intensity of the heat and the timing had to be carefully controlled to prevent the fish from being overcooked and losing its tenderness. Soon, Bai Ruozhu served the steaming, fragrant fish. Bai Lin tried to help her to prevent any burns, but as the aroma of the fish reached her, she couldn¡¯t help but inhale deeply. ¡°Oh, the fish Bai Ruozhu cooked smells so delicious!¡± Bai Lin praised loudly. She beamed with pride at her daughter¡¯s culinary skills. Both Bai Yihong and Bai Zehao couldn¡¯t resist complimenting her upon catching the aroma, with Bai Zehao cheerfully saying, ¡°I¡¯ll go get my second brother to taste the fish our sister made.¡± The delicious scent of the fish was not only due to Bai Ruozhu¡¯s culinary skills. She had noticed while cooking that the meat of this sea bass was incredibly fresh and succulent. Only the best ingredients could produce such a delectable dish. ¡°Ruozhu, the fish you used to cook didn¡¯t taste this good. Where did you learn these cooking skills?¡± Bai Yihong asked, his eyes crinkling in mirth. He was pleased with his daughter¡¯s newfound dexterity. This caught Bai Ruozhu off guard. If she claimed she learned it from someone in the village, it would easily be exposed as a lie. Finally, she replied, ¡°These are methods that Chang Sheng taught me.¡± The mention of Chang Sheng immediately erased the smiles from the faces of Bai Yihong and Bai Lin. Bai Lin even let out a quiet sigh. Just then, Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei entered. Bai Ruozhu quickly changed the subject. The entire family shared the fish meal, though Bai Yihong and Bai Lin seemed somewhat distracted. Watching them, Bai Ruozhu felt a sense of urgency. She couldn¡¯t let the memory of Chang Sheng continue to be taboo in their home. She had to find an opportunity to talk to her parents earnestly about it. After finishing the fish, Bai Zehao volunteered to wash the dishes and pots, while Bai Zepei was sent back to his room by Bai Lin to continue studying. The next day, the entire family went back into the fields. Bai Ruozhu was repeatedly asked by Lin Ping to stay indoors. Feeling bored, Bai Ruozhu entered her personal space, washed her feet in the pond, ate some fresh water caltrop, then began to ponder how to make the best use of this space. After some thought, Bai Ruozhu noticed some small shrimp and clams swimming in the lake. Her eyes lit up. They had run out of chicken essence at home, resulting in many dishes tasting bland. Why not use the aquatic products she had on hand to make some fresh soup ingredients as a substitute for chicken essence? It would not only benefit her as a foodie, but she could also sell some for silver. With a thought, several small shrimps and clams from the pond flew onto the shore. She laid them out to dry, which saved her the manual labor. The drying process was quick in her space¡ªby the time she reentered it the next day, the shrimp and clams were already dried. The following days, while her family was busy in the fields, Bai Ruozhu quietly made some fresh soup ingredients. She tasted it herself and was delighted with the flavor. But how should she bring it out? Finally, Bai Ruozhu gritted her teeth, wrapped the soup mix with oil paper, and carrying a wooden basin with a few pieces of clothing, she headed to the riverside. Luckily, there weren¡¯t many people by the river, probably because most were busy in their fields. She casually washed some clothes and then took the basin back home. On her way back, however, she ran into her worried mother searching for her. Bai Ruozhu felt guilty about having worried her mother, but she was out of options. She couldn¡¯t have fresh soup mix appear out of nowhere. ¡°Why don¡¯t you listen? What made you go out to wash clothes by yourself?¡± Lin Ping rebuked Bai Ruozhu in a low voice, more worry than anger in her tone as she took the basin from her. Bai Ruozhu hastily hugged her arm, cajoling, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll get sick if I stay idle all the time. Look, I¡¯m fine, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it when the wound on your head has healed. Even if you won¡¯t look after yourself, shouldn¡¯t you think about the child?¡± Lin Ping shot Bai Ruozhu a glance. Bai Ruozhu smirked and, holding onto her mother¡¯s arm, began talking as they walked, ¡°Mother, a traveling merchant approached me earlier asking for directions. I helped him, and in appreciation, he gave me a packet of soup mix as a gift. He said it was a type of seasoning.¡± ¡°What kind of mix? How could you accept something from a stranger? Hurry home and let your father take a look at it,¡± Lin Ping became worried immediately. As soon as they got home, and before Bai Ruozhu could say anything, Lin Ping had already mentioned it. Bai Ruozhu had no choice but to elaborate, ¡°I didn¡¯t think he was a bad person. He got lost, and I not only explained the route to him, I even drew him a map when he couldn¡¯t understand. He was so grateful, he insisted on giving me a packet of seasoning. I refused to take it, but he just left it on the ground and walked away.¡± Bai Yihong furrowed his brows as he unfolded the oil paper wrapping and examined the soup mix, feeling at a loss, ¡°We can¡¯t just eat this indiscriminately. Maybe we should just throw it away.¡± Bai Ruozhu panicked upon hearing this. She had spent several days preparing it and had even lied about it under duress. She couldn¡¯t simply let it go to waste. ¡°No, the man said it was a soup mix he traded as a merchant. The restaurants in the city are competing to buy it. Even if we don¡¯t eat it, we could sell it at a restaurant for some silver,¡± Bai Ruozhu protested. ¡°Father, I¡¯ve heard it¡¯s quite valuable. What a waste it would be to throw it away!¡± Chapter 7 - 7 007 Bais Old Master Invites You ?Chapter 7: Chapter 007: Bai¡¯s Old Master Invites You Chapter 7: Chapter 007: Bai¡¯s Old Master Invites You The Bai Family were indeed lacking money now, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words had moved Bai Yihong. After thinking for a while, he finally rewrapped the fresh soup powder and stood up, saying, ¡°I am going to ask Dr. Li to take a look at it. If there are no issues, then we will decide what to do.¡± Bai Ruozhu, craning her neck, watched her father¡¯s retreating figure and couldn¡¯t help shouting, ¡°Don¡¯t throw it away, Dad. It might be quite valuable.¡± Soon, Bai Yihong returned. Bai Ruozhu asked eagerly, ¡°How did it go, Dad?¡± She was desperate, hoping Dr. Li recognized what a possible treasure they might have in their hands. Bai Yihong came back with a smile on his face and said, ¡°Dr. Li said there is no problem. It¡¯s fresh soup powder made from sundried, ground aquatic produce. Judging from its color, it appears to be quite fresh.¡± Bai Ruozhu was too excited, ¡°Then should we use some to make a soup for tonight?¡± This time Lin Ping did not object. Apparently, Dr. Li¡¯s word was very convincing among the people in Back Mountain Village. The soup was made by Lin Ping later. Only a little fresh soup powder was added, and it tasted exceptionally good. The family enjoyed a pot of leafy soup without any hint of greasiness, and emptied it quickly. Feeling like the timing was right, Bai Ruozhu proposed an idea to her mother: ¡°Mom, I will accompany you to the market in a few days. We can try to sell this fresh soup powder.¡± ¡°The fresh soup powder tastes really good. How about having it kept for you to stimulate your appetite?¡± said Lin Ping in a somewhat hesitant tone, noticing that her daughter had not been eating well recently. Bai Ruozhu shook her head, ¡°We should still sell it. Giving birth will cost money, and I¡¯ve figured out the ingredients of this soup powder. We can make it ourselves in the future.¡± Finally Lin Ping did not object to selling the soup powder. She felt it was Bai Ruozhu¡¯s decision as it was her finding in the first place. Two days later, after the busiest time on the farm had passed, and the cut on Bai Ruozhu¡¯s forehead was gradually healing and scabbing over. Yet, the area around the scab became a bit itchy. She fought the itch to prevent scarring, which she knew wouldn¡¯t look good. Just on the eve of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s planned trip to the market with Lin Ping, callers from the old mansion of Bai suddenly appeared. The old mansion referred to the place where Bai Yihong¡¯s parents lived. Bai Yihong and his family had moved out a few years ago. His parents had chosen to live with his older brother, and Bai Yihong had been sending them two hundred wen each month for their expenses. The visitor today was Bai Yihong¡¯s elder brother Bai Yibo. As soon as he appeared, Bai Ruozhu felt that he was different from the other village folks. On closer inspection, she realized that unlike other villagers who wore simple and rough clothes, especially in such hot weather, Bai Yibo was dressed in a somewhat new blue gown. With such attire, he should have looked superior to the others in this rural place. Strangely, however, Bai Ruozhu felt that his neatly dressed appearance looked out of place in the summer village environment. In her previous memories, her uncle was only a primary school student, failing to become even a scholar. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s grandfather, Bai Fu, had made some money doing business outside and returned to his hometown intending to educate his children. Bai Fu, his eldest son, had studied for several years and became a scholar. Even though he couldn¡¯t make further progress later, being a scholar was already an impressive achievement in a remote rural area. The biggest regret in Bai Fu¡¯s life was failing to become an official. He thus placed his hopes on educating his sons. However, due to the family¡¯s financial constraints, only his eldest son, Bai Yibo, was able to receive proper education. Unfortunately, Bai Yibo didn¡¯t perform as well as his father. He couldn¡¯t even pass the scholar examination despite his advanced age. Furthermore, he was reluctant to work in the fields and was not helpful with household chores. Despite the image, he cultivated, he was neither competent in literature nor in martial arts. With a chin propped up by a tuft of goatee, Bai Yibo almost looked down his nose at Bai Yihong. With a voice filled with disdain, he said, ¡°Second brother, Dad wants you to come over.¡± Bai Yihong seemed used to his manner and did not show any sign of displeasure, ¡°What does Dad need, big brother?¡± He asked. ¡°Why not go find out for yourself? Oh, and bring that girl Ruozhu with you.¡± Bai Yibo¡¯s tone turned even more derogatory when he mentioned Ruozhu. Bai Yihong and Lin Ping quickly exchanged uneasy glances. Bai Ruozhu could hear the disdain in Bai Yibo¡¯s voice and understood that the issues that will be addressed were most likely about her. She sighed inwardly, ¡°When will I finish sorting out the mess her previous life had left for me to deal with?¡± ¡°Alright, we will tidy up and go over soon,¡± responded Bai Yihong after pondering for a moment. ¡°Second brother, don¡¯t blame me for not reminding you. The issues at your home are causing quite a stir. Don¡¯t further provoke Dad and make him angry. He¡¯s getting old and his health isn¡¯t as good as before.¡± Bai Yibo¡¯s tone turned suddenly earnest. If it had not been for his earlier haughty tone, Bai Ruozhu might have mistaken him for a caring older brother who was looking out for his younger sibling. ¡°Alright, I got it,¡± Bai Yihong responded, a bit gloomily. Bai Yibo smacked his bottom and left, causing Bai Ruozhu to become increasingly annoyed by the sight of his blue gown. Her second elder brother Bai Yihong was also a student, but he didn¡¯t act so annoyingly, did he? Unable to suppress her disdain, Lin Ping snorted and murmured, ¡°What¡¯s there to gloat about? My son was also a student just like him. His social status is no worse than his.¡± Omitempty> ¡°Don¡¯t bother with him, older brother has always been like this,¡± sighed Bai Yihong. He then turned to Bai Ruozhu and said, ¡°My daughter, don¡¯t take to heart whatever grandpa says later. Given his old age, he might not be clear about certain things.¡± Bai Ruozhu let out a small, amused smile, isn¡¯t her father basically suggesting that grandpa was becoming senile? ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Dad. I won¡¯t take it to heart. Whatever he says will go in one ear and out the other.¡± Bai Ruozhu responded with a smile. Since she didn¡¯t regard these people as relatives, why would she bother about their opinions? This reassured Bai Yihong somewhat, he then headed towards the old Bai Mansion with his family. However, he had no idea that his old father¡¯s rage had far exceeded his expectations. The old patriarch Bai stood in the yard waving a rattan stick. His increasingly dull eyes glared straight at the incoming Bai Yihong and his family. The apparent lines on his forehead, from frequently frowning, had formed into a noticeable pattern, which reflected his ongoing displeasure. With his sight set on Bai Ruozhu and her family, he began to wield his rattan stick. ¡°Ruozhu, come over here. I must discipline you with family law today!¡± Although old, Bai¡¯s patriarch commanded quite a presence. If he wasn¡¯t afraid of the neighbors overhearing, he would be shouting at the top of his lungs. Bai Ruozhu foresaw that Bai Fu would target her, but she wasn¡¯t expecting him to enforce the family law. She was not a person to take punishment without cause. Besides, she was pregnant. What if the baby was harmed by an improper blow? ¡°Dad, what is this about? Ruozhu hasn¡¯t committed any wrongdoing. Why would you want to hit her?¡± Bai Yihong stood in front of Bai Ruozhu, doing his best to maintain a calm tone, fearing that any further provocation may incense his father even more. Old Bai, however, showed no mercy or kindness. He lashed out with his rattan stick, which Bai Yihong did not dodge. The stick struck him at the corner of his forehead, immediately leaving a fiery red welt on his face. ¡°Oh, dear! Why didn¡¯t you dodge it!¡± Lin Ping rushed over, grabbing onto Bai Yihong, with tears welling in her eyes from worry. Chapter 8 - 8 008 The Pride of a Scholar, Never Fearful ?Chapter 8: Chapter 008: The Pride of a Scholar, Never Fearful Chapter 8: Chapter 008: The Pride of a Scholar, Never Fearful Bai¡¯s grandfather hadn¡¯t expected Bai Yihong to stand his ground so defiantly. Seeing the stubbornness in his son¡¯s eyes, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a tremor in his heart. ¡°Very well, so you¡¯re determined to protect that girl? Even going so far as to disregard me, your father?¡± he said. ¡°I dare not do such a thing, Father. I only ask that you do not take the rumors and slanders about Ruozhu to heart. The girl has done nothing wrong,¡± Bai Yihong, stood perfectly still, not minding how fervently Lin tried to pull him away. He appeared ready to confront his father. Racing out, Bai Yibo and his wife, Bai Wangshi, came upon the scene. Bai Yibo shouted at Bai Yihong: ¡°What is the meaning of this, brother? Are you not aware of the disrespect you¡¯re showing? How dare you defy our father¡¯s wishes!¡± In his rage, Bai¡¯s grandfather, despite acknowledging that Bai Yibo¡¯s shouting was not helping, cleared his throat and commanded, ¡°Everyone, inside the house! Stop this bickering!¡± Ruozhu followed behind her parents as they entered the house. She took note of the wound Bai Yihong received on her behalf and her heart ached. To know that he could have evaded but chose not to avoid the blow made her feel pitiful. Her father had only chosen to absorb the blow to appease his own. ¡°Sister-in-law, why won¡¯t you reprimand your brother? There¡¯s no excuse for speaking to our father that way. Furthermore, it was your own daughter that caused this scandal and dragged us all into it. We¡¯ve all lost face.¡± Wangshi, full of sarcastic venom, spoke to Lin. Ruozhu found these words displeasing. She respected her grandfather out of respect for her father. But who did this Wangshi think she was to speak in such a way? Ruozhu was well aware of what concerned her grandfather at this moment. She immediately turned her gaze on Wangshi and said, ¡°Aunt, could you repeat what you just said? I didn¡¯t quite catch that.¡± Undeterred, Wangshi retorted arrogantly: ¡°Clearly, you didn¡¯t hear me the first time. Let me repeat myself. You caused us all embarrassment, and have made association with us a burden!¡± She yelled so loud it was as if she were using a megaphone. Bai¡¯s grandfather lifted his stick and swung it at Wangshi. ¡°Silence! Who asked you to speak? Get out!¡± he demanded angrily. Even though Wangshi had a quick reaction, she couldn¡¯t avoid getting a little bit hit. The stick stung her leg and she wailed. ¡°Father-in-law, what are you doing? You can¡¯t show such blatant favoritism! Yibo is an imperial scholar. He just lost his face and has not dared to go out. Recently, he received a job offer for a teaching position, but that opportunity fell through because of this incident. Can¡¯t I say just a few words?¡± Wangshi wept and spoke at the same time. Interestingly, her crying didn¡¯t affect the volume of her voice. The grandfather was so angry that he wanted to stitch her mouth shut. She didn¡¯t even understand the basic principle of not airing one¡¯s dirty laundry in public¡ªwhat a disgrace! In the background, Ruozhu chuckled. This aunt of hers truly wasn¡¯t skilled in dealing with conflicts. No wonder she was always defeated by her mother. ¡°What are you talking about, sister-in-law? Our family has already explained the situation to the village chief. We even have the witness and the token. Now, you¡¯re spreading rumors, if someone hears them, they may think you want to defame your own niece.¡± Lin, being both bold and articulate, immediately hit back. ¡°Aunt, which school did you just mention? I¡¯ll go into town and explain things to them later. I wouldn¡¯t want to hold up my uncle¡¯s future.¡± Ruozhu added, feigning concern. Wangshi didn¡¯t expect Ruozhu to respond this way and was at a loss for words. Ruozhu chuckled to herself; Wangshi was making things up on the spot. Considering her uncle¡¯s everlasting status as a scholar, who would hire him as a teacher? Wasn¡¯t that just a way to mislead people? Wangshi was about to curse at Ruozhu when the sound of her father-in-law tapping his cane on the floor interrupted her. ¡°Elder sister, can¡¯t you hear me when I speak? Go help your mother cook. Are you standing here because you¡¯re trying to avoid doing work?¡± Bai Yibo hurriedly gestured to Wangshi, urging her not to anger Bai¡¯s grandfather further. Wangshi shot Ruozhu a spiteful glance before leaving the room. ¡°Enough of this nonsense. Don¡¯t you think I know what¡¯s been happening in your household? If it was truly a marriage ceremony, wouldn¡¯t you have informed me?¡± Bai¡¯s grandfather was very concerned with face, so he lowered his voice when he spoke. Despite the rage he felt, he didn¡¯t want his words to travel beyond the room. As he held back his outburst, his face began to turn red. Feeling a bit cornered, Bai Yihong replied, ¡°Father, it¡¯s true. If you don¡¯t believe it, you can ask Zhou Deshun. Chang Sheng¡¯s marriage to our family was matrilocal. I know you don¡¯t like this kind of arrangement. We didn¡¯t tell you just to prevent you from getting angry.¡± Bai Fu swung his cane again. Instead of aiming at someone, he hit the floor hard. ¡°Fine. You¡¯re so protective of that shameless wench that you don¡¯t even respect me, your father?¡± Ruozhu knew it was inappropriate for her to interrupt when the elders were speaking. For the Bai family, led by Bai Fu, a scholarly individual, this was particularly important. He held to the saying: ¡®At mealtime, do not speak. On retiring, do not argue.¡¯ However, Ruozhu was dissatisfied with this situation. Regardless, she kept her eyes down and patiently endured the admonition. All of a sudden, she heard the sound of the cane hitting flesh. When she looked up, she realized it wasn¡¯t her that had been hit, but her elder brother, Bai Zehao. Bai Zehao, who was tall and strong for Mountain Village standards, was quick to step in front of Ruozhu. He glared angrily at their grandfather and, in doing so, astonishingly managed to intimidate him. ¡°Big brother, are you okay?¡± Ruozhu cried out in surprise. The sound of the previous beat had been quite loud. Their grandfather had put all his strength into that strike. She hastily pulled on Bai Zehao¡¯s shoulders to check him. Despite the severe pain, Bai Zehao managed to grit his teeth and conjure up a strained smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he reassured her. ¡°Just be careful not to get hurt.¡± Ruozhu felt a prickling sensation in her nose. Her father and brother had both been wounded because of her. Even though the real cause wasn¡¯t her fault, the distress she felt in her heart was unspeakable. ¡°Oh, is that how it is? You¡¯ve all turned against me for her. Fine then, from now on, you are no longer a part of the Bai family!¡± Bai Fu spoke angrily, throwing his cane to the ground. Although Ruozhu initially didn¡¯t want to confront her grandfather, fearing that it would only escalate the situation further, at this point she couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. She stepped from behind her elder brother and stood face to face with her grandfather. ¡°Grandfather, you mentioned that my father doesn¡¯t listen to you. But do you ever listen to us? You¡¯d rather believe the slanderous words of outsiders than the words of your own children and grandchildren. Would you really beat to death your own great-grandson because of the gossip of others? Don¡¯t forget, Chang Sheng married into our family. My child will carry the Bai surname!¡± This outburst from Ruozhu left her grandfather blinking at her in surprise. He shifted his gaze between her and her belly, deep in thought. The rest of the family didn¡¯t dare to make a sound, fearful of provoking the grandfather further. Bai Zehao had his gaze intently focused on the cane in his hand, worried that it might once again be used to harm his baby sister. However, Ruozhu stared back defiantly. She had done nothing wrong¡ªwhy should she back down? Chapter 9 - 9 009 Praise repeatedly, but do not flatter insincerely ?Chapter 9: Chapter 009: Praise repeatedly, but do not flatter insincerely Chapter 9: Chapter 009: Praise repeatedly, but do not flatter insincerely Upon seeing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s clear gaze and a resolute carriage that hinted at a scholar¡¯s pride, Grandpa Bai perceived her in a new light, a granddaughter who compared favorably with the daughters of distinguished families viewed in the past in the city. Apprehension gripped him as a thought crossed his mind, could he have misunderstood her? Observing his father¡¯s demeanor, Bai Yihong, anxious, pleaded, ¡°Father, you have seen how Ruozhu has grown, she is not inferior to any maiden of an average family, could you not trust us this once?¡± ¡°So now it¡¯s that I do not trust you?¡± Although Grandpa Bai was hesitant, he cherished his self-esteem and would not concede he was wrong. ¡°I am now burdened with your worries at this venerable age. After much difficulty, Zepei has got through as a pupil, promising a bright future. How he will fare if this disgrace affects his career prospect?¡± Each member of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s family was taken aback by Grandpa Bai¡¯s words, all of them intuitively turning their eyes to Bai Zepei. Bai Zepei took a step forward to pay respect to his grandfather. His lean frame stood tall and straight, ¡°Grandfather, please rest assured. In the event of my sister¡¯s husband¡¯s permanent absence, I will take care of her and my nephew. Furthermore, I will definitely pass the Imperial Examination next year to become a Scholar!¡± Bai Ruozhu looked at her second brother in surprise, observing his determined look, seemingly filled with resolution. She felt a sweet bitterness wash over her. Her father and elder brother suffered beatings for her while her second brother made a promise for her sake. She felt a strong sense of gratitude towards the men in her family. Being reborn in such a family, what more could she ask for? Bai Zepei¡¯s confident announcement took everyone by surprise. Although no one would typically make such a confident assertion because the exam scenario is subject to change and passing the Imperial Examination is notably a difficult task, making such a sweeping statement might come across as bragging. However, at that moment, observing Bai Zepei¡¯s determined countenance, Grandpa Bai couldn¡¯t help but believe his words. He felt a sense of hope, acknowledging that, perhaps this grandson of his, the one most resembling himself, might surpass him one day. Bai Yibo, watching from the side, clicked his teeth and grumbled discontentedly: ¡°You think it¡¯s easy to pass the Examination, don¡¯t you? It seems so easy when you¡¯re not the one doing it.¡± Bai Zepei turned to look directly at Bai Yibo, saying: ¡°My uncle is not wrong, it indeed is difficult to pass. Many spend their entire lives without becoming a Scholar. Whether or not I am boasting will be clear next year.¡± ¡°What do you mean...?¡± Bai Yibo shouted, finding himself being referred to as one of the ¡®many¡¯.¡± Bai Zepei turned his head away, refusing to answer or acknowledge him. Bai Yibo became so angry and frustrated that he kept shouting, but to no avail. He exhaled heavily, causing his nostrils to flare. While Bai Yibo lost his composure through his rant, Bai Zepei, on the contrary, stood as resolute as a pine tree, bearing a faint aura of arrogance. It appeared that Bai Yibo was left far behind in comparison. Refusing to indulge this any further, Grandpa Bai intervened, ordering: ¡°Eldest, keep quiet for a while. It has nothing to do with you, go back to your room and study.¡± With Grandpa Bai¡¯s command stated, Bai Yibo grudgingly left the main room. However, his demeanor did not suggest he had any intentions of settling in to study. With fewer people, the room became a great deal quieter. Seeing that Granpda Bai was not intending to chastise her any further, Bai Ruozhu too sheathed her claws. ¡°Thank you for trusting me, Grandpa. When the child is born, I will need you to name him, for everyone in the village praises you as an erudite. The names you chose for my father, elder uncle, and brothers are indeed extraordinary.¡± Regardless of her personal feelings towards Grandpa Bai, he was, afterall, her father¡¯s own father. Maintaining harmonious relations would spare her father the difficulty he faced when his relationship with Grandpa Bai was threatened earlier. She had witnessed how her father¡¯s eyes turned red when Grandpa Bai threatened to sever ties. Grandpa Bai was most delighted when others complimented his literary talent and erudition. Hearing Bai Ruozhu use two idioms, his mood instantly improved. ¡°We will deal with it later.¡± However, he could not bring himself to shift his attitude for fear of losing face. An inward chuckle escaped Bai Ruozhu, she was right ¨C Grandpa Bai loved this flattery. ¡°It definitely has to be Grandpa. His literary talent is the best in our family. If it¡¯s a boy, he should also learn from Grandpa just like my elder and second brothers. After studying under Grandpa, they are now admired by everyone in the village.¡± Bai Ruozhu added. Without batting an eye, Bai Zepei chimed solemnly: ¡°Without Grandpa, I would not be where I am today, let alone pass the Imperial Examination.¡± Bai Ruozhu gave her second brother an approving glance, he was truly a dark horse. ¡°Though my academic endeavors have not been fruitful, my principles in life were imparted by Grandpa. They are valuable teachings that will serve me well throughout my life.¡± Bai Zehao eagerly joined in showering Grandpa with flattery. Listening to the praise, Grandpa Bai was increasingly joyous, ¡°I have indeed given instruction to the descendants of the Bai family. Zepei¡¯s accomplishments are not just our family¡¯s pride but also result from his own diligence. Your humility and manners are commendable. Zehao, you too are among the promising youngsters in our village. The fact that I have been able to guide you two gratifies me.¡± Bai Yihong and Lin Ping¡¯er exchanged glances, in each other¡¯s eyes shone delight ¨C it seemed Grandpa was no more angry. Bai Ruozhu discreetly winked at Bai Zehao, a sly twinkle in her eye. Bai Zehao looked at Bai Ruozhu, feeling a strange mix of emotions. His little sister, after going through such a shocking event, had matured greatly. While she seemed to have become more open-hearted, he wondered if she could ever be as happy as she once was. ¡°Father, if there¡¯s nothing else, we will take your leave now, as mother needs to be informed. There are also chores awaiting us home.¡± Noting that the major issue at hand had been resolved, Bai Yihong proposed their departure. Grandpa Bai glanced at the wound on Bai Yihong¡¯s head, then at upright Bai Zepei and waved, saying: ¡°Go back to work. From now on, be more careful. Don¡¯t let our Bai family lose face.¡± The family went to the kitchen to bid farewell to Granny Bai. She rubbed her hands nervously and said, ¡°You aren¡¯t staying for a meal?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er turned her eyes, with a twinkle in them, and replied with a grin, ¡°It¡¯s been a long while since we last dined with you, how about we delay our departure?¡± Upon hearing this, Granny Bai quickly sought Bai Yihong¡¯s consent, saying, ¡°Oh, you should have signaled before coming. I didn¡¯t prepare much food. Maybe I should cook more?¡± Bai Yihong coughed once, feeling awkward, ¡°Mother, there is no need for trouble, we are leaving.¡± Listening to this, Granny Bai heaved a big sigh of relief. ¡°Alright, do inform us in advance next time.¡± Bai Ruozhu pouted, the old woman was indeed as stingy as she was in her previous life. After leaving the old mansion of the Bai family, Lin Ping¡¯er grumbled in annoyance: ¡°We better limit our visits here unless necessary, it feels so suffocating.¡± Bai Yihong did not respond. He merely hummed in response. Bai Ruozhu looked at the wound on her father¡¯s face once again and then looked at the wound on her elder brother¡¯s shoulder. As Grandpa Bai was old and though he read a lot, he was frail. Hence, their injuries were superficial and had not affected their muscles or bones. Once home, Lin Ping¡¯er brought hot water, intending to dress Bai Yihong and Bai Zehao¡¯s wounds, but Bai Ruozhu hurriedly stopped her. Chapter 10 - 10 010 Bestie and Green Apricot ?Chapter 10: Chapter 010: Bestie and Green Apricot Chapter 10: Chapter 010: Bestie and Green Apricot ¡°Mom, father and elder brother should not apply hot water now, but instead use cold water pull the blood stasis, or else it would be worse and hard to disperse.¡± Bai Ruozhu originally thought to use ice cubes, but considering they probably don¡¯t have any in the house, she instead suggested cold water as they have well water. ¡°Ah? Is that so?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er only knew to treat injuries by applying hot towel where it hurts, this is how people did it in their countryside. ¡°We use cold water today to prevent the blood from clotting further, after a day it can be treated with hot water and massaged. I know how to massage, I will do this for father and elder brother tomorrow to promote blood circulation and release stasis.¡± Bai Ruozhu was a dentist in her previous life, but she followed her grandfather and learned Chinese medicine from a young age, let alone massage, she is also familiar with acupuncture. When Bai Ruozhu was poor and Chinese medicine was in decline, she studied dentistry to make her family live better. She even got her master¡¯s degree in the United States, saved money to open a dental clinic in her country, but she did not expect to transmigrate to this world due to an accident, it can be said that twenty years of hard work returned her to where she started from. Lin Ping¡¯er opened her mouth, she wanted to ask Bai Ruozhu how she knew these things, but she quickly thought of the last time when they were steaming fish. Bai Ruozhu said that Chang Sheng taught her, so these must also be taught by Chang Sheng. Although Chang Sheng was a bit dumb after being rescued by Bai Yihong, and didn¡¯t remember his past, many times Chang Sheng knew things that the villagers didn¡¯t know. ¡°What Ruozhu said makes sense, I¡¯ve read something like this in a book before. If Ruozhu hadn¡¯t mentioned it, I wouldn¡¯t have thought to apply it.¡± Bai Zepei said thoughtfully, ¡°Mom, you rest, I will go draw the well water.¡± The previous Bai Ruozhu was a rural girl, but after all, she was the granddaughter of a scholar¡¯s family, and she had also learned to read and write with her brothers. It wasn¡¯t until then that Lin Ping¡¯er remembered that her daughter liked to read her second brother¡¯s books, as she was a smart child, no wonder she knew these principles. Bai Zepei brought well water very quickly, Lin Ping¡¯er wet the cloth and applied it to Bai Yihong and Bai Zehao¡¯s injuries. Fortunately, they were both swollen without broken skin. They visited the old mansion earlier as a family, and Lin Ping¡¯er sighed, ran to the kitchen to cook, and Bai Ruozhu also followed her to help. ¡°Ruozhu, don¡¯t take your grandpa¡¯s words to heart.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er said while cutting vegetables. Bai Ruozhu responded, ¡°Mom, I didn¡¯t take it seriously, I just feel bad for dad.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er sighed, tossed the chopped vegetables into the pot, ¡°Your father will be fine tomorrow, he has been getting used to it over the years. Your grandparents are biased. They made your uncle study and your father worked like an ox, but still ate the worst food. Isn¡¯t he used to it now?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er hummed again, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for us separating from them, our family would still have to suffer. What good did they do? Could they eat as well as they do now?¡± Bai Ruozhu knew her mother was just grumbling and laughed in agreement, ¡°Did dad eat worse than an ox?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er laughed, ¡°No, at least she ate cooked food, not grass, but the food wasn¡¯t as good as our pigs.¡± Bai Ruozhu could not help but laugh out loud. Lin Ping¡¯er pays a lot of attention to raising pigs. In order to sell them at a good price, she ensures that the pigs are well fed. But if what she said reached Bai Yihong¡¯s ears, he would definitely choke on it. While the two were joking, there was a knock at the door, a little girl¡¯s cheerful voice rang out: ¡°Ruozhu, I¡¯m here to see you!¡± It was previous life¡¯s little sister Fang Guizhi, who grew up playing with the previous life. When the previous life was pregnant, she often came to see her, brought her small toys for entertainment. She was a lively and warm-hearted girl. Bai Ruozhu had a good impression of Fang Guizhi and hurriedly greeted her with a smile at the door. ¡°Guizhi, you¡¯re here. I haven¡¯t seen you for a few days.¡± Bai Ruozhu said with a smile. Due to her present condition, she could not go to see Fang Guizhi, so it was Fang Guizhi who often came to see her. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it, it¡¯s the busy season these days. My mother kept me doing chores at home and didn¡¯t let me go out. How about you, are your injuries serious? I wanted to come and see you a few days ago, but got caught by my mother when I sneaked out and was scolded. It was not until today that I finally found some free time.¡± Fang Guizhi said unhappily and pouted her lips. Bai Ruozhu could imagine the situation that Fang Guizhi was talking about. Fang Guizhi¡¯s mother and Lin Ping¡¯er were both known to be strong women in Mountain Village, but the difference was that Lin Ping¡¯er was strong but very good to her family and her children, whereas Fang Guizhi¡¯s mother, Fang Zhou, wouldn¡¯t spare her daughter at all and always made her daughter do heavy work. She spoiled her son to an extent that even the neighbors couldn¡¯t stand it. Fang Guizhi always envied Bai Ruozhu when she came to Bai¡¯s house. Lin Ping¡¯er also pitied Fang Guizhi, a sensible girl and often gave her some good food, so Fang Guizhi had a good relationship with the Bai family. ¡°Ruozhu, take Guizhi to talk in the room, don¡¯t stay here and get choked.¡± When Lin Ping¡¯er saw her daughter¡¯s friend, a smile appeared on her face. Bai Ruozhu wanted to help Lin Ping¡¯er cook, but it wasn¡¯t right to let a guest help, so she took Fang Guizhi to sit in the room. ¡°These apricots are good, they¡¯re sour, you must like them!¡± As Fang Guizhi spoke, she lifted the cover off of her basket, revealing the green apricots inside. Bai Ruozhu felt her teeth tingling from the sight. But she was in her month with her child pushing against her stomach, and her appetite wasn¡¯t good. Eating something sour could be appetizing, but she knew not to eat too much. ¡°Why bring so many? I can only eat a few. You keep some of them, so as not to waste.¡± Bai Ruozhu only took out two handfuls of green apricots as she spoke. But Fang Guizhi put the basket on the table and laughingly said, ¡°What wasteful? I can¡¯t eat these because they¡¯re too sour. Moreover, when my apricot tree¡¯s fruit ripens, it falls all over the place. We can¡¯t eat them all, and many are left to rot. Many people in Apricot-tree Village plant them, and we can¡¯t even give them away.¡± Upon hearing this, an idea struck Bai Ruozhu... ¡°Is it wasted every year?¡± She asked hurriedly. ¡°Yes, your house was built later, the apricot trees haven¡¯t fully grown. Otherwise, you¡¯d know.¡± Fang Guizhi explained. ¡°Then why don¡¯t you turn the apricots into apricot preserves? Although they can¡¯t be used as a staple food, it¡¯s still a nice snack. Perhaps you could sell them at the market.¡± Bai Ruozhu wasn¡¯t sure if apricot preserves were common in the town, as her previous life rarely went out and didn¡¯t much care about these matters. So she had little information and didn¡¯t dare make absolute promises. Fang Guizhi brightened up noticeably at the idea, ¡°How are preserves made? I love fiddling with little things like this. Let¡¯s make it together, shall we?¡± Bai Ruozhu nodded quickly, ¡°We can try to make some green apricot preserves first, and when the apricots are ripe, we¡¯ll make yellow apricot preserves.¡± Chapter 11 - 11 011 Who knows the value ?Chapter 11: Chapter 011: Who knows the value? Chapter 11: Chapter 011: Who knows the value? Bai Ruozhu happened to have made apricot preserves in her previous life, so she immediately thought of that. At that time, she was in Mi Country, and the camature of her part-time job had several apricot trees. That man was lazy and wouldn¡¯t bother to pick up the ripe apricots on the ground, so he allowed Bai Ruozhu to pick some of the good ones for him. He instructed Bai Ruozhu to throw away the rest, but Ruozhu was reluctant to do so. She picked them all up and brought them back home. However, they couldn¡¯t be preserved for long, so she searched the internet for recipes and started making apricot preserves. She was actually successful in making some, and the taste was quite good. The two chatted about making apricot preserves for what seemed like half the day. Fang Guizhi was so excited that she lost track of time until Lin Ping called them to eat. Guizhi suddenly smacked her forehead and exclaimed, ¡°I forgot! My mother asked me to pick up some soy sauce. If I don¡¯t go back now, she¡¯ll scold me again!¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Ping didn¡¯t feel it was right to keep her. Guizhi¡¯s mother would not only scold her but might even hit her when she was in a bad mood. Seeing Guizhi practically sprint out of there, Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping couldn¡¯t help but sigh. Every family has their own set of difficulties. On the second day, the market day arrived. Bai Yihong didn¡¯t feel at ease about Bai Ruozhu, and finally insisted on taking Bai Zehao with Bai Ruozhu and her mother to the town. Bai Ruozhu was somewhat helpless but didn¡¯t refuse the kind intention. In order not to tire Bai Ruozhu, Bai Zehao let her and her mother ride in a village ox cart , while he, in order to save money, followed the cart by foot to the town. Seeing her cheery, righteous big brother, Bai Ruozhu was more determined to make money soon. He was soon getting married, yet they hadn¡¯t even gathered enough money for the bride price. Thankfully, Mountain Village wasn¡¯t too far from the town. They arrived quickly. Their village was called Mountain Village, named due to the mountain situated behind the village. The closest town was Anyuan Town, which was located towards the northwest. It had frequent trade comings and goings. Even bigger than the town was Beiyu City, which would take several days by horse carriage to reach. Beiyu City was the biggest city in Yanzhou and an important trade city in the northwest with a canal connecting directly to the Capital City. Bai Ruozhu found all of this out by asking Bai Zepei over the past few days. Her previous self was not interested in these matters, so the geographical information Bai Ruozhu received was quite scanty. However, she had told her family that she was having trouble remembering some things, so when she asked, Bai Zepei explained everything patiently to her without suspecting a thing. Lin Ping took some eggs and vegetables from the farm to sell at the market. To prevent Bai Ruozhu from being jostled in the crowd, Lin Ping specifically told her not to go and had Bai Zehao accompany her around town. In the meantime, they could head to the restaurant and ask if they will purchase the fresh soup powder. Actually, Lin Ping didn¡¯t count on getting much money for the item. She just wanted Bai Ruozhu to distract herself a bit. After all, with her big brother accompanying her, there wouldn¡¯t be any issues. Bai Ruozhu held her elder brother¡¯s hand and took him to East City, where there was said to exist a big restaurant called Welcoming Guests. This restaurant had quite a reputation in town. The pair quickly located Welcoming Guests. They were immediately greeted by the shopkeeper who came forth with a smile, ¡°Are the two of you here to eat or stay the night?¡± Noting that one of the two customers was an expectant woman, he wanted to give her special care. Instantly, Bai Zehao gave Bai Ruozhu a look. On the way here, Bai Ruozhu had told him to follow her lead in the conversation. ¡°Shopkeeper, my elder brother and I have some seasonings we wish to sell, might we have a moment of your time?¡± Bai Ruozhu disliked beating around the bush and went straight to the point of their visit. The shopkeeper quickly eyed the two, contemplating. Normally, the local seasoning dealers often had dealings with Welcoming Guests, so why hadn¡¯t he seen these two before? Could they be from out of town? But their accent sounded local. ¡°Of course, please follow me.¡± The shopkeeper invited them to the backyard despite his confusion. ¡°What kind of seasonings are you wanting to sell?¡± the shopkeeper asked. Bai Ruozhu was not used to being called ¡°little lady¡±. It immediately reminded her of period dramas from her previous life, where the playboy scholars would often call out to the young village women by saying ¡°little lady¡±. She quickly suppressed the thought on her lips ¨C after all, she did look pregnant. She took out the package of fresh soup powder, carefully opened it, and said, ¡°I recently obtained this unique fresh soup powder. I think it would be an excellent addition to the dishes offered by a restaurant such as Welcoming Guests, especially when serving distinguished guests. I¡¯ve brought it here for you to consider.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The shopkeeper, noting Bai Ruozhu¡¯s politeness and educated manner of speech, looked at her with more interest and turned his attention towards the powder in Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hands. He carefully dipped his finger in some of the powder. Bai Ruozhu noticed his manners and silently approved, thinking that coming to Welcoming Guests was a good decision. The shopkeeper tasted a bit and quickly nodded. ¡°Not bad, how much of this fresh soup powder do you have?¡± ¡°Only this one package.¡± Bai Ruozhu wanted to say there was a lot, but how would she explain that to Bai Zehao? Even if Zehao wasn¡¯t present, she didn¡¯t want to bring attention to herself to avoid suspicion. The shopkeeper laughed, ¡°Then, little lady, you might as well go back. This tiny bit isn¡¯t of much significance to our restaurant. It wouldn¡¯t be right for me to name a price for it.¡± Although the shopkeeper looked decent and well-proportioned, his laughter revealed a whole mouthful of yellow teeth, which disgusted Bai Ruozhu. Probably due to an attachment to her previous occupation, the sight of such yellow teeth was unbearable for Bai Ruozhu. It was almost like an obsession. She wished she could scrub their teeth clean. However, Bai Ruozhu quickly let it go. This was the era before brushing teeth caught on. Not only was the shopkeeper to be blamed for yellow teeth but many others in the village had the same problem too. Her family had better oral hygiene, but their teeth were far from perfect. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mind started wandering. She should promote the concept of dental hygiene in this era, starting with her family. This would not only guarantee her family¡¯s dental health but also offer her more comfort. Seeing her lost in thought, Bai Zehao nudged Bai Ruozhu with his elbow and whispered, ¡°Little sister, should we leave?¡± Bai Ruozhu came back to the present, shaking her head ruefully. The shopkeeper¡¯s inability to appreciate the fresh soup powder¡¯s potential was Welcoming Guests¡¯ loss. Without wasting more words, she carefully packed the fresh soup powder again and followed Bai Zehao outside, just as a hoarse voice came from inside the yard saying, ¡°Bring the product to me for inspection.¡± ¡°Oh my, the boss is in.¡± The shopkeeper looked nervous and bowed respectfully towards the source of the voice before turning to Bai Ruozhu. ¡°The person inside is our boss. You can show it to him.¡± Bai Ruozhu hadn¡¯t expected there to be another person inside, and that on top of that, he was the actual owner. She turned around walked towards the source of the voice, hoping to find a more discerning person within. Worried about Bai Ruozhu, Bai Zehao kept close behind her. Upon opening the door, Bai Ruozhu saw an old man with white hair and a beard sitting at the table, drinking tea. A man around forty was standing behind him. His sharp gaze sized up Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zehao, giving off a defensive vibe. Bai Ruozhu guessed that the man was skilled in martial arts and probably acted as the old man¡¯s bodyguard. Hence, she maintained some distance as she opened the pouch of fresh soup powder. Just as she expected, the middle-aged man went forward, took a bit, and tasted it. He then nodded towards the old man. Chapter 12 - 12 012 Selling Fresh Soup Noodles ?Chapter 12: Chapter 012: Selling Fresh Soup Noodles Chapter 12: Chapter 012: Selling Fresh Soup Noodles The old man laughingly stroked his beard. His eyes twinkled kind and full of humor, implying an easy-going disposition. ¡°Since you have such a small amount of it, it must be very precious. What makes it so special?¡± the elderly man inquired. ¡°Elder, this product is called Pure Soup Powder, it works best when added to soups. Why not have someone serve two bowls of the same soup, one with this powder added, and taste the difference.¡± Bai Ruozhu suggested. ¡°Alright. Fetch two bowls of soup.¡± The elderly man ordered the shopkeeper, who had been respectfully waiting outside the door, never daring to enter without being summoned. The shopkeeper scurried away and quickly returned with a tray bearing two bowls of soup. Bai Ruozhu added some of the Pure Soup Powder to one bowl, then carefully stirred it, saying, ¡°It¡¯s ready.¡± As the old man reached for the spoon, he was halted by the middle-aged man standing behind him, ¡°Master, allow me.¡± ¡°To get an accurate taste, I must try it myself. You two obviously mean me no harm.¡± The old man chuckled loosely, uninhibited, yet making the middle-aged follower very anxious. Bai Zehao couldn¡¯t help but feel proud hearing the old man¡¯s compliment, ¡°Old Man, good eyes. We are simple folks and we¡¯ve tried this Pure Soup Powder ourselves. The taste is quite wonderful.¡± Bai Ruozhu gave her elder brother a knowing look. Their family had strong genes, all three siblings were good looking but her second brother had the best looks and temperament, being a scholar. Her elder brother carried a sense of stability and reliability that made people naturally warm up to him. The elderly man nodded in agreement, picked up his spoon and tasted the soup without the powder first, then commented, ¡°The chef has improved his skills. Keep it up.¡± Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper radiated joy and responded, ¡°Thank you for the kind words, I¡¯ll be sure to keep an eye on the kitchen.¡± Following that, the elderly man tried the soup into which Bai Ruozhu had added the Pure Soup Powder. It was clear he was a connoisseur. After a sip, he fell silent for a while with everyone¡¯s eyes fixed on him, unsure of his reaction. Bai Zehao clenched his fists nervously, while Bai Ruozhu maintained her serene demeanor, confident that her Pure Soup Powder would be appreciated by a true gourmet. After all, her powder wasn¡¯t just a blend of ordinary fish and shellfish, but was made with specific proportions filled with seafood from her special space, far surpassing the quality of ordinary species. After a pause, the old man quickly took several sips of the soup. Though he didn¡¯t speak, the expression on his face suggested that he found the soup very tasty and couldn¡¯t stop drinking. ¡°Excellent! This Pure Soup Powder is fresh, rich, and not at all greasy leaving a lingering aftertaste!¡± He exclaimed after nearly finishing the bowl. ¡°You know your stuff indeed, elder.¡± Bai Ruozhu replied, giving him a thumbs up. The shopkeeper wasn¡¯t sure how to react and his face turned red. He almost let such a precious product slip away. Definitely, he lacked the discerning eye of his master. ¡°So, how do you plan to sell this?¡± Asked the elderly man nonchalantly after wiping soup from the corner of his mouth. ¡°Seeing as I don¡¯t have much of it and essentially just lucked upon it, maybe you could make an offer? If it¡¯s reasonable, I can let you have it for your customers.¡± Bai Ruozhu proposed with a smile. The elderly man stroked his beard and laughed heartily, ¡°This young lady here is quite smart.¡± Bai Ruozhu complemented the old man, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare to show off in front of such a connoisseur.¡± The old man continued to laugh openly, then poised, ¡°I¡¯m a straightforward man. How does thirty taels of silver sound?¡± Bai Ruozhu was delighted. In her mind, she had thought that ten taels of silver would have been nice. This could have helped subsidize their family a little. Never had she expected such a generous offer. Yet outwardly, she remained unperturbed and nodded, ¡°Elder¡¯s offer is fair, I have no objections.¡± ¡°However, I have one condition...¡± the elderly man added. ¡°Please tell me, elder.¡± Bai Ruozhu knew it couldn¡¯t have been this simple. ¡°You must tell me from where I can buy more of it. What happens once we run out of the Pure Soup Powder?¡± The elderly man asked, scrutinizing Bai Ruozhu as though he would see through her if she were to lie. Bai Ruozhu suppressed her sudden surge of nervousness. On the trip, she had thought up an explanation, her initial idea was to claim that she could mix more and supply the restaurant regularly which would serve as an additional source of income for her family. But, as soon as the old man offered thirty taels, she quickly changed her mind. Those who possessed jade usually invited trouble. Considering her family had neither power, nor any influence nor notable background, she had to tread lightly with this matter. After all, causing any major trouble for her family in an attempt to gain some quick benefits wouldn¡¯t be worthwhile. Thus, Bai Ruozhu repeated the explanation she gave her family to the old man. He scrutinized her closely the entire time, but she didn¡¯t even blink. Even though he didn¡¯t entirely believe her, he was at least generally convinced. After all, the town often served as a rest stop for foreign merchants. Perhaps the product was an ingredient brought in from a different country. The elderly man, Shen Lu, was the founder of the establishment. Although he resided in this small northwestern town, he was a man of worldly experience. In his heart, he was pondering ¨C ¡®Could it be the Turkic Kingdom in the north? That¡¯s unlikely. That barbaric land knew only to roast meat seasoned with salt and chili pepper, how could they come up with this Pure Soup Powder? It must be the Chengshui Country to the southeast, a land rich in biodiversity fostering an emperor who knew to indulge in the pleasures of life. It probably was a merchant from the Chengshui Country who brought it in. How on earth did a merchant from the Chengshui Country end up in the small village the woman talked about? pondered Shen Lu. ¡°Do you remember what that person looked like?¡± Shen Lu asked, not yet giving up hope. Bai Ruozhu put on a thoughtful face and said, ¡°I only remember he had dark skin, a somewhat square face and small but bright eyes. If this doesn¡¯t meet elder¡¯s requirement, we could negotiate the price.¡± Waving his hand, Shen Lu interjected, ¡°Not at all, your honesty is appreciated.¡± As he said this, he looked at Bai Ruozhu, his eyes full of bright curiosity. The old ginger is hotter, Bai Ruozhu thought, keeping her poker face on. She calmly responded, ¡°Younger generations would not dare to hold back anything.¡± Shen Lu continued to stroke his beard as his cordial smile returned, ¡°The agreed price of thirty taels of silver stands. The extra is for your child¡¯s Red Envelope.¡± Overwhelmed with gratitude, Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zehao showed their appreciation. Shen Lu waved his hand and instructed the shopkeeper to take the two downstairs to collect their silver. They bid him farewell and left with the shopkeeper. Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that she¡¯d managed to fool him. This was thanks to her mastering the skill of deceiving people from a young age. Her father had been a gambler, always demanding money from her mother, beating, and scolding them. Anytime he¡¯d ask, ¡°Where is the money?¡± she¡¯d be beaten if she showed any signs of procrastination or guilt. She consequently developed the skill of lying with a straight face, often crying and claiming, ¡°We really have no money left, I haven¡¯t even paid my school fees!¡± She silently scoffed, it was, in fact, her father she should be thanking. Chapter 13 - 13 013 A Little Interlude of Catching Medicine ?Chapter 13: Chapter 013 A Little Interlude of Catching Medicine Chapter 13: Chapter 013 A Little Interlude of Catching Medicine The shopkeeper was very personable, led the two into the back office in the backyard, and handed Bai Ruozhu twenty-five silver coins, as well as an additional five broken silver. Bai Ruozhu told Bai Zehao to carefully put away the twenty-five silver coins while she packed up the five broken silver pieces herself. Bai Zehao was calm and steady, even though he felt overjoyed, he showed no sign of excitement, which made the shopkeeper unable to guess their background. After leaving the welcoming guests, Bai Ruozhu worried that the amount of silver they had was too much and might be unsafe, so she said to Bai Zehao: ¡°Brother, you go home first, I will find mother at the market, and take a donkey cart home.¡± Bai Zehao immediately understood Bai Ruozhu¡¯s intentions, but he was worried about leaving Bai Ruozhu alone, so he wanted her to go home first with the silver coins. Yet he felt that wasn¡¯t appropriate either. What if the shopkeeper from before was planning on stealing the silver, it would put his sister in danger, wouldn¡¯t it? ¡°How about I take you to mom¡¯s first, then I¡¯ll rush back?¡± Bai Zehao suggested with concern. Bai Ruozhu hurriedly shook her head, ¡°There are a lot of people in the market, you better leave first. I will be careful, after all, I¡¯m all grown up, big brother, you must trust me.¡± Bai Zehao opened his mouth and finally decided to listen to Bai Ruozhu. If the silver attracted unwanted attention, then splitting up with Bai Ruozhu might make her safer. ¡°Then go find mom quickly, if you can¡¯t find her in the market, just leave a message and go straight home. Don¡¯t stay outside too long.¡± Bai Zehao instructed. ¡°Okay, I got it. You go home quickly, remember to take a donkey cart, don¡¯t try to save that little bit of money.¡± Bai Ruozhu tried to force some small change into Bai Zehao¡¯s hands, but he pushed it back, ¡°Mom has given me money, you just use it yourself.¡± Several years later, when the siblings often left home with hundreds of silver banknotes, they couldn¡¯t help laughing every time they remembered the tension over those twenty-five silver coins. Bai Zehao quickly left, with Bai Ruozhu turning to head towards the market. However, instead of going directly to find her mother, she went to a pharmacy not far from the market. Since she decided to make toothpaste, she planned to make her signature herbal toothpaste from her last life and needed to purchase some medicinal materials from the pharmacy. Of course, she planned to make a simple version first, using only some not too expensive medicinal materials. Otherwise, even if she could make it, probably nobody would be willing to pay for it. At the pharmacy, she told the sales assistant a few of the medicinal ingredients she needed. The assistant found them all for her, but there were two herbs he had never heard of, so he asked Bai Ruozhu to wait while he consulted the shopkeeper in the back. Before the clerk could come back, a well-dressed young man walked in from outside. Bai Ruozhu thought he was also a customer coming to collect medicine, so she quickly made way for him, but the young man went straight to the back office. Soon, a loud conversation spilled from the backyard. Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t intend to eavesdrop on others, but the newcomer¡¯s voice was impossible to ignore. ¡°Shopkeeper Zhou, I don¡¯t care how you do it, but this month¡¯s sales must meet home¡¯s requirements, otherwise I¡¯ll have to face punishment again.¡± The young man sounded a bit harsh, as if the punishment was severe. ¡°Third Master, I will certainly do my best.¡± The shopkeeper promised. This seemed to make the young man even angrier, ¡°You said the same thing last month, but what use is all your effort? If it doesn¡¯t work out, we might as well hire a doctor to sit in the shop, that should be better than just selling herbs.¡± ¡°Third Master, this is not possible at all, the Old Master once instructed that the shop should only sell medicinal materials and not offer medical treatments. In case the temporarily hired doctor lacks medical skills, it might ruin the reputation of our shop. ¡± The shopkeeper protested vigorously. From outside, Bai Ruozhu silently nodded her agreement. This shopkeeper was making sense. Treating people medically was not something to be done carelessly. It seemed the young master was still too young, a little too eager for quick results. ¡°Then what do you suggest?¡± The young man snapped angrily. The assistant inside quickly diverted the subject and said: ¡°Master, shopkeeper, there is a customer outside waiting to collect medicines, there are two medicines I¡¯m not certain about, we need the shopkeeper¡¯s expertise.¡± Like receiving a pardon, the shopkeeper hastily told the young man, ¡°Third Master, I have to attend to a customer first. I will be right back.¡± The shopkeeper came out and apologized to Bai Ruozhu with an embarrassed smile, ¡°Madam, my apologies for having you wait this long.¡± ¡°No worries, shopkeeper, just help me find the medicines.¡± Bai Ruozhu replied with a courteous smile. Unexpectedly, the young master also followed the shopkeeper out, obviously intending to hurry him along. Bai Ruozhu got a clear look at the young master¡¯s face, he was not much older than her, probably eighteen or nineteen, equivalent to a student in modern times. No wonder he was impatient. The shopkeeper soon fetched the medicines for Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu carefully checked and confirmed they were the two herbs she needed, but among the herbs fetched by the salesman earlier, one was incorrect. ¡°Shopkeeper, this is not Verbena Officinalis,¡± Bai Ruozhu pointed to one of the medicinal materials. The shopkeeper hurriedly said, ¡°Madam, you wanted Verbena Officinalis? My sincere apologies. I will replace it immediately.¡± He glared at his assistant, ¡°Hurry up and sort out the mistake you made.¡± The assistant scratched his head. The customer was correct; Verbena Officinalis was needed. However, he seemed to have opened the drawer next to it by mistake. The young master coldly remarked, ¡°It¡¯s no wonder that the business in the shop isn¡¯t doing well when such small mistakes occur.¡± The shopkeeper looked embarrassed and respectfully said, ¡°Young Master, you¡¯re right, I¡¯ll certainly be more cautious in the future.¡± The assistant also repeatedly apologized with his head down, but the young master waved him off, ¡°Never mind, don¡¯t bother picking them out, just give the extra herbs to the customer for free, since she knows her herbs, it may come in handy.¡± The last sentence was addressed to Bai Ruozhu, who nodded and said without hesitation, ¡°Thank you, young master.¡± The assistant¡¯s mistake was a rhododendron flower. The prices of the two were not much different. After all, currying customer favor is always a good thing. ¡°Young Master, having an extra herb may impact Madam¡¯s formula,¡± the shopkeeper reasoned with concern. The young master gave him a stern look and said, ¡°I told you, you need to be flexible. Madame can identify medicinal materials herself and it seems the ones she asked for are not for a specific formula. Perhaps she can use the wrong herb for something else.¡± Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but glance again at the young master. Even though he seemed young, he was quite observant. The assistant quickly replaced the Verbena Officinalis for Bai Ruozhu and delivered it to her. The somewhat haughty young master then bowed respectfully to Bai Ruozhu and said, ¡°Madam, our waiter was careless and caused you some inconvenience, therefore we will give you 20% off these medicines.¡± At his words, the shopkeeper immediately looked at the young master. The business in the shop was already falling short of expectations, so why was the young master so extravagant? Chapter 14 - 14 014 Preliminary Agreement on Cooperation ?Chapter 14: Chapter 014 Preliminary Agreement on Cooperation Chapter 14: Chapter 014 Preliminary Agreement on Cooperation Bai Ruozhu nodded and said, ¡°Thank you, young master.¡± She didn¡¯t seem to be being courteous at all. From her perspective, it was only right that she compensated the customers. If she were the shop owner, she might have even given a 50% discount. Prescribing the wrong medicine could have serious consequences. If it were given to someone who didn¡¯t understand medicine and they brewed it at home, even one wrong ingredient could potentially lead to a tragedy. She paid for the medicine with broken silver and turned around to leave. However, after a few steps, she suddenly halted. ¡°I propose a business venture suited for the pharmacy; would it interest you?¡± Bai Ruozhu suddenly turned back and inquired. The young master hadn¡¯t expected a pregnant woman to suggest a business idea out of the blue. He hesitated slightly before replying somewhat uncertainly: ¡°Of course. Mrs., please follow me to the backyard for further discussion.¡± Bai Ruozhu felt fortunate that in this era of relaxed rules between men and women would allow a pregnant woman like herself to openly discuss business affairs with a man. In a more feudal time, her life would have been tough. At the backyard, the young master, fearing that she would become tired standing up with her sizable belly, hastened to find her a place to sit. Bai Ruozhu nodded secretly, confirming to herself she had made the right decision. ¡°I propose that you sell a kind of toothpaste in your shop,¡± suggested Bai Ruozhu forthrightly. ¡°Toothpaste? What¡¯s that?¡± asked the startled young master. He looked at the woman in front of him, feeling slightly disconcerted. She was dressed plainly but carried an scholarly air, reminiscent of a learned woman from a literate family. The realisation hit the young master ¨C despite her pregnancy, the woman in front of him seemed as lively as an unmarried young woman. Having been taught from a young age by his grandfather to read people, he didn¡¯t believe his observation could be mistaken. How strange it was. ¡°My surname is Bai. How should I address you, young master?¡± Bai Ruozhu found it rather awkward. How could she refer to herself as a young girl despite her pregnancy? Yet she had no idea when she had become a married woman. ¡°Oh, my name is Du Zhongshu, I¡¯m the son of the owner of Du Family Pharmacy,¡± the young master introduced himself courteously. ¡°Well, nice to meet you, Master Du. Right, let¡¯s get back to the subject of toothpaste,¡± Bai Ruozhu began to speak at a relaxing rhythm. ¡°Toothpaste is a substance used for brushing teeth, made from various medicinal ingredients. I¡¯ve once heard about it from a wandering Taoist monk. Daily use not only keeps teeth white and breath fresh but also prevents toothaches, gum bleeding, and other teeth-related problems.¡± Although Bai Ruozhu wanted to introduce the concept of toothbrushes, she had not figured out how to make them yet. She knew that people in ancient times used willow twigs with the ends chewed into bristles, dipped in green salt as a toothpaste. But that was far from being effective. She had considered making toothbrushes from horse hair, but common folk didn¡¯t own horses, so where would she get the horse hair for toothbrushes? Thus, she decided not to mention the toothbrush. As long as there was toothpaste, even using fingers or a cloth to apply it would clean teeth. ¡°Oh? That¡¯s fascinating! If it really works that well, it surely will sell,¡± Du Zhongshu¡¯s eyes lit up, and he broke out in a smile, revealing a set of white teeth. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but silently compliment him. Children of the wealthy really were different. On the one hand, these benefits were due to his age and his good dental health. On the other hand, he clearly kept his teeth clean with green salt or dental powder regularly. ¡°I plan to buy some medicinal materials to experiment with blending a batch. If it¡¯s successful, I¡¯d like to partner with you on this venture,¡± said Bai Ruozhu. Du Zhongshu was a man of action. Hearing this, he immediately said, ¡°Go ahead and try blending it. I will cover the initial costs.¡± As he finished his sentence, he quickly pulled out five taels of silver to give to Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu was in no hurry to accept the silver. She was surprised by how easily he trusted her. Just by her words, he readily laid out five taels of silver. Either he was imprudently trusting or he was used to being generous in everyday dealings. Hadn¡¯t he just been concerned about his shop¡¯s poor business? ¡°Aren¡¯t you worried I¡¯ll take the money and disappear?¡± Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but ask. Du Zhongshu laughed, his eyes lit up, enhancing his already handsome features. Bai Ruozhu found herself thinking this young master was rather handsome, and it was a pleasure to work with such a man. ¡°In business, risks are inherent. But if I miss this good opportunity due to indecision, won¡¯t that be regrettable? At worst, I lose five taels of silver. I can simply chalk it off as a lesson about my poor judgment. Besides, Mrs. Bai, do you see yourself as a cheat?¡± Bai Ruozhu instinctively stroked her belly and laughed, realizing how ridiculous it was. Even in the modern era, a heavily pregnant woman attempting to scam others was a rare sight, let alone in this small town of the past, where people were generally honest and simple. ¡°About the silver, I happened to overhear that your shop is not doing well and you¡¯re quite worried about it, so I¡¯ll pass. We can discuss this when your finances are more stable,¡± said Bai Ruozhu. After all, she had already bought the necessary medicine, so the expense wasn¡¯t much. There was no need to make his situation even more difficult. At this, Du Zhongshu started to laugh heartily, his laughter particularly robust. ¡°Mrs., you¡¯re overthinking it. The business in the shop is an assignment from my family, and I¡¯ll be punished if I don¡¯t meet the target, hence my worries. However, I myself am not lacking in silver, but I can¡¯t mix my personal funds with the shop¡¯s finances.¡± Bai Ruozhu laughed awkwardly, her well-intentioned deed was based on a misunderstanding ¨C he didn¡¯t need the money. ¡°Well, I won¡¯t stand on ceremony then. I¡¯ll bring you a sample in seven days. If I fail to create the blend successfully, I¡¯ll return this five taels of silver,¡± Bai Ruozhu said as she picked up the five taels of silver that were still on the table. Clearly, refusing to accept it would be a slight to him. ¡°Mrs. indeed has a forthright personality. In seven days, I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the shop,¡± said Du Zhongshu, standing up as he saw Bai Ruozhu about to leave. ¡°Alright, a deal it is.¡± Fortunately, by the time Bai Ruozhu had arrived at the market, her mother had not yet sold all the vegetables. Her mother called out from the distance, ¡°Daughter, how come you¡¯re here alone? Where¡¯s your older brother?¡± After giving it some thought, Bai Ruozhu replied, ¡°My older brother went to buy some things and told me to meet him at our usual spot. Let¡¯s go find him.¡± Her mother, Lin Pingr, found it strange and grumbled, ¡°What¡¯s he thinking? I told him to stay close to you.¡± By this time, Bai Ruozhu was already beside her mother. She took her mother¡¯s arm and gently pinched it, whispering, ¡°I¡¯m feeling heavy, mom, and I want to go home early. Let¡¯s go find my big brother quickly, shall we?¡± ¡°Ah, let¡¯s go home then,¡± understanding Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hint, her mother immediately looked towards her. Seeing the glint in her daughter¡¯s eyes and the slight squint, she realized what she was hinting at. She quickly packed up her basket and left the market together with Bai Ruozhu. Once they reached a secluded spot, Bai Ruozhu cautiously looked around before whispering into Lin Pingr¡¯s ear, ¡°Mom, the product has been sold. I asked my older brother to take the money home first.¡± Lin Pingr immediately understood ¡°the product¡± meant ¡®Fresh Soup Powder¡¯. A surprised expression spread across her face, ¡°How much was it sold for?¡± Chapter 15 - 15 015 The Bai Family Gets Lucky ?Chapter 15: Chapter 015: The Bai Family Gets Lucky Chapter 15: Chapter 015: The Bai Family Gets Lucky ¡°Mother, let¡¯s go home and talk about it.¡± Thirty taels of silver was a huge income for a peasant family; if Lin Ping learned about it, she would probably be excited for quite some time. Without asking more, Lin Ping and her daughter found a donkey cart and rushed back to Back Mountain Village. The donkey cart only took them to the entrance of the village. They saw Bai Zehao waiting for them from a distance. His cheeks were slightly red from the sunlight, and his anxious look evident until he saw them. His face then broke into a smile as he quickly approached them. ¡°Mother, sister, you¡¯re finally here. Father was worried that Ruozhu would get tired, so he sent me to pick you two up,¡± Bai Zehao said with a smile. ¡°Look at how pampered you think I am,¡± Bai Ruozhu said, winking at her older brother. Bai Zehao was delighted and winked back at his sister. Lin Ping, however, was confused. What secret were this brother and sister duo trying to keep? Were they planning to be as mischievous as they were when they were little? Upon entering the house, they saw Bai Yihong and Bai Zepei waiting in the main room for a family meeting. Bai Zehao closed the doors tightly and followed them in the main room. ¡°My girl, you¡¯ve helped our family tremendously this time.¡± Bai Yihong said with a flushed face, his voice slightly choked with emotion. Lin Ping, who had been holding back her curiosity, asked anxiously, ¡°How much silver did we make from selling the fresh noodles?¡± Bai Ruozhu hurriedly made a gesture for caution: ¡°Mother, lower your voice. We earned thirty taels of silver.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lin Ping could not help but raise her voice, but she quickly processed the information and asked incredulously, ¡°Really?¡± Seeing Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zehao nodding at her with gleeful smiles, and a grin on Bai Yihong¡¯s face, she finally believed it. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful!¡± Lin Ping¡¯s face flushed with happiness, but she quickly became serious again, ¡°Ruozhu, you were right to let your older brother come back first. And no one in our family can spread this news, especially not your grandma or your uncle!¡± Bai Yihong looked slightly embarrassed but also nodded in agreement. Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei naturally had no objections and agreed as well. If the people in the old mansion found out about the silver, they might not be left with much. ¡°Mother, now that we have silver, let¡¯s prepare my brother¡¯s betrothal gifts and send them to the Wan family,¡± Bai Ruozhu suggested with a grin. Bai Zehao blushed involuntarily. As the eldest son of the family, he hadn¡¯t been able to contribute much to them. On the contrary, his sister was concerned about his marriage. Feeling a twinge of sadness, he couldn¡¯t help but call out, ¡°Little sister...¡± Seeing the close affection among her children, Lin Ping was even happier, ¡°Ruozhu is right, we should handle this matter now, and the rest of the silver should be given to Ruozhu to restore her health.¡± Of course, the whole family agreed, and Bai Yihong was particularly excited to say, ¡°Our family is finally lucky!¡± Thirty taels of silver, spent frugally, could cover the living expenses of a peasant family for half a year. Now that the Bai family had received this amount of silver, their situation would improve. Lin Ping, being an impatient person, wanted to discuss with Bai Yihong right away about what to prepare for the betrothal gifts. Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei wanted to leave the room, and Bai Ruozhu wasn¡¯t supposed to be present either. But before she left, she took out the remaining four taels of broken silver and gave it to Lin Ping, ¡°Mother, I bought a few types of medicinal materials to experiment with. Here are the remaining four taels or so.¡± As for the five taels of silver given by Du Zhongshu, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want to mention it. On one hand, her toothpaste hadn¡¯t been produced yet, and on the other, it was somewhat unclear to bring it up. As for the five taels of silver, Bai Ruozhu planned to keep it as operating funds for buying medicinal materials in the future. ¡°Don¡¯t give this to mother, keep it for your personal use and buy something for yourself and the baby,¡± Lin Ping pushed the broken silver back immediately. ¡°Mother, I am taken care of by the family, why do I need personal money? Unless mother plans to drive me out?¡± Bai Ruozhu said with a laugh. Upon hearing this, Lin Ping quickly responded: ¡°How could it be? As long as your father and I are around, nobody could drive you away!¡± Bai Yihong didn¡¯t speak but had a gloomy expression. He also wished that his daughter could stay with them forever, but what about her future? If she couldn¡¯t find Chang Sheng, did she have to spend the rest of her life as a widow? She was still at a blooming age. At this thought, Bai Yihong made up his mind to save more silver. In three or four years, he would arrange for his daughter to remarry. By providing her with a generous dowry, he was sure she could marry a decent family. In the end, Lin Ping insisted on only accepting two taels of silver. She left the rest to Bai Ruozhu for spending, stating that the silver was earned by Bai Ruozhu, and the entire family was benefiting from her earnings. She said it was even embarrassing to leave just that little amount for Ruozhu. Once Bai Ruozhu left the room with the silver, Bai Yihong let out a sigh and whispered to Lin Ping, ¡°We desperately need money at home. Otherwise, we should have saved this money for our daughter¡¯s dowry.