Chapter 1050 - 1052 Ruolan’s Improvement_1
Indeed, given that Wang Miaoshuang’s funeral should have been settled by now, the Meng siblings ought to have returned to Beiyu City, and they shouldn’t have stayed at the Wang Family residence for so long, especially since Meng Liangshen and Wang Miaoshuang had already divorced.
Because of Wang Miaoshuang’s death, Bai Ruozhu and Meng Jinse also grew distant. Even after arriving in the Capital, she had not sought her out, and Meng Jinse had not looked for Bai Ruozhu either; thus, Bai Ruozhu did not feel it was right for her to meddle in the Meng Family’s affairs anymore.
"When you return to Beiyu, you can take them with you. Lacking parents, the elder brother must decide for them, and you are now their elder brother," Bai Ruozhu reminded.
Xu Huilin gave a bitter smile, "I won’t be able to return to Beiyu before the new year; I can’t take care of them. And in the future, I’m afraid I’ll have to stay in the Capital often."
"Then you’ll be able to see Achun often and enjoy your drinks and conversations," Bai Ruozhu consoled him.
"That’s true," Xu Huilin chuckled, his smile less bitter than before.
Bai Ruozhu exchanged a few more pleasantries with him before planning to leave, but Xu Huilin suddenly asked, "I heard that by the end of the year both the Military Commander Wu and my father will come to the Capital to report on their duties. Won’t you ask if Tu Ying is coming?"
"If you care about her so much, you can write her a letter," Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh. She wondered why Xu Huilin had come looking for her at the Toy House; it obviously wasn’t to find Jiang Yichun for anything important. It appeared he was actually concerned about Tu Ying’s situation.
"Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?" a faint pink flush crept over Xu Huilin’s face.
Bai Ruozhu struggled to suppress her laughter and said, "It’s rare for you to be so concerned about her. I’ll write to her about it."
"No, don’t say anything rash, please," Bai Ruozhu laughed out loud as she left, not responding to him. As for whether she would bring up the matter with Tu Ying, that would depend on her mood.
After a day, Bai Ruozhu went to the Cining Palace. This time, she didn’t meet Princess Diao Bin, but Lady Yue had already moved into the Side Hall of Cining Palace. The Empress Dowager had tidied up the palace, a marked change from her previous despondency.
Bai Ruozhu took Lady Yue’s pulse, once again ensured that both mother and child were safe, and then bid farewell to the Empress Dowager and left.
The Empress Dowager didn’t seek to keep Bai Ruozhu any longer, apparently, she and Bai Ruozhu were both reluctant to mention the business of the curse.
By the time Bai Ruozhu returned home, she saw that Bai Zhi’s family had come to visit.
Bai Zhi smiled and said, "Ruozhu, you’re back. You’re truly capable, earning a decree for your mother. I’ve told all three children, urging them to learn from you and your siblings. Maybe one day they’ll earn a decree for me as well."
Bai Ruozhu smiled and gave her respects to her younger aunt and her husband. After a few questions about her palace visit, she did not mention Lady Yue’s situation but simply talked about the grandeur and beauty of the palace.
After chatting for a while, Bai Zhi said, "Sister-in-law, now that you’ve got the decree, you should pay a visit to our parents. How about we go to the Bai Residence together tomorrow?"
In fact, she was aware that her mother, Mrs. Liu, did not like Lin Ping and wanted to go with her to speak on behalf of Lin Ping. With her persuasion, Mrs. Liu probably would not be too disrespectful to Lin Ping.
Unfortunately, Lin Ping was already aware of the true nature of the old Bai couple. Hearing this, she really didn’t want to kowtow to them. Even if they were not Bai Yihong’s biological parents, if they hadn’t committed those despicable acts, their parenting grace would have been as great as the heavens. But the very thought of the old master and Mrs. Liu’s actions made her feel sick.
Bai Ruozhu glanced at her mother, then continued, "My younger aunt is right. Let’s all go tomorrow. We should also pay respects to the Elder, who has helped us a lot over the years."
Lin Ping caught her daughter’s gaze and instantly concealed her dissatisfaction, thinking to herself that her daughter was right. Even if she felt aggrieved by Bai Fu, she should still pay respects to the Elder.
"Great, we’ll send the invitation today and go over in the morning," Bai Zhi said happily.
After the elders had been chatting for a while, seven-year-old Ding Mai went to pester Bai Yihong for toys. Meanwhile, with blushing faces, Ding Bing and Ding Xue cautiously approached Bai Ruozhu and carefully called her "Cousin."
Bai Ruozhu touched their heads and smilingly said, "It’s not very interesting here, how about I take you two for a walk?"
The pair were the eleven-year-old twin daughters of Bai Zhi, looking almost identical and both slightly introverted in nature.
"Sure." Ding Xue, a bit braver, spoke for her sister and agreed.
Bai Ruozhu led them to her yard and presented them with two of her own silver hairpins, which made their eyes light up with delight at the sight of the beautiful pins.
"How about Cousin puts them on for you?" Bai Ruozhu cheerfully pulled them to sit down, combed their hair into different styles, and inserted the hairpins accordingly.
The girls couldn’t stop admiring themselves in front of Bai Ruozhu’s clear mirror, with Ding Xue even reaching out to touch it out of curiosity—they had never seen such a clear mirror at home, not even their great-aunt, who was an officer’s wife, had one.
Ding Bing quickly grasped her sister’s hand, shaking her head to signal that they shouldn’t touch it. Ding Xue’s face instantly turned crimson, and she withdrew her hand.
Bai Ruozhu witnessed all this and thought that her aunt’s three children were well-raised, although the two girls were perhaps too reserved.
However, it was easy to understand that in ancient times the preference for boys over girls meant that a woman’s life would likely be difficult in her husband’s family if her first birth were to daughters, and since Bai Zhi’s first children were twin girls, those years must not have been easy.
After eventually figuring out who was Xiao Bing and who was Xiaoxue, there was a commotion outside; it was Bai Ruolan coming over to play, accompanied by the plum blossom maid.
"Ruolan, come over here, meet Ding Bing and Ding Xue. They’re the daughters of my aunt, our cousins," Bai Ruozhu called out to Bai Ruolan, who was peeking in, motioning for her to come in and talk.
Bai Ruolan had improved considerably; she could now hold simple conversations with people though her movements and expressions were still childlike.
She looked at Ding Bing and Ding Xue with a curious face and stepped through the door saying, "Cousins."
Then, turning to Bai Ruozhu, she asked, "Why are they the same?"
She meant to ask why Ding Bing and Ding Xue looked alike. Bai Ruozhu was about to explain when Bai Ruolan suddenly touched Ding Xue’s face and reached out towards Ding Bing, startling both sisters.
"They’re not the same, not the same," Bai Ruolan suddenly clapped her hands and laughed, "This one has a pointy face, this one has a round face."
She was indicating that Ding Xue’s face was a bit pointier while Ding Bing’s was rounder.
Bai Ruozhu didn’t expect her to notice such detail and felt somewhat moved inside. Perhaps Bai Ruolan could recover quickly?
Ding Bing and Ding Xue exchanged looks, showing sympathy in their eyes and sweetly called out, "Cousin Ruolan."
Bai Ruolan seemed to really like them, grabbing one in each hand, excitedly said, "Let’s go play, there are butterflies!"
Without waiting for Bai Ruozhu to speak, Bai Ruolan had already started pulling the two girls outside, with the plum blossom maid hurrying after them.
Bai Ruozhu watched Bai Ruolan’s retreating figure, the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile. It seemed that Ruolan was really happy. Perhaps it would be good for her to make more friends.