Chapter 194: New Discoveries in the Back Alley
Because the mood was somewhat melancholic, the family kept sullen faces all the way, no one spoke. The only sounds had been the grunts from the pigs they were leading.
Once they arrived at the west courtyard of Xie Residence, Bai Yihong and his brothers began to unpack their belongings. Meanwhile, Lin Ping’er pulled Bai Ruozhu aside and told her about what had happened when they went to bid farewell to the old mansion.
Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes slightly, a cold light flashing within, "Our grandpa has really lost all shame. He says our occupation is inferior and lowly, yet still demands money from us? He even involved our aunt, isn’t that slapping his own face?"
"Indeed, we ousted him completely. Calling over your aunt is just like raising a mistress, right? She can’t do anything worthwhile and we still need to share our money with her. Do you think it’s easy for us to earn this money?" Lin Ping’er revealed a disdainful expression, she really couldn’t stand the way the Wang family behaved.
Bai Ruozhu sighed softly, "I’m afraid our grandpa won’t let this matter rest that easily. We need to be more vigilant, I’m guessing our aunt will pay a visit to our stall soon."
"She dares! If she comes, I’ll send her away!" Lin Ping’er shouted, revealing just how much she detested the Wang family.
Bai Ruozhu gently patted her mother’s hand, hinting her to calm down before saying: "Mom, don’t chase her away in public. Others don’t know about the disputes within our family. If you chase her away directly, it might damage our reputation and perhaps many customers would stop coming to eat our pancakes."
It wasn’t an exaggeration on Bai Ruozhu’s part, people at this time held a high value to moral standards. If they feel that a family is not acting decently, they would cease their patronage, even if it has nothing to do with them.
After calming down, Lin Ping’er nodded, "Your ability to stay calm is admirable, I’ll listen to you."
"Mom, don’t worry about this. I’ll handle her when the time comes." Bai Ruozhu assured her.
Lin Ping’er thought to herself that she was taking things too hastily. She should cultivate her character and temperament just like how her daughter said. Well, from now on, she would be more level-headed and get angry less. It’s not worth it to get flustered over people like that.
"By the way, grandpa is throwing a banquet on the first day of next month. He invited members from two other households in Fengye Village, as an extravagant celebration for having two additional scholars in our family." Lin Ping’er nearly forgot to mention the banquet, "He also mentioned that all of us have to go and help on that day. I fear your talents in cooking will be utilized then."
Bai Ruozhu laughed softly, "I’m not scared. It’s a good opportunity to showcase my skills and show the relatives what I can do. Besides, I also want to chat with the village head."
"Hey, you and Caiyue’s mom are on the same wavelength. She advised me to have a chat with the village head, saying it’s high time we stopped tolerating your grandpa’s nonsense." Lin Ping’er said.
"Yes, I’ll say what my second brother can’t. Don’t worry." Bai Ruozhu reassured her mother with a calm look in her eyes.
The Bai family didn’t have many large possessions to move. The west courtyard was actually more furnished than their home. The family simply packed some clothes, took their bedding and some kitchenware. It was not long before Bai Yihong and his family were all settled in.
The number of rooms here was ample. The family quickly sorted out the sleeping arrangements. This time, Bai Zepei and Bai Zehao each got a room, and it didn’t feel cramped anymore.
Not long after, Guizhi arrived and decided to stay in the same room as Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu didn’t agree and suggested, "There are so many rooms. You can stay in the room next to me. This way, you won’t be disturbed if the baby starts to cry at night."
"Why should it matter? Isn’t it better if I help you with the baby at night? I have nothing much to do now anyway. On the contrary, you need to rest well as you have to work at the stall during the day." Fang Guizhi responded.
Bai Ruozhu knew that Guizhi was concerned about her. But she wasn’t used to sharing a room with anyone else. Furthermore, there was no extra bed in the room. They had to share one, which made Bai Ruozhu feel awkward.
"I snore, talk in my sleep and grind my teeth. My sleeping habits are terrible and it would be torturous for you to share the room with me. You should get a good rest at night and help me more during the day instead.", Bai Ruozhu exaggerated intentionally, which indeed worked well, Fang Guizhi didn’t persist and chose to occupy the room next to Bai Ruozhu’s.
The following morning, Bai Ruozhu reorganized their work divisions. Now that Guizhi couldn’t go outdoors, she stayed home to take care of boiling the soup and helped make the dough for the pancakes.
Bai Zehao was still responsible for hawking and serving the soup to customers while Bai Ruozhu focused on preparing the pancakes and ladling out the soup. Lin Ping’er washed the dishes, Bai Yihong fetched water and transported the soup and ingredients back to the west courtyard whenever needed.
Thankfully, there was an extra cart available at the west courtyard, otherwise, they would’ve run short of resources.
Time flew by swiftly as the family busied themselves, it wasn’t until Dengdeng began to cry that Bai Ruozhu realized nearly four hours had passed and the boy was now hungry.
She quickly made eye contact with her mother, swiftly picked up the prepared nursing shawl, cradled Dengdeng and went off to the back alley.
"I’ve got you covered, just be quick about it." Lin Ping’er seemed a bit panicked realising there might be customers waiting.
However, Bai Ruozhu cradled Dengdeng and fed him without any rush. Wasn’t her dad and eldest brother still back at the stall? Feeding Dengdeng would certainly have to wait until after he was done.
To make sure Dengdeng could fall asleep after feeding, the two of them stayed silent. For a moment, the alley was as quiet as if nobody was there.
Just then, the sound of footsteps approached from the outside. Bai Ruozhu quickly raised her head in surprise, wondering who would come into the back alley? It would be terribly embarrassing if someone saw her nursing. However, Dengdeng was about to doze off after feeding and would certainly start crying loudly if she stopped feeding him now.
At least she had the nursing shawl to cover her. There was very little chance that people could see anything, so it might be a bit awkward at worst.
Lin Ping’er glanced at Bai Ruozhu, straightened herself up and tried to block Bai Ruozhu as much as possible.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t suppress a smile, finding her mom amusing sometimes. Bai Ruozhu was actually somewhat taller than her mother. Her mother must have straightened up in an attempt to shield her completely. Looking down, she noticed that her mother was on her tiptoes.
"Just talk here, didn’t we agree not to meet again? You’re not keeping your promise." The footsteps outside halted and a woman began to speak softly.
Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping’er exchanged glances, both of them looked shocked. They were very familiar with the woman’s voice, it was actually the voice of the Wang family’s matriarch!
Why would the matriarch of the Wang family be in town? Was she purposely here to visit their stall? But why did she run into the back alley? Who was she talking to?
"Oh, why are you so fussy? Can’t you see I’m desperate? My younger son needs to get married and I urgently need money. Remember how much I helped you back in the day? Can’t you help me out again?" The voice was somewhat husky, apparently from a woman older than the matriarch of the Wang family.
The Wang matriarch sounded irritated, "Didn’t your son just get married a couple of years ago? I remember you asking me for money back then, too. Stop bluffing me."
"Don’t start. That poor soul. She died giving birth. Can’t let a good man like my son stay single forever, so..." The woman chuckled softly, "Just help me out one more time, this will really be the last time."