¡± ¡°You¡¯re considering another marriage for Ruozhu?¡± Lin Ping asked, somewhat surprised. ¡°We can¡¯t make her suffer for the rest of her life. In a few years, we should find her a good family again,¡± Bai Yihong said with a sigh. Lin Ping did not say anything, but her heart was fraught with worry. Their daughter was perfect: beautiful, kind, hardworking, and skilful. The only downside was her status. Would it really be easy for her to remarry in the future? Bai Ruozhu returned to her room with the silver and began to think about what to do with it. It was good that they gave her the silver, as it would give her a reason to improve the family¡¯s meals and buy some things. Most importantly, she needed to buy a pen for her second brother. Supporting a scholar in a peasant family wasn¡¯t easy. Her second brother, who understood the situation, had been very frugal in his studies. He used to write letters and copy books for others to earn some silver, but now, with the examination coming up, their mother didn¡¯t allow him to take up any side jobs, thus taking away his source of income. Bai Ruozhu had seen her older brother training with his brush in his room. To save paper and ink, he was practicing with a brush dipped in water on his desk. But his brush looked quite worn-out, having been used for a long time. Also, her mother¡¯s sleeves were worn out and had patches on the elbows. Last time, when she saw her uncle¡¯s wife in the old mansion, she noticed that her clothes were new and had no patches on them. Lastly, her father, who used to enjoy having a few drinks, hadn¡¯t been able to afford any for a long time due to their financial hardships. With these thoughts in mind, Bai Ruozhu felt a twinge of heartache. She told her older brother that she wanted to go to the tofu workshop in the village to buy a block of tofu for dinner. Bai Zehao, worried, wanted to accompany her but was dissuaded by Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Brother, you should go water and fertilize the vegetables in the backyard. The tofu workshop is just a few steps away, I¡¯ll be back soon,¡± Bai Ruozhu insisted. Thinking back to how the village head had dealt with the Liu Family just a few days ago, Bai Zehao believed that nobody in the village would dare to bother Bai Ruozhu, so he didn¡¯t persist. Bai Ruozhu hurriedly picked up her basket and left the house. She headed straight to the tofu workshop, bought a block of tofu, and then found a secluded spot to enter the space. There, she caught a fathead fish from the fishpond before leaving the space. Chapter 16 - 16 016 The Goal is to Have No Tooth Decay ?Chapter 16: Chapter 016: The Goal is to Have No Tooth Decay Chapter 16: Chapter 016: The Goal is to Have No Tooth Decay Just as she was about to catch the fish, the baby in her belly kicked her again. No, it felt more like it was dancing. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but smile, ¡°Little one, you¡¯re a foodie too, aren¡¯t you? Craving for some fish?¡± The baby moved again, as if responding, or perhaps protesting against the term ¡°foodie¡±. When Bai Ruozhu returned home, Lin Ping had finished discussion with Bai Yihong. She was feeding pigs in the yard and visibly relieved upon seeing Ruozhu, but chided her, ¡°Next time you want to buy something, let me do it. Don¡¯t tire yourself out.¡± ¡°Mom, I¡¯m not that fragile!¡± Bai Ruozhu answered in a coquettish tone, ¡°Look at what I bought!¡± She lifted up the Fathead fish and laughed, ¡°Tonight, I¡¯ll make Fish Head Tofu Soup for everyone! I promise it¡¯ll be delicious!¡± Seeing that the fish was quite large, Bai Yihong hurriedly took it from her, fearing that it would tire her out. ¡°Wow, where did you get this big fish?¡± Lin Ping asked in surprise. ¡°I saw a fishmonger selling some from a donkey cart at the entrance of our village. He gave me a discount.¡± Bai Ruozhu stuck out her tongue discreetly. It was stressful having to lie about using items from her space. ¡°Eating fish is good for health. You and the baby could use some nourishment.¡± Saying this, Bai Yihong walked towards the well in the backyard, ¡°I¡¯ll clean the fish.¡± After receiving the cleaned fish, Bai Ruozhu made Fish Head Tofu Soup and minced the rest of the fish to create tasty Fish Balls. She added some to the soup and also served Sweet and Sour Fish Balls with green veggies and cucumber. The delicious smell of her cooking made the others¡¯ mouths water. Lin Ping couldn¡¯t help but comment, ¡°I had no idea Ruozhu was such a good cook!¡± Bai Yihong couldn¡¯t help laughing, ¡°You always called Ruozhu your darling and didn¡¯t let her into the kitchen. But she¡¯s quick to learn when she follows me!¡± Seeing Bai Yihong¡¯s smug face, Lin Ping couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Don¡¯t be too ready to take credit for yourself.¡± Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu walked over, looped her arms around both her parents and laughed, ¡°From dad I learned how to learn quickly, and from mom I got nimble hands. How lucky am I, right?¡± Both Bai Yihong and Lin Ping burst out laughing and Lin Ping playfully tugged Ruozhu¡¯s hair, ¡°Now even you¡¯re boasting.¡± They had a hearty meal and the entire family was beaming, seeming more lively and full of energy. Six days passed in a blink and Bai Ruozhu successfully made toothpaste. Although it wasn¡¯t the proud formula from her past life, it was still quite rare for her current era. Unfortunately, she had limited materials. The toothpaste she made was blackish-brown and didn¡¯t look very appealing. ¡°Ruozhu, you¡¯re saying this thing can clean teeth?¡± Bai Zehao asked disbelievingly when Ruozhu recommended the toothpaste to the family. ¡°You spent these days mixing medications just for tooth brushing? Why didn¡¯t you just use tooth powder, medicine is expensive.¡± Bai Zehao sounded pained but Bai Ruozhu just smiled and said, ¡°It yields a large volume so the cost isn¡¯t too high. Plus, the effect is far superior to tooth powder. Just dip a handkerchief in it and rub it on your teeth like I do.¡± As she spoke, she picked up a handkerchief and demonstrated how to brush teeth with the brownish paste. After showing them how to rinse, the whole family joined in doing the same. ¡°Does this thing reduce swelling and pain?¡± Bai Zepei asked suddenly. He had become taciturn of late, studying intently in his room and speaking little, even during family meetings. Bai Ruozhu nodded, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s effective for mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. With regular use, not only will it whiten teeth, but it also prevents cavities and other oral issues.¡± While making toothpaste, Bai Ruozhu often joked to herself: in this era, the ultimate goal was to avoid cavities. Bai Zepei nodded wordlessly. Bai Ruozhu then turned to him and asked, ¡°Second brother, do you have mouth ulcers?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a bit inflamed but it¡¯s getting better.¡± Bai Zepei¡¯s demeanor was somewhat awkward, his expression rigid. No wonder he spoke less recently. His mouth discomfort worried him that the family would become worried. ¡°Zepei, studying hard is good but do not tire yourself. Do your best is enough,¡± Bai Yihong suddenly spoke up. Bai Ruozhu appreciated this quality in her father. He wasn¡¯t like those fathers who always stressed the importance of education and demanded their children become scholars. The phrase ¡°do your best¡± indicated that he cared more about Bai Zepei¡¯s well-being. ¡°Yes, Second Brother. You should brush with this toothpaste every morning and evening for better performance at the examination. There¡¯s plenty more. If it doesn¡¯t get used, it¡¯ll just spoil, so don¡¯t hold back,¡± Ruozhu said while handing a box of toothpaste to Bai Zepei. ¡°Ok, sure.¡± Bai Zepei responded curtly. His mouth barely moved and Bai Ruozhu deduced that his mouth ulcers were severe, thus making speech uncomfortable. ¡°I¡¯m going to make some Green Bean Soup for you. It will help to reduce the inflammation,¡± Lin Ping said worriedly before rushing off. Later that evening, when the family discussed the toothpaste again, they all agreed that using it left their mouths feeling cool and refreshed. Of course, they didn¡¯t expect their teeth to become immediately white after just one use, but they all deeply supported Bai Ruozhu¡¯s ¡°invention¡±. When Bai Ruozhu wanted to visit the town to try selling her toothpaste in the pharmacy and to buy a few things for the baby in her belly, Lin Ping said, ¡°I was planning to go to the town to buy some things. Let¡¯s go together tomorrow. Your big brother can guard us.¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled and covered her mouth. She knew that by ¡°things¡±, Lin Ping meant Bai Yihong¡¯s betrothal presents. Therefore, it was only fitting for him to accompany them. Even serious Bai Zehao blushed and emitted embarrassed laughter at the mention of marriage. The following day, the ladies again went to the town together. To save time, Bai Ruozhu suggested that they split up: Bai Zehao would accompany Lin Ping shopping, while Bai Ruozhu would visit the pharmacy. Upon hearing this, Lin Ping immediately objected, ¡°I want your big brother to accompany you. What I¡¯m buying isn¡¯t that heavy, I can carry it myself.¡± Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want her big brother around because it would be inconvenient for her to discuss business. She quickly said, ¡°How about you two drop me off at the pharmacy and then go shopping. You can pick me up at the pharmacy when you¡¯re done. I promise I won¡¯t wander off.¡± Lin Ping thought it was a good idea and agreed. So, Bai Zehao and Lin Ping dropped Bai Ruozhu off at Du¡¯s Pharmacy before heading off to the market. The shopkeeper remembered Bai Ruozhu and warmly welcomed her into the store when she arrived, ¡°Mrs. Bai, please come in. The third young master will arrive shortly.¡± Bai Ruozhu thanked the shopkeeper and followed him to the backyard. An attendant was told to brew a cup of tea for her, but Bai Ruozhu graciously refused, ¡°Just water is fine.¡± Chapter 17 - 17 017 Is Being Rich Such a Big Deal ?Chapter 17: Chapter 017: Is Being Rich Such a Big Deal? Chapter 17: Chapter 017: Is Being Rich Such a Big Deal? It wasn¡¯t that Bai Ruozhu was worried about any foul play. She¡¯d practiced traditional medicine in her previous life, so it was not in vain. Rather, she thought that tea was not good for the child. The shopkeeper, Zhou, quickly had his assistant swap her tea for warm water. It wasn¡¯t long before Du Zhongshu arrived in a flurry. Du Zhongshu, beaming, said immediately upon stepping into the backyard, ¡°Shopkeeper Zhou, the contract has been signed.¡± ¡°Congratulations, young master. Now you¡¯re officially qualified!¡± Shopkeeper Zhou happily responded. Only then did Du Zhongshu notice Bai Ruozhu, and he promptly greeted her with a smile, ¡°Mrs. Bai, apologies for making you wait.¡± ¡°No matter,¡± Bai Ruozhu said, pulling out a box and offering it to Du Zhongshu. ¡°This is the toothpaste I mentioned.¡± Du Zhongshu, intrigued, accepted it, and took a whiff. ¡°It smells nice. How should one use it?¡± ¡°Wipe your teeth with it using a cloth, then rinse. You both can give it a try.¡± responded Bai Ruozhu. Du Zhongshu had one of the boys bring a cloth and some rinse and immediately tried it out. Shopkeeper Zhou also tried it, and both agreed it was good, much more comfortable than tooth powder, although the effect couldn¡¯t be determined with just one use. ¡°I think the results should be clearly visible after a half-month of continuous use.¡± Bai Ruozhu suggested, ¡°You could gift it to the regular customers of your shop and tell them how to use it. If they find it effective, they will naturally be willing to purchase more, and this would also boost your reputation.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a brilliant idea!¡± Ancient folks didn¡¯t know much about marketing strategies. Du Zhongshu couldn¡¯t help but marvel at Mrs. Bai¡¯s ingenuity. ¡°I wonder how the young master is planning to collaborate?¡± Bai Ruozhu suddenly asked. If it was just about selling formulas, she found it uninteresting. What if she sold a simple formula and later modified it to a better one, only to have people criticize her for being a fraud? But she wouldn¡¯t sell her most precious formula, either, as it wasn¡¯t easy to convince others of its merits. Thus, it seemed a better idea to cooperate, launching a simpler version first and then gradually innovating to a premium version of the toothpaste for high-end customers. Du Zhongshu stayed silent for a moment before saying, ¡°Well, Mrs. Bai, I was initially worried about completing the task given by my family, so I was exploring various ways to make money. But now that I¡¯ve secured a deal for medicinal materials, the family task is taken care of, and I might have to leave here soon.¡± Bai Ruozhu was taken aback. Did he mean he was not interested in the toothpaste business anymore? ¡°To tell you the truth, I hate complications. If not for my family¡¯s insistence, I wouldn¡¯t even want to get involved in business matters. So, let¡¯s drop the toothpaste idea. Here¡¯s five taels of silver for you, as compensation for going back on our deal.¡± Du Zhongshu said, awkwardly rubbing his hands. Whether it was her pregnant temperament, the hot weather, or Du Zhongshu¡¯s words that ticked her off, Bai Ruozhu felt a surge of anger. She had gone to such lengths to prepare the toothpaste and then carted it all the way here, just for him to dismiss her efforts because it was ¡°too troublesome.¡± And his generous offer of ¡°five taels of silver¡± infuriated her even more. Did having money excuse everything? ¡°Now I understand why your family sent you on this mission. Because of your irresponsibility, there¡¯s no other way around it. I thought you were a decent person who understood business, so I considered collaborating with you. But it appears I misjudged you!¡± Bai Ruozhu retorted, pulling no punches. Du Zhongshu looked embarrassed and worried about upsetting her pregnancy. He quickly tried to pacify her, ¡°Mrs. Bai, calm down, please. Are you in urgent need of money?¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t about the money. You were born into a wealthy family and live in comfort. Have you ever thought about whether you¡¯re deserving of your family who have given you everything? Have you ever tried to work hard to provide a better life for your loved ones? I¡¯m sure you never thought about it because you¡¯re used to having everything handed to you.¡± Bai Ruozhu stood up and brushed the dust off her sleeves. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll take my leave!¡± ¡°Mrs. Bai ...¡± Du Zhongshu was left dazed by Bai Ruozhu¡¯s rebuke. Seeing her leaving in a huff and worried about the pregnant woman¡¯s safety, he hurried to stop her. ¡°Let¡¯s talk this through properly. I admit, I didn¡¯t consider your feelings and I apologize for that. But you¡¯re with child, you mustn¡¯t affect your health because of anger.¡± Du Zhongshu¡¯s attitude was indeed satisfactory. ¡°Step aside. Seeing less of you will soothe my temper.¡± Bai Ruozhu wanted to leave, but at that moment, a voice sounded from outside, ¡°Who dares to bully my sister?¡± Bai Zehao appeared on the scene to pick up Bai Ruozhu. He had overheard her angry words outside and charged in without knowing the entire situation. Du Zhongshu was blocking Bai Ruozhu¡¯s way and an enraged Bai Zehao lunged forward, grabbing Du Zhongshu by the collar, and roared, ¡°What are you planning to do to my sister?¡± Seeing her brother standing up for her instantly lifted Bai Ruozhu¡¯s spirits. She quickly pulled Bai Zehao back, saying, ¡°Big brother, you got it all wrong. He was just apologizing to me. I was the one lecturing him.¡± Bai Zehao felt that his sister was probably too kind, and that¡¯s why people took advantage of her. He eyed up the young man in front of him suspiciously, ¡°What did you do to upset my sister? Why else are you apologizing?¡± Cornered, Du Zhongshu retreated a few steps, thinking to himself, ¡®This brother and sister are just alike, both so temperamental!¡¯ ¡°Big brother, let¡¯s just go.¡± Having vented her anger, Bai Ruozhu felt much better. She was too tired to explain further and, pulling Bai Zehao, headed towards the exit while Bai Zehao shot Du Zhongshu a final glare. Du Zhongshu scratched his head, murmuring to himself, ¡°What a deep bond between the siblings... working hard for loved ones... handed everything on a silver platter?¡± Once Bai Ruozhu and her brother exited the Du¡¯s clinic, they found their mother waiting anxiously outside with an armful of belongings. ¡°Brother, quickly help Mom with the packages,¡± Bai Ruozhu urged. Lin Ping¡¯er closely examined Bai Ruozhu, and upon seeing her daughter was fine, finally let out a sigh of relief, ¡°Let¡¯s get going.¡± The three of them left the Du¡¯s clinic, and their mother and brother began questioning Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Ruozhu, what happened just now? Why did you argue with those people inside?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er asked. ¡°Yeah, Ruozhu, you¡¯re too kind. You didn¡¯t make a peep when bullied. That¡¯s not right,¡± Bai Zehao chided. A corner of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mouth twitched. Where did they get the idea she was easily bullied? She had just given them a piece of her mind. Chapter 18 - 18 018 Really More Wronged than Dou E ?Chapter 18: Chapter 018 Really More Wronged than Dou E Chapter 18: Chapter 018 Really More Wronged than Dou E ¡°It¡¯s really not a big deal, I was supposed to sell them toothpaste that I¡¯d made, but then that young master said he didn¡¯t have the patience to do business and broke our contract, costing me five taels of silver. My temper got the better of me, so I taught him a lesson,¡± Bai Ruozhu said, sticking out her tongue playfully at the end of her explanation. Bai Linping and Bai Zehao both seemed astounded ¨C it sounded as though Bai Ruozhu had been the one bullying the other party. Coming to her senses, Bai Linping shot Bai Ruozhu a stern look and said, ¡°You¡¯re such a troublemaker, even after they apologized and compensated you, why did you still give them trouble?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe my temper has gotten shorter because I¡¯m pregnant, or perhaps it¡¯s because of the dry weather,¡± Bai Ruozhu theorized, fanning herself as she spoke. Bai Linping hastily took out her fan and began fanning Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Well, well, look at you, little sister, you¡¯re quite tough-tempered these days. Guess I better not mess with you anymore,¡± Bai Zehao jested. Bai Ruozhu patted her stomach with a worried look. ¡°Could my temper affect the baby¡¯s personality? Geez, I should¡¯ve tried harder to keep my cool.¡± Bai Zehao waved away her worries, ¡°Oh, no. You¡¯ve got the sweetest temper. Chang Sheng is nice-tempered too. How could their child be hotheaded?¡± No sooner had he said this than he yelped in pain ¨C Bai Ruozhu had noticed their mother surreptitiously pinching Bai Zehao for his tactless remark about Chang Sheng. To the old Bai Ruozhu, Chang Sheng¡¯s name was taboo. But to the current Bai Ruozhu, Chang Sheng was just a name, belonging to a man of whom she had no memory. ¡°Was Chang Sheng easy-going? After bumping my head, I can¡¯t seem to remember much about him,¡± Bai Ruozhu said, touching her head. She wasn¡¯t worried about looking suspect to her family now that they¡¯d grown accustomed to her in their daily life, especially since she had a working recollection of most things. However, Bai Linping and Bai Zehao were concerned. Bai Linping took Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hand. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you mention it earlier? Should we maybe have Doctor Li take a look at you?¡± Bai Ruozhu protested rapidly. Medical consultation required money, and with their financial situation just improving, they could hardly afford it. ¡°I¡¯m confident that my memories will come back in time. Don¡¯t you see that I remember everything else?¡± urged Bai Ruozhu. Still unsatisfied, Bai Linping insisted on seeing the doctor. Frustrated, Bai Ruozhu said directly, ¡°If you just tell me more about him, I¡¯m sure I can gradually recall everything. There¡¯s no point in seeing Doctor Li, right?¡± ¡°Mother, sister has a point. I read somewhere that people in her situation often gradually remember things. Seeing a doctor and taking medication may not be any more helpful,¡± Bai Zehao said. Bai Ruozhu shot a look of approval at her older brother. He was just as perceptive as her second brother. With that, Bai Linping reluctantly dropped the matter. ¡°Well, we were afraid that talking about Chang Sheng would upset you. Perhaps it¡¯s even a good thing in a way.¡± When they got home, Bai Linping shared Bai Ruozhu¡¯s fuzzy recollection of Chang Sheng with Bai Yihong, who was taken aback. ¡°Mom, Dad, don¡¯t worry about me. Maybe I¡¯ll remember everything soon. Can you tell me what happened to Chang Sheng?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked coyly. Bai Yihong sighed, ¡°Let me tell you. Initially, I rescued Chang Sheng from the woods ¨C that was my mistake. All that did was invite a heap of troubles.¡± Bai Linping didn¡¯t say a word, so Bai Yihong carried on with the story. He explained that Bai Ruozhu and Chang Sheng had gone to the back mountain to gather firewood one day. They had come across a large yellow flower, which Chang Sheng wanted to bring back to plant. They had managed to pick it, but things went off-rails. Bai Yihong¡¯s account was rather vague, but Bai Ruozhu, being a grown woman, managed to understand the inferences pretty quickly. The yellow flower was a Hai Yanghua, traditionally used as an aphrodisiac when animals breed. It¡¯s quite rare to see it in the back mountain. Chang Sheng was an outsider who¡¯d lost his memory and didn¡¯t recognize the Hai Yanghua. Bai Ruozhu, as an unmarried girl, had no knowledge of these things, and the elders wouldn¡¯t talk about it with her. The two unsuspecting youth ended up picking the flower- As a result of inhaling a great deal of the flower¡¯s pollen, Chang Sheng lost control and took advantage of Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu had a gut feeling about what had happened and rushed home with her bamboo basket. When Bai Yihong saw the Hai Yanghua, he knew something bad had happened. Upon confirming his worst fears ¨C that his daughter had been violated ¨C Bai Yihong found solace in the fact that they had decided to bring Chang Sheng into their family anyway. So they proceeded to prepare for the wedding, which only took a couple of days. However, Chang Sheng didn¡¯t show up as planned, and Bai Yihong knew something was wrong. With the help of the village chief and other villagers, they searched for Chang Sheng in the back mountain. They found no sign of him, but discovered some traces and a shoe he¡¯d lost, which made them conclude that Chang Sheng must¡¯ve accidentally slid off a cliff. While some speculated that Chang Sheng was dead, Bai Yihong¡¯s family kept searching for him. Half a year passed without any trace of Chang Sheng, but Bai Ruozhu¡¯s belly only grew larger. Bai Ruozhu listened to the saga in awe. How could the old Bai Ruozhu, a conservative girl, get pregnant before marriage? The whole mess was pure bad luck, and it was hard to explain to anyone. She felt she was wronged more than Dou E. ¡°Dearest Ruozhu, don¡¯t be sad. As long as there¡¯s no corpse, there¡¯s hope he¡¯s still alive. If Chang Sheng is okay, he will eventually come back to find you, I know that boy,¡± Bai Yihong said, furrowing his brows. Bai Linping glared at him, opening her mouth, wanting to refute him but decided against it to avoid upsetting their daughter further. ¡°Mom, Dad, I¡¯ve decided. Regardless of whether Chang Sheng returns or not, our life will go on. I will take care of the child, take care of you two. You don¡¯t have to worry or be sad for me. Otherwise, I¡¯ll feel guilty.¡± The old Bai Ruozhu might not have realized it, but Bai Ruozhu, having witnessed their daily life, had noticed the gray hair creeping into Bai Linping¡¯s temples. ¡°Okay... okay, let¡¯s not dwell on this any longer. As long as our life goes on smoothly, that¡¯s all we need,¡± Bai Linping wiped the corner of her eye and murmured. But privately, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mind was busy mulling over other thoughts. She remembered her second brother had once mentioned that Chang Sheng was not an ordinary man and warned her former self not to marry him. But the old Bai Ruozhu was lovesick and didn¡¯t heed his warnings. As for Bai Ruozhu, she was now an observer of the situation and could think about it more rationally. If Chang Sheng was alive and expected to live with her one day, she wouldn¡¯t feel comfortable sleeping on the same bed with a man she had no feelings for, let alone, well, you know. Just as Bai Ruozhu was pondering the possibility of Chang Sheng¡¯s death, the baby in her belly gave her a hard kick. Annoyed, she patted her stomach, muttering, ¡°It¡¯s not easy for Mom to carry you, you little ingrate. All you care about is your dad. What if your dad turns out to be a nasty man who wants to take you away from me in the future?¡± The baby protested with a series of kicks. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t tell whether the baby was objecting to her calling their father a nasty man or the idea of being taken away by him, but it was obvious the baby was overwrought. Chapter 19 - 19 019 Ruozhus Ingenious Plan ?Chapter 19: Chapter 019: Ruozhu¡¯s Ingenious Plan Chapter 19: Chapter 019: Ruozhu¡¯s Ingenious Plan In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. Lin Ping¡¯er and Bai Yihong were discussing something in the main hall. As soon as they saw Bai Ruozhu coming in, they immediately stopped. However, Bai Ruozhu noticed that Lin Ping¡¯er looked upset, as if she was angry with someone. ¡°Dad, what¡¯s wrong with mum? Did you upset her again?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked cheerfully. She was hoping to see her parents flirt and banter a little. After all, both of them were in their thirties, but not yet forty, which, in modern times, is still a prime age for a romantic relationship. Bai Yihong looked innocent. ¡°What does it have to do with me? I wouldn¡¯t dare to make your mother angry.¡± Bai Ruozhu laughed heartier. She learned something new ¨C her dad was under the thumb of her mother. ¡°Don¡¯t worry Ruozhu, just take care of your pregnancy.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er said, managing a smile. Bai Ruozhu was even more suspicious now. Her mother has a frank personality and cannot hide even the slightest of things, always wearing it on her face. She grabbed Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s arm and waved it, acting a little spoiled. ¡°Mum, I¡¯ve been feeling heavier and more curious lately. If you don¡¯t tell me, I¡¯ll start worrying and might even lose sleep. The baby won¡¯t be at ease either. Oh, this won¡¯t be good at all.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er looked at Bai Ruozhu with a hint of displeasure. ¡°Mum doesn¡¯t want you to worry over unnecessary things. I¡¯m afraid it¡¯ll upset you.¡± Bai Ruozhu perked up. ¡°It does seem like something happened. Moreover, it seems to concern me. I have to know it clearly.¡± Seeing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s persistent attitude, Lin Ping¡¯er helpless, exchanged a glance with Bai Yihong before she said, ¡°It¡¯s about the incident where Village Chief ordered Liu San¡¯s wife to compensate you with silver.¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes swirled. ¡°Has the Liu family not yet sent the silver?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er nodded. ¡°Your father and I were thinking, why not just forget it? We are not in desperate need of it now. It seems pointless to stir up trouble with them, which might disrupt our lives.¡± Bai Ruozhu disagreed. She was a true Taurus woman, who wouldn¡¯t miss the chance to pluck every feather off a passing goose. Could she just give up on what¡¯s hers, just like that? ¡°No way!¡± exclaimed Bai Ruozhu. But she was taken aback when she noticed the surprised looks on her parent¡¯s faces. She was reminded of how indifferent she used to be about worldly affairs and money in the past. She quickly thought of an explanation: ¡°If forsaking the silver could rid us of trouble, then I would be most pleased. But, have you considered if they would think it¡¯s because we are easy to bully? Will they bring us more trouble in the future?¡± Bai Yihong frowned, ¡°If we stop arguing with them, they shouldn¡¯t, I suppose?¡± However, Lin Ping¡¯er saw things more clearly. ¡°I¡¯m not so sure. If we were demanding that day and not pursuing it now, they won¡¯t think it¡¯s because we no longer need the silver. Instead, they will think they have gotten away with it. Ruozhu does have a point. Liu San¡¯s wife is no pushover.¡± ¡°Exactly, our original intention was to teach them a lesson by having them compensate with silver for their misdeeds and be more honest in the future. Now if they didn¡¯t have to pay anything, how would they learn their lesson?¡± Bai Ruozhu was pleased that her mother was quick to understand. She gave her mother an approving look. Her mother¡¯s phrase, ¡°gotten away with it¡± was right on target, making her burst out laughing. ¡°Shall we really start a dispute with the Liu family? They are rather good at wrigging out of responsibility.¡± Bai Yihong said rubbing his forehead. Bai Ruozhu contemplated for a moment. She had a good plan in mind. ¡°Dad, you should do it this way.¡± Bai Ruozhu started speaking in a low voice. ... Shortly after lunch, Bai Yihong paid a visit to the Village Chief¡¯s house. Village Chief Wang Shugen¡¯s eyelids twitched when he saw Bai Yihong. Was there another problem? He was getting old and wanted to live in peace. Why were these young ones always stirring up trouble? ¡°Yihong, what brings you here so early?¡± The Village Chief asked in a friendly manner, pretending to be unaware of anything. Bai Yihong thought about his daughter¡¯s instructions. He smiled, saluted the Village Chief, and then said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious. It¡¯s just that my wife and I were thinking that it¡¯s better to resolve disputes than to let them linger. We see the Liu family every day, we don¡¯t need to make things so tense with them.¡± The Village Chief nodded approvingly. The Bai family, being a scholar family, were reasonable even if this second son hadn¡¯t attended school. ¡°So we thought, don¡¯t bother about half the money that the Liu family should repay us.¡± Bai Yihong continued. The Village Chief fumed internally. It turned out that the Liu family hadn¡¯t paid the money yet. His words obviously didn¡¯t carry much weight. ¡°You had mentioned earlier about setting up a school in the village. Hence, I suggest donating this silver to the village school. When the time comes, it won¡¯t be considered as us donating, but Liu family¡¯s good deeds should be recognized, setting an example for the rest of the villagers to contribute towards the school establishment. It could also ease our conflicts with the Liu family. What do you think?¡± Bai Yihong repeated his daughter¡¯s words verbatim. The Village Chief¡¯s eyes sparkled upon hearing this, and he hit his thigh in admiration. ¡°Your idea is great. Being able to contribute to the village school, the Liu family should thank you too.¡± He had been worrying about the budget for the village school. Bai Yihong¡¯s suggestion came as a boon. If someone took the lead, certainly many families in the village would follow suit and donate money. Why worry about setting up a school then? If he could manage to set up the school during his lifetime, he could face his ancestors with pride. ¡°Originally, I had intended to contribute some silver, but as you know the condition of my family, It made me reconsider using that silver to do some good instead. My carpentry skills with Zehao, are not bad. We will make some desks and chairs for the school during our leisure time.¡± In fact, the Bai family had initially intended to donate more money. Especially Bai Yihong, who had always regretted not being able to study in his early years, was especially keen on the establishment of a school in the village. He was too old to attend now, but he had grandchildren who could benefit. After discussing with a few people, they were worried that suddenly donating money would attract unwanted attention to the old mansion, hence they decided to offer their help instead. Helping to make a few sets of tables and chairs was also a good thing. Otherwise, the village would have to buy them, which would cost money. The Village Chief slapped his thigh hard again, this time even harder than before, showing how exhilarated he was. ¡°Yihong, your idea is good. I thank you on behalf of the villagers.¡± The excited Village Chief held Bai Yihong¡¯s hand tightly, praised the Bai family for a long time, after which with great resolution he said: ¡°Leave this to me. I¡¯ll talk to the Liu family. It¡¯s a good deed for them. They will certainly be willing.¡± The two chatted for a little while longer, mainly about the Village Chief inquiring Bai Yihong¡¯s suggestions on the establishment of the village school. Normally, such matters wouldn¡¯t have brought Bai Yihong into the equation. The Village Chief and the respected elders would discuss it, and at most, a few wealthy household heads would participate. Bai Yihong hadn¡¯t expected his daughter¡¯s idea to bring him such respect. In the end, both left the Village Chief¡¯s house together. Bai Yihong excused himself and left, while the Village Chief hurried towards the Liu family¡¯s house. Some villagers noticed the Village Chief holding Bai Yihong¡¯s hand, seemingly very intimate with him, out of curiosity they asked: ¡°Yihong, what were you doing at the Village Chief¡¯s house?¡± At that moment, Bai Yihong was wearing an expression full of joy. He began to tell the story as Bai Ruozhu had instructed him to... ¡ª New books need care, seeking bookmarks ~ You can store it and fatten it up before reading ~ Chapter 20 - 20 020 Female Zhuge ?Chapter 20: Chapter 020: Female Zhuge Chapter 20: Chapter 020: Female Zhuge Mountain Village is situated by the mountain with a simple folk style, due to the lack of any work apart from farming in daytime, when having free time, villagers particularly liked to gather together to chat, especially such summer evenings, after eating dinner, villagers loved to chill outdoors and chatter away. ¡°Did you all hear, Bai Scholar¡¯s second son donated the silver he had to repay the Liu family to the establishment of the school in the village! Don¡¯t judge Bai Yihong by his few words, he really does care about our village and is considerate towards the children in the village.¡± An old lady who had lost most of her teeth was talking a mile a minute. ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t we have heard? Apparently, Bai Yihong is pretty wise. In order to maintain harmony with the Liu family, he said that it was not the Bai family who made the donation, but the Liu family. They even went out of their way to make furniture for the school. Truly, the apple doesn¡¯t fall far from the tree; the Liu Family can¡¯t compare in this respect.¡± A middle-aged man was full of admiration for Bai Yihong. ¡°Isn¡¯t that so? They say it¡¯s better to overcome grievances than to hold on to them. Our village must strive for peaceful coexistence, with no inciting trouble towards others.¡± Another woman made a face, but everyone knew she held a grudge against Ms. Liu. Everyone was talking at once, a young man who had been hiding heard the conversation for a while and then quickly ran back home. ¡°What? The second son donated the sparkling silver? Does he have too much money to burn or what?!¡± The old lady of the Bai family, Bai Liushi, listened to her third grandson, Bai Zehong, and her face suddenly elongated. Grandfather Bai expressed his unhappiness, coughed and said, ¡°How many times have I told you? Don¡¯t use the crude language of the country women.¡± Those more observant would notice, the Bai family is different from the typical farming households in the village, even Bai Yihong, who has never been educated, speaks official language, unlike the villagers who tend to say ¡°huh?¡±, ¡°what happened?¡±, and such. This is because Grandfather Bai attaches great importance to his family image, claiming that the Bai family is a scholarly family and thus forbidding the family from using crude language. Bai Liushi rolled her eyes, her mind still on the silver that Bai Yihong did not pursue, she stared at Bai Zehong and asked, ¡°Xiao San, you heard clearly? Is it a large sum of money?¡± Bai Zehong is the son of Bai Yibo and Madame Wang. Among the grandchildren of the Bai family, he is ranked third, so he is usually addressed at ¡°Xiao San¡± (Little Third). Bai Zehong pouted unhappily, ¡°Granny, if you don¡¯t believe me, go and listen for yourself. Would I, with my sharp ears, mishear it?¡± Bai Liushi glanced at her husband surreptitiously, she wanted to go out and listen herself, but her husband wouldn¡¯t allow it. What was she to do? After taking a few sips of tea, Grandfather Bai thought for a moment and said: ¡°What do you know? Yihong has given our Bai¡¯s family status! Now who in the village doesn¡¯t admire him? You¡¯re just focusing on the silver, but it wasn¡¯t even his money that was donated.¡± The matter of if the silver should or should not be accepted is another story, Grandfather Bai is a smart man, what he thought, he did not express. Bai Yibo and Madame Wang glanced at each other. Both were annoyed at Grandfather Bai¡¯s praise for Bai Yihong. Just as they were about to express their objection, Grandfather Bai said, ¡°Establishing a school in the village is a great thing. Eldest, you didn¡¯t have a place to teach, why don¡¯t you teach in the village?¡± Upon hearing this, Bai Yibo immediately grew flustered and got up from his stool. He lost the demeanor of a scholarly man and was more like a village rogue. ¡°Father, what are you talking about? What benefits could I gain from teaching those village children? It will delay my studies and future success. Also, staying in such a godforsaken place to teach, my reputation could not endure it!¡± Grandfather Bai had also thought of the ¡°no benefits¡± factor, but it wouldn¡¯t be good if Eldest always idled around at home, would it? Besides, there was no sign of making a name for the Bai family these years, it would be better to have a steady income. Moreover, referring to here as a ¡°godforsaken place¡± made him more disgusted. This place was his hometown. There was no need to speak in such a way. ¡°Am I the head of this house or not? If you are reluctant to teach in the school, then you can go work in the field and earn your own keep. I can¡¯t support a hanger-on like you!¡± He put on a strict face. Madame Wang immediately tried to give Bai Yibo a signal. Bai Yibo¡¯s eyes darted and he said: ¡°Father, no need to get upset. A few days ago, I met a former classmate. He now teaches at a big household in Beiyu City and mentioned that the relatives of that house also want to hire a teacher. He plans to recommend me. Seeing the great opportunity ahead, you can¡¯t say that I should give it up to become a schoolteacher, right?¡± Grandfather Bai hesitated upon hearing these words. The big households in Beiyu City were substantial, even local landlords couldn¡¯t compare. ¡°Let¡¯s see how things turn out first,¡± he said. ... Today, Lin Ping was particularly happy. She went out and was asked about the head of the family¡¯s visit to the Village Chief¡¯s House. She answered according to what her daughter had suggested, and by evening word had spread throughout the village. Several women from a few households came to talk to her and kept complimenting her and Bai Yihong for the great things they did for the village. Lin Ping looked at her daughter¡¯s closed door and felt that her daughter was becoming smarter and more competent. She managed to improve the reputation of the Bai family with silver that was originally not theirs. Not only that, she even did a good thing for the village. Her daughter really deserved to be called the ¡°Female Zhuge¡±. A few days later, the people in the village were praising the Bais to the skies. Many people also followed in the footsteps of Bai Yihong, willingly donated money and goods to the school, or offered manpower. The Village Chief was so pleased he couldn¡¯t stop grinning, feeling even more grateful towards Bai Yihong. He sang his praises in front of the village elders. At the same time, things weren¡¯t going well for the Lius. The old lady from the Liu family was very stingy and was reluctant to part with her precious silver. She had originally planned to cheat her way out of it, but now all the villagers knew about it. She had no choice but to hand it over, but she was unwilling. Why should she empty her pockets to give the Bai family a good reputation? It wasn¡¯t until the Village Chief visited for the third time that Mrs. Liu finally handed over the silver resentfully. There had already been some gossip in the village. People were saying that the Lius were avoiding their financial responsibilities and were selfish for not supporting the establishment of the school. The Village Chief even suggested that if the Liu family did not contribute, their descendants would not be allowed to attend the school once it was established. Master Liu from the Liu family was so angry that he was berating his old lady for disgracing the family and even broke a dry tobacco pole. Mrs. Liu only then brought out the money. During this time, Bai Ruozhu was pampering herself at home and took strolls around the village to exercise and catch up on the local gossip after sleeping in. Everything was going as she had planned, a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips. As she walked, she saw a group of kids huddling together. She suddenly became interested in children¡¯s affairs after she was pregnant. She went over with her hand on her belly, and saw several children bullying a five or six-year-old boy. ¡°Little mute, playing in the mud like a fool, Little mute, go home with your foolish head!¡± Several kids were clapping and chanting. It seemed like a rhyme they created themselves. The boy they were hitting was covered in mud, but he neither cried nor resisted, his face even seemed void of expression. Upon seeing the boy¡¯s face clearly, Bai Ruozhu became shocked. Isn¡¯t that...? Chapter 21 - 21 021 Poor Child ?Chapter 21: Chapter 021 Poor Child Chapter 21: Chapter 021 Poor Child Isn¡¯t that Bai Zeqing, the youngest son of her uncle? How did he get bullied like this? Bai Ruozhu quickly called out, ¡°Xiaosi, what happened?¡± Even if she didn¡¯t like Bai Yibo, a child is innocent. Moreover, now that she was pregnant, her compassion had suddenly skyrocketed. Bai Zeqing finally looked upward. However, after only a single glance, he resumed his previous indifferent state. ¡°Whoever¡¯s child is causing trouble, disperse now, or I¡¯ll go find your parents!¡± Bai Ruozhu shouted. Children are usually afraid of adults, and, sure enough, they scattered laughing. In her previous incarnation¡¯s memories, this little cousin didn¡¯t like to talk, smile, or interact with people. When Bai Yihong had separated from the family, Bai Zeqing was still young. Her former self didn¡¯t pay much attention to him, especially since the relationship between two families wasn¡¯t very good, so her past self had very few memories of this little cousin. But seeing Bai Zeqing now, Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but feel heartache. This child was obviously ill. She reached out and took Bai Zeqing¡¯s small hand. Bai Zeqing resisted a little, but in the end, he did not resist. Bai Ruozhu heaved a sigh of relief, it wasn¡¯t too serious. ¡°Would you like to go to the riverside with me to wash your face?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked gently. Bai Zeqing¡¯s eyes flickered, finally focusing on Bai Ruozhu¡¯s face. ¡°Why haven¡¯t you asked?¡± he said. Bai Ruozhu was taken aback, finally realizing that Bai Zeqing was asking why she hadn¡¯t asked the reason for his beating. Most likely, in the past, his family must have constantly pursued this question, but it seemed that he didn¡¯t want to answer at all. ¡°If you want to tell me, you will. Why should I keep asking you if you don¡¯t want to? Besides, even if you don¡¯t tell me, I still know.¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled, then patted Bai Zeqing¡¯s head, ending up with a handful of mud. She twitched the corner of her mouth. The mud smelled awful. It seemed like...like it was mixed with urine... Fortunately, Bai Zeqing moved his feet and followed her to the riverside. Bai Ruozhu, having difficulty moving about, just washed her hands while Bai Zeqing washed his face and head, seeming quite adept. After he finished washing, Bai Ruozhu pulled out a piece of candy from her pocket and handed it to him, saying, ¡°Here¡¯s something sweet for you.¡± This candy was what she had previously bought in the town. Being pregnant, she often craved it and had already eaten almost all of the bag in just a few days. Bai Zeqing did not hesitate this time, and his eyes also lost some of their previous dullness. He took the candy and put it in his mouth. After a while, he looked at Bai Ruozhu and said, ¡°Sweet.¡± Bai Ruozhu started laughing and patted Bai Zeqing¡¯s head. She took out another piece for herself, but saw Bai Zeqing staring eagerly at the candy in her hand, his bright eyes full of anticipation. Although she originally intended to pretend not to see, she reluctantly gave him the candy. Only God knows how much this foodie craved it. Bai Zeqing didn¡¯t immediately eat the candy. Instead, he looked around, suddenly broke the candy in half with force, and gave the larger half to Bai Ruozhu, saying, ¡°You eat it.¡± The words were simple, but they did not allow for any questioning. Bai Ruozhu happily put the candy into her mouth, thinking that Bai Zeqing was a considerate child. She just wondered what had happened that caused him to become somewhat introverted. But luckily, he had met her, Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go home. Don¡¯t say you saw me. I¡¯ll bring you more candy in a few days.¡± Bai Ruozhu said with a smile. Bai Zeqing didn¡¯t speak but nodded heavily. ¡°But you have to promise me that if you¡¯re ever bullied, you¡¯ll know to run away. You can¡¯t just stand there and take the beating. Otherwise, I won¡¯t give you candy, okay?¡± Bai Ruozhu suddenly felt like a strange aunt luring an innocent little boy with candy. By the heaven and earth, she truly was looking out for this child¡¯s wellbeing. Bai Zeqing nodded heavily again. Bai Ruozhu was finally relieved and started to walk home. After she had walked a while, she realized that Bai Zeqing was following her. So, she had to ask, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to go home?¡± This time, Bai Zeqing did not respond, as though he hadn¡¯t heard her at all. He resolutely followed her from behind, leaving Bai Ruozhu with no choice but to take him home. When Lin Ping¡¯er saw Bai Zeqing, she was a bit surprised and pulled Bai Ruozhu aside to ask what had happened. Hearing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s simple explanation, Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s eyes flickered with sympathy. ¡°Xiaosi is really pitiful. Let him join us for a meal.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± His response was as devoid of any expression as usual, but this time his voice wasn¡¯t as dry. The Bai family were all good-hearted people. Knowing that Xiaosi had been bullied by the village children, nobody opposed him joining them for dinner. During the meal, they even actively served him food. After the meal, Xiaosi¡¯s eyes were brighter. ¡°Thank you.¡± Again, this thank-you. After saying it, Bai Zeqing left the Bai family¡¯s house on his own. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s a pity that such a good child has ended up like this.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er, with a soft heart, even dabbed at the corner of her eye as she spoke. Curiosity piqued, Bai Ruozhu asked, ¡°Mother, why don¡¯t I know what happened with Xiaosi?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er glanced outside and lowered her voice. ¡°You surely wouldn¡¯t know. Back then, your grandma didn¡¯t let anyone say anything and secretly kept the matter under wraps.¡± And so, the family listened as Lin Ping¡¯er began to explain. Bai Zeqing, also known as Xiaosi, was outstanding from a young age, but he had one shortcoming: he loved to eat. Moreover, despite his young age, he was unusually brave. Whatever oil residue the old lady of the Bai family hid away, whatever meatballs she made for the New Year, and whatever occasional fish or meat bought for the house. No matter how well the old lady hid these items, they would always be found by this little fellow. People in the family would say he had a dog¡¯s nose. But the old lady of the Bai family was incredibly stingy. Back then, her second son was doing farm work every day, eating as much as a working cow. How could she tolerate Xiaosi always stealing food? So, once after Xiaosi had stolen food again, the angry old lady severely beat him with a pot shovel, somehow hitting him on the head. Afterwards, Xiaosi lay on the ground convulsing and foaming at the mouth. By the time he was saved, he became unresponsive, refused to speak, and never laughed again. ¡°Outsiders all say that he¡¯s a simpleton, but I don¡¯t think so. Do fools have such bright eyes?¡± said Lin Ping¡¯er. Bai Ruozhu nodded. ¡°Mother, you¡¯re absolutely right. Xiaosi is smart. He has just become introverted because of the beating.¡± The Bai family didn¡¯t quite understand Bai Ruozhu¡¯s meaning and simply interpreted it as Xiaosi not being quite right in the head. ¡°Didn¡¯t my aunt quarrel with grandma?¡± Bai Zehao couldn¡¯t help but ask. He had always found his grandmother¡¯s stinginess rather annoying, but he never imagined that she could be so cruel. Lin Ping¡¯er rolled her eyes. ¡°Your grandma secretly gave some silver to your aunt, and then the matter was suppressed. If I hadn¡¯t happened to be passing by the kitchen at that time, I wouldn¡¯t have known at all. Your aunt didn¡¯t care much either. While Xiaosi was still sick, she cheerfully carried the silver away to have new clothes made.¡± Recalling her last visit to the old mansion, Bai Ruozhu remembered Mrs. Wang¡¯s new and beautiful clothes. She felt an even stronger dislike for Mrs. Wang. It was truly speechless to see her being a mother to this extent. Bai Yihong sighed. ¡°In the future, if Xiaosi wants to come over for a meal, let him. Our family can afford to feed him.¡± However, the next day, Xiaosi didn¡¯t come to the Bai family¡¯s home. Bai Ruozhu was somewhat worried about him, so she went to the village, asking several children, and learned that Xiaosi hadn¡¯t come out today. Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want to go to the old mansion, so she returned home. But from a distance, she saw a horse carriage parked outside her home. Had some distinguished relative come to visit her family? Chapter 22 - 22 022 Negotiation Expert ?Chapter 22: Chapter 022: Negotiation Expert Chapter 22: Chapter 022: Negotiation Expert When the horse carriage stopped outside the Bai household, Lin Ping was in the yard picking vegetables. Upon seeing the carriage, she immediately dropped her vegetables and ran towards the yard gate, her mind filled with images of Zhang Sheng. Indeed, she almost ran, her feet flitting from sheer excitement, trembling as she opened the gate. If Zhang Sheng had returned, her daughter would no longer be a widow or cast aside, her child would have a loving father, and the village gossip would cease. Yet, alas, the carriage curtains lifted and out walked a young man. Handsome as he was, he was not Zhang Sheng. A chill ran down Lin Ping¡¯s spine, a look of disappointment involuntarily surfaced on her face; she even forgot to greet the visitor. As Du Zhongshu stepped down from the carriage, he saw the gate to Bai Ruozhu¡¯s house opening and a woman stepping out. Judging by her appearance and age, she must be Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother. What he didn¡¯t understand was why she looked disappointed upon seeing him? Doubtfully, he touched his prominent nose. What was happening? Was Bai Ruozhu still angry? ¡°Madam, I came to see Bai Ruozhu,¡± Du Zhongshu greeted Lin Ping politely. Snapping back to reality, Lin Ping asked, ¡°My daughter Ruozhu is not home, who are you?¡± At this moment, Bai Zehao poked his head out from the yard. He saw Du Zhongshu and immediately charged through the main gate, positioning himself between his mother and the visitor. ¡°Why are you here? Are you looking for trouble?¡± Bai Zehao declared, puffing out his chest defiantly, not showing any fear towards Du Zhongshu. The lad standing next to Du Zhongshu subconsciously took a step back, marveling at the courage of Bai¡¯s lady brother. Glancing at the villagers who had come out to watch the scene, Du Zhongshu said with a forced smile, ¡°Let¡¯s continue this conversation inside, Brother Bai.¡± Bai Zehao glanced around, then nodded. After all, Du Zhongshu had only brought one other person ¨C he couldn¡¯t possibly attempt anything. That day Bai Yihong was not home, he had been called by the village head to discuss school matters. Only Lin Ping and the two sons were at home. Upon hearing the commotion, Bai Zepei, who had been studying inside, came out. By then, Lin Ping had already invited Du Zhongshu to sit in the main hall. When Bai Zepei saw the young man dressed in green sitting quietly on the seat, he looked so neat and clean that Zepei worried his chair might soil the visitor¡¯s clothes. Knowing that the visitor was looking for his little sister, Bai Zepei was slightly surprised. When Bai Ruozhu came home, Du Zhongshu had already explained his identity and purpose to the Bai family. Bai Ruozhu looked at Du Zhongshu sitting in her house, drinking tea. He seemed so out of place and she wondered what he was doing here. Was he here to apologize? Hadn¡¯t he already apologized? A possibility crossed Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mind and her eyes lit up. Upon seeing Bai Ruozhu, Du Zhongshu immediately rose to his feet and ceremoniously bowed, impressing with his scholarly demeanor. Bai Zepei was particularly impressed, thinking to himself that this must be how the sons of wealthy families behaved ¨C displaying impeccable manners and grace. ¡°Du Zhongshu, you didn¡¯t come to settle a score about how I scolded you the other day, did you?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked, feigning ignorance and looking displeased. As expected Du Zhongshu looked embarrassed, ¡°Madam Bai, you have misunderstood. I have reflected a lot after that day, and I felt that you were right. I was not ambitious enough, so I am here to discuss the toothpaste matter again.¡± Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes, ¡°Opportunities don¡¯t wait forever. I don¡¯t wish to sell the toothpaste to you anymore.¡± Watching Du Zhongshu¡¯s embarrassed expression, Bai Ruozhu felt secretly pleased. Was she being a ¡®haughty auntie¡¯ bullying a ¡®fresh meat¡¯? The young lad accompanying Du Zhongshu objected, ¡°You are very rude. My lord has come all the way to visit you and is being very polite. What more do you want?¡± Bai Ruozhu looked at him coldly, ¡°Oh, are you the lad who messed up the medicinal supplies that day? I don¡¯t want anything, that¡¯s why I am saying ¡®no sale¡¯.¡± The lad turned red when reminded of the medicinal error and was about to retort, but was quickly silenced by Du Zhongshu, ¡°Zhou Fu, don¡¯t be disrespectful!¡± Zhou Fu sulked and retreated. ¡°Are you two playing good cop, bad cop?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked, glaring curiously at them. Du Zhongshu coughed awkwardly. Dealing with Madam Bai was proving to be more difficult than he had anticipated. He bowed to Bai Ruozhu again, bending lower than before. His show of utmost respect surprised the members of the Bai family. Was Mr Du too gracious, or was their Ruozhu too formidable? After having enough fun at his expense, Bai Ruozhu decided to stop giving Du Zhongshu a hard time. She stood up, cradling her belly, and asked, ¡°May I know how Mr. Du wishes to collaborate?¡± Seeing an opportunity, Du Zhongshu got up excitedly. ¡°You provide the formulas, and my Du Clinic will be responsible for the manufacturing of the toothpaste. Every month, you will receive 20% of the profits.¡± After what Bai Ruozhu had just pulled, Du Zhongshu didn¡¯t dare to leave anything for guessing and shared his plan straight away. Regrettably, he didn¡¯t see the surprise he was anticipating on Bai Ruozhu¡¯s face. He felt somewhat disgruntled, thinking she was being too greedy. ¡°A single formula is not worth those 20% profits. Even if you offer them to me, I would feel embarrassed to accept.¡± Bai Ruozhu calmly replied. ¡°Oh?¡± Now, Du Zhongshu was even more confused about Bai Ruozhu¡¯s intentions. ¡°I will give you the formula and be responsible for continually improving the toothpaste formula, supplying you with better formulas along the way. You can manufacture a standard version for mass sale, and a premium one for higher-end customers. Additionally, I will come up with sales strategies.¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s lips curled into a smirk, ¡°If I¡¯m offering all that, shouldn¡¯t I get 30%?¡± Du Zhongshu stammered, then clapped his hands together, ¡°Madam Bai is a truly formidable business negotiator!¡± Bai Ruozhu did not reply, but the confident smile on her face spoke volumes. Her sparkling eyes lit up the room, causing everyone there to be taken aback by her radiance. They had never seen Bai Ruozhu like this before. Having seen Bai Ruozhu, everyone now turned towards Du Zhongshu, awaiting his decision. Du Zhongshu pondered for a moment before abruptly asking, ¡°How much can the toothpaste be improved?¡± Bai Ruozhu held up two fingers. Though swollen from her pregnancy, they were nevertheless, pleasing to the eye, accentuated by a hint of lustrous charm. ¡°20%?¡± Du Zhongshu questioned, furrowing his brow. Bai Ruozhu shook her head, ¡°No, double.¡± Du Zhongshu gaped at her, ¡°How can it be that much?¡± ¡°The current version is a simple one. Primarily because my supply of medicinal products is limited and to keep it affordable for the general populace. Once the toothpaste has gained popularity, we can look at creating a version with better medicinal benefits and therefore, a bigger market. Higher-end customers would naturally be able to afford it,¡± Bai Ruozhu explained calmly. Chapter 23 - 23 023 The Villagers Speculation ?Chapter 23: Chapter 023: The Villagers¡¯ Speculation Chapter 23: Chapter 023: The Villagers¡¯ Speculation It wasn¡¯t until Du Zhongshu took his leave that the rest of the Bai family seemed to regain their senses. Lin Ping¡¯er looked at Du Zhongshu¡¯s retreating figure and hesitated before asking Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Ruozhu, should we see him out?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need for such formalities. We¡¯ll have plenty of chances to meet in the future.¡± Bai Ruozhu said with a smile. Her hand rested on her belly and she had a particularly radiant smile on her face, as if... she was a well-fed and content little fox. Bai Zehao was also still in shock. He looked at Bai Ruozhu and asked, ¡°Little sister, did Master Du really agree? What does that thirty percent mean?¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s smile became even more triumphant. ¡°For example, if the Du Family Clinic makes a hundred taels in profit this month, they have to give me thirty taels. If they make a thousand taels, I get three hundred,¡± she explained. At her words, the three others in the room inhaled sharply. Three hundred taels, that was enough to cover a peasant family¡¯s expenses for several years. And that was only a month¡¯s worth. Bai Ruozhu chuckled to herself. They were already shocked by three hundred taels and she was confident that the future profits would be far more than that. ¡°A thousand taels? That much? Is that even possible?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er gaped in disbelief. Bai Ruozhu just laughed, her face full of confidence. Both Lin Ping¡¯er and Bai Zehao were taken aback, while Bai Zepei, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up: ¡°Mom, big brother, if little sister says she can, then she definitely can.¡± Out of everyone in the family, Bai Zepei had received the most education and had the widest breadth of experience. Therefore, once he spoke, both Lin Shi and Bai Zehao had no reason to doubt him. Bai Ruozhu hadn¡¯t expected her second brother to trust her so much. She gave him a grateful smile, then seeing his slightly pursed lips, suddenly understood. Bai Zepei suffered from severe oral ulcers and gum inflammation, making him the one most able to appreciate the effectiveness of the toothpaste. Just then, the sound of the courtyard gate opening signaled Bai Yihong¡¯s return. Bai Yihong had had a bit to drink. The village head invited him to dinner and even toasted him in the presence of a few village elders. The village head had asked his opinion on opening a school and luckily, his daughter had given him advice beforehand. When he gave his opinion, both the village head and the elders immediately praised him. Everyone was full of compliments for him. Happy, Bai Yihong had a few extra drinks. Fortunately, he was someone who knew his limits when drinking. He would never get drunk and he was good at holding his liquor. Since Bai Yihong began to understand the world, all the money in the house had been used for his elder brother¡¯s education. He had begun working to support the family at a young age, feeding the pigs, collecting firewood, and working in the fields. But no matter how hard he tried, his parents always valued his elder brother the most. His words never held as much weight as his brother¡¯s. Also, in the village, when people talked about his elder brother, they would always say how promising the Scholar¡¯s son was. About him, they would only say that he was steady and nothing more. Although he felt a slight sadness about this, he never harbored resentment towards anyone. He thought this was just his fate. Perhaps if he was asked to study, he might not even have the ability to do so. But recently, he had suddenly become the focus of the village. The village head and elders praised him for being reasonable and flexible. Even the villagers looked at him differently, with a touch of reverence in their gaze. However, he knew this was all thanks to his daughter. Ever since she was bullied by Liu San¡¯s wife and gave up on Chang Sheng, she¡¯d become more cheerful and her mind seemed to be functioning more impressively. Thinking about it made Bai Yihong appreciate his daughter even more as the treasure of their family. ¡°Mother, I heard on my way home that we had an important guest visit our house. It wasn¡¯t my oldest aunt who came back, was it?¡± Bai Yihong asked happily. His oldest aunt was Bai Yihong¡¯s elder sister, Bai Yun. She had been given in marriage to a family in Beiyu City due to her status as the eldest daughter of a scholar. However, Bai Yun rarely returned to Mountain Village after her marriage. It was a good year if she even visited once. But in ancient times, it was rare for a woman to frequently visit her maternal family after marriage, especially when there was a significant distance involved. Lin Ping¡¯er hurriedly beckoned to Bai Yihong, ¡°My dear, quickly come inside and talk.¡± Once Bai Yihong had entered the room, Lin Ping¡¯er quickly summarized Du Zhongshu¡¯s proposal of the business cooperation to him. Bai Yihong¡¯s eyes sparkled as he listened and he instantly sobered up. However, he soon furrowed his brows, looking at Bai Ruozhu and asking, ¡°Darling, is that improved formula you talked about really worth thirty percent of their profit?¡± Bai Ruozhu knew her father was an honest man. Upon hearing about the possibility of earning money, his first thought wasn¡¯t how much they could make but whether they truly deserved to take so much from others. He was a man who knew his place. ¡°Dad, don¡¯t worry. The potential for the toothpaste to improve is big, and that¡¯s no exaggeration. And rest assured, it will definitely help the Du Family earn a lot of money. When the time comes, they¡¯ll likely be thanking me profusely,¡± Bai Ruozhu said cheerfully. ¡°That¡¯s good then.¡± Upon hearing his daughter¡¯s words, Bai Yihong immediately felt relieved. A smile once again spread across his face. ¡°Our Ruozhu is becoming more and more competent. She¡¯s truly the Female Zhuge of our family.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er took Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hand, saying proudly, ¡°My daughter has been smart since she was little, isn¡¯t that obvious?¡± ¡°Yes, yes. Our daughter surely takes after you in her cleverness,¡± Bai Yihong cheerfully agreed. Laughter filled the room as they all reveled in this joyful atmosphere. In the end, Bai Ruozhu reminded everyone not to disclose the business partnership with the Du Family Clinic to others. This was to avoid arousing feelings of jealousy or envy in those with ulterior motives. Everyone consented without objection. If the people from the old mansion found out, they¡¯d surely try to make a fuss and interfere, which would be nothing but trouble. When Du Zhongshu left, he said he would find a lawyer to draft a contract. Once it was ready, Bai Ruozhu would need to sign it. With a written agreement, there was no fear of the Du Family reneging on giving her the promised share of the profits. However, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t disclose to her family that if the profits become substantial in the future, the Du Family might inevitably harbor other intentions. Human nature always has a greedy side. Even if Du Zhongshu is an upright gentleman, it doesn¡¯t mean every member of the Du Family is the same. So she knew clearly that to protect her own interests, a written contract isn¡¯t enough. She had to possess enough power herself, so that she wouldn¡¯t be deceived, bullied, or manipulated by others. Recently, the apricots in the village had started to ripen. Bai Ruozhu prepared ceramic pots and ingredients, planning to make apricot preserves with her little friend, Fang Guizhi. However, when Fang Guizhi arrived at the Bai family home, she brought some news with her. ¡°Ruozhu, there¡¯s been a lot of talk in the village. They say...¡± Fang Guizhi hesitated for a moment. Bai Ruozhu instantly guessed what she was talking about and asked with a smile, ¡°Are they saying a distinguished guest visited our house, who arrived in a horse carriage? What else did they say?¡± Fang Guizhi nodded, ¡°They¡¯re saying that Chang Sheng came back to your house and that he¡¯s met a benefactor outside and is completely transformed.¡± Bai Ruozhu was stunned for a moment. She knew the villagers would speculate about Du Zhongshu¡¯s identity, but she didn¡¯t expect them to mistake him for Chang Sheng. How ridiculous was that? But she quickly understood. In the past, her father rescued an unconscious Chang Sheng without knowing his identity. Seeing that he was extremely good-looking, he asked him to blacken his face. Even when they had a quarrel with Liu San¡¯s wife before, she described Chang Sheng as having a black and dark face, so the villagers didn¡¯t know what Chang Sheng actually looked like. But Du Zhongshu was quite fair-skinned. How did the villagers associate the two of them? Chapter 24 - 24 024 Must Learn to Resist ?Chapter 24: Chapter 024: Must Learn to Resist Chapter 24: Chapter 024: Must Learn to Resist Fang Guizhi saw Bai Ruozhu in a daze, hesitated for a moment, then finally asked, ¡°Ruozhu, is it true that Chang Sheng has returned?¡± Bai Ruozhu suddenly looked up at her with a radiant smile and playfully said, ¡°Guess!¡± Fang Guizhi was a little taken aback. Despite Bai Ruozhu being pregnant and thus a little chubbier than before, and despite her face being rounder than before, Fang Guizhi felt that Bai Ruozhu had become more beautiful. As to where exactly she had become more beautiful, Fang Guizhi couldn¡¯t pinpoint, but she felt that Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes were particularly bright and animated, and her smile was even brighter than summer flowers. Bai Ruozhu chuckled inwardly. Letting the villagers misunderstand was also good ¨C it would keep those who liked to prod and gossip about her relationship with Chang Sheng off her back. The two chatted for a while, then began to deal with the apricots. They decided to take their baskets to the Riverside for cleaning. Fang Guizhi, carrying a heavy load of apricots, only handed Bai Ruozhu an empty basket for the washed apricots. Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t protest. She couldn¡¯t be too careless now. Lifting heavy things could lead to premature labor. They had just reached the Riverside when they bumped into Wang Jiapo from the west end of the village, who was doing laundry. On seeing Bai Ruozhu, Wang Jiapo¡¯s eyes lit up and she enthusiastically said, ¡°Ruozhu, you¡¯re pregnant and still doing chores? Don¡¯t tire yourself out!¡± Ever since Bai Ruozhu had transmigrated, she had been around the village, and this was not the first time she had run into Wang Jiapo. However, it was the first time she was seeing Wang Jiapo this enthusiastic. Bai Ruozhu feigned a smile but remained silent. She turned to Fang Guizhi, signaling her to ignore Wang Jiapo, and they both continued washing the apricots. Curiosity was killing Wang Jiapo, but it was hard for her to ask more questions when Bai Ruozhu was ignoring her. Finally, when Bai Ruozhu and Fang Guizhi were almost done washing the apricots, she couldn¡¯t hold back any longer and asked, ¡°Ruozhu dear, I heard you had a distinguished guest at your home a few days ago?¡± Bai Ruozhu just responded with a shrug and a smile, giving no indication of affirmation or denial. ¡°Oh my! Has Chang Sheng returned? Then why has he left again?¡± The two big characters for ¡®gossip¡¯ could¡¯ve been written on Wang Jiapo¡¯s face. Bai Ruozhu simply continued to smile, then clutching her forehead, she said to Fang Guizhi, ¡°Guizhi, I feel a bit dizzy, let¡¯s head back.¡± Fang Guizhi almost burst out laughing when Bai Ruozhu winked at her. She knew Bai Ruozhu was fed up with Wang Jiapo¡¯s chatter. She hastily picked up the basket and said, ¡°Let¡¯s get home quickly, you might¡¯ve caught heatstroke.¡± She paused momentarily, then turned to Wang Jiapo and said, ¡°Wang auntie, we¡¯ll leave now. We can chat another day.¡± Wang Jiapo watched them walk away. They had left so decisively that she hadn¡¯t even had a chance to ask more questions. She felt a sense of dissatisfaction, as though she hadn¡¯t found out anything she wanted to know. The curiosity was killing her. ¡°You were too polite to Wang Jiapo, typically you wouldn¡¯t even bother to smile at her.¡± Fang Guizhi complained, revealing her dislike for Wang Jiapo once they were out of earshot. Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t seem to care, ¡°There¡¯s a saying, ¡®better the devil you know than the devil you don¡¯t.¡¯ It¡¯s not worth purposely offending those kinds of people, they¡¯re just a bother to deal with. As long as we save face, that¡¯s what matters.¡± Fang Guizhi gave Bai Ruozhu a surprised look. Speaking softly, she said, ¡°Ruozhu, I¡¯ve noticed, ever since you got pregnant, you¡¯ve mellowed out.¡± Bai Ruozhu gently touched her belly, thinking about how the previous owner of her body wasn¡¯t a bad person, just a bit of a literary snob with a cold demeanor. That attitude could easily offend people in the countryside. But she didn¡¯t want to keep that attitude up. She wasn¡¯t the aloof type herself, so why force herself to be? ¡°Once you have a child, your concerns multiply. You¡¯ll understand when you have your own.¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s gaze softened as she spoke. She was growing more and more fond of the little one tumbling around inside her. Fang Guizhi¡¯s face suddenly turned beet-red. She glared at Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Don¡¯t talk nonsense or I¡¯ll stop paying attention to you. I¡¯m not even engaged yet!¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled. Girls in ancient times were quite pure-hearted, but rather shy when it came to marriage and babies. But what was there to be shy about? Didn¡¯t all women get married and have babies? However, Fang Guizhi¡¯s expression suddenly turned gloomy. She murmured, ¡°Given my mother¡¯s attitude, I don¡¯t know who will marry me in the future.¡± Fang Guizhi¡¯s mother favored her son and had always planned to marry off Fang Guizhi in exchange for a wife for her son. Bai Ruozhu gently grabbed Fang Guizhi¡¯s hand and assured her quietly, ¡°Guizhi, while we ought to respect our parents, we must remember, we live our lives for ourselves. Save some money for yourself and you will have a better future. But...¡± she paused and lowered her voice even further, ¡°If you¡¯re upset with your marriage arrangements, you must learn to stand your ground. I will help you!¡± Fang Guizhi felt a surge of emotions. She stared at Bai Ruozhu. For some reason, as she looked into Bai Ruozhu¡¯s shining eyes, she felt certain that Bai Ruozhu would be able to help her. She sniffled, ¡°Ruozhu, thank you!¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled. Looking at Fang Guizhi, whose nose had turned red, as adorable as a little kitten, she couldn¡¯t resist reaching out to pat her head and even gave her hair a little tousle. To Bai Ruozhu, Fang Guizhi was still a kid after all. At sixteen, Fang Guizhi would be a high school student in modern times, still considered the apple of her parents¡¯ eyes. Fang Guizhi turned her head away in annoyance and grumbled, ¡°Why do you treat me like a child?¡± Although they were the same age, Bai Ruozhu always acted like an elder sister to her. Having lived until twenty-six in her previous life, Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but see herself as the older sister when facing the sixteen-year-old Fang Guizhi. Chatting and working at the same time, the work didn¡¯t feel as tiring. When it was time for lunch, Lin Ping¡¯er wanted to invite Fang Guizhi to stay for the meal, but Fang Guizhi declined. ¡°I have to go back and cook. Thanks for the invitation.¡± Saying so, she hurriedly ran off. Fang Guizhi didn¡¯t eat well and was rather petite, but she was agile and resilient. As she ran off, Bai Ruozhu felt that she was like a little deer in the forest, especially adorable. During lunch, Bai Yihong mentioned with a bit of a headache, ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s gotten into the villagers recently. They keep saying that Chang Sheng has returned. Did that young master from the Du family really look so much like Chang Sheng?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er hastily shook her head, ¡°Not alike at all, they just didn¡¯t see his face clearly and are making wild guesses.¡± ¡°I guess I¡¯ll have to go out later and clarify things. The rumors are getting out of control.¡± Bai Yihong said, frowning. ¡°Dad!¡± Suddenly, Bai Ruozhu interrupted him, ¡°Let the villagers speculate. We will just lay low, neither confirming nor denying. If they press hard, you just say that you weren¡¯t home that day and didn¡¯t know what was going on.¡± Bai Yihong looked at Bai Ruozhu in confusion, ¡°But is it right to do that? Isn¡¯t that lying?¡± Bai Ruozhu just laughed. ¡°Where¡¯s the lie? You didn¡¯t say it was Chang Sheng, and you weren¡¯t home that day anyway.¡± Chapter 25 - 25 025 Baby is Greedy ?Chapter 25: Chapter 025 Baby is Greedy Chapter 25: Chapter 025 Baby is Greedy ¡°Why don¡¯t I just directly deny that it¡¯s Chang Sheng?¡± Bai Yihong furrowed his brows and said. ¡°And what if others ask who was the person? What were they doing at our house? How would you answer?¡± Bai Ruozhu shook her head with an air of helplessness, ¡°In this world, sometimes explaining one thing leads to ten more explanations and in the end, it gets more complicated. As long as Dear Mr. Du Zhongshu isn¡¯t implicated, it¡¯s fine.¡± Upon hearing this, Lin Ping¡¯er hastily spoke up, ¡°Boss, don¡¯t mess this up. Do you want the villagers to know that Ruozhu signed a contract with someone? Would the old mansion leave us alone?¡± Hearing this, everyone in the house agreed with Bai Ruozhu¡¯s statement, including Bai Zepei who coldly added, ¡°The fewer issues, the better. Let the villagers speculate.¡± At this point, Bai Yihong shouldn¡¯t say anything. Seeing his daughter¡¯s determined gaze, he thought maybe listening to his daughter was the right thing to do. ... Du Zhongshu had already had someone draft the contract; he happily called for his apprentice, Zhou Fu, to prepare the horse carriage. He wanted to pick up Bai Ruozhu from the Mountain Village, bring her to the Commerce Association in town, and have her sign the contract. At this time, for civilian business deals, if the contract was supervised by the Commerce Association, if one party backed out, the other party could seek justice through the association, albeit at a commission fee to the association for signing the contract. Zhou Fu hesitated a bit, spinning his small eyes around, but his feet did not move. ¡°What are you doing? Don¡¯t waste time. Madam Bai is heavily pregnant, the earlier we get things done, the earlier we can send her back home.¡± Du Zhongshu was unhappy with Zhou Fu¡¯s dilly-dallying and scowled. Zhou Fu sputtered, ¡°Master, why don¡¯t I go pick up Madam Bai myself, and you avoid the back and forth.¡± Du Zhongshu looked at Zhou Fu, ¡°Oh, you are managing me now?¡± Zhou Fu exclaimed nervously, ¡°No, no, not at all. It¡¯s just that last time when I went to the back mountain village, I heard some rumors which could affect your reputation.¡± Du Zhongshu seemed interested, ¡°What rumors, tell me.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just that people from the Back Mountain Village are saying that Madam Bai¡¯s husband had married into their family and had unexpectedly disappeared. His whereabouts are currently unknown. However, there are claims that Madam Bai got pregnant without ever having paid respects at the wedding hall,¡± Zhou Fu, who happened to have sharp ears, shared all the idle gossip he had overheard at the Back Mountain Village. ¡°Rubbish, her husband is missing, yet she is pregnant and has to provide for her family, she is already an admirable woman. Who would spread such nonsense? Besides, I¡¯m a businessman; as long as there are profits in the collaboration, it¡¯s fine. I don¡¯t care about people¡¯s personal matters,¡± Du Zhongshu retorted with a glint in his eye. ¡°Master, it¡¯s not what I meant. It¡¯s just that her situation is complicated. You picking her up can stir rumors, especially considering how people can be scared of talk. If you don¡¯t care, can¡¯t you also consider that she doesn¡¯t need to be the subject of gossip?¡± Zhou Fu changed perspective and began advising. Thinking about it, Du Zhongshu realized Zhou Fu was right and nodded, ¡°You do make sense. Then you should go pick her up in town and we can meet at the entrance of the Commerce Association. Don¡¯t drive too fast on the way, be respectful to Madam Bai, understand?¡± Zhou Fu nodded hurriedly. He dared not offend the woman who was signing a contract that guaranteed him a 30 percent bonus. So, when Bai Ruozhu saw the horse carriage stop in front of their house, only Zhou Fu and the coachman sat at the front. He bowed to Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Madam Bai, my master sent me to pick you up so that we can sign the contract at the Commerce Association.¡± Bai Ruozhu nodded, ¡°Thank you for your efforts.¡± The Bai family had previously agreed that they would definitely not let Bai Ruozhu go alone. Initially, Lin Ping¡¯er was supposed to accompany Bai Ruozhu, but given that they were using someone else¡¯s carriage, having too many people accompany her wouldn¡¯t look good. As a result, they decided to simply let Bai Zehao, the eldest brother, go along. In case something happened, he would be able to protect his sister. Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zehao got into the carriage, Zhou Fu signaled to the coachman to start moving, and the carriage started rocking forward. Although it was much faster than an ox cart, Bai Ruozhu felt uncomfortable. She had never gotten car sick in her previous life. Could it be that this carriage really was too shaky? ¡°Little brother, stop!¡± Bai Ruozhu called out and lifted the curtain to vomit. Zhou Fu was startled and quickly commanded the coachman to slow down, worried that he had forgotten his master¡¯s instructions. After all, Madam Bai was pregnant and the carriage should move slower. ¡°Are you okay, little sister?¡± Bai Zehao saw Bai Ruozhu¡¯s face turn pale and couldn¡¯t help but feel concerned. He reached into his pocket, picked out a small piece of maltose from an oil paper package, and gave it to Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu held the piece of candy in her mouth, feeling a bit better, and leaned back into the carriage. ¡°Madam Bai, it¡¯s my fault for being inconsiderate, I will tell the coachman to drive slower,¡± Zhou Fu apologized cautiously. ¡°Okay, thank you, little brother.¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s voice was so faint that no one could tell what she was feeling, but she seemed weak. Zhou Fu couldn¡¯t tell what Bai Ruozhu was thinking and felt a pang of worry in his heart. In reality, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t blame anyone. Given her pregnancy, she was admittedly feeling delicate and there was no reason to blame Zhou Fu and the coachman over a small matter like this. But as she stared at the candy in her hand, she couldn¡¯t help but smile at her elder brother. Her brother had clandestinely bought candies to keep with him. How thoughtful. Countryside families seldom bought white sugar, and treats like candy were usually only purchased during festivals as a treat for children. But Bai Zehao was willing to spend his pocket money to get candy for his sister. He really doted on her a lot. ¡°Thank you, big brother.¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s voice was soft, her mouth was full of sweet taste, and her chest was filled with happiness. The fact that she was reborn in this family seemed like the biggest fortune of her life. Luckily, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t feel nauseous again on the way. The carriage strode into Anyuan Town, passing the West Market when the smell of wontons suddenly wafted by. Bai Ruozhu took a whiff and somehow, started to feel a craving. She swallowed subconsciously, making a grumbling sound. Bai Zehao, looking at his little sister, immediately understood what she was thinking. After giving it some thought, he said, ¡°Little brother, could you stop the carriage for a moment? My sister just vomited and isn¡¯t feeling well, I¡¯d like to buy her a bowl of wontons to line her stomach.¡± Bai Ruozhu looked up at her elder brother in surprise. Her brother was so thoughtful, anyone who married him would be blessed. ¡°Okay, stopping the carriage now.¡± The carriage slowed, and Zhou Fu, who was concerned Bai Ruozhu might be angry, seized the chance to curry favor. ¡°Haha, big brother, you really can read my mind. How did you know I wanted to eat wontons?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked in a hushed tone. Bai Zehao gave her a quick glance, ¡°The sound you made when swallowing was so loud, I couldn¡¯t pretend not to hear it even if I wanted.¡± Bai Ruozhu let out a chuckle to mask her embarrassment. Was it really that loud? Yes, she was a foodie, but was she really that greedy? It must be the baby in her belly who wanted to eat, not her! The baby in her belly kicked unhappily, clearly protesting her thought. Bai Ruozhu laughed and rubbed her belly, she was indeed having food cravings because of her pregnancy. It wasn¡¯t her fault but the baby¡¯s, right? Chapter 26 - 26 026 The Embarrassing Situation Caused by Scallion Leaves ?Chapter 26: Chapter 026 The Embarrassing Situation Caused by Scallion Leaves Chapter 26: Chapter 026 The Embarrassing Situation Caused by Scallion Leaves Bai Zehao got down from the carriage first, and then carefully helped his sister to get down. Both of them went and sat at the wonton stall. Zhou Fu was thinking, they had been slow on the way already, and now he wondered how long it would take them to eat, would the young master get impatient waiting? With this thought in mind, he quickly said to the coachman, ¡°You go to the entrance of the Commerce Association and let the young master know, and then come back to pick Mrs. Bai.¡± At the entrance of the Commerce Association, Du Zhongshu was really getting anxious. It¡¯s not that he had lost patience, he wasn¡¯t one of those spoiled young masters to begin with, and the other party was a pregnant lady, he certainly didn¡¯t have reason to be upset for waiting a while. Instead, he started to worry about Bai Ruozhu¡¯s health and felt that Zhou Fu, being young, might be a bit careless and negligent on the way. Fortunately, he saw his own horse carriage coming over. He hastily went to greet it, but the coachman got down and saluted him, saying, ¡°Young master, Mrs. Bai is eating wonton at the market. Little Brother Zhou Fu asked me to come and inform you first.¡± Du Zhongshu frowned, ¡°Why did they start eating at the market?¡± He had originally planned to sign a contract at the Commerce Association and then invite Bai Ruozhu and her party to a good meal as his treat. ¡°Mrs. Bai vomited on the way. As they passed the market, she saw the wonton stall and wanted to eat. That¡¯s how it is with pregnant women. My wife was the same back in the day. The moment she smelled something good, she couldn¡¯t move.¡± The coachman added, grinning. So that¡¯s what happened, Du Zhongshu quickly got on the carriage, ¡°Let¡¯s go, take me to them.¡± The horse carriage began to move. Not long after, Du Zhongshu arrived at the market. As he got down from the carriage, he saw Bai Ruozhu sitting at a wonton stall not far away, blowing on the wontons on her spoon. However, he didn¡¯t see anyone else accompanying her. Just as he was about to go over and greet her, he saw a tall figure carrying a stick of sugar-coated haws, running over to sit next to Bai Ruozhu. It was her formidable big brother, Bai Zehao. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of the sugar-coated haws in her brother¡¯s hand, ¡°Wow, big brother, you really know me so well.¡± Bai Zehao snorted, ¡°Your eyes were practically glued to that haw vendor. Anybody could see that you wanted some. Sigh, you¡¯ve become so greedy now.¡± From Bai Zehao¡¯s seemingly complaining words, Du Zhongshu detected an undertone of brotherly affection. ¡°Thank you, big brother. Give it to me quickly.¡± Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t mind Bai Zehao calling her greedy. After all, she was pregnant now, and being pregnant was a big deal. ¡°No! Eat the wontons first, then the sugar-coated haws. Don¡¯t start vomiting again.¡± Bai Zehao said sternly, finally looking a bit like a protective big brother. Bai Ruozhu pouted, ¡°Why did you buy it so early then? Weren¡¯t you deliberately tempting me?¡± Bai Zehao gave her a helpless look, ¡°I didn¡¯t want to either, but the haw vendor was moving further and further away. If I didn¡¯t buy it then, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to find him later.¡± Bai Ruozhu giggled twice and said with a flattering expression, ¡°Big brother, I¡¯ll just have one!¡± In order to show her sincerity, she held out a finger as fine as a green onion. This reminded Du Zhongshu of the day at the Bai¡¯s house when Bai Ruozhu held up three fingers to bargain with him. Yet, it did not give him the impression of crudeness at all. Her expressions and movements from that day were deeply imprinted in his memory. On the other side, Bai Zehao was unable to resist Bai Ruozhu¡¯s nagging and could only stretch out the sugar-coated haws to let her bite off one. Then, he quickly moved it away from her, as if guarding against a thief. With the haw, coated in golden sugar syrup, biting into her mouth, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s cheeks bulged and her face looked a bit more rounded, which made her somewhat plump face appear extremely cute. She mumbled, ¡°It¡¯s sour and sweet. Delicious!¡± Bai Zehao tapped her head as if cracking a hazelnut and scolded her with a stern face, ¡°Don¡¯t talk while eating. You have no manners.¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled twice and started eating properly. Du Zhongshu watched with unparalleled envy. They were ordinary siblings, right? It seemed so heart-warming. How long had it been since he had a conversation with his own younger sister? The Du Family had so many rules and ever since they grew older, siblings had fewer chances to meet, let alone his sister acting as affectionate as she did when she was little. His other brothers and sisters, who were not born of the same mother, were still scheming against each other for family property. He suddenly felt that being the young master of a wealthy family was rather dull; it was nothing more than owning more riches. ¡°Young Master, Young Master, what brings you here?¡± Zhou Fu ran over from a distance and shouted as soon as he saw Du Zhongshu, ¡°Lady Bai and others are eating wontons over there.¡± Upon hearing the voice, Bai Ruozhu turned her head and saw Du Zhongshu standing not far from them. His eyes were bright but flickering, it didn¡¯t seem like he just got there. Du Zhongshu secretly blamed Zhou Fu¡¯s recklessness. Now they¡¯d know he¡¯d been secretly watching them for a while, how impolite that seemed. He stepped forward to pay respects to Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zehao. By this time, Bai Zehao no longer harbored hostility towards him and since they¡¯d been working together, he¡¯d been rather courteous, even standing up to return the gesture. Bai Ruozhu, however, didn¡¯t move; her pregnant state would honestly make others feel awkward if she kept standing up and sitting down. ¡°Master Du, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ll finish eating soon.¡± Bai Ruozhu smiled at Du Zhongshu. He must have been waiting impatiently. Du Zhongshu saw Bai Ruozhu revealing her white teeth... only... there was a piece of green onion in her teeth. He froze and nearly burst out laughing. It took him a while to hold back. This Lady Bai was so interesting. Other women often try not to show their teeth while laughing. If they¡¯re not pursing their lips, they¡¯re covering their mouths with their hands. She, however, was pretty frank, except that when she revealed her teeth she revealed a bit of green onion leaf, which was really funny. When Bai Ruozhu saw the twinkling in Du Zhongshu¡¯s eyes and the hint of laughter, she wondered what could make him so happy? Bai Zehao looked at his little sister, and he too almost started laughing. He gave Bai Ruozhu a signal and bumped Bai Ruozhu with his arm, whispering, ¡°Your tooth....¡± Bai Ruozhu glanced at the floating onion leaves in her wontons and her heart sank. Really? It was rare that she wanted to be friendly and polite, but she made such a big blooper. It was extremely embarrassing. But who was Bai Ruozhu? She wasn¡¯t a thin-skinned young lady from ancient times. She lowered her head pretending to continue eating her wontons and quickly removed the onion leaf from her tooth. When she finally finished her wonton, she carefully licked her tooth again to ensure that there was nothing that could embarrass her further. She then stood up and said to everyone, ¡°Sorry to have kept everyone waiting. I¡¯m done.¡± Bai Zehao handed her the sugar coated haws. She received it and was about to eat when she noticed several men watching her. Despite being really keen to eat, she ended up refusing. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the Commerce Association quickly.¡± Bai Ruozhu said. ¡°Good, first, get in the carriage.¡± Du Zhongshu asked the Bai siblings to get in the carriage first before following them. Zhou Fu slapped his head and handed the oil paper bag in his hand to Bai Zehao, ¡°Master Bai, your sugar fried chestnuts and the change.¡± Bai Zehao received the chestnuts, but didn¡¯t accept the change, ¡°I have already said that whatever is left can be used by you to buy tea.¡± Before leaving the house, his little sister had instructed him to reward the servants, which would be useful while getting work done in the future. At first, it wasn¡¯t good to casually reward people, so he asked them to run errands and do some small jobs. ==== As for the issue of updates, Mouka would like to explain to everyone. New books have requirements for updating speed. If I exert myself too much at once, I won¡¯t get on the recommendation list. So, Mouka needs to follow the editor¡¯s requirements. Only obedient kids get to eat candy. When the time is right for recommendations, Mouka will add more updates, even after the book is published, I¡¯ll try to add more updates. I can promise everyone that there will be at least three updates a day after the book is published. My commitment is guaranteed. So please continue supporting Mouka, please don¡¯t abandon me~ Chapter 27 - 27 027 No Pay Without Work ?Chapter 27: Chapter 027 No Pay Without Work Chapter 27: Chapter 027 No Pay Without Work ¡°Thank you for the reward, Mr. Bai.¡± Zhou Fu said happily. Bai Zehao took a sideways glance at his sister. Just as she said, he could hear the hint of joy and even familiarity in Zhou Fu¡¯s voice. Money indeed makes things easier. ¡°Brother, don¡¯t be frugal with copper coins. We will have more dealings with Mr. Du in the future, and he certainly won¡¯t be able to come each time. He will likely send this servant to deliver messages. It¡¯s necessary to have a good relationship with the servant.¡± Bai Ruozhu had said so before they left home. Bai Zehao was a cautious and attentive person who had studied under Scholar Grandpa since he was young. However, he grew up in an agricultural family and had not had much contact with the outside world. Thus, he was ignorant about the practice of rewarding servants among wealthy households. Luckily, his sister was smart, Bai Zehao thought gratefully. This time, without any further delay, the group took a horse carriage to the Commerce Association. Du Zhongshu presented the prepared contract to Bai Ruozhu. After quickly scanning through it and finding no issues, she passed it to her elder brother for a second look. Bai Zehao was touched that his sister sought his opinion. He scrutinized every word, and after finishing, he nodded at Bai Ruozhu, indicating that there were no issues. Bai Ruozhu briskly signed the contract with Du Zhongshu, inscribing her name and pressing her thumbprint in red clay. Only then did Du Zhongshu know Bai Ruozhu¡¯s maiden name, Ruozhu. Does it symbolize resilience like a bamboo? He recalled Zhou Fu¡¯s words: Bai Ruozhu had accepted a son-in-law into her family, but unfortunately, he had disappeared shortly after their marriage. Yet, she, now heavily pregnant, had bravely faced the rumors in the village and persevered. Moreover, she did not resent or pity herself; instead, she strived tirelessly for the child in her belly and her family. In contrast, as a young master who grew up in luxury, what had he accomplished? If he had worked harder, would his parents have had a better life in Du Family? If he were more successful, perhaps his mother could face fewer concubines and sigh less? Or if he were more accomplished, would his sister have better marriage prospects? ¡°Alright, thank you, Mr. Du.¡± Bai Ruozhu handed him the contract. Snapping back to reality, Du Zhongshu quickly inscribed his name and pressed his thumbprint. The contract was in duplicate, with each party retaining a copy. The Commerce Association kept records for both parties. Every year, they paid a document preservation fee and safeguarded the contract. Bai Ruozhu meticulously dried the contract before storing it. Then, they exited the Commerce Association building. ¡°Mr. Du, these are my preliminary ideas. I¡¯ve written them down for your reference. Feel free to ask me if anything isn¡¯t clear.¡± Bai Ruozhu handed Du Zhongshu a neatly folded piece of paper. Surprised that Bai Ruozhu had everything ready, Du Zhongshu¡¯s face lit with joy. After quickly perusing the paper, his surprise turned into sheer ecstasy. ¡°Are these all your ideas?¡± Du Zhongshu questioned animatedly. ¡°No, they were discussed within my family.¡± She didn¡¯t lie; she had genuinely sought her family¡¯s opinion, and they all agreed that the ideas were good, so they were discussed in a way. Nodding continuously, Du Zhongshu commented, ¡°The Bai family truly appreciates education. Living in the Mountain Village seems such a waste of talent.¡± Bai Zehao had mixed feelings. He knew what his sister meant by the word ¡°discussed.¡± Their whole family believed in her ideas. But just because they found them good didn¡¯t mean others would too. Now that the young master of the noble family believed in her idea, Bai Zehao realized that his sister was even more remarkable than he had thought. He regretted not having contributed much, which caused his conflicting emotions. He hated himself for not studying more in the past to help his sister. But he realized it wasn¡¯t too late. Everything would be fine as long as he worked hard. ¡°Mr. Du, that¡¯s too much. My father highly values farming,¡± Bai Ruozhu laughed. As an Agricultural and Scholarly Family, they couldn¡¯t neglect their farming duties. ¡°Right, right. I was too quick to judge.¡± Du Zhongshu chuckled sheepishly, resembling a teenager, which he was ¨C just seventeen or eighteen years old. Even though Du Zhongshu invited them to a meal at the restaurant, after some thought, Bai Ruozhu replied, ¡°Thank you for your offer, Mr. Du. But the further I am into my term, the less energetic I feel. I¡¯d like to head home and rest now.¡± After hearing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words, Du Zhongshu felt it improper to insist further and arranged for the carriage to send them back to the Mountain Village. Bai Ruozhu asked their driver to stop the carriage near the entrance of the village, instead of directly in front of their house to avoid unnecessary attention. It was bearable once or twice, but if a carriage was seen repeatedly, who knew what the villagers might gossip. Bai Zehao agreed with his sister but felt sorry for Bai Ruozhu and worried that the walk home might tire her. Bai Ruozhu made a face at her brother, ¡°Brother, how did you fall for my bluff? I am in good shape; I just didn¡¯t want to take advantage of people and eat that meal.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s why. You made me worry for nothing.¡± Although Bai Zehao chided her, he was smiling. Knowing that his sister was fine brought immense relief. ¡°As they say, one should work to earn one¡¯s keep. When our toothpaste makes money and we get a bonus, we could ask Mr. Du to treat us for a meal then. That would be truly justified,¡± Bai Ruozhu said, rubbing her belly. Just now, she had been so conflicted. As a foodie ¨C and a pregnant one at that ¨C refusing the delicacies at the restaurant was as agonizing as demanding her life. Luckily, her principles won over her cravings, and she returned home. Before they reached home, they saw their mother anticipatively looking towards the entrance of the village. Only when she spotted them did she heave a sigh of relief. Lin Ping¡¯er practically ran over and held onto Bai Ruozhu¡¯s arm. ¡°My girl, are you tired?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er asked with concern. ¡°Mother, I¡¯m not that delicate. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Bai Ruozhu shook her arm, pouting playfully, only to notice the white strands in her mother¡¯s hair. There seemed to be more of them. A pang of guilt shot through Bai Ruozhu. Had her mother been worrying more recently? Why had her hair greyed so much quicker? Given her current situation, it was impossible for her parents not to worry. The three of them entered the house to find her father and second brother waiting for them. Their mother had cooked a feast. Bai Ruozhu sniffed appreciatively; she had made the right decision to not go to the restaurant. No gourmet dishes could ever compare to her mother¡¯s love-infused cooking. Although her mother¡¯s culinary skills were... Well, their meals had become much blander recently, as otherwise, Bai Ruozhu would retain water. Furthermore, Bai Ruozhu had prepared some soup base. With that, their food was now flavored just right. It couldn¡¯t be too bad, right? The family was about to start eating when a knock sounded on their door. A woman¡¯s bold voice asked, ¡°Is Ruozhu back? Have you all had dinner?¡± ====== My apologies, dear readers. I am sorry that yesterday¡¯s update didn¡¯t come through as planned. I was upset and neglected to notice it. My child was too naughty yesterday, and after a stern scolding, he finally calmed down and went to sleep after crying for two hours. But afterwards, I felt sorry and had a tough night. It¡¯s so heartbreaking ... Chapter 28 - 28 028 The Ultimate Old Lady ?Chapter 28: Chapter 028: The Ultimate Old Lady Chapter 28: Chapter 028: The Ultimate Old Lady The faces of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s family changed color, it was her grandmother¡¯s voice! She came running from the restaurant, asking if they had eaten and what were they doing? And she was asking about her, Bai Ruozhu. It seemed like there was no chance for a peaceful meal this time. Lin Ping¡¯er reacted the quickest, jumping up immediately, ¡°Eldest brother, second brother, quickly pack up some dishes, don¡¯t let your grandmother see them!¡± Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei hurriedly started packing up the dishes, while Bai Ruozhu said anxiously, ¡°Don¡¯t put them in the kitchen, just put them in your room, hide them in the cabinet.¡± The two brothers understood and quickly tucked away several dishes. Seeing that there were not many dishes left on the table, Lin Ping¡¯er finally went towards the courtyard door. Bai Yihong¡¯s expression was a bit stiff. He looked at Bai Ruozhu and asked, ¡°Daughter, is this okay? That¡¯s your maternal grandmother!¡± Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat sorry for her father. She was his mother, but she wasn¡¯t her mother. She lowered her voice and said, ¡°Dad, it¡¯s not that we begrudge our grandmother a few dishes, it¡¯s just that we can¡¯t afford to attract trouble.¡± Seeing her serious expression, Bai Yihong had to admit that what Bai Ruozhu said was right. He was well aware of what kind of person his own mother was. However, the filial piety he had learned since childhood made him feel very uncomfortable. ¡°Dad, when the holidays come, we can make good food and send it to my grandfather and grandmother. It would be even more appropriate,¡± Bai Ruozhu comforted him. Bai Yihong felt much better after hearing these words. At this time, the old lady of the Bai family, Mrs. Liu, walked in with Lin Ping¡¯er. As soon as she saw Bai Ruozhu, her eyes lit up, as if she had seen a pile of silver coins. ¡°Oh, Ruozhu, you¡¯re back? I heard from someone today that you went to the town in a Horse Carriage. What did you go there for?¡± Bai¡¯s elder didn¡¯t like it when his family spoke in a local dialect, but Liu didn¡¯t seem to care and forgot when she got excited. Bai Ruozhu felt a headache; because she hadn¡¯t arranged a date with Du Zhongshu beforehand, Zhou Fu had brought the carriage right up to her front door. She had made it clear this time that the carriage shouldn¡¯t enter the village, but it was still seen by the villagers. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything. I just went to the doctor to have my pulse taken because the baby is due soon,¡± Bai Ruozhu replied indifferently. She had no affection for this old lady, in fact, she liked the old master even less. ¡°Oh, is that how you talk to an elderly person? Are you becoming arrogant because Chang Sheng is doing well and wants to bring you back to the city? You¡¯re thinking about leaving us behind, aren¡¯t you?¡± Liu exclaimed. She turned to Bai Yihong and yelled, ¡°Second son, tell me, are you planning to abandon your parents? What happened to the filial piety you learned as a child?¡± Bai Yihong¡¯s face turned the color of a pig¡¯s liver, ¡°Mother, what are you talking about?¡± When Lin Ping¡¯er heard this, she was not happy, ¡°Mother, did you come here just to chastise Ruozhu in the middle of the day? The child is heavy now, she needs to rest after having her meal. Don¡¯t jump to conclusions, you¡¯re delaying her meal. Moreover, we¡¯ve already separated households. Despite the hardships, we have never missed out on monthly payments for supporting you. What is this nonsense about leaving you behind?¡± Mrs. Liu didn¡¯t have any proof and became a little unsure after Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s words, but she was quick to catch the word ¡°meal¡± in her speech. Her gaze immediately shifted to the table. ¡°Oh, the food here smells quite good. Second son, your mother hasn¡¯t eaten yet. I¡¯ll eat here.¡± After Liu had finished speaking, she glanced at Bai Ruozhu¡¯s bowl and chopsticks before grabbing them and started eating. Liu ate her food incredibly quickly, as if she hadn¡¯t had a decent meal in a long time. Moreover, her eating noises were quite loud. Probably because the Bai family¡¯s food was seasoned with fresh soup powder, it was especially fragrant and she even smacked her lips while she ate. Bai Ruozhu saw that Liu had used her bowl and chopsticks, saw her eating with her mouth full of soup, and the constant slurping noises ringing in her ears, she suddenly felt nauseated and ran out to the entrance of the main hall to vomit. ¡°Ruozhu, what happened? Why did you vomit all of a sudden?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er rushed over to support Bai Ruozhu, a worried look crossing her face. Bai Ruozhu shook her head, frowning, ¡°Mother, I¡¯m not feeling well, I need to go to the room for some rest.¡± The nauseating sound of the Liu Family¡¯s smacking lips echoed in her ears. She found it excruciatingly disgusting that even after she had thrown up, they continued eating as if nothing had happened. Other members of the Bai Family were also gathering around. Only the Liu Family continued zealously digging into their food. Upon hearing that Bai Ruozhu wanted to retire to her room, they aggressively moved a chopstick-full of food into their bowl and sprinted over to her. ¡°Ruozhu, don¡¯t go, you haven¡¯t answered me yet! What¡¯s this about the horse carriage I hear?¡± called the matriarch of the Liu Family. Bai Ruozhu rubbed her temples weakly and said, ¡°Grandmother, I¡¯m feeling terrible. How about you have the doctor treat me first, then I¡¯ll think hard about your question?¡± Ignoring the Liu Family¡¯s grumbling, she headed straight back to her room. ¡°Oh, what happened to your manners, girl? How dare you walk away while elders are still talking?¡± The Liu Family matriarch complained, causing Lin Ping¡¯er to reach the brink of explosion. She intervened, yelling: ¡°Mother! Are you done shouting? What if your outburst startled Ruozhu? What if it affected her fetal Qi? Will you be responsible then?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never met a farmer¡¯s family who¡¯s as delicate as yours, in my day, I still worked the fields when I was pregnant with my second child, and he turned out fine,¡± the Liu Family matriarch rolled her eyes casually. ¡°My daughter isn¡¯t the same. She¡¯s Scholar¡¯s granddaughter, she¡¯s been studying since she was little. I definitely don¡¯t want her to work in the fields,¡± Lin Ping¡¯er said assertively, holding her breath. The Liu Family matriarch was about to retort when Bai Yihong cut her off, ¡°Mother, are you finished eating? If not, please continue. Let¡¯s clean up after you¡¯re done.¡± The Liu Family matriarch glanced around, quickly tapered off her argument and eagerly bolted back to the table to resume eating. Her appearance disrupted the mood of the Bai Family. Bai Zepei still looked cold as he said, ¡°Grandmother, Father, Mother, I am going to my room to read.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er gestured for him to go as quickly as he could, while the Liu Family matriarch, mouth full of food, mumbled indistinctly: ¡°Er Lang, study hard. Your grandmother knows you¡¯re sure to excel as a scholar.¡± Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei rank first and second among the grandchildren of the Bai Family, therefore they were often referred to as Da Lang and Er Lang outside the city. ¡°Thank you for your kind words, grandmother,¡± Bai Zepei said indifferently before making his exit. Fearing that the Liu Family matriarch would find out that he had accompanied Bai Ruozhu to the town and start questioning him, Bai Zehao quickly said: ¡°I am going to check the fields, Grandmother, you enjoy your meal.¡± He then made a hasty exit. After nearly cleaning out all the food on the table, except for the amaranth greens which she disliked, the Liu Family matriarch finally put down her chopsticks with a loud, satisfied belch. Lin Ping¡¯er snorted and rose to clear the dishes. The matriarch watched her back, leaned over to Bai Yihong, and said in a soft voice: ¡°Er Lang, you¡¯re much more obedient than your wife. Tell me, what¡¯s going on with Ruozhu?¡± Bai Yihong looked extremely uncomfortable, his facial expression frozen, ¡°Mother, I really don¡¯t know. The kids are grown now, they make their own decisions.¡± The Liu Family matriarch widened her eyes upon hearing this, ¡°Are you saying I¡¯m not your real mother?¡± Bai Yihong nearly fell off the bench. Wearing a bitter expression, he said: ¡°Mother, I really don¡¯t know. Ruozhu hasn¡¯t told me anything.¡± ===== To all readers passing by, don¡¯t forget to bid your favourites! Want to put this on the back burner? Give it a quick thumbs-up for later! Chapter 29 - 29 029 Eldest Brothers Marriage is on the Rocks ?Chapter 29: Chapter 029: Eldest Brother¡¯s Marriage is on the Rocks Chapter 29: Chapter 029: Eldest Brother¡¯s Marriage is on the Rocks ¡°You¡¯re her biological father. If you asked her, would she dare not to speak?¡± Liu¡¯s wife stared, suddenly sneered, and said: ¡°Did she meet some messy people out there? She is heavily pregnant and yet restless, see the good daughter you brought up!¡± No matter how filial Bai Yihong is, he was unhappy at this point. He did not dare believe what he heard, he looked at Mrs. Liu, and said: ¡°Mother, are these words suitable for a grandmother? It is not easy for Ruozhu, who is pregnant. Aren¡¯t you afraid that outsiders will gossip when they heard these words?¡± Mrs. Liu gave him a cold glance, ¡°What are you yelling about? Do you still remember that I¡¯m your mother? What do you mean outsiders would gossip? I came here because I heard the gossip!¡± Lin Ping¡¯er, who had finished the bowls and chopsticks, just returned at this time and heard this. She immediately jumped up. ¡°Mother, I respect you as the elder, but you should not belittle my daughter. What outsiders say is their business. As her grandmother, can you join them too? Aren¡¯t you afraid of losing face for the Bai family?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er was angry. She patted her clothes and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go to the old mansion now to ask father if the Bai family has such rules.¡± Mrs. Liu had sneaked over here, and if Lin Ping¡¯er were to go and make a fuss in front of the old Bai, it would damage her reputation. Mrs. Liu quickly put on a smiley face, ¡°Why can¡¯t a family talk about things? I also care about Ruozhu. I just want to clarify things, and also have something to talk to people about.¡± ¡°Mother, there is no need to ask anymore. My Ruozhu is knowledgeable and acts properly. You don¡¯t have to worry,¡± Bai Yihong said with a hint of unhappiness. At the same time, Bai Ruozhu had cooked the boiled shrimps from the space and was relishing it with vinegar in her room. She couldn¡¯t help but listen to the movement in the main hall and grimace. This grandmother is really unpleasant. When she had nearly finished eating, she moved the shrimp shells and the vinegar bowl into the space by thought. Now she discovered another advantage of the space, she could put things in from outside, and take things out directly from the pond. In not very long, Mrs. Liu walked out of the main hall in anger, still mumbling. When she got under Bai Ruozhu¡¯s window, she suddenly stopped, vigorously sniffed with her nose. Huh, what is this smell? Vinegar plus what else? Could Bai Ruozhu be having a private cooking session? Upon thinking this, Mrs. Liu stealthily walked to the window, quietly cracked open Bai Ruozhu¡¯s window, and peeked inside. She saw Bai Ruozhu, whose belly was so big that she could only lie on her side, sleeping sweetly. She began to wonder, did she smell it wrong? Was Bai Ruozhu drinking vinegar in the room because she liked the smell of vinegar? Mrs. Liu curled her lips and walked towards the yard. Sour for a boy and spicy for a girl, could the child in that girl¡¯s womb be a boy? Wouldn¡¯t that be too good for her? The sound of Mrs. Liu leaving and slamming the yard door woke Bai Ruozhu. She let out a slow breath, that was a close call just now, her grandmother¡¯s nose was like a dog¡¯s. Thinking about this, she felt oddly tired and soon fell asleep. When she woke up, she found the yard quiet. It seemed her older brother was not tending the backyard vegetable garden, and her mother wasn¡¯t feeding the pigs. The pigs, hungry and making a fuss, were grunting noisily. This behavior didn¡¯t fit her mother¡¯s nature. Her mother never let the pigs go hungry, and expected them to grow fat every day so they could make money. Bai Ruozhu slowly got up, gently pushed open the door and walked out, then she heard what seemed to be people talking in the main hall, only the voices were very small. She quietly approached, and listened attentively, it was the voices of her parents, and her mother was crying. Could it be because of her grandmother¡¯s visit today? Bai Ruozhu¡¯s heart tightened, it seems there was some effect on the family¡¯s emotions after all. Unexpectedly, her mother¡¯s voice came from inside the house, ¡°I did say at the beginning that our family¡¯s marriage with the Wan family is a little beyond our reach? You didn¡¯t listen. You said that they sincerely appreciate our eldest son, but now what is their intention? Caiyue¡¯s mother has claimed to be out for the second time, which is clearly avoiding me.¡± Bai Yihong sighed, ¡°Maybe they really have something to do and are not at home, don¡¯t overthink it. If we can wait a few more days, it will be a different story if the second child manages to pass the Scholar¡¯s examination.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er sniffed, ¡°How can it always be coincidental? They didn¡¯t even invite me into the house. When I went to visit before, they offered me tea. Now they are avoiding me.¡± Bai Yihong frowned. He remembered that when the village head invited him to discuss about the school, Wan Qilao was also there. He greeted Wan Qilao, who was polite. But thinking about it now, that courtesy was coupled with a sense of distance. ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see. Don¡¯t let the eldest son know about this,¡± Bai Yihong sighed and said. ¡°I know I won¡¯t tell,¡± Lin Ping¡¯er had a heavy nasal sound, her nose was blocked from crying. Bai Ruozhu left the yard with a sense of weakness in her legs. She felt sad. Although the root cause of all this was from her past self, she was still upset. Her family had always been nice to her and never displayed the slightest displeasure because of her. They spoiled and trusted her more than ever. She truly considered them her family, hence she wished for everyone to live a good life. She hoped that her parents would be in love and healthy, her second brother could successfully pass the Scholar¡¯s examination, her elder brother could soon marry his wife, live a happy life, and quickly give her a little nephew. So in the future, he could play with the child in her belly... These were the desires she currently harbored, but because of those rumors, it affected her family somewhat. As a man, her elder brother cared a lot about his reputation. If he found out about this, he would surely not continue with the marriage arrangement with the Wan family. But in the memory of her previous life, her elder brother seemed to have a very good impression of Wan Caiyue, in fact, he liked her very much. So when her mother went to buy betrothal gifts, her elder brother was very happy as well. But what to do now? Bai Ruozhu was wandering around the village aimlessly and from afar, she saw several women chatting. One of them was Liu San¡¯s wife, with whom she had a grudge against before, so she quickly hid behind a tree. ¡°Did you not hear? Previously it was said that the man of Bai Ruozhu came back, and even became rich, but did any of you see him move into Bai Ruozhu¡¯s house? He was supposed to be a live-in son-in-law, right? So why hasn¡¯t he moved in yet?¡± Liu¡¯s wife sarcastically said. ¡°Yes indeed, do you know what happened?¡± Another nosy woman hastily asked. Liu¡¯s wife revealed a look of triumphant joy and disdain on her face, ¡°Did you not hear that Chang Sheng was already married and Bai Ruozhu was just his concubine. His legal wife would not let her through the door. So she was sort of his mistress. Bai¡¯s second child was embarrassed and came up with the live-in son-in-law and Chang Sheng¡¯s incident as cover.¡± ¡°What?¡± Someone raised their voice, ¡°Although we¡¯re poor, we aren¡¯t cheap enough to be someone¡¯s mistress, right?¡± Immediately others chimed in, ¡°Yes, being someone¡¯s mistress is just too despicable!¡± Chapter 30 - 30 030 Someone Spreads Rumors, Someone Adds Trouble ?Chapter 30: Chapter 030: Someone Spreads Rumors, Someone Adds Trouble Chapter 30: Chapter 030: Someone Spreads Rumors, Someone Adds Trouble Most of the families in the countryside are of a simple and honest nature, especially in places like Back Mountain Village, where it is almost unheard of for men to marry concubines. In the eyes of people in this era, a mistress is even worse than a concubine, not recognized by the wife and secretly kept by the man, making her comparable to a woman of the night. Perhaps Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t have a strong understanding of the term ¡°mistress¡±, and did not get too angry when she heard Mrs. Liu¡¯s words. Instead, she quietly left. If it had been her former self, she probably would have died from the anger of Mrs. Liu¡¯s words, or at least confronted her violently. However, Bai Ruozhu understood what ¡°mistress¡± stood for. If she was labeled as a ¡°mistress¡±, her parents and older brother would be affected, and even the child in her womb would be looked down upon from an early age. No, she couldn¡¯t let this happen! Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t plan to stay long in the village. She started heading home, and ran into Fang Guizhi not far into her journey. ¡°Ruozhu, why did you come out alone?¡± A nervous look spread across Fang Guizhi¡¯s face. She must have also heard the idle gossip. Bai Ruozhu gave a bitter smile. ¡°Guizhi, you must be aware of the rumors spreading around the village right now. If you consider me a friend, you should inform me immediately about this kind of situation. Don¡¯t hide anything from me.¡± ¡°I, I was afraid you would get angry,¡± Guizhi¡¯s face turned red. She didn¡¯t want to hide anything from Bai Ruozhu, but what if Bai Ruozhu got so angry she got in trouble? Bai Ruozhu took Guizhi¡¯s hand, her tone becoming gentler. ¡°Guizhi, I¡¯m not blaming you. I just want to know about things sooner, so I can plan accordingly. My mindset has changed. I won¡¯t get angry over other people¡¯s chatter anymore.¡± Guizhi nodded vigorously, ¡°I understand. There¡¯s something I need to tell you.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Bai Ruozhu felt proud of herself for being so sharp. Her timing was excellent, otherwise she would have missed important information. In the memories of her past life, Fang Guizhi was often sent out to run errands by her mother, and she frequently had the chance to go out. As she was young and people didn¡¯t avoid her when they spoke, she often learned of village gossip. She, however, never spread it, and at most would quietly tell her younger sister, Ruozhu. ¡°It¡¯s about your elder brother. The Wan Family seems to not want to establish a marriage alliance with your family.¡± Fang Guizhi carefully studied Bai Ruozhu¡¯s expression. Seeing that she was not too surprised, she quickly asked: ¡°Did you already know?¡± Bai Ruozhu nodded, ¡°I eavesdropped on my parents¡¯ conversation just now. My mother was crying, she was very upset.¡± She said, sighing heavily. Usually when Fang Guizhi went to Bai Ruozhu¡¯s house, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother treated her very kindly, always giving her something to eat, and even helped her mend her clothes. Fang Guizhi liked Ruozhu¡¯s mother very much and had often thought about how much better it would be if Lin Ping was her mother. So when she heard that Lin Ping had been crying over this, Fang Guizhi also felt extremely bad. ¡°Guizhi, have you heard any other news? What are people from the Wan Family really like?¡± Bai Ruozhu also had her own thoughts: a melon forcibly twisted off its stem would not be sweet. If the Wan Family really wasn¡¯t suitable, it would be best to sever ties early. ¡°Actually, Wan Caiyue¡¯s mother is quite a decent person, just like your own, she particularly cherishes her daughter. That¡¯s why she initially suggested establishing a marriage alliance with your family for her daughter¡¯s sake, which is something most respectable daughters¡¯ families would not do.¡± Fang Guizhi said, showing a look of envy. How she wished she had a mother who cherished her! ¡°But Sister Caiyue¡¯s mother cherishes her daughter too much. When she heard the rumors about you being a mistress, she was afraid your family had bad values, and that her daughter would suffer in future. Thus, she found excuses to not meet your mother.¡± Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t know what to say. It was right for Mother Wan to cherish her daughter and consider her daughter¡¯s future, but from Bai Ruozhu¡¯s perspective, she would also blame the Wan family for their lack of judgment. They were swayed by a few words from the public. ¡°However, I heard that Sister Caiyue¡¯s father hasn¡¯t changed his mind. But since marriage negotiations and dowries are handled by women in the family, he can¡¯t really intervene. I heard them arguing about this when I passed by the Wan¡¯s yesterday,¡± Fang Guizhi added. No wonder Guizhi knew so much. Bai Ruozhu nodded slightly. It seemed the issue lay with Caiyue¡¯s mother; perhaps she wasn¡¯t a bad person, but merely acting out of concern, fearing that her daughter would be wronged in the future. ¡°Looks like the rumors in the village have to die down before Caiyue¡¯s mother might change her mind.¡± Bai Ruozhu sighed. If Chang Sheng himself were to appear, the rumors would naturally be debunked. But where was Chang Sheng? This was the first time Bai Ruozhu wanted so badly for Chang Sheng to return. Not only for the child in her womb, but also for her family. ¡°It¡¯s all because Mrs. Liu is spreading rumors. Why don¡¯t you go to the village head and expose her, have the village head make a decision on your behalf!¡± Fang Guizhi suggested. Bai Ruozhu shook her head, ¡°Even clear-headed officers find it difficult to mediate family affairs, let alone the village head. Besides, I have no proof that Mrs. Liu spread those rumors, and still no proof proving those rumors false. If it comes down to it, I might even end up worse for wear.¡± Fang Guizhi pouted, ¡°Then what do we do? We can¡¯t just let her spread baseless rumors, can we?¡± Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t have a good answer at the moment. Coupled with the fact that her body was feeling heavy and she had been standing for a long time, she was feeling tired, ¡°I should go home for now, and we¡¯ll continue this conversation later. You should get back to your chores so your mother won¡¯t scold you.¡± Fang Guizhi slapped her forehead, ¡°Oh right, I need to hurry up and go.¡± She spoke and then ran off. As soon as Bai Ruozhu got home, her mother scolded her for running off without notice. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother, Lin Ping, also prodded Bai Ruozhu with some probing questions. But Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want to admit she heard her parents¡¯ discussion, so Lin Ping assumed her daughter just got some fresh air. At dinner, the entire family gathered around the table. Lin Ping was somewhat absent-minded and spoke less than usual, while Bai Ruozhu secretly observed her brother¡¯s expression. She only saw that her brother¡¯s expression was as usual, he probably still didn¡¯t know about the Wan Family¡¯s current attitude. Looking at her sunny, sincere, and kind-hearted older brother, Bai Ruozhu felt a pain in her heart. After dinner, Bai Zepei returned to his room to continue reading, while Bai Ruozhu walked around the yard to aid digestion. Unexpectedly, an uninvited guest arrived at their home. ¡°Oh dear, little sister, I came to see you. I was worried you¡¯d be upset, so I came specially to advise you.¡± The visitor was Bai Ruozhu¡¯s aunt Wang. As soon as she entered the house, she yelled loudly, as if she wanted her neighbours to hear her. Anyone could see through this weasel paying New Year¡¯s respects to the hen¡ªdefinitely not a well-meaning gesture! What was her sinister plan? ¡°Aunt Wang, please lower your voice. You don¡¯t want to disturb my second brother¡¯s studying. He will be taking the exam for Scholar soon. Not everyone knows you have a loud voice. If they think you¡¯re trying to disrupt my second brother intentionally, it will create more idle talk and bestow you with a reputation of jealousy. That¡¯s not a good look.¡± Bai Ruozhu was the first to see Wang, and she spoke from the yard. Wang¡¯s expression changed considerably. If she didn¡¯t admit to having a loud voice, it would make it look like she was intentionally trying to disrupt Bai Zepei¡¯s studying, which would indeed give her a bad reputation. If she admitted to having a loud voice, wouldn¡¯t that make her seem unruly¡ªunbefitting of a scholar¡¯s mother? Chapter 31 - 31 031 Utilizing Minimal Effort for Maximum Gain ?Chapter 31: Chapter 031: Utilizing Minimal Effort for Maximum Gain Chapter 31: Chapter 031: Utilizing Minimal Effort for Maximum Gain Wang¡¯s heart filled with resentment. Bai Ruozhu, this girl used to be weak and frail. She liked to put on airs after reading a few books, but she was very timid. Now that she¡¯s pregnant, she suddenly has the courage. Just because she¡¯s carrying a child, does she think she¡¯s golden and high up in the sky? Every woman in the village has given birth, what¡¯s so special about her? ¡°Aye, Ruozhu¡¯s tongue has become sharp. Your issues are affecting your eldest brother¡¯s marriage, aren¡¯t you worried?¡± Wang¡¯s eyes shifted as she raised her voice and called out. Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes. It seems that this Wang was not just here to cause trouble, but also to pick one. Upon hearing the commotion, Lin Ping¡¯er ran out from the kitchen. She looked a bit distraught and yelled at Wang,¡±Stop yelling! Can you take responsibility if you disrupt my son¡¯s studying? Leave this place, you¡¯re only causing trouble!¡± As she spoke, Lin Ping¡¯er picked up a broom and began sweeping the yard, forcefully sweeping towards Wang¡¯s feet, indicating that she wants Wang to leave. Bai Ruozhu was somewhat surprised. Her mother had a fiery temper, but she was usually shrewd and rarely quarreled with people. Yet, if someone provoked her, she¡¯d dare to argue and even fight with them. But her sudden outburst to drive Wang away meant they had directly fallen out. Wang was Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s sister-in-law. According to the respect and deference shown to elders at that time, if Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s words were heard by others, she might gain a reputation for disrespecting her elder sister and being difficult to get along with. However, seeing her mother¡¯s fiery eyes, Bai Ruozhu understood. This matter greatly upset her mother, causing her to lose her composure. On the other hand, her mother didn¡¯t want Wang to continue talking, fearing that her eldest brother would overhear, so she was eager to get rid of Wang. Wang was nearly hit by Lin Ping¡¯er. She knew how fiery Lin Ping¡¯er could be. Recently, she had beaten Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law, nearly disfiguring her. Therefore, Wang felt a little queasy and quickly stepped backward. ¡°Sister-in-law, I understand your feelings. Aren¡¯t I here to help you figure it out?¡± Wang was cunning. A smile crept on her face. As the saying goes, ¡®don¡¯t hit a person who¡¯s smiling at you¡¯. She claimed to be kind-hearted, making Lin Ping¡¯er seem unreasonable. ¡°You don¡¯t need to think of any plans. We¡¯ll handle our family¡¯s affairs ourselves. Sister-in-law, please take your leave.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er seemed to have recovered her wits, and her tone had softened a lot. Wang¡¯s goal hadn¡¯t been achieved, so she wasn¡¯t willing to give up, and loudly stated, ¡°We are family, no need for polite formalities. I could go explain to Wan¡¯s family, how could our Ruozhu possibly become someone¡¯s concubine? A small misunderstanding shouldn¡¯t affect eldest son¡¯s good marriage prospects.¡± Eldest son referred to Bai Zehao. After Wang married Bai Yibo, she gave birth to two daughters. Instead, Lin Ping¡¯er, who joined the Bai Family after Wang, gave birth to two strong sons. Those were tough years for Wang in the Bai Family. The old man of Bai Family had always favored Zehao and Yibo, and even tutored them personally. Hence, Wang had a deep resentment towards Lin Ping¡¯er. A clattering sound was heard. It was the sound of something falling. Bai Ruozhu turned hurriedly to see that the sound came from where her older and second brothers lived. There was a slight pain in her heart, her eldest brother must have heard everything, she thought. ¡°Aunt Wang should be careful with her words. It¡¯s not good to gossip like those women who blabber around. And what¡¯s this about going to Wan¡¯s family to explain? Are they the ones who spread this rumor? What if your reckless words damage Miss Wan¡¯s reputation? The Wan family are reasonable people; aren¡¯t you afraid they will blame you and tarnish your reputation?¡± Bai Ruozhu could no longer keep her cool and began talking harshly. ¡°Aye, Ruozhu, you sure have a quick tongue. What did I say? I came here out of my good intentions to help, but you, look at what you¡¯ve done to your family members.¡± Wang was clever with her words. If it had been her past self, she might have fainted from crying or at the least, she would¡¯ve been infuriated. However, Bai Ruozhu was not her past self and she wouldn¡¯t think so negatively. ¡°If Auntie keeps talking about me this way, I might just have to ask Grandpa to resolve this. Accusing me of harming my own family is a heavy accusation that I won¡¯t accept. My marriage was arranged by my parents. Yes, Chang Sheng is my son-in-law, but we still went through all the proper rituals of kowtowing to Heaven and Earth, and we even had a witness. Now, outsiders are tarnishing my name with their idle gossip. If they keep this up, they¡¯ll be punished in the underworld upon their death. Aren¡¯t you afraid of retribution if you continue to talk like this, Auntie?¡± The people of the ancient times were superstitious. They believed that after death, one would go to the underworld and face judgement from the rulers there. Hence, they had the saying ¡®doing bad deeds would lead to suffering in the eighteen layers of hell,¡¯ making Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words quite shocking to the Wang Family. ¡°I-I didn¡¯t say anything much... just trying to help,¡± the Wang Family mumbled, their voice significantly quieter, seemingly lacking confidence. Lin Ping¡¯er had completely calmed down now, a cold smirk on her face. ¡°Sister-in-law, there¡¯s no need for you to worry. The innocent will prove their innocence. When I have the time, I will definitely expose those who spread the rumors. If not, I can report them to the Government Office and see if they¡¯ll be punished!¡± The Wang family wished to say more, but Bai Ruozhu turned around and took a few baked potatoes from the stove, wrapped them in her skirt, and handed them over to the Wang family. ¡°Here, Auntie. Take these back for Xiaosi to eat.¡± Actually, Bai Ruozhu was craving baked sweet potatoes, but there weren¡¯t any available yet. So, she just made do with some baked potatoes which are also delicious when complemented with some soy sauce after removing the skin. However, the baked potatoes were now covered with ash. Before the Wang family could react, Bai Ruozhu stuck the potatoes into their arms, causing a large patch on their bright and clean clothes to turn black. The Wang Family nearly jumped up. ¡°Slow down, watch out for my clothes!¡± Bai Ruozhu acted surprised. ¡°Oh my! Auntie¡¯s wearing new clothes! I really didn¡¯t notice. Your clothes are so beautiful, but they seem impractical for housework. Aren¡¯t you supposed to help with washing dishes?¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s voice wasn¡¯t quiet. People from the next door had already gathered and were listening by the wall ¨C they were idle old ladies. As soon as they heard Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words, they couldn¡¯t help but sneer. They couldn¡¯t stand an extravagant, but lazy daughter-in-law like the Wang family. The Wang family¡¯s face turned a little awkward. She hurriedly said, ¡°That¡¯s not it. Your mother was just worried about you and sent me over to help. If you don¡¯t need me, then I will head back first.¡± She then turned to glance at Lin Ping¡¯er with a somewhat smug smile. ¡°Younger sister, you¡¯re impulsive. Don¡¯t offend the Wan Qilao family because of this. A forced relationship is never sweet. If they truly aren¡¯t willing, you should let it go.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er nearly lost her breath in anger. This made it sound like she was clinging on to the Wan family. Bai Ruozhu quietly pulled on her mother¡¯s arm. They shouldn¡¯t get angry with the Wang Family, or else they would get what they wanted. ¡°Auntie, isn¡¯t it too much to say things like that? We¡¯re all well aware of the Wan family¡¯s reputation. Plus, the Wan family hasn¡¯t mentioned cancelling the marriage. Isn¡¯t what you¡¯re saying tarnishing their reputation?¡± Bai Ruozhu pretended to look bewildered as she spoke to the Wang family. ¡ª We have a question for our book friends: Do you enjoy reading male-oriented books? We¡¯d like to recommend one called ¡°Tian Wu Emperor.¡± The author, Qianxun Luoluo, is Mouka¡¯s younger brother. He¡¯s a handsome man who writes well, quite the fresh young talent~ Chapter 32 - 32 032 The Future Sister-in-law is Not Bad ?Chapter 32: Chapter 032: The Future Sister-in-law is Not Bad Chapter 32: Chapter 032: The Future Sister-in-law is Not Bad The Wang family indeed did not explicitly express any intention of calling off the wedding. Everything Wang¡¯s family knew was based on hearsay. Now that Bai Ruozhu mentioned it, she realized that they may have offended the Wan family, which caused her to suddenly feel somewhat uneasy. ¡°Never mind, ignore what I said. I¡¯m just a busybody. I¡¯ll be taking my leave now.¡± Wang¡¯s wife left dejectedly with her roasted potatoes, her clothes soiled and her heart filled with disgruntlement. Only after Wang¡¯s wife left could Bai Ruozhu breathe a sigh of relief. Seeing her mother¡¯s red eyes from anger, she consoled her, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t bother arguing with this kind of person, there will be a time when she will be embarrassed.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er, however, looked worried and whispered, ¡°Your elder brother must have overheard.¡± Bai Ruozhu thought of the sound from the room just now, and her heart ached, indeed, her big brother must have heard it. Just then, Bai Zehao came out. His slightly dark face was now reddened. It was unclear whether it was due to embarrassment or anger. ¡°Mom, what was Aunt Wang talking about just now?¡± Bai Zehao asked in a somewhat frantic tone, his voice slightly colder, ¡°The betrothal gifts have been prepared for some days now, but they¡¯re still at home. Is it because the Wan family doesn¡¯t want to accept them?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er looked anxiously at her son, afraid that he might do something reckless. She hurriedly approached Bai Zehao and said, ¡°Zehao, don¡¯t listen to those idle gossips. The Wan family has never said that they wouldn¡¯t agree to this marriage.¡± ¡°Then why is that, mom, don¡¯t keep me in the dark, I have a right to know.¡± Bai Zehao¡¯s voice was slightly raised. Bai Ruozhu quickly approached and whispered, ¡°Big brother, let¡¯s talk inside. The neighbors are listening.¡± Upon Bai Ruozhu¡¯s reminder, Bai Zehao calmed down. He nodded and walked back into the room in silence. Bai Yihong, seeing his eldest son, patted his shoulder consolingly, gesturing for him not to overthink. Bai Yihong was also irritated, but with Wang¡¯s wife being a woman and his sister-in-law, it would not be appropriate for him to publicly argue with her. Thus, he could only stew in frustration inside the room. ¡°Mom, tell us.¡± Bai Zehao asked again. While Lin Ping¡¯er hesitated, Bai Ruozhu cut in, ¡°Big brother, don¡¯t overthink it. It¡¯s just that Sister Caiyue¡¯s mother was busy, and mom couldn¡¯t find her after going there twice.¡± ¡°Ruozhu, you...¡± Bai Yihong and Lin Ping¡¯er were both astonished. How did their daughter find out? Bai Ruozhu gave them a smile, though it was a bit stiff, ¡°I heard you talking after I woke up from my nap.¡± Bai Zehao¡¯s fists clenched tightly as if suppressing his anger. After a long pause, he looked at Lin Ping¡¯er, ¡°Mom, go and tell the Wan family that I¡¯m not worthy of their daughter, let¡¯s end the marriage.¡± ¡°Big Brother!¡± Bai Ruozhu tried to interrupt Bai Zehao, ¡°You¡¯re being too rash! Maybe Mrs. Wan really was unavailable. If you call off the marriage because of some idle gossip, how will Sister Caiyue show her face in public?¡± Seeing her big brother¡¯s remorseful face, Bai Ruozhu knew he wasn¡¯t against listening to reason, so her tone softened. ¡°Big brother, I understand that anyone would overthink in this situation, but you must not act rashly. What if it¡¯s a misunderstanding, wouldn¡¯t it harm the relationship between the two families? Even if the Wan family truly wish to call off the marriage, we just need to wait it out.¡± ¡°But ...¡± Bai Zehao hesitated again and then let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Older brother, Ruozhu is right. We should wait and see. Even if the worst comes to pass, for the sake of the girl¡¯s dignity, it should not be us who proposes annulment. Otherwise, it would be Caiyue who suffers.¡± Bai Yi hong poured a cup of wine and downed it in one gulp. Seeing his parents in distress, Bai Zehao cursed himself for being too impulsive. He nodded, ¡°Alright, I will pretend not to know and observe.¡± Bai Ruozhu let out a sigh of relief, at least her brother was stabilized for now. But what should they do next? How to dispel the rumors sown by Liu San¡¯s wife? The next day, Bai Ruozhu went for a walk in the village again, thinking that it might facilitate her thought process. But when she reached the entrance of Back Mountain, she heard someone calling her from a distance. ¡°Ruozhu, Ruozhu, over here!¡± A girl peeked out from behind a tree, looking somewhat shy yet her eyes shined brightly when she looked at Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu was taken aback as the person was none other than Wan Caiyue whom they had been discussing yesterday. ¡°Sister Caiyue, what brings you here?¡± Seeing no one around, Bai Ruozhu hurriedly walked behind the large tree. Wan Caiyue blushed and said, ¡°I don¡¯t mean anything else, I just wanted you to pass on a message to...¡± ¡°To my big brother, right?¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes brightened as her intuition told her that Wan Caiyue certainly wasn¡¯t asking her to deliver a message about breaking off the engagement. If it was really about breaking off the engagement, the two families would almost break all contact with each other, so what message would there be to deliver? Wan Caiyue¡¯s face grew redder, her head nearly touching her chest. After hesitating for a long time, she carefully handed Bai Ruozhu a sachet. Her voice was barely audible, ¡°Help me tell your big brother that I¡¯ve made up my mind about this marriage, and tell him, tell him not to overthink.¡± Bai Ruozhu almost burst into laughter. She wasn¡¯t laughing at Wan Caiyue, but she was too happy at heart. This Wan Caiyue was indeed a sentimental and righteous person, who voluntarily came to explain things at this time. Apparently, she deeply cared about her big brother. It was great to have such a person as her sister-in-law. Bai Ruozhu looked at the sachet in her hand. It was exquisitely made??, and the embroidery, although not too innovative, was very meticulous, showing that Wan Caiyue¡¯s needlework was very good. ¡°Wow, Sister Caiyue, your sewing skills are really good. Is this for me?¡± Suddenly Bai Ruozhu felt mischievous and started teasing Wan Caiyue. As expected, Wan Caiyue¡¯s face flushed up to the base of her neck, she whispered, ¡°Well, um...I¡¯ll embroider a better one for you in a few days, perhaps a begonia flower pattern would be nice?¡± Bai Ruozhu laughed revealing her eight white teeth, ¡°I got it, I¡¯ll give it to my big brother.¡± Only then did Wan Caiyue realize that she had been teased by Bai Ruozhu. Her face flushing, she glared at Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Naughty girl, all you know is teasing.¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled as she put away the sachet, ¡°Sister Caiyue, I¡¯ve got to go. I should let my brother know as soon as possible, so he doesn¡¯t lose sleep over it.¡± Wan Caiyue watched Bai Ruozhu hastily leaving. She felt that her future sister-in-law was really nice, so sincere when smiling, and she believed they would get along well in the future. Also, from behind, Bai Ruozhu doesn¡¯t look like a pregnant woman at all. But thinking about it, she must be due before she joins their family. Perhaps she should make some clothes and bellybands for her future nephew? Bai Ruozhu rushed home. She was in much better health than when she first arrived in this era, so walking quickly was no trouble. However her quick entry startled her mom in the yard. ¡°What¡¯s the hurry, girl? What happened?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er asked with concern. However, Bai Ruozhu started laughing, ¡°Mom, it¡¯s good news!¡± Chapter 33 - 33 033 Meeting Acquaintances in Town ?Chapter 33: Chapter 033 Meeting Acquaintances in Town Chapter 33: Chapter 033 Meeting Acquaintances in Town Bai Zehao hurried out from the house upon hearing his little sister call for him. He looked at Bai Ruozhu with a puzzled expression, asking, ¡°Little sister, what¡¯s so urgent?¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled twice and took out a purse, swinging it before Bai Zehao¡¯s eyes. Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t help but widen at the sight. ¡°Wow, little sister¡¯s sewing has improved. Is this for your big brother?¡± Bai Zehao evidently didn¡¯t react as quickly as his mother; he assumed Bai Ruozhu was giving him a gift. Bai Ruozhu shook her head helplessly, lowered her voice, and said, ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re so slow. You¡¯re really wasting the future big sister-in-law¡¯s hard work.¡± ¡°What?¡± Bai Zehao exclaimed loudly, his eyes wide open. He even grabbed Bai Ruozhu¡¯s arm, which was swinging back and forth. Lin Ping¡¯er gave Bai Zehao a glare and said in a low voice, ¡°Let¡¯s go inside and talk!¡± Only then did Bai Zehao realize what was happening. His sun-tanned face instantly turned red, the flush even spread up to his earlobes. Seeing him in this state, Bai Ruozhu was in a great mood and deliberately didn¡¯t rush to give him the purse immediately. She hummed a tune as she walked into the main hall. ¡°Ruozhu, quickly tell us what happened. Look how anxious your big brother is.¡±¡® Lin Ping¡¯er had laughter in her eyes, and her tone was somewhat pressing. It was clear that she was just as eager as a child to tease the boss. Because only when she was in a good mood could she be in the mood to joke, Bai Ruozhu was also in a good mood. She glanced at Bai Zehao and said, ¡°Big brother, you have to buy me sugar-coated haws. I¡¯ve been running errands for you.¡± Bai Zehao was anxious and blurted out without thinking, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll buy you ten strings next time, isn¡¯t that enough?¡± Both Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping¡¯er burst into laughter. Bai Ruozhu pulled on her mother¡¯s arm, laughing heartily, ¡°Mother, look how anxious big brother is. He even bribed me with ten sugar-coated haws. He isn¡¯t afraid I¡¯ll lose my teeth to sweetness; he really can¡¯t wait to get a wife.¡± ¡°Little sister, you...¡± Bai Zehao was both anxious and embarrassed. He could only stomp his feet in place. Bai Ruozhu thought the joke had run its course, and she then told them about her encounter with Wan Caiyue. The more Bai Zehao listened, the brighter his eyes shone, but his face turned even redder. ¡°Mother, I reckon sister Caiyue went out to find me without her family¡¯s knowledge. She really cares about and respects big brother. We can¡¯t treat her poorly in the future.¡± Bai Ruozhu, afraid that people would think it improper for a girl to speak up on such matters, tried to speak up for Wan Caiyue. Lin Ping¡¯er nodded repeatedly, ¡°I watched Caiyue grow up; she has always been a good girl. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have agreed to this match. Now, I like her even more.¡± Bai Ruozhu laughed, her future would be more lively with one more person in the family. She walked over and stuffed the purse into her big brother¡¯s hand. The sight of her big brother blushing was just too adorable, and she couldn¡¯t resist teasing him. ¡°Big brother, you must keep this safe. By the way, do you want to send any gift in return?¡± Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but giggle; her big brother was just too shy. Bai Zehao quickly said, ¡°No, no. If anyone finds out, it would ruin her reputation.¡± Bai Ruozhu thought it made sense; if they weren¡¯t careful, people might say that they were exchanging gifts behind closed doors. Even though the two were engaged, they were not yet married after all. ¡°Today¡¯s matter is only known to us; none of us can speak of it. Boss, keep it hidden so no one sees it.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er suddenly said sternly, ¡°We may think it¡¯s nothing, but one misstep could ruin Caiyue¡¯s life.¡± Bai Ruozhu nodded urgently; her mother was thoughtful as always. Bai Zehao also nodded, his face still red as he put the purse back in the house. Before long, Bai Yihong returned home. His body smelled faintly of alcohol and he had a gloomy look on his face. It was clear that he hadn¡¯t been invited by the village head for a meal and drinks, but had gone somewhere else to drown his sorrows. ¡°Father, where did you go drinking?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er frowned, asking somewhat displeasedly. Bai Yihong waved his hand, ¡°I went to Zhou Deshun¡¯s house. Didn¡¯t drink much.¡± His feet were steady; it seemed like he hadn¡¯t drunk much. ¡°Father, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Bai Ruozhu poured some tea for her father and sat down next to him, asking what was on his mind. Bai Yihong didn¡¯t intend to share initially, but considering how many times his daughter came up with good ideas that helped him gain some respect in the village, keeping her in the dark might not be the right thing to do. ¡°It¡¯s nothing really, it¡¯s just that the village head and the elders were very friendly towards me a while ago, but not so much anymore. I don¡¯t care about false reputations, but it¡¯s a bit unsettling and disheartening.¡± Bai Yihong said while tapping on his chest. Bai Ruozhu sighed. It was true to her conjecture. Bai Yihong¡¯s previous actions indeed won the village people¡¯s praise. The village chief even said he was reasonable and understanding. But now, another rumor has surfaced, claiming he had sent his daughter to become someone¡¯s mistress and had deceived the villagers. As a contrast, no matter how reasonable and understanding he was, it could not match the severity of the allegation that he had sent his daughter to be someone¡¯s mistress. ¡°They are the village chief and the elders. They believe gossip so easily, don¡¯t they have their own judgments?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er spoke indignantly. Bai Yihong shook his head, ¡°In the end, it¡¯s all my fault for being too quiet before. The village chief and the others don¡¯t know me well, how could they know my character?¡± Bai Ruozhu appreciated her father¡¯s attitude; He never complained about others and was always magnanimous. That afternoon, Bai Yihong took Bai Zehao to the back mountain to chop wood. He declared that no matter what the villagers thought of him, he would keep his word. Making desks and chairs for the school was something he must do. The next day, Bai Ruozhu went to the town, ostensibly to go to the Du Family¡¯s Pharmacy to check the sales of the toothpaste. But in reality, it was because she craved good food and wanted to eat some delicious things in town, such as the sour taste of sugar-coated haws. Bai Zehao volunteered to accompany her, and he solemnly promised, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, little sister, I promise to buy you ten sugar-coated haws.¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mouth twitched as she said, ¡°No need, two are enough. We can get the others later.¡± The two took an ox cart into the town. Bai Ruozhu once again went to have the wonton she had last time. The stall was run by an old couple who kept their food very clean and in generous quantities. The soup was rich and clear. Bai Ruozhu wished she could have a few more bowls, but her appetite was constricted due to her pregnancy, she could not eat too much at once even though she had a craving. After their wonton meal, the two went to find sugar-coated haws, but they couldn¡¯t find the seller for a long time, until Bai Zehao noticed a man in an alley, ¡°Over there, he looks like he¡¯s about to go home. Let¡¯s hurry up and catch up!¡± Because the haw seller was not walking fast, the two caught up with him effortlessly and bought two sugar-coated haws. As Bai Ruozhu was preparing to return to the same route with her big brother, she suddenly heard a familiar voice. She tugged at her brother¡¯s sleeve and quietly turned the corner into the alley. After walking for a bit and taking another small turn, she peeped around the corner. A smirk tugged at her lips; it was indeed someone she knew! Chapter 34 - 34 034 Trapped and Trapping ?Chapter 34: Chapter 034: Trapped and Trapping Chapter 34: Chapter 034: Trapped and Trapping Bai Zehao also peeked over, but he widened his eyes in surprise. If Bai Ruozhu hadn¡¯t hurriedly pulled him back, he might have yelped in shock. A man and a woman stood at the end of the alley. The woman was Liu¡¯s wife, who once quarreled with Bai Ruozhu. It was really a case of a narrow road meeting one¡¯s enemy. ¡°Cousin, you must avenge me. Look at my face, almost scratched up by that old woman from the Bai Family!¡± Liu¡¯s wife approached the man beside her, showing him her face. She was clasping his arm, appearing extraordinarily intimate. ¡°Oh dear, LaiDi, how could that beautiful face be ruined?