Chapter 1075 - 1077: Was I Deceived?_1
Bai Ruozhu glanced in the direction where Xiaosi had left, then stood up and saluted Elder Xuan Jizi, "Thank you, Elder, for not pressing the matter just now."
Elder Xuan Jizi smiled, stroking his snow-white beard, and said, "You have your reasons for not speaking, and I am not one to pry unnecessarily. However, the Niu Family is familiar with the way to Mount Hua and is bound to find it again sooner or later."
Bai Ruozhu realized that Elder Xuan Jizi hoped she would explain. If the Bai Family appeared unjust, Elder Xuan Jizi would not let the Huashan Sect drive Niu Cuicui away. After all, the Huashan Sect cared about its reputation and did not want to be accused of bullying a lonely widow.
"Elder, you are Xiaosi’s master, his closest kin, so there is no need to hide this from you." Bai Ruozhu then gave a straightforward account of how they discovered Xiaosi wasn’t part of the Bai Family, followed by what she had learned about his origins from Niu Pazi.
Elder Xuan Jizi frowned deeply as he listened, understanding now why Bai Ruozhu did not want Xiaosi to know. He saw the child was fated to face many difficulties but did not wish for him to have such origins.
"Elder, please do not misunderstand my daughter Ruozhu. That Niu Family truly harbors ill intentions," Bai Yihong added indignantly.
Bai Ruozhu smiled at her father, knowing that her actions had the support of the entire family.
"You surely know about the previous rebellion by the Prince of Duan, when Beiyu City was under martial law everywhere. It was then that Niu Family suddenly showed up at our doorstep, making a scene outside the Main Gate, claiming to seek kinship. Later, she was even arrested by the Government Office for not having proper identification," Bai Ruozhu said with a sigh. "That’s when I knew that Batianzhai was colluding with the Turkic Country and was involved in the Prince’s rebellion, and I feared the matter would implicate Xiaosi. The woman came back later, and I had a proper talk with her, asking her to consider Xiaosi’s safety and future and to postpone her claim of kinship for another ten years."
Elder Xuan Jizi nodded, "It was indeed too dangerous at that time. Fortunately, Ze Qing went with me to Mount Hua."
"Feeling sympathy for her plight, I offered her two hundred taels of silver on the condition that she would give Xiaosi ten years. She agreed at the time and took the silver, saying she would go back to her hometown to live. But unexpectedly, she went to Mount Hua to find Xiaosi, so I believe her intentions to be dishonest, and I am even more doubtful about whether she truly is Xiaosi’s birth mother."
Bai Ruozhu looked at her father, "Father, everything was told to us by Niu Pazi, without any other witnesses. We all thought that, as it concerned her daughter’s reputation, she wouldn’t lie, so we took her at her word. But now, seeing Niu Family’s appearances several times, I always feel something is off. How did she manage to find our house in Beiyu City that time? And how did she find her way to Mount Hua by herself later?"
Bai Yihong showed a look of surprise, "Could it be... we haven’t really been deceived by them, have we?"
"It’s unclear. We’ll need to have someone look into it thoroughly. But with Batianzhai recently decimated, all bandits have been declared rebels and executed. It’s not suitable now to spread any news related to Batianzhai." Bai Ruozhu thought of the man who looked very much like Shi Feiming, and her eyelids twitched involuntarily.
"Whether Niu Family is truly Ze Qing’s birth mother or not, this kinship cannot be acknowledged at present. You did the right thing by driving her away," Elder Xuan Jizi sighed. "Not only did she break her promise, but she also didn’t consider Xiaosi’s safety. After going to Mount Hua, she never mentioned the two hundred taels of silver she received from you; instead, she insinuated that the Bai Family did not wish to return the child to her and intended to send her off with money. I initially thought it was just a woman’s prattle, but now it seems she is quite strategic."
Bai Ruozhu once again saluted Elder Xuan Jizi, "Thank you for believing in our family, Elder."
Elder Xuan Jizi waved his hand, "Though Ze Qing is not of the Bai Family’s flesh and blood, you have done so much for him, and whatever you do is for his good."
At that moment, Xiaosi returned, laughing and talking with Little Dengdeng, and everyone exchanged glances, ceasing their previous discussion. It wasn’t that they intended to keep it from him, but the situation was now unclear, and they didn’t want to needlessly upset the child if they were to discover that it had all been a deception.
"Sister, Little Dengdeng just called me uncle!" Xiaosi exclaimed excitedly, having already forgotten about the Niu Family matter.
Bai Ruozhu smiled as she stood up to welcome the boy. "That’s indeed no easy feat; for Little Dengdeng to call out ’uncle’, your second brother has teased him quite a bit, yet he’s reluctant to say it."
Xiaosi’s smile grew even brighter, "Little Dengdeng likes me."
Indeed, Little Dengdeng enjoyed playing with Xiaosi. The age difference between them wasn’t much, and in Little Dengdeng’s eyes, Xiaosi was like an older brother, of course he liked playing with him.
At this time, Rongrong also came over, shyly and timidly approaching Xiaosi to chat. The playmates hadn’t seen each other for a long while and had much to talk about, so they simply ran off to play in the yard. Poor Little Dengdeng couldn’t keep up, and pouted unhappily about it. Suddenly, Xiaosi stopped teasing Little Dengdeng, turned around to come back, and led Little Dengdeng along, saying, "Sister, I’ll take Dengdeng out to play for a while."
"Go ahead, be careful," Bai Ruozhu signaled Nanny Zhang with a glance, and she immediately followed with two maids in tow.
After Xiaosi had left, Elder Xuan Jizi spoke up again, "I will send word to Mount Hua, not to let that woman linger there anymore."
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "I will arrange for someone to investigate, and I’ll write to inform the elder if there are any findings."
"Good."
By the evening, Bai Zepei returned and there was quite the bustle once more. Bai Zepei also tested Xiaosi with some questions, to which Xiaosi responded in a straightforward and clear manner. Elder Xuan Jizi, standing beside, stroked his beard with immense pride. Bai Zepei gave him a bow, "Thanks to the elder’s teachings, Xiaosi has made great progress."
Elder Xuan Jizi smiled and said, "It’s also because he has high comprehension and is willing to work hard. A master can lead a student to the door, but practicing the art is up to the individual; without effort, nothing is useful."
Hearing this, everyone naturally praised Xiaosi. Later, the Bai Family arranged a feast to welcome Elder Xuan Jizi and Xiaosi. Everyone ate merrily, and Bai Yihong even shared a few drinks with Elder Xuan Jizi.
As the night deepened, everyone dispersed, and Bai Ruozhu arranged accommodations for Elder Xuan Jizi and Xiaosi. The master and disciple stayed together, which made Elder Xuan Jizi feel Bai Ruozhu was very capable.
"Master, my sister must have told you something, right?" Xiaosi asked after they returned to their room.
Elder Xuan Jizi stroked his beard. "You seem quiet, but you’re as clear as a mirror inside. Since that’s the case, why don’t you ask her yourself?"
"I trust my sister; it’s just curiosity. Asking her directly would only make things difficult for her," Xiaosi replied, lowering his head.
"You’re right to think that way. Your sister wouldn’t harm you, so just do as she says. Don’t worry about other things. If you want to stand out, you should not be distracted and should spend your time on martial arts and studying," Elder Xuan Jizi advised.
Xiaosi nodded and didn’t ask further, but when he was playing with Little Dengdeng in the garden earlier, he had overheard from afar the wailing of the Niu Family...