Chapter 224: Invitation to the Opening of the School
It was only after Jiang Yichun started eating that his restless heart finally calmed down. Lin Ping’er quietly moved over to Bai Ruozhu and asked, "Daughter, what’s the matter with you?"
Bai Ruozhu smiled and sneaked a glance at Jiang Yichun, whose mask had been repaired and the chin part was once again removable. She lowered her voice and said to her mother, "Mother, I’m expressing gratitude to him. You don’t know how much he helped us yesterday."
Xiaosi, standing nearby, also watched Jiang Yichun with twinkling eyes, seemingly admiring the ’hero’ who was able to knock Bai Yibo flying with a single slap.
"Ah?" Lin Ping’er perked up.
Bai Ruozhu lowered her voice even further, summarizing for her mother how Jiang Yichun had taken the Wang family’s pulse, exposed their lies, and then slapped Bai Yibo to the ground when he tried to keep pretending.
"My goodness, he is truly a righteous man!" Lin Ping’er almost cried out. Bai Ruozhu shot her a look, indicating that such matters should not be shouted out loud.
Over there, Jiang Yichun was eating pancakes and drinking soup, pretending to be ignorant, but his ears were clearly perked up. The more he listened, the happier he became, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting. Fearful of being discovered by Bai Ruozhu, he quickly put on a poker face.
He thought to himself that this woman was not too troublesome, indeed, grateful for his help. Jiang Yichun, eating the fragrant pancake, felt a small sense of satisfaction, and his mouth once again curled upwards.
Now Bai Ruozhu was very welcoming to him, but whenever he sat down, many of the guests seemed intimidated and did not dare to approach. It was not because they found his mask terrifying, but because they thought his status was distinguished, and they were afraid of offending such a noble man.
Fortunately, this time Jiang Yichun didn’t stay long. After finishing his meal and drink and making a fuss over Little Dengdeng, he left with large strides.
Not long after, Wan Minglu rushed over. Bai Ruozhu thought to herself that it was fortunate Jiang Yichun had left, or else another collision would not have been good. But as for why it would not have been good, she couldn’t quite figure out, neither did she want to spend the time thinking about it, just vaguely feeling strange.
"Brother Minglu is here. Let me make you a pancake." Bai Ruozhu said to Wan Minglu with a smile.
Upon seeing Bai Ruozhu talking to him, Wan Minglu’s grin revealed his teeth but hid his eyes. However, he immediately waved off, "No, no. I am currently on duty. It doesn’t look good if people see me eating. I’m just here to deliver a message and then I must leave."
"What’s wrong? Is there something going on in the village?" Bai Ruozhu furrowed her brows, knowing that things weren’t going to be that easy.
Wan Minglu gestured with his hands, "There’s nothing serious in the village. Your uncle went back and talked about the situation with Xiaosi. Since I work at the government office, people didn’t ask me about it. I just told them the truth as it is, and nobody believed him."
Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief. Good thing Wan Minglu was there to help their family. Wan Minglu truly is a good man.
"Thank you, Brother Minglu." Bai Ruozhu sincerely thanked him.
Upon hearing her gratitude, Wan Minglu’s face turned crimson, and he said somewhat sheepishly, "Why are you thanking me? It’s only right."
Bai Yihong came over and asked, "Minglu, is there something wrong?"
Wan Minglu quietly cursed himself for forgetting to discuss the real issue upon seeing Bai Ruozhu.
"Our village chief asked me to convey a message to you. The school in our village will officially open on the first day of next month. As a contributor to this accomplishment, you must attend. The Scholar we invited has been praising the tables you made."
Bai Ruozhu and her mother exchanged surprised glances. Was this a coincidence, or did their grandfather know about this news in advance?
"The first day of next month? My father also mentioned hosting a banquet at home. I didn’t expect it to coincide." Lin Ping’er said with a frown.
"It shouldn’t matter. The opening ceremony of the school is in the morning, followed by enrolling students after paying respects to Confucius and Mencius. The banquet at your old mansion is at noon, so there is no conflict." Wan Minglu seemed to be very clear about it. He added, "Old Master Bai also invited my grandfather to the banquet."
Upon hearing that the village chief had asked him to attend, Bai Yihong’s eyes crinkled into a smile. He said to Wan Minglu, "Alright, I will go there early on the first day."
"I have to go on duty now. I’ll see you at the village on the first day." Wan Minglu really was in a hurry, so he ran off as soon as the conversation ended.
Lin Ping’er nudged Bai Ruozhu with her elbow and chuckled, "Look at how happy your father is. He’s one of the respected figures in the village now."
Bai Ruozhu covered her mouth to giggle. Her mother’s words seemed to be meant for her ears only, but they were clearly meant to tease her father.
Bai Yihong’s face reddened, and he scratched his head bashfully, saying, "What respected figure? It’s just the village chief giving me face. I’m just going to join in the fun."
"Father, let’s wear our newly made clothes on the first day. We should spruce up before returning to the village." Bai Ruozhu suggested cheerily, knowing that people of the past placed great importance on returning home in silks and satins.
Despite his slight embarrassment, Bai Yihong nodded in agreement.
Bai Zehao came over and whispered, "Dad seems really happy. Little sister, it’s all thanks to you." He always remembered how it was his little sister’s idea that had won their father praise in the village. Sometimes he wondered, why couldn’t he come up with such ideas? He was the eldest. If only he could be as smart as his little sister, their family wouldn’t have to suffer so much.
Bai Ruozhu winked at her elder brother and said, "It’s not just my credit. Didn’t you help Dad make those tables and chairs? This reputation is built on real accomplishments."
"Little sister, your words always put people at ease." Bai Zehao grinned foolishly. He had just been feeling useless, but a few words from his little sister made him feel so much better.
In the afternoon, Bai Ruozhu took Dengdeng and Xiaosi home to rest. On the way home, she remembered she had wanted to go see the Zhang Family, so she changed her route.
When they set up their stall in the town, Zhang Liliang had left to do business. He had received news from a relative that an elder had passed away, so Rongrong’s mother had taken Rongrong with her to attend the funeral and to help out. However, they had been gone for several days now and she didn’t know if they had returned.
Rongrong’s mother didn’t know where Bai Ruozhu’s stall was located and, with communication being inconvenient at the time, Bai Ruozhu thought she might as well go and check. If they hadn’t returned yet, she would ask a neighbor to relay a message that her family was now running a stall in the West Market daily.
When she arrived, Rongrong and her mother still hadn’t returned. However, a neighbor informed her that Zhang Liliang had returned from his business trip, got the news, and went to join Rongrong and her mother. Upon hearing that Zhang Liliang had gone, Bai Ruozhu heaved a big sigh of relief. It was much safer to have an extra man around.
She carried Dengdeng and took Xiaosi on the way back. As they were walking, they suddenly heard a scream from behind. Immediately afterward, a man’s voice, hoarse with exertion, called out, "Everyone get out of the way! The mule’s gone crazy, I can’t control it!"
Bai Ruozhu was startled and quickly pulled Xiaosi to the side to avoid any accidents. Just as they had taken cover, a mule pulling a broken cart rushed past them, followed by a middle-aged man chasing after it, frantically warning people to move away.