¡± The man¡¯s voice was lecherous. He took advantage of the opportunity to kiss her face. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, cousin will seek justice for you. When the news circulates in town, we¡¯ll see if the villagers believe it or not.¡¯ LaiDi was Liu¡¯s wife¡¯s given name. Her maiden surname was Wang, making her full name Wang LaiDi. At the moment, Wang LaiDi blushed and giggled in a shy yet coquettish manner and said in a sweet voice, ¡°I knew my cousin would treat me the best. If the Bai family bullies me again, you must find some men to stir up trouble. Say they were sent by his legitimate wife to teach her a lesson.¡± Bai Zehao was infuriated and ready to confront them, but Bai Ruozhu held him back and shook her head at him. Bai Ruozhu glanced back again to see Wang LaiDi and her cousin hugging and kissing. The sight was truly nauseating. She quickly signaled Bai Zehao, and the two of them discreetly retreated. ¡°Liu¡¯s wife is shameless to the extreme. It turns out all those rumors were her doing, and I still thought the Liu Family had learned their lesson.¡± Once they were out of the alley, Bai Zehao angrily declared. Bai Ruozhu pulled her brother¡¯s sleeve and whispered, ¡°Brother, let¡¯s not publicize this issue. I have a clever plan.¡± ¡°Not publicize? Don¡¯t we tell Liu about his wife¡¯s infidelity?¡± Bai Zehao asked, then laughed at his own question, shaking his head and saying, ¡°If we go tell Liu, he¡¯ll definitely not believe us, and he might end up hating us instead.¡± Bai Ruozhu gave her brother a thumbs up, ¡°Brother, you¡¯re really quick on the uptake.¡± Bai Zehao scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, saying, ¡°Quick on what? I almost started a fight just now.¡± Bai Ruozhu laughed, ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for my pregnancy, I would have rushed in with you. We¡¯d each give them a beating, leaving them scrambling for their teeth. Let them know why flowers are so red!¡± Bai Zehao couldn¡¯t help but laugh heartily, ¡°Little sister, you¡¯re getting funnier and funnier.¡± The word ¡®funny¡¯ was something he learned from Bai Ruozhu. He thought it was fun to be with funny people. ¡°Brother, let¡¯s not tell anyone about today¡¯s incident. I have a plan to expose them.¡± Bai Ruozhu smirked with mischief, and the baby in her belly seemed to follow her mood, dancing excitedly. The sight amused Bai Ruozhu even more. Bai Zehao shrank his neck, feeling a chill down his spine. It felt like his little sister, once so demure, had really changed. Anyone who offended her would surely face repercussions. ¡°By the way, do you know anything about Wang LaiDi¡¯s cousin?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked. She seemed to have no memory of the man at all, likely because her previous self was not interested in such matters. ¡°I¡¯ve seen him a couple of times when he came to the village before. He¡¯s the son of Liu¡¯s wife¡¯s aunt, his name is Cao LeSheng, if I remember correctly. His family is pretty well-off. They run a grocery store in town,¡± Bai Zehao recalled. ¡°If Wang LaiDi was having an affair with him, why didn¡¯t she marry her cousin?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked, making a face. ¡°Who knows? Perhaps Cao LeSheng¡¯s family didn¡¯t approve of Wang LaiDi due to her family conditions. Her father-in-law also runs a business in town and is said to be quite well-off,¡± Bai Zehao shrugged, adding, ¡°I just didn¡¯t expect him to fool around. I wonder what his in-laws would do if they found out.¡± A cold light flashed in Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes. Although she didn¡¯t know this Cao LeSheng and had no direct conflict with him, he had helped Wang LaiDi harm her. So she wouldn¡¯t let either of them off easily. If they wanted to blame someone, it could only be Cao LeSheng for letting lust cloud his judgment. Afterward, they went to Du Family¡¯s Pharmacy. Du Zhongshu wasn¡¯t there, but Shopkeeper Zhou and his assistant Zhou Fu warmly welcomed them. Bai Ruozhu asked about the sales of toothpaste, and everything was as she expected. ¡°Zhou Fu, you must be well acquainted with everyone in town, right?¡± Bai Ruozhu turned to Zhou Fu, who was waiting on the side, and asked. Zhou Fu quickly nodded, ¡°In response to Madam Bai, I grew up in Anyuan Town. I am aware of everything big and small happening here.¡± Bai Ruozhu looked pleased, ¡°I have a plan, called word-of-mouth marketing, and I need your help.¡± Both the shopkeeper and Zhou Fu looked amazed. What did ¡®word-of-mouth¡¯ and ¡®marketing¡¯ mean? They had never heard of such concepts. Bai Ruozhu knew they would be confused and continued explained with a smile, ¡°For example, if I eat wontons at a stall and then tell my friends how good they are, they¡¯ll become curious and want to try them too. Little by little, the reputation spreads, and the stall¡¯s business naturally improves.¡± ¡°You mean if our loyal customers use the toothpaste and then recommend it to their friends?¡± The shopkeeper was a bit unclear. Hadn¡¯t Mrs. Bai already mentioned that? Why bring it up again? ¡°This time, the approach is a little different.¡± Bai Ruozhu smirked, ¡°Zhou Fu, find a few women in town who are good at gossiping, who love wandering around chatting with people, especially those who love to gossip about people¡¯s private affairs. We can tell them that they¡¯ve won a lucky draw and we¡¯re giving them a free tube of toothpaste.¡± Zhou Fu looked confused, ¡°Why would we give it to them?¡± Recently influenced by Bai Ruozhu, Bai Zehao had learned to think more critically. ¡°You want them to use it and find it good, then spontaneously to promote it. Since they love to gossip, they surely won¡¯t be able to resist the urge to spread the word.¡± Bai Ruozhu nodded in satisfaction, ¡°And after receiving a free tube of toothpaste, they¡¯d surely show it off to others.¡± ¡°But would others believe what they say? Would it really work?¡± Zhou Fu was still sceptical. ¡°When their teeth show improvement, others will naturally see the results.¡± Bai Ruozhu said with a smile. The shopkeeper finally understood. Slapping his thigh in revelation, he exclaimed excitedly, ¡°Madam Bai, what a brilliant idea! Let¡¯s implement it right away.¡± ¡°Send a tube to the grocery store run by the Cao Family on the west side of the city. Remember, don¡¯t let anyone know about our cooperation, and don¡¯t even mention knowing me.¡± Bai Ruozhu became serious. Shopkeeper Zhou and Zhou Fu, who rarely saw her such serious, dared not to take this lightly and quickly assured her they wouldn¡¯t leak a word. Bai Ruozhu and her brother then bought a few things and took an ox cart back to their village. ¡°Little sister, is this ¡®marketing¡¯ idea part of your plan to expose those two?¡± After pondering the whole journey, Bai Zehao finally couldn¡¯t resist asking. Bai Ruozhu winked at him and said, ¡°You guess!¡± Chapter 35 - 35 035 The Wan Family Changes Their Mind ?Chapter 35: Chapter 035: The Wan Family Changes Their Mind Chapter 35: Chapter 035: The Wan Family Changes Their Mind The Wan family was a large clan in Mountain Village, as they were approaching five generations living under one roof. However, the person who still held the decision-making power in the Wan family was Wan Qilao, a man of considerable reputation in the village. Wan Qilao¡¯s mother was still alive, and he was now a grandfather to many grandchildren. His oldest grand-daughter-in-law was heavily pregnant, and with the birth of his great-grandson, the Wan family would truly have five generations living under one roof. However, today Wan Qilao was rubbing his temples. With so many people in the family, it came with its own troubles, and it may be better to split the family into separate households. The ones arguing were the parents of Wan Caiyue. Her father was the third and youngest son in the Wan family, and her mother was straightforward in nature. Over the years, her parents had always had a good relationship, but today they were arguing over her marriage. Wan Caiyue knelt on the ground, her knees aching from the uneven ground, but she gritted her teeth and refused to show any signs of backing down. ¡°Father, Mother, I apologize for causing a ruckus. No matter what our status is, we can¡¯t go back on our word.¡± Wan Caiyue said humbly and firmly, even though she was kneeling, her back was perfectly straight. Wan Caiyue¡¯s mother, Madam Wan Su, suddenly had tears in her eyes. ¡°Who do you think I am doing all these for? You are even talking like this now. I¡¯m not the type of person who would ruin my daughter¡¯s life for the sake of reputation!¡± The latter part of her sentence was meant for Wan Caiyue¡¯s father, Wan Pei, who turned red as he retorted, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®for the sake of reputation¡¯? Wasn¡¯t it you who set your sights on the Bai family¡¯s second son in the first place?¡± ¡°Who knew things would turn out like this now?¡± Madam Wan Su raised her voice, ¡°Even if those are rumours, even if there¡¯s the slightest chance it¡¯s true, I can¡¯t let my daughter jump into the fire!¡± Wan Qilao rubbed his temples, walked to the entrance of the third room, and fiercely tapped the ground with his cane. Annoyed, he said, ¡°Have you two stopped yelling yet? Sure enough, you hope all the neighbours will hear?¡± Madam Wan Su¡¯s face turned red, but she was not the unreasonable woman as others in the village. If it weren¡¯t for her daughter¡¯s happiness, she wouldn¡¯t have changed her mind so readily. Wan Caiyue looked at her mother, and guilt welled up within her. Her mother would never have had to face this kind of dilemma if it wasn¡¯t for her. But she didn¡¯t hesitate for too long before biting her teeth and speaking, ¡°Grandpa, Father, Mother, may I dare to say a few words?¡± ¡°The marriage is your own affair, feel free to speak.¡± Wan Qilao said as he went back to his room and sat in a chair, listening patiently. ¡°I don¡¯t want to cancel this marriage engagement.¡± Wan Caiyue said decisively, noting her mother¡¯s intent to object, she hastily continued, ¡°Firstly, everyone has seen the contribution made by Bai Yihong, my fiance, in setting up a school in the village, even the village chief has affirmed that he is a reasonable man. How could such a person allow his daughter to become someone¡¯s concubine just for a little gain?¡± Wan Qilao nodded in agreement. He had always thought highly of Bai Yihong, who was modest and quiet. In the past, his good qualities had gone unnoticed due to his reticence. ¡°Secondly, I have interacted with Bai Ruozhu. She is knowledgeable, clear-minded, and proud. How could she willingly become someone¡¯s concubine? Thirdly, the Bai family is known for its scholarly tradition. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s second brother has already passed the imperial examinations, and might soon become a scholar. If she were to become a concubine, wouldn¡¯t it adversely impact her brother¡¯s future? Bai Yihong and his wife surely wouldn¡¯t agree to this.¡± Wan Qilao showed a satisfied expression, ¡°Look, none of you understand the situation better than this girl.¡± On hearing this, Wan Caiyue quickly added, ¡°My parents are just overly concerned about me, which led to their hesitation. Isn¡¯t there a saying, ¡®Overthinking leads to chaos?¡¯.¡± Upon hearing Wan Caiyue¡¯s words, Wan Pei and Madam Wan Su felt somewhat relieved. ¡°However, I haven¡¯t yet met Madam Bai twice. She must have held a grudge against me. What if she makes things difficult for Caiyue after she gets married?¡± Madam Wan Su worried again, although it seemed a bit petty, she just couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for her daughter. Wan Caiyue also hesitated, she had also been worried about this, so for a moment, she couldn¡¯t find words to refute her mother¡¯s concerns. ¡°Then quickly mend the relationship. You go and probe a little, if the Bai family has no other intentions, the two families should not allow a misunderstanding to ruin their relationship. That young man, Bai Zehao, is quite good.¡± The final words of Wan Qilao were like the hammer of the bell, and Madam Wan Su could no longer argue. However, she was still worried about her daughter¡¯s future and couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy. After Wan Qilao left the room, Wan Pei gestured to Wan Caiyue, indicating that she should go and coax her mother. Wan Caiyue hastily got up from the ground, limping into the inner room to share intimate words with her mother. That afternoon, Madam Wan Su took the initiative to visit the Bai family. Although Lin Ping¡¯er had learned about Wan Caiyue¡¯s attitude, she didn¡¯t expect Madam Wan Su to visit so soon. After her surprise, a look of joy appeared on her face. Seeing this, Madam Wan Su felt a little relieved. It seemed that Madam Bai didn¡¯t hold any grudges against her family. As soon as Madam Wan Su entered the door, she saw Bai Ruozhu sunbathing in the yard. Bai Ruozhu quickly got up to greet her, ¡°Third Aunt Wan is here. Mother, please bring our guest into the room. I¡¯ll go get some tea.¡± Madam Wan Su saw that Bai Ruozhu was very enthusiastic and was even walking towards the kitchen while she was heavily pregnant. She suddenly felt a pang of guilt, as she had previously doubted this child. ¡°Ruozhu, don¡¯t busy yourself. Be careful with your body.¡± Madam Wan Su hurriedly said. Although Bai Ruozhu knew that Madam Wan Su had opposed her brother¡¯s wedding with Wan Caiyue because of the rumors, she couldn¡¯t force herself to despise Madam Wan Su. She felt more understanding towards a mother who was concerned about her daughter¡¯s happiness. Besides, didn¡¯t she acknowledge her mistake now? ¡°No problem, I need to be active now, I can¡¯t be pampered.¡± Bai Ruozhu gave Madam Wan Su a sincere smile, then turned and walked into the kitchen. Madam Wan Su was taken aback. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s smile was very sincere and exceptionally bright, exposing her eight white teeth. It was like the most audacious flower blooming in summer, instantly dazzling Madam Wan Su. It reminded her of her daughter¡¯s words when she was kneeling on the ground. ¡°Secondly, I have interacted with Bai Ruozhu. She is knowledgeable, clear-minded, and proud. How could she willingly become someone¡¯s concubine?¡± Indeed, her eyes were so bright, how could she possibly become someone¡¯s concubine? Even Madam Wan Su couldn¡¯t help but agree with her daughter¡¯s statement. Lin Ping¡¯er was good at reading people¡¯s expressions. Seeing the admiration in Madam Wan Su¡¯s eyes, she became even more certain that her eldest son¡¯s marriage would be successful. She quickly pulled Madam Wan Su into the room to sit down, smiling and saying, ¡°The family head and eldest son have both gone to the fields, so we can have a good chat.¡± Looking at the sun, Madam Wan Su thought that Bai Zehao was indeed renowned in the village for his industriousness. Some people would have preferred to laze around at home. ¡°My elder sister, I came today to apologize to you.¡± Madam Wan Su began with a smile, ¡°I had some family matters to deal with a few days ago which made you take two trips for nothing. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± Just as Bai Ruozhu brought in the tea, she heard this and immediately signaled to her mother with her eyes. Chapter 36 - 36 036 People Feel Refreshed at Delightful Events ?Chapter 36: Chapter 036 People Feel Refreshed at Delightful Events Chapter 36: Chapter 036 People Feel Refreshed at Delightful Events Bai Ruozhu had discussed it with her mother in the morning, and both of them believed that since Wan Caiyue had taken the initiative to express her intentions, she would definitely be able to persuade her parents to change their minds. However, there had been a minor hiccup between the two families, which might have caused some friction. Therefore, if they really wanted to establish this relationship, they would have to handle it carefully to avoid turning a potential in-law into an enemy. ¡°Mother, you don¡¯t hold any grudges, do you?¡± Bai Ruozhu had asked her mother that in the morning. Lin Ping¡¯er sighed, ¡°To say that I don¡¯t hold a grudge would be a lie, but since Caiyue could go this far, I don¡¯t have any resentments anymore. If she could marry into our family, I would treat her as my own daughter. Just don¡¯t feel jealous later.¡± Towards the end, Lin Ping¡¯er even started to joke. Bai Ruozhu laughed. Her mother was a reasonable person, and she would also make a good mother-in-law. As long as her mother was reasonable, matters could be settled easily. Recalling her daughter¡¯s morning request, Lin Ping¡¯er smiled at Mrs. Wan, ¡°Everyone has emergencies at home, it¡¯s good that you have returned. I was actually planning to discuss the betrothal gifts with you tomorrow. Shall we negotiate it today instead?¡± When Mrs. Wan saw that Lin Ping¡¯er didn¡¯t hold anything against her and directly mentioned the betrothal gifts, she felt reassured that the Bai family had no other intentions regarding the marital alliance. She secretly let out a sigh of relief and felt even more apologetic towards the Bai family. At that moment, Bai Ruozhu brought a tray forward, handed two cups of tea to the ladies, and placed a small saucer of apricot preserves on the table. ¡°Auntie Wan, this is the floral tea I made during my spare time. Give it a try, let me know if it suits your taste.¡± Bai Ruozhu pointed at the apricot preserves on the table and said: ¡°This is the apricot preserve my friends and I made. The green one is from green apricots, it¡¯s quite sour, and the yellow one is made from ripe apricots, more on the sweet side. Let me know if it tastes good. I¡¯ll also give some to Sister Caiyue to try later.¡± Mrs. Wan hastily took a sip of the tea. It was chrysanthemum tea, which was refreshing and good for dispelling heat in the summer. The tea tasted slightly sweet, and much more quenching than plain water. Mrs. Wan felt that her parched throat, which felt as if it was about to smoke, had been soothed a bit. ¡°This is excellent tea. Ruozhu is clever, Caiyue needs to learn more from you.¡± Mrs. Wan said politely, before curiously tasting the apricot preserves. This wasn¡¯t something new to her, she had seen it displayed in the Dry Goods Store before, but common households didn¡¯t purchase such items. This was her first time tasting it, and she found the taste to be quite good. It shouldn¡¯t be much worse than those from the Dry Goods Store. Mrs. Wan looked at Bai Ruozhu again. How could such a clever and skilled girl consent to be someone¡¯s concubine? She must have been out of her mind to have believed such nonsense gossip! She lamented the truth of the saying: worry creates confusion. Moreover, she had once worried about Bai family¡¯s circumstances. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s husband, Chang Sheng, had married into the Bai family. While an additional laborer in the Bai family was beneficial, his whereabouts, as per the Bai family¡¯s account, were unknown, and it appeared that the Bai family intended to take care of Bai Ruozhu for life. If her daughter married into the Bai family, she would be Bai Ruozhu¡¯s elder sister-in-law and responsibilities would fall on her daughter. Also, the child in Bai Ruozhu¡¯s belly would be an extra mouth to feed. She was genuinely worried that her daughter might suffer in the future. However, at that moment, she suddenly felt she was being overly worried. The young ladies of the Bai family were so intelligent that they could probably support themselves. Even these apricot preserves made by Bai Ruozhu could likely fetch a high price. It wouldn¡¯t be an issue supporting her and her mother. With such thoughts, Mrs. Wan became even more reassured. Her fondness for Bai Ruozhu increased. She held Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hand, asked her many questions, and gave her lots of motherly advice about the impending birth. Bai Ruozhu was a medical student, so there wasn¡¯t much she didn¡¯t know. However, these were the woman¡¯s well-wishes, so Bai Ruozhu naturally smiled and nodded, noting all of them down. Understanding such customs wasn¡¯t a bad thing. Later, Bai Ruozhu excused herself and left her mother and Mrs. Wan alone. They needed to discuss the betrothal gifts, and Bai Ruozhu, being the subject of the matter, didn¡¯t belong there. When Mrs. Wan was leaving, Bai Ruozhu handed her a packet of apricot preserves with a smile, ¡°Auntie, let Sister Caiyue try these and give me her feedback to see if there¡¯s any need for improvement.¡± Mrs. Wan didn¡¯t refuse, but smiled and said, ¡°Your taste can even compare to the Dry Goods Store. What¡¯s there to improve? We¡¯re lucky to be able to taste such delicious food.¡± ¡°These are just treats and can¡¯t be made into meals. Don¡¯t tease me, Auntie,¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly replied politely. Mrs. Wan left in high spirits, seen by many villagers. Soon, the rumors about the marriage alliance between the Wan and Bai families falling apart naturally fell apart. In the following days, Lin Ping¡¯er kept a beaming face, as she got extremely busy preparing for the marriage of her elder son, which was a significant event for the Bai family. Bai Zehao continued to work in the fields and carpenter work with his father during his free time. His woodworking skills were not as good as Bai Yihong, but he was willing to put in the effort and learn, which helped Bai Yihong a lot. However, Bai Ruozhu noticed her elder brother was different from before. His eyes sparkled, and he had a healthy complexion which confirmed the saying: Happy events invigorate the spirit. Bai Ruozhu and Guizhi then started working on the apricot preserves. Their success delighted Guizhi to the point where Bai Ruozhu had to repeatedly remind her to conceal her excitement, otherwise, her mother might notice. The two saved a small amount for personal use, especially Bai Ruozhu, who kept some to improve her appetite. The rest was planned to be sold in the town. Thus, they decided on a day to go to the town together. ¡°Make sure you don¡¯t let your mother find out. We will split the silver from selling these evenly. Use your share as private money, and it will be part of your dowry in the future.¡± Bai Ruozhu felt sympathy for Guizhi and wanted to help her accumulate a dowry, hoping this would give Guizhi some discretion over her own marriage. ¡°How can we split it evenly? The idea and the ingredients used for the apricot preserves were all yours. If we split evenly, I would be taking advantage. That¡¯s unacceptable!¡± Guizhi immediately waved her hand in disagreement. She was an honest girl and didn¡¯t want to take advantage of a friend. ¡°But you also worked hard. Without you, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to do anything considering my condition. If you¡¯re polite with me again, I won¡¯t consider you a friend anymore.¡± Bai Ruozhu pretended to be angry. Upon hearing this, Guizhi panicked and hurriedly grabbed Bai Ruozhu¡¯s arm, ¡°Ruozhu, don¡¯t let your anger affect your baby. I¡¯ll listen to you.¡± Bai Ruozhu laughed, and only then did Guizhi realize, ¡°Oh, you were scaring me!¡± She also began to laugh, and their laughter echoed within the Bai family¡¯s yard, reflecting a sense of carefree joy. However, on the day they had agreed to go to the town, Guizhi came over with a sad face and said, ¡°Ruozhu, I can¡¯t go. My mother threatened to break my leg if I¡¯m not home today.¡± Bai Ruozhu took a closer look and saw that one side of Guizhi¡¯s face was slightly swollen, with the faint imprint of a hand. Chapter 37 - 37 037 The Plan, Involving the Matchmaker ?Chapter 37: Chapter 037: The Plan, Involving the Matchmaker Chapter 37: Chapter 037: The Plan, Involving the Matchmaker ¡°Guizhi, what happened to you?¡± Bai Ruozhu took Fang Guizhi¡¯s hand and asked. Fang Guizhi¡¯s eyes were red, and her nose was red too. She looked like a pitiful little bunny. She sniffed and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t mention that we were going to town to sell apricot preserves. My mother just thought I was going out to play. She wouldn¡¯t let me go no matter what, she wanted me to stay at home and work.¡± ¡°But why did she hit you?¡± Bai Ruozhu was slightly angered. How could such a big girl still be beaten at will? Besides, she was slapped in the face. Which mother would be so cruel? ¡°I argued with my mother a bit. I said we had made an agreement and I couldn¡¯t break my promise. My mother thought I was disobedient, so...¡± Fang Guizhi didn¡¯t want to explain further. She sniffled again, and her voice started to choke a little, ¡°Ruozhu, I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t go with you. Be careful when you go to town, don¡¯t exhaust yourself.¡± Bai Ruozhu knew she couldn¡¯t interfere in Fang Guizhi¡¯s family matters, no matter how angry she was. All she could do was pat Fang Guizhi on the hand, trying to console her: ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve been there quite a few times, I am familiar with it. When I sell the apricot preserves and earn some silver, I¡¯ll share it with you.¡± Fang Guizhi knew she hadn¡¯t contributed to the effort, and felt somewhat embarrassed, but she also knew that Bai Ruozhu wouldn¡¯t let her refuse. Thus, she nodded her red-face, bid farewell to Bai Ruozhu, and ran hurriedly back home. Actually, Bai Ruozhu had a plan for the day, which was why she had insisted on convincing her family to let her go to the town by herself the night before. Initially her sister Lin Ping¡¯er strongly disagreed, but Bai Ruozhu managed to persuade her by saying she was familiar with the route, and it wasn¡¯t tiring to travel back and forth, plus, she would have Fang Guizhi for company, so it would be safe. Lin Ping¡¯er hesitated at first, but she was busy discussing plans for her children¡¯s wedding with Wang Sulai. Furthermore, her oldest son was helping his father build tables and chairs for the school, so he wouldn¡¯t be able to accompany Bai Ruozhu. Despite Fang Guizhi¡¯s absence, Bai Ruozhu decided not to change her plan. She packed a large bundle of apricot preserves in oil paper, and prepared another small bag to carry on her arm. Then she headed towards the riverside. Just as expected, Old Madame Wang was washing clothes by the riverside, a place she often frequented at this hour. Old Madame Wang was a very nosy person and enjoyed gossiping about others¡¯ private affairs. The moment she saw Bai Ruozhu, her dim eyes lit up. She greeted Bai Ruozhu with a smile, ¡°Bai family¡¯s girl, where are you off to?¡± Bai Ruozhu politely returned her salute, ¡°Old Madame Wang, you¡¯re washing clothes so early, you¡¯re really hardworking.¡± Old Madame Wang pretended to wipe the non-existent sweat from her forehead and said proudly, ¡°I just can¡¯t sit still. What are you planning to do with that bag?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve made some snacks myself and plan to sell them in the town for some silver coin.¡± Bai Ruozhu replied cheerfully. A look of surprise appeared on Madame Wang¡¯s face, ¡°You, with your growing belly, are still so diligent? Did your parents ask you to do this?¡± As she asked this, her eyes were darting around, obviously trying to get more information from Bai Ruozhu. ¡°My parents don¡¯t allow me to do these things, they¡¯re afraid it would tire me out. That¡¯s why I have to sneak to the town to sell things.¡± Bai Ruozhu pretended to look worried, ¡°I don¡¯t know anything, I¡¯m afraid I might get cheated.¡± Old Madame Wang¡¯s eyes sparkled, ¡°I happen to have free time, how about I accompany you? To guide you?¡± ¡°How could I? It would inconvenience you.¡± Bai Ruozhu appeared to be moved, but immediately shook her head to decline. Seeing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s reaction, Old Madame Wang became even more excited, ¡°No worries, just slowly walk towards the entrance of the village first. I will finish up here and join you soon. It¡¯s not a bother, I was planning to go to the town one of these days.¡± Fearing that Bai Ruozhu might leave, Old Madame Wang quickly picked up her wooden basin and hurried home after finishing her sentence. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s lips curved up slightly, and then she proceeded to walk leisurely towards the entrance of the village. Before she even reached the entrance of the village, she heard Old Madame Wang¡¯s voice coming from behind. Turning around, she noticed Old Madame Wang panting and rushing over. Sweat was dripping off her forehead showing how eager she had been. Bai Ruozhu finally managed to stifle her laughter and spoke to Granny Wang, ¡°You got here so fast, Auntie Wang. I¡¯m going to need your help today.¡± ¡°No trouble at all, no trouble at all, just don¡¯t forget about me if you gain anything.¡± Granny Wang replied with a greedy glint in her eyes. Bai Ruozhu chuckled inwardly, knowing well that Granny Wang loved taking advantage of others. ¡°I won¡¯t forget about you, Auntie.¡±, Bai Ruozhu replied respectfully. As they reached the entrance of the village, they saw a donkey cart leaving. Among the several people on the cart heading to town was Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law. Combining the previous accidental incident with Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law and the memories of her previous life, Bai Ruozhu found that Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law went to town on a fixed schedule. So she speculated that the woman would go to the town today, and she was indeed correct. ¡°Hey, was that Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law on the cart just now?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked Granny Wang intentionally. ¡°Yes, she has some relatives in town. She visits every few days to chat with her aunt who is quite wealthy and often gives her some nice gifts.¡± Granny Wang said, her eyes lighting up and revealing an envious expression. Bai Ruozhu however, looked troubled. ¡°Maybe I should not go today? I¡¯m still healing from the beating Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law gave me last time.¡± She said as she brushed back her hair, pointing to the healing wound on her head. Granny Wang looked over, the scab on Bai Ruozhu¡¯s head had fallen off, but a scar remained. It was uncertain if it would ever disappear completely, making Granny Wang frown. The incident of Bai Ruozhu being assaulted by Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law had caused a lot of commotion at the time. The Liu family had to pay the Bai family a large sum in silver as compensation. The villagers knew all about it since Bai Ruozhu¡¯s father donated the silver to the village school, leading many villagers to contribute as well. ¡°No worries, we may not run into her. Plus, you¡¯ve got me to protect you.¡±, Granny Wang said, puffing out her chest and patting it to emphasize her point, as if that somehow demonstrated her strength. ¡°What you said makes sense, Auntie Wang. I¡¯ll come with you today.¡±, Bai Ruozhu replied. Soon, they found an ox cart. The two of them climbed up onto the cart and started their journey to the town. The ox cart was slower than the donkey cart, so Bai Ruozhu and Granny Wang were easily left behind by Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law. Yet, Bai Ruozhu wasn¡¯t worried, instead, she leaned lazily against the sacks on the cart. The rising sun warmed her, making her feel sleepy. Fortunately, Granny Wang kept up a constant chatter, preventing Bai Ruozhu from falling asleep. As the ox cart entered the town, the sound of horse¡¯s hooves met their ears. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t resist looking over. The people of the town were mostly farmers, hardly anyone rode horses. That¡¯s why when Du Zhongshu¡¯s horse carriage passed through Back Mountain Village, it caught everyone¡¯s attention. Bai Ruozhu had encountered horse carriages after her transmigration, but she hadn¡¯t seen anyone riding a tall horse before. Her curiosity piqued, Bai Ruozhu looked over, only to be left awestruck by what she saw. She was not particularly eloquent, but nor was she lacking in vocabulary. Yet, she couldn¡¯t find the right words to describe the man¡¯s appearance. ¡ª¡ª¡ª- I would like to apologize to everyone here. Mouka fell ill yesterday with acute gastroenteritis. The continuous retching and diarrhea kept me up late, so I didn¡¯t get a chance to update. I¡¯m feeling bad and hope this won¡¯t happen again. Looking for comfort here~ Chapter 38 - 38 038 The Coldly Arrogant Painted Immortal ?Chapter 38: Chapter 038: The Coldly Arrogant Painted Immortal Chapter 38: Chapter 038: The Coldly Arrogant Painted Immortal The man sat astride a tall horse, which appeared to be of remarkable breed. Although Bai Ruozhu was unable to properly judge the quality of a horse, she compared it with the one pulling the Du Family¡¯s carriage. Clearly, the rider¡¯s black horse was more imposing and larger. Held neat and tidy atop his head, his hair was not fastened with a jade-inlaid tie like Du Zhongshu¡¯s, but restrained simply by a plain hair tie, giving him a particularly clean-cut appearance. The blue clothing he wore resembled that of a warrior, lacking the straight-cut aesthetic of a scholar or the light, casual attire of a manor¡¯s household. Both his sleeves and pant legs were bound for ease of movement, but the fabric seemed to be of considerable value. Being a modern person, Bai Ruozhu was no expert in the ancient attire but she believed this man made his seemingly ordinary outfit look remarkably well. His cold facial expression, however, added a sharp edge to him. For some reason, Bai Ruozhu was reminded of a monochromatic ink painting she saw in her previous life. The immortal in the painting was outlined in just a few strokes, but the representation was profound. It made viewers envision their version of the painted immortal. She didn¡¯t know why, but this man reminded her of the immortal in the painting. If he donned white clothes, he would appear even more like an exiled immortal. Everyone appreciates beauty. This man held an icy demeanor that resembled the immortals in paintings which made Bai Ruozhu unable to help but sneak a few more gazes at him, as one might do to a celebrity in her previous life, only this time it was an ancient version of a celebrity. However, she overlooked one point. In the ancient times, even though Danliang was open-minded, it was not acceptable for a woman to stare indiscreetly at men. Therefore, Bai Ruozhu was taken aback when she noticed the man¡¯s gaze sweep toward her, flashing an understanding smirk. When he rode by her, she even heard him sneer. The sound was soft, but it expressed the man¡¯s dissatisfaction and disdain. The old woman was still prattling on about villagers¡¯ gossip, totally oblivious to the man¡¯s abnormal behavior. Bai Ruozhu, however, felt a chill creep across her face. All she did was steal a few glances. Just like how beautiful flowers were meant to be admired, did he really need to look at her with such contempt? His arrogant manner truly infuriated Bai Ruozhu. She clenched her teeth and averted her gaze, who knew if it would result in an infection of the eye. The ox cart went into the town and let them off. The genial old woman clasped Bai Ruozhu¡¯s arm tightly, causing Bai to feel somewhat uncomfortable. She tried to subtly shake off the old woman¡¯s arm and said as if to herself: ¡°I feel so heavy and hot with this pregnancy. Goodness, I¡¯m all sweaty again.¡± Fortunately, the old woman took note of this and did not try to link arms with her again. On their way to the market, before they even reached the entrance, they saw a few people chatting with an old woman who was earnestly pointing to her teeth. Wanting to show them more clearly, she exposed her gums. Curious about what was going on, the old woman glanced over: ¡°Ah, what¡¯s happening over there? Shall we take a look?¡± Bai Ruozhu feigned reluctance, making the old woman even more interested and she pulled her toward the commotion. When they got closer, they heard the words of the old woman. ¡°I can¡¯t fool you guys. They said they¡¯ve chosen me, specifically for my good fortune, to try the toothpaste. Am I not fortunate? Can¡¯t you see if my teeth are whiter?¡± The old lady¡¯s voice carried far, she could be heard even before they got close. ¡°Oh, does the Du Family¡¯s pharmacy give away stuff too? Could they give me something?¡± A fellow onlooker asked with envy. The woman who was speaking wore a proud expression: ¡°I reckon they can¡¯t always give things out for free. This is a matter of luck. Why don¡¯t you go and ask them yourselves?¡± Bai Ruozhu muttered beside her, ¡°The thing she¡¯s talking about must be quite good, it can be considered a valuable gift if we give it to others.¡± The old woman¡¯s eyes lit up, ¡°Doesn¡¯t everyone want it? If we take it and sell it, it would be quite a sum of money.¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly nodded her head, ¡°Old Madam Wang, you are indeed wise.¡± Old Madam Wang felt flattered, she hurriedly said: ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go to the Du Family¡¯s pharmacy. We¡¯ll ask someone for direction on the way.¡± The majority of villagers were healthy and even when they were slightly sick, their families had traditional medical formulas or, if the illness was more severe, they would consult with Dr. Li in the village who always had medicinal materials on hand. Hence, few villagers went to town specifically for medication. Moreover, there were other pharmacies in town as well, not just the Du Family¡¯s, which was why Du Zhongshu was faced with the challenge of his pharmacy¡¯s low turnover. Furthermore, as the Du Pharmacy was located in a rather secluded area, Old Madam Wang was unsure of how to get there. This was just in line with Bai Ruozhu¡¯s intentions. She smiled and said: ¡°Old Madam Wang, I have visited the Du Family¡¯s pharmacy once before. I should remember the way there, so I can take you.¡± ¡°Wonderful, let¡¯s hurry then. If we get there too late, we may miss out on the toothpaste.¡± Old Madam Wang¡¯s face lit up with excitement. She pulled Bai Ruozhu toward the shop, her steps remarkable light. Fortunately, Bai Ruozhu had been walking a lot recently to improve her stamina, otherwise she might not have been able to keep up with Old Madam Wang. Bai Ruozhu led Old Madam Wang around a small path, quickly reaching the vicinity of the alley she visited last time. The area was somewhat secluded, but truly not far from Du Pharmacy. Bai Ruozhu guessed that Mrs Liu and her cousin often secretly met there. After all, it wasn¡¯t as convenient in ancient times. The town wasn¡¯t that big, so if the couple tried to rent a room in a restaurant or inn, word would get out quickly. ¡°Hm, it seems we need to head this way. Strange, my memory is failing me as my belly grows bigger.¡± Bai Ruozhu spoke with a hint of regret. Old Madam Wang didn¡¯t blame her, saying, ¡°It¡¯s the baby taking up all your wit. I¡¯m sure he will be an intelligent child!¡± Bai Ruozhu just smiled without a word because she could already faintly hear voices from the depths of the alley. Speaking any more might alert the two people hiding there and blow their cover. Old Madam Wang quickly caught on too. Experienced from eavesdropping, she quickly lowered her voice and mouthed to Bai Ruozhu: ¡°Do not make a sound; I¡¯m going to take a look.¡± Without waiting for Bai Ruozhu¡¯s response, she tiptoed over and poked her head around the corner. Bai Ruozhu also walked towards it carefully and heard Cao LeSheng in the alleyway wheedling Mrs Liu: ¡°Cousin, do you think my toothpaste is good? See, my teeth are whiter and my breath is fresher. Why don¡¯t you give it a try?¡± Mrs Liu portrayed a coy demeanor but ultimately gave him a quick peck. She wrapped her arms around his neck, playfully cooing, ¡°Dear cousin, please give me some of that wonderful item and make your breath nicer for our next kiss?¡± Cao LeSheng groped Mrs Liu¡¯s behind with a lecherous grin on his face. ¡°I knew you¡¯d say that. Even though I got this item by luck, it still costs money to buy. So, if you want it, it really depends on your performance today.¡± Chapter 39 - 39 039 The Old Woman Wang is Too Amazing ?Chapter 39: Chapter 039: The Old Woman Wang is Too Amazing Chapter 39: Chapter 039: The Old Woman Wang is Too Amazing Bai Ruozhu originally thought that in broad daylight, the two of them would have some restraint if they were having a secret meetup. However, she quickly heard the rustling sounds of clothes being removed as well as heavy panting from both parties, and even the whimpering of Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law. Bai Ruozhu was standing behind Granny Wang, not intending to peek at the scene, but she blushed involuntarily. Even though she was pregnant now, she had never even kissed someone spiritually. Due to family circumstances in her previous life, she was preoccupied with her studies and had no time for romance. She went on to study abroad, where she didn¡¯t have much time, either, and had difficulty accepting foreign boyfriends. So, she delayed romance until she returned home, only to be unexpectedly transported to another time period before she had a chance to experience a passionate love affair. With her face reddening, she tried to leave cautiously fearing that she might make a noise. She gently tugged at Granny Wang¡¯s sleeve, only for Granny Wang to gently push her away, signalling not to disturb her ¡°appreciation of the scene¡±. Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes helplessly at Granny Wang. This elderly woman must be used to eavesdropping; her face remained unchanged and she was totally calm. In the end, Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t stand the unbearable sounds from the room and backed out. After a while, Granny Wang came out, seemingly excited, and said to Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Let¡¯s go quickly before they come out and bump into us.¡± Bai Ruozhu, blushing, nodded, and the two quickly left the alley. ¡°Mrs. Wang, I didn¡¯t see anything just now. You can pretend you don¡¯t know, right?¡± Bai Ruozhu said quietly. Granny Wang saw Bai Ruozhu¡¯s overwhelmed expression and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°You¡¯re already married, no need to feel embarrassed. And why are you afraid of Liu¡¯s third wife? If she¡¯s caught doing such a disgraceful thing, the Liu family will surely divorce her!¡± ¡°It¡¯s none of my business what they do. It¡¯s their family matter.¡± Bai Ruozhu expressed her reluctance to meddle in other¡¯s affairs. Seeing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s reluctance, Granny Wang didn¡¯t say anything more. After not walking for long, they saw the sign of the Du Family¡¯s pharmacy. ¡°I remember it was around here.¡± Bai Ruozhu muttered quietly. Granny Wang¡¯s eyes lit up, disregarding Bai Ruozhu, she ran towards the pharmacy. ¡°Shopkeeper, aren¡¯t you giving away free toothpaste? Could you give a share to my wife?¡± Granny Wang shouted eagerly at shopkeeper Zhou. Shopkeeper Zhou frowned slightly and said, ¡°Respectable Madam, I¡¯m terribly sorry, but our store operates on a small scale and we have a limited quantity of complimentary items. We have already given them all away.¡± Upon hearing this, Granny Wang was upset and said, ¡°I¡¯m not a local, I¡¯m from the nearby Back Mountain Village. My word carries weight in our village. If I use it and spread the word in the village, everyone will come to buy.¡± However, Shopkeeper Zhou thought: if I give one to you, everyone from your village will come to take it for free! ¡°That¡¯s absolutely impossible. Please understand the difficulties of our business.¡± Shopkeeper Zhou said sincerely. Since Bai Ruozhu¡¯s word-of-mouth marketing plan was implemented, the effect was very impressive. Many people asked about the toothpaste and most chose to buy a box to try it out. While there were times when people with thick faces asked for freebies, Shopkeeper Zhou dealt with these situations well, having become accustomed to them. ¡°Then how come you gave it to that Cao kid? Do you look down on my wife? Do you think her teeth don¡¯t qualify to use your stuff?¡± Granny Wang, recalling Cao LeSheng¡¯s secret affair with Liu¡¯s third daughter-in-law, became indignant. Why was he able to get it for free, but she couldn¡¯t? We did give it to Mrs. Cao. As for who she gave it to afterwards, we couldn¡¯t control that,¡± said Shopkeeper Zhou. He didn¡¯t know why Bai Ruozhu specifically instructed him to give it to Mrs. Cao, but he thought Bai Ruozhu must have her reasons. After contacting Bai Ruozhu and seeing her business strategies, he genuinely admired her. After grumbling a few more words, Granny Wang was finally ushered out. As she walked out, she started cursing. Bai Ruozhu quickly pulled her away then signaled to Zhou Fu, who was standing there dumbfounded. Zhou Fu understood. Bai Ruozhu had ordered him to act as if he didn¡¯t know her when other people were present. He hurriedly retreated to the pharmacy, daring not to look at Bai Ruozhu again. ¡°Mrs. Wang, don¡¯t be angry. People running businesses can¡¯t always make everyone happy,¡± Bai Ruozhu attempted to soothe Granny Wang. Granny Wang grumbled in dissatisfaction, ¡°Humph, I¡¯m going to Cao¡¯s house to find Mrs. Cao. You can¡¯t tell me I can¡¯t exchange the information I just learned for a box of toothpaste.¡± Suppressing her laughter, Bai Ruozhu thought to herself how Granny Wang truly came through, exactly as she¡¯d hoped. ¡°That¡¯s not a good idea. Didn¡¯t you say the Cao family is wealthy? They¡¯re not someone you want to mess with. What if they get someone to beat you up?¡± Bai Ruozhu felt obliged to dissuade her a bit more, fearing it might arouse Granny Wang¡¯s suspicions. Unafraid, Granny Wang banged her chest and said, ¡°Who do you think I am? If they dare lay a hand on me, I¡¯ll make sure they never have a peaceful day again! Forget it, you are too pregnant to follow me. Go to the dried goods store on your own and inquire about the apricot preserves.¡± ¡°Well, I won¡¯t go with you, but it¡¯s better if you don¡¯t go at all.¡± Bai Ruozhu tried to persuade her a few more times with a worried expression, but Granny Wang was adamant about going, so she didn¡¯t say anything more. Watching Granny Wang head towards Cao¡¯s grocery store, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s lips curled up slightly. They wanted to ruin her reputation, right? Let¡¯s see who ends up ruining theirs first. ¡°Even while pregnant, you enjoy scheming so much. Aren¡¯t you afraid of teaching your baby bad habits?¡± A cold voice sounded behind her. Bai Ruozhu shivered involuntarily. Who was it? How did someone suddenly appear behind her without her noticing? And from the sound of it, he had seen through her plot. She dare not move. She didn¡¯t know who was behind her, nor what was waiting for her. All she knew was that the voice was freezing cold, giving her a sense of danger. She feared a sudden turn would expose her and her baby to great danger. Frightened by the sudden appearance of a stranger, she felt a thin layer of sweat on her back. At this moment, the clothes on her back stuck to her skin because of the moisture, making her feel even more uncomfortable, as if a heavy weight was pressing on her back. The person finally stepped around to stand in front of Bai Ruozhu. Not daring to move, she squinted slightly. It was him! It was the Painted Immortal she had met just moments ago at the entrance of town, the one riding a high-headed horse! He had gone out of town on horseback, hadn¡¯t he? How did he suddenly reappear here? She had the sudden urge to hit herself on the head. What Painted Immortal? Was she going crazy? He was clearly a dangerous monster! Indeed, a man¡¯s appearance shouldn¡¯t be the only factor of consideration. She didn¡¯t care what others thought of her, yet this man had to bring up her unborn child, at once making Bai Ruozhu¡¯s impression of him plummet. She had considered her child as the most precious gift since she¡¯d come to this era, possibly even more precious than her own parents. As a protective person, she immediately counted him among the people she most despised for merely mentioning her baby. Chapter 40 - 40 040 Anger, a Big Cry ?Chapter 40: Chapter 040: Anger, a Big Cry Chapter 40: Chapter 040: Anger, a Big Cry Bai Ruozhu thought resentfully, but her face remained calm as she said, ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re talking about, but if there¡¯s nothing else, please step aside.¡± But the man did not move, instead he coldly stared down at Bai Ruozhu. Given his towering height, almost a head and a half taller than Bai Ruozhu, he held an air of superiority, looking down at her arrogantly. Bai Ruozhu was extremely uncomfortable under his gaze and was also somewhat stifled by his imposing air. She couldn¡¯t help feeling uneasy, wondering if this man had some relationship with the Cao family. Could he have learned about her scheming against them and come to cause trouble? But Bai Ruozhu quickly dismissed this thought. This man bore no resemblance to Cao LeSheng and, more importantly, she had a faint feeling that he was no ordinary person and should not be appearing in such a small town. The man finally spoke, his voice was not pleasant, a bit deep with a hint of masculinity. ¡°The old woman earlier said you¡¯re from the Back Mountain Village?¡± Bai Ruozhu tensed, wanting to fabricate a reason to deny it, but noticing the man¡¯s eyebrows slightly furrowed, an aura of danger radiating, she didn¡¯t dare to gamble with her and the child¡¯s lives and simply nodded. ¡°Have you seen me before?¡± His voice was a bit husky and sounded somewhat softer for some reason. After searching through her previous life¡¯s memories, Bai Ruozhu shook her head. ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡± The man didn¡¯t speak for two seconds before warning, ¡°Don¡¯t mention me to anyone, or I won¡¯t hesitate to reveal your little schemes.¡± Bai Ruozhu disliked being threatened. She gritted her teeth and replied resentfully, ¡°Rest assured, I have no interest in mentioning someone who doesn¡¯t concern me in this life.¡± The man snorted coldly, the same way he did at the entrance of the town. ¡°It¡¯s good that you know. Scheme less in the future. At least do it for the child in your stomach.¡± Bai Ruozhu was initially a bit scared, as the man¡¯s aura was so dangerous that she couldn¡¯t help wanting to find a place to hide. However, his words ignited the anger in her heart. ¡°If I didn¡¯t act today, they would force me to death tomorrow. If I could live peacefully, who would want to scheme against others?¡± Anger made Bai Ruozhu become emotionally agitated and her voice rose. ¡°Stop that arrogant attitude. Haven¡¯t you ever schemed? You¡¯re not me, how would you know my helplessness?¡± After saying all this, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s breathing began to hitch. She glared fiercely at the man, then turned around and left quickly. Since she had already expressed herself, she had to leave before more troubles arose. The man watched Bai Ruozhu¡¯s figure disappearing, seemingly not taking her words to heart. His face became graver as he murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear, ¡°Not from the Back Mountain Village?¡± Where can it be then? After walking some distance, Bai Ruozhu realized that her face felt damp. She reached out to touch her cheek and found it wet with tears. She stopped, squatted in the corner of the street, and began to cry aloud. Since her transmigration, she had been optimistic, dealing with everything that happened around. She always reminded herself that it wasn¡¯t her who had this unlucky fate or got pregnant before marriage but her former life. Even the manipulations against her were aimed at her former self. But she came to realize that she had been deceiving herself. She was indeed Bai Ruozhu of this era now and she couldn¡¯t avoid everything that was unfolding. Feeling the faint stirrings of the baby in her belly, she knew the child was comforting her. It was as if the baby was gently stroking her from inside. However, this just made Bai Ruozhu cry even harder. She was already bound by blood to the child and loved it more than her own life. So, she feared that she wouldn¡¯t be able to protect it from harm in the future. Like earlier, when the situation was so dangerous and she didn¡¯t even know who the stranger was. She had no ability to protect herself, yet her pitiful self-esteem caused her to confront him, risking both her and the child. But, she truly felt wronged. Lei San¡¯s wife had always been spiteful towards her. But if she didn¡¯t scheme against her today, her opponent would definitely play the role of an aggrieved wife and force her out of the back mountain village tomorrow. This would not only affect her family but her brother¡¯s prospects as well. So, she couldn¡¯t back down, even if those idiots labeled her a scheming woman. She had to try her best to protect her family and the child in her belly. With this thought, Bai Ruozhu sniffed, wiped her tears, and stood up. She couldn¡¯t let this incident scare her. When she stood up, she realized that several people on the street were looking at her. A kind old lady asked, ¡°Whose daughter-in-law is this? Are you feeling unwell? Is it time for the baby to come?¡± To her surprise, Bai Ruozhu realized that her emotional outburst had drawn a crowd. Her face flushed as she politely said, ¡°Thank you for your concern, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m fine, I just got a little emotional.¡± The old lady chuckled, ¡°Ah, I understand. I was the same way when I was carrying my boy ¡ª crying at the drop of a hat. It¡¯s good that you¡¯re fine.¡± Most of the townsfolk were simple and kind-hearted. Seeing that Bai Ruozhu was okay, they showed their concern before dispersing. Bai Ruozhu discreetly stuck her tongue out. Maybe mood swings really did come with pregnancy, how embarrassing. With that thought, she felt an even stronger resentment towards the cold-faced man. She hadn¡¯t done anything to offend him, yet he had come out of nowhere to cause trouble! Bai Ruozhu tidied the loose hair by her ears, lowered her head, and prepared to leave quickly. Just then, she heard someone call out to her from behind. ¡°Madam Bai! What are you doing here?¡± Du Zhongshu walked over briskly. ¡°I heard someone say that a pregnant woman was crying here. It wasn¡¯t you, was it?¡± At this statement, the corner of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mouth twitched. She wanted to deny it, but looking around, she was the only pregnant woman in sight, and her red, swollen eyes clearly said otherwise. Ah, we can¡¯t talk here. Didn¡¯t I say we shouldn¡¯t let people know about our business cooperation? I won¡¯t say any more, I¡¯ll leave first.¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly changed the topic and left in a rush. Du Zhongshu watched Bai Ruozhu¡¯s retreating figure, somewhat puzzled. He understood Bai Ruozhu¡¯s reasons for not wanting their business cooperation to become public knowledge. After all, the Bai family was of humble origin, any attention might cause trouble. But she was crying, wasn¡¯t she? And then she left so quickly. Had something happened? Bai Ruozhu left swiftly and upon finding a nut shop, she managed to sell the apricot preserves, though she felt the price offered was not particularly fair. The money she received was only enough for some small change. However, she hadn¡¯t planned on making too much money from this. Her main objective was to help Fang Guizhi earn some self-spending money. Considering the time and cost they spent to make the apricot preserves, it was still a good deal. Taking the copper coins, Bai Ruozhu decided to head directly back to the village. As for what was happening at the Cao household, she would leave it to fate. But she couldn¡¯t have known that the area around the Cao family¡¯s grocery store had become incredibly bustling. Chapter 41 - 41 041 The Goodness of Ones Own Brother ?Chapter 41: Chapter 041: The Goodness of One¡¯s Own Brother Chapter 41: Chapter 041: The Goodness of One¡¯s Own Brother When Old Lady Wang came to the Cao Family¡¯s general store, Cao LeSheng¡¯s mother, Cao Sunshi, was not present in the shop, but his wife, Zhang Family, was managing the store. Seeing that the shop was being run by a younger woman, old lady Wang spoke in a more dominating tone, ¡°I come from Back Mountain Village, call your mother out to speak with me.¡± The Zhang Family also ran businesses, and she had been helping her family run the shop since she was little. She had developed a fiery temperament. She took a quick look at Old Lady Wang and thought to herself that her mother-in-law had a niece in Back Mountain Village, but had nothing to do with the old woman in front of her. ¡°My mother-in-law is not here today. If you have something important, come back tomorrow, please,¡± Zhang Family courteously said with a smile, albeit with a hint of dismissal. Old Lady Wang was not pleased, she thought to herself, what was there for this young woman to be proud of? She couldn¡¯t control her own husband, allowing him to seek another woman. Moreover, the other woman was his relative. She might not even know how to handle the situation when her husband¡¯s scandal is revealed. Thinking of this, Old Lady Wang expressed her disdain, ¡°What, do you look down on me, an older woman? Go tell your mother-in-law that I have an urgent matter concerning her son¡¯s future.¡± Hearing that it was related to her husband, Zhang Family immediately became more alert. She quietly pulled old lady Wang aside to talk, gave her a handful of sunflower seeds, and said with a grin: ¡°Madam, if it¡¯s something concerning my husband, just tell me. I am very easy to talk to.¡± Old Lady Wang didn¡¯t know much about Zhang Family. She thought since Cao LeSheng was messing around outside, Zhang Family must not have a say in the Cao Family. She immediately expressed contempt, ¡°If I tell you, can you ask your mother-in-law to give me the toothpaste from Du Family¡¯s pharmacy?¡± Zhang Family was taken aback, ¡°What toothpaste from the Du Family¡¯s pharmacy?¡± Turns out that when Cao Sunshi received the toothpaste, she didn¡¯t inform Zhang Family, but directly gave it to her son. Cao LeSheng didn¡¯t think his wife would use it and kept it for himself. He used it sneakily for a few times, then brought it to Liu¡¯s daughter-in-law to show off. Old Lady Wang became more contemptuous, ¡°You don¡¯t even know your husband got toothpaste. How can you make decisions? Call your mother-in-law to talk to me.¡± Zhang Family instantly felt ashamed, ¡°My mother-in-law is not around. If you don¡¯t mind, please wait outside,¡± she replied. Seeing that Old Lady Wang refused to leave, she simply pushed her out. ¡°If you continue to disrupt my business, I will have to call the officer to arrest you.¡± Old Lady Wang staggered from the push, her annoyance flaring up, and she snapped, ¡°What are you so proud of? You can¡¯t even control your husband from having an affair! Talking to you is like farting in the wind!¡± Zhang Family was furious, ¡°What nonsense are you spouting you old hag? Just because you can¡¯t extort anything, you resort to slandering. I will tear your stinky mouth to shreds!¡± So they started arguing vehemently. Old Lady Wang did not care about her original plan to extort something good and spilled all the beans in her anger. As for Zhang Family, she was initially worried. If her husband was indeed having an affair with a maiden, she might be accountable and may need to accept this person into their family. But if the woman was already someone¡¯s wife, then the other person would be at a loss. Thinking of Liu¡¯s daughter-in-law¡¯s flirtatious appearance, Zhang Family clenched her teeth in anger. She would never let that sly vixen off the hook! By the time Cao Sunshi arrived, the entrance of the Cao Family¡¯s shop was already crowded with people. She quickly placated Old Lady Wang with a few apologetic words, calmed her daughter-in-law, Zhang Family, and had someone look for Cao LeSheng. As for Cao LeSheng, he was indeed found, but he was with Liu Family¡¯s daughter-in-law. It was strange that the pair had been so reckless today. Maybe it was because they had been so confident for a long time that they became more fearless and spent more time together. However, the Cao family did not lay their hands on Liu¡¯s daughter-in-law. The person who helped caught Cao LeSheng simply told him: ¡°Hurry back home, something big has happened.¡± Cao LeSheng gave a glance to Liu¡¯s daughter-in-law, indicating that he could handle the situation and get the helper to keep the secret. Liu¡¯s daughter-in-law was relieved and went back to the Back Mountain Village in a leisurely fashion in a donkey cart, oblivious to the storm that would soon engulf her. All of this had happened by the time Bai Ruozhu returned to the village and took a comfortable nap. Upon waking, the news about Liu Family¡¯s daughter-in-law and her cousin had already spread throughout the Back Mountain Village. Bai Zehao stared at Bai Ruozhu as if he had something to ask. After hesitating for a while, he finally said, ¡°Little sister, Old Lady Wang said that she saw Liu Family¡¯s daughter-in-law having a clandestine rendezvous with someone while you were with her, did you...¡± Bai Ruozhu looked directly at her older brother, without any desire to shy away from the question, and said, ¡°It was all my doing, has my scheming disappointed you, brother?¡± Bai Zehao was taken aback, he quickly shook his head in denial, ¡°How can it be? She did something disgraceful. It¡¯s not like you falsely accused her, and besides, she was going to harm you. This is called self-defense!¡± Bai Ruozhu sighed in relief; luckily, her big brother was not the type of person to let others take advantage of his naivety and kindness. At this moment, the room door of Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei opened, and Bai Zepei walked out. It seemed that he had heard the conversation between Bai Ruozhu and her big brother. Bai Ruozhu shrugged her shoulders. Anyway, she didn¡¯t intend to keep it a secret from her family. Bai Zepei walked over to Bai Ruozhu, suddenly raised his hand to gently ruffle her hair, and said in a soft, smooth voice, ¡°Little sister has grown up, and she¡¯s finally showing some cunning. I guess I can rest easy now.¡± Seeing her stern older brother, Bai Ruozhu felt a sudden warmth, thinking that if her brother had planned everything, the consequences would have certainly been much more devastating. Don¡¯t ask her why she was so certain, it was just a gut feeling. Her brothers were the best. They did not think that she was overly calculating, but rather understanding and empathetic. This was unlike some outsiders, who looked down on others. Bai Ruozhu thought again about that cold-faced monster and cursed him inwardly. A short while later, their mother came in from outside, when she saw that Bai Ruozhu was awake, she eagerly asked, ¡°Ruozhu, did you really see Liu daughter-in-law¡¯s affair?¡± Bai Ruozhu nodded, ¡°Mother, I don¡¯t want to even mention it, it¡¯s too embarrassing.¡± However, their mother furrowed her brows, ¡°What should we do then? Old Lady Wang is causing a scene at the Liu family, she said you were also a witness and want you to testify. I predict that soon the people will be outside our doorstep asking about it. What do you plan to say?¡± Bai Zehao spoke in a protective tone, ¡°What else can we say? We¡¯ll just tell the truth. It¡¯s the facts after all. Are we supposed to be afraid of the Liu Family?¡± Bai Zepei opened his mouth but didn¡¯t say anything. He looked towards Bai Ruozhu with a hint of a smile in his eyes. She must have everything figured out. However, he would surely accompany her later. If anyone dared to bully his sister, it wouldn¡¯t have been in vain that he held the position of a scholar. Bai Ruozhu wanted to share her thoughts with her big brother, but footsteps and hawking sounds came from outside, ¡°Is Ruozhu at home? Come out quickly and tell us what we saw today!¡± ¡°They¡¯ve come so soon, let¡¯s go out to discuss this. It¡¯s her guilt anyway,¡± the mother whispered. The family opened the courtyard door and walked out. Bai Ruozhu secretly made a gesture telling her brother to be quiet. Bai Zehao understood her immediately and nodded at her. Chapter 42 - 42 042 Saw Nothing ?Chapter 42: Chapter 042: Saw Nothing Chapter 42: Chapter 042: Saw Nothing The front of the Bai Family¡¯s house was certainly lively today. Not only did Wang Jiapo bring over her son and daughter-in-law, but Liu San¡¯s wife and the Liu Family also came along. In addition, many other gossip-loving village women followed suit, awaiting to hear what Bai Ruozhu had to say. Wang Jiapo was the loudest of them all. As soon as she saw Bai Ruozhu come out accompanied by her family members, she started yelling, ¡°Bai girl, tell everyone, didn¡¯t we see Liu San¡¯s wife cavorting with another man in town today?¡± Liu San¡¯s wife also started shouting, ¡°Wang Jiapo, don¡¯t spread such filthy rumours. I was visiting my cousin in town, you should mind your own business!¡± Liu San joined in, ¡°Yeah, stop slandering my wife!¡± Bai Ruozhu quietly gave Liu San a glance, feeling a hint of pity for him. This man was a devoted husband, but his wife was, regrettably, betraying him. Liu San¡¯s wife turned her fierce gaze towards Bai Ruozhu, yelling, ¡°Bai Ruozhu, everyone knows we have a grudge, stop slandering me!¡± Lin Ping¡¯er, standing in front of her daughter, stepped in, ¡°Why are you shouting, Liu San¡¯s wife? What grudge does my daughter have with you? You¡¯re the one who keeps causing trouble for her, now you¡¯re still trying to intimidate her, are you feeling guilty or what?¡± Wang Jiapo looked at Bai Ruozhu, saying, ¡°Ruozhu, don¡¯t be scared, speak your truth!¡± But Bai Ruozhu looked at Liu San¡¯s wife, showing a hint of fear, and took a step back, subconsciously reaching up to touch her forehead. Her fringe was swept aside, revealing a scar. The crowd remembered, not long ago, Liu San¡¯s wife had blocked Bai Ruozhu¡¯s way and pushed her to the ground, despite her being pregnant, causing her to bleed from her forehead. ¡°I, I didn¡¯t see anything.¡± Bai Ruozhu stammered, looking very fearful. Upon hearing this, even Lin Ping¡¯er was taken aback. Why didn¡¯t her daughter dare to speak out? Hadn¡¯t her courage grown recently? Wang Jiapo became anxious upon hearing this and was about to scold Bai Ruozhu for not telling the truth when she remembered how Bai Ruozhu had been intimidated by Liu San¡¯s wife earlier and had chickened out from going to town. Wang Jiapo¡¯s dim eyes flickered as she looked towards Bai Ruozhu and said, ¡°Ruozhu, don¡¯t be scared, have your say. See, there are so many people watching. What can she do to you?¡± Upon hearing this, Liu San¡¯s wife was not pleased, ¡°You are the one who fabricated this story, and now you¡¯re trying to use someone else as false witness, what nonsense!¡± Regardless of how Wang Jiapo was, her seniority in the village was higher than Liu San¡¯s wife. Upon hearing her say this, the Wang Family members were displeased and started cursing in unison. Some young men were even ready to fight. The Liu Family members were not to be outdone, cursing back and rolling up their sleeves. Fortunately, there were many onlookers who managed to stop the scuffle. Just then, the village chief arrived, leaning on his cane. The sight of the Liu Family immediately ruffled his feathers. Why was the Liu Family always causing trouble recently? Previously, when the village chief had gone to the Liu Family to demand compensation, Liu Family¡¯s stingy matriarch had made him run around three times. Already having a bad impression of the Liu Family, he was further annoyed by them stirring up trouble yet again, and he was disinclined to take their side. ¡°What¡¯s all this noise for? Are you guys having too comfortable a life? Can¡¯t you live peacefully for once?¡± The village chief angrily performed his signature move: hitting the ground hard with his cane. However, he was facing the Liu Family, so anyone smart could understand his implication. Liu San stepped forward and said, ¡°Village Chief, this time it¡¯s not us who are causing the trouble, it¡¯s Wang Jiapo spreading rumours and ruining my wife¡¯s reputation.¡± ¡°What do you mean I ruined her reputation? Why would I mess with anyone else¡¯s? I saw everything clearly.¡± Wang Jiapo pointed at her eyes, so intensely that her fingers were almost poking her eyeballs. ¡°Their sinful deeds with her cousin in the back alley, and asking her cousin for toothpaste or something, just see if she brought back toothpaste from Du Family¡¯s pharmacy,¡± Wang Jiapo went on talking nonstop, jabbering quickly like a machine gun. Liu San¡¯s wife rolled her eyes, speaking back defiantly, ¡°That was given to me by my aunt, are you going to my aunt¡¯s house to stir up trouble and then blame it on me?¡± The village chief ran out of patience and thumped his cane on the ground again, urging, ¡°Alright, everyone quiet down.¡± On his way here, the village chief had heard a summary of the situation. He was disgusted by such immoral behaviour. So, he looked at Bai Ruozhu and said, ¡°Bai girl, don¡¯t be scared. Speak up about whatever you know. If anything happens, I will handle it.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er nudged Bai Ruozhu¡¯s arm, saying, ¡°Daughter, speak boldly. Don¡¯t be afraid of retaliation. I refuse to believe that there¡¯s no justice in this world.¡± All eyes fell on Bai Ruozhu, waiting for her to speak. Under the intense gaze of the crowd, looking somewhat apprehensive, Bai Ruozhu spoke in a soft voice, ¡°I honestly didn¡¯t see anything. I merely heard some nasty words and sounds. I was too embarrassed to look.¡± Wang Jiapo chuckled,¡±Correct, Ruozhu was following behind me. She was too timid to peek, but she heard clearly what Liu San¡¯s wife and her cousin were saying.¡± The village chief¡¯s face became stern, ¡°What did they say?¡± Liu San¡¯s wife was sweating at this point. She was becoming anxious, arguing, ¡°Bai Ruozhu holds a grudge against me! She and Wang Jiapo are colluding to frame me. Village Chief, you can¡¯t just listen to their side of the story!¡± The village chief shot her a glance, ¡°Be quiet. We haven¡¯t even heard the whole story yet. What are you so anxious about? Once she talks, I¡¯ll be the judge of whether it¡¯s right or wrong.¡± Bai Ruozhu hung her head and repeated the approximate dialogue between the two. To be honest, it wasn¡¯t her pretending to be embarrassed, she was genuinely embarrassed. The explicit conversation happening in broad daylight made her feel awkward even thinking about it. Wang Jiapo was delighted as she listened, clapping her hands together, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s what they said! Ruozhu is too shy to talk about what happened afterwards. But I, an old woman, am not afraid. Is it not about taking off clothes and the noises they made later on? Such embarrassing situations should not be ignored in our village. Everyone in town already knows about this, only Liu San refuses to believe it.¡± Wang Jiapo scornfully glanced at Liu San. This man was utterly spineless. Liu San¡¯s wife vehemently denied everything, starting to wail and sob loudly, proclaiming, ¡°Bai Ruozhu bribed Wang Jiapo to frame me. You two have ruined my virtue. I would rather bash my head in and die! Even as a ghost, I will never forgive you!¡± Liu San was holding his wife tightly on the side, his face full of compassion. Bai Ruozhu spoke softly, yet her words were clear, ¡°I didn¡¯t have any intention to slander anyone. I even told Wang Jiapo that we shouldn¡¯t talk about it. If it weren¡¯t for the village chief asking me, I honestly wouldn¡¯t want to say anything. You keep asserting that I have a grudge against you, but the matters of the past have been settled. Your family has paid us the silver, and my father has donated it to the school. We shouldn¡¯t ruin the relationship between our two families any further, so why would I plot against you?¡± Chapter 43 - 43 043 Key Evidence ?Chapter 43: Chapter 043 Key Evidence Chapter 43: Chapter 043 Key Evidence Bai Ruozhu¡¯s voice was clear and resounding, attracting the attention of all who heard it. Although she was heavy with child, she held herself upright with a scholar¡¯s pride. Many looked at her with envy; being a part of the Bai Family, known for its scholarly background, clearly had its advantages. Even their daughters were imbued with the scholar¡¯s arrogant bone. Many were reminded of the good deeds Scholar Bai Yihong had done for the village¡¯s school. The money that should have been owed to the Bai Family by the Liu Family was treated as their donation to the school, a clear gesture of goodwill. In contrast, many turned to look at Mrs. Liu, notorious for stirring up gossip behind people¡¯s backs. ¡°You blame me for assaulting you and for the exposure of your illicit relationship with Chang Sheng. You think I was the one who blew the whistle on you,¡± Mrs. Liu¡¯s eyes darted back and forth, believing that if she could tarnish Bai Ruozhu¡¯s name, she¡¯d be safe. Yet Bai Ruozhu remained calm, ¡°My husband is missing. How could I have become Chang Sheng¡¯s mistress? How can you accuse me without any evidence? Are you the one spreading rumors?¡± Someone shouted, ¡°Yes, it was Mrs. Liu who told me that the Bai girl is Chang Sheng¡¯s mistress. She claimed that her cousin in town, who has many business contacts, accidentally got wind of it.¡± Another added, ¡°I heard it from Mrs. Zhang. I wonder who she heard it from?¡± The mentioned Mrs. Zhang quickly turned to look at Mrs. Liu, saying, ¡°It was also Mrs. Liu who told us while we were doing laundry by the river, even saying that her cousin had seen the mistress with his own eyes.¡± ¡°I was only stating the facts. The real wife might show up any day now.¡± Mrs. Liu glared at the people around her, angry that her name was being connected with the gossip, but she wasn¡¯t scared. Worst comes to worst, she could just get her cousin to impersonate the supposed wife and stir up some real drama. Bai Ruozhu let out a cold laugh, ¡°Very well, when this so-called wife shows up, I¡¯ll hand her over to the government office. Then we¡¯ll see if she has a legit marriage certificate. If she doesn¡¯t, she would be accused of fraud and be sent to prison. I wonder if she would then sell out the mastermind, so the villagers can see who¡¯s really tarnishing my reputation!¡± Everyone turned to look at Mrs. Liu to see how she would respond but saw her face turning pale. Apparently, she had no response. She hadn¡¯t considered what would happen if the impersonator was caught by the officials and the lack of a marriage certificate would blow their plan apart. Bai Zepei, who had been silently observing everything, felt a chill rising. He had been busy studying of late, aiming to become a scholar to bolster his family¡¯s standing, but he didn¡¯t anticipate someone plotting against his sister. He realized that Mrs. Liu had been planning to send an imposter to play Chang Sheng¡¯s wife to scandalize the Bai family, intending to ruin their reputation in the Back Mountain Village! Mrs. Liu was truly despicable, trying to push his sister on to a path of no return. Bai Zepei narrowed his eyes and took a few steps forward, saying in a deep voice, ¡°Although I, Bai Zepei, am but a student, I can still pass a note to the county magistrate to ask him to investigate the rumors spread by the Cao family. Let¡¯s see if someone is really planning a fraud or if someone is trying to taint my family¡¯s reputation.¡± Turning to Bai Zehao, he continued, ¡°Brother, take care of things at home while I go to the Government Office personally. If someone is spreading false rumors, I, Bai Zepei, will not tolerate it!¡± With that, he walked towards the entrance of the village. He had lost some weight due to his rigorous study sessions Recently, his gaunt figure was a stark contrast to his sister¡¯s upright posture. Only then did fear set into Mrs. Liu. She wailed, shouting, ¡°The Bai Family is bullying us. They¡¯ve committed a taboo and now they¡¯re using their connections to suppress it, bullying us common folks. Is there no justice left in this world?¡± Old Mrs. Wang smirked, ¡°Stop shouting. You¡¯re the one who had an illicit affair and now you¡¯re trying to smear others. I bet the purported wife who will show up at our door is part of your plot!