Chapter 1030 - 1032 Shop Incident_1
Grandpa, mentioned by Bai Zhi, was none other than the father of Bai Fu—the peddler who had made some money outside and brought back Bo Jingru.
But if Bai Zhi knew that Bai Zepei wasn’t actually from her family, she would probably find it a huge irony, wouldn’t she?
"Is your sister-in-law staying in the Capital City permanently, or will she return to Gaopao County after a while?" Lin Ping’er asked.
"We came because his uncle had completed his three-year tenure and returned for his service report. Depending on the arrangements, we’ll see if we need to go back or stay", Bai Zhi said, shaking her head, but there was little regret on her face; after all, living in the Capital was expensive, and it wasn’t easy to stay.
Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment and reminded her, "My grandparents have been pleading with my uncle in the Bo Family to help bring my uncle back. At this critical moment, it’s better for the Ding Family to avoid getting involved, so as not to draw trouble to themselves. After all, the offense my uncle committed is no trivial matter."
Bai Zhi’s expression changed, and she said in a low voice, "Father and mother have spoiled my elder brother too much."
After chatting for a while longer, they exchanged addresses, and Bai Zhi took her leave. She had to manage the Ding Family’s meals and needed to prepare for dinner, which showed her to be quite capable and efficient.
She said she would send an invitation to the Bo Residence as soon as possible to visit the old master and the old lady, but this time she didn’t mention bringing her husband,only herself, which indicated she took Bai Ruozhu’s advice to heart.
After Bai Zhi had left, Lin Ping’er whispered, "Actually, both your aunt and sister-in-law are not bad people."
Bai Ruozhu nodded in agreement, Yes, it’s just Bai Yibo who grew up crooked, but that’s the result of a crooked beam leading to crooked rafters. Bai Fu did not excessively lie to spoil his daughters, so unlike Bai Yibo, the two daughters did not grow up twisted.
When the mother and daughter got home, they told Bai Yihong and Bai Zepei about their chance encounter with Bai Zhi. Bai Zepei was indifferent, but Bai Yihong was pleased for quite a while and said he would send an invitation to the Ding Family the next day, so it would be convenient for him to visit.
After dinner, Bai Zepei called Bai Ruozhu to his study room and asked with a stern face, "Mother, do you have something on your mind? What exactly are you hiding from me?"
"Second brother, it’s not that we intentionally kept it from you", Bai Ruozhu replied seriously. "We just haven’t found the opportunity to tell you. Even if you hadn’t called me, I was planning to come and talk to you."
Seeing her earnest expression, Bai Zepei realized the matter was serious and sat up straighter.
Bai Ruozhu then relayed the process of how she discovered Bai Fu and Mrs. Liu had hidden a secret, and how she extracted the truth from Mrs. Liu.
Bai Zepei listened without speaking for a long while, his face growing increasingly grim, even colder than Jiang Yichun’s stern face, which showed just how angry the second brother really was.
Not to mention the second brother, even Bai Ruozhu herself was furious when she first learned the truth.
After a good while, the second brother took several deep breaths, suppressing the anger in his heart. He was a person with strong self-control.
"The world is vast, and the Bai surname is not uncommon. Without the token, it would be very difficult to find a clue", Bai Zepei said. "Also, let’s not tell father about this for now."
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "Yeah, mother and I are also afraid that father can’t handle it."
The truth was, Bai Yihong was raised by adoptive parents. He should have felt grateful, treating Bai Fu and Mrs. Liu as his own parents for a lifetime. But mix in Bai Fu’s embezzlement of one thousand taels of silver belonging to Bai Yuanqing, then breaking the promise not to send Bai Yihong to study, treating him as a servant, and secretly selling the family heirloom, it’s evident no amount of gratitude could outweigh the sins of Bai Fu and his wife.
"I will take care of this matter. Don’t worry too much yourself, and don’t take everything on your own", Bai Zepei said, raising his hand to rub the top of Bai Ruozhu’s head, treating her like she was still his little sister.
Bai Ruozhu, annoyed, adjusted the hairpin that he had knocked askew and said, "When did I take it upon myself? Isn’t Achun sharing the burden?"
Bai Zepei hung his head and hid the flash of disappointment in his eyes, emitting a soft hum from his throat.
The following day, Bai Yihong, full of spirits, sent a note to the Ding Family. Later, a servant from the Ding Family reported back, saying that the second lady, Bai Zhi, had gone to visit the Bo Family and Bai Fu. Bai Yihong decided to visit the Ding Family the day after next.
Bai Yihong, who had not seen his younger sister for many years, was very proactive. Lin Ping’er felt distressed watching this, thinking that she wasn’t really your sister, and you’re going to find that out soon enough.
However, by evening, Bai Zhi and Ding Feiyu surprisingly visited in person. Bai Yihong’s smile was so wide that his mouth barely closed as he said, "Seeing my younger sister and brother-in-law looking hale and hearty puts my mind at ease."
Ding Feiyu, having read some books and passed the child prodigy examination, dressed like scholars when he went out, giving him a somewhat scholarly and refined air, with a clear gaze.
"My second brother and sister-in-law seem even more vigorous. Your children are accomplished and respectful; I’ve heard about it from Bai Zhi and am very happy," Ding Feiyu said courteously.
Bai Zhi, anxious to see her nephews, asked, "Er Lang hasn’t finished school, has he? And what about the eldest? I heard he married the granddaughter of Wan Qilao?"
It seems Bai Fu really couldn’t be bothered to write about the second house’s matters.
Bai Yihong had not considered this, and happily went over the situation at home, including that Bai Zehao was already married and had a child, but he was currently in Beiyu City looking after his wife and daughter, and would also come to the Capital soon.
Bai Zhi, seeing the situation in the Bai Residence, said with great satisfaction, "Seeing my second brother’s family living better days puts my mind at ease."
"Where are Xiao Bing, Xiao Xue, and Xiaomai? Why didn’t you bring them along?" Bai Yihong asked.
"I was afraid they would be too rowdy, but next time I will definitely bring them to see my second brother and sister-in-law," Bai Zhi replied with a smile.
The two families talked merrily, and not long after Bai Zepei returned from school, he also joined Bai Zhi and Ding Feiyu for a chat. It wasn’t until after dinner, when the two were about to leave, that Bai Zhi, somewhat sheepishly, said, "I’ve tried to persuade father about my oldest brother’s situation, but it’s no use; he simply won’t listen. He even thinks I am deluded by you and that I am responsible for the misunderstanding between you and father."
Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips, thinking even without Bai Zhi’s lobbying, the old master would still dislike her family.
"It’s fine, it’s fine, if you can’t manage it, then just let it be," Bai Yihong responded with a generous smile. He had always been very fond of his youngest sister.
Bai Zhi returned his smile apologetically, then boarded the horse carriage with Ding Feiyu and left the Bai family.
No sooner had they sent off the couple than, as the family was about to return to the yard, a flurry of urgent hoofbeats sounded. A guard, sent to look after the Shop, rushed over in a state of panic. Upon seeing Bai Ruozhu he immediately shouted, "Miss, there’s trouble at the Shop! The shopkeeper is asking for you to take charge!"
But Bai Ruozhu was not alarmed; she had anticipated that opening a Shop in the Capital City would provoke envy, and she was mentally prepared.
"What happened?" she asked.
The guard opened his hand, showed the item in his grasp to Bai Ruozhu, and her expression immediately turned serious...