Chapter 123 Can the Child Take the Last Name Bai?
Finally, Bai Ruozhu decided to carry a well-fed, fast-asleep Little Dengdeng and accompanied her parents, oldest brother, and second brother to the old mansion. She initially felt embarrassed about the fuss being made, but her second brother said: "It’s time for us to visit Grandpa and Grandma as a whole family."
On reflection, she agreed. If her second brother was the only one not to go, Grandpa might criticize him for being arrogant. If her mother chooses not to go, Grandpa certainly will find fault with her, so it is better if the whole family goes together.
Bai Zehao’s thought was more straightforward, "Anyway, we’re all going to get scolded, it’s more entertaining if we go together." His statement managed to get a laugh from the entire family.
Fang Guizhi and Zhou Deshun’s daughter-in-law took the opportunity to make their excuses and leave. Lin Ping’er gave them some celebration eggs with thanks, saying that they were indispensable help. After they had refused a few times, they took the eggs and left.
As Bai Ruozhu and her family started walking towards the old mansion, the atmosphere was somewhat solemn. Along the way, onlookers greeted Bai Yihong and Bai Zepei and praised Little Dengdeng for growing so well.
Bai Ruozhu stole a glance at her oldest brother. Normally the oldest son is the most successful and expected to inherit the family’s business, but in her family, this changed. The oldest brother had already distinguished himself among the village’s youth. But now, the second brother had become a scholar by topping in the Child Student Exam, overshadowing the oldest brother’s achievements.
Luckily, her oldest brother remained dedicated and hardworking, unaltered by the current circumstances. Even as passersby exaggerated the accomplishments of the second brother, the oldest brother’s face was filled with proud smiles, showing no sign of embarrassment or dissatisfaction.
Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief, admiring her oldest brother’s mindset. If everyone was like Bai Yibo, how could any family live in harmony?
She couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for her oldest brother. From what she remembers, her oldest brother’s academics were not bad, not as extraordinary as her second brother, but if he persevered, he would surely pass the exam in three years, unlike Bai Yibo who took decades.
However, before they divided the family, there was too much work in the field. They had to support Bai Yibo and Grandpa. Sustaining two more scholars would be too difficult, and with Bai Zehao studying hard, who would work in the field? What would the family eat?
Moreover, the old lady was stingy and unwilling to let Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei continue their studies. Bai Zehao decided to stop studying and concentrate on fieldwork, claiming that his strength allowed him to do the work of two people, so his younger brother should study well.
Her second brother, always quiet, began studying even more diligently, seeming to bear the dream of the oldest brother.
Reflecting on this, Bai Ruozhu felt her eyes moisten with pity. Her brothers hadn’t had an easy journey so far, she really sympathized with them.
"Older brother, our family’s situation has improved. Have you considered going for the examination?" As her father and second brother were greeting villagers, Bai Ruozhu moved closer to her oldest brother and asked him in a low voice.
Bai Zehao looked at his sister surprised, then smiled bitterly, "I’ve let it go for so many years, how can I take it now?"
"Silly older brother, you can study at any time. Even if you don’t aim for a position, it’s good to have knowledge. If you become a student or scholar, it will be easier for you to move around in the future." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.
Bai Zehao was moved by his sister’s "more knowledge to carry with oneself" and decided, "Alright, I’ll listen to you. When I have time, I will study hard. For now, I won’t expect to get a position, it’s already good to learn more knowledge." Bai Zehao made a firm decision and nodded seriously.
Bai Ruozhu figured that her oldest brother, being so steady and attentive, might become a student in the next examination, and encouraged him.
The family continued to move forward, but nobody noticed the bright light in Bai Zehao’s eyes. It seemed he saw a more beautiful future, or perhaps he could finally rectify his past regret and try his best.
Eventually, the family arrived outside the old mansion and knocked on the door.
"Dad, Ruozhu and Dengdeng are here to see you." With many onlookers behind them, Bai Yihong, fearing his father would get angry, knocked on the door and loudly declared the purpose of their visit.
Unexpectedly, after they stopped knocking, no one in the yard responded or came to open the door.
"What’s the old man of the Bai family doing? Not at home? Isn’t there anyone in the house? His great-grandson came to see him, did he lose consciousness from joy?" Some of the crowd joked, and many others began to laugh.
Then, some people’s gaze shifted onto the nearby works of calligraphy, where the color had faded or was painted over. Actually, more people wanted to see what kind of expression Bai Yibo would have when confronting his second brother’s family.
Perhaps the old man heard the crowd gathering outside, he yelled from inside the main hall: "Isn’t there anyone in the yard who knows to open the door? I may be old and have poor hearing, have you all grown old too?"
Following the sound of approaching footsteps, the mansion’s door opened. Bai Ruolan, who opened the door, awkwardly called out to her uncle and aunt, then ran back into the house, seemingly very unwilling.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but smile wryly, she found her cousin very petty. There were so many people watching at the door, she should at least pretend to be more generous. Moreover, why was she running? Known people understood her dislike towards the second family line, strangers might think she was running away because of guilt.
While Bai Ruozhu was thinking, her father and two brothers had already entered the door, walked to the entrance of the main hall, and greeted the old man.
Lin Ping’er pulled Bai Ruozhu gently, signaling her not to worry. In response, Bai Ruozhu gave her mother an assuring smile.
"Why are you running, don’t you know how to close the yard’s gate? How old are you?!" The old man grumbled, criticizing Bai Ruolan. Bai Ruolan felt embarrassed and publicly reprimanded, and began to cry.
Seeing this, the old man became angrier. Wang quickly pushed Bai Ruolan, telling her to hurry and close the door to avoid upsetting the old man further. Finally, Bai Ruolan, covering her face and crying, ran to the gate, and under the astonished gaze of the crowd outside, closed the yard’s gate.
Bai Ruozhu and her Mother looked at each other, both saw the speechlessness in the others’ eyes. Did she really need to be this distressed? It’s as if she wanted the whole village to know how pitiful she was. This was too, too petty!
Bai Ruozhu recovered her thoughts, holding Little Dengdeng, she approached the old man and paid her respects, "The granddaughter Ruozhu and grandson Bai Chengtai greet Grandpa."
The old man was upset with Bai Yihong before, and didn’t remember to ask Sir Li what he had named Dengdeng. After hearing Bai Ruozhu say this, he finally knew the child’s name, but that made him even more uncomfortable.
However, he couldn’t criticize the name as it would be disrespectful to Sir Li. He had heard rumours that Sir Li was going to be promoted and he certainly couldn’t provoke him.
So, after some thought, he asked: "Can this child take his mother’s surname of Bai?"
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I’ve been struggling to update lately, Mouka has been in hiding, drawing circles in the corner. Please don’t be too hard on me...
Here, I want to thank book friends ’Bury Me Under the Tree of Love Forever’, ’User is Just a Temporal Visitor’, Elly, Lao Mao, Meng, Pingan Ruyi, and Ji@Xiang for rewarding me. Many of them have rewarded me multiple times. Mouka is really grateful for everyone, here’s a big hug~