Chapter 1124 - 1126: Reassuring the Sister-in-law_1
The family reunion was especially lively; everyone gathered around Bai Zehao and his group, listening to them recount their journey. Fortunately, they had smooth sailing without encountering any severe rain or snow, and they arrived in Capital City earlier than expected.
"Quickly, send a message to the second young master," Lin Ping’er excitedly instructed the house servants, "tell him that Young Master and his group have arrived home." In a short while, Rongrong’s mother, Guizhi, brought Rongrong over as well.
Fusa and her family also came along, and Niuniu, along with Rongrong, the two young sisters who hadn’t seen each other for a long time, got so excited upon meeting that they jumped and shouted, then ran aside to talk secrets.
Little Dengdeng, who now could say many more words, ran over to Bai Zehao and asked, "Uncle, hug!"
"Ah, our Dengdeng has grown so tall," Bai Zehao happily lifted Dengdeng and kissed him fiercely twice, jokingly adding, "Dengdeng is turning into a young man, Uncle can barely carry him anymore."
Little Dengdeng was exceptionally pleased to be praised, giggling nonstop. Later, he ran off to see his little cousin Chenxi, and even planted a big kiss on Chenxi’s little cheek, amusing everyone in the room.
Bai Ruozhu had been too excited at first, but now she noticed that her sister-in-law’s and Fusa’s faces were rather chapped, and their hands were cracked with many fissures, even little Chenxi’s small cheeks were somewhat dry and red, likely from the cold wind they faced while traveling by boat and carriage.
"Sister-in-law, Fusa, I’ll have someone draw water for you to wash your faces and apply some cream in the side room," Bai Ruozhu said with compassion. She had previously run a Beauty Pavilion, and naturally wouldn’t neglect her own family, so everyone at home had tender skin. But now, due to the hardships of travel, they had ended up like this, which she couldn’t bear to see.
Lin Ping’er also noticed this and quickly said, "Right, go wash up, and apply some cream on little Chenxi too. You don’t have to worry about things here; the servants will take care of tidying up."
Wan Caiyue nodded, her demeanor somewhat reserved. Bai Ruozhu noticed and quickly went over to take her arm, saying, "Sister-in-law, you’re in luck. I happen to have brought some Purifying White Jade Cream today. I’ll apply a mask for you, and you’ll recover quickly."
"No, there’s no need for so much trouble, I’m fine," Wan Caiyue stammered in response.
Bai Ruozhu found it odd, but she soon understood. Many people from outside regions could be overwhelmed by Capital City’s prosperity upon their first visit, becoming stage-struck. Not to mention Wan Caiyue, even her parents were like that when they first arrived.
Moreover, the Bai Family’s residence in Capital City was even larger than it had been in Beiyu City, with more servants, resembling the home of an officer. As Wan Caiyue came from a peasant family, she undoubtedly held some concerns.
Realizing this, Bai Ruozhu tightened her grip on Wan Caiyue’s arm and said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, now that you’re finally here, you’ll have to help Mother manage the household. You know Mother is not good at domestic management. From now on, you’ll be the Young Mistress in charge of our Residence."
Wan Caiyue looked at Bai Ruozhu in surprise and couldn’t help asking, "Ruozhu, won’t you be taking care of the household?"
Bai Ruozhu smiled and replied, "You are the eldest sister-in-law; it’s naturally your responsibility to manage the household. You can’t shy away from that duty. I have quite a few affairs to deal with at the Commerce Association, so you can’t give me extra work."
Wan Caiyue, amused by her teasing tone, also realized that Ruozhu was easing her mind. She smiled shyly at Ruozhu and said, "I understand. Then, if there’s anything I don’t know, I’ll ask you. If I do something inappropriate, you’ll have to remind me."
"Sure, I’ll listen to whatever sister-in-law says," Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile.
Seeing the closeness between the two, Fusa couldn’t hide her envy, but then she thought that upon entering Capital City, she might become insignificant and felt somewhat disheartened. However, Bai Ruozhu suddenly turned around and said, "Fusa, you rest for a few days, and afterward, how about you take over as the shopkeeper of Hua Xiangrong’s Weaving Pavilion in the Capital?"
Fusa’s heart leaped with joy, but she quickly became worried and asked, "Would that be alright? The previous stewards and shopkeepers are all familiar with the job, would they be unhappy about it?"
Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, "Don’t worry about that. The steward was overwhelmed handling all these responsibilities alone; he couldn’t wait for you to become shopkeeper. I spoke to him a few days ago, and he’s been eagerly waiting for you to come to the Capital."
"Then I’ll start work tomorrow!" Fusa said excitedly.
Bai Ruozhu laughed heartily but then sternly said, "No, you must rest for at least three days. You can start after you’re fully rested—I won’t allow anyone in the store to look exhausted."
"Yes, Fusa, you should listen to Ruozhu," Fang Guizhi chimed in from the side. Fusa nodded with a smile—how could she disagree?
Soon the maid brought in hot water. Wan Caiyue and Fusa washed their hands, faces, and necks, and also wiped down Little Chenxi. Bai Ruozhu and Fang Guizhi applied skincare and facial masks for them. As for Little Chenxi, Bai Ruozhu hesitated to use the Purifying Mystery Jade Cream on her and simply applied some moisturizer instead, considering that a child’s metabolism is fast; her skin would soon become soft and delicate.
Once the two had their facial masks on, Bai Ruozhu remembered something and asked, "Did Sister Hongxiu and the others go back to their mansion first?"
Fusa and Wan Caiyue showed looks of regret. Wan Caiyue, cautious not to move her face too much, said delicately, "Before we left, Mr. Xie was still ill and wasn’t getting better. He wasn’t fit for travel, so they decided to come to the Capital after the New Year."
Bai Ruozhu was taken aback; Mr. Xie had been unwell before, but was it serious enough to be bedridden?
"What illness does Mr. Xie have, and how is his condition?" Bai Ruozhu asked with concern.
"He caught a cold, constantly coughing, and feeling weak," Wan Caiyue replied. "However, Mr. Ji came with us to the Capital. But as soon as he entered the City, he went off to stay with relatives."
"Ji Ziyan?" Bai Ruozhu’s thoughts drifted. She couldn’t help but recall the information she had gathered before—that Ji Ziyan had been toyed with by Zhou Jue, resulting in some damage to his health. Would he encounter Zhou Jue again in the Capital?
"Yes, it’s Mr. Ji Ziyan who taught Xiaosi," Wan Caiyue responded.
Bai Ruozhu thought of Zhou Jue’s habits and shuddered, feeling a bit nauseated.
After a while, the two finished their facial masks, cleaned up, and applied cream. Their skin was much smoother, and the cuts on their hands had also started to heal. They were very happy and went to the Main Hall to chat spiritedly with everyone.
Lin Pingr and the others already knew about Mr. Xie being ill and were quite concerned. They suggested that if Bai Ruozhu could treat him, he might recover faster.
Bai Zehao hurriedly said, "Lord Meng has hired a renowned doctor for Mr. Xie, so he should recover soon. He just needs some time to recuperate."
Hearing this, everyone finally felt completely relieved.
The Bai Family shared a warm and lively reunion dinner together. Afterwards, Lin Pingr arranged for two maids to serve Wan Caiyue. Caiyue discreetly observed that both were rather plain-looking; it seemed that the Mother-in-law didn’t have any hidden motives, which significantly eased her mind.