Chapter 232: Who Said They Wouldn’t Be Included In The Family Tree?
"You stole my precious great-grandson away, and yet you still have the audacity to eat and drink at my expense. You actually have the nerve to criticize me!" The old woman, careful not to alert the guests outside, kept her voice low, although her words were harsh.
However, the kitchen was not just occupied by members of the Bai family. There was also a cook present — a middle-aged man. Upon hearing the old woman’s words, he frowned but pretended not to hear, continuing with his work.
Bai Ruozhu had initially decided not to stoop to the old woman’s level. But when she heard the woman’s affectionate remark about Xiaosi as her "dear great-grandson," Bai Ruozhu’s anger flared up instantly.
"Xiaosi is not a child anymore. If he wanted to stay, nobody could have taken him away. Don’t forget that the county magistrate asked him who he wanted to live with. No matter what, our family can provide him with food and warmth without abusing him. He knows who genuinely cares for him, and naturally, he’s chosen to stay with us," Bai Ruozhu replied in a hushed yet stern voice.
The old woman sneered, "He’s an idiot who can’t tell right from wrong. You tricked him away by giving him a few trifling trifles."
These words further infuriated Bai Ruozhu. Glaring at the old lady, she retorted, "Grandma, what right do you have to call Xiaosi an idiot? Don’t forget how you hit a healthy child on the head so hard with a pot that it gave him a problem. Just because a child is hungry and eats a little more, you hit him severely. Now you’re claiming him as your dear grandson — don’t you feel hypocritical?"
The cook next to them grinned sarcastically. It would be entirely plausible for this stingy old lady to do such a thing.
"When did I ever hit him? When?" The old woman, feeling as if a vital point had been hit, could not prevent her voice from raising.
Lin Ping’er felt disgusted, so she pulled Bai Ruozhu and said, "We did not intend to eat your food. We were only trying to prevent embarrassment by standing outside. Since that is the case, we’ll leave now." Afterward, she walked out with Bai Ruozhu.
When Bai Yihong noticed that Lin Ping’er and Bai Ruozhu left the kitchen so quickly, he could not help but sigh internally. He planned to eat quickly and return to his courtyard to prepare some food for the two of them, in order to prevent them from getting too hungry.
Bai Lu noticed this, so he waved at Bai Ruozhu and asked, "Aren’t you going to eat, Ruozhu? You’re still breastfeeding, aren’t you? You should eat for your child too."
Bai Ruozhu politely smiled and replied, "Sect leader Grandpa, I’ve already eaten."
Bai Lu knowing she was lying, said, "Come over and eat some more. I’ll get you a bun." He then fetched a couple of oil cakes for Bai Ruozhu while reminding her, "Share it with your mother. I can tell your child is like you. If you don’t eat, they won’t either."
Bai Ruozhu expressed her gratitude with a smile and thanked Bai Lu as she took the oil cakes.
Upon witnessing their exchange, Bai Fu scoffed and could not hold back, "Why are you concerned about her? She’s become very independent now, even saying she wants to leave the Bai Family Sect. Why should we even feed her with Bai family’s food?"
Surprised, Bai Lu turned to Bai Ruozhu and asked, "Did you really say that?"
Bai Ruozhu forced a smile, "Isn’t it because you won’t include Dengdeng in the family genealogy? My husband married into the family, and our child bears my Bai surname. If you don’t include him in the genealogy, I have no choice but to follow my child and seek other options. I can’t just abandon my child, right?"
Bai Lu’s eyebrows furrowed upon hearing her words, "Who said we’re not including him in the genealogy? Doesn’t this matter fall under my jurisdiction as the sect leader?"
Inwardly, Bai Ruozhu chuckled, she had expected this response from the sect leader.
"Now you’re contradicting me, are you?" Bai Fu jumped up abruptly and spoke loudly to Bai Lu, "Am I, as the elder, no longer able to make decisions?"
Bai Lu feigned surprise, "Ah? You’re the one blocking my great-grandson from being included in the genealogy? How could I have imagined it was you who did this? How can you accuse me of opposing you?"
The gathered crowds noticed the brewing trouble and rushed to intervene, trying to appease Bai Fu. Meanwhile, Bai Yibo quietly approached the elder and whispered in his ear, "Dad, let’s discuss this later. It would only make them pleased if we make a scene now."
Taking a deep breath, Bai Fu agreed. It was his banquet after all, and an unsightly squabble would only cause him embarrassment. Bai Lu and his group would be delighted to see that.
Finally, with a contemptuous snort, Bai Fu returned to his seat and resumed his conversation with the others, no longer looking in Bai Lu’s direction.
After Bai Ruozhu received the oil cake, she shