Chapter 122: The Old Man’s Difficulties
Bai Ruozhu glanced at Little Dengdeng, who was sleeping soundly in the baby basket nearby, and quietly sighed. Now that she had this little guy, where could she go to have fun? She had to feed him every two to three hours.
Fortunately, Dengdeng wasn’t too fussy during the night. Perhaps it was because impoverished children have to take on responsibilities early, or maybe because he knew his father was not around, he was especially well-behaved.
"According to traditions, you have to carry Dengdeng to your grandpa’s house later to show them, your father has already delivered the red eggs to announce the baby’s arrival beforehand, to prevent any unexpected complications from the old mansion." Lin Ping’er lowered her voice and whispered to Bai Ruozhu. After all, they were discussing the matters of the old mansion, and they were sitting in the yard. It wouldn’t be good if the neighbors heard their conversation if they spoke too loudly.
Bai Ruozhu nodded her head, but her face fell involuntarily at the thought of going to the old mansion.
"Don’t worry, your mother and elder brother will accompany you. You don’t have to be afraid." Lin Ping’er noticed her daughter’s mood and quickly comforted her.
Zhou Deshun’s wife quickly changed the subject when she saw the situation, laughing and saying, "Ruozhu, you’ve recuperated so well during your confinement period! You’ve instantly bounced back, look at your skin and complexion, both so good! Ruozhu’s mother, you need to share with me how to take care of a woman during her confinement period later, so I can send it to my daughter."
"Xinghua is pregnant?" Lin Ping’er beamed with joy. Zhou Xinghua was Zhou Deshun’s daughter, who had married into another village since the beginning of this year. It was certainly joyous news to hear about her pregnancy at this time.
Zhou Deshun’s wife had a joyful look in her eyes, saying, "We just got the news a few days ago. She hasn’t started to show yet. I’m planning to visit her after the farming season."
When Bai Ruozhu heard, she began to ponder. Not only did she manage her confinement well, but she also emphasized nourishing food. She would talk properly to Aunt Zhou from Zhou Family about this, Zhou Deshun and his wife indeed had helped her family a lot.
"Aunt, I will tell you about the dietary requirements later, there are specifics for the pregnancy period, and also specially for the confinement period, I guarantee Xinghua will also recuperate well." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.
Zhou Deshun’s wife quickly expressed her gratitude, then suddenly became silent as if she wanted to say something but was hesitating. Bai Ruozhu looked at her mother, sure enough, her mother had also noticed.
"Do you have something you’re uncomfortable saying, Xinghua’s mother?" Lin Ping’er asked.
Only then did Zhou Deshun’s wife muster up the courage to ask in a low voice, "I heard that Ruozhu knows some medical skills. Do you know what to eat to conceive a boy?"
Bai Ruozhu was stunned. It seemed that no matter who it was, they couldn’t escape this bias. People of this era tended to cherish boys over girls. She was very fortunate to have parents who adored daughters just as much.
Seeing Bai Ruozhu staring blankly, Zhou Deshun’s wife quickly explained, "It’s not that I insist on Xinghua having a son, but we all know the difference in status in the mother-in-law’s house depending on whether the first child is a boy or a girl. I’m afraid Xinghua will suffer in the future. She might not even have a proper confinement period."
So that’s the case, Bai Ruozhu now had some understanding of Zhou Deshun’s wife. She had heard that in some families, if the daughter-in-law gave birth to a girl, the mother-in-law, out of anger, wouldn’t allow the daughter-in-law to have a proper confinement. The daughter-in-law would have to start working right away during the confinement period. In such a case, wouldn’t the daughter-in-law fall ill? But who could say anything about it? In poor families, labor was scarce, and they couldn’t afford to have the mother rest for a whole month. Bai Ruozhu was only able to enjoy this privilege because of her doting parents.
Bai Ruozhu sighed slightly, and quietly said to Zhou Deshun’s wife, "Aunt, the gender of the baby is already determined once you conceive. Don’t listen to those nonsense about eating certain foods to conceive a boy, you might end up harming the baby."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ping’er quickly added, "Didn’t you hear about the boy from the neighboring village who was born after his mother took certain medicines? He was always sick as a child, and when he was older, they discovered that he was infertile."
Zhou Deshun’s wife shivered and quickly said, "I understand now, I will not listen to such nonsense in the future. Whether it’s a boy or girl, it’s all fate."
Although she said so, her expression clearly showed that she was still worried about her daughter. In this era, women’s destiny was often beyond their control.
Bai Ruozhu felt a bit emotional. She wanted to be a woman who could control her own destiny, and she wanted her family and friends to be able to control their own futures and live happy lives.
After finishing tidying up, Bai Yihong had already returned carrying the basket, looking rather gloomy.
"Dad, what happened? Did you get upset at the old mansion?" Bai Ruozhu asked hurriedly. Her father was now a respected figure in the village. Why would he receive any disrespect in his own father’s house?
Bai Yihong sighed and said, "Your grandpa asked me about the baby’s name, I told him truthfully that Officer Li had come to our house on the day when he was named, and asked if the baby had been named, and then Officer Li gave the baby a name."
"So then my grandpa got angry? Saying that you’re arrogant now, not putting him in your eyes?" Bai Ruozhu asked with a smirk. Without even thinking she could guess what her grandfather had said.
Just as expected, Bai Yihong was shocked to look at Bai Ruozhu, "That’s exactly what your grandpa said, but his words were a lot harsher."
Bai Ruozhu patted her father’s shoulder, it’s tough for her father. What could he do being stuck with such parents?
"Father, you don’t need to take it to heart. When a prestigious officer wanted to bestow a name, should we not recognize his goodwill and refuse? Grandpa only thought about his own pride and emotions, why doesn’t he worry about my second brother’s future career? He wants to offend the officer in the government office over such trivial matters?" Bai Ruozhu blurted out a few sentences.
Fang Guizhi, who was standing on the side, nodded in agreement, "What a great honor for an official to name a child. If it were my grandfather, he would be so pleased that he wouldn’t be able tosleep for three days."
Zhou Deshun’s wife also chimed in, "Indeed, your grandfather is really difficult to please." However, her last sentence was spoken in a low voice, after all, Bai Fu was an elder.
"What does Grandpa mean, is he not allowing Ruozhu to bring the baby and visit them?" Lin Ping’er asked with furrowed brows. If her father-in-law really insisted on not seeing the baby, this would be an act of tearing off all pretenses.
Bai Yihong shook his head, "He didn’t say he wouldn’t allow to visit, he just kept saying we are too arrogant and don’t respect others. I worry that Ruozhu will suffer if she goes there with the baby."
Bai Ruozhu pondered, her father’s concerns were reasonable. The mood at the old mansion had been sour lately, the grandfather was still trying to save face for the eldest son. Plus, she remembered that someone testified that she had set up a trap for Sanlang, would the grandfather take this opportunity to make a fuss?
Upon this thought, she was less willing to bring the baby over. Although it was a village rule that when descendants who had partaken in the family division had children, they were to bring the one-month-old baby to visit the elderly, receive a red envelope from them for good fortune. But in fact, the elders would visit ahead of the one-month schedule to see the baby, most of the old people loved young children.
Dengdeng had reached his one-month-old now, however, the great grandfather and grandmother had not visited him once yet. Even though Bai Ruozhu did not care about their visit, the difference in affection was extremely obvious.