Chapter 1102 - 1104: A Formidable Opponent is Coming_1
"You bought such a large mansion, and you won’t even give me three thousand li? Liu Family’s wife said with a look of scorn.
Bai Ruozhu signaled her parents with her eyes, then said, "Buying a big mansion is also for Grandpa and Grandma to live comfortably with us; all the money went into the mansion, how could there be any silver left? We surely can’t sell the mansion and have everyone sleep on the streets, right? Furthermore..."
Her voice trailed off, and Mrs. Liu eagerly asked, "What else is there to say? Speak clearly in one go. Are you hesitating because you feel guilty?"
"Grandma, are you really certain that you and Grandpa can travel safely with three thousand taels of silver banknotes? Even if the steward escorts you, it still increases the risk, and we, as your grandchildren, would worry."
Onlookers nodded in agreement, and some even cast greedy looks at Mrs. Liu, who was too foolish to notice and retorted with her neck stiffened, "Then you needn’t worry about it; I’ll hide the silver banknotes well."
Lin Ping’er secretly rolled her eyes, thinking that they absolutely couldn’t give her the silver, for if anything happened on the road, they’d be blamed either way.
"Auntie, please listen to reason. You’re heading back to the old home in the countryside where you have fields and a house; if two hundred taels aren’t enough, let them give you two hundred more. But don’t mention several thousand taels. The kids are in a tough spot too. You can’t act like a debt collector after raising them, and besides, the roads are really not safe. Having so many silver banknotes makes you too noticeable." A sympathetic middle-aged woman couldn’t help but speak up and persuade.
Someone else chimed in, "Exactly, Old Madam, you must be sensible. You can’t be blinded by money; having money but no life to spend it would only benefit thieves."
At this point, the crowd clearly no longer sided with Mrs. Liu, but she was the type to not give up until reaching her goal. Ignoring everyone, she turned to Bai Yihong and said, "If you deny my money, you deny me as your mother. I’ll simply bash my head to death at your doorstep and see if your conscience will allow you to live in peace!"
The onlookers were in an uproar, their opinion of Mrs. Liu plummeting further, with some even pointing at her and calling her a greedy old woman.
Unable to keep up appearances in front of others, Mrs. Liu gave up trying to control herself. She was going back to Mountain Village anyway and didn’t care how the people in the Capital City saw her.
Just then, a horse carriage turned into the street. Bai Ruozhu saw the Bo Residence’s insignia on it and nodded slightly to her parents to reassure them.
Indeed, the carriage stopped, and Bai Fu bounded down and went straight to Mrs. Liu, whispering harshly, "You ran out to make a scene again. If you don’t want to return to Mountain Village, then just don’t."
Mrs. Liu shook off his hand, saying, "How am I making a scene? I’m seeking what he owes me!"
At that moment, Bai Lu and Bai Yixiao also disembarked from the carriage. Bai Ruozhu had mentioned to Lady Bo that she wanted to invite them to stay at the Bai Residence. Bai Ruozhu and the others hurried forward to welcome Bai Lu and Bai Yixiao into the yard.
As Bai Lu passed by Mrs. Liu, he glared at her and said in a low voice, "Wife, do you want to be expelled from the Bai Clan records? If so, feel free to continue making a scene."
Her complexion changing, Mrs. Liu thought about how the Old Master of the Bo family favored their couple, and feeling emboldened, she said defiantly again.
"You dare! You’re the one who doesn’t want to be Clan Leader! Let my little uncle send a word to the clan; it’s time for our family to take over as Clan Leader!" Mrs. Liu shouted.
Bai Lu didn’t show anger but a hint of sarcasm crossed his face. "Foolish beyond belief." After that, he headed straight into the yard, not paying any more attention to Mrs. Liu.
Bai Fu grabbed Mrs. Liu’s arm, lowered his voice, and said, "Shut your mouth and get in the carriage with me right now, or the Marquis won’t help save Yibo. If Yibo can’t return, then I—I will divorce you, wife!"
Liu Family’s matriarch was finally scared, forgetting to struggle as Bai Fu roughly dragged her to the side of the horse carriage.
At that moment, Xiaosi walked out of the Yard. He had been waiting inside for half a day, and seeing that no one had returned for so long, he became concerned and came out to check. Just as he stepped out of the Main Gate, he was spotted by Liu Family’s matriarch, who already had one leg up in the horse carriage.
Liu Family’s matriarch immediately pointed at Xiaosi and yelled, "You would rather raise this bastard than acknowledge our kindness in raising you, aren’t you afraid of retribution, that he will grow up and not recognize you?"
Bai Ruozhu quickly looked over at Xiaosi. Xiaosi’s origins were a sore spot in his heart, and with the recent incident involving Niu Cuicui, there were already some complications in his mind. Bai Ruozhu was genuinely afraid that Xiaosi wouldn’t be able to handle the sting in Liu Family’s matriarch’s words.
However, Xiaosi was surprisingly calm, showing none of the indignation he used to express when insulted by others in the past.
Lin Ping’er dashed to the horse carriage and glared at the Old Master, exclaiming, "Although Xiaosi is not my own flesh and blood, he is my child. Watch your words! We are not raising him with the expectation of gratitude nor will we guilt-trip him for debts like you do, so save your lectures for someone else!"
Liu Family’s matriarch wanted to say more, but Bai Fu pushed her into the horse carriage, "Shut your mouth and stop causing trouble!"
Bai Fu, fearing Liu Family’s matriarch would cause further issues, immediately told the coachman to drive away, hastily departing from the Bai Family without even a word of farewell.
Bai Yihong watched the horse carriage driving away, feeling somewhat sad, but Bai Ruozhu took his arm.
"Xiaosi, come!" Bai Ruozhu called out as she extended her other hand towards Xiaosi. He hurried over and Bai Ruozhu wrapped her free arm around him.
"Let’s go home," she said in a cheery tone, pulling the two of them back into the Yard.
The farce had ended, and the Onlookers had dispersed. Fortunately, the Bai Family’s reputation in the surrounding area had not been affected.
Once back in the Yard, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Bai Ruozhu hurried to arrange accommodations for Bai Lu and his son. Just then, Master Taoist Xuan Jizi walked past and patted Xiaosi on the head, "Well done, your state of mind is commendable now."
Xiaosi nodded slightly, "I’m beginning to understand the meaning of ’tranquility like still water’ that master spoke of."
Xuan Jizi smiled and nodded, then continued on with his business.
After Bai Ruozhu had arranged places for Bai Lu and his son to stay and spent some time chatting with them, Jianqi came to find her, and she stepped out of the house.
"Master, the Commerce Association has sent news. The third prince of Chengshui Country is not far from the Capital City. If fast, he could arrive in two days, or four at the latest. This third prince is the most favorable candidate for the crown prince and is also the one who is the most displeased with Zhou Jue at the moment," Jianqi said in a hushed tone.
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes brightened, "The message I sent through the Commerce Association to Chengshui Country, has it reached him yet?"
"Yes, he should know about Zhou Jue’s matter by today," Jianqi replied.
Bai Ruozhu smiled gleefully, like a cunning fox, "That’s good. I expect he’ll handle Zhou Jue’s mistake himself and look for opportunities to deal with Zhou Jue."