Chapter 143: Innocent Heart
Bai Zepei checked again and found that Bai Ruozhu really thought what the Wan family did was out of sincerity. She never suspected it was Wan Minglu’s personal intention. Bai Zepei helplessly shook his head, silently sighing for Wan Minglu in his heart.
The next day, their harvest was completed, even two days earlier than the other families. Bai Yihong was in a good mood, so he went to the old mansion and told the old man that since he had helped the old mansion finish harvesting, he had to start sowing his own fields now.
Bai Yibo naturally was unwilling, but there was no precedent for the second branch of the Bai family to help him sow seeds in previous years. Or rather, they didn’t completely trust them.
"Yihong, we’re really short-handed these days. How about helping your parents plow the field?" On Bai Yibo’s face was a flattering smile.
Bai Yihong wasn’t as naive as he used to be. He repeated what his daughter had told him to say, "Big brother should have regained his strength after taking a few days off. If we don’t start working in the field soon, people in the village will start talking. Besides, we’re even shorter on hands. The town official Li has assigned some errands to Er Lang that he won’t be able to come home for the next few days."
Bai Yibo was agitated inside hearing this, but he retorted irritably, "Really? Or is Er Lang just using this as an excuse to skip work and go have fun?"
Actually, Er Lang’s whereabouts were agreed upon by Bai Ruozhu’s family. The Bai family’s fields in Linjiang Village also needed to be supervised, and then rented out for others to sow so that they could collect grain and rent next season. Originally, they had thought of sending Bai Zehao or Bai Yihong, but they were afraid the old mansion would disagree, so they decided to send Bai Zepei, and used Officer Li as their excuse to shut up the old mansion.
Could the old mansion deny a task assigned by Officer Li?
Precisely because Bai Yihong knew why Er Lang was away, he was particularly disgusted by his big brother’s words. He looked deeply into his big brother’s eyes and asked, "Since when have you seen Er Lang avoiding work? Even during the time leading up to his preliminary exam, he still found time to help me in the fields. Even after coming top in the exam, he still worked in the fields without putting on any airs of a scholar. How could he be avoiding work?"
Bai Yibo sensed his brother’s pointed words. However, due to their longstanding status and relationship, Bai Yibo did not care about Bai Yihong’s attitude. He glared at Bai Yihong and said, "So, you’re subtly implying that I am lazy and don’t work in the fields? Have you learnt to speak in such a roundabout manner now?"
"Big brother is blunt, but he shouldn’t wrong Er Lang. It wasn’t easy for him to get to where he is today in terms of education." Bai Yihong said and then ignored his big brother, bid farewell to the old man, and left.
The old man stood there, pondering Bai Yihong’s words. It hadn’t been easy for Er Lang to get to where he was, yet he still worked diligently in the fields. And at such a young age, he had already come top in the exam...
The old man sighed lightly, and returned to his room to read.
That day, the Bai family invited the helpers, the Zhou family couple, and the elders of the Wan family for a meal, expressing their gratitude once again. The person in charge of Wan family was Wan Qilao, but he said he wouldn’t join the party to avoid making the younger generation feel restrained. Those who finally came were Wan Minglu’s parents.
The meal was particularly lively and somehow the topic of children’s marriage came up.
"The current dynasty promotes freedom in marriage, so we as parents have to consider our children’s feelings. Ah, Zehao’s mother, my second son is a real headache for me." Wan Su, having had a few drinks, started to share her inner thoughts with Lin Ping.
"Your son Minglu is such a good boy. What do you have to worry about? I heard that a lot of girls from good families have taken a liking to him." Lin Ping lowered her voice and chuckled, feeling like she was seeing her own sons who were in the same situation. Just yesterday, someone had come to test her intentions, but unfortunately, Er Lang was adamantly against getting married so early.
Wan Su glanced at Wan Minglu who was sitting at the table next to her, and sighed, "Originally, I was reluctant to have my Caiyue get married so early. I thought I would wait until my second son got married. But this youngster doesn’t seem to fancy anyone, and he insists on not rushing to get married. He keeps saying that he wants to establish a career first. As long as we farmers have land to farm and enough to eat, what does he mean by ’establishing a career’?"
Rongrong’s mother, who was sitting next to her, laughed and said, "A man should be able to go everywhere. You should be proud of Minglu."
Actually, Lady Wan Su was quite proud. She lowered her voice and said,"He’s quite capable on his own. He said he wants to leave farming and become an officer in the Government Office."
"My, this is great news, he’ll be part of the official class then." Lin Ping’er laughed and poured another glass for Lady Wan Su.
"No, he said he has to wait for another half a year to pass the examination before he’s officially part of the Government Office. But he keeps procrastinating like this, I don’t know when he’ll marry. Surely he won’t wait till he’s over twenty?" Lady Wan Su wasn’t pretending, she indeed was worried.
Lin Ping’er instantly found a kindred spirit, she took Lady Wan Su’s hand and starting talking about how Bai Zepei didn’t want to get married, saying he’d consider that after he’s made a name for himself. Wouldn’t that be when he’s in his early twenties?
Dinner went by with men’s laughter and women discussing matrimonial matters. When everyone had left, Bai Ruozhu went to clean up the dishes. Lin Ping’er and Rong’Rong’s mother also came to help. As soon as the dishes were cleaned, a little figure entered the Bai’s yard.
It was Si Lang, who hadn’t come to find a free meal for a few days. Bai Ruozhu hurriedly waved at him, "There is still food left, sis will get you some." Because of Si Lang’s help the last time, Bai Ruozhu regarded him as her closest kin. Every time she thought of Si Lang risking his life to aid her, her eyes would get teary.
Si Lang walked over and handed a small basket woven with rattan to Bai Ruozhu. The basket was roughly woven, it must have been his own handiwork. When Bai Ruozhu looked inside the basket, she understood that Si Lang went gleaning. It was the most common thing village children do during harvest season. The gleanings are either used as pocket money or given to supplement the family.
Si Lang seemed to get impatient at the slow pace of Bai Ruozhu, frowning he said "For you!"
Bai Ruozhu hurriedly took it. She had some understanding now, Si Lang was using his method to pay for his recent meals. A little emotional, who said Si Lang was a fool? The kid had merely closed his heart. He was conscious and knew how to express his gratitude in this way, isn’t he smart enough?
"Hurry and eat. Eat more meat to grow taller!" Bai Ruozhu held back her tears, sent Si Lang to eat, and then showed the basket to Lin Ping’er.
Lin Ping’er also wiped away a tear, saying, "Si Lang has a conscience and knows how to be grateful. Even though he doesn’t speak much, his heart is brighter than many in the old mansion."
Bai Yihong also nodded, "In the future, we should feed the kid better, as it’s the time for him to grow."
"Dad, did you notice that he comes to eat once and then doesn’t come back for several days?" Er Lang, who was drinking tea, suddenly asked.
"Ah? It seems to be the case recently." Bai Yihong thought, then said.
"Once I saw Si Lang in the village, he had a bruise on his face, like he’d been slapped. I thought about it, he had eaten at our house the day before." Er Lang sighed slightly.
"What? You’re saying Si Lang waits until his wounds are barely visible before he comes again?" Bai Ruozhu jumped up when she heard this.
----
Thanks to Book Friends Pure Face Poison Scorpion’s Heart, Meng, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Bury Me Under the Peony Tree Forever Unawake for the reward, Happy New Year to all!
Hey guys, Mouka is going to hand out Red Envelopes now, inviting everyone to Mouka’s Book Friends Group. The Red Envelopes will start being handed out at 10 tonight, and it’s planned to last for three days. So guys, first come first serve~ Group number: 1~3~2~9~0~5~4~2~9 (I’m afraid the numbers might not be sent, please remove the wave signs yourself)