¡± Lin Ping¡¯er, supporting Bai Ruozhu, glared at Mrs. Liu. She hadn¡¯t been told of this by Bai Ruozhu or Bai Zehao and had only found out just now. Liu¡¯s maliciousness was beyond expectation, and Ping¡¯er wished she could scratch Liu¡¯s face apart. ¡°Ha, we¡¯ll see what really happened when my second brother enlists the help of the magistrate to investigate. We will all know who¡¯s going to wind up in prison,¡± Lin Ping¡¯er declared loudly. Bai Ruozhu chimed in rather indifferently, ¡°We don¡¯t care what you say about us, because you are hardly the first to slander me. But now you¡¯re accusing my second brother of having connections. Are you implying that the magistrate is not impartial? All the folks here today can bear witness to this.¡± Old Mrs. Wang chuckled delightedly and glanced at Mrs. Liu, ¡°We, the Wang family, can testify that Mrs. Liu has slandered the Government Office!¡± Mrs. Liu turned pale with rage, turning to the village head, ¡°Did you see that? The two of them are collaborating against me. When have I ever said anything about the magistrate?¡± The village head rapped the ground with his cane and asserted, ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have said that Bai Zepei was using connections. The magistrate is impartial and will investigate as necessary. If you are not conspiring against someone, you will be proven innocent.¡± The villagers nodded in agreement. The village head swept his gaze over the Liu and Wang families, saying, ¡°Whatever Mrs. Liu has done is the Liu family¡¯s business. The Wang family should stop interfering. Why are we all idling here instead of working? Let¡¯s disperse.¡± Old Mrs. Wang retorted, ¡°Mr. Village Head, it¡¯s not us picking a fight with the Liu family, but the Liu family bringing trouble to our doorstep. They accused us of spreading rumors about their daughter-in-law in town, but I have done nothing wrong. I witnessed their disgraceful act with my own eyes. Are we not allowed to speak the truth?¡± Mrs. Liu broke into a wailed again, threatening, ¡°You two are the only witnesses, so you must be trying to smear me! In that case, I shall vindicate myself with death. I might as well kill myself!¡± Bai Zehao held her firmly, so she couldn¡¯t possibly hurt herself, but to the people watching, it appeared she was serious. Old Mrs. Wang was worried. Her eyes darted around until suddenly they widened, a toothless grin spreading across her face as she yelled, ¡°I remember now!¡± Curious eyes turned toward her, and seeing her thrilled expression, Bai Ruozhu internally chuckled. It seemed that the old woman finally remembered the crucial evidence. ¡°When Mrs. Liu was having an affair, her clothes slipped and I saw a red mole on her chest.¡± Mrs. Wang gestured towards her left side, as if recalling the moment, ¡°Yes, it was on the left side of her chest. So, Mrs. Liu, can¡¯t deny what this old lady just said, can you?¡± Chapter 44 - 44 044 Second Brother always succeeds when he takes action ?Chapter 44: Chapter 044: Second Brother always succeeds when he takes action Chapter 44: Chapter 044: Second Brother always succeeds when he takes action Not only did Bai Ruozhu look towards Liu San, but the surrounding crowd also turned their gaze onto him. Liu San, who had been tightly grasping his wife¡¯s hand, suddenly drooped his arm. His usually black face turned grey, and he seemed to have aged five to six years in an instant. His normally squinted eyes were now round with disbelief as he looked at his wife. Others might not be sure, but how could he not know his own wife¡¯s body? Why was the old lady able to expose it? The onlookers, scrutinizing Liu San¡¯s complexion, began to get a sense of what was happening. The old woman gloated, ¡°I¡¯ve never falsely accused anyone. If anyone still doesn¡¯t believe me, we can have reputable married women in the village verify it to avoid trouble from the Liu Family.¡± Most of the onlookers, who preferred chaos, started to cry out, ¡°Have the Village Head arrange for verification. If there¡¯s nothing, then we can clear the name of Liu San¡¯s wife.¡± The Village Head, having guessed what had happened, helplessly looked at the Liu family. Among the people from the Liu family, the one who held the most authority was Liu San¡¯s Sister-in-law. She was here on behalf of the Mother-in-law to clear her Sister-in-Law¡¯s reputation. But now, it seemed that her Sister-in-Law was irredeemable. Liu¡¯s eldest daughter-in-law quickly glanced at Liu San. She never liked this mischievous couple in normal days. This seemed like a convenient opportunity for her. ¡°Let¡¯s verify it then! My Sister-in-law is upright with nothing to be afraid of. This will finally shut some people up!¡± She shouted aloud. Liu San still stood there, stunned, as if he had lost his spirit. Liu San¡¯s wife, however, angrily looked at her sister-in-law, ¡°Sister-in-law, how could you...¡± ¡°Although verification is unpleasant, it¡¯s better than being made fun of,¡± cried out a bystander excitedly. Bai Ruozhu lost interest in what was happening. She greeted the Village Head, ¡°Grandpa Village Head, I am starting to feel weak. If there is nothing else for me to do, I will take my leave.¡± The Village Head thought that Bai Ruozhu had already made things clear and she didn¡¯t enjoy stirring up trouble, which left him quite satisfied. He nodded, ¡°You may go and rest.¡± Bai Ruozhu signaled her mother and elder brother and the three of them walked back towards their house. Just then, Bai Yihong ran over from afar, shouting: ¡°What happened? Has something happened?¡± He had been drinking at his friend Zhou Deshun¡¯s house and didn¡¯t expect there to be trouble at his doorstep when he returned. Lin Ping quickly pulled Bai Yihong aside, whispering, ¡°Dear, it¡¯s not our concern. Let¡¯s go inside and talk.¡± Bai Yihong excused himself to the Village Head and followed his family into the house. Once inside, Lin Ping pulled Bai Yihong aside to tell him what had happened. Upon learning that Liu San¡¯s wife had made up rumors about Bai Ruozhu being a mistress, and even wanted to send someone to pose as the primary wife, he slammed his hand on the table in anger. ¡°Does the Liu Family think that the Bai Family is helpless? I won¡¯t let them get away with this!¡± Bai Yihong seemed ready to confront the Liu Family head-on. Bai Ruozhu looked on, her eyes shining brightly. Although her father was usually reserved and silent, he truly displayed a masculine fortitude in crucial moments. He was indeed a super dad! Nevertheless, she held her father back, ¡°Father, don¡¯t go. Liu San¡¯s wife acted on her own accord. It¡¯s not necessary to fall out with the Liu family . Also, Liu San¡¯s wife will be leaving the Mountain Village soon.¡± ¡°Yes, the Liu Family won¡¯t be able to tolerate her.¡± Lin Ping said, laughing. It felt as though she had finally vented her anger. Bai Zehao also chimed in, ¡°Yes, Father. My second brother has also gone to the Government Office to ask for help in investigating who started this rumor about our sister.¡± Bai Ruozhu smirked, ¡°Now that my second brother has been involved, Liu San¡¯s wife and her cousin are in for trouble. Just watch.¡± Bai Yihong, seeing his daughter giggling mischievously, couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°When has my Ruozhu become so cunning? How can your second brother handle this on his own?¡± ¡°With my second brother¡¯s intelligence, his steady handling of matters, and his unyielding perseverance, is there anything he can¡¯t achieve?¡± Bai Ruozhu searched her past life memories. There was nearly nothing her second brother couldn¡¯t achieve if he set his mind to it. She recalled how during the hot summers, childhood boys in the village would frolic in the river. Her eldest brother learned how to swim early, but her second brother was an utter landlubber who just couldn¡¯t learn. However, once he set his mind to it, enduring the risk of drowning, he finally learned how to swim by the end of the summer. Later though, the second brother would get engrossed in his studies and didn¡¯t have time to play with the other kids in the village. He probably didn¡¯t love swimming as such; he just didn¡¯t want to admit his weaknesses or accept defeat. And it¡¯s been proven that as long as he is determined, he can overcome his weaknesses. After chatting for a while, Bai Ruozhu said she needed to rest and excused herself to her room. As soon as she closed the door, she entered her Spatial Pond. She was hungry again, and as her belly grew, she felt hungrier. She was constantly dreaming of the crisp water chestnuts in the Spatial Pond. While munching the water chestnuts, she bitterly thought, it must be the baby who was hungry, not her. She was not a foodie! ... At this time, Bai Zepei had already arrived in town. When he reached the Entrance of the Village, a man driving a Donkey Cart offered to take him to town free of charge, as his reputation as a young scholar was quite high in the surrounding villages. However, once they entered the town, he handed the man some money. ¡°Young Master Bai, you¡¯re being far too polite,¡± said the man in his twenties driving the cart. Bai Zepei gave him a smile, ¡°It¡¯s hard work driving a cart. I can¡¯t break the convention; otherwise if everyone asked you for free rides, how would you survive?¡± The cart driver scratched his head and chuckled, ¡°You have a point. So, I won¡¯t refuse your money.¡± Bai Zepei bid farewell to the cart driver and headed straight toward the Government Office. He found an officer to announce his arrival, and soon, he was meeting the county magistrate, Mr. Li. After learning from the clerk that Bai Zepei was a young scholar and that his Grandpa was a learned man, and knowing that the Bai Family was a reputable Agricultural and Scholarly Family, he couldn¡¯t help but regard Bai Zepei with a bit more respect. Later, he was impressed by Bai Zepei¡¯s poised and composed manner, increasing his admiration even further. ¡°Sir, I am here today to request your assistance in a matter. My sister originally intended to come and ring the gong for justice herself. However, considering her pregnant state, I could not bear to allow her to travel. Hence, I had no choice but to come before you myself,¡± Bai Zepei greeted Mr. Li and began to speak in a measured tone. ¡°Oh?¡± Mr. Li showed a surprised expression, ¡°What is the injustice? Feel free to speak up.¡± ¡°We only have one daughter in our family. Because our parents cherish her, they found a husband for her last year. Unfortunately, before long, her husband fell down while chopping wood in the Back Mountain, and his life remains uncertain. Now, my sister is carrying their child, and her labour is imminent. Unfortunately, recently, some rumors from the town have been spreading, accusing us of having married our sister off to her husband as a mistress. They even say the real wife is about to show up.¡± Upon hearing this, Mr. Li began to listen more intently and thought that the younger scholar¡¯s sister really had a tough fate. ©¤©¤ I just saw a lot of you urging me for updates, and I updated at 20:00, but I don¡¯t know why it didn¡¯t show up. I¡¯m so anxious, sob~~~ Chapter 45 - 45 045 The Evil Woman Gets Caught ?Chapter 45: Chapter 045: The Evil Woman Gets Caught Chapter 45: Chapter 045: The Evil Woman Gets Caught ¡°It¡¯s said that the rumor originated from the Cao family¡¯s general store in town. The Cao family¡¯s son claimed that it was message passed by a traveling merchant. I, in my limited capacity, hope to solicit your assistance in investigating this matter. This issue not only tarnishes my younger sister¡¯s reputation, it aims to destroy the reputation of my family, as well as myself. With the rural examination approaching, I don¡¯t want false accusations from others to ruin my future.¡± Bai Zepei said, then bowed deeply to Magistrate Li once again. Seeing Bai Zepei repeatedly addressing himself as a ¡°student¡± and being extremely respectful, Magistrate Li rethought the situation. If someone under his jurisdiction could pass the exam, it would reflect an achievement on his part as well. Furthermore, knowing that Bai Zepei has also claimed him as his tutor, if he could qualify as Scholar or an Imperial degree holder in the future, others would praise him for cultivating talent. Even if Bai Zepei does not progress much further in the imperial examinations in the future, Li can still win over his goodwill, which also counts as a credit to his political achievements. ¡°Such a thing happened?¡± Magistrate Li raised his eyebrows in surprise, ¡°This is outrageous! I will definitely investigate this matter carefully to ensure that you participate in the rural examination unaffected.¡± Bai Zepei bowed deeply and exclaimed: ¡°Student thanks the magistrate!¡± ... The Cao family¡¯s grocery store was particularly bustling today. However, the decision-makers of the family were out. Cao LeSheng¡¯s mother, Cao LeSheng, and Zhang were not home; only Cao Youfu, the simple and naive father of Cao LeSheng, was there to run the shop. Some people came to buy things, but the questions they asked were not about the price of goods, but they asked Cao Youfu with a grin: ¡°Old Cao, is it true that your son Cao LeSheng is stealing the wife of someone else?¡± Fortunately, Cao Youfu was present. If it had been the aggressive Cao Sunshi, people would not have dared to ask this question. Cao Youfu¡¯s face turned a purplish shade and he stuttered: ¡°How could that be possible? Do not listen to others¡¯ gossip.¡± Being a sincere person and not good at lying, he was taken aback when the people who were sent to find Cao LeSheng came back and revealed everything they saw. Cao LeSheng even gave those people some copper coins to drink and asked them to keep it a secret. ¡°He surely did something. Your son is pretty capable, haha.¡± The visitor started a joke and there was a burst of laughter outside. Right when Cao Youfu wished he could close the shop and return home immediately, something even more frightening happened. An officer came to the door and asked harshly: ¡°Who¡¯s in charge here in the Cao family? Is that kid Cao LeSheng around?¡± The onlookers started exclaiming, ¡°Oh boy, big trouble now, the Cao family¡¯s son stole someone¡¯s wife, and now they have reported it to the county government office!¡± Someone by the side laughed stating, ¡°How could that be? Even if the bed has been defiled, they can¡¯t report it to the main hall for this, it must be for something else.¡± So, many people followed the officer to the Cao family, wanting to see what exactly was going on. Meanwhile, in Back Mountain Village, the Liu Family¡¯s daughter-in-law fiercely covered her chest, refusing anyone¡¯s inspection. She wished she could scratch off the birthmarks on her chest. Unfortunately, in the end, it was seen by others. She screamed, ¡°It¡¯s their silver that bought the news, I am innocent!¡± An older woman looked at her contemptuously and said, ¡°How could you buy news? Only Liu San and your mother know what¡¯s on your chest, could your mother sell you out?¡± The chest wasn¡¯t just any place, it could not be seen by outsiders. In this era, there was no custom of women bathing together. Generally, women would discreetly wash themselves at home. ¡°She won¡¯t admit to the things she has done, it¡¯s truly shameless.¡± Another older woman spat heavily. The eldest daughter-in-law of the Liu family remained silent and hurriedly returned to the Liu family. She reported everything that had happened to her mother-in-law. The old lady of the Liu family was so angry that she threw a pillow and cursed, ¡°This wicked woman has never done any good. Why did my Liu family marry such a scourge? Write the divorce papers quickly, it¡¯s already shameful enough!¡± Just as the Liu family was preparing the divorce papers, four officers arrived at Back Mountain Village. They went directly to the Liu family to arrest someone. Liu San¡¯s wife was crying bitterly in front of the Liu family¡¯s door, swearing and crying out that she was being falsely accused, begging her mother-in-law to let her in. ¡°Who is Wang LaiDi in your village, the third wife of the Liu family?¡± an officer called out. The spectators all pointed to the person crying outside the Liu family¡¯s door, Liu San¡¯s wife, or rather, she was no longer Liu San¡¯s wife, she should be called by her maiden name, Wang LaiDi. ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong, Sirs. I¡¯ve been mistakenly accused!¡± Wang LaiDi wailed loudly. ¡°Whether you¡¯ve been wronged or not can be decided in the main hall.¡± The officer dragged away Liu San¡¯s wife. Wang LaiDi was terrified and shook all over, ¡°Sirs, I really didn¡¯t steal anyone, I really did not.¡± As she spoke, she kept shaking her head, tears and snot flying everywhere, the haughty demeanor she usually carried was long gone. The officer frowned, ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯ve stolen someone or not, someone has accused you of slandering a good woman by making her a concubine and ruining Bai Zepei¡¯s future prospects. You can tell the magistrate about it at the county government office.¡± No matter how Wang LaiDi denied, she was eventually taken away by the officers. The village was immediately in an uproar, including the older villagers, one of them being Wang Shugen, the village head. ¡°Our Back Mountain Village has an exceptional young man who is about to become a scholar, Wang LaiDi intends to destroy the Feng Shui of our village. She should be kicked out of the village! If the Liu family dares to let her in again, don¡¯t blame me, the village head, for being ruthless!¡± Previously, when Wang LaiDi spread rumors that Bai Ruozhu was a concubine for someone else, most villagers watched the excitement or scorned more. But the thoughts of the peasant households were simple; they did not think too deeply. Bai Zepei laid out the deeper impacts of the incident, which made the village chief and others instantly realize the gravity of the situation. It¡¯s a great honor to have multiple scholars in a village. How could they let a woman¡¯s jealousy ruin that opportunity? The news quickly reached the Bai family, and Bai Yihong excitedly shouted, ¡°There is justice in this world! This wicked woman should be duly punished by the magistrate.¡± Lin Ping sneered, ¡°Hmph, a person like Wang LaiDi even if she died would be pulled out her tongue and be thrown to the oil pan.¡± Seeing that the officer didn¡¯t call her, Bai Ruozhu understood her second brother¡¯s intent. He wanted her to handle this matter. Alright then, she would stay at home and enjoy her blessings. In addition, she would make a fish dish, and prepare a bowl of fish ball soup which her second brother loved the most. The messenger was Granny Wang. She cursed Wang LaiDi a lot. But there wasn¡¯t much anger on her face, more of a sense pride in misfortune. Bai Ruozhu suddenly stood up and yelled, ¡°I don¡¯t care about Wang LaiDi¡¯s deliberate targeting of me; but if she dares to affect my second brother¡¯s future, even if it takes my own life, I will never let her go!¡± Seeing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s emotional state, Granny Wang comforted her for a while and then left. Soon, the words of Bai Ruozhu spread throughout the village. No one in the Liu family dared to say a word; no matter what they did now, they would come out as wrongdoers. Worse still, they might be labelled as accomplices of Wang LaiDi. Bai Ruozhu took a deep breath at home. She had been too calm for the longest time. In reality, she wanted to swear bitterly a long time ago. She had been holding back for so long, partly because she didn¡¯t want to worry her family, and partly because she didn¡¯t want to scare the child in her stomach. But she was also a person and needed to vent her emotions too. Chapter 46 - 46 046 Solving the Problem of the Marriage Book ?Chapter 46: Chapter 046 Solving the Problem of the Marriage Book Chapter 46: Chapter 046 Solving the Problem of the Marriage Book In the gap when the officer went to arrest people, Bai Zepei and County Chief Li had a friendly chat. County Chief Li asked Bai Zepei some questions, found that he was well-versed in classics and literature, and found him strikingly impressive, hence sparked the idea of making an acquaintance. ¡°We do seem to have hit it off. I am older than you, so why don¡¯t you just call me ¡®Brother Li¡¯, and I¡¯ll call you ¡®Junior Brother Bai¡¯?¡± said County Chief Li Shunsheng. Bai Zepei quickly bowed to County Chief Li, saying, ¡°Obedience is better than politeness, Brother Li.¡± ¡°Good, good, Junior Brother Bai is sincerely forthright,¡± Li Shunsheng laughed heartily. At this time, the officer had brought the people to the main hall. Upon hearing the report, County Chief Li took Bai Zepei from the backyard to the main hall. The interrogation went very smoothly. Cao LeSheng and Wang LaiDi were terrified as soon as they entered the public hall. Once County Chief Li threatened, ¡°Would you like to be honest after being beaten with twenty paddles?¡±, they confessed everything truthfully. After Cao LeSheng confessed, he glared at Wang LaiDi angrily and yelled, ¡°It was this woman who seduced me and made me do this! She said that the woman from the Bai family always bullied her, but she never mentioned that her brother is a student. This jinx wants to get me killed!¡± Li Shunsheng slammed a courtroom wooden block, ¡°Silence, both of you! Your adultery has already corrupted social morals, even so, you dare to falsely accuse an innocent woman of being a mistress and attempt to frame a promising scholar. The court will absolutely not tolerate this behavior, which only encourages bad customs. Each of you will be punished with twenty strokes of the heavy paddle and will each have to pay a fine of five taels of silver.¡± ¡°Spare me, sir! I confess my guilt!¡± cried Cao LeSheng, his screams resembling those of a butchered pig, but they couldn¡¯t cover up the smacking sounds of the paddle hitting his flesh. It was summer, the season for light clothing, so there was hardly any clothing to cushion the blows. The punishment was genuinely severe. Wang LaiDi had it even worse. She had never suffered such torment before. She kept screaming, insisting that she was innocent as she hadn¡¯t killed Bai Ruozhu and that it wasn¡¯t a severe crime. County Chief Li gave a cold hum, signaled the officer who was administering the punishment. Understanding, the officer hit her even harder. Wang LaiDi screamed a few more times, then fainted. ¡°If you had caused someone¡¯s death, twenty paddles wouldn¡¯t suffice. It would have been a capital offense,¡± Li Shunsheng said coldly. Bai Zepei remained composed throughout, his gaze toward Wang LaiDi was cold. He was very glad he had intervened today. He was utterly intolerant of malicious women like Wang LaiDi, who still showed no remorse at this stage. She felt that not having killed his sister was not a serious crime, but she had threatened two lives, of Bai Ruozhu and her unborn child. Cao LeSheng¡¯s mother and wife had rushed over and cried when they saw him being beaten so badly. Cao Sunshi obediently paid the five taels of silver, then had someone help carry Cao LeSheng home. But Wang LaiDi was not so lucky. The officer stopped Cao Sunshi and asked, ¡°Are you not going to take care of your niece?¡± Cao Sunshi spat vehemently, ¡°What kind of rotten niece? I don¡¯t recognize this jinx!¡± After that, she looked at her son with a mix of pain and regret on her face. Had she known, she would never have let Wang LaiDi associate with her family. She really brought disaster to her son. Wang LaiDi was having a rough time. No one came for her, nor did anyone pay the fine for her. Li Shunsheng issued an order for her to be imprisoned and notified her birth family to claim her. Outside the county government office, a young man stood amongst the rowdy spectators. His brows were deeply furrowed, seemingly irritated. A young servant gently reminded him, ¡°Young Master, the victim is Madame Bai from the Bai Family.¡± ¡°I know, I just didn¡¯t expect there to be such malicious people,¡± Du Zhongshu replied softly, he snorted coldly and then left the onlookers. He couldn¡¯t help but think of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s determination to strive for her family. Such a resilient woman who has faced so much adversity had to face such calamity. As for Wang LaiDi, even if she did not like them, considering they were expecting a child, she should not have caused such trouble. The Cao family¡¯s endorsement of such behavior is utterly unforgivable! A spark appeared in Du Zhongshu¡¯s eyes, absolutely unforgivable! In the days following, news broke that the Cao family grocery store was selling counterfeit goods and making deceptive substitutions. Coupled with the opening of a new grocery store that sold better goods at more affordable prices, the Cao family business plummeted and they couldn¡¯t continue in Anyuan Town. Of course, these were events of the future. Bai Zepei thanked County Chief Li and was about to leave when he remembered something. He bowed to Li again, saying, ¡°Brother Li, I am afraid I have another favor to ask.¡± ¡°Go ahead.¡± The cheers from the common people outside brought great joy to County Chief Li. As the acting county official, being praised as a ¡°just official¡± by the common people could prove beneficial to his future promotions or transfers. ¡°Originally, after my younger sister married her husband, they were to go to the county government office to handle their marriage papers. But before they arrived, my brother-in-law had an accident. So, I would like to get a supplementary marriage certificate for them to avoid any improper gossips.¡± Bai Zepei remembered this issue today when Bai Ruozhu mentioned the fake wife¡¯s request to see the marriage certificate ¨C if there was no marriage certificate, there could be future troubles. However, Bai Zepei didn¡¯t realize that his action today would bring significant trouble to Bai Ruozhu in the future. ¡°This...¡± County Chief Li showed a troubled expression, ¡°Without the groom, issuing a marriage certificate might be problematic. However, if there is a token from the engagement, the registration can proceed.¡± Bai Zepei¡¯s face lit up, ¡°When my brother-in-law got married, he gave my sister a family heirloom, a jade pendant, as a token. I will bring it to the county government office tomorrow.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be a problem then, but your sister also needs to come.¡± the County Chief said. ¡°Alright, I will come to visit again tomorrow.¡± After saying that, Bai Zepei bid County Chief Li farewell and left the county government office. Bai Ruozhu learned about the events at the government office after Bai Zepei returned home. Bai Zepei told her in detail how County Chief Li had adjudicated the case and about getting a supplementary marriage certificate for her. ¡°Your thoughtfulness is appreciated, second brother. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll accompany you to the government office, and we can resolve the marriage certificate issue,¡± Bai Ruozhu agreed, nodding her head. The elderly Bai couple could finally breathe a sigh of relief. If they got the marriage certificate, no one would dare to accuse Bai Ruozhu of having a child out of wedlock. ¡°You really helped us today, second brother. I made your favorite fishball soup,¡± Bai Ruozhu was beaming as she announced it like a treasure, preparing to head for the kitchen to prepare the soup, which was still simmering hot in a large pot. Bai Zehao hurriedly stopped her, ¡°We can both sit down. I¡¯ll go get it.¡± Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei thanked Bai Zehao. Seeing their three children¡¯s great relationship made Lin Ping¡¯er even happier. Soon, Bai Zepei had finished the entire bowl of soup and also ate two steamed buns. It was unclear if the soup was too delicious, or he was just incredibly hungry. ¡°How¡¯s it, second brother? Good, isn¡¯t it?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked with a beaming smile. Bai Zepei¡¯s brow quirked with amusement, ¡°You really are a sweetheart.¡± The whole family erupted into laughter, this unfortunate incident was finally concluded peacefully. Chapter 47 - 47 047 Want to Save but Ended Up Insulted ?Chapter 47: Chapter 047: Want to Save but Ended Up Insulted Chapter 47: Chapter 047: Want to Save but Ended Up Insulted Early the next morning, Bai Ruozhu brought along the jade pendant left by Chang Sheng, ready to go to the Government Office down in the town with her second brother to get their marriage certified. However, contemplating that her brother would have to sacrifice half a day¡¯s study time, she felt sorry for him. She had noticed Bai Zepei¡¯s diligent studies, but she never thought of him as a mere bookworm. His dedicated studies were largely for the family, fulfilling the promise that the old patriarch had made, and ultimately, to protect her and the child in her stomach. He could quietly study in his room, not coming out except for meals and to relieve himself, even remaining silent when he was suffering from irritating mouth sores, silently shouldering heavy responsibilities on his fragile shoulders. Seeing this, Bai Ruozhu felt an inevitable pang of sorrow. She realised that at present, she was hindering her second brother. But she vowed to herself that she would grow up to be his aide. The two went towards the entrance of the village. Seeing them, the villagers who had risen early greeted them warmly and one of them even asked curiously, ¡°Where are you taking your sister, second lad of the Bai Family?¡± Bai Zepei politely smiled at the person and said, ¡°My sister has been having mood swings these past days, I¡¯m worried it might affect the child. So, I¡¯m taking her to a friend of mine in town for a pulse diagnosis.¡± They couldn¡¯t let others know about processing the marriage certification. Bai Zepei¡¯s response was so natural that it didn¡¯t feel like a lie. Even Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but admire her brother¡¯s ingenuity. ¡°Oh, look, the second son of the Bai family treats his sister so well, he¡¯s also so filial to his parents. Truly, we haven¡¯t seen such a good youth in our village in a long time!¡± praised an old woman with a yellowish complexion. Bai Zepei just smiled politely again, ¡°You flatter me, old lady.¡± Bai Ruozhu was glad that she didn¡¯t need to engage much in the conversation while walking with her brother. Anyway, she was still a bit sleepy and didn¡¯t want to trouble her mind. However, she noticed her brother was overwhelmingly courteous to all, albeit a bit indifferent. Even his smile didn¡¯t reach his eyes unless he was with the family. Halfway down the path, when they were passing by the riverside, they suddenly heard a scream followed by the heart-wrenching cries of a woman. ¡°Xi Dandan, my Xi Dandan, you can¡¯t die. If you die, I¡¯ll throw myself into this river and accompany you.¡± The woman was sobbing and shouting, her words became unclear, but Bai Ruozhu deciphered what she was saying. Perhaps because Bai Ruozhu was also a mother now listening to another mother cry for her child drew her attention. Not far away on the riverside, a child was lying on the ground and the woman was crying while trying to wake the unconscious kid. ¡°Bad news, Zhu family¡¯s Xi Dandan has drowned! Someone, please run up and fetch Doctor Li!¡± a villager yelled out. ¡°A guy¡¯s already gone to get him but, Xi Dandan isn¡¯t breathing anymore. Can... Can he make it?¡± a village woman asked, wiping away her tears. Seeing such a scene would surely sadden any mother. ¡°How can such an accident take place so early in the morning? The Zhu family only has single male descendants for three generations. This is truly...¡± the speaker sighed and couldn¡¯t continue. Bai Ruozhu looked at her second brother and said, ¡°Second brother, let¡¯s go and see if we can save that child.¡± Without waiting for his response, she hurried towards the riverside. Drowning was no small matter, a delay of even one minute could deprive the child of a chance of survival. As Bai Ruozhu approached, she recognised the child lying on the ground. He was about seven or eight years old, slightly older than Bai Zeqing. The last time the child caused trouble for Bai Zeqing, he was involved. Maybe because he was rather mischievous, he was the harshest among the troublemakers. Xi Dandan¡¯s mother was crying so hard she was short of breath. From a distance, two people were seen running over; the one leading was Xi Dandan¡¯s father, Zhu Shucha, and the physically fit old woman behind was the family¡¯s matriarch, Xi Dandan¡¯s grandmother. The two rushed over, and they too started wailing while holding the child. Bai Ruozhu frowned and shouted, ¡°Stop crying and try to save the child first!¡± The three were stunned, but when they looked up and saw her, a young woman, they ignored her. The matriarch was especially upset, she started berating her, ¡°What are you shouting for, you star of calamity! You caused the death of your husband, and now you want my grandson to die too? Get out of here!¡± Bai Zepei¡¯s expression turned grim. His formerly polite and courteous manner was instantly replaced by a cold arrogance, ¡°My sister was trying to save your child out of kindness. If you¡¯re ungrateful, that¡¯s one thing, but to then accuse her like this is absurd. Let me make it clear once more, my brother-in-law did not die, and if anyone spreads these rumours again, don¡¯t blame me, Bai Zepei, for being ruthless!¡± Although Bai Zepei sounded harsh, many still thought it was justified. It was pitiful that Zhu family¡¯s child had drowned, but the matriarch couldn¡¯t go about snapping at everyone like a mad dog, could she? Besides, Bai Ruozhu wasn¡¯t even near the riverside when the child fell into the water. If one were to blame the wife for deaths in a family, the first in line would be the matriarch herself since she outlived her husband! Bai Zepei gestured to Bai Ruozhu, indicating her to leave. But she shook her head, ¡°Second brother, let me try to save the child. Or else it¡¯ll be too late.¡± Bai Zepei originally thought his sister just cared for the drowning child and didn¡¯t think she could save him. But seeing her bright determined eyes now, he nodded, ¡°Then you better act fast. I¡¯ll deal with the rest.¡± ¡°Second brother, thank you.¡± Bai Ruozhu felt her eyes welling up with tears. She was grateful for her brother¡¯s unconditional trust in her. Bai Zepei had a faint smile, he nodded at her, then turned to the Niu family and said, ¡°My sister has a way to save your child. You all should stop crying; otherwise, the delay might cost the child¡¯s life, and then you¡¯ll have a real reason to cry.¡± The Zhu family¡¯s matriarch held her grandson tightly without letting go, crying and cussing at Bai Ruozhu and her brother. It was XiDandan¡¯s father, Zhu Shucha, who was relatively more clear-headed. He pulled his mother away, saying, ¡°Mother, stop being unreasonable. The Bai family is known for their education, they may know how to save the boy.¡± ¡°What could they possibly know? They are probably hoping for my grandson to die!¡± The matriarch was irrationally suspicious and biting at anyone she could find. Zhu Shucha could only sigh. He wiped his tears, dragged his mother away and said to Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Brother and sister of Bai Family, please, I beg of you.¡± Xi Dandan¡¯s mother had calmed down a bit, she released the unconscious Dandan, and began to kowtow to Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Please, I beg you, save my Xi Dandan!¡± Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t have time to help her up, she had already made her way to the child. She started giving the child first aid. Luckily, the child had only choked on water and lost consciousness, but if they had been delayed for another moment, it would indeed have been too late. Chapter 48 - 48 048 Second Brother Who Flicks Foreheads ?Chapter 48: Chapter 048: Second Brother Who Flicks Foreheads Chapter 48: Chapter 048: Second Brother Who Flicks Foreheads Everyone watched as Bai Ruozhu pressed on the child¡¯s chest, not knowing what she was doing. When no one was paying attention, Bai Ruozhu quietly pressed a few acupuncture points. Suddenly, the child let out a cry and spat out a mouthful of water. His chest then started to move as he started to breathe again. ¡°Quickly look! The child is breathing now!¡± shouted someone with sharp eyes. The Zhu family¡¯s daughter-in-law, who was closest to the child, immediately held him. ¡°Xi dandan, how are you doing? Quickly tell your mom that you¡¯re alright.¡± Xi dandan, who had just escaped from the clutches of death, was scared half to death, and started crying. However, due to his weak state after nearly drowning, his crying was feeble, accompanied by a continuous coughing sound. He didn¡¯t have the strength to talk. ¡°When Doctor Li arrives, let him prescribe some medicine for Xi dandan. There should be no major issues now.¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s tone was light. Previously, given the dire state of the child, she didn¡¯t have the leisure to fuss with the elderly daught of the Zhu family. But now that the child was safe, recalling the words said by Zhu Jiapozi is really infuriating. When others are kind enough to help, you unreasonably latch onto them and scold them fervently. Even if others understand how much you love your grandson, they cannot comprehend your neurotic tendencies, can they? When Zhu jiapozi saw that her grandson was awake, she cried out and rushed to snatch her grandson from her daughter-in-law, wailing, ¡°My heart, my liver, what would I do if anything happened to you?¡± Then she forcefully shoved her daughter-in-law aside, ¡°Get out of the way, you can¡¯t even look after a child, what else can you do!¡± The daughter-in-law of Zhu family, who was previously crying so much that her body had gone weak, almost fell to the ground when shoved. This made Zhu Jiapozi even more displeased, ¡°Whimpering and crying, do you really think you¡¯re some kind of fine lady?¡± When Zhu¡¯s daughter-in-law was scolded publicly by her mother-in-law, her face turned red in an instant, but she didn¡¯t dare to make a sound. It looked like these kinds of scenarios were often played out. Someone mumbled under their breath, ¡°Zhu Jiapozi is truly domineering, blaming her daughter-in-law for not looking after the child, but isn¡¯t this all her fault for spoiling him? If her daughter-in-law even tries to discipline the child, she gets scolded. This whole incident was caused because of her spoiling.¡± Another person, a neighbor of Zhu family, chimed in, ¡°Yes, yes. I heard this morning Xi Dandan¡¯s mother wouldn¡¯t let him go out to play, but Zhu Jiapozi scolded her daughter-in-law and let Xi DanDan go. Now she¡¯s blaming her daughter-in-law. What nonsense!¡±. Bai Ruozhu could see how unlikable Zhu Jiapozi¡¯s character was. Seeing that the kid was fine, she turned to her elder brother, saying, ¡°Brother, let¡¯s go.¡± Zhu Shucha came to his senses, fell to his knees in front of them, and knocked his head against the ground three times. ¡°I, Zhu Shucha, am not good with words, not sure what to say, but we¡¯ll always remember your kindness! Also, on behalf of my mother, I apologize to Miss Bai. My mother is old, please don¡¯t take her words to heart.¡± Zhu Shucha had wiped away his tears, but his eyes were still red and swollen. It was obvious just how despairing he had been earlier. Bai Ruozhu nodded slightly. Zhu Jiapozi was unreasonable, but luckily her son was more understanding and not spoiled. ¡°Brother Zhu, please get up. We¡¯re all from the same village, no need for such formality. We have other matters to attend to, so we¡¯ll make a move first.¡± Zepei¡¯s attitude towards Zhu Shucha had somewhat softened at this point. Zhu¡¯s daughter-in-law also followed suit and thanked both of them, her voice choking, ¡°Thank you, both of you. If not for you guys, our Xi Dandan might not have had much hope.¡± As soon as she finished her words, Zhu Jiapozi suddenly rushed over and started hitting her, ¡°You catastrophe, what nonsense are you spewing? My precious grandson is fine. He¡¯s lucky and will live a long life, don¡¯t you dare speak ill omens, or I¡¯ll make my son divorce you!¡± Zhu Shucha couldn¡¯t bear to watch anymore. He frowned and said, ¡°Mother, the child¡¯s mother didn¡¯t mean anything else, there are many people watching.¡± After that, he lowered his voice, ¡°Mother, you should also apologize to them. The words you said earlier were really inappropriate.¡± But Zhu Jiapozi acted as if she hadn¡¯t heard anything. She snorted and turned her head to the side, continuing to look at her grandson. At this time, respecting one¡¯s elders was paramount, so Zhu Shucha couldn¡¯t say much more to his mother. But the onlooking villagers weren¡¯t afraid, and started saying that Zhu Jiapozi was really stubborn, venturing further into old age. Bai Ruozhu was too lazy to watch Zhu Jiapozi any longer. She followed her elder brother in silence, turning to leave. The villagers opened a path for the siblings, many of them gave a thumbs up, saying the Bai siblings were good people. The siblings went straight to the entrance of the village, found a donkey cart, and set off for the town. ¡°Brother, will we be late?¡± Bai Ruozhu worried, after all, her brother had agreed to meet with the high-ranking official at a specific time. If they were late, it would make it difficult for her brother, and possibly leave a bad impression in his heart. While the two were sitting on the donkey cart, given their close proximity, Bai Zepei suddenly raised his hand and flicked Bai Ruozhu¡¯s brow. She yelped, covering her forehead in pain and angrily looking at her brother. How could he be so sneaky? ¡°Don¡¯t frown, be careful that your child ends up grumpy.¡± Bai Zepei said this with a smile on his face as if flicking her made him very happy. Bai Ruozhu stomped her feet, ¡°Brother, don¡¯t change the subject, I¡¯m worried here.¡± Bai Zepei started to laugh, ¡°If I told you we were going to be late, would you have not saved the child?¡± Without a second thought, Bai Ruozhu immediately replied, ¡°Of course we have to save him! Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t be able to live with myself.¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct. So what difference does it make if we¡¯re late?¡± Zepei said with a profound expression. But Bai Ruozhu had already figured out that they were indeed somewhat late. She quickly told the driver, ¡°Big Brother, please hurry up. We¡¯ll pay more!¡± The driver saw that Bai Ruozhu was pregnant and very young, so he said with some worry, ¡°I¡¯m afraid of jolting you. I can¡¯t take that responsibility.¡± ¡°Big Brother, don¡¯t mind her, this speed is fine.¡± Bai Zepei suddenly said. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll try to keep it as smooth as possible.¡± The driver was a warm-hearted man, and while he increased the speed a little, he made sure not to jolt too much. Bai Ruozhu looked at her brother somewhat frustrated, not knowing what to say for a while. It felt over-the-top to even apologize. But suddenly, her brother raised his hand again. Luckily, Bai Ruozhu had learned her lesson and quickly covered her forehead, ¡°Why are you flicking me again!¡± ¡°Who told you to frown again, it makes you look ugly!¡± Bai Zepei choked back laughter and said. His little sister¡¯s hands were now plump, and watching her cover her forehead with both hands was very childlike, which reminded him of their childhood. When his sister was born, he was quite young and didn¡¯t have much memory. When he got a little older, their mother would hold his sister and say that she was the prettiest child in the family. He didn¡¯t quite agree with that, but when his sister started wearing her hair in little braids, he truly thought she was indeed prettier than both him and his elder brother. Chapter 49 - 49 049 - So Thats How It Is ?Chapter 49: Chapter 049 ¨C So That¡¯s How It Is Chapter 49: Chapter 049 ¨C So That¡¯s How It Is ¡°Ruozhu, where did you learn the method you used to save Xi Dandan?¡± Bai Zepei suddenly asked, thinking to himself that he had watched his little sister grow up, but how did she suddenly learn to treat others? In her previous life, Bai Ruozhu was a dentist and had also learned some traditional Chinese medicine from her grandfather as a child. However, she was afraid of being questioned by her family about her sudden ability to treat people. ¡°I saw it by chance when I passed by the clinic in the town last time. At that time, someone also drowned, but it was much more serious than Xi Dandan. I saw the doctor pressed him to spit out the water in exactly that way.¡± Bai Ruozhu was relieved that she had been to the town alone, otherwise she could not have fabricated this story. Bai Zepei nodded thoughtfully, ¡°My little sister is intelligent and learns quickly.¡± He felt that his sister seemed to have a natural talent for medicine and perhaps could develop in this direction. If she could become a doctor like Dr. Li, her life could be better. Bai Ruozhu did not know that her second brother was considering finding her a master. If she knew, it would be laughable. She might be at the same level as the village doctor when she was 10 years old. Of course, she did not underestimate the doctors of this era. Many of their folk prescriptions were even more effective than her medical knowledge. When the two arrived at the County Government Office, it was indeed past the time Bai Zepei had agreed with Officer Li. Fortunately, Officer Li greeted them with a smile, not appearing upset. Bai Ruozhu felt that Officer Li was not a petty person, so her impression of him improved. The siblings paid their respects to Officer Li, who smiled at Bai Ruozhu and said, ¡°Since your brother calls me a brother, you should not be too formal with me. I know a little about your circumstances, and I understand your hardship.¡± Bai Ruozhu respectfully replied, ¡°Thank you, Officer Li, for standing up for me and for understanding my plight. It is no wonder you are spoken of as a good official by the people in town.¡± Officer Li laughed heartily and turned to Bai Zepei, saying, ¡°Your sister must have read some books with you, right? She is very eloquent.¡± Bai Zepei also laughed, ¡°My sister has been studying with my grandfather since she was a child. She also loves to read. What she said about you being a good official is no exaggeration.¡± Officer Li was in high spirits after being lauded by the siblings. He quickly ordered his servant to issue a marriage certificate for Bai Ruozhu. Since Chang Sheng was not present, his signature was imprinted on the marriage certificate as proof of his approval. Because Officer Li was still busy with public affairs, the two siblings withdrew. Officer Li did not ask them to stay longer but reminded them to be careful on their way home. As Bai Ruozhu followed her second brother out of the county office, she suddenly felt as if someone was watching her. She couldn¡¯t help but look back, but she saw nothing but busy officials. She laughed and shook her head, thinking that the bigger her belly became, the more likely she was to have whimsical thoughts. After the siblings left the county office, a man dressed in dark green clothes emerged from around the corner. ¡°Huh,¡± he muttered to himself, ¡°that woman has a sharp sense of perception.¡± He turned and went to the back hall, where Officer Li greeted him with a smile. ¡°Yichun, what brings you here unexpectedly?¡± Jiang Yichun gave a slight nod to Officer Li, ¡°I was passing by, just thought to stop by.¡± His voice was cold, devoid of any emotion. Officer Li, with a somewhat obsequious demeanor, said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you stay and have lunch with us? I¡¯ll tell the servants to arrange it immediately.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Jiang Yichun murmured a near inaudible response, but Officer Li cheerfully went to make arrangements. Jiang Yichun glanced at the marriage register on Officer Li¡¯s desk. Seeing this, Officer Li nervously rushed back. Jiang Yichun pointed to Bai Ruozhu¡¯s name and said, ¡°The man did not sign or stamp, why is a thing considered valid? Officer Li, are you being partial?¡± Officer Li explained in a hurry, ¡°Yichun, you don¡¯t know the details. This woman has lived a hard life. She is the legitimate granddaughter of a scholar in Back Mountain Village.¡± He explained to Jiang Yichun the sad fate of Bai Ruozhu, being a widow at a young age and pregnant. He added, ¡°Her brother is also a scholar and may become a scholar after the Rural Examination. So, I am also doing a favor for him.¡± Jiang Yichun raised an eyebrow, showing a little interest. Expecting this, Officer Li was relieved. ¡°You don¡¯t know the full story. That woman was almost tricked into a deadly situation,¡± Officer Li said, his tone filled with intrigue. Jiang Yichun raised his eyebrows, showing a bit of interest. Officer Li, gossiped energetically about Liu, his wife and the son of the Cao Family planning to spread rumors about Bai Ruozhu and even plotting to harm her. Jiang Yichun frowned, ¡°Why did Liu¡¯s wife want to harm Bai Ruozhu?¡± Officer Li looked disgusted as he said, ¡°According to Liu¡¯s wife¡¯s confession, she was jealous of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s beauty and literacy and hated Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother for slapping her.¡± Shaking his head, Officer Li added, ¡°You have no idea how crude these country women can be.¡± Chapter 50 - 50 050 Why Dont You Accept the Thank You Gift ?Chapter 50: Chapter 050: Why Don¡¯t You Accept the Thank You Gift? Chapter 50: Chapter 050: Why Don¡¯t You Accept the Thank You Gift? Jiang Yichun was silent, but he recalled that day¡¯s events. He had criticized Bai Ruozhu for being too calculating, worrying her scheming ways may negatively affect the child in her womb, and that being less manipulative would be a virtue to her child. In hindsight, he should not have disparaged her that way. He detested those naively good folks who didn¡¯t know how to fight back when harmed. Bai Ruozhu merely used cunning for self-protection. ¡°Why is Yichun interested in such trifling matters lately? You haven¡¯t been investigating anything lately, have you?¡± asked county magistrate Mr. Li curiously. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just heard some rumours and got curious,¡± Jiang Yichun said without looking up, hiding his embarrassment. Actually, Mr. Li was not really concerned about his keen interest in Bai Ruozhu¡¯s affairs, rather he was curious about what Jiang Yichun might be investigating. But Jiang Yichun, who had wrongly blamed Bai Ruozhu, felt uncomfortable when questioned by Mr. Li. ... Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei had already returned to the village. She had actually wanted to stay in town for some good food to satisfy her cravings, but she knew that if she suggested it, her second brother would surely accompany her, and she didn¡¯t want to further delay his study time. As soon as they entered the village, the sharp-eyed villagers greeted them enthusiastically, mainly thanking them for saving the Zhu Family¡¯s child, praising the siblings for their skill and Buddha¡¯s Heart. Of course, some villagers also cursed at the elder lady of the Zhu Family, accusing her of ingratitude. Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei just laughed and declined to comment further. Saving someone¡¯s life is not about seeking gratitude, and as for the elderly lady of the Zhu Family, they really didn¡¯t want to deal with her anymore. As they reached home, Lin Ping¡¯er and Bai Yihong came to greet them, asking anxiously, ¡°How did it go?¡± With a cheery smile, Bai Ruozhu pulled the marriage certificate from her bosom to show her parents, ¡°No need to worry, how could things not be settled when the second brother is on it?¡± Though Chang Sheng¡¯s signature and handprint were absent from the certificate, it did bear the official seal from the government office, which put Bai Yihong and his wife at ease. ¡°Thank heavens, I¡¯ve been feeling like something was hanging over my head until this was settled.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er couldn¡¯t help but express her relief, pressing her praying hands together and bowing in gratitude. Bai Ruozhu was amused by her mother¡¯s devout expression and took her arm, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for making you worry.¡± Bai Yihong chuckled, ¡°Of course, parents should worry about their children for their whole life.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er carefully folded the certificate, handed it to Bai Ruozhu saying, ¡°Ruozhu, keep good care of your marriage certificate, don¡¯t be careless.¡± After some thought, Bai Ruozhu said, ¡°Mother, you keep it for me, just in case I lose it one day.¡± With a helpless glance, Lin Ping¡¯er said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll keep it for you.¡± She took the certificate inside and put it in a box. At that moment, Bai Zehao returned from the fields. His shirt and trouser cuffs were rolled up, revealing a skin tanned by the sun but healthy and strong. With one hand clutching a hoe and the other a chicken, he stepped inside and called, ¡°Mother, the Zhu Family elder insisted on giving me this chicken. He said it was a token of thanks for saving Xi dandan, and we should cook it to nourish Ruozhu.¡± He set the hoe aside, walked into the main hall with the chicken, noticing Bai Zepei and Bai Ruozhu¡¯s presence, he gladly asked, ¡°You¡¯re back, how did it go?¡± Bai Ruozhu answered cheerily, ¡°All sorted, mum is keeping the marriage certificate.¡± ¡°Good, that¡¯s good.¡± Bai Zehao replied relievedly. Then waving the chicken toward Bai Ruozhu, ¡°I¡¯ll slaughter it for you later.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er came out from the inner room and, seeing the chicken Bai Zehao had brought, protested, ¡°Why did you bring it into the house? Hurry and put it in the yard, or it¡¯ll make everything dirty.¡± Bai Zehao chuckled and threw the chicken into the yard before returning to the main hall. ¡°By the way Er Lang, how did you end up rescuing the Zhu Family¡¯s child?¡± Bai Yihong asked while sitting at the table, a look of approval on his face. Bai Ruozhu glanced at her second brother, who clearly didn¡¯t want to talk about it. She, therefore, had to tell the family all about the river rescue incident. Upon hearing this, Lin Ping¡¯er was furious, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that Zhu Jiapozi? If you ask me, we should throw back her chicken. We certainly don¡¯t care about her thanks!¡± Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Mother, what they gave is not compensation, it¡¯s a token of appreciation. Zhu Jiapozi doesn¡¯t think she¡¯s done anything wrong.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not wrong? She¡¯s wronged herself all the way into the ditch!¡± Lin Ping¡¯er called out, ¡°In her mouth, she says she treasures her grandson, but she spoils him to the point of harm. Isn¡¯t that also harming the child? Plus, you saved her grandson, and she didn¡¯t even express her thanks. Ingrateful!¡± Fearing her mother might get too worked up, Bai Ruozhu patted Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s arm and countered, ¡°Mother, let¡¯s not bother with people like that. Why should we anger ourselves? Besides, why not eat the chicken? Even doctors accept fees for their services, let alone saving a life.¡± While saying this, Bai Ruozhu licked her lips. Alright, she admitted that what she mainly wanted was the delicious braised chicken with mushrooms. Farm households wouldn¡¯t normally slaughter chicks for meat until they¡¯re older, so having chicken meat alone was satisfying for her. ¡°Since it¡¯s given to you, of course you can eat it.¡± Bai Yihong couldn¡¯t bear to see their daughter¡¯s craving and directly decided the chicken¡¯s fate with his words. ¡°Then I¡¯ll slaughter the chicken.¡± Bai Zehao, always willing to do chores at home, immediately picked the dirtiest and most tiring task. Bai Ruozhu laughed joyfully, she swallowed her saliva and said, ¡°I¡¯ll cook today¡¯s chicken. Mother, can you help me prepare the veggies?¡± Having calmed down, Lin Ping¡¯er reached out to poke Bai Ruozhu¡¯s head, ¡°I¡¯ve figured it out, you¡¯re just complaining about your mother¡¯s cooking skills!¡± ¡°How could it be? It¡¯s just that I¡¯m afraid you would get tired.¡± Bai Ruozhu was slightly embarrassed with this excuse. Anyone who had a bit of taste would realize who was the better cook. The Bai family had previously been eating Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s dishes, and while they¡¯d grown accustomed to it, having tasted Bai Ruozhu¡¯s colourful and fragrant dishes, they could hardly bear Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s cooking anymore. Lin Ping¡¯er didn¡¯t take offense, her daughter being a good cook made her proud. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be your assistant and learn from you. So the next time I cook, your father and brothers wouldn¡¯t cut back on their meal portions while just nodding politely.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er said with a laugh. Bai Yihong poked his nose and mumbled, ¡°I don¡¯t do that.¡± But everyone laughed, obviously not believing him. Soon, Bai Zehao had slaughtered and cleaned the chicken. The chicken blood was collected into a bowl. Bai Ruozhu was very pleased. She chopped up the chicken into pieces, marinated it with sauce, and then sat down to have lunch with her family. As Lin Ping¡¯er had prepared lunch earlier, and everyone was eagerly anticipating the flavoursome chicken for dinner, they didn¡¯t really appreciate their lunch meal. When Lin Ping¡¯er jokingly brought up her cooking skills again, everyone felt embarrassed and made it a point to eat more. Chapter 51 - 51 051 Whos Eye Has Been Pricked ?Chapter 51: Chapter 051 Who¡¯s Eye Has Been Pricked Chapter 51: Chapter 051 Who¡¯s Eye Has Been Pricked After dinner, Bai Ruozhu took a nap and then started to prepare the chicken. She started to stew the chicken and then soaked some dried mushrooms she had stored previously. By the afternoon, a large pot of aromatic stewed chicken was ready. It had mushrooms, potatoes, and green beans. The chicken was well-flavored, especially the green beans, which not only added a beautiful color but also tasted excellent. Lin Ping¡¯er was the first to swallow, commenting, ¡°It smells fabulous. Try some, mom.¡± However, she was reluctant to take a piece of meat and just tried the soup instead. She couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°It¡¯s so flavorful!¡± Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment and said, ¡°Call my dad to take a bowl to my grandparents.¡± She estimated that many people had seen Zhu Shu Cha giving Bai Zehao a chicken. If the Bai family didn¡¯t send some to the old mansion, it would undoubtedly cause more trouble. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll call your father.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er did not object. It was appropriate to show respect to the elderly, as long as it did not harm her own family. Bai Yihong was called over. He was also enticed by the aroma of the pot. Bai Ruozhu smiled and let him taste a piece, but Bai Yihong also only tasted the soup. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°People say like father like mother, you two are so alike!¡± She picked up a plate, placed two pieces of meat on it along with some mushrooms and green beans, and handed it to them, ¡°You only tasted the soup, how can you tell if it¡¯s good? Try a piece of meat each, and see if it¡¯s tender enough.¡± Bai Yihong and Lin Ping¡¯er both refused to eat. Lin Ping¡¯er pushed the plate back and said, ¡°You eat it. The baby in your belly needs to grow.¡± Bai Ruozhu suddenly felt a lump in her throat. Her parents were reluctant to eat even a piece of chicken because they wanted her to eat more so the baby in her belly could grow healthily. She took a deep breath. In the future, she would strive to make her family live a better life, at least not as cautious about eating a piece of chicken. ¡°How much can I eat? The weather is so hot, if we don¡¯t finish it today, it will spoil. If you guys don¡¯t take a bite, I won¡¯t eat either. If it goes bad, we¡¯ll dump it.¡± Bai Ruozhu intentionally scared the two of them. Lin Ping¡¯er and Bai Yihong had no choice but to each take a piece of chicken and start eating. Once they tasted it, they couldn¡¯t help but compliment it. The chicken was very tender and flavorful, and there was a refreshing aroma. It was better than any stewed chicken they had eaten before! Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes curved with her smile. Which chef doesn¡¯t like hearing praises about their cooking? ¡°Alright, father, you should take it to the old mansion while it¡¯s still hot.¡± Bai Ruozhu said as she took a bowl and filled it with chicken. She gave about one-third of the chicken, along with plenty of side dishes. She was not stingy at all. However, Bai Yihong turned his face away and said, ¡°I have some carpentry work to do and don¡¯t have time. Let your elder brother deliver it.¡± Bai Ruozhu felt something was wrong with his demeanor. She guessed it had something to do with the old mansion, so she didn¡¯t ask more and just called her elder brother to deliver the chicken. ¡°Big brother, walk slowly on the road. It won¡¯t cool down too quickly.¡± Before Bai Zehao left, Bai Ruozhu hinted him. Bai Zehao responded with a hmm, as if he understood, ¡°If someone asks, I¡¯ll just say that the chicken was sent by the Zhu family and we are taking some to show respect to our grandparents.¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly nodded and gave Bai Zehao a thumbs up, ¡°You indeed are teachable.¡± ¡°Cut it out. Stop making fun of your big brother.¡± Bai Zehao joked before he walked out with the large bowl of chicken. Bai Ruozhu then took the opportunity to steam some rice and made Vegetable Sprout Vermicelli and Chicken Blood Soup with the chicken blood. It was light and refreshing. Once she finished all of this, Bai Zehao returned. ¡°Mom, let¡¯s start the meal.¡± Bai Ruozhu called out to Lin Ping¡¯er, who was feeding the pigs in the yard. It was a bit early for dinner, but who can resist the tempting aroma of stewed chicken? ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wash my hands and be right there. Big brother, get your younger brother to come out for dinner.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er put down her basin and went to wash her hands. Bai Ruozhu looked at Bai Zehao and noticed he didn¡¯t look very well, even his acknowledgment to his mother¡¯s instruction was listless. She couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Big brother, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Bai Zehao waved her off, ¡°Nevermind, let¡¯s not talk about it. We don¡¯t want to upset anyone.¡± Bai Ruozhu stopped him and said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to tell dad and mom, but you should tell me. If there¡¯s anything wrong, at least we can be prepared.¡± Bai Zehao thought for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, ¡°When I went to deliver the chicken, I wanted to give it directly to grandpa. But aunt kept asking for it. I refused and said I wanted to talk to grandpa personally. She probably held a grudge. After I finished talking to grandpa and came out, I heard her telling grandma in the kitchen that it was not unusual for others to frame you because flies don¡¯t bite seamless eggs.¡± Bai Ruozhu took a deep breath. She really didn¡¯t want to stoop to the level of Madame Wang, who was very likely to harbor evil intentions and was full of plots! ¡°It¡¯s fine, just ignore her. We just need to be more cautious.¡± Bai Ruozhu suppressed her anger, put on a smile, and said. ¡°Little sister, don¡¯t be angry. Aunt is just such a person, and it¡¯s not a matter of a day or two. She is just jealous that we are better off than her.¡± Bai Zehao said. Bai Ruozhu nodded. Her uncle and aunt had always considered themselves superior. Compared to their family, whose hands were muddied from hard work, they felt that their family was much more refined. They didn¡¯t even consider themselves in the same league. Bai Yibo was a student. He had been studying since he was young, so naturally, he was not comparable to the illiterate Bai Yihong. Wang¡¯s maiden family was also better than Lin¡¯s family. Their eldest daughter, Bai Ruomei, married into the Lu family in the town. The Lu family had a dessert shop and, despite not being rich, they lived a better life than many landowners. What¡¯s more, Bai Ruomei gave birth to a chubby son within just over a year of her marriage, and her life was flourishing. However, things always change. Bai Yibo had been a student for many years but could not become a scholar. Meanwhile, the deuce of the second room, Bai Zepei, surprisingly passed his royal examination and suddenly became comparable to his elder uncle. On top of that, Bai Ruomei, who seemed to be living a glamorous life, her husband Lu Ming turned out to be promiscuous and not home-oriented. It was rumored that he had even raised a mistress. Additionally, the second daughter of the main room, Bai Ruolan, who was a few months older than Bai Ruozhu, became less appealing as she grew up. Since they were cousins, Bai Ruolan was instantly overshadowed by Bai Ruozhu. Plus, with Bai Yibo repeatedly failing his exams, it was tough for Bai Ruolan to have a decent marriage proposal. Because of all these, Wang could not help but think back to the time when she first married into the family. She gave birth to two daughters one after another, while Lin Ping¡¯er gave birth to two stout boys. Wang was always at the losing end in the Bai family. If it were not for her maiden family¡¯s position, she might have starved. Fortunately, she later gave birth to two sons, which turned the tables a little. All these unpleasant things continued until Chang Sheng went missing, and Bai Ruozhu¡¯s belly got bigger and bigger day by day. Wang found a new target to vent her anger ¨C Bai Ruozhu. Their second room was supposedly doing better than hers, but look at her daughter now, what could possibly be going well? However, the smiles on the faces of the members of the second room these days were like thorns piercing Wang¡¯s eyes. Chapter 52 - 52 052 Not Including the Child in the Family Genealogy ?Chapter 52: Chapter 052: Not Including the Child in the Family Genealogy Chapter 52: Chapter 052: Not Including the Child in the Family Genealogy Everyone sat down at the dinner table, enjoying the braised chicken. Afterwards, everyone had a bowl of Vegetable and Vermicelli Chicken Blood Soup. The meal was so satisfying that even Bai Ruozhu was content to lean back in her chair, completely full. Just then, the yard gate creaked open and a small figure slipped in. Standing rather woodenly at the entrance of the Main Hall, it was Bai Zeqing, the fourth child of the Bai family. ¡°Xiaosi, don¡¯t just stand there, come and join us for some chicken.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er beckoned Xiaosi towards the table, even offering to serve him some food. Xiaosi¡¯s eyes were glued to the braised chicken on the table. ¡°I¡¯ve had my dinner, but I want some meat,¡± he said. Given how the old mansion household ate, with everyone sharing a piece of meat, it¡¯s likely there wasn¡¯t much left even after their elders had their portions. Bai Yibo and Wang probably did not leave much meat for Xiaosi, who was already quite starved. His chances of getting any of the mushrooms and beans were probably slim. Considering his age, and the undeniable craving for meat that comes with it, the denial of that desire must indeed be a form torment. Bai Ruozhu gestured for Xiaosi to sit beside her and served him a small bowl of vegetables, even specifically picking out some leftover meat for him from the pot. There wasn¡¯t much meat to begin with, especially since a third had been shared with the old mansion. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s family might have eaten their fill, but not from meat ¨C mostly from the accompanying vegetables. So it was quite difficult to scrape any remaining meat from the pot, particularly since the leftover pieces were just bony scraps. Despite this, Xiaosi¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up. He held the bowl tightly while he ate, not using chopsticks but instead grabbing the meat directly with his hand and even sucking on the bones for quite a while afterwards, as if he couldn¡¯t let even a bit of meat juice go to waste. Seeing him like that, the family couldn¡¯t help but pity him. Even though his family¡¯s resources were limited, Bai Yihong and Lin Ping¡¯er were parents who adored their children, never letting them go hungry. Bai Ruozhu took a handkerchief and wiped Xiaosi¡¯s mouth. Maybe it was because she was pregnant, but seeing the child made her feel incredibly maternal. ¡°Eat slowly, I¡¯ll save you a bowl next time.¡± Bai Ruozhu gently said. Upon hearing that, Xiaosi suddenly looked up at her, swallowed his food quickly, and said bluntly: ¡°My mom says bad things about you.¡± Despite his harsh tone, his words were so direct that no one would mistake his intentions. Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t expect Xiaosi to be unexpectedly spreading gossip, which left her momentarily speechless. Xiaosi continued, ¡°She said there¡¯s no smoke without fire, and she suggested to my grandma that your child shouldn¡¯t be included in the family tree in the future.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er jumped up in surprise, ¡°What did your grandma say? Why wouldn¡¯t our child be included in the family tree?¡± Xiaosi seemed to like Bai Ruozhu more. Despite Lin Ping¡¯er having fed him numerous times, he still chose to speak to Bai Ruozhu. At this moment, Bai Ruozhu realized that Xiaosi¡¯s words matched what her eldest brother had heard. She figured that Wang must have said this after her eldest brother left. Bai Ruozhu looked at Xiaosi, and Xiaosi finally said, ¡°Grandma said she knows.¡± Bai Yihong was so angered he slammed his palm down on the table, ¡°How could my mother listen to the nonsense my eldest sister-in-law spouts? This...this...¡± He was at a loss for words, unable to further condemn his mother. Lin Ping¡¯er didn¡¯t hold back, snapping, ¡°Mother has grown senile!¡± ¡°Chang Sheng is a resident son-in-law, and Ruozhu¡¯s child is our Bai family¡¯s child, how can he be denied entry into the family lineage?¡± Bai Ruozhu patted her mother¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be mad,¡± she said, ¡°Their words don¡¯t count for anything. Grandpa is a scholar, he didn¡¯t read all those books for nothing. Hearing her daughter¡¯s words, Lin Ping¡¯er seemed to calm down. Over time, she noticed her daughter had really grown up and was becoming quite adept at managing the family affairs. Bai Zepei, who usually had a calm expression, suddenly spoke. ¡°Mom, younger sister, don¡¯t worry. I will pass the Rural Examination. After that, eldest aunt wouldn¡¯t dare to trouble us too much.¡± It wasn¡¯t the first time Bai Zepei had said this. He had also mentioned it previously in front of his grandfather, reflecting his determination and confidence. Bai Ruozhu realised that her second brother wasn¡¯t just trying to prove a point; he was confident of his success and had only kept quiet so as to not unnecessarily worry the family. Upon realizing this, Bai Ruozhu thought that her second brother was truly a genius. With so many people studying, the Imperial Examination is notoriously difficult, even for well-bred scholars with renowned tutors. Given that her second brother had none of these privileges, and still had his current abilities, there¡¯s no other word that fit him but genius. After he finished his meal, Xiaosi appeared stunned as he thanked them. Without wiping his mouth, he prepared to leave but Bai Ruozhu called him back. She wiped his mouth and hands before letting him go. Having eaten quite a lot, Bai Ruozhu decided to take a walk to aid digestion. Lin Ping¡¯er initially wanted to accompany her but was asked to stay back by Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s still daylight outside. I¡¯ll only be away for a while and will be back soon. You can¡¯t really think I¡¯m that delicate. We don¡¯t have much help; we all have responsibilities to fulfill. I don¡¯t want to take up too much of your time,¡± she said. In the yard, Bai Yihong and Bai Zehao were doing some carpentry work. The tables and chairs they were building for the school were halfway done. Bai Ruozhu noticed her dad carving flowers onto a table. Curiosity piqued, she walked over and was pleasantly surprised by her father¡¯s carving skills. When he finished carving a pattern, Bai Yihong took a break and noticed his daughter standing behind him, watching. He smiled and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t it boring to just watch?¡± Bai Ruozhu gave her father a thumbs-up. ¡°Dad, you¡¯re really skilled at carving. You could easily make a living as a carpenter with this skill,¡± she said. ¡°When you were little, I was a carpenter during the slack farming season. A master craftsman even specially taught me for a short time, so I learned some skills. You may look at your dad as a rough man, but I learn things very quickly. That carpenter master had actually planned to formally accept me as his apprentice, but your Grandpa didn¡¯t agree, saying that as part of a scholarly and agricultural family, there¡¯s no need for us to become craftsmen,¡± Bai Yihong fondly recalled his past, seeming unusually talkative after a satisfying meal. Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes, ¡°What¡¯s so bad about being a craftsman? There are hundreds of professions, and success can be found in any of them. I think having a skill is the best approach since it prevents one from starving, no matter the circumstances.¡± ¡°Hundreds of professions, success can be found in any of them?¡± Bair Yihong pondered, repeating her words under his breath. He thought her viewpoint was pretty sensible. ¡°But dad, does the teacher¡¯s desk at school really need such intricate carvings?¡± Bai Ruozhu questioned. Bai Yihong wiped off the wood scrapings from the desk leg and replied, ¡°This table is meant for the teacher.¡± Hearing about the teacher, Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but recall the news she heard from Xiaosi earlier about her eldest uncle wishing to become the school teacher. She asked her father, ¡°Dad, I heard my eldest uncle wants to be the teacher at school. What do you think about that?¡± Bai Yihong¡¯s hands paused, seemingly losing interest in continuing to carve. He moved to sit on the bench beside him and said, ¡°It¡¯s probably your grandfather¡¯s idea. Your uncle is quite ambitious, he probably wouldn¡¯t approve.¡± Bai Ruozhu shrugged, ¡°Let¡¯s hope so, it¡¯d be a shame to mislead the kids.¡± Chapter 53 - 53 053 The Zhu Familys Rooster Can Lay Eggs ?Chapter 53: Chapter 053: The Zhu Family¡¯s Rooster Can Lay Eggs Chapter 53: Chapter 053: The Zhu Family¡¯s Rooster Can Lay Eggs What Bai Ruozhu said was heartfelt. Coupling it with the unemotional memories of her past life and what she had seen and heard after transmigrating, she didn¡¯t have the slightest bit of regard for Bai Yibo. He was an adult still stuck in the status of kindergarten, shamelessly looking down on his hardworking younger brother who supported their family. From a moral standpoint, this man was already problematic. Moreover, in terms of ability, although it was not a problem for him as an old ¡®student¡¯ to teach a group of village kids, children¡¯s early education is often crucial. If they start learning on the wrong track, the route ahead will only deviate further. Even if he didn¡¯t pass on any bad habits to the school children, his own learning methods were flawed. If he imparted these methods to the kids, what good could come of their futures? Additionally, the village had limited resources and couldn¡¯t afford to feed a teacher with a large appetite. If someone like Bai Yibo went to the school, they would either incur the wrath of the entire village on the Bai Family or bankrupt the village school. Bai Yihong took a breath but didn¡¯t comment further. However, Bai Ruozhu could see that her father took great care in carving the desk for the village teacher. On one hand, he respected intellectuals, on the other, he was grateful for the teacher educating the village children. Yet, he didn¡¯t like the idea of his elder son becoming this teacher, which indicated he was clearly aware of his eldest son¡¯s character. Bai Ruozhu bid her father goodbye and set off, pondering as she walked. Could the village elder really allow Bai Yibo to become a teacher at the village school? It was possible, but it would certainly be a difficult task. She was deep in thought when she heard a young voice from not far away. ¡°Hey, Sister Bai, thank you!¡± The voice, full of youthful vigor, was tinged with timidity. Looking up, Bai Ruozhu saw Xi Dandan, the boy she had once saved at the riverside. Although he was now in better health with a rosy complexion, she couldn¡¯t help but frown and say, ¡°You nearly lost your life this morning. How can you be out playing again? Go home and rest.¡± After listening to her, Xi Dandan pouted, ¡°My grandmother said I¡¯ve got great luck and wouldn¡¯t fall ill that easily. She forbade you people from cursing me.¡± The corner of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mouth twitched. No wonder such a small child could play by the river so early, such lax parenting! She was genuinely confused. Didn¡¯t the old lady of the Zhu Family love her grandson to death? But why did it look like she wanted to harm him instead? ¡°You should listen to your grandmother then. I¡¯m leaving.¡± Bai Ruozhu felt at a loss for words and turned to leave. Upon hearing her, Xi Dandan unhappily commented, ¡°No wonder my grandmother calls you a shrew! My dad gave you our chicken to eat, resulting in fewer chickens to lay eggs in our house. I will have fewer eggs to eat from now on!¡± Bai Ruozhu knew she shouldn¡¯t stoop to a child¡¯s level, but she couldn¡¯t help it. ¡°Kid, go home and ask if a rooster lays eggs. The chicken your father gave us is a rooster. How does that affect your egg consumption?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked. Xi Dandan was taken aback. Even though he was only eight years old, he knew that roosters did not lay eggs. They only crowed. ¡°But if my grandmother says so, then it must be true. You can¡¯t argue against that.¡± Xi Dandan seemed to be at a loss for words and grumbled in frustration. Bai Ruozhu sighed, ¡°Xi Dandan, you¡¯re eight years old. In a few years, you¡¯ll be considered an adult. It¡¯s time you discerned between right and wrong. Don¡¯t always believe what your grandmother says, think for yourself too.¡± Having said that, she didn¡¯t bother with Xi Dandan anymore and headed home. Upon returning, Lin Ping¡¯er asked Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Where¡¯d you go off to? Have you digested your meal yet?¡± Bai Ruozhu laughed, ¡°Almost there.¡± She then reluctantly recounted her encounter with Xi Dandan. Lin Ping¡¯er, who was sewing by an oil lamp inside, couldn¡¯t help but laugh, and even Bai Yihong, who was cooling off in the yard, joined in. ¡°This Zhu Pozi really knows how to talk, she can even convince others that roosters can lay eggs.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er said, both exasperated and amused. Bai Yihong shook his head in disbelief, ¡°Zhu Pozi is really something. Zhu¡¯s uncle passed away early, and she seems intent on ruining the Zhu Family.¡± ¡°Dad, haven¡¯t you heard the saying? Marrying a good daughter-in-law makes a family rich for three generations, and marrying a bad one destroys them. Isn¡¯t Zhu Pozi harming her own grandson?¡± Bai Ruozhu said, coming out from the house and sitting in the yard to cool off. Bai Yihong nodded in agreement, then said contemplatively, ¡°I hope your elder brother can marry a good wife and our family prospers for several generations.¡± ¡°Dad, rest assured, Sister Caiyue will be a good sister-in-law and daughter-in-law.¡± Bai Ruozhu assured with a smile. When Bai Yihong heard his daughter¡¯s words, it was as if he had taken a heart-relieving pill. He immediately felt much more at ease. The next day, when Bai Ruozhu finally had time to meet Fang Guizhi, she took out the money from the apricot preserves and counted half of it for her. Fang Guizhi flat out refused to accept it, ¡°I have heard about your run-in with Old Lady Wang and later how you got troubled by Wang LaiDi. I cannot accept this money. If I had not been unable to accompany you, you wouldn¡¯t have encountered so much trouble.¡± Fang Guizhi¡¯s words made Bai Ruozhu blush with embarrassment. How could her troubles have anything to do with Guizhi? Even if Guizhi had accompanied her, she would have still found a way to involve the gossip-loving Old Lady Wang and carried on with their plan. However, she did not want to reveal this to Fang Guizhi. No matter how close they were, everyone has their own secrets. ¡°Guizhi, where did your thoughts wander off to? If I hadn¡¯t run into Wang LaiDi while on my way to town, how would I have known she was trying to harm me? In case she really had brought people to my house to cause a scene, not even jumping into the Yellow River would wash away the blame.¡± Bai Ruozhu said, laughing. ¡°You need to deduct the cost and expenses, or else I won¡¯t agree to split the earnings with you. I can¡¯t let you suffer a loss. A friendship cannot last if anyone feels disadvantaged.¡± Fang Guizhi said with a stern face. Bai Ruozhu felt as though she was seeing Fang Guizhi for the first time. Although Guizhi was a young girl, she had a clear understanding of things and strict principles. ¡°Fine, let¡¯s do it your way.¡± Bai Ruozhu deducted the cost, deliberately undervaluing some of it, and deducted her carriage fare with Old Lady Wang. She then gave half the money to Fang Guizhi. Fang Guizhi took the copper coins and counted them one by one, looking delighted, ¡°Ruozhu, I¡¯ve got some money now, and so much of it!¡± Bai Ruozhu felt a pang in her heart. This child was clearly ill-treated at home, not having a penny to her name. Even for buying a bottle of soy sauce she barely received enough money. But she would never take advantage of her friend¡¯s kindness. Even if her friend felt that she had worked hard and it wouldn¡¯t be unfair, she still insisted not to take advantage. She saw valuables qualities in Fang Guizhi. Chapter 54 - 54 054 Going to Meet Wen Po ?Chapter 54: Chapter 054 Going to Meet Wen Po Chapter 54: Chapter 054 Going to Meet Wen Po As Bai Ruozhu¡¯s belly kept growing, Lin Ping¡¯er began to arrange for a midwife. Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t have much faith in the village midwives. The ancient birthing methods seemed rather backward, and she herself, being a medical student, couldn¡¯t quite accept them. However, even though she didn¡¯t agree, what could she do? Even if her medical skills were excellent, she couldn¡¯t help herself during childbirth. To maintain consciousness would be quite an achievement, especially since this was her first child, and her petite sixteen-year-old body isn¡¯t fully developed, making childbirth very risky. So, she had no choice but to place her hope on the famed village midwife. At worst, she would teach her mother about sterilization and make sure she was thoroughly clean. ¡°My girl, you¡¯re young and probably don¡¯t understand these things. This midwife Ji Wenpo is extremely popular throughout villages. Your aunt sought her help while giving birth to your little cousin. Also, many babies in our village were delivered with her help, both mother and child are safe and sound.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er explained to Bai Ruozhu. During those times, childbirth was akin to walking through the Ghost Gate, an act that could easily result in a loss of life. Yet, Ji Wenpo managed to deliver countless babies without a single mishap, which was quite impressive. ¡°Fine, mother, whatever you decide will be fine.¡± Bai Ruozhu knew her mother was very meticulous and always had her best interests at heart, so she had no objections. Satisfied that Bai Ruozhu had no objections, Lin Ping¡¯er continued, ¡°Well, we should visit Ji Wenpo tomorrow, and also bring her some gifts. It¡¯s only with her agreement that we can proceed, given her numerous commitments, she might not necessarily agree to it.¡± It appeared that Ji Wenpo had a busy schedule. ¡°Okay, I also want to meet her.¡± Bai Ruozhu said. The following morning, Lin Ping¡¯er carried a basket with half a basket of eggs and some freshly picked vegetables, pulling Bai Ruozhu towards Liuye Village. Ji Wenpo lived in Liuye Village to the south of Back Mountain Village. It didn¡¯t take long to reach there by foot, however, considering Bai Ruozhu¡¯s pregnancy, Lin Ping¡¯er decided to hitch a ride on a passing ox cart, handing over some money as fare. The two arrived in Liuye Village swiftly and marched to the Ji family¡¯s home. Sure enough, they saw someone knocking on the Ji family¡¯s door when they arrived. Lin Ping¡¯er looked at Bai Ruozhu, saying somewhat worriedly, ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting Jin Wenpo to be so popular. We¡¯ve run into others who have reached here just like us.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go and take a look. If she¡¯s available, then it¡¯s good, if not, we can¡¯t force her to. Let¡¯s just go with the flow,¡± Bai Ruozhu reassured her in an attempt to allay her mother¡¯s worries. Lin Ping¡¯er nodded, supporting Bai Ruozhu by the arm. Both of them went over to knock on the Ji family¡¯s door. The door was opened from inside by a young boy, seemingly himself a teenager. ¡°You¡¯re here to see my grandma, aren¡¯t you?¡± the young boy asked. The woman who arrived ahead of them was a lean, dark-skinned old woman who quickly answered, ¡°Yes, yes, I was here first.¡± Her demeanor and tone appeared as if she feared Bai Ruozhu and her mother might steal the slot. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t contain her laughter at this. Ji Wenpo was indeed highly sought after. ¡°We¡¯re also here to meet Ji Wenpo. Excuse us, could you pass on this basket of fruits, please?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er politely asked the boy. Being the daughter-in-law of the Scholar family, her conduct and manners were unlike the ordinary village women. The young boy couldn¡¯t help but give Lin Ping¡¯er and Bai Ruozhu a once-over before he said, ¡°You all wait in the yard. My grandma is discussing something with someone.¡± Was it just their bad luck to reach during peak hours, or was Ji Wenpo¡¯s house always bustling like this? ¡°Alright, thank you, young sir.¡± Bai Ruozhu nodded to the young boy in gratitude. The dark-skinned, skinny old woman appeared quite dissatisfied, grumbled under her breath, ¡°This always happens. I got here first, yet they take advantage of it. Hmph.¡± With his sharp ears, the young boy glared at her as she hastily put on a smile and replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything, truly.¡± The young boy gave a cold snort in response, quite intimidating, causing the skinny old woman to keep silent, shrink her neck, and enter the house. Bai Ruozhu also followed suit and entered the yard. The young boy moved a stool over, saying to Bai Ruozhu: ¡°You sit.¡± Bai Ruozhu saw that there was only one stool, and with her mother not sitting, she felt a bit embarrassed. The boy then sternly said, ¡°My grandma instructed that any pregnant woman visiting must be seated, lest problems arise that would be blamed on us.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er hastily nudged Bai Ruozhu with her elbow, saying, ¡°Hurry up and sit.¡± Bai Ruozhu had no option but to sit down. She decided to accept the preferential treatment that comes with being pregnant. After a while, an old woman leading a heavily pregnant woman appeared from the main hall, both wearing joyful expressions. It seemed that Ji Wenpo had agreed to help. Seeing this, the skinny old woman hastily rushed forth, ¡°Ji Wenpo, I am from the Liu family in Houtang Village. Could you consider assisting my daughter-in-law in childbirth?¡± Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu looked over, getting her first glimpse of Ji Wenpo. She was a lean woman in her fifties. An ideal midwife would have accumulated ample experience through delivering numerous babies, but without sufficient vigor, they wouldn¡¯t be able to manage. Thus, being in her fifties seemed perfect. Ji Wenpo had a stern look and, glancing emotionlessly at the skinny old woman, she coldly said, ¡°Bring the person here first, then we¡¯ll discuss.¡± Only then did Bai Ruozhu observe that the skinny old woman had arrived all by herself without her pregnant daughter-in-law, her hands completely empty. Noticing this, Lin Ping¡¯er quickly moved forward to greet Ji Wenpo, ¡°Ji Wenpo, I¡¯ve brought my daughter to trouble you,¡± as she handed Ji Wenpo the basket she carried. The skinny old woman was restlessly rolling her eyes. Only now realizing her mistake in coming empty-handed, she told Ji Wenpo: ¡°I will come back with my daughter-in-law this afternoon.¡± After saying this, she trudged away feeling dejected. ¡°They¡¯re all from our own home, not worth much.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er said apologetically, ¡°I want you to assist my daughter during childbirth, and we¡¯ll respect your terms for compensation.¡± With the previous visitors who discussed terms with Ji Wenpo gone, Ji Wenpo handed over the basket to the young boy. Her attitude towards Bai Ruozhu and her mother turned a bit friendlier, although she was not overly warm, ¡°Talk inside.¡± The three of them went inside and the young boy closed the door. ¡°How far along are you? How has your health been normally?¡± Ji Wenpo looked at Bai Ruozhu and directly asked. Bai Ruozhu quickly bowed in salutation, ¡°I am almost eight months along. I¡¯ve been feeling well, getting good sleep and eating hearty meals. My legs haven¡¯t swollen at all.¡± Ji Wenpo scanned Bai Ruozhu from head to toe and, satisfied, nodded her head in approval, ¡°You¡¯ve nurtured yourself quite well. Come here, let me have a look.¡± Bai Ruozhu guessed that Ji Wenpo chose to deliver babies of those women who had healthy bodies and promising development. On one hand, she didn¡¯t want to risk complications and, on the other hand, she didn¡¯t want her reputation tarnished due to complications with any particular patient. Bai Ruozhu walked up to her. Suddenly, Ji Wenpo stretched her hand towards Bai Ruozhu¡¯s belly, startling her. Bai Ruozhu instinctively feared anyone touching her belly, even her mother hardly did. ¡°Don¡¯t move. How can I help you with childbirth if you won¡¯t let me examine the baby?¡± Ji Wenpo said in a strict tone. Chapter 55 - 55 055 Ji Wenpo and Aunt Zhu ?Chapter 55: Chapter 055: Ji Wenpo and Aunt Zhu Chapter 55: Chapter 055: Ji Wenpo and Aunt Zhu Bai Ruozhu wore an apologetic expression, stepping forward to stand in front of Ji Wenpo again. Once more, Ji Wenpo placed her hand on Ruozhu¡¯s belly, her touch wasn¡¯t particularly gentle or rough. After examining for a while, Ji Wenpo nodded and said, ¡°The baby is in the correct position, and you¡¯ve taken good care of yourself. From my experience, it¡¯s likely a boy, and he doesn¡¯t seem too big, it should be a smooth delivery.¡± As a medical practitioner, Bai Ruozhu knew how to take care of her nutrition and leisure activities, ensuring not to end up like many women who made their pregnant bellies exceptionally bigger, increasing the risks during childbirth. Upon hearing the prediction, Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s face flushed with excitement. ¡°Is it really a boy?¡± she asked excitedly. With an incredulous glare, Ji Wenpo replied, ¡°Almost certain.¡± Overwhelmed with joy, Lin Ping¡¯er grabbed Bai Ruozhu¡¯s hand, exclaiming, ¡°Ruozhu, did you hear that? It¡¯s a boy, it¡¯s a boy!¡± Bai Ruozhu was sweating, she patted her mother¡¯s hand gently, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be so thrilled, whether it¡¯s a boy or a girl, does it matter?¡± But one could not deny that in this era, people often favored male children over female ones, and families like the Bai family, who cherished their daughters, were incredibly rare. Despite Lin Ping¡¯er cherishing her daughter, she could not change her deep-seated preference for a male child. Ji Wenpo had kept a straight face, but on hearing this, she looked up at Bai Ruozhu. She found that Bai Ruozhu appeared calm and unconcerned, unlike the typical excitement that other women expressed on knowing they were carrying a boy. This made Ji Wenpo look at Ruozhu closely, noticing her extraordinary beauty and an air of sophistication beyond the rural women of their village. ¡°You are from the Scholar Bai¡¯s family in Back Mountain Village?¡± Ji Wenpo asked, recalling the information her grandson had provided. Lin Ping¡¯er nodded hurriedly, calming herself, ¡°Indeed, my husband is the second son of Scholar Bai, and my daughter is married to him. Therefore, we live together.¡± She felt the need to explain further, as it was uncommon to see a mother bringing her pregnant daughter to a midwife ¡ª normally, it was the mother-in-law accompanying her daughter-in-law. This wasn¡¯t to say that mothers of this time didn¡¯t care for their daughters; however, the common belief was that ¡°married daughters are like poured-out water,¡± and excessive interference from their families could cause tension with the in-laws. Ji Wenpo sighed thoughtfully, ¡°You indeed love your daughter dearly.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er chuckled, ¡°She¡¯s my only daughter, so I do dote on her. Now that she¡¯s due soon, could we ask you to assist with the delivery?¡± Ji Wenpo assessed the situation, ¡°Of course.¡± She actually looked forward to interacting with a family like them more often, as there might be a chance that Ruozhu¡¯s baby could be a scholar like his grandfather, bestowing honor upon her as their midwife. Lin Ping¡¯er was enthusiastic again, bowing in respect to Ji Wenpo, ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Thank you.¡± Bai Ruozhu also joined in with the bow, expressing her gratitude. She genuinely admired Ji Wenpo as she had proven her reputation by touching Ruozhu¡¯s belly with expertise, and her prediction about the baby gender was accurate, by her own sense. However, during her medical training, Bai Ruozhu had little contact with pregnant women and therefore dared not make a casual conclusion. ¡°That¡¯s enough, no need for more gratitude. Prepare the money when it¡¯s time,¡± Ji Wenpo said in a strictly professional tone. Bai Ruozhu preferred Ji Wenpo¡¯s straightforward approach. After bowing to Ji Wenpo again, she left the Ji house with her mother. On the way home, Lin Ping¡¯er raved and repeated her elation about the prediction that Ruozhu was carrying a boy. It was a mix of laughter and tears for Bai Ruozhu. Upon arriving home, Lin Ping¡¯er rushed excitedly into the main hall, recounting Ji Wenpo¡¯s prediction to the family ¨C which brought out a joyous atmosphere in the house. As strange as it was for Bai Ruozuh, she was fully aware that although her family cherished a boy, they would love the baby just as much were it a girl. As Bai Ruozhu grew weary due to the progressing pregnancy, she didn¡¯t have the energy to think about earning money anymore. With a considerable amount of savings in the house for the time being, and her eldest brother¡¯s marriage arranged, the Bai Family and the Wan Family had selected an auspicious date for their union, that would take place after the autumn harvest. News from Du Zhongshu indicated that the toothpaste sales were impressive and Bai Ruozhu¡¯s method was indeed very effective. She was content with the monthly bonuses they brought in to make ends meet. Several days later, it was time to audit and collect bonus according to the agreement with Du Zhongshu. Bai Ruozhu accompanied by her eldest brother, again traveled to the town. After a quick look at the account book, Bai Ruozhu realized that the revenues weren¡¯t significant since toothpaste was a new product on the market. Her share for this month came to only a dozen ounces of silver. Even so, it excited Bai Zehao immensely. Silver worth a dozen ounces could support a rural family for several months. ¡°This month, we mainly gave out free samples and spent money to hire people for advertising. So, the expenses were slightly high, resulting in less profit. However, I am hopeful that the earnings will improve next month,¡± Du Zhongshu explained to Bai Ruozhu, slightly worrying that she might consider the bonus inadequate. Bai Ruozhu saw right through Du Zhongshu¡¯s concern and smiled, ¡°Getting started is always the hardest part. The initial stage of the business is already impressive, which is because you and Shopkeeper Zhou have done a good job. If it were someone else, they might have been at a loss for several months before breaking even.¡± Being praised by Bai Ruozhu thrilled Du Zhongshu. It was his first time seriously undertaking a job outside of his family-arranged duties. Even though it granted him a sense of achievement, he realized that it did not feel as exciting as receiving commendation from Bai Ruozhu. ¡°It was your excellent idea.¡± Du Zhongshu said modestly. After receiving the silver, Bai Ruozhu considered leaving. She thought for a moment and said, ¡°I am due soon and will have to rest after delivery. I probably won¡¯t be able to come here next month, you could have Zhou Fu deliver the profits to me then.¡± Du Zhongshu agreed promptly, ¡°Of course, we¡¯ll take care of it. Please take good care of yourself and here¡¯s hoping you give birth to a healthy boy.¡± Bai Zehao, excited about the conversation, chipped-in: ¡°The most esteemed midwife in our village has already examined Ruozhu and she says it¡¯s very likely to be a boy.¡± Hearing this, Du Zhongshu smiled, ¡°In that case, let me congratulate you in advance. If there¡¯s anything you need, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡± ¡°Thank you, I appreciate that.¡± After bowing to Du Zhongshu, Bai Ruozhu along with her brother left the town. They took the ox cart back to Back Mountain Village. As they were walking towards their house after entering the village, they saw Ji Wenpo being seen off by an individual from afar. Bai Ruozhu stopped in her tracks, who could it be? It was none other than Ji Wenpo, who Bai Ruozhu and her mother had just visited not long ago! Zhu Jiapozi and Ji Wenpo seemed to be having an amicable conversation, as they walked towards the entrance of the village, laughing and chatting. Bai Ruozhu stared at them rather intently, catching the attention of Zhu Jiapozi. Noticing Bai Ruozhu, she turned around and cast an arrogant, satisfied smirk towards her... Chapter 56 - 56 056 Filial Piety Should not be Foolish Filial Piety ?Chapter 56: Chapter 056 Filial Piety Should not be Foolish Filial Piety Chapter 56: Chapter 056 Filial Piety Should not be Foolish Filial Piety Bai Ruozhu¡¯s heart suddenly felt ice cold. She had seen in period dramas and ancient romance novels, many mentions the time of childbirth would be the most opportune for foul play. In those tales of palace and household intrigues, weren¡¯t the midwives often bribed, committing misdeeds during the birth process? However, Bai Ruozhu soon calmed herself down. If Zhu Pozi was really up to such a scheme, she should have made sure Bai Ruozhu did not see it. Wouldn¡¯t it be easier to act when Bai Ruozhu was completely off-guard? Yet, this wasn¡¯t a palace nor a grand mansion, thus it was unlikely for such deep and complex schemes to be plotted. Bai Ruozhu still felt uneasy. Zhu Pozi¡¯s smile gave her chills, and no matter what Zhu Pozi was rejoicing in, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t dare to gamble with her child¡¯s life. Bai Zehao too saw Zhu Pozi turn her head and smile at Ruozhu, he was no fool, and he quickly noticed something unusual about Zhu Pozi. He asked in a low voice, ¡°Ruozhu, what does Zhu Pozi mean by that?¡± ¡°The person with her is Ji Wenpo, the midwife my mother asked to help deliver my baby¡±, Bai Ruozhu quietly explained as she continued to walk. ¡°What?¡± Bai Zehao was almost leaping in shock, ¡°What on earth is Zhu Pozi up to? Is she out of her mind? You saved the lives of Zhu¡¯s family members. Her actions are simply ¡®biting the hand that feeds¡¯. Ungrateful and loathsome!¡± Bai Zehao rolled up his sleeves, ¡°I will not allow this, I¡¯m going to talk to Zhu Shucha and tell him to control his mother!¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly grabbed him, ¡°Don¡¯t be impulsive, we have no proof, only that she seems familiar with Ji Wenpo. We would be in the wrong if we escalated it now. Let¡¯s go home and discuss with mother first. We could always hire another midwife.¡± Bai Zehao, upon considering this, thought it made sense, but he was still seething with rage and wishing he could give Zhu Pozi a piece of his mind. The siblings went back home and related the incident with Zhu Pozi and Ji Wenpo. Both Lin Ping¡¯er and Bai Yihong became worried upon hearing the news. ¡°Is Zhu Pozi really trying to harm Ruozhu? She saved Zhu¡¯s grandson¡±, Bai Yihong said unbelievably. ¡°Father, when I saw Zhu Pozi smiling sinisterly at Ruozhu, I knew something wasn¡¯t right¡±, Bai Zehao added. Bai Ruozhu also felt unlucky. Her good intentions of saving a drowning child had led her to cross paths with this scheming, bitter old woman. What had she done to deserve this? She heaved a sigh and stated, ¡°Zhu Pozi spoils her grandson and openly scolds and hits her daughter-in-law. It¡¯s clear she is an unreasonable person. During the incident with Celebration Eggs, she suddenly turned her anger on me, even saying that as a widow, I¡¯m bad luck. And since my second brother defended me, she probably felt she had lost face.¡± ¡°Even after I saved Celebration Eggs, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to say a word of thanks. Moreover, she held a grudge against me since the villagers criticised her for her lack of gratitude, and later blamed me for eating their egg-laying chicken as part of Celebration Eggs¡¯s father¡¯s gift. Therefore, it wouldn¡¯t be a surprise if she¡¯s out to harm me.¡± Hearing this, Bai Yihong muttered a curse. Although he was seldom rude to anyone, Zhu Pozi was someone he also disapproved of. ¡°The younger generations of the Zhu Family are filial and Zhu Pozi is the authoritative figure, that¡¯s how she¡¯s pampered and behaves this way,¡± said Lin Ping¡¯er dismissively. ¡°That¡¯s why, while it¡¯s right to be obedient, it¡¯s not right to blindly obey without reason. If Zhu Pozi acts unreasonably and Zhu Shucha submits to her because of his filial piety, he will only be enabling her and may bring misfortune to his family in the future,¡± Bai Ruozhu said slowly, stealing a glance at her father. ¡°It¡¯s as though we overly pamper a child and do nothing to correct their unbecoming behavior because they are young. Can such a child turn out well in the future? The same applies to the elderly,¡± she continued. Bai Ruozhu took this opportunity to give her father some advice. Although Bai Yihong might be a strict person, he is fair and reasonable. Unfortunately, the elderly lady of the Bai Family wasn¡¯t the most rational, being petty, greedy, and easily provoked. Who knew what might happen in the future? Bai Ruozhu did not want her father to be overly tolerant towards the elderly lady out of filial obedience. Indeed, her words had an effect. The thought-provoking conversation made her mother, her brother and even her father reconsider their actions. People at that time followed the virtue of filial piety, obeying their parents¡¯ every word. But what if their parents were wrong? Should they continue to obey them in the name of filial piety, or find a different solution? However, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words made them see things in a new light. Continuous approval might do more harm than good to the elderly, and failing to correct their mistakes could aggravate their faults. Take Zhu Pozi for example, her capricious behavior has offended the Bai family. If the Bai family were vengeful, Zhu Pozi may face severe consequences in return. Would Zhu Shucha, as a son, want to see that happened to his mother? Not wanting to dwell on the topic further, Bai Ruozhu excused herself from the conversation. She handed the bonus money she had received to Lin Ping¡¯er and said she was tired and needed some rest. Lin Ping¡¯er let her go deepen in her thoughts on whether to replace the midwife. On her way out of the main hall, Bai Ruozhu encountered her second brother. She smiled at him, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t strain your eyes by reading too much, remember to give them some rest.¡± Bai Zepei ruffled her hair and laughed, ¡°After hearing your thought-provoking words, I feel like I have learnt more than from ten years of studying. Surely, taking one day off wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡± It seemed that her second brother had overheard everything. Being as cunning as he is, he must have figured out her intentions. Bai Ruozhu jokingly stuck her tongue out at him, ¡°If I had known, I should have let you do the talking. You could have quoted the classics and surely made my point much more effectively.¡± ¡°What you said was simple and easy to understand, it was great,¡± Bai Zepei laughed, ¡°Go and take some rest, you must be tired after all the walking.¡± Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t insist and nodded before heading back to her room. She didn¡¯t worry much about Ji Wenpo. Worst case scenario, she would hire another midwife. Now that they had money, it wasn¡¯t a problem to pay for a better one. With those thoughts in mind, she drifted off into a deep sleep. She slept so soundly that she missed lunch. When she woke up, her mother had brought in a warm plate of food, which she devoured eagerly. Seeing her eat with such a healthy appetite, Lin Ping¡¯er was relieved that Zhu Pozi¡¯s matter didn¡¯t affect Ruozhu¡¯s mood and appetite. After finishing her meal, Bai Ruozhu said she intended to take a walk to aid digestion. Lin Ping¡¯er insisted on going with her, and the two of them walked arm in arm towards the village. As they approached the riverside, they heard someone calling Bai Ruozhu¡¯s name. Turning her head, she saw a child climbing a tree, his bare dirty feet swinging freely from the tree branch. ¡°Bai Ruozhu, I have something to tell you!¡± Celebration Eggs shouted towards Bai Ruozhu. Chapter 57 - 57 057 Cant Afford to Gamble, Change to a Steady Old Lady ?Chapter 57: Chapter 057: Can¡¯t Afford to Gamble, Change to a Steady Old Lady Chapter 57: Chapter 057: Can¡¯t Afford to Gamble, Change to a Steady Old Lady Bai Ruozhu¡¯s body had become heavy, making many movements quite strenuous, such as looking up. Celebration Eggs was sitting in a tree, and she had to raise her head to see him. But when she did, she first saw his dirty bare feet, blackened with mud, with splotches of dirt also on his calves, even some yellow stains. Bai Ruozhu suddenly felt nauseous, almost vomiting. She stifled her discomfort and said, ¡°What¡¯s up? Come down and talk, it¡¯s not safe up there, and it¡¯s hard for me to look up at you.¡± Celebration Eggs made a disdaining noise at Bai Ruozhu¡¯s suggestion that he wasn¡¯t safe, then slipped down from the tree, startling Lin Ping standing beside. She was afraid he might fall and hurt himself, but Celebration Eggs just wore a self-satisfied expression, as if to say: you people always fuss too much. ¡°Today my grandmother invited Granny Ji to our house for dinner. You know she has some connection with our family, right?¡± Celebration Eggs started speaking, his voice was rough just like him. ¡°Oh, I see,¡± Bai Ruozhu said indifferently. Lin Ping quickly glanced at her daughter, then focused intently on Celebration Eggs to see what he wanted to say. ¡°I was eavesdropping through the window,¡± Celebration Eggs said with a smug look, ¡°I heard my grandmother saying you upset her and caused the villagers to scold her, and asked Granny Ji to teach you a lesson.¡± Lin Ping was anxious upon hearing this and asked, ¡°Did Granny Ji agree?¡± ¡°Granny Ji said as long as it doesn¡¯t endanger a life, a little punishment is fine,¡± replied Celebration Eggs. Bai Ruozhu frowned, did Granny Ji really say that? ¡°Why are you telling me this? Aren¡¯t you worried that your grandmother will be angry with you when she finds out?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked Celebration Eggs. Celebration Eggs pouted, ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of her. You saved me once. Consider this a reminder, so I¡¯ll no longer owe you.¡± After he spoke, he ran off barefoot. Lin Ping watched Celebration Eggs¡¯ receding figure and complained, ¡°Where did this kid¡¯s shoes go? He¡¯s so mischievous.¡± Bai Ruozhu watched Celebration Eggs¡¯ back and said nostalgically, ¡°People say that human nature is inherently good. If Celebration Eggs could come to remind me, it seems he just got some bad habits from his grandmother, but essentially, he is good.¡± ¡°Indeed, it was worth it that you saved him last time,¡± Lin Ping also became nostalgic. But due to Celebration Eggs¡¯s words, they both didn¡¯t feel like continuing their walk. Lin Ping took Bai Ruozhu¡¯s arm and they turned around to go back home. When they arrived home, Lin Ping recounted the encounter with Celebration Eggs to Bai Yihong and Bai Zehao. Both were shocked, and Bai Yihong slapped the table, saying, ¡°I¡¯ll go find Zhu Shucha right now and talk to him!¡± Bai Ruozhu stopped her father, saying, ¡°Dad, forget it. We have no evidence if we make a fuss. Celebration Eggs is just a kid, his words don¡¯t hold any weight. If it really comes to it, he might not dare bring his grandmother¡¯s affairs into public.¡± Bai Yihong deflated upon hearing this, they had no evidence, how could they reason with them? ¡°So what do we do? What if something happens to Ruozhu during her childbirth due to Granny Ji?¡± Lin Ping¡¯s forehead wrinkled heavily. ¡°Then let¡¯s go with another midwife, we can¡¯t afford to gamble!¡± Bai Yihong¡¯s words were decisive. Bai Ruozhu also felt that they should change midwives. She simply couldn¡¯t afford to gamble with the-safelefe of her unborn child, she couldn¡¯t take a joke with her baby¡¯s safety. Thinking of this, she touched her protruding belly, feeling the baby¡¯s mischievous movements, which brought an unspeakable warmth. This child was not only a joke by God, but also a gift. The feeling of blood connection made her willing to do anything for the child, even if it cost her own life. ¡°Father is right, let¡¯s find someone else,¡± Bai Ruozhu said. Lin Ping couldn¡¯t sit still anymore, ¡°Then we must find a new midwife as soon as possible. As for Granny Ji, I have to personally announce the decision to her, otherwise, she can make trouble for us.¡± ¡°Then mother will need to trouble herself with another trip,¡± Bai Ruozhu was worried. Lin Ping going over to dismiss Granny Ji might upset her, and cold words are likely. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal, it¡¯s mother¡¯s fault too, for not checking the relationship between Granny Ji and Granny Zhu in advance.¡± Lin Ping sighed, at least they found out early. If the childbirth went wrong because of her, leaving any lifelong problem, she would never forgive herself. Bai Ruozhu held her mother¡¯s hand and said, ¡°How can this be mother¡¯s fault? Who would have thought that Granny Zhu would be so ungrateful?¡± The next day, Lin Ping took some items to Liuye Village, to Granny Ji¡¯s house. When Lin Ping returned, her face indeed didn¡¯t look too good. However, when she saw her daughter, she quickly put a brave face on and said, ¡°I¡¯ve politely declined Granny Ji, she said she understands.¡± Bai Ruozhu, being so intelligent, knew that her mother was just trying not to worry her. Shaking her head she said, ¡°Mother, she is so proud. She must have scolded you, didn¡¯t she?¡± Lin Ping awkwardly laughed and said, ¡°Can¡¯t fool you.¡± She sighed, ¡°She criticized our Bai family for being inconsistent despite educating people. I got angry and told her about her and Granny Zhu¡¯s disagreements. But it angered her more. She said she would never stoop so low, claiming that we underestimate her.¡± Bai Ruozhu bit her lip and said, ¡°Mother, don¡¯t mind her, let¡¯s move on.¡± Lin Ping nodded, then started to find a new midwife. The same afternoon, Bai Ruozhu had just woken up from a nap when the door was knocked on. Bai Zehao went to answer it and found an unhappy young man standing at the door. Bai Ruozhu was feeding pigs in the yard. She turned her head and saw that the man at the gate was the same young man from Granny Ji¡¯s house that she¡¯d seen once before. The young man didn¡¯t bother with Bai Zehao, but went straight in and put a basket of things in front of Bai Ruozhu, angrily saying, ¡°My grandmother wanted me to return your stuff. She said, she would never joke with lives. You disrespected her by believing a kid¡¯s words over hers. It¡¯s insulting to her. And don¡¯t bother finding a midwife in the nearby villages.¡± Bai Ruozhu was taken aback for a moment, then realized that the basket contained everything her family given to Granny Ji. But soon she also realized that he was threatening her. If Granny Ji spread word that would cause the nearby villages¡¯ midwives to not deliver her baby, what would she do? Could she go to Granny Ji¡¯s house again and beg her on knees? ¡°I can¡¯t joke with my child¡¯s life. Even if it really upsets the Ji family, I hope they can think from the perspective of a mother. It¡¯s not worth it for our two families to quarrel over such unreasonable Granny Zhu!¡± Bai Ruozhu really wanted to curse at them, but she took a deep breath and held back. If Granny Ji really didn¡¯t agree with Granny Zhu, things would just get irreparable. Chapter 58 - 58 058 Find a Tofu Block and Kill Yourself ?Chapter 58: Chapter 058: Find a Tofu Block and Kill Yourself Chapter 58: Chapter 058: Find a Tofu Block and Kill Yourself ¡°Humph, everyone in the village knows about the reputation my grandmother has built over the years. If she were the kind of person to do such detestable things for small gains, she wouldn¡¯t have her reputation today!¡± The young man from the Ji family said this and didn¡¯t wait for Bai Ruozhu¡¯s reaction. He turned and left. Bai Ruozhu stood still, suddenly feeling uncomfortable deep down. By the time Lin Ping¡¯er rushed out after hearing the noise, the young man had already left. Bai Zehao repeated what he had said to his mother, who angrily replied: ¡°What does Ji Wenpo mean? Is she so influential that no other midwife can treat my Ruozhu? Does she think she can cover the sky with one hand?¡± Bai Ruozhu patted her mother¡¯s shoulder and said, ¡°Mother, don¡¯t worry just yet. Perhaps it was just the young man speaking out of anger. Even if it was true, we could find another midwife in town. It might cost us a bit more silver, but we can afford it at this point.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er found her daughter¡¯s words reasonable and her anger started to subside. Bai Ruozhu took a deep breath. She had a distinct feeling that she had wrongly accused Ji Wenpo. After thinking for a moment, she said to her mother and older brother, ¡°I¡¯ll go for a walk and buy some tofu on the way home.¡± ¡°Alright, be careful and pay attention to your body,¡± Lin Ping¡¯er reminded her before she returned to her chores. Bai Zehao understood that his sister didn¡¯t want to waste any more of the family¡¯s time, so he returned to his task of chopping wood, confident that she could take care of herself. Bai Ruozhu left the house and wandered around the village. Before long, she spotted Xi Dandan. He was blissfully playing with other children, not noticing her approach. ¡°Look at this meatball my grandmother fried for me. My grandmother is the best to me!¡± Xi Dandan cheerfully showed the other children his meatball, causing their mouths to water. For a peasant family like theirs, oil was precious. They typically didn¡¯t use it for cooking, and frying meatballs required a lot of it. So, most households only made them for special occasions such as the Lunar New Year or when hosting guests. The Zhu family wasn¡¯t wealthy even by the standards of Mountain Village. Even with Zhu Pozi¡¯s affection for her grandson, it wasn¡¯t likely she¡¯d make him fried meatballs for no reason, was it? ¡°Xi Dandan, is it your birthday today?¡± another child asked with an envious expression. After all, even on his birthday, he¡¯d consider it great to have a boiled egg. ¡°How could it be? He just had his birthday last month,¡± another child, who had a better memory, slapped the first one and explained. The first child rubbed his stinging head and protested, ¡°If it¡¯s not his birthday and it¡¯s not New Year, why would his grandmother make him fried meatballs?¡± All eyes turned to Xi Dandan, who smugly said, ¡°I just helped my grandmother with an important matter. This is her reward for me.¡± Bai Ruozhu had had enough. She slowly emerged from behind a tree and asked, ¡°Did you help her deceive me?¡± Xi Dandan was startled to hear Bai Ruozhu¡¯s voice. He turned towards her with an apprehensive look, said, ¡°My grandmother said that if you have any problems, you should go find her. She isn¡¯t afraid of you.¡± Seeing Xi Dandan react like this, Bai Ruozhu felt a chill down her spine. A six or seven-year-old child who didn¡¯t blink an eye when he lied ¡ª even to a person who had once saved his life. Bai Ruozhu decided there was no hope for him. His deception wasn¡¯t just hurtful; it was frustrating. But she didn¡¯t see any point in arguing with a child like him any further. She disregarded Xi Dandan and walked away. Xi Dandan had initially expected Bai Ruozhu to argue, if not scold him. Seeing her silently walk away left an irritating feeling in his heart. He shouted after her retreating figure, ¡°You think you¡¯re so clever! You still got fooled by me. You¡¯re not so great!¡± Bai Ruozhu paused for a moment, but ultimately decided to keep walking forward. After all, was she supposed to start an argument with a child? She calmly bought a block of tofu from a vendor. Suddenly, a joke she remembered from her past life flashed into her mind- ¡°Buy a block of tofu and die from a fall onto it.¡± She couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. She felt like she was buying a block of tofu to fall onto it herself. While it was impossible not to be upset, she never thought such a young child would be so deceitful. He even reasoned that since she had saved him once, he was justified in deceiving her about this. Staring at the block of tofu, Bai Ruozhu felt an urge to smash her head into it. Despite all her calculations, she had underestimated the depths of Zhu Pozi¡¯s deceit and cunning. Bai Ruozhu sighed heavily. No wonder Zhu Pozi held such sway in the Zhu household. Her shrewdness was unmatched. When Bai Ruozhu returned home, she related the whole incident with Xi Dandan to her family. They were all taken aback. If she hadn¡¯t chanced upon Xi Dandan¡¯s conversation, none of them would have believed that a child could be capable of such deceit. ¡°Zhu Pozi, for her own vengeful purpose, has corrupted a child. She¡¯s really despicable!¡± Lin Ping¡¯er cursed, full of anger. Bai Yihong shook his head repeatedly, ¡°It¡¯s a pity that old man Zhu passed away so early. The Zhu family is heading for ruin. If Xi Dandan is already this deceitful at such a young age, what will become of him when he grows up?¡± Bai Ruozhu had initially believed in the innocence of children and thought that Xi Dandan had merely been spoiled. However, now she felt no desire to engage with him any further. ¡°Given Zhu Pozi¡¯s character, the Zhu family is bound to run into trouble sooner or later. We don¡¯t need to concern ourselves with them. They will have their comeuppance,¡± said Bai Ruozhu. Lin Ping¡¯er hesitantly asked, ¡°So, have we wrongly accused Ji Wenpo then? Should I go to the Ji family to apologize tomorrow?¡± Bai Ruozhu shook her head, patted her mother¡¯s hand, and said, ¡°Mother, there¡¯s no need to go. Even if you did, it wouldn¡¯t change anything. You have already done so much for me. I shouldn¡¯t have believed Xi Dandan so easily. That just brought about more grievances for you.¡± ¡°Silly girl, what are you talking about? You didn¡¯t do anything wrong. I was there too. I believed what Xi Dandan said as well,¡± Lin Ping¡¯er comforted Bai Ruozhu, worried her daughter might take this matter to heart. She continued, ¡°Ruozhu, don¡¯t dwell on this matter. I will go to town tomorrow and find a good midwife for you. If not, there are female doctors who are much more competent than these countryside midwives.¡± Although hiring them would be much more costly, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t care about it. As long as the child was born safely, any amount of silver could always be earned back. Let this incident with Xi Dandan serve as a lesson learned. ¡°Let¡¯s forget about this matter at home. Tomorrow, mother and I will go to town to find a suitable midwife,¡± Bai Ruozhu flashed a relieved smile towards her family. The rest of the family breathed a sigh of relief seeing Bai Ruozhu let go of the issue. As for Zhu Pozi, let her be! The time will come when she has to taste the fruit of her misdeeds. Early the next morning, Bai Ruozhu got up feeling refreshed, and accompanied her mother on the donkey cart to the town. Instead of approaching a clinic directly, they went to the Du family¡¯s pharmacy. The shopkeeper Zhou was more familiar with the town¡¯s situation. He might be able to suggest a suitable midwife or doctor. ¡ª- Don¡¯t miss out on Mouka¡¯s new book, ¡°Dragon Emperor¡¯s Tangles: Sweetheart, lay an egg!¡± with a unique female lead, background, and complex emotions. Don¡¯t miss out on this exciting read. Add it to your library, and recommend it to others! Chapter 59 - 59 059 - The Female Doctor Hao Baishuang ?Chapter 59: Chapter 059 ¨C The Female Doctor Hao Baishuang Chapter 59: Chapter 059 ¨C The Female Doctor Hao Baishuang Bai Ruozhu and her mother arrived at the Du Family¡¯s Pharmacy, and it so happened that Shopkeeper Zhou was in the store. Thinking that they had just visited a few days ago and they¡¯re back so soon, he thought there must be something urgent, so he hastened to welcome them. Bai Ruozhu discerned what was on Zhou¡¯s mind and told him, ¡°I¡¯m here today not on the account of the toothpaste business, but to ask you for some information.¡± As the toothpaste business had been better than anyone had expected, and Bai Ruozhu¡¯s ingenuity greatly impressed Zhou, he held a strong admiration for her, even though she was only a woman from an ordinary household. He respectfully bowed to Bai Ruozhu and said, ¡°Please do tell, Madam Bai. Any questions you may have, I will try my best to answer.¡± Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so formal, Shopkeeper Zhou. In fact, I am trying to find a reputable midwife or female doctor in town. As you can see, I am nearly due.¡± Upon hearing this, Zhou immediately slapped his forehead, as if remembering something, ¡°A few days ago there was something I forgot to tell you, it just came back to me now. During the birth of my child, we had Doctor Hao Baishuang from Fushou Hall, she is excellent at delivering babies,¡± boasting while he held up his thumb in approval. ¡°When my wife was delivering our last child, it was extremely dangerous. The umbilical cord was twisted around the baby. If we had any other midwife, it would have been a disaster. Furthermore, Doctor Hao Baishuang specializes in women¡¯s health, not only does she deliver babies, but she also takes care of the mothers¡¯ postnatal health. you couldn¡¯t find anyone better.¡± Zhou continuously praised Doctor Hao Baishuang. After Bai Ruozhu transmigrated, she heard that in this era women could run businesses openly and become doctors. She felt fortunate, especially since she herself was a medical student, she was extremely curious about female doctors. Doctor Hao Baishuang whom Shopkeeper Zhou spoke about is the only female doctor she has heard of so far. ¡°Then let¡¯s go find Doctor Hao at Fushou Hall.¡± Lin Ping¡¯r was overjoyed, a female doctor would be even better than a midwife, it would be excellent if they could manage to convince her. Bai Ruozhu also nodded in agreement, ¡°Good, let¡¯s go find Doctor Hao.¡± Having said that, she thanked Zhou, ¡°Thank you, Shopkeeper Zhou, we will take our leave now.¡± Zhou smilingly escorted them to the main gate of the store, watching them depart before he returned to his shop and resumed calculating his accounts. Not long after, Du Zhongshu arrived and asked about the day¡¯s business. Zhou mentioned that Bai Ruozhu had visited. Du Zhongshu nodded, saying, ¡°Prepare some tonics and other goods, we should send them as gifts to Madam Bai after her childbirth¡± Zhou hurriedly agreed, ¡°Yes, a good suggestion Master Du, I¡¯ll start the preparations immediately.¡± ¡°Alright, tend to your work, I must be going now.¡± Du Zhongshu hurriedly made his leave, leaving Zhou wondering why his boss was such in a hurry, not even bothering about business matters. Once Du Zhongshu left Pharmacy, he walked towards Fushou Hall, guessing that he could probably run into Bai Ruozhu and her mother there. ... Lin Ping¡¯r linked arms with her daughter, joyously expressing, ¡°This is great! As long as we can secure the female doctor, I¡¯ll be relieved. But remember, no matter how much they charge, you mustn¡¯t object. It doesn¡¯t matter if we spend a few more pieces of silver, we can always earn it back. As long as you and the baby are safe, your father, your two brothers and I can rest easy.¡± A warm current flowed through Bai Ruozhu¡¯s heart, she had not experienced this warmth from her family in many years. Now, her parents and brothers truly cherished her, what more could she ask for? She nodded and said, ¡°Mother, I understand. I¡¯ll work hard to earn the money back.¡± Lin Ping¡¯r pointed to Bai Ruozhu¡¯s head, laughing, ¡°You think too much. All the money our family has now, you earned it. It¡¯s nothing if it¡¯s all spent on you.¡± Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but laugh, ¡°Mother, most people favor their sons, but your bias towards your daughter is a little too strong, isn¡¯t it?¡± Lin Ping¡¯r playfully chided Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Don¡¯t get too smug, be careful your older brother and second brother might get jealous.¡± ¡°My older brother and second brother wouldn¡¯t,¡± Bai Ruozhu roared with laughter. The two of them walked and chatted cheerfully along the road, reaching Fushou Hall in no time. Bai Ruozhu was lucky, as Doctor Hao Baishuang was not out for consultations. She mentioned it to the clinic assistant, who immediately went to inform Doctor Hao. After a while, a woman aged around forty came out. She was dressed neatly with her hair simply styled using a wooden hairpin and without any other adornment, not even earrings, giving her an appearance of simplicity. She looked a little dark and thin, but her eyes were extremely bright and seemed sharp. Bai Ruozhu quickly bowed to her, ¡°Bai Ruozhu greets Doctor Hao.¡± Doctor Hao Baishuang didn¡¯t look at Bai Ruozhu¡¯s face, only glancing at her belly. She said, ¡°Are you here for me to deliver your baby?¡± Lin Ping¡¯r quickly nodded, ¡°Yes, Doctor Hao, I believe my daughter is nearly due.¡± Without even checking Bai¡¯s pulse or feeling her belly, Doctor Hao Baishuang coldly stated, ¡°You still have at least half a month. No need to rush.¡± Bai Ruozhu was slightly surprised, it seemed Doctor Hao indeed had some genuine skills. After hearing this, it was as if a weight had been lifted from Lin Ping¡¯r¡¯s shoulders, thinking now they don¡¯t need to hurry so much, and the words of Doctor Hao indicated that Bai Ruozhu¡¯s pregnancy was going well, and the fetus was stable. Doctor Hao, my home is in Back Mountain Village, so you have to make the trip there,¡± Lin Ping¡¯r said with an apology, smiling all the way through. ¡°We¡¯ll settle the fees according to the standard rate.¡± Doctor Hao Baishuang frowned and then asked, ¡°For those who do not live in town, why do you not find a local midwife nearby? Although I don¡¯t mind traveling there, it might take some time, what will you do if the baby¡¯s due by the time I get there?¡± Bai Ruozhu, knowing the first pregnancy didn¡¯t happen so quickly, spoke up, ¡°Doctor Hao, I¡¯ve heard that the first birth is usually slower. As soon as I start to feel any response, I¡¯ll send someone to inform you immediately. I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be too much of a delay.¡± Seeing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s determination, Doctor Hao didn¡¯t object, she nodded and said, ¡°Alright, you may register. Please make some prepayment. Make sure to contact me as soon as possible.¡± Lin Ping¡¯r instantly nodded, calculating in her mind the quickest way to get her eldest son to the clinic. After registering and leaving a prepayment of two taels of silver at the hospital, Bai Ruozhu felt a twinge of pain. It seemed that the female doctors were indeed much pricier than the local midwives. But then again, there¡¯s a reason for the price. Lin Ping¡¯r, on the other hand, didn¡¯t even blink while handing the silver, and then led Bai Ruozhu out of the hospital.¡¯ With this major concern taken care of, Lin Ping¡¯r felt a great deal lighter. She pulled Bai Ruozhu along and said, ¡°Let¡¯s treat ourselves to a good meal at the inn. We¡¯ll let your father and the others cook lunch.¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled. ¡°Alright, we are going to the inn!¡± She exclaimed just like a little child, her baby even wriggling its bottom. It seemed to be particularly excited about a good meal- quite the little foodie! As they chatted and walked along, about to turn a corner, they saw a man carrying a sack pass by and then run into an alley not too far away. ¡ª Three things~ 1. The VIP Senior Group is established. Readers who have fan values above 5000, please check the pinned post in the Book Review section, and reply to the verification post for entry. Readers with fan values below 5000, please first join the ordinary Book Friends Group~ 2. I need monthly tickets, lots and lots of monthly tickets. Chapter 60 - 60 060 Thrilling, Saving the Child ?Chapter 60: Chapter 060: Thrilling, Saving the Child Chapter 60: Chapter 060: Thrilling, Saving the Child Just as the man passed by Bai Ruozhu and her mother, Bai Ruozhu saw something moving in the sack and heard a whimpering sound. She widened her eyes in alarm ¨C the sound seemed to be coming from a child who had its mouth covered! Bai Ruozhu hurriedly looked at her mother whose face had also turned peculiar, as if she had heard the same sound! ¡°Mother, what¡¯s that man carrying? A kidnapped child?¡± Bai Ruozhu questioned anxiously, one hand resting on her large belly and the other tightly gripping her mother¡¯s arm. Lin Ping¡¯er seemed afraid, her voice trembling, as she stammered, ¡°I, I fear... it really could be some child kidnapped by human traffickers.¡± Bai Ruozhu immediately said sharply, ¡°No, that¡¯s unacceptable. We can¡¯t let him take the child. We must attract attention quickly.¡± Perhaps it was because she was soon to be a mother herself, Bai Ruozhu could relate more painfully to the distress of a child being snatched away. She didn¡¯t spare any thoughts and only had one overall idea ¨C she couldn¡¯t let the traffickers take the child away, and she couldn¡¯t let the child be separated from its parents! Lin Ping¡¯er instinctively tried to hold her daughter back. But before she could discourage her, Bai Ruozhu cried out loudly, ¡°There¡¯s a child trafficker here who¡¯s kidnapped someone¡¯s child! Someone please save the child!¡± She didn¡¯t even know where she drew the strength from. Her voice was shrill, especially the final note which carried an unusual penetrating power. But she didn¡¯t have time to ponder that now, it was only when recalling the event later that she realized it. Her cry immediately attracted the attention of many people on the street. But before anyone could react, Bai Ruozhu herself dashed after the man holding the sack. Her mother, close-by, wasn¡¯t even able to hold her back. The human trafficker, stunned by Bai Ruozhu¡¯s yell, halted and turned to look back. Seeing a heavily pregnant woman charging in his direction, he grew angry. ¡°Meddling wench, it¡¯s none of your business!¡± The man carrying the sack suddenly changed his direction and stormed towards Bai Ruozhu. By the time Bai Ruozhu was able to react, she clutched her stomach tightly and awkwardly retreated. But, being a heavy pregnant woman, how could she match the speed of a grown man? In the blink of an eye, the trafficker had already reached Bai Ruozhu while Lin Ping¡¯er was still some distance behind. She could only watch in horror as the situation quickly changed but was too far away to help. Bai Ruozhu screamed in fear. She was really terrified, worried that her unborn child might get hurt. She regretted her rashness. Even when rescuing people, one should measure their own capabilities. But all she could think about at that time was the tragic fate of the kidnapped child, making her body involuntarily rush forward. Seeing the vicious trafficker rushing towards her daughter, Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s legs went weak. She reached out her hand towards them, but they were five to six meters ahead, far from her reach. Some passerby also noticed the situation and ran over. Nevertheless, they were further behind Lin Ping¡¯er and there was no chance they could prevent anything from happening. Bai Ruozhu instinctively closed her eyes. However, the expected pain did not come. Instead, there was a thud, followed by the groan of the trafficker. She opened her eyes and saw a tall man dressed in dark clothes standing in front of her. The human trafficker lay on the ground, seemingly severely injured, holding his chest and groaning. The man in dark clothes was very tall. Bai Ruozhu had to look up to see the back of his head. But when did he appear? How did she not notice him at all? Could he be one of the legendary Lightness Skill masters? From the back, she could see a rope tied at the back of his head, vaguely making out the side profile of his mask, which was also black. Beneath the man¡¯s bent arm was the sack he had snatched from the trafficker. He grunted coldly and opened the sack. A disheveled little girl emerged, crying with a torn piece of cloth stuffed in her mouth. The man removed the rag from her mouth and the girl immediately burst into louder sobs. ¡°Mom, mom, where are you? Rongrong is so scared!¡± The terrified girl, looking about five or six years old, cried out loudly, causing the man to move his head slightly away, seemingly unable to bear the loud cries. He gently set the girl on the ground and reassured her in a softer tone, ¡°It¡¯s alright now, I will get the officers to find your family.¡± Bai Ruozhu froze. She had found the man¡¯s earlier grunt familiar but didn¡¯t have time to think about it. But now, hearing him speak and seeing the side of his face as he crouched down to comfort the girl, she recognized him as the strange man who once teased her. No, this man saved her life and rescued the kidnapped child. Moreover, he had taken down the trafficker in one swift move. In her eyes, his image immediately grew and was restored to the status of a saint. But this man was dressed in dark clothes and had a cold expression on his face. His voice was also quite cold, and the mask he wore was unusual. With his decisive and ruthless actions, he resembled a law enforcer or perhaps a judge from the Underworld. Lin Ping¡¯er had caught up and supporting Bai Ruozhu, she asked nervously, ¡°Ruozhu, are you alright?¡± Bai Ruozhu returned to reality. Seeing her mother¡¯s worried expression, she couldn¡¯t help feeling extremely guilty. Her rash decision had not only endangered her child but also scared her mother. Had she become more immature? ¡°Mother, I¡¯m fine,¡± Bai Ruozhu said, feeling a deep sense of remorse. ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good,¡± Finding relief in her daughter¡¯s assurance, Lin Ping¡¯er clenched her hands in prayer. She then turned to the man comforting the crying girl, Yichun, and thanked him gratefully, bowing in respect, ¡°Thank you, brave man, for saving my daughter. May we have your name? We would certainly like to express our gratitude properly in future.¡± A brave man... The corner of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mouth twitched. Although he was indeed very capable, the man was lean and tall. The attribution ¡®strong¡¯ didn¡¯t seem to fit him quite right. Yichun did not even look at Lin Ping¡¯er, and instead turned to pick up the human trafficker from the ground. Without looking back, he said, ¡°This was an act of benevolence, don¡¯t bother to remember it.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er watched Jiang Yichun¡¯s receding figure somewhat perplexed. Bai Ruozhu walked over and took her mother¡¯s arm, saying, ¡°Maybe he¡¯s not at liberty to say. We shouldn¡¯t push.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er nodded, thinking the man must have had his reasons for hiding his identity since he was wearing a mask. Just then, the officers hurried in. Surprisingly, Officer Li Shunsheng was leading the team. Upon seeing Yichun, Li first looked startled. But he quickly concealed his surprise, bowed towards Yichun and said, ¡°Thank you.¡± Jiang Yichun responded with a faint hum, his demeanor not particularly friendly towards Li Shunsheng, then said coldly, ¡°Interrogate this man thoroughly and try to uncover all the connections behind him.¡± Li Shunsheng¡¯s eyes lit up with understanding. Yichun¡¯s intention was clear ¨C this trafficker was part of an organized group. If Li could nab the entire group then a promotion could be just around the corner! ¡ª Two things: 1. The VIP Senior Group has been established and is recruiting readers with fan value above 5000. Please check the pinned post in the book review section for conditions. You must validate the required posts to be accepted. Those with fan value less than 5000 can join the regular Book Friends Group. 2. Seeking monthly votes, the more, the merrier. Chapter 61 - 61 061 Sudden Stomach Pain ?Chapter 61: Chapter 061 Sudden Stomach Pain Chapter 61: Chapter 061 Sudden Stomach Pain ¡°Alright, I understand now,¡± said an excited Li Xiancheng. Bai Ruozhu pricked up her ears. Li Xiancheng referred to this person as ¡°my humble self,¡± indicating that he was also a government official and an officer of a higher rank than Li Xiancheng, even highly respected by Li Xiancheng. While Bai Ruozhu was guessing the identity of her life-saver, Li Xiancheng turned his head and saw Bai Ruozhu, expressing his surprise: ¡°Isn¡¯t this Scholar Bai¡¯s sister?¡± He then turned to look at Lin Ping¡¯er and asked, ¡°This must be Scholar Bai¡¯s honorable wife, Lady Bai, correct?¡± Bai Ruozhu hastily saluted Li Xiancheng, then introduced him to her mother: ¡°Mother, this is our county¡¯s upright official, Lord Li.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er promptly saluted Li Xiancheng, ¡°This humble woman pays respect to Lord Li, thank you for helping clear my daughter¡¯s false charges.¡± Lord Li chuckled in approval. A gleam of appreciation flashed in his eyes. He thought to himself, the Bai Family truly deserves its reputation as an Agricultural and Scholarly Family; even their womenfolk follow etiquette meticulously while performing a simple greeting. Lin Ping¡¯er also noticed Lord Li¡¯s appreciation and felt a surge of excitement. She was grateful to her scholarly father-in-law. She had endured many punishments during her first year after marrying into the Bai Family, even feeling highly dissatisfied with the Bai Family¡¯s strict rules, thinking her father-in-law was merely putting on an act. However, at present, standing before a government official with her daughter, she didn¡¯t lose her composure or honor. Not only did she maintain the Bai Family¡¯s repute, but she also preserved her own honor. Further, if in future her son could hold office, they, as a family, would never disgrace him. For the first time, Lin Ping¡¯er was grateful for the old man¡¯s strict rules. After greeting Lord Li, Bai Ruozhu respectfully bowed to the masked man and said, ¡°This humble woman, Bai, is grateful for your life-saving grace!¡± After speaking, she solemnly bowed again. With her pregnant belly, bowing wasn¡¯t easy for her. But at the moment, it wasn¡¯t just for show. She genuinely appreciated his help from the bottom of her heart. Without his sudden appearance, she feared her chances of survival would have been slim. The thought of the human traffickers¡¯ vicious gazes made Bai Ruozhu shiver involuntarily. ¡°You need not thank me, I merely lent a helping hand. Only in the future, only do what you can. This is the first time I have seen someone with a bulging belly showing off,¡± the masked Jiang Yichun said coldly. Bai Ruozhu took a deep breath; even so, she felt her face heat up. His words were too harsh. Of course, she knew she had been reckless today, but did he have to say so outright in front of so many people? Moreover, his words were so unpleasant; she regretted thinking of him as a good man! The gratitude that had just risen in Bai Ruozhu¡¯s heart was instantly discounted. Jiang Yichun¡¯s image, which was already very high in her mind, once again lost ground, and in an instant, it went from a high score to a negative score. As Bai Ruozhu was pondering how to respond, she heard someone rushing over sobbing. ¡°Rongrong, my Rongrong!¡± A woman was running over crying. Judging from her looks, she was the mother of the kidnapped girl. Unexpectedly, the abducted girl clung to her mother sobbing. With a muddled voice, she said, ¡°Mother, sob sob, Rongrong was so scared...¡± Along with Rongrong¡¯s mother came a peddler. He fell on his knees before Lord Li and exclaimed: ¡°Peasant Zhang Liliang thanks the lord for saving my daughter, I shall be eternally grateful!¡± Lord Li hastened to assist Zhang Liliang, laughing heartily, ¡°No need for such formalities. You should really be thanking Lady Bai, who bravely cried out for help, as well as this gentleman...¡± He was about to introduce Jiang Yichun, who had saved Rongrong, when he heard Jiang Yichun snort indifferently. He stopped mid-sentence. He mentally cursed himself for his rashness. Jiang Yichun¡¯s real identity wasn¡¯t something that just anyone could know about. His mask existed for a reason, and only due to a slight mishap did he know who Jiang Yichun really was, which had brought him considerable benefits. Rongrong¡¯s parents promptly knelt to Bai Ruozhu, which made her uncomfortable. She quickly attempted to help them up, but they refused to stand. As Bai Ruozhu tried to help Rongrong¡¯s mother, suddenly, she froze, clutching her belly, her face grimacing in pain. Lin Ping¡¯er was the first to react. She quickly supported her daughter and anxiously asked, ¡°Ruozhu, are you okay? Is your stomach hurting?¡± Bai Ruozhu furrowed her eyebrows. She wanted to appear normal, but her expression betrayed her a little. Once her mother spoke, everyone¡¯s attention was on her, making it even harder for her to pretend that nothing was wrong. Actually, her stomach did hurt. It might have resulted from the scare a little while ago, combined with being upset by Jiang Yichun. So, she experienced some false labor contractions. Her stomach became extremely tense and painful, but they were not actual labor pains. ¡°Ah? Is the older sister about to give birth?¡± Rongrong¡¯s mother exclaimed. Upon hearing this, Lord Li quickly said, ¡°Hurry! Send Lady Bai to Fushou Hall to see the doctor. This matter cannot be delayed.¡± Lord Li promptly dispatched an officer to follow the pair. Lin Ping¡¯er quickly thanked Lord Li. She couldn¡¯t be bothered with formalities and immediately led Bai Ruozhu towards Fushou Hall. ¡°Mother, I¡¯m okay. I¡¯m not about to give birth, probably got scared earlier,¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly attempted to reassure her mother. Unfortunately, her mother didn¡¯t listen. Supporting her, she said, ¡°Don¡¯t speak anymore. Whether there¡¯s a problem or not, Doctor Hao must examine you. Why would sudden pain be a good thing?¡± While false labor contractions were indeed not a good thing, if she rested and conditioned well, she would be fine. Bai Ruozhu herself was studying medicine, so she knew how to handle such a situation well. However, at this time, her words didn¡¯t hold much persuasive power and she saw no point in explaining further, fearing it would be a waste of breath. As Bai Ruozhu and her mother got further away, Zhang and his wife finally regained their senses. Zhang¡¯s wife, wiping her tears, said, ¡°Lady Bai is a good person! She almost got into trouble while saving our Rongrong. We cannot forget this favor in our lifetime!¡± Zhang Liliang readily agreed, ¡°Yes, we can¡¯t forget this in our lifetime.¡± Jiang Yichun watched Bai Ruozhu¡¯s retreating figure. He couldn¡¯t understand why she wasn¡¯t nervous at all. It seemed as if she was certain that she was fine. Could it be that she was studying medicine? Bai Ruozhu was assisted into Fushou Hall. Seeing her, Hao Baishuang couldn¡¯t help but frown. Annoyed, she said, ¡°I just praised your healthy complexion, and now you¡¯re back so soon? You¡¯re too careless!¡± Lin Ping¡¯er worried that Hao Baishuang was upset, so she quickly apologized with a smile: ¡°Doctor Hao, don¡¯t be angry. It¡¯s my daughter¡¯s carelessness. She is having stomach pain now. Could you please check her? Thank you.¡± Hao Baishuang glanced at the officer who had followed them in and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± The officer was a sharp man. He quickly explained that he was sent by Lord Li and recounted Bai Ruozhu¡¯s heroism in rescuing the abducted child. He had a skillful way with words which brought the story to life, even Bai Ruozhu felt her image had instantly become grand. Hao Baishuang didn¡¯t comment. She just picked up a silver needle and started to perform acupuncture on Bai Ruozhu. After only a few needle insertions, Bai Ruozhu felt her false labor contractions cease. Chapter 62 - 62 062 Family Criticism Battle ?Chapter 62: Chapter 062: Family Criticism Battle Chapter 62: Chapter 062: Family Criticism Battle Bai Ruozhu was a student of traditional Chinese medicine herself, and had learned acupuncture from a young age. Thus, as soon as Hao Baishuang began treating her, Bai knew that she was dealing with a professional and allowed Hao Baishuang to proceed. ¡°Is it already done?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er, seeing Hao Baishuang withdraw her silver needle, hastily approached and asked. Hao Baishuang was cold by temperament. Without saying anything, she simply nodded slightly. Bai Ruozhu quickly pulled her mother aside. ¡°Mother, my pain has eased. Dr. Hao truly has a miraculous touch,¡± she said. The officer who had accompanied them sighed in relief. He had been asked to help, yet in what way could he possibly assist? If the Bai family were to give birth, he would be even more at a loss as he had yet to marry. Fortunately, it had been a false alarm. Hao Baishuang prescribed Bai Ruozhu medicine to stabilize her fetal condition. ¡°Try not to get exhausted or frightened again when you return home,¡± she said plainly. Bai Ruozhu quickly nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll remember.¡± She dared not be careless; even the thought of it brought back waves of fear. When Lin Ping¡¯er took out some copper coins to pay the consultation fee, Dr. Hao turned and walked away, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t bother about the consultation fee; you¡¯ve saved a child and that¡¯s a significant merit on its own.¡± After saying that, she left. Lin Ping¡¯er held out her hand with the copper coins, unsure whether to give or hold back. The quick thinking officer stepped up. ¡°If Dr. Hao says it¡¯s at no charge, then it¡¯s at no charge. Don¡¯t go against her wishes. I¡¯ll go find your donkey cart. Once it¡¯s ready, I¡¯ll call you out.¡± Upon seeing the officer about to leave, Bai Ruozhu hurriedly stopped him, handed him some copper coins, and politely said, ¡°This is for the cart fare. Please use the rest to have some tea. You have been tremendously helpful today.¡± The officer, looking visibly happy, accepted the copper coins. He had assumed that he would walk away empty-handed, but discovered that the Bai family was attentive and considerate. As the delighted officer trotted in departure, Lin Ping¡¯er continued to gaze at his receding figure, looking somewhat unwilling to part. When they were then alone in the room, Bai Ruozhu gently held her mother¡¯s arm and spoke: ¡°Mother, don¡¯t feel reluctant. Silver can be earned gradually, but one cannot afford to skimp on mutual obligations, so that it would not be awkward for Brother Zepei to interact with others in future.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er promptly agreed, ¡°I understand the rationale. It¡¯s just a bit difficult to part with the silver since it could have bought you much meat.¡± Seeing the pained expression on her mother¡¯s face, Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but laugh out loud. ¡°Mother, you must not keep thinking about feeding me. I¡¯m going to become as fat as a pig if I continue to eat this much! Instead, why not quickly have the new clothes made with the fabric we got for you a few days ago?¡± Being thrifty by nature, Lin Ping¡¯er had gotten used to a life of modest means during the family¡¯s earlier years in the old mansion. Since the Bai family was not as affluent as the main families, she was still a newcomer and even after giving birth to two sons, times were challenging, especially compared to the Wang family in the main room, who gave birth to two daughters. It was common to go through days deprived of sufficient food and clothing as the Bai family did not have enough strong laborers to work. When the second family moved out, things improved slightly for her family, they could just about eat well and stay warm. Due to their impoverished living conditions, Lin Ping¡¯er had not added anything new to her wardrobe for a very long time. A few days earlier, her daughter had insisted on buying new material for the family to make clothes, but being used to a frugal lifestyle, Lin Ping¡¯er thought that in the absence of any festivals or holidays, making new clothes could wait. But now, her opinions had changed. Just as they faced Officer Li earlier, others viewed her as the mother of Bai Zepei. She felt that even though she could be laid-back at home, she needed to maintain dignity when stepping out. ¡°Alright, I will get the cloth cut for the clothes as soon as we get home,¡± said Lin Ping¡¯er, smiling happily. Bai Ruozhu felt relieved seeing her mother understand the situation. She felt that life was too short and one should eat well and dress well if they could afford it, instead of making themselves suffer. Before long, the officer returned and told them: ¡°The cart is ready. You all should head home quickly and rest. I¡¯ve already informed the coachman to drive steadily.¡± Bai Ruozhu bowed to the officer and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know your name, sir, but we are profoundly grateful for your help today.¡± The officer scratched his head. He hadn¡¯t been in service for long and often ran errands for the elderly with little to no personal gain. Today, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s generosity left a strong impression on him, and so he cheerfully replied: ¡°My name is Wang Luji. You can seek me out at the County Government Office if you ever need help in the future.¡± While saying so, he gave a firm pat on his chest as if his words carried weight. Bai Ruozhu, amused by the officer¡¯s expression, cooperatively replied, ¡°Well, thank you very much, Brother Wang.¡± When Bai Ruozhu and her mother returned home, Lin Ping¡¯er narrated the day¡¯s events to the rest of the family. Bai Ruozhu was subsequently scolded by her father, older brother, and second brother; she felt disheartened, ended up feeling blue, and her mood was quite low. ¡°Alright, alright, I understand the dangers now, and I won¡¯t be reckless again in the future,¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly appealed for mercy, her ears aching from the constant reprimands, ¡°I¡¯ve realized my mistake. Can I please go rest in my room now?¡± Bai Ruozhu said in a pitiful tone, which instantly softened the hearts of her family members, who quickly allowed her to retire for rest. Their scolding had come from a place of concern, but upon seeing genuine fear in her eyes and realizing the hardships she had endured, they took pity on her. Once Bai Ruozhu had retreated to her room, Bai Yihong, out of concern, said, ¡°Quickly brew the stabilizing fetal medicine for our girl. It seems like she¡¯s been really frightened.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er patted her chest, which was still filled with lingering fear. ¡°Isn¡¯t that so? That thug was extremely sinister. Just seeing him made my legs shiver, and our Ruozhu almost got hit too. Ah, it was nonetheless a virtuous deed in the end as we were able to save a child.¡± Bai Yihong nodded in agreement. ¡°Our girl is indeed kind-hearted. However, the benefactor was also right ¨C saving lives is a noble cause, but one should not be reckless.¡± Bai Zepei, who had been silently listening to the conversation, suddenly interjected. Turning to Lin Ping¡¯er, he asked, ¡°Mother, what does the person who saved our little sister look like? Did they mention their name?¡± ¡°That person wore a black face mask, likely to hide their identity. I did want to ask for their name so we could repay their kindness in the future, but they refused to tell us and didn¡¯t seem to appreciate our questions,¡± Lin Ping¡¯er thought and spoke. ¡°Officer Li had a great deal of respect for this person.¡± Bai Zepei nodded in understanding. He suspected that this person was an undercover assignee from higher authorities, hence the need for concealment. Bai Ruozhu slept soundly till evening and was only awakened by Lin Ping¡¯er, who called her to take her medicine. Having slept thoroughly, Bai Ruozhu woke up only to find her body aching, feeling heavier with each passing day. After drinking her medicine soup and resting a while, she had some dinner and then relaxed in the courtyard. Although it was the beginning of autumn, the autumn heat remained intense. She hoped that the weather would cool down by the time of her delivery, saving her more distress during her recovery period. Early next morning, a commotion arose outside the Bai family foyer. Bai Ruozhu happened to wake up early that day and wondered why it was so lively outside. She opened the courtyard gate and was taken aback at the sight awaiting her. Chapter 63 - 63 063 Zhang Familys Gratitude Gift ?Chapter 63: Chapter 063: Zhang Family¡¯s Gratitude Gift Chapter 63: Chapter 063: Zhang Family¡¯s Gratitude Gift The visitors were Rongrong and her parents, who Bai Ruozhu had met the previous day. The whole family was now dressed in semi-new clothes, which made them look much more imposing. Zhang Liliang was pushing a small cart full of goods, with Rongrong sitting in one corner. Her face was clean, revealing a lively and lovely small face. She was wearing a small red robe, looking like a chubby, cute dress-up doll. Rongrong¡¯s mother was walking beside the cart, holding a gong in her hand and a small drum tied around her waist. She was continuously striking the gong and the drum. Zhang Liliang, with his powerful voice, called out as he pushed the cart: ¡°Thank you, villagers, for leading me to the Bai Family, so that I could thank our great benefactors from the Zhang Family.¡± The moment Bai Ruozhu opened the door, the entire Zhang family saw her. Little Rongrong swiftly jumped off the small cart and ran towards Bai Ruozhu, excitedly asking: ¡°Sister Bai, are you feeling better?¡± Bai Ruozhu was stunned by the sight of the family. After a few seconds, she finally understood that they were here to praise her for her bravery, somewhat like presenting a banner of appreciation in modern times. But, isn¡¯t this making a bit too much fuss? ¡°I¡¯m fine. How did you find this place?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked while stroking Rongrong¡¯s head. She particularly adored the way Rongrong wore her hair in double buns. It was so cute! But unfortunately, she was expecting a boy and didn¡¯t have a chance to style her daughter¡¯s hair in various beautiful ways or to wear matching outfits with a daughter. Ah, what a pity. ¡°My parents were worried and wanted to come and see if you are better.¡± Rongrong looked at Bai Ruozhu¡¯s stomach with curiosity and asked, ¡°Sister Bai, is there a little brother in your belly?¡± It is said that children have a strong intuition about these things, so many pregnant women would ask the children who were yet to replace their milk teeth whether they are expecting a brother or a sister. It was said to be quite accurate. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but laugh. This little girl was surprisingly accurate. ¡°I suppose so,¡± Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile. At this point, the Bai family members had heard the commotion and rushed over. Zhang Liliang stopped the cart at the entrance of the Bai family¡¯s house, and together with his wife and Rongrong, the family of three knelt down in front of Bai Ruozhu. As someone with modern sensibilities, Bai Ruozhu wasn¡¯t used to others kneeling before her. She quickly called to her parents: ¡°Father, Mother, help them up and let¡¯s talk inside. They shouldn¡¯t be kneeling like this.¡± Bai Yihong and Lin Ping¡¯er helped the husband and wife from the Zhang family to their feet, while Bai Ruozhu took Rongrong¡¯s hand. Rongrong readily got up, but the Zhang couple insisted on staying on their knees. Zhang Liliang said gravely, ¡°Our family needs to kowtow three times to our benefactor. Otherwise, we would find no peace in our hearts.¡± Bai Ruozhu appreciated their gratitude but found it a headache to deal with their stubborn adherence to tradition. She thought for a moment and then said, ¡°Please, no kowtowing. You both are older than me. I really can¡¯t accept such respect. Yesterday, I asked you not to kneel, but you did not listen, and it gave me a stomachache. I can¡¯t go through that again today.¡± Upon hearing this, the Zhang couple looked at each other and decided not to insist any longer. With the help of Bai Yihong and his wife, they stood up. ¡°Brother Zhang, let¡¯s go inside to talk.¡± Bai Yihong extended a hand to help Zhang Liliang, cordially inviting him in. Zhang Liliang immediately nodded and said, ¡°Okay, okay.¡± However, he then turned to the crowd of onlookers and bowed in thanks, respectfully saying: ¡°Thank you, fellow villagers, for showing me the way. I, Zhang Liliang, thank you all once again!¡± Many in the crowd were warm-hearted and responded with smiles, saying: ¡°No need to thank us.¡± They also commented that Zhang Liliang was polite and knew how to pay back kindness with gratitude. After thanking the crowd, Zhang Liliang pushed his cart into the yard of the Bai family. ¡°Older Brother Bai, my only child is Rongrong. Even though she¡¯s a girl, she is still my life. That day, my wife and I were busy with our business and our heads were in a daze. Our child was kidnapped. If it weren¡¯t for your family, we would not be able to live in peace for the rest of our lives,¡± Zhang Liliang said, his eyes reddening. He cast a distressed glance at his daughter, clearly a father who dearly loved his child. Zhang Liliang¡¯s wife was silent but followed by wiping the corners of her eyes. ¡°Looking back now, no amount of silver can compare with the importance of having a peaceful family,¡± Zhang Liliang said with a sigh. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but agree. In her past life, she had often heard of wealthy families neglecting their children because they were too busy with business, leading the children to grow up without experiencing familial warmth. She had thought, in such cases, what was the point of earning all that money? Fortunately, the Zhang couple had come to realize this sooner rather than later. Zhang Liliang continued, ¡°These items are gifts for our benefactor to nourish her body. I don¡¯t have much, just these sundries. I hope the Bai Family will not mind.¡± Bai Yihong quickly glanced at Bai Ruozhu. Since these gifts were for her, it was up to her to decide whether to accept them. Bai Ruozhu quickly shook her head and said, ¡°You¡¯re not well-off either, doing business is tough. There¡¯s no need to give such extravagant gifts. If I were to accept gifts as a reward for helping people, then that would truly be a sin.¡± At this point, Rongrong¡¯s mother, who had been silent all along, spoke up, ¡°Miss Bai, we know you¡¯re not looking for a reward, but we feel obligated to give something. Otherwise, we won¡¯t have any peace.¡± ¡°Yes, this is just a token of our gratitude. It¡¯s not worth much silver. Please do not refuse it, otherwise... otherwise, we¡¯ll leave the cart at your doorstep and not take it away,¡± Zhang Liliang said somewhat impatiently. He even came up with an admittedly crafty plan. Bai Ruozhu saw the Zhang family¡¯s insistence and had to agree. She thought to herself that she would find an opportunity to give Rongrong some gifts in return, to reciprocate their kindness without them spending too much. The faces of the Zhang couple showed their delight when Bai Ruozhu nodded in agreement. At that moment, Lin Ping¡¯er brought out some tea. ¡°Please, have a seat and drink some tea to quench your thirst. We¡¯ll have a simple meal later. You can try Ruozhu¡¯s cooking.¡± The Zhang couple quickly expressed their thanks. They had left home early in the morning, pushing a cart all the way, and were indeed somewhat thirsty. The three of them, without any pretense, picked up the teacups and started drinking. Upon taking her first sip, Rongrong¡¯s eyes curved up in delight, and she exclaimed gleefully, ¡°So sweet, it¡¯s delicious!¡± Bai Ruozhu, smiling, stroked Rongrong¡¯s head and said, ¡°I¡¯m glad you like it. I¡¯ll give you more to take home later.¡± She had made a concoction of schisandra berry syrup which was sweet and sour, quite a treat in itself. She figured children would definitely like it. ¡°What kind of tea is this? It has a unique taste.¡± Zhang Liliang¡¯s eyes lit up. Being a businessman who traveled frequently, he had a keen eye for business opportunities. Laughing, Bai Ruozhu answered, ¡°I made some schisandra berry syrup myself. It¡¯s not really tea. Besides, I also made some flower tea which is suitable for women.¡± ¡°Miss Bai, you sure are inventive. May I take a look if it¡¯s not too much trouble?¡± Zhang Liliang couldn¡¯t resist asking. Chapter 64 - 64 064 Coming Over to Scrounge a Meal ?Chapter 64: Chapter 064: Coming Over to Scrounge a Meal Chapter 64: Chapter 064: Coming Over to Scrounge a Meal Bai Ruozhu immediately understood Zhang Liliang¡¯s thoughts, she smiled and said: ¡°These things are not rare, there are more delicate ones for sale in the town, if you really want to do business, I guess it¡¯s hard to make a profit.¡± Bai Ruozhu had seen these things herself, knowing that there was no profit to be made. She thought Zhang Liliang probably realized this as well, perhaps he wanted to help the Bai family in a roundabout way. But Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want to take advantage of people, if she took advantage in a one-sided way, the relationship between the two families would eventually spoil. Zhang Liliang was a smart man, he immediately understood Bai Ruozhu¡¯s meaning, he chuckled awkwardly and said somewhat embarrassedly: ¡°You¡¯re right, I didn¡¯t think things through.¡± ¡°You meant well.¡± Bai Ruozhu was thinking about how she should address Zhang Liliang. He had just referred to her father as ¡®brother¡¯, should she address him as uncle? She guessed Zhang Liliang was around thirty? ¡°Actually, we had another idea when we came today, just not sure if Miss Bai agrees.¡± Zhang Liliang said, rubbing his hands together. ¡°Oh? Just say it.¡± Bai Ruozhu became suspicious, wondering if they were trying to involve her family in their business? ¡°Our Rongrong¡¯s life was saved by Miss Bai, she owes Miss Bai a great debt of gratitude. Her mother and I would like her to consider you as her elder sister, so she can remember your kindness as she grows older.¡± Zhang Liliang said with a chuckle. Bai Ruozhu also quite liked the obedient girl Rongrong, she laughingly said: ¡°If it¡¯s considering Rongrong as my younger sister, I¡¯d be happy to. But let¡¯s not mention gratitude or anything, or it will feel too formal.¡± Rongrong¡¯s family were all happy to hear this, Bai Yihong and his wife appreciated the sincerity of Zhang family and agreed since they found Rongrong to be very well-behaved. They decided the upcoming meal would be a celebratory one. Lin Ping¡¯er sent Bai Zehao to buy some wine and meat, but was stopped by Zhang Liliang, who said: ¡°I brought the wine and meat, don¡¯t trouble yourself.¡± Zhang Liliang had previously called these items miscellaneous goods, it seemed now that he was just being modest. The Bai family wouldn¡¯t insist any further, so Lin Ping¡¯er went to prepare the food. Rongrong¡¯s mother insisted on helping, and the two women chatted as they worked. Bai Ruozhu pulled Rongrong to play, while Bai Yihong and Zhang Liliang were engrossed in their conversation, quickly becoming familiar with each other. When Lin Ping¡¯er was done preparing the food, she called on Bai Ruozhu to cook. Rongrong¡¯s mother, not wanting Bai Ruozhu to tire herself, offered to help, but Lin Ping¡¯er laughed and held her back. ¡°I care for this girl too, don¡¯t want her to work too hard, but she¡¯s the best cook in our family, they can¡¯t stomach the food I make.¡± Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but laugh, she said, ¡°Mother, you¡¯re exaggerating, it was you who cooked yesterday, wasn¡¯t it? I saw my brother eat two large bowls of rice.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s cooking skills had improved recently, and hearing her daughter¡¯s words, her face lit up with pride. But still, since they had guests over, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s cooking definitely tasted better. She decided to step back and let her daughter do the cooking. By noon, Bai Ruozhu had prepared a table full of food. Lin Ping¡¯er and Rongrong¡¯s mother served the dishes together. Zhang Liliang sniffed the aroma constantly and couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°Miss Bai¡¯s culinary skills are top-notch, they are no less than a big restaurant¡¯s taste!¡± Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, ¡°These are all home-style dishes, they can¡¯t compare to a big restaurant, it¡¯s good if Uncle Zhang and Auntie can enjoy it.¡± ¡°How could we not? Just the smell is making me drool.¡± Zhang Liliang said, laughing heartily. Seeing the Zhang Family praising his daughter, Bai Yihong felt extremely proud, his expression even more joyful. He brought out his collection of fine wine and said to Zhang Liliang, ¡°Little brother, let¡¯s drink a few cups today.¡± Just as the atmosphere inside was warming up, the gate of the courtyard was knocked, the high-pitched voice of the old lady of the Bai family came from outside, ¡°Son, I heard you have guests, we came to say hello.¡± Bai Yihong¡¯s expression changed slightly, he hurriedly glanced at his wife. They had guests today and couldn¡¯t hide the dishes, it would sound bad to say it aloud. But if his mother saw such a table full of dishes, he didn¡¯t know what trouble it might cause. Bai Ruozhu sighed softly. The Zhang family didn¡¯t know the situation of the Bai family. Although they meant well in praising her heroic deed of saving a life, it also let the old mansion know that the Zhang family had sent over a cart full of goods, which drew the attention of the people in old mansion. Zhang Liliang, who had been doing business for many years and knew how to observe people¡¯s words and expressions, noticed the change in the Bai family¡¯s reactions. He wondered that the person outside must be Bai Yihong¡¯s elder, but guessed they probably didn¡¯t get along well with the Bai family. Lin Ping¡¯er came to her senses and smiled at the members of the Zhang family, ¡°Our grandmother is here, I¡¯ll go open the door, you just sit.¡± After saying this, she scurried off to open the courtyard gate, but as soon as she did, she was instantly met with the old Mrs. Bai¡¯s unhappy face, who accused her in a yin-yang voice, ¡°You took so long to open the door, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not happy to see me.¡± Before Lin Ping¡¯er could speak in her defense, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Bai household, Mrs. Wang, interjected: ¡°Sister-in-law, you¡¯re wrong here. When our mother heard you had guests, she wanted to come over and help. How could you not welcome her?¡± As there were still guests at home, Lin Ping¡¯er didn¡¯t want to argue with Mrs. Wang, which would tarnish the reputation of the Bai family. ¡°Mother, elder sister-in-law, I am always welcoming of you, please come in.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er said, then headed back to the house. Bai Ruozhu, who was in the room, heard everything clearly. She scoffed and thought to herself, if they really wanted to help, they could have come earlier to lend a hand in the kitchen. We wouldn¡¯t have turned them away from a meal; her family was not stingy. But they didn¡¯t show up when work was needed, but arrived just in time for the meal. It would have been better if they had directly said they came to eat, instead, they said they came to help, their skin was really thick to a certain extent. Old Mrs. Bai and Mrs. Wang walked into the main hall, Bai Yihong stood up to offer his mother a seat, and then introduced the two families. Thankfully, due to the strict family style ingrained by the old patriarch, Old Mrs. Bai¡¯s conduct in front of guests was appropriate, and she didn¡¯t lose face. But, the one thing that was a bit unpleasant was that her eyes kept darting towards the food, she was almost cross-eyed. Everyone in the Bai family noticed her constant shifting gaze. They thought it was too conspicuous, so they tried to change the subject, and then started the meal. ¡°Eldest son, call Zehao to join us for the meal as well.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er said to Bai Zehao, who agreed and went to call him, explaining to the Zhang family with a laugh: ¡°Our Er Lang is preparing for the Rural Examination, so he¡¯s been studying hard lately.¡± The Zhang family had heard on the way that the Bai family were an ¡°agricultural and scholarly family¡±. Hearing now that their second son was preparing for the Rural Examination, they were even more admiring. Zhang Liliang even gave a thumbs up and said: ¡°Brother Bai is really amazing, such outstanding children he has brought up.¡± Hearing the praise from others about his three children, Bai Yihong¡¯s face was blooming with a smile. But then Mrs. Wang suddenly spoke up, ¡°You¡¯re mistaken, everyone knows our second brother never studied. Er Lang¡¯s achievements today are all because of our old patriarch¡¯s teachings.¡± Chapter 65 - 65 065 Ugly Behaviour at the Dining Table ?Chapter 65: Chapter 065: Ugly Behaviour at the Dining Table Chapter 65: Chapter 065: Ugly Behaviour at the Dining Table Upon hearing these words, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s face darkened. This Wang Family really knew how to seize an opportunity to belittle the second family of the Bai¡¯s. In front of guests, they described her father as illiterate. As fiercely protective as Bai Ruozhu was, how could she tolerate this? ¡°Look at what my aunt has said. Indeed, my brothers benefited greatly from our grandfather¡¯s initiation into education. However, what my father usually teaches us concerns the principles of being a person. Otherwise, how could we walk on the right path and conduct ourselves honestly? This is irrelevant to whether or not one has been to school. In this village, there are many illiterate households, but there are also many decent families.¡± Bai Ruozhu said, her face carrying a smile, her voice soft. Her words flowed effortlessly as if she was not rebutting her aunt, but merely discussing a simple fact. In this situation, she must respect the difference in seniority. It was inappropriate for Bai Ruozhu to argue directly with the elder Wang before the guests. ¡°Of course, my father also received his early education from my grandfather. Although he does not have the same academic abilities as uncle, he is not entirely illiterate. When my father teaches us, he always says that these are what grandfather taught.¡± Bai Ruozhu added with a smile. The Wang Family had some cunning ways. First, they brought out the old master of the Bai Family, then degraded Bai Yihong, if Bai Ruozhu and her family were in a hurry to defend Bai Yihong, it could potentially sound like they were criticizing their grandfather for his upbringing of Er Lang. Regrettably, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t fall for their trap. She responded in a manner that both defended her father and honoured her grandfather, without leaving any room for criticism. At this moment, Bai Zehao called Er Lang over for a meal. The two of them heard Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words very clearly and secretly nodded in agreement. Even Er Lang, who usually overanalyzes things, looked at Bai Ruozhu with a hint of admiration in his eyes. The Wang Family heard Bai Ruozhu emphasized the words ¡°scholar¡±, and they were so infuriated that their teeth chattered noisily. Yet they ultimately bore it due to the guests present, especially those who had come bearing cartloads of gifts, they forced themselves to swallow their anger. Zhang Liliang immediately followed up with a light-hearted comment, saying: ¡°Just by observing your children, one can see that Bai indeed understands more than I do. I have never read a book in my life and should learn more from Bai in the future.¡± Bai Zepei shot a quick glance at Zhang Liliang. He had been studying in the house, not serving the guests, but that didn¡¯t mean he wasn¡¯t aware of what was happening. At that moment, he found himself fond of Zhang Liliang. He first entered the room to pay respects to Old Lady Bai, greeted the guests, then took his seat. Meanwhile, the Wang Family was still stewing, seeing Er Lang¡¯s detached manner, and unwillingness to engage with her, they sourly said: ¡°Er Lang, you have become so engrossed in your studies that you don¡¯t even recognize people anymore. Isn¡¯t it so? Do you even neglect your aunt? Can you really pass the rural examination by studying so obsessively?¡± Lin Pingr couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. Initially, she didn¡¯t want to argue with the Wang Family because of the presence of the guests. But she didn¡¯t expect them to insult her son like that. ¡°What is my sister-in-law implying? Whether he can pass or not, we¡¯ll know after the rural examination, won¡¯t we?¡± The Wang Family wanted to say something else, but the old lady from the side subtly nudged them with her elbow. Only then did the Wang Family remember the main purpose of the day and swallow their words. Bai Yihong gave an apologetic smile to Zhang Liliang, saying, ¡°Since everyone has arrived, let¡¯s start eating. Zhang, please don¡¯t be shy, make yourself at home.¡± He then directly served Zhang Liliang a chopstick full of Braised Pork with Sour Vegetables, which Zhang Liliang had brought along himself. The Old Lady watched as two large pieces of meat were taken away. Her heart pained seeing such choice pieces of meat being taken off the plate. There was a limited amount to begin with, and she counted them all and there were total Twelve pieces. On thinking this, Old Lady Bai immediately became sullen. Thinking that her second son wasn¡¯t worth her affection ¨C when she didn¡¯t pay him any attention, she missed out on everything, unlike others who knew to serve her meat. As everyone began to eat, Old Lady Bai¡¯s eyes turned fierce. She began to fiercely serve up the meat into her own bowl, taking three large pieces of Braised Pork with Sour Vegetables in one serving. Then she began hastily stuffing her mouth full of meat, leaving no time for rice, as if she were afraid that the meat would disappear if she ate too slowly. Originally, those who were still serving themselves were stunned by her actions. Mainly because she was eating so quickly, her mouth made loud smacking noises. It was truly a gruesome sight. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mouth twitched. Her grandmother had married her scholarly grandfather who valued propriety, and yet she still hadn¡¯t absorbed any of his refined manners even after decades together. Looking at her behaviour, the Zhang family members didn¡¯t dare to continue eating, afraid of upsetting her if they consumed too much. Zhang Liliang simply finished the food in his bowl and started drinking with Bai Yihong. Rongrong sat next to Bai Ruozhu, her big eyes sneakily darting towards the Braised Pork with Sour Vegetables, yet she did not extend her chopsticks. Even though the Zhangs loved their daughter dearly, they rarely served her meat dishes. Plus, the dish Bai Ruozhu had prepared was especially delicious. It would be strange if Rongrong wasn¡¯t tempted. However, being the well-behaved child she was, she observed that her parents had yet to make a move and, despite her desire to eat, she restrained herself from reaching out. Bai Ruozhu silently sighed, intending to get a piece of meat for Rongrong. But the moment she caught hold of a piece with her chopsticks, it was taken by the Old Lady. ¡°Ruozhu, you¡¯re nearing labor. Don¡¯t eat such greasy foods. Be careful, it might be difficult to digest.¡± Old Lady Bai said with a wide greasy grin, her teeth covered in oil and soy sauce stains. She spoke with her mouth full, making her words incomprehensible. It even allowed everyone to get a glimpse of the food in her mouth. A feeling of nausea washed over Bai Ruozhu, who then loosened her grip on the chopsticks. ¡°You eat it, Grandma.¡± Thinking that Bai Ruozhu was no longer interested in the piece, Old Lady Bai was exuberant as the meat piece went over to her side. Before she had even celebrated for long, Bai Ruozhu grabbed another piece, which upset the old lady. She desired to reprimand Bai Ruozhu, however, she then saw Bai Ruozhu placing the meat in Rongrong¡¯s bowl. Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t feel like feeding Rongrong the piece Old Lady Bai had touched with her chopsticks. Hence, she quickly scraped out another chunk, not bothering to contend with the old lady. ¡°Sister, I-I won¡¯t eat,¡± Rongrong said quietly, after hastily glancing at Old Lady Bai. Bai Ruozhu gently patted Rongrong¡¯s head. ¡°You¡¯re still growing, so you should eat something good. Eat it now and don¡¯t disobey your sister¡¯s orders.¡± Saying this, she reached out her chopsticks towards another dish, grabbing Chinese sausage off that place and putting it in Rongrong¡¯s bowl. Sniffing, Rongrong clearly felt Bai Ruozhu¡¯s kindness towards her. She nodded, keeping her head down as she started eating. Old Lady Bai was feeling extremely displeased. People were saying they didn¡¯t want to eat and yet Bai Ruozhu still served them more food. Wasn¡¯t that just because they have money and she is keen to fawn on them? Bai Ruozhu was unaware of her grandmother¡¯s thoughts, and even if she did know, she would have dismissed them out of hand. She signaled her mother, who also began serving Rongrong¡¯s mother dishes, ensuring the guests were not slighted, regardless of Old Lady Bai¡¯s embarrassing behaviour. The Wang Family also completely ignored the guests, only caring for themselves as they helped themselves to more meat. However, they were conscious of their appearance, as they usually liked to be well-dressed, so they weren¡¯t as scary as Old Lady Bai. Even so, their disgruntled expression made them seem as though they were owed a lot of money by the meal they were eating, which made others uncomfortable to look at them. Bai Ruozhu sighed, thinking to herself that a good meal was ruined by these two people. Chapter 66 - 66 066 The Bloody Incident Caused by the Thank-You Gift ?Chapter 66: Chapter 066: The Bloody Incident Caused by the Thank-You Gift Chapter 66: Chapter 066: The Bloody Incident Caused by the Thank-You Gift At this point, Bai Zepei suddenly got up, saying, ¡°Mother, shouldn¡¯t we still be sending food to Grandpa? I happen to have a few questions to ask Grandpa, so I¡¯ll just deliver it to him now.¡± The old lady¡¯s eyes lit up when she heard that food was still to be delivered to the old man. She said, ¡°No need to rush, I¡¯ll take it with me when I return later.¡± Bai Zepei seemed indifferent, showing no sign of joy or anger, ¡°Anyway, I need to ask Grandpa something, which still requires a trip there.¡± After saying that, he no longer paid any attention to the old lady. Instead, he bowed to Zhang Liliang¡¯s family and politely said, ¡°I have neglected all three of you, I¡¯m really sorry. I will return shortly to toast Uncle Zhang.¡± Zhang Liliang originally thought that Bai Zepei was a quiet man, who probably possessed some literary arrogance. However, seeing his politeness now and considering that he might soon become a scholar, he was so courteous to him. This was not a sign of haughtiness, but clear indication of a steady character. He quickly returned the courtesy, and saw Bai Zepei going to the kitchen to get the meal, before quickly leaving the Bai family. Although Bai Zepei looked skinny, he was not frail, but rather efficient in his movements. Bai Zehao initially wanted to do the errand himself, considering that his younger brother was already burdened with studying. However, he quickly guessed that Bai Zepei had other plans, so he did not volunteer to help. Bai Ruozhu glanced at her younger brother¡¯s departing figure, then at the old lady who looked displeased when Bai Zepei left with the food. She thought to herself that there might be an interesting drama to watch later. With this thought, her mood improved and she leisurely picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and started eating again. The old lady¡¯s eyes swept over her like a knife, as if she had stolen the piece of meat that the old lady was just about to put in her mouth. Bai Ruozhu found it amusing. Could the old lady eat all the food on the table by herself? This was her home, did she have to watch others¡¯ faces when she ate? Besides, all the dishes on the table were prepared by her. She could eat them however she wanted. Could the old lady control her? The old lady couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. She finally said, ¡°Ruozhu, you¡¯re not young anymore. Don¡¯t just think about your own appetite, also attend to the guests.¡± Rongrong, with her big eyes wide open, looked at the old lady and said, ¡°Grandma Bai, my sister has been serving me food all along, I have enough to eat.¡± The old lady instantly felt like she had lost face. Since she couldn¡¯t quarrel with a child, she had no choice but to swallow her anger. Bai Yihong looked incredibly embarrassed. He respected his mother deeply, but he also cared for his daughter. Given that his daughter didn¡¯t do anything wrong, she was called ¡°greedy¡± in front of the guests by his mother. This kind of accusation would seriously damage the reputation of a woman. If it were an unmarried girl, the worst things she could be labeled as are ¡°gluttonous and lazy¡± and ¡°difficult to raise.¡± ¡°Mother, all the dishes on the table today were prepared by Ruozhu.¡± Bai Yihong considered it for a moment, then couldn¡¯t help but speak up. The old lady looked at Bai Ruozhu with some surprise. She always thought the dishes smelled delicious, and since she guessed they wouldn¡¯t be cooked by Lin, she directly thought they were cooked by Zhang¡¯s daughter-in-law. She never expected that Bai Ruozhu might have cooked them. As Lin, who was engrossed in gnawing on a bone, spat it out, she said, ¡°Oh, Ruozhu is really clever and handy. If she wasn¡¯t married yet, she would definitely find a good family.¡± She looked like she was laughing innocently. She was thinking of hitting Lin Ping in the heart by bringing this up. The second daughter of the Wang family, Bai Ruolan, was a few months older than Bai Ruozhu. They previously talked about marriage, but Bai Ruolan¡¯s marriage plans never came to fruition. On one hand, Bai Ruolan wasn¡¯t very good looking, always being overshadowed by her cousin Bai Ruozhu. On the other hand, she felt that as her grandfather was a scholar, her father was a successful child student, and her older sister had married into a good family in town, she couldn¡¯t be worse than her sister. Thus, she wasn¡¯t settling for less, and the situation dragged on until now. However, Bai Ruolan didn¡¯t think she had any problems, and even felt that it was because Bai Ruozhu had brought her husband into the family and since her husband had disappeared, gossip had influenced her chances of finding a good family. Wang wasn¡¯t a reasonable person, otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have raised a daughter like this, so she similarly laid the blame on Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu knew what Wang was thinking, and rewarded her with a sweet smile, saying, ¡°Thank you for your praise, Aunt Wang.¡± The sight of Bai Ruozhu¡¯s smile dazed Wang. Bai Ruozhu was naturally sweet-looking. Although her body was a little heavier now, resulting in a fuller face, she appeared even more charming. Even woman like Wang was stunned, and once she came back to her senses, she could only feel deep jealousy and anger. Just as Wang was about to say something, the sound of the courtyard door being pushed open came from outside. This was followed by Er Lang¡¯s cold voice, ¡°Father, Mother, my grandfather is here.¡± Bai Zepei accompanied the old man into the house. The old man moved briskly and quickly, looking sombre as if he was not feeling too happy. However, when he saw Zhang Liliang, he immediately broke into a smile, saying, ¡°Today as I was studying, I came across Confucius¡¯ saying which states that it is a pleasure to have friends come from afar. Thus, I came here to join in the fun.¡± Upon facing the old scholar, Zhang Liliang quickly got up to show reverence, ¡°The younger generation pays its respects to Elder Bai. You can just call me Liliang.¡± Everyone bowed to the elderly Bai, and gave him a seat. It was only after he had settled down that Lin got up to fetch a set of utensils for the old man. She saw Er Lang secretly give her a reassuring look, and her mouth twitched into a small smile, scolding Er Lang with her eyes. This kid, was already exhausted from studying, yet he was still worrying about these things. By the time Lin came back with the utensils, the old man had already started chatting with Zhang Liliang. The old lady and Wang were sitting very upright, and were no longer gorging themselves on the food. Unfortunately, most of the dishes had been ¡°ruined¡± by them. Not only did pick food indiscriminately, they also rudely stirred around the dishes with their chopsticks. The originally good dishes were turned into a mess, which looked unappetizing. Fortunately, the old man brought back the dish Bai Zepei gave him and asked Bai Zepei to add it to the table. He then started eating and drinking with Zhang Liliang and Bai Yihong. Afterwards, the focus was mainly on the men drinking. The women cleared the bowls and chopsticks and withdrew from the table. The old lady originally didn¡¯t want to move, but when the old man glared at her and said in a low voice, ¡°You two go and help clean up. Don¡¯t stay here and disturb us,¡± she had no choice but to get up. However, she shot a fierce glare at Er Lang. Sadly for her, Er lang didn¡¯t spare her a single glance. After leaving the main hall, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want to go back to her room to hide, so she moved a stool to sit in the yard. She was really tired from cooking today, standing the whole time would have been too exhausting. Next, she saw the old lady heading towards the cart of gifts. Presumably, she wanted to see what the Zhang family had given, and then skim off some benefits for herself. Bai Ruozhu frowned, the guests hadn¡¯t left yet, and she was rummaging through the gifts. Wasn¡¯t this too rude? She couldn¡¯t help but shout, ¡°Grandma, what are you looking for?¡± As a result, the old lady¡¯s hand, which had just reached out, suddenly trembled, followed by a cry of ¡°Oh my,¡±. Bai Ruozhu looked closely and saw that the old lady¡¯s hand had been cut by something and was bleeding! Chapter 67 - 67 067 Unfilial Descendants ?Chapter 67: Chapter 067 Unfilial Descendants Chapter 67: Chapter 067 Unfilial Descendants Old Madam¡¯s shout startled Bai Ruozhu, who was closest to her. She instantly noticed a large cut on Old Madam¡¯s finger, from which blood was seeping out. It didn¡¯t seem to be a very deep wound though, judging from the amount of blood. Glancing over, Bai Ruozhu saw that it was a hook from the cart that was originally used to hang bacon and Chinese sausage. It seemed that Old Madam was so guilt-ridden that when Bai Ruozhu shouted at her, she accidentally scraped the hook. Well, she had only herself to blame. Regardless, this was Bai Ruozhu¡¯s grandmother, and since she was the closest, Bai Ruozhu had no choice but to rush over with a handkerchief, asking, ¡°Grandmother, are you alright? Please let me bandage it quickly.¡± As she was about to bandage Old Madam¡¯s hand with the clean handkerchief, Old Madam turned her head violently and hissed at her, ¡°You bring bad luck! It¡¯s you who wants to see me dead. Get away from me!¡± After saying that, she suddenly pushed Bai Ruozhu away harshly. Bai Ruozhu was taken aback and wasn¡¯t able to dodge in time. Her body staggered backward, and she was on the verge of falling onto the ground. Fortunately, Lin Ping¡¯er and Mother Rongrong, who were in the yard, had rushed over when they heard Old Madam¡¯s shout. Lin Ping¡¯er swiftly supported her daughter, preventing Bai Ruozhu from falling down. Even so, Bai Ruozhu broke out in a cold sweat. She had almost fallen hard onto the ground. If that had happened, there was a real risk she might have given birth prematurely. As Lin Ping¡¯er supported her daughter, she became furious and yelled at Old Madam, ¡°Mother, what on earth are you doing? Ruozhu is your own granddaughter. How could you push her so violently while she is pregnant?¡± Old Madam ignored Lin Ping¡¯er, holding her right hand injury with her left and continued to curse, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my pushing her? This ill-omened money-loser wants to kill her grandmother. She is responsible for this cut on my hand. This is unfilial and deserves family punishment! It¡¯s a light punishment for her to be pushed over.¡± After saying that, she intensified her glare at Bai Ruozhu, ¡°Raising you, a money-loser, has made your father poor! Saying that you were marrying a man into our home, but were you not abandoned? If you stay here all your life, no amount of money will suffice. Now you¡¯re bringing one more mouth to feed, living off of us for free, and you¡¯re even trying to harm me.¡± Bai Ruozhu, still dazed from the scare, wanted to avoid arguing with the crazy old woman at first. But hearing her blather like this, Bai Ruozhu could no longer remain silent. ¡°Grandmother, have a heart. Was it really me who pushed the cart into you or touched you at all? How can you blame this cut of yours on me?¡± she asked, holding her waist and glancing at Old Madam. She did not, however, wish to engage in a debate with Old Madam about Chang Sheng at the moment. There were still guests in the house. Old Madam may enjoy making a fool of herself, but Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t afford such a loss of face. Everyone in the room came out when they heard the commotion. Seeing his mother scolding his daughter in such a harsh manner, Bai Yihong¡¯s eyes reddened. He wanted to say that his daughter was hardly a freeloader ¨C all the money in the house now was earned by her, and it was she who was supporting their family! But Bai Ruozhu had instructed that no one should say anything, so he had to hold his tongue. Master Bai is a man who values face. Seeing Zhang Liliang present, he felt his face burning. He promptly yelled at Old Madam, ¡°Stop this commotion! If you¡¯re hurt, go home and dress your wound.¡± Upon seeing that Master Bai wasn¡¯t supporting her, Old Madam suddenly sat on the ground, wailing and crying. She complained about her misfortune, her ungrateful son, and her granddaughter who wished her dead, carrying on loudly as if she hoped all the neighbors would hear. Bai Ruozhu let out a cold laugh and glance at Master Bai. His temples were throbbing violently, a sure sign that he was extremely angry. Indeed, Master Bai was so infuriated that he began to cough violently, nearly choking. Seeing this, Old Madam dared not make any more fuss. If she made Master Bai sick and something serious happened to him, she wouldn¡¯t be able to live peacefully thereafter. It took Master Bai a while to catch his breath. He took a few sips of the warm water his grandson handed to him and then said to Zhang Liliang, ¡°Liliang, I¡¯m not feeling well today. I¡¯ll go home first. You and Yihong go on drinking, don¡¯t worry about me.¡± Zhang Liliang offered to escort Master Bai, saying, ¡°Should I accompany you home?¡± Master Bai hastily declined. What kind of host would impose such a task on a guest? ¡°I¡¯m much better now. I can have my wife help me home.¡± After the old master finished speaking, he looked at his wife with her hair in disarray and tears and snot staining her face. He found it ridiculous that he still referred to her as ¡°wife¡± in such an elegant manner. He felt utterly disgraced. In the end, the old master glared at his wife and Wang¡¯s family before commanding, ¡°Stop standing around here. Everyone, follow me home!¡± Upon his command, he stormed out of the yard. The old woman and Wang¡¯s family followed hurriedly. However, before leaving, the old woman shot a vicious glare at Bai Ruozhu. Once they were out of the house, the old woman started to wail again pitifully. Her crying and complaining had already attracted the attention of their neighbors. Some even came out to watch. They saw her with tears streaming down her face, blood on her hand, and her hair all over the place, looking as if she had just been beaten. The Bai family stood at the entrance without stepping out, but through the gap in the door, Bai Ruozhu could still see what was happening outside. The old woman had just glared at her viciously, but now she was crying weakly and pitifully. She really was a good actress. Someone felt curious and asked from outside, ¡°Yo, what happened to you, old lady from the Bai Family?¡± The old woman cried even harder and murmured something about her ¡®unfilial descendants.¡¯ The old master paused for a moment and glared at her again. Although he did not stop to explain anything, Bai Ruozhu noticed and felt a chill in her heart. The old master certainly cared about saving face and did not want to comment on his wife¡¯s foolish behavior in public, but now their family was unjustly accused of being unfilial. Once everyone had left, Zhang Liliang apologized to Bai Yihong with a friendly smile, saying, ¡°Older brother, it seems that I¡¯ve caused you some trouble.¡± Bai Yihong waved his hand hastily and replied, ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. Private affairs can be quite troublesome to sort, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Zhang Liliang nodded and didn¡¯t say anything more. Everyone then turned to Bai Ruozhu to ask if she had been hurt. She shook her head and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine, thanks to my mother¡¯s support.¡± Lin Ping embraced her daughter¡¯s arm and whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t take your grandmother¡¯s words to heart. She has been like this for quite some time.¡± Bai Ruozhu smiled at her mother and responded, ¡°If I took everything to heart, I would have died from anger a long time ago.¡± Feeling awkward, Zhang Liliang and his wife decided to take their leave. Without hesitation, they swiftly unloaded the goods from the cart. Although Bai Yihong tried to convince them not to leave empty-handed, they insisted on gift everything to the Bai family. Once the cart was empty, Rongrong climbed on it and waved at Bai Ruozhu, flashing an innocent smile. She called out, ¡°Sister, I¡¯m leaving first. If you ever visit the town, come play with me at the West Market!¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mood brightened, thanks to Rongrong¡¯s infectious smile. She too grinned and replied, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll treat you to sugar-coated haws when the time comes.¡± Giggling, Rongrong agreed, ¡°Deal, don¡¯t forget it.¡± ¡ª¡ª I want to apologize to everyone. I, Mouka, have been busy moving recently. It¡¯s not just moving to a new house, but to a different city, so it¡¯s especially inconvenient. That¡¯s why I couldn¡¯t update the story yesterday... You may take out your frustration on me with little whips, but could you please not hit my face and go a bit easy on me as well... This situation will soon come to an end. I, Mouka, promise you with the utmost integrity, that once the move is over, I will make up for the lost updates. Once the story is fully posted, there will definitely be three updates every day. So, please believe in me, my publication¡¯s quality is still very good~ Chapter 68 - 68 068 Zhang Familys Kindness ?Chapter 68: Chapter 068: Zhang Family¡¯s Kindness Chapter 68: Chapter 068: Zhang Family¡¯s Kindness After the Zhang family had left, the Bai family returned to the Main Hall, all feeling dispirited. ¡°Who on earth have we offended to earn such a reputation as unfilial?¡± Lin Ping murmured quietly to herself. A sudden realization hit Bai Ruozhu. No, her family absolutely couldn¡¯t bear such a label! The old man was now senile, thinking only of preserving face without considering the other implications. By Old Lady Bai¡¯s fuss, outsiders would now perceive the Bai second house as unfilial, and what if this was used against them in the future, jeopardizing her second brother¡¯s prospects? She didn¡¯t possess much knowledge about the recently surfaced Danliang Country, but she had learnt from her second brother that Emperor Wuning, although rather young, placed high emphasis on filial piety, setting an example for all his officials. She sneaked a glance at her second brother, who appeared indifferent as if unbothered by the situation. He had the pride of a scholar, believing that as long as one¡¯s actions were righteous, it was sufficient. But Bai Ruozhu wouldn¡¯t allow any family member to be wronged. Her second brother had spent more than ten years in grueling studies ¨C his future shouldn¡¯t be ruined by this matter. ¡°This should¡¯ve been a good thing if it wasn¡¯t for the hasty actions of my grandma,¡± Bai Ruozhu sighed, then suggested to her parents, ¡°Let¡¯s give half of the gifts that the Zhang Family brought as an expression of gratitude to my grandparents.¡± All the family members turned to look at Bai Ruozhu in surprise. It wasn¡¯t that the Bai Family was stingy and unwilling to share with the elderly, rather, after the recent episode caused by the old lady, gifting anything else felt somewhat reluctant. Even Bai Yihong raised his eyebrows, uncertainly asking, ¡°Even if we bring the gifts now, isn¡¯t it too late for them to present them properly?¡± Her father was indeed a smart man, but when it came to dealing with relatives, he could only pretend to be oblivious. ¡°I hadn¡¯t originally planned not to share some with my grandparents,¡± she explained. ¡°Truth be told, whether I like them or not is one thing, but showing respect to the elderly is another matter entirely. Even if I don¡¯t particularly like them, the necessary duties of filial piety still need to be carried out. But in giving these gifts, we must be strategic, and not simply offload whatever we have.¡± In Bai Ruozhu¡¯s previous life, her university classmate who had married early used to talk to her about handling mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relations. She had confided that she didn¡¯t particularly like her mother-in-law and often found it difficult to draw close to her, yet she continued to purchase and give gifts as business-as-usual. She didn¡¯t care about the spending. All she wanted was to clear her conscience. The same principle applied to dealing with elderly generations. Bai Ruozhu wouldn¡¯t be foolish enough to drain all her resources, but she would still show the necessary respect. Not only would this help her father return the favor of being brought up by his parents, but it would also prevent them from feeling guilty over such a trivial matter or being used as a means to find fault with them. ¡°Your grandma left bleeding. No matter what we send now, it¡¯s going to be taken as compensation,¡± said Lin Ping, feeling oppressed, while resentfully looking at Bai Yihong. While the family was discussing what to do, there was a knock on the courtyard gate, and they heard Fang Guizhi¡¯s voice from outside, ¡°Ruozhu, I¡¯ve come to see you.¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly got up to open the gate. The moment Fang Guizhi entered the courtyard, she lowered her voice and said, ¡°As soon as the Zhang family left your house, they bought tofu, two fish, and a jar of wine, and headed to your grandparents¡¯ house.¡± ¡°What?¡± Bai Ruozhu was taken aback. The Zhang family had not mentioned anything to her when they left. They were probably intending to help them out with the problem at hand. Outside the Bai family¡¯s old mansion in Back Mountain Village, Zhang Liliang, accompanied by his wife and daughter, was knocking on the door and calling out loudly, ¡°Old Lady Bai, I¡¯ve come to apologize.¡± The old man, sulking in the Main Hall, did not respond immediately, while Wang¡¯s wife, upon peeping through the gap in the door and spotting Zhang Liliang carrying something, hastily went to open the door. ¡°Oh my, how very polite of you. Come in, please.¡± Seeing Zhang Liliang carrying something, Wang¡¯s wife could not be more enthusiastic. Zhang Liliang waved his hand and said, ¡°I am here just to apologize to Old Lady Bai, I must return home in a hurry for I have unfinished business, so I won¡¯t be able to step inside.¡± He intentionally spoke loudly, gaining the attention of their nearby neighbors. Old Lady Bai, hearing the noise outside, arrived at the door with a smile on her face, ¡°Why the need for an apology? You mustn¡¯t strain yourself this way.¡± Although she spoke these words, her eyes were drawn to the items carried by the visitor. Zhang Liliang handed over the items he carried and spoke loudly, ¡°These are my apologies. It¡¯s all because of the hook tied to my cart that you got cut when you touched it. I am really sorry.¡± Old Lady Bai¡¯s fingers had already stopped bleeding and were now bandaged. She quickly said, ¡°That¡¯s absolutely fine. It¡¯s just a small injury. Won¡¯t you come inside and have a meal with us?¡± Her last words were phrased as a question, completely unlike the enthusiastic hosts who would insist on their guests staying for a meal. Zhang Liliang bowed to Old Lady Bai, saying, ¡°Thank you, Old Lady Bai, but we have some business to attend to at home and must not delay. So, we¡¯ll excuse ourselves now. We¡¯ll come back some other day to apologize.¡± After saying these words, Zhang Liliang pushed the cart and left the place with his wife and daughter. By the time the old man arrived at the courtyard gate, the visitors had already left, and the old lady had several items in her hands. The old man wore a long face, his chin almost reaching his chest. Coldly speaking, ¡°Everyone, go back inside.¡± He then stormed back into the Main Hall. No one saw Old Lady Bai leaving the house that day, but between their neighbors, speculation began. Many people in the village knew that Bai Ruozhu had saved the Zhang family¡¯s baby girl, and the Zhang family had brought a full cart of gifts to show their gratitude. However, how did Old Lady Bai end up getting cut while touching their cart? She surely must have been trying to touch the gifts placed on their cart before they left, right? After hearing about the Zhang family¡¯s actions, the Bai family was extremely grateful. Bai Yihong proposed that they should find an opportunity to visit the town and properly thank Zhang Liliang. That evening, Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei each carried a fair number of items to the old mansion. People who saw them while resting on their way asked about it, and Bai Zehao smiled and said, ¡°Our home received some items, so naturally we would want to honor our grandparents. We had been meaning to do it earlier, but the guests were still here and grandma hurt her hand, so we had to postpone it to a little later.¡± Bai Zepei didn¡¯t usually talk much, but occasionally added a few words. Coupled with the conversation the Zhang family had when they had visited Old Lady Bai to apologize, and some understanding of the character of Old Lady Bai, people began to piece together the whole story. Nobody mentioned the unfilial conduct of Bai second house anymore, instead they praised the children from the Bai family for their exceptional actions. In a blink of an eye, several days passed. Lin Ping discussed with Bai Yihong and decided to add a room to the house. The eldest had also married, resulting in a shortage of space in the house. Their daughter¡¯s room was reserved for childbirth and the post-natal confinement period, meaning it could not be freed up. The eldest and the second son shared the same room. If that room was converted into a newlywed chamber, then where would the second son study? Therefore, adding a room had become an urgent matter. In the end, the couple agreed that since building an extra room wouldn¡¯t be too time-consuming and the backyard had been left empty for such a purpose, they would add the room behind the Main Hall. Once built, it would serve as the room for the eldest son and his wife, so the Wang family¡¯s daughter could live comfortably. Just as the family was discussing the new room, Old Mrs. Wang suddenly paid a visit and brought some news. Wang LaiDi, who had been locked up in jail, was released! Chapter 69 - 69 069 Whose Child Is It ?Chapter 69: Chapter 069: Whose Child Is It? Chapter 69: Chapter 069: Whose Child Is It? Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother doesn¡¯t like Old Lady Wang. When the old gossip came knocking on the door, with the news of Wang LaiDi, she replied indifferently: ¡°So what if she¡¯s been put in jail? Her family just needs to pay the fine and she¡¯ll be released.¡± But Old Lady Wang snorted, saying, ¡°Who would pay the fine for her? If someone was willing to pay, she would¡¯ve been out already, wouldn¡¯t have had to wait until now.¡± Bai Ruozhu pricked up her ears ¡ª it seemed like the story was rather juicy. ¡°The Liu Family doesn¡¯t claim her, and the Cao Family¡¯s business is now in shambles because of her. Apparently, the wife of the Cao Family made a scene at Wang Laidi¡¯s mother¡¯s place, almost got physical. The Wang family is so embarrassed, they don¡¯t even want to admit she¡¯s their daughter,¡± Old Lady Wang relayed this with a hint of spite, implying that Wang LaiDi got what she deserved. Bai Ruozhu was lounging on a chair. Given her heavy pregnant state, sitting on a wooden chair had become increasingly uncomfortable. She yearned for the couch she had in her previous life. Adjusting her position to make herself more comfortable, she looked at Old Lady Wang and said, ¡°Come on, don¡¯t keep us in suspense. Tell us the rest.¡± Old Lady Wang was pleased that her gossip was piquing interest. Her eyes sparkled as she said, ¡°My contact at the Government Office told me she¡¯s pregnant. The lord in charge being kind-hearted, released her and waived the fine.¡± At this news, not only was Bai Ruozhu taken aback, even Lin Ping-er perked up, gazing at Old Lady Wang and asking, ¡°How did they find out she¡¯s pregnant? Is it Liu Family¡¯s?¡± Bai Ruozhu frowned. If she knew that Wang LaiDi was pregnant, she might have been more considerate; After all, she herself was soon-to-be a mother. Any matter related to children made her feel soft-hearted. It was just unfortunate that Wang LaiDi¡¯s tricks had been so mean-spirited that she had to fight back, or else she and her unborn child would have been in danger. Old Lady Wang let out a chuckle, revealing her yellowed teeth, ¡°Who knows really? Perhaps she can¡¯t even tell who the father is. She has ruined the Cao Family¡¯s reputation. The business is on the verge of ruin, and Mr. Cao¡¯s wife is threatening to divorce.¡± Bai Ruozhu and her mother exchanged glances. They both felt the topic was too crude and chose not to comment. Old Lady Wang pursed her lips, thinking that the Bai women were too prim and proper. After all, hadn¡¯t they already lived through similar experiences? Feeling bored, she made her exit. Once she left, Lin Ping-er heaved a sigh and said, ¡°Old Lady Wang indeed! You should not indulge in such conversations with her.¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled, pointing at her belly, which was as big as a watermelon, and said, ¡°Mother, I¡¯m like this now. How can I be considered a young girl?¡± Lin Ping-er couldn¡¯t help but laugh either. It still hadn¡¯t sunk in for her that her daughter was now a wife herself; primarily because the marriage ceremony hadn¡¯t taken place. Suppressing the sorrow in her heart to prevent it from affecting her daughter, she smiled gently and said, ¡°No matter when, in my eyes you will always be a child.¡± Bai Ruozhu went over to her mother, looped her arm affectionately, and said, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m going to stick to you and father for life. You can¡¯t send me away.¡± The color drained from Lin Ping-er¡¯s face. She wasn¡¯t sure what her daughter was implying. Was she considering remaining a widow if Chang Sheng didn¡¯t come back? She couldn¡¯t bear that thought. In truth, Bai Ruozhu was not waiting for Chang Sheng. She just didn¡¯t want her parents to arrange a ¡°suitable¡± man for her to remarry. As a modern woman, she couldn¡¯t accept a marriage without love. Even the prospect of consummating the marriage was something she couldn¡¯t come to terms with. She recalled Old Lady Wang¡¯s words ¡ª that Mr. Cao¡¯s wife was threatening to divorce. It appeared that divorce was possible in this era as well. She seemed to glimpse a ray of hope. If Chang Sheng didn¡¯t show up, she wouldn¡¯t mind being a widow. However, if he turned up suddenly, she would have to think of ways to divorce him. This was a debt of affection owed by her former self. She didn¡¯t want to repay someone else¡¯s debts, even if that person was her child¡¯s father. By lunchtime, Bai Ruozhu, who had been napping in the rattan chair, was awakened by her returning father, who cheerily said, ¡°Sweetheart, have your food and then go back to your room and rest.¡± Getting up, Bai Ruozhu felt embarrassed. In a typical household, a daughter-in-law, even on the day of childbirth, wouldn¡¯t be having such a leisurely nap. She really was a lucky girl. Standing up from the rattan chair, she had to struggle because of her bloated belly. It took her father¡¯s help before she could manage to get up. ¡°Your mother was the same during her pregnancy with your elder brother. She would need my help to get up after lying down. Once, when I wasn¡¯t around, it took her half an hour to get up. She was scolded by your grandmother for that,¡± said Bai Yihong, laughing. But his smile froze as he realized he had unintentionally mentioned his mother. He felt a wave of sadness. Catching her father¡¯s mood shift, Bai Ruozhu pretended not to notice and walked around the courtyard. While walking, she said, ¡°Next time, I¡¯ll roll over to get up. Father, you should go back to the room and rest. I need to move around some more.¡± Her body was getting heavier and heavier, and she really didn¡¯t feel like moving. But she knew if she became lazy now, it could be a threat to her life during childbirth. So for the sake of her child, she had to exert herself. Bai Yihong gave a dry laugh and went inside the room to drink some tea. Bai Ruozhu began to walk around the small courtyard. Shortly, her elder brother returned from chopping wood on the Back Mountain, and Lin Ping-er called him to come in and prepare for the meal. Just as Bai Ruozhu was about to go inside, she heard Fang Guizhi¡¯s voice from outside, ¡°Ruozhu, I need to talk to you.¡± Bai Ruozhu rushed to open the door, only to see Fang Guizhi panting heavily, her face flushed and sweaty. But her eyes were bright and her smile wide ¡ª it was obvious that although she had rushed, the reason wasn¡¯t anything bad. Fang Guizhi lowered her voice and whispered into Bai Ruozhu¡¯s ear, ¡°Wang LaiDi is making a scene at the Liu Family¡¯s gate, claiming she¡¯s pregnant with Liu San¡¯s child. The Liu Family isn¡¯t acknowledging it. Not sure if you want to go and watch the drama?¡± Wang LaiDi was certainly quick to act. Perhaps she had nowhere else to go, so as soon as she got out of prison, she ran straight to the Liu Family¡¯s house. To think she used to have a good life at the Liu Family¡¯s place. Liu San was good to his wife. Unfortunately, her actions ruined everything. Bai Ruozhu thought about the innocent life inside Wang LaiDi¡¯s womb. She shook her head and said, ¡°I¡¯m quite heavy now. I don¡¯t want to go and indulge in such gossips. But do tell me afterwards what happened.¡± Fang Guizhi nodded, ¡°That¡¯s true. You should avoid crowded places. I¡¯ll come find you later.¡± After saying this, she ran off, making it clear she was eager to join the scene. Bai Ruozhu sighed and shook her head. It was not that Fang Guizhi was unsympathetic. Next time, she needed to remember that it was normal for young girls to be interested in such gossips. Lin Ping-er had heard Fang Guizhi¡¯s voice but found no one upon coming out of the kitchen. She asked Bai Ruozhu about her visit, so Bai Ruozhu told her about Fang Guizhi¡¯s intentions. Lin Ping-er was taken aback and commented, ¡°Old Lady Liu is quite concerned about her family¡¯s reputation. I do hope it doesn¡¯t blow up into something big.¡± Chapter 70 - 70 070 Shouldnt Wade into Muddy Waters ?Chapter 70: Chapter 070: Shouldn¡¯t Wade into Muddy Waters Chapter 70: Chapter 070: Shouldn¡¯t Wade into Muddy Waters A crowd had gathered outside the Liu Family¡¯s gate in Mountain Village, all coming to watch the spectacle. At this moment, Wang LaiDi, the wife of the once three young sons of the Liu Family, was crying and wailing, garnering sympathy from some tender-hearted persons. ¡°The child in my womb is truly of the Liu Family. Will the Liu Family deny their own flesh and blood and watch the child die?¡± Wang LaiDi saw the Liu Family¡¯s old lady adamantly refusing her entry and couldn¡¯t help but threatening harsh words. The Liu Family matriarch was in a very bad mood. She was too old to put up with these kinds of people. Her eldest daughter-in-law was unwilling to intervene, arguing it was inconvenient. But with so many onlookers outside, she had to step up herself. She gave a cold snort and said disdainfully, ¡°We don¡¯t even know whose seed it is. What¡¯s more, we don¡¯t need a disgraceful mother like you in the Liu Family!¡± At this moment, the child that Wang LaiDi had with Liu San started crying loudly. He was still young and didn¡¯t understand what was happening. He had not seen his mother for several days and wanted to find her for a hug, but he was held back by the adults in the yard. When Wang LaiDi caught sight of her son through a gap in the yard gate, her tears fell more heavily. The onlookers couldn¡¯t bear to see a mother and child crying so heart-wrenchingly. A compassionate old woman couldn¡¯t hold back and said, ¡°Maybe the child in her womb is indeed from your Liu Family, can you bear to watch her give birth outside?¡± An angry countenance descended upon Madam Liu. The outsiders didn¡¯t realize the implication. If the child turns out to be a descendant of the Cao Family and the Liu Family ended up raising it, it would be akin to cuckoldry. Thinking of this, the Liu matriarch cast a peculiar glance towards the crying child in the yard, wondering if he was part of the problem. Unfortunately, the child was too young, his features not clearly developed, and one could not discern who he resembled. Wang LaiDi had suffered considerably and lost her former haughtiness, but what was more significant, was the substantial blow she received today. She had known all along that her parents had disowned her while she was in jail. They not only refused to pay her fine but hadn¡¯t even visited her once. So, as soon as she was released from jail, she went straight to the nearby Cao family to find her cousin Cao LeSheng who once professed to love her to death. However, she didn¡¯t even make it to the Cao Family¡¯s gate. Her aunt, who didn¡¯t like her to begin with, was now even more inclined against her after her actions had almost led to the Cao Family¡¯s bankruptcy. Wang LaiDi could only desperately claim to bear Cao LeSheng¡¯s child and demanded to meet him once. Cao LeSheng had been having tough days. His family was relying on monetary aid from his wife¡¯s family, the Yue Family. His wife was causing a scene, threatening divorce. He had no choice but to keep a smile on his face to appease her. Just as things were about to look up, Wang LaiDi came knocking. Cao LeSheng, of course, did not believe that the child was his. He leapt to the gate, gave Wang LaiDi two resounding slaps, and roared, ¡°You lowlife, you are here to bring disgrace upon me again. Get as far away from here as you can! How could the seed in your belly possibly be mine? Would I let someone like you birth a child?¡± Wang LaiDi was completely stunned by the beatings. Her ears were buzzing yet she could still clearly hear what Cao LeSheng said before he turned and went back to the house, not coming out again. She cried in front of the Cao family¡¯s gate for a long time before finally leaving. She couldn¡¯t return to her birth family and the Cao Family was even less likely to accept her. Her only option was to approach the Liu family. Recalling her simple-hearted husband, Liu San, who always blushed when he saw her, she felt there was still some hope. Now she began to appreciate Liu San¡¯s kindness. Unfortunately, despite all the ruckus she made outside the Liu Family¡¯s gate, she never saw Liu San. Straining her ears, she could hear Liu San trying to rush out from inside the house, but he was held back by his brothers. She cried and pleaded for longer and even swore on heaven and earth that her unborn child truly belonged to the Liu family. But old Madam Liu remained impervious to her pleas, speaking only one sentence: ¡°Beat it! You are not welcome in the Liu Family!¡± The more Wang LaiDi thought about it, the more she felt cornered. In her desperation, she blurted out, ¡°Fine, you all shall regret this! If you refuse to recognize the child in my womb, then I will die with the child right here at the Liu Family¡¯s gate, and you will have to watch your own flesh and blood, unborn as he may be, die before your eyes!¡± Old Madam Liu was a ruthless woman. She scoffed, ¡°At this early stage of your pregnancy, the child has barely taken form. Who are you trying to scare? Our Liu Family isn¡¯t lacking for male heirs and we don¡¯t dare to take in one that a despicable woman like you gives birth to!¡± Some of the older onlookers tried to intervene, fearing that someone might get hurt. As Wang LaiDi pretentiously charged towards the Liu Family¡¯s yard gate, a few older women hurriedly rushed up to hold her back. ¡°LaiDi, don¡¯t be impulsive. Think about the child in your womb!¡± said Old Madam Li, with her white hair. She was quite soft-hearted and began trying to persuade Wang LaiDi. Whether Wang LaiDi was genuine or faking it, she acted like she was going to throw herself at the gate, disregarding her own life. Old Madam Li, who was too old and unsteady on her feet, ended up spraining her ankle while trying to hold Wang LaiDi back. She cried out in pain and sat down on the ground. As a result, she accidentally let go of Wang LaiDi, who subsequently collided with another older woman who was rushing over to help Old Madam Li, and inadvertently let go of Wang LaiDi... Just when everyone thought that nothing would happen, Wang LaiDi¡¯s body uncontrollably crashed into the gate of the Liu Family¡¯s yard. Wang LaiDi¡¯s head started bleeding from the impact and she got knocked back onto Old Madam Li. She let out a horrifying scream and couldn¡¯t get up thereafter. It was Fang Guizhi who ran to deliver the news that Bai Ruozhu¡¯s family came to know about all this, and they couldn¡¯t help but sigh despairingly. ¡°Ruozhu, it¡¯s lucky you didn¡¯t go. I was scared to death. Wang LaiDi miscarried. People have gone to fetch the doctor, but I¡¯ve heard some old Sayings say that the child is probably...¡± Guizhi couldn¡¯t bear to say it might not be saved. Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu was somewhat restless, she stood up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go take a look.¡± Her mother quickly grabbed her, anxiously saying, ¡°What are you going to see? You¡¯re still with child, don¡¯t scare away the child in your belly.¡± ¡°Mother, the baby is innocent; perhaps I can find a way to save the child in her womb. If I don¡¯t go and see, I won¡¯t be able to get past this,¡± Bai Ruozhu replied, giving her mother¡¯s arm a little shake, her tone slightly spoiled. ¡°You¡¯re not a doctor. What could you know?¡± Her mother Lin PingEr had a look of exasperation as she glared at her daughter, suddenly recalling that time when her daughter had saved Celebration Eggs from drowning by the riverside, and began to second-guess her stance. Everyone in the room turned towards Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu felt she shouldn¡¯t get dragged into this murky situation, but as she herself stated, she couldn¡¯t pass her own guilt. Perhaps due to her impending motherhood, she couldn¡¯t bear the idea of an innocent life being lost. Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know how I knew about these life-saving measures. It all came to me after a dream where an old fairy with white hair and beard patted my head, and then gradually, methods of saving people and curing diseases began to appear in my mind.¡± Chapter 71 - 71 071 Saving Innocent Lives ?Chapter 71: Chapter 071: Saving Innocent Lives Chapter 71: Chapter 071: Saving Innocent Lives All the members of the family looked at Bai Ruozhu in surprise, all of them wearing an incredulous expression, as what Bai Ruozhu proposed was too bizarre. However, Bai Ruozhu remained calm and composed, not showing a trace of fear. She really had to give credit to the skills trained in her by her father in her previous life. ¡°Ruozhu, is this true? When did all this happen?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er asked in surprise. ¡°I¡¯ve been having these dreams for over a year now. I didn¡¯t think much of it at first, but then I gradually started to gain some knowledge about healing from these dreams. I was quite surprised myself, but it didn¡¯t all come at once, just a little bit at a time and that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t pay much attention to it initially.¡± Bai Ruozhu continued to lie. She really didn¡¯t want to deceive her family, but she couldn¡¯t tell them that she was a time-traveler, could she? ¡°It wasn¡¯t until I saved Xi dandan a while ago that I truly believed that the man in my dreams is an actual immortal.¡± Bai Ruozhu said, feigning reverence. Bai Yihong¡¯s eyes lit up and he said somewhat excitedly, ¡°This is indeed a great opportunity.¡± Fang Guizhi looked at Bai Ruozhu in stupefaction, as if she had not yet recovered from the shock. Bai Ruozhu quickly became serious and said, ¡°We mustn¡¯t tell anyone about this, for fear that those with malicious intentions will become jealous.¡± Everyone nodded in agreement, and Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, her second brother had gone back to his room to read. She wasn¡¯t sure if she could fool him as he was cunning. ¡°Now is not the time to discuss all this, I want to go over there and see if I can help. If the doctor can save the person then I won¡¯t interfere, but if he can¡¯t and I have a way to help, I will say that I learnt it from a clinic in town. We can¡¯t just watch as a young life is lost.¡± said Bai Ruozhu decisively and then headed for the door. Lin Ping¡¯er took a deep breath and said, ¡°Wang LaiDi and the Liu Family have both sinned. Sigh, I¡¯ll go with you.¡± Bai Yihong also stood up, ¡°Your elder brother and I will go too, to prevent any potential disturbances.¡± He was afraid that the Liu Family would cause trouble and harm Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Dad, it¡¯s not appropriate for all of us to go and make a spectacle of it. You and my older brother don¡¯t need to go. There will probably be lots of onlookers, nothing will happen.¡± Bai Yihong considered the implications and realized his daughter was right. His wife would be accompanying her, so nothing should happen. He didn¡¯t persist further. As Bai Ruozhu left the house, she was supported gently on either side by her mother and Fang Guizhi. The sight made her burst into laughter, ¡°I still have a few days until I give birth, look at how nervous you are.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er gave her a reproachful look, ¡°Do you think giving birth for the first time is a trivial matter? Don¡¯t think that knowing some healing methods will help with childbirth. Can you manage without being cautious?¡± Bai Ruozhu of course agreed with her mother, and quickly nodded her head saying, ¡°Yes, yes, everything mother says is right, I will definitely be careful.¡± Only then did Lin Ping¡¯er smile in satisfaction. When the three of them reached the vicinity of the Liu family, they found there were already many onlookers. The three of them slipped into the crowd without attracting too much attention. By this point, Wang LaiDi was already lying on the ground moaning. She hadn¡¯t really intended to take her own life, but it seemed like she had actually caused trouble. She was so scared that her face was pale, and she was clutching her stomach, her dirty skirt stained with blood. Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief after assessing the situation. It seemed that Wang LaiDi¡¯s bleeding was not too severe, and she was still conscious, so there was still hope to save her. Doctor Li had arrived before Bai Ruozhu, and was currently taking Wang LaiDi¡¯s pulse. His expression was exceptionally grave. After a while, he stood up and said, ¡°I fear that the child may not be savable.¡± There was a collective gasp from the crowd. Some people said it was a sin, while others commented that a child born under such uncertain circumstances is better off not being born at all. Doctor Li¡¯s face was grim. He had dealt with patients in the fields before, but this was the first time he had encountered a pregnant woman in danger of miscarrying while lying on the bare ground. Wang LaiDi suddenly burst into tears, shouting, ¡°Liu San, you turtle egg, bastard! You won¡¯t even acknowledge your own child, and you¡¯re sitting back and watching your mother and child die, aren¡¯t you? Even if I become a ghost, I will not let your Liu family off!¡± Nobody knew if she was genuinely sad for the child in her belly, or simply couldn¡¯t swallow her pride. She tried to struggle to her feet, saying that she would hang herself on the Liu Family¡¯s doorstep, and torment them as a ghost for a lifetime. Villagers were mostly simple folk and although moral restrictions between men and women were not as severe at this time, they still valued the chastity of women. Someone like Wang LaiDi who had an affair and came back to cause a commotion was indeed rare, so the Liu Family was left dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. Bai Ruozhu finally couldn¡¯t help but speak up. She craned her neck to Doctor Li and said, ¡°Doctor Li, a few days ago, when I was at town, my fetus had a slight discomfort, an old divine doctor taught me a method, I wonder if it could save her child.¡± The crowd turned to look at Bai Ruozhu as they heard her voice, Doctor Li also became curious, what did the old divine doctor use? As people made way for her, Bai Ruozhu approached, and nearly whispering into his ear, she told him a few things. Doctor Li¡¯s eyes brightened as he listened. He couldn¡¯t contain his excitement and said, ¡°This... this really might be a divine doctor¡¯s method, it might actually work!¡± The crowd was curious about what Bai Ruozhu had said to Doctor Li, but unfortunately, no one had heard clearly. They speculated that the methods of the divine doctor probably shouldn¡¯t be shared casually. However, Doctor Li¡¯s initial excitement gave way to concern, he shook his head and said, ¡°No, no, I can¡¯t be the one to administer the massage. Men and women should not have physical contact. I am past my prime, and I do not want to tarnish my reputation.¡± It wasn¡¯t unusual for male doctors to treat female patients at this time, even a massage wouldn¡¯t raise eyebrows, since it didn¡¯t involve undressing. Unfortunately, Wang LaiDi had a bad reputation, and Doctor Li was afraid of being tainted by association. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but frown at his refusal. She said, ¡°I know her reputation isn¡¯t good, but everyone is watching. They can testify that this is for a good cause, not a malicious act. If anyone speaks ill of this, may Lord Yama rip out their tongues.¡± Onlookers chimed in agreement saying that nobody would spread rumors, everyone knew the kind of person Doctor Li was, his reputation wouldn¡¯t be harmed. Wang LaiDi looked at Bai Ruozhu somewhat dazed, initially she thought Bai Ruozhu came to cause her harm, but since even Doctor Li said it was a good method, she had no choice but to believe. Doctor Li was known to be the best doctor for miles around, and he was a very honest man, it was unlikely that he would conspire with Bai Ruozhu to harm her. But why would Bai Ruozhu want to save her? Seeing Doctor Li still hesitant, Bai Ruozhu grew impatient and said, ¡°Is a doctor not supposed to have a kind heart? Do you value your reputation more than a patient¡¯s life? Do you really want me, a heavily pregnant woman, to massage her? What if I do it wrong and end up harming her?¡± Doctor Li sighed and his face took on a grave expression as though he was about to embark on a dangerous task, he said, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do it. I hope she can be saved.¡± Chapter 72 - 72 072 A Destined Reunion ?Chapter 72: Chapter 072 A Destined Reunion Chapter 72: Chapter 072 A Destined Reunion Upon seeing Doctor Li consent, Bai Ruozhu finally breathed a sigh of relief. The bystanders also let out soft cheers and showered Doctor Li with praises about his benevolence and remarkable medical skills. Unfortunately, Doctor Li¡¯s face became long as it seemed he didn¡¯t appreciate these praises. He walked up to Wang Laidi, crouched down to massage her. His hand reached out and trembled a little before he finally applied pressure to certain acupuncture points as if he were accepting his fate. Given that some of the acupuncture points were close to the lower abdomen, it was no wonder that Doctor Li felt it was inappropriate. As Doctor Li applied the pressure, Wang Laidi¡¯s bleeding indeed stopped. A glimmer of faith appeared on his originally somber face. He muttered, ¡°It really is a divine technique, it¡¯s truly inconceivable!¡± But Bai Ruozhu slightly furrowed her brows. Even though Doctor Li was well-known across several villages, he was still a country doctor who lacked experience. The force and accuracy he applied to the acupuncture points were seriously lacking. Bai Ruozhu felt anxious as she watched, wishing she could rush over and press on the points herself. ¡°Miss Bai, it¡¯s working, but it seems there¡¯s still something missing.¡± Doctor Li once again checked Wang Laidi¡¯s pulse before he spoke with a furrowed brow. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t simply stand by anymore and approached them. ¡°Let me see, perhaps it needs a little more time to take effect.¡± She pretended to casually touch a few points, but secretly applied more force and quickly pressed on several more acupuncture points. Not long after, Wang Laidi¡¯s face showed signs of improvement. When Doctor Li took her pulse again, he was taken by surprise and exclaimed, ¡°The child is saved!¡± The surrounding onlookers breathed a sigh of relief. Even the Liu family did so, unconcerned as they might be about Wang Laidi or the child, someone dying on their doorstep would still be improper. The Liu family also feared they would suffer retribution. It took quite some time for Wang to regain her senses. She looked towards Bai Ruozhu puzzled, her eyes remained filled with resentment. ¡°Why did you save me? Don¡¯t you wish for me to die?¡± Bai Ruozhu glanced at her fleetingly, no notable emotions displayed in her eyes, only a faint smirk on her face. ¡°I saved the innocent child, it has nothing to do with you. Besides, you got one thing wrong.¡± Bai Ruozhu paused before adding with an even stronger tone of scorn. ¡°I¡¯ve never wished anyone dead, I bear no grudges against anyone. Why should I deny the good fortune of others? On the other hand, it¡¯s you who¡¯ve constantly tried to harm me, scheming one plan after another. What goes around comes around. This seems to have some truth to it.¡± Wang Laidi¡¯s face showed a complicated expression. Despite this, her eyes continued to cast resentment towards Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu knew that people like her would not feel gratitude simply for being saved. Moreover, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t care about Wang Laidi¡¯s attitude. She had simply saved the child she deemed savable. What other people thought was none of her concern. After the day¡¯s events, Bai Ruozhu felt tired. She leaned on her mother¡¯s arm and spoke softly, ¡°Nothing else is amiss mother, let¡¯s go home and rest.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er hurriedly nodded her head, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s hurry home, all you do is worry about other people, just make sure you don¡¯t exhaust yourself.¡± Fang Guizhi stuck out her tongue at Wang Laidi on the ground and said angrily, ¡°Our Ruozhu has a Buddha¡¯s heart, otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have bothered with whether you live or die, hmph.¡± Having said that, she quickly caught up to Bai Ruozhu and her mother and supported Bai Ruozhu on the other side as they left. The onlookers all turned their heads to look at Bai Ruozhu. Many of them quietly praised Bai Ruozhu¡¯s kind heart. The average person even wouldn¡¯t have bothered to help in such a situation, not to mention how recently Wang Laidi had spread rumors to tarnish Bai¡¯s reputation, and even planned to stage some real-wife drama in front of the Bai Family. In comparison, many thought that they were not wrong in saying that the Bai family was indeed a family of scholars. Their sophistication and demeanor really were different. Upon returning home, Bai Ruozhu went straight to her room to sleep. Fang Guizhi, on the other hand, was kept behind by Lin Ping¡¯er for a chat. Fang Guizhi was indeed in awe of Lin Ping¡¯er, wishing her mother was at least half as good as Lin Ping¡¯er. When Bai Ruozhu woke up, she found her house unusually quiet. She decided to quietly slip into her personal space and got some shrimps from the pond. In her personal space, she heated some water and lightly boiled the shrimps, then enjoyed a good meal with dipping sauce and vinegar. The only downside was that her stomach was full from the growing baby. She couldn¡¯t eat much at a time, so she had to eat smaller meals more frequently. After leaving her personal space, she picked up a piece of cloth and did some sewing. Bai family didn¡¯t need her to sew for money and she didn¡¯t need to sew their clothes, but a sudden burst of maternal love made her want to sew a small pocket for the child, even though her sewing skills were a bit lacking. After dinner, Doctor Li suddenly appeared at the Bai family¡¯s residence. ¡°Today, I am the one who was foolish, I hope I didn¡¯t offend you, miss Bai,¡± Doctor Li apologized cheerfully as soon as he saw Bai Ruozhu. Only then did Bai Ruozhu remember that she had been rather harsh in her words earlier. Doctor Li, after all, was an elder and well-respected doctor of the nearby villages. She certainly wasn¡¯t hesitating to offend people. She hurriedly dragged her heavy body to greet Doctor Li, saying respectfully, ¡°Doctor Li, you¡¯re too humble. I was just being a bit rash today, please don¡¯t take my words to heart.¡± Doctor Li stroked his beard and laughed. ¡°Haha, you¡¯re quite observant, young lady. Do you think I¡¯m such a petty person?¡± Seeing this, Bai Yihong hurriedly cut in. ¡°Doctor Li, are you free today? Why don¡¯t we have a drink?¡± ¡°Good, I just ran out of wine.¡± He didn¡¯t put on any pretense and sat down, laughing as he started to drink with Bai Yihong. Lin Ping¡¯er went to the kitchen to prepare some side dishes for their drinks and brought them to the pair. Bai Ruozhu quietly observed Doctor Li, knowing that no one would visit without a reason. Doctor Li was certainly not there simply for the wine setting. She was concerned that he might ask about the ¡°divine doctor¡±. Once she figured it out, Bai Ruozhu started contemplating how she could deceive him. Sigh, what a pure and kind person she was, yet she was being forced to lie. The very thought was difficult for her. Just as Bai Ruozhu was musing about her predicament, the little one in her belly gave her a swift kick. Was he a parasite in her belly that knew her every thought? Not only did he know what she was thinking, he had even started to get up to mischief. As expected, it wasn¡¯t long before Doctor Li asked Bai Yihong; When his family got to know the divine doctor and whether he could introduce him. Bai Yihong quickly turned to his daughter with an awkward expression on his face. Being a straightforward man, he wasn¡¯t quite sure how to respond to Doctor Li¡¯s question. Seeing this, Bai Ruozhu laughed and said, ¡°Doctor Li, there¡¯s no use asking my father, he has never met the divine doctor. I met that man in town when I was struck with fetal distress. However, he appeared to be in a hurry. He gave me some advice and left.¡± A few days ago, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s case of fetal distress was easily verifiable. Hence, her half-truth answer might seem more believable. Additionally, since Anyuan town was close to the Northwest, it frequently witnessed border trades. Therefore, an extraordinary person passing through Anyuan town was not that unusual. Doctor Li showed a trace of disappointment and unwillingly asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t he mention his name?¡± Bai Ruozhu shook her head and said, ¡°He refused to reveal it. I wanted to visit him to show my gratitude, but he insisted that I shouldn¡¯t look for him. He added that if fate allows, we¡¯ll meet again.¡± Chapter 73 - 73 073 Building an Extra Room ?Chapter 73: Chapter 073 Building an Extra Room Chapter 73: Chapter 073 Building an Extra Room Doctor Li remained stunned for a long time before sighing, ¡°Truly, experts come and go without a trace. It¡¯s difficult for a rustic doctor like me to find someone to consult.¡± Bai Yihong saw that Doctor Li¡¯s mood was somewhat down, so he comforted him: ¡°Doctor Li, you are the best doctor in our ten-mile radius. Many people owe their lives to you.¡± Doctor Li shook his head, ¡°My medical skills are still far from sufficient.¡± Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t say anything, thinking in her heart that she didn¡¯t want to give advice to Doctor Li, lest she bring trouble to herself. Moreover, she wasn¡¯t so arrogant as to believe that her modern Chinese medicine skills would definitely be superior to ancient medical practices. In the end, Doctor Li didn¡¯t seem to doubt Bai Ruozhu¡¯s words. He had a couple more drinks with Bai Yihong and then left, fortunately not as downcast as before. Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, this Doctor Li was not obsessed with medicine. Otherwise, she might have ended up being constantly pestered by him, like the man who used to bother her grandfather for advice when she was a child in her past life. The next morning, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s mother went to wash clothes by the river, and Bai Ruozhu, wanting to get some fresh air, went with her. But before they even reached the river, some village women started chatting with them, one of them being Wang Er¡¯s daughter-in-law, who was not far from Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Mrs. Bai, you left early yesterday, you surely don¡¯t know what happened after, do you?¡± Said Wang Er¡¯s daughter-in-law excitedly. Bai Ruozhu smiled inwardly. It was obvious how limited the entertainment options were for ancient people. Without television or the internet, a slight bit of gossip could elicit immense excitement. Lin Ping¡¯er, who was very familiar with Wang Er¡¯s daughter-in-law, immediately laughed and asked, ¡°What could have happened later? It must have been the Liu Family sending Wang LaiDi back to her own family.¡± Upon hearing this, Wang Er¡¯s daughter-in-law looked even more pleased, giggling as she said, ¡°You are not up-to-date with news. The Liu family did have this plan yesterday, but Wang LaiDi insisted that the child was Liu San¡¯s, and Liu San turned out to be deeply in love, arguing with his family and storming off. He declared he would take care of Wang LaiDi until she gave birth and then perform a blood test to identify the father.¡± Bai Ruozhu wasn¡¯t surprised by the news. She had already noticed that Liu San was completely enthralled by Wang LaiDi. A man should cherish his wife, but Liu San¡¯s love for Wang LaiDi had reached a point where he had lost his principles, which is why Bai Ruozhu looked down on him. Even if Liu San didn¡¯t know that Wang LaiDi and her cousin had plotted to harm Bai Ruozhu, he surely knew that his wife had injured a pregnant Bai Ruozhu. If he were a principled person with a good conscience, even if he loved his wife, he should have stopped her from harming people and from continuing her mistakes. Lin Ping¡¯er was quite surprised. ¡°Did the old Madame Liu agree?¡± She asked. ¡°Of course not. Who knew that Liu San would directly propose to separate himself from the family. He said that the child cannot be without a mother. After the separation, he would take control of his own family affairs.¡± Wang Er¡¯s daughter-in-law¡¯s excitement about the gossip faded, and she sighed. ¡°Old Madame Liu was furious, screaming that Liu San is unfilial.¡± In a big family, when there are many children, a separation usually happens because it¡¯s not convenient for everyone to live together. But, it¡¯s usually the elders who initiate it. Even if a son proposes it, it¡¯s not done publicly, especially not because of a woman who¡¯s been disowned by her family for being unfaithful. ¡°Did they really separate?¡± Lin Ping¡¯er furrowed her brow, thinking if her son turned out to be that unfilial, she¡¯d be pretty angry, too. ¡°Not possible. Old Madame Liu said that if Liu San wanted that woman, he should no longer consider her as his mother. She even declared to sever their relationship. As it turned out, the unfilial Liu San did not turn back even when his mother passed out in anger. He picked up Wang LaiDi and just walked away.¡± Wang Er¡¯s daughter-in-law expressed a look of disgust, ¡°He left while his mother was unconscious, indifferent as if he knew nothing about it. They hadn¡¯t gone far, how could he possibly not hear?¡± At this point, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s disdain for Liu San increased even more. To treat his own mother like this, he was truly heartless. Lin Ping¡¯er and Wang Er¡¯s daughter-in-law both shared a few words of criticism before parting to go and wash clothes by the riverside. Bai Ruozhu then followed them and took a walk somewhere far from the river. She had to admit that Wang LaiDi was quite lucky to have encountered a man who loved her so much. She hoped Wang LaiDi could cherish it. While lost in her thoughts, she noticed from far away that there were some children playing in the river. One child, in particular, was making quite a noise. Squinting, she realized that it was Xi dandan. Bai Ruozhu hummed lightly. This child really didn¡¯t learn from experience. It hadn¡¯t been long since he nearly drowned. However, these matters were not her concern anymore. A few days later, Xiaosi ran to Bai Ruozhu¡¯s home again to eat. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s family had become used to it. Seeing the child grow, they empathized with his plight and fed him more. Xiaosi ate until his mouth was covered with oil, yet his face still had a wooden expression. After finishing his meal, he didn¡¯t wipe his mouth. Bai Ruozhu helplessly took a cloth to wipe his face. He didn¡¯t let people like Lin Ping¡¯er touch him, only letting Bai Ruozhu touch him without dodging. ¡°My mother and grandma said you are guilty and you did something wrong to them. That¡¯s why you saved her.¡± Xiaosi suddenly said. Bai Ruozhu was taken aback, only realizing that the ¡°them¡± in Xiaosi¡¯s words referred to Wang LaiDi. Lin Ping¡¯er was almost breathless with anger. She jumped up and said, ¡°This sister-in-law is going too far, spreading rumors behind our backs and holding grudges with us everyday. She¡¯s not embarrassed at all. No way, I¡¯m going to confront her.¡± Bai Yihong was also angry. If it weren¡¯t for the fact that the other party was a woman, and it wasn¡¯t proper for him to intervene, he too would want to settle accounts with them. What kind of logic did they have? Saving a life turned him into a villain, this was the first time he heard of this. Bai Zehao also stood up, ready to help his mother, but he was stopped by Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Don¡¯t go, otherwise Xiaosi will get punished.¡± Bai Ruozhu¡¯s voice was a little weary, she was feeling sleepy after eating, ¡°There¡¯s no need to pay attention to these people. My paternal grandmother doesn¡¯t have the final say in our family.¡± The whole family looked at the somewhat dazed Xiaosi, and they all couldn¡¯t bear to do anything. It was hard for this child, they couldn¡¯t let him be punished again for informing them. ¡°My aunt just talked behind our backs with my grandmother. It doesn¡¯t matter anyway, my grandma hates me already. We just need to stop them from influencing my grandpa.¡± Bai Ruozhu added. The previously quiet Bai Zepei suddenly spoke up, ¡°Grandpa won¡¯t be swayed. He knows how to weigh the pros and cons. You guys don¡¯t have to worry.¡± Seeing his radiating confidence, Bai Ruozhu knew that, after becoming a scholar, her grandpa would definitely not act recklessly. Despite Zepei¡¯s confidence, he had put in much hard work and effort. Seeing his somewhat thin figure, Bai Ruozhu felt both grateful and a little heartache. Two days later, Bai Yihong informed his father at the old mansion, and the Bai family then hired people to help build a new house. Everyone knew that the Bai family wanted to build a new house for the eldest and youngest sons, so the Wan family enthusiastically sent over several strong men to help. Chapter 74 - 74 074 Cant Beat Them ?Chapter 74: Chapter 074: Can¡¯t Beat Them Chapter 74: Chapter 074: Can¡¯t Beat Them Bai Yihong and his wife had discussed finishing the construction of the house before the autumn busy season, by then, Bai Ruozhu would be due to give birth and start her postpartum rest. This way, she would avoid the chaos of the construction. They hired people to construct the house, so they had to host a meal on the first day of construction. Since they were only building one room, the Bai family didn¡¯t invite many people to help, so they only set up two tables. Even though the second household had moved out, as the head of the Bai family, it was proper etiquette to invite the patriarch to the housewarming feast. So, the day before the meal, Bai Yihong informed the patriarch. Surprisingly, along with the patriarch, Bai Yibo and his wife also came the next day. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s family exchanged glances, clearly none of them were pleased to see Bai Yibo and the Wang family. But in consideration of the patriarch, none of them showed their displeasure openly. On the contrary, Bai Ruozhu was somewhat surprised that the matriarch did not show up. She subtly looked at the patriarch, wondering whether he had finally come to his senses or if he was afraid that the matriarch would embarrass him. In front of the patriarch, Mrs. Wang enthusiastically approached and held Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s arm, saying: ¡°Dear sister, let me assist you. Just instruct me wherever you need me to do the cleaning.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er felt a bit repulsed, but restrained herself from jerking her arm away and forced a smile, saying: ¡°I appreciate your support, dear sister-in-law.¡± Bai Ruozhu did not respect Mrs. Wang¡¯s pretentious manner. She handed a wooden basin to Mrs. Wang and cheerfully said: ¡°Great, my mother and I have been worrying about being overworked. With your assistance, it¡¯s really perfect! My mother is preparing the chickens and I¡¯m simmering the meat, could you kindly help us to clean and prepare the fish?¡± Mrs. Wang¡¯s clothing was conspicuously bright and fresh, even if it wasn¡¯t new attire, it was roughly eighty or ninety percent new, and the fabric was good quality. Her attire showed a tasteful impression, it was clear that she did not come to work. Peasant families wouldn¡¯t wear such fine clothes for work, fearful of ruining their clothing. Just as expected, Mrs. Wang frowned. The fish was large and very fresh, there was not much fishy smell, but the thought of massacring the fish, staining her hands with blood and scales, made Mrs. Wang rather unwilling. She hastily glanced at Bai Yibo, but was caught by the patriarch. The patriarch frowned, his face turned dark, ¡°We are a family. You should be more proficient, today¡¯s feast is not just for our second household. Do not neglect our guests, otherwise it would disgrace our Bai family.¡± Mrs. Wang held the wooden basin, somewhat dispirited, she replied: ¡°I understand.¡± Seeing Mrs. Wang¡¯s defeat, Bai Ruozhu returned to the kitchen joyfully to continue her work. Most of the meal preparation had started early in the day by the family. Bai Ruozhu was an excellent cook and was in charge of stir-frying and cooking the dishes, even chopping the vegetables was done by her mother according to her instructions. But the slaughtering of the chicken and fish was a task that couldn¡¯t be done in advance. Given the hot weather, slaying too early would ruin the freshness. Bai Ruozhu continued managing the simmering meat. Now that she was heavily pregnant, she needed to support her lower back even when standing for a short duration, otherwise, it was too strenuous. After Lin Ping¡¯er had dealt with the chicken and returned to the kitchen, she noticed her daughter winking at her and whispering: ¡°Mother, later let my aunt help with the fire.¡± Lin Ping¡¯er made a sound, ¡°Can she even make a good fire? If she fails to control the flame, your stir-fried dishes wouldn¡¯t turn out well.¡± Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips, she had indeed overestimated Mrs. Wang, who could not even manage the fire, how did Mrs. Wang even qualify to marry into the Bai family? Had she been living a leisurely life? When Mrs. Wang returned after slaughtering the fish, Bai Ruozhu speculated some issues. This Mrs. Wang was either too clumsy or too cunning, engaging in antagonistic behavior behind people¡¯s backs. For example, just as Lin Ping¡¯er had pointed out, her failing to control the flame would have resulted in the stir-fried dishes getting scorched and she had to be dismissed from the task. And now, although the fish had been slaughtered, the head was nearly hacked off like chopping wood, and the scales weren¡¯t cleaned properly. The worst of all, Mrs. Wang had ruptured the gallbladder, spoiling the taste of the fish. Bai Ruozhu took a deep breath, she was grateful that she didn¡¯t allow her to slaughter the chicken. A chicken cost money, whereas, she had plenty of fish. She really wanted to cook the fish and then let everyone find out about the gallbladder when they tasted the bitter flavor of the fish. Consequently, they would realize how Mrs. Wang had gotten the fish slaughtered. But then she reconsidered, it¡¯s not worth it to lose face over such a person like Mrs. Wang. In the eyes of outsiders, this feast was hosted by the Bai family¡¯s second household, if the taste was unpalatable, it was the second household¡¯s fault. Upon this thought, Bai Ruozhu sent Mrs. Wang to wash the dishes near the well, summoned her mother to attend to the guests who had already arrived, then, while no one was watching, she swiftly slipped into her special space, discarded the spoiled fish that Mrs. Wang had ruined and fetched another similar-sized fish from the pond. Her actions were quick, yet she felt nervous throughout. After all, the kitchen door was not closed, she was afraid that someone would walk in in the blink of an eye and she would be left with no plausible explanation. Fortunately, everything went smoothly. She swiftly slaughtered the fish, then quickly discarded the fish scales and viscera into her special space. When Mrs. Wang did not show up, she proceeded to slightly pan-fry the fish in boiling oil before beginning to cook it. Shortly after, Bai Ruozhu heard the sound of shattering dishware. When she peeked in the direction it came from, it turned out to be Mrs. Wang who was washing dishes. Well then, when dealing with people who do not fear making a fool of themselves and making a spectacle out of the simplest tasks, one cannot lower one¡¯s own standards to their level. By this time the guests had arrived, hearing the dish shatter, everyone naturally looked over curiously. In a peasant¡¯s house, dishes and bowls were valuable commodities, every family cherished them. Patriarch Bai¡¯s face darkened at the noise, but he didn¡¯t scold his eldest daughter-in-law in front of outsiders, he only gave her a stern glare. Mrs. Wang looked innocently at him as if she did not intend to cause the problem, but was only clumsy. Bai Ruozhu emerged from the kitchen and said apologetically: ¡°Ah, I hope you did not hurt yourself Aunt? It was wrong of me to ask you to help with the dishes, why don¡¯t you take a rest? Let¡¯s not allow you to injure your hand.¡± The dishware Mrs. Wang was supposed to wash merely contained some residue of freshly cut vegetables, which would be unsightly if they contained cooked food. It wasn¡¯t like the oily dishes after a meal, which were very laborious to wash. Just a rinse with water would work. The dishes were not oily so they wouldn¡¯t be slippery, how could Mrs. Wang have accidentally dropped them? Lin Ping¡¯er clenched her teeth, even shattering a plate would hurt her, she went over to help Mrs. Wang aside and said: ¡°Sister-in-law, you better take a rest. We wouldn¡¯t want to dirty your clothes.¡± Upon hearing this, the guests began to give Mrs. Wang a good once over. Wasn¡¯t the Bai¡¯s daughter-in-law, here to help the feast? Was she supposed to be an honored guest instead? The construction was mainly organized by the men, there was no reason for her to sit at the table, right? Mrs. Wang¡¯s face went from white to red, and in an intentional act of grievance, she said: ¡°Dear sister-in-law, please do not blame me for being clumsy and causing trouble. You¡¯re not angry with me, right?¡± Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes, apparently, you want to play house? We peasants are not as histrionic as you. She called out to her mother, ¡°Mother, come and help me with the fire. I need to start cooking the dishes.¡± Chapter 75 - 75 075 Chang Sheng Will return ?Chapter 75: Chapter 075: Chang Sheng Will return Chapter 75: Chapter 075: Chang Sheng Will return At such times, the more people want to argue with you, the less you should allow them to put on an act. After Lin Ping¡¯er responded, she took large strides towards the kitchen. But unexpectedly, Madam Wang hastily pursued her. With a forced smile on her face, she said, ¡°Ruozhu, let me help you. I¡¯ll light the fire.¡± Bai Ruozhu suppressed the nausea rising within her and replied with a smile, ¡°Auntie, you¡¯re too polite. You are our guest after all, how could we let you do such heavy work? What if you dirty your clothes? Why don¡¯t you help by serving tea to our guests instead?¡± Reluctantly, Madam Wang took the teapot. She actually wanted to show off her capabilities, considering she married into a scholar¡¯s family and was a student¡¯s mother. But when Bai Ruozhu mentioned her clothes and with her father-in-law¡¯s cold stare at her, she felt her moving away was something of a struggle. Madam Wang clenched her teeth. Did she think Madam Wang was foolish enough not to know Bai Ruozhu set her up? She supposed herself too refined to do coarse labor. But didn¡¯t she just help butcher the fish? Part of her regretted wearing such flashy clothing, but imagining herself in Lin Ping¡¯er¡¯s dull attire, she also felt sheepish. In the end, Madam Wang, under the watchful eyes of those present, didn¡¯t want to serve the guests but couldn¡¯t decline. She gritted her teeth and served the tea one by one. She noticed that the guests were occasionally glancing at her, then subtly casting their eyes onto Lin Ping¡¯er, who was busily working in her plain clothes. Mother and daughter Bai Ruozhu shared a laugh and continued with their work. A banquet was laid out and the cold dishes were served. As the guests began to sit down, Bai Yihong and Bai Zehao sat down to accompany them. Bai Zepei, who would usually avoid these festivities to read, also came out to entertain the guests. However, he couldn¡¯t handle his liquor and only sipped a couple of cups. As the feast began, every helper¡ªa stout man¡ªwould have their drink while munching on the cold dishes. After a bite, someone couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Wow, Yihong, did you order these cold dishes from the town restaurant? They taste first-class!¡± Upon hearing the praise for the dishes, Bai Yihong laughed until his eyes squinted. ¡°How could I have ordered all the way from town, it¡¯s all prepared by Ruozhu. She¡¯s fantastic in the kitchen, she even has her mother as an assistant.¡± The door to the main hall remained wide open, everyone turned to look through the door towards the kitchen in the distance. There among the bustle of the kitchen, Bai Ruozhu could be seen, even through their limited view. Her pregnant belly was very noticeable. ¡°Ruozhu is truly wonderful, despite her condition she¡¯s working hard for us. It¡¯s really hard on her,¡± Zhou Deshun, Bai Yihong¡¯s good friend, could not help but praise. ¡°That¡¯s true. Ruozhu is not only beautiful and capable, but also intelligent and knowledgeable. Marrying her is a blessing one must have accumulated from their past life!¡± The speaker was Wan Minglu, the second brother of Wan Caiyue. He was straightforward and just said whatever was on his mind. It wasn¡¯t until his elder brother subtly kicked him under the table that he realized he spoke out of turn. In a situation where her husband¡¯s life hangs in the balance, wasn¡¯t it sarcasm to mention blessings from a past life? Wan Minglu became anxious. He didn¡¯t know how to correct his misstep. Fortunately, Zhou Deshun, who was always eloquent, laughed and said, ¡°That¡¯s also because Yihong and his wife raised her well, and Uncle Bai guided her well.¡± The clever ones heaved a sigh of relief. They all came to help and had good relations with the Bai family, so they couldn¡¯t let the atmosphere become awkward. Just as everyone was about to change the subject, Bai Yibo, with a twisted smile, said, ¡°Yes indeed, Ruozhu is such a good girl. I¡¯m surprised my second brother was willing to marry her off to a nobody. I think she could even marry into a prominent family in the town.¡± He put down his wine cup and continued, ¡°That guy¡¯s life is hanging by a thread, I strongly suspect he ran away. He¡¯s utterly ungrateful!¡± He looked furious, as if he was genuinely upset for his niece. The Patriarch had a stern look on his face. Regardless of what happened, everyone knew Bai Ruozhu was already married. It was simply inappropriate to say such things now. ¡°Yibo, why bring up such matters? Don¡¯t spoil everyone¡¯s mood,¡± the Patriarch said coldly. Bai Yibo picked up a dish with his chopsticks, his face somewhat gloomy. ¡°I¡¯m simply speaking up for Ruozhu. If you don¡¯t want me to continue, I¡¯ll cease,¡± he said then. The patriarch huffed in annoyance. But considering the number of guests, it wasn¡¯t a place to scold his eldest son. He could only swallow his anger. Bai Yihong was also annoyed, but considering they were hosting guests, creating a scene wasn¡¯t fitting. He had to muster up a smile and say, ¡°Don¡¯t just talk, eat more. We¡¯ve got more dishes coming.¡± Because Bai Yibo spoke so loudly, Bai Ruozhu could hear everything clearly in the kitchen. She snatched the dish her mother was about to serve and leisurely walked towards the main hall. Everyone saw her coming and started complimenting her. ¡°Ruozhu, your cooking skills are superb, perhaps you should let my daughter learn from you.¡± ¡°Yes, we often have this cold mixed cucumber dish at home, but why doesn¡¯t it taste as good?¡± ¡°Young miss, don¡¯t tire yourself out. It¡¯s okay to make fewer dishes, you need to rest.¡± ... These were villagers who got along well with the Bai family¡¯s second household, genuinely caring for Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu smiled and thanked everyone with a bow. But then a troubled look appeared on her face as she said, ¡°I just overheard my elder uncle mentioning Changsheng. Uncle, I think you¡¯ve misunderstood Changsheng.¡± Everyone looked at her, worried that she might be upset by the mentioning of Changsheng. ¡°Young lady, do not overthink it. He may return soon,¡± Zhou Deshun sighed, covertly glaring at Bai Yibo. As a close uncle, how could he deliberately upset his niece? It was like plunging a knife directly into her chest. Bai Ruozhu gave Zhou Deshun a bitter smile, then addressed the crowd, ¡°There were some matters I didn¡¯t wish to mention, so as not to concern my parents. But now ...¡± she paused tactfully before shifting her gaze towards Bai Yibo with a hurt expression. Everyone noticed and felt Bai Yibo was in the wrong. ¡°Why are you looking at me? As your elder uncle, I¡¯m just worried for you,¡± Bai Yibo lied. ¡°Thank you for your concern, Uncle. Actually, a few days ago, Changsheng had someone send a letter to me. Everyone in the village was saying that he had come back,¡± Bai Ruozhu said shaking her head slightly. ¡°But it was actually one of his friends who arrived, saying that he had accidentally fallen off a cliff and was saved. He was taken to the clinic for treatment. The person who saved him was a kind-hearted merchant. When he had to leave for business in a far-off place and saw Changsheng was still unconscious, he decided to take him along. By the time Changsheng regained consciousness, he was in the external capital.¡± The external capital was second only to Chang¡¯an City in size in the Danliang Country. It was heavily populated and far away from the Back Mountain Village, which would deter anyone from questioning the authenticity of her story. ¡°So far away?¡± Someone gasped. Bai Ruozhu nodded and continued, ¡°Changsheng asked his friend to pass me a message. He has broken his arms and legs and is inconvenient to move. He is also frequently coughing up blood due to internal injuries from the fall. He is unsure if he could be treated and thus can¡¯t return for the time being.¡± Chapter 76 - 76 076 Dealing with the Shenanigans of the Wang Family ?Chapter 76: Chapter 076: Dealing with the Shenanigans of the Wang Family Chapter 76: Chapter 076: Dealing with the Shenanigans of the Wang Family ¡°But his friend said he could give me the heirloom jade pendant as a token. He promised he wouldn¡¯t run away and would come back once he got the chance,¡± Bai Ruozhu said, dabbing at the corner of her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s just that his illness is very severe now. I didn¡¯t want to worry mom and dad, so I didn¡¯t mention it earlier.¡± Bai Yihong, and Lin Ping, who had hurried over, were both dumbfounded. They hadn¡¯t heard anything about this, but seeing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s desolate face it seemed like she wasn¡¯t lying. Were they kept in the dark by their daughter all this time? Was Mr. Du really a friend of Chang Sheng? The crowd began to reassure Bai Ruozhu, saying that Chang Sheng was an affluent and well-off man, and he would definitely return safely. Bai Ruozhu chuckled inwardly. Her acting must be pretty good, right? Just as she was smug about her performance, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of her second brother¡¯s sarcastically-tinged eyes. The string in her heart twanged. Ah, her second brother really wasn¡¯t easy to deceive. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me today? It¡¯s wrong of me to dampen everyone¡¯s spirits. I¡¯ll go back and cook, you all continue eating. Don¡¯t let me spoil the mood.¡± Bai Ruozhu shrugged off her desolation, putting on a show of strength and optimism that made everyone present secretly admire her. Lin Ping placed the dish on the table and followed Bai Ruozhu back into the kitchen. She asked in a low voice, ¡°Ruozhu, did Chang Sheng really send a letter?¡± Bai Ruozhu shook her head slightly, ¡°Mom, we¡¯ll talk about this later.¡± Lin Ping¡¯s heart sank again, watching her daughter¡¯s face, she feared it was a lie. What a heart-breaking false hope. But she couldn¡¯t blame her daughter. Bai Yibo¡¯s previous comment alluded not only to Chang Sheng running away and her daughter becoming a runaway bride, but also suggested that they had improperly betrothed their daughter to someone. She knew her daughter, Bai Ruozhu would never tolerate this. She sighed softly. Her uncle and his wife really were insufferable. Bai Ruozhu continued to stay busy in the kitchen, serving dish after dish, earning even more praises. Only the last dish remained. Bai Ruozhu wiped the thin layer of sweat on her forehead, hoping that once she finished up, she would go out and rest. Of all the places, the kitchen was the hottest, and she was increasingly unable to bear the heat. The last dish was the stewed pork trotters with soybeans, which she had been simmering on the stove from the very beginning. The meat was now soft and bone-tender, melting in your mouth. All that was left was to reduce the sauce, and garnish it with coriander. Perhaps it was a habit of many years, Bai Ruozhu was always confident in her cooking abilities, but habitually tasted her dishes to ensure their quality. After tasting this dish, she couldn¡¯t help but furrow her eyebrows. Damn, it¡¯s too salty! She wouldn¡¯t make such a mistake. In fact, she didn¡¯t need to taste her food when she cooks, she knew how much soy sauce and salt to use. There was no chance for her to add too much salt. So, there was only one possibility, someone must have added salt to the dish. As Bai Ruozhu glanced at the entrance of the kitchen, she narrowed her eyes at Mrs. Wang, who was pretending to help. It seemed like Mrs. Wang must have added a handful of salt to the pork trotter dish while she was explaining the situation with Chang Sheng to her mother. She almost laughed out loud. Why didn¡¯t Mrs. Wang just dump a whole bottle of vinegar into the dish? It seemed that Mrs. Wang was pretty clever. If the dish was too salty, the guests would only think that it was Bai Ruozhu who had slipped. But if there were surplus vinegar, it would easily raise suspicions on her. Bai Ruozhu gave Mrs. Wang a quick glance. As expected, Mrs. Wang¡¯s face showed disappointment when she noticed Bai Ruozhu¡¯s changed expression after tasting the pork trotters. She seemed to regret that her little sabotage didn¡¯t work. ¡°Mom, could you help me throw away all the soup in the pot,¡± Bai Ruozhu said as she smiled. The pot was too heavy for her to lift with her pregnant belly. Lin Ping was taken aback, she looked at her daughter and asked, ¡°Why throw it away? Don¡¯t we have to serve it on a platter?¡± ¡°I planned to make a soup with this dish, it¡¯s not completely done yet,¡± said Bai Ruozhu with a smile. She glanced at Mrs. Wang. Does she really think that her petty tricks can trip me up? After taking a glance at the dish, Lin Ping¡¯er figured out what might have happened after her daughter had tasted it, and her gaze deepened. She picked up the pot and poured out all the soup, then put it back on the stove. Bai Ruozhu ladled some boiling water from the side into the pot, stirring it and said, ¡°Mother, pour it out once again.¡± At this point, Lin Ping¡¯er was completely certain. She picked up the pot to pour out the soup. When Mrs. Wang pretended to lend a hand, Lin Ping¡¯er swerved, bumping Mrs. Wang aside, and said loudly, ¡°It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t interfere, elder sister-in-law. Your sleeves are too big. If something accidentally falls into the pot, all the hard work will be wasted.¡± Feeling guilty, Mrs. Wang blushed and paled in quick succession and reluctantly stepped back. The soup in the pot was diluted, but the meat still tasted salty because of the excess salt that had been stewed in. Smugness filled Mrs. Wang¡¯s heart. What much difference could it make? Wouldn¡¯t it still be salty? However, Bai Ruozhu no longer paid attention to Mrs. Wang. She added a great amount of boiling water into the pot and had her mother stoke the fire. Under Mrs. Wang¡¯s gaze, Bai Ruozhu suddenly started to pour an abundance of vinegar into the pot. This time, Mrs. Wang was truly dumbstruck. Was Bai Ruozhu planning on completely ruining the dish? In reality, Bai Ruozhu had just come up with an improvisation ¡ª she decided to use the method of making Hot and Sour Stomach Shreds Soup, replacing cow¡¯s stomach with pork trotters. Hot and Sour Soup uses a large amount of vinegar which can neutralize the saltiness. Moreover, since the soup is normally strongly flavored, it could turn into a pleasant surprise for the diners. Thankfully, the spiciness in Hot and Sour Stomach Shreds Soup doesn¡¯t come from chili peppers, but from pepper powder. Otherwise, Bai Ruozhu wouldn¡¯t be able to make the soup without finding any chili peppers. Luckily, there was pepper powder available in this era. After adding the seasonings, she added some shredded vegetables to improve the colors. After thickening the soup using starch, the soup was completed quickly. ¡°Mother, it¡¯s finished. Use a large bowl to serve it,¡± Bai Ruozhu said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. ¡°Alright.¡± While Lin Ping¡¯er hadn¡¯t tasted this new soup, she fully trusted her daughter¡¯s cooking skills. She immediately divided the soup into two portions and carried them over to the two tables with trays. When the guests saw this unusual last dish, they curiously asked about it. Lin Ping¡¯er smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s something Ruozhu came up with. I don¡¯t even know what it¡¯s called.¡± At that moment, Bai Ruozhu walked out of the kitchen and smiled at the guests, ¡°It¡¯s Hot and Sour Pork Trotter Soup. Big thanks to Aunt Wang for the inspiration.¡± The guests all turned to look at Mrs. Wang, confused. What inspiration? Did Mrs. Wang teach Bai Ruozhu how to make the soup? Startled, Mrs. Wang replied stiffly, ¡°I didn¡¯t really help. I¡¯m just glad I didn¡¯t cause any trouble.¡± At this point, the guests began serving themselves and tasted the soup. Ah, it had a novel flavor indeed ¡ª sour with a hint of spiciness, tickling their taste buds. It was incredibly refreshing, and the guests immediately praised the soup. They asked Bai Ruozhu how she made it and said that they would definitely teach their daughters-in-law how to make it when they go back home. ¡ª¡ª Lately, some dear readers have complained that the updates are too slow. I¡¯m in the process of moving, so dizzyingly busy. Thank you all for your understanding. I will definitely speed up the updates once I settle down in Mouka. Furthermore, I recommend my friend Che Hanyi¡¯s new series ¡°Refuse to be a Cauldron: The Little Servant Girl Comes to Cultivate.¡± She is a novice, so everyone please support her. We all had to start from scratch, just like our first day at work. We were certainly hoping for encouragement and understanding then! Description: Died from an unexpected confession of love, a rich and beautiful lady instantly turns into a poor and ugly little maid. Along the way, she gets involved with demons and handsome men while possessing a strange treasure and successfully pursues both love and the cultivation of immortality... Chapter 77 - 77 077 If You Have Money, You Should Buy Land ?Chapter 77: Chapter 077: If You Have Money, You Should Buy Land Chapter 77: Chapter 077: If You Have Money, You Should Buy Land Bai Ruozhu grinned and explained the recipe, insisting it was not complex and her mixed sour and sweet seasoning was original. It tasted especially good during chilly weather. The crowd nodded, showering Bai Ruozhu with compliments. Bai Ruozhu sneakily glanced over at Wang¡¯s Family¡¯s crestfallen face, nearly green with envy. Bai Ruozhu retreated, returning to the kitchen to join her mother for a meal. With many guests visiting that day, they preferred to avoid the hustle and bustle. Sitting on a bamboo chair, Bai Ruozhu ate very slowly, ensuring that she chewed thoroughly for good digestion. Ignoring Wang¡¯s Family who had followed her from the Main Hall, Bai Ruozhu carefully listened to the conversations happening inside. Probably due to Bai Ruozhu¡¯s unexpected news about Chang Sheng¡¯s return, Bai¡¯s eldest brother quieted down and stopped his sarcastic remarks. However, he acted as the host, generously saying, ¡°Eat as much as you wish everyone, treat this as your own home. If we need more, I¡¯ll have additional dishes prepared.¡± Bai Ruozhu smirked, thinking was this his house? Who would prepare the ingredients for those additional dishes? She and her mother had prepared ample food and had none left to spare. The most they could do was to stir-fry some Green Veggies from the backyard. Who would she get to help with that as his wife was of little help? Such nerve to talk like this. Moreover, Bai Yibo¡¯s tone was overbearing, as if he could manipulate her household with just a simple order. The guests, who were all honest folks, insisted they had more than enough to eat, refusing to be a burden. Bai Yibo continued to press, and the matter was only dropped after several refusals. Lin Ping angrily spit out a fishbone onto the ground, the ¡®Piak¡¯ sound almost seeming as if it landed on Bai Yibo¡¯s face. Seeing her mother this irate, Bai Ruozhu didn¡¯t want to fuel her rantings further. She nudged her mother¡¯s arm, signaling her that there was no need to lower themselves to that level of pettiness. Having downed several cups of wine, the guests became chatterboxes. ¡°Yihong, I¡¯m not buttering you up. Your feast truly beats Sun Family¡¯s. I was just there yesterday.¡± In no time, the conversation in the Main Hall shifted. A man in his thirties mentioned Sun Family. Bai Ruozhu remembered this man was Zhou Dehai, cousin to Zhou Deshun. He was well-known in the Village as he often helped people, hence often getting invited to such feasts. Zhou Dehai was a steady man but the excess wine and the delicious food made him talkative. Upon realizing he had disparaged the Sun Family, he corrected himself. ¡°Sun Family also hosts great feasts, it¡¯s just that your daughter¡¯s cooking skills are truly exceptional.¡± Zhou Dehai chuckled, hastily adding, ¡°The Sun Family is really hardworking. Just take a look, they¡¯ve bought more land within a few years.¡± Sun Family wasn¡¯t particularly influential or wealthy in Back Mountain Village, but their two sons were hardworking and united. They worked tirelessly in the fields and took on jobs in the Town during the slack farming season. Even the women of the Sun Family were diligent, supplementing the family income by raising chickens and pigs, and doing embroidery work. As a result, Sun Family managed to purchase land bit by bit over the years, becoming a rather prosperous household. ¡°Hmm, Sun Family is indeed hardworking, but can they manage the extra land they bought?¡± someone curiously asked. Zhou Dehai laughed. ¡°What does it matter if they can¡¯t? They can always lease out the surplus land. There will always be families looking for extra land to lease.¡± A spark lit up in Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes. Maybe she should follow the Sun Family¡¯s example: earn some silver, buy land, and then lease it out as a landlord. The more Bai Ruozhu thought about it, the more thrilled she felt. She decided to privately ask Zhou Dehai about the intricacies of land purchase. If asked about the source of the money, she planned to just say it was from Chang Sheng¡¯s friend. Bai Ruozhu kept going over her plan, anxiously waiting to speak with Zhou Dehai right away. By the end of the meal, both the hosts and the guests were merry. The next day, work on the Bai family¡¯s new house began. Bai Ruozhu, now in charge of meals, was kept busy. Fortunately, she didn¡¯t have to prepare as much as for the banquet and her mother had prepared ingredients in advance, so it wasn¡¯t too taxing. Of course, the Bai Family questioned Bai Ruozhu, demanding to know more about the matter. She was willing to deceive outsiders but couldn¡¯t bear to lie to her own family, and thus she confessed all. ¡°You previously told us not to discuss this. Why bring it up now?¡± Bai Yihong furrowed his eyebrows, finding their daughter very clever. She must have a reason, but he couldn¡¯t figure it out. Bai Ruozhu giggled, ¡°Would you believe me if I told you it was on a whim, Dad?¡± Bai Yihong was stunned. Had she just blurted it out randomly? In reality, Bai Ruozhu knew she would have to explain someday. She had been contemplating a plausible explanation for days and was fortunate that Bai Yibo had provided the perfect opportunity to bring up the issue. ¡°What if Chang Sheng does return?¡± Bai Yihong worriedly asked. ¡°If he does return, he¡¯s one of us. We surely know how to deal with the situation. If he never does, it just means he¡¯s fallen ill and can¡¯t come back. There¡¯s no need to worry.¡± Bai Ruozhu casually blurted out this explanation. However, as soon as she spoke, her parents¡¯ faces turned extremely grim. She quickly sucked in a breath. She actually wished Chang Sheng wouldn¡¯t return, but her parents equated ¡®fallen ill¡¯ with her becoming a widow. ¡°Ruozhu, how could you say such a thing?¡± Lin Ping disagreed. Bai Ruozhu quickly explained, ¡°I spoke thoughtlessly without considering my words. Actually, I don¡¯t remember much about Chang Sheng and so it¡¯s not a great loss to me if he doesn¡¯t return.¡± Bai Yihong wanted to rebut, but was nudged by his wife, as if she was saying, weren¡¯t they worried about their daughter being too preoccupied with Chang Sheng¡¯s absence and that it would affect her wellbeing? Now that she was no longer bothered, they should be relieved. With the matter resolved, the Bai Family started focusing on the construction of their new house. Bai Ruozhu finally found an opportunity to speak with Zhou Dehai. ¡°Uncle Zhou, could you tell me about the intricacies of buying land?¡± Bai Ruozhu poured Zhou Dehai a cup of tea, then quietly asked. Zhou Dehai instantly looked up, a surprised expression on his face, ¡°Are you planning to buy land? You¡¯ve spent quite a lot on this new house, haven¡¯t you?¡± Of course, everyone in the village knew the Bai¡¯s second house wasn¡¯t well off. Bai Ruozhu felt gloomy. ¡°I¡¯m just asking to know, Chang Sheng told one of his friends to send me some silver. I took a liking to the idea when you spoke about buying lands the other day, but I¡¯m not quite sure about the current prices.¡± Bai Ruozhu gave her prepared story. Zhou Dehai lowered his voice, ¡°Don¡¯t let your eldest uncle hear about this, else he might seize your money!¡± Chapter 78 - 78 078 Still Too Little Money ?Chapter 78: Chapter 078: Still Too Little Money Chapter 78: Chapter 078: Still Too Little Money Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. She knew that Zhou Dehai had a good relationship with her father because of his cousin, Zhou Deshun. He was also aware of the situation regarding the Bai Family¡¯s old mansion. It was just that she never expected him to speak of it so directly. Even though she understood that he meant well, she was still somewhat taken aback. In her memory, Zhou Dehai was a rather cautious man. Zhou Dehai scratched his head in embarrassment, saying, ¡°I should not have been prying like this, and it¡¯s not right to discuss with your father either. But I¡¯m genuinely afraid that you all might get victimised, especially with your imminent childbirth, and Chang Sheng not being here. It¡¯s quite worrisome.¡± Hmm, this sounded serious. Bai Ruozhu perked up and listened attentively. ¡°That day at your home during the feast, your uncle seemed to have drunk quite a bit and was talking to your Grandpa. I was following just behind them, so I accidentally overheard their conversation,¡± Zhou Dehai even emphasised, with a hint of guilt in his voice, that he ¡®accidentally¡¯ overheard them. ¡°What did my uncle say?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked urgently. Zhou Dehai lowered his voice a little and said, ¡°Your uncle was asking why your family suddenly had money to build a new house and set such a good feast. He seemed to suspect that you were living comfortably without much care for them. He said that your father gave very little money each month, and asked your grandfather to question your father, fearing that your father might be led astray by his daughter and daughter-in-law.¡± Bai Ruozhu noted that Bai Yibo referred to only the ¡°daughters and daughters-in-law,¡± without mentioning the grandchildren. It seemed clear that in their minds, daughters-in-law and daughters were outsiders and not part of the Bai family. Zhou Dehai continued, ¡°I didn¡¯t realize your uncle could be so outrageous. If he finds out that you have silver, he will surely want to get his hands on it without a care whether it was given to you by Chang Sheng.¡± Bai Ruozhu showed Zhou Dehai a grateful smile, ¡°Thank you for the reminder Uncle Zhou. I will surely keep this to myself. As for purchasing land, I dare only to ask for your assistance. Chang Sheng is not expected back for a while, and this land is what we need to sustain us. I cannot let it be snatched away for the sake of my child.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let the folks back at the old mansion get wind of this,¡± Zhou Dehai said seriously. His own daughter, Zhou Taohua, was only 15 years old and not much younger than Bai Ruozhu. Looking at Bai Ruozhu, he couldn¡¯t help but think of his daughter¡¯s carefree life and felt powerless. ¡°By the way, Uncle Zhou, what did my grandfather say after my uncle spoke in that manner?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked curiously. ¡°Your grandfather scolded your uncle right then, telling him not to chatter in public. He told your aunt to take your uncle back home to rest,¡± Zhou Dehai said. Bai Ruozhu went quiet. Her grandfather had only told Bai Yibo to stop talking nonsense in public, but he hadn¡¯t said that such scheming wasn¡¯t right. It seemed that her grandfather had actually taken those words to heart, thinking that they should also enjoy the fruits if the second home was doing better. Always the pedantic scholar, they never wanted to work in the fields themselves but looked to extract money from the second son who had toiled like a beast of burden all his life. But had the old residence ever thought of lending a helping hand when the second home was in a difficult situation? In her previous life¡¯s memories, before the Bai family was divided, they didn¡¯t have much land. Every busy farming season, her grandfather and Bai Yibo refused to toil in the fields. Even when Bai Yibo did, it was just in a half-hearted manner. Only Bai Ruozhu¡¯s family worked desperately hard. Her mother was almost as strong as a burly man, and her older brother was able to do as much work as a fully-grown labourer by the time he was 14. Hence, many villagers praised her older brother for his hard work and perseverance. The second brother, even though bookish, also worked in the fields every day. Despite his thin stature, he was not far behind the eldest brother when it came to hard work. After the second house split from the main family, the old mansion¡¯s land couldn¡¯t be fully tended anymore. It should have been completely rented out for others to farm in exchange for regular rent revenue. Combined with the rice received due to the grandfather¡¯s scholarly status, it would have been enough to sustain the family. But for some reason, the grandfather decided it was more profitable to farm the land themselves and so reserved half the land for self-cultivation. The results were foreseeable. Without the elder Bai Yihong¡¯s hard work, farming was haphazard at best, and the crop was not very good. During the busy farm season, they always ended up needing to ask Bai Yihong¡¯s family for help. Of course, it was usually Bai Yibo who would come over to ask, what a fine display of filial piety: taking care of their parents. In the past, Bai Ruozhu was helpless in such a situation. But now, she was unwilling to allow her father and siblings to suffer. So she decided to buy land and collect rent from it. ¡°Uncle Zhou, help me look for lands in the outer village. It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s a bit far,¡± Bai Ruozhu said after making up her mind. Zhou Dehai understood her intentions, ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll help you look for land a bit further away. Approximately how much land do you want to buy?¡± ¡°How much is the land per acre right now?¡± Bai Ruozhu was a bit distressed, as she had no concept of these things from her memories. ¡°It depends on the quality and location of the land. There are those worth seven or eight taels, and those worth twelve taels. Sandlands and forestry lands are much cheaper,¡± Zhou Dehai was very clear about these matters. Bai Ruozhu did her calculations and realized that the silver she had earned would only be enough to buy a few acres of land at best. After considering the cost of building a house for her big brother and the expenses associated with childbirth, what would be left was a meagre sum indeed. She managed to squeeze out a bitter smile, ¡°I can only afford to buy three or four acres, and it doesn¡¯t need to be top quality land.¡± Zhou Dehai realized her budget constraints immediately and said reassuringly, ¡°Three or four acres is still good. There will be a decent harvest every year. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll help you find a good piece of land over these few days.¡± Bai Ruozhu quickly handed a bunch of copper coins to Zhou Dehai. ¡°The weather is still quite hot. I¡¯m sorry for putting you through this trouble, Uncle Zhou. Please take these coins and have some tea.¡± Zhou Dehai was embarrassed to receive it and tried to push it back, ¡°I¡¯ve watched you grow up. How can I take your money?¡± Bai Ruozhu avoided taking the coins back, smiling and saying, ¡°Having a good relationship is one thing, but there are rules when asking others to do things. Arranging a brokerage payment is simply the done thing. If you are going to be like this, then I won¡¯t feel comfortable asking for your help in the future.¡± Zhou Dehai, seeing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s decisiveness, accepted the coins finally. After all, they were often together, and it definitely wouldn¡¯t be a good thing if the news spread to the old mansion. However, he truly admired Bai Ruozhu¡¯s adeptness in handling matters and had in mind to complete this task exceptionally well. Once Zhou Dehai had left, Bai Ruozhu was called into the room by her mother. Lin Ping-Er, somewhat puzzled, asked, ¡°Ruozhu, your mother seemed to see you giving Zhou Dehai some money just now. What¡¯s going on?¡± Bai Ruozhu had been careful around the others who were there to help, but not her family members. So it was not surprising that she was seen by her mother. Thus, she explained to her mother about her intention to buy land and the conversation with Zhou Dehai. ¡°The money is what you earned. You decide how to use it. Your mother has no objections and will support you,¡± Lin Ping-Er originally thought that something had happened, that Bai Ruozhu was seeking Zhou Dehai¡¯s help with. When she realized that it was a good deed of buying a piece of land, she immediately sighed with relief. Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes curved into crescent moons as she laughed. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Dad later about it. When it comes to field matters, no one knows better than my father!¡± Chapter 79 - 79 079 The Space is too Cute ?Chapter 79: Chapter 079: The Space is too Cute Chapter 79: Chapter 079: The Space is too Cute Surprisingly, hearing about this, Bai Yihong became somewhat excited. Of course, this excitement was not a bad thing, it stemmed from a farmer¡¯s longing for land. ¡°The idea of buying a piece of land, I wouldn¡¯t have dared to think about it in the past,¡± Bai Yihong said with a hint of emotion. Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, ¡°Dad, as long as our family pulls together, our lives will improve, not to mention buying land, we could afford to buy houses and manors in the future.¡± If Bai Ruozhu had said such a thing in the past, Bai Yihong certainly would have dismissed it as a child¡¯s idle talk. While he still found it hard to envision, he now felt a glimmer of hope that what his daughter envisioned might just come true someday. ¡°We owe our current wealth to your efforts, Ruozhu, so the property deed should bear your name. If your Uncle finds out, tell him Chang Sheng had instructed you to do so, we must avoid causing unnecessary misunderstandings,¡± Bai Yihong calmed himself and thinking of Bai Yibo¡¯s drunken rants he¡¯d heard about from Zhou Dehai, he couldn¡¯t prevent his worries from resurfacing. There is truth in wine; his oldest brother surely harbours such thoughts. If it had just been him, he would be resigned to working like a horse for his parents his whole life. But the money was earned by his daughter, who now also had to shoulder most of the family¡¯s expenses. How could he ask his daughter to hand over her hard-earned money to his greedy elder brother? Lin Ping¡¯er was quite satisfied with her husband¡¯s words today. She felt that he was finally turning a wise eye. ¡°Your father is right, let¡¯s do as he suggests,¡± she said. Bai Ruozhu hesitated, ¡°There¡¯s more than just me in the family. Dad and Mom can¡¯t be too biased. We¡¯ve got my elder and younger brothers, and in the future, we¡¯ll have their wives. We need to avoid causing any hard feelings.¡± At this point, Bai Zehao, who had been quiet all the time, quickly said: ¡°That won¡¯t be an issue. If my future wife is petty about this, I¡¯ll make sure to guide her properly. I owe this house to you, it¡¯s important to remember and appreciate those who have helped us.¡± With everyone being so understanding, Bai Ruozhu, at a loss for words, thought for a moment and said, ¡°How about this? We¡¯ll buy the land under my name for now. In the future, we can implement a kind of ¡®personal contracting system¡¯.¡± ¡°A personal contracting system? What¡¯s that?¡± Bai Yihong was curious about this new concept, intuitively recognizing its relevance to farming. Bai Ruozhu laughingly explained, ¡°For example, if we buy land under my name this time, it would be considered as me contracting it. If we buy more land in the future, we can put it under Dad or Mom¡¯s name, or even my brothers¡¯ names if they start a shop or business. Everyone will be responsible for managing their property and comparing whose business yields higher profits.¡± ¡°Contracting system? Little Sister, your mind can conjure all kinds of unexpected ideas. This sounds very interesting,¡± Bai Zehao couldn¡¯t help praising her. Bai Yihong and Lin Ping¡¯er were thinking about their daughter¡¯s future plans for buying more land and starting a business. They looked at each other, feeling gratified by their daughter¡¯s strong ambition. Nevertheless, this was a good thing because if their family could be prosperous, her remarriage would be smoother. Bai Ruozhu was unaware that her parents lacked ambition. She had clearly talked about becoming fabulously wealthy, but they only thought about achieving a moderate standard of living. The difference in their perceptions was enough to make her sigh with frustration. She had the golden finger, couldn¡¯t they have a little more faith in her? Late at night, when all was quiet, Bai Ruozhu sneaked into her space. She prepared a roasted fish for her meal, then started pondering how to make more money, knowing that she didn¡¯t have enough. Would selling noodle soup work? No, this is not the right time. She was scared of stirring up trouble, especially with that old man from the welcoming guests come. Sell fish? The fresh fish could fetch some silver, but how would she explain where the fish came from? Suddenly, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes lit up. She could make the fish into dried fish! The dried fish could be explained as being bought from passing traders, so there wouldn¡¯t be any problem. Having decided, she quickly set to work. With a wave, a few fishes flew ashore. She began to clean them but not long after, she started to break a sweat. It was going to take so much effort to process dozens of fish! Not to mention cleaning and salting them would come next. She would tire herself to death if she had to do this all by herself! ¡°Couldn¡¯t the fish be killed and cleaned directly, and then evenly spread with salt? It¡¯s really hard for a pregnant woman to do this,¡± Bai Ruozhu complained as she kept busy. The moment her words fell, a flash of white light appeared before her eyes. She blinked, and the next thing she knew, the fish were already gutted, cleaned, and evenly covered in salt! Wow, is this special consideration for pregnant women? Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement, and she couldn¡¯t help shouting into the sky of her space, ¡°You are so adorable, space! Let¡¯s process a few dozen more.¡± Then, fish started to rain down like torrential rain. Bai Ruozhu got a fright and instinctively covered her stomach while folding her neck. Fortunately, the fish seemed to have eyes and didn¡¯t hit her at all. Bai Ruozhu patted her chest, saying, ¡°Space, you¡¯re so playful!¡± After the dozens of fish were all processed, Bai Ruozhu¡¯s eyes sparkled looking at them. She thought for a while and asked, ¡°Can they be turned directly into dried fish?¡± But there was no change in the space this time. It probably found her too greedy. Bai Ruozhu scratched her nose awkwardly, chuckled a few times, left her space, and fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed. Even though she didn¡¯t have to do any of the work later, she was very tired from the initial effort. In the days that followed, whenever Bai Ruozhu saw no one around, she would sneak into her space to check on the fish. After a day, the fish had dried much faster than they would have outside. Bai Ruozhu was so delighted that her eyes squinted into crescents. She was thrilled. Now, she could go and earn a lot of silver. After thinking it over a few times, she decided not to let her family know about it. It would be too easy for them to realize something was amiss. Just in time, Fang Guizhi came looking for her. Seeing Fang Guizhi panting profusely with exertion, Bai Ruozhu quickly had an idea. ¡°Guizhi, I¡¯ve obtained some goods privately and was thinking of doing a small business. How about we team up?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked, holding Fang Guizhi¡¯s hand with a beaming smile. Having earned her first personal money because of Bai Ruozhu, Fang Guizhi¡¯s eyes sparkled at the mention of ¡®partnering up¡¯. She immediately nodded and said, ¡°Yes, yes, what are we going to sell?¡± Bai Ruozhu took out twenty pieces of dried fish from under the bed. The fish from her space were large and hence made generous-sized dried fish. Moreover, the quality was exceptional. Interested, Fang Guizhi carefully touched the dried fish and asked, ¡°Is this fish? How did it become like this?¡± ¡°These are dried fish, made from larger fish. The taste is different from the fish we eat normally. I¡¯m sure someone in the restaurant would want them. You can take them to a few restaurants and whoever offers the highest price, you sell to them,¡± Bai Ruozhu instructed. ¡°How much can we roughly sell them for? Surely not less than what you paid for,¡± asked Fang Guizhi after considering it for a while. Bai Ruozhu estimated the price of fresh fish. Making dried fish was laborious and required a crafty touch, and the ones she had, had a premium quality. ¡°At least four pieces for a tael of silver. But remember, this has to be our secret and make sure no one else finds out,¡± Bai Ruozhu replied after giving it some thought. Chapter 80 - 80 080 What a Coincidence ?Chapter 80: Chapter 080: What a Coincidence Chapter 80: Chapter 080: What a Coincidence The result was beyond Bai Ruozhu¡¯s expectation. Not only did Fang Guizhi complete the task, but she also exceeded it. When she¡¯d proposed selling four pieces per tael of silver, she was somewhat worried that Fang Guizhi might have trouble making the sale. But to undersell them didn¡¯t seem worthwhile either. It would be better to keep them for personal consumption or as gifts. Unexpectedly, Fang Guizhi returned gleefully with ten taels of silver, saying, as if a child seeking praise for finished homework: ¡°Ruozhu, Ruozhu, I sold two pieces for one tael of silver. Am I amazing or what?¡± Catching the slight lift of her chin, Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t resist giving her a playful tweak on the nose, saying: ¡°Very well done. I didn¡¯t realize our Guizhi has such a knack for doing business.¡± This compliment seemed to fluster Fang Guizhi a bit. With blushing cheeks, she admitted, ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t really do anything special. The boss just noticed that the fish was of excellent quality, particularly clean, flavorful but not too salty. He recognized it as a rare top-grade product.¡± ¡°That¡¯s one discerning shopkeeper! Who was he?¡± Bai Ruozhu curiously inquired. Fang Guizhi shook her head: ¡°I don¡¯t know. I initially intended to sell it to the restaurant owner, but the shopkeeper wouldn¡¯t even give me the time of day. Then a gentleman sitting at one of the tables called me over and offered me this price.¡± Speaking of it made her eyes sparkle brightly. ¡°That gentleman was a really nice man. He didn¡¯t take advantage of my age or try to haggle the price down. He didn¡¯t seem like one of the locals though, looked to be in his thirties.¡± Upon saying this, she suddenly recalled, ¡°Oh, a man at his table was wearing a carved wooden mask, which seemed quite odd. But he also tasted the dried fish and commented on its excellent flavor.¡± A wooden mask? Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t help but twitch at her lips. Was it the ¡°Painted Immortal¡± again? Fine, he did save her once, and now he got to taste her dried fish. Fate seemed to have a sense of humor. Just the thought of that cold, yet sarcastically witty man made her teeth itch. If he hadn¡¯t embarrassed her publicly after saving her by saying that she should only undertake what was within her capability, nearly making her cough up blood from indignation, and then faced naggings from her parents for days afterwards, particularly her mother who kept using his words as a cautionary tale... Noticing Bai Ruozhu¡¯s expression, Fang Guizhi curiously asked, ¡°What is it? Do you know that gentleman, Ruozhu?¡± Bai Ruozhu shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t know him. It¡¯s just a reminder of a man who once saved me... who was wearing a carved wooden mask.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Fang Guizhi was intrigued, ¡°What¡¯s the story there? You never mentioned it to me.¡± ¡°The villagers only know that I risked my life to save the Zhang Family¡¯s daughter, but not that I was the one in danger. A man wearing a mask saved me.¡± Bai Ruozhu recounted the events of that day, not mentioning that she had previously encountered the ¡°Painted Immortal¡±. She remembered his warning well. But she couldn¡¯t quite understand why he would choose to hide his identity only after revealing himself to her. If he never cared about keeping a low profile, why bother with the wooden mask later? Bai Ruozhu couldn¡¯t suppress a laugh. Who cares if he wears a mask or even underwear on his face? Why was she stressing over his perceptions? Yet, Fang Guizhi, her eyes shining brightly, laughingly interjected: ¡°So, it¡¯s a hero saves beauty story, huh? What was the maiden¡¯s response?¡± Bai Ruozhu gave her an exasperated look, tapped her head lightly and said: ¡°It¡¯s more of a hero saves pregnant woman story, isn¡¯t it? What is a pregnant woman supposed to do? Force him to be the godfather of the baby in her belly?¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s an interesting idea.¡± Fang Guizhi covered her head with her hands, but her face didn¡¯t show any sign of pain. Instead, she laughed mischievously. Seriously, she¡¯s too imaginative. Bai Ruozhu decided to ignore this whimsical girl¡¯s thoughts. In the end, she handed two taels of silver to Fang Guizhi, saying, ¡°This silver is yours.¡± Fang Guizhi¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Why so much? Ruozhu, I value our relationship, but I can¡¯t always be one taking advantage of you.¡± ¡°I had originally planned to sell the fish for five taels. You sold it for ten. I¡¯m sharing just two with you, I thought you¡¯d find it too little.¡± Bai Ruozhu chuckled as she stuffed the silver into Fang Guizhi¡¯s hand. Fang Guizhi quickly waved her off. ¡°No way would I think that. I¡¯m not that greedy. It¡¯s just, receiving so much makes me feel uncomfortable.¡± ¡°Take it. You¡¯ve earned it. Think of this as your own spending money for the future,¡± Bai Ruozhu said. In the end, after much thought, Fang Guizhi handed the silver back to Bai Ruozhu. ¡°Ruozhu, I¡¯m not trying to be formal with you, but I can¡¯t keep the silver. If I do, my mother will end up taking it in just a few days.¡± Bai Ruozhu pondered for a moment and agreed to hold onto the silver for Fang Guizhi. Having made a tidy profit, the two friends were in high spirits and decided to take a stroll in the village. Lin Ping felt reassured that Bai Ruozhu would be accompanied by Fang Guizhi, so she didn¡¯t object. ¡°Speaking of which, how come your mother doesn¡¯t press you to work these days and lets you go out for such long periods?¡± Bai Ruozhu asked curiously. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I think she¡¯s busy arranging a marriage for my brother. She hasn¡¯t had the time to scold me as usual.¡± Fang Guizhi was delighted at the prospect of a hassle-free life. Bai Ruozhu lowered her head, lost in thought for a moment, but continued to engage Fang Guizhi in other topics. She must be overthinking things again. They walked around the village for a while, not straying too far from the Bai Family¡¯s home. Before long, they saw a young girl in mismatched flower-print clothing waving at them. Bai Ruozhu recognized her as Zhou Dehai¡¯s daughter, Zhou Taohua. Did the news come from Zhou Dehai¡¯s end? Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow. She had explicitly asked Zhou Dehai to keep it confidential. He wouldn¡¯t have revealed it to his daughter, surely? It wasn¡¯t that Bai Ruozhu distrusted Zhou Taohua; the fewer people that knew about it, the better. ¡°Sister Ruozhu, you look so energetic! It must be a boy in your belly!¡± Zhou Taohua shouted from afar and then scampered toward them. Zhou Dehai was trusted and well-respected in the surrounding villages for his eloquence and interpersonal skills. Being frequently invited for meals and receiving generous commissions ensured that his family led a comfortable life. They pampered their daughter, Zhou Taohua, who was well-nourished. Her skin was smooth, and her hair, black and glossy. Not like those underfed village girls with dull, brittle hair, who were often mockingly referred to as ¡°yellow-hair maids¡±. In addition, Zhou Taohua was tall for her age. At 15, she was already displaying a charming maturity. Her dress was lovely. At first, Bai Ruozhu thought the small floral print would look rather rustic, but Zhou Taohua proved that it all depended on who was wearing it. Bai Ruozhu smiled at Zhou Taohua and said, ¡°An experienced midwife did predict there is a high chance that it¡¯s a boy.¡± Zhou Taohua was delighted by this news. She enthusiastically linked arms with Bai Ruozhu and said, ¡°I knew it! Your son will surely grow up to be as upright and scholarly as his uncle, earning himself a spot on the honor roll.¡± Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow. Oh, it seemed she was after her second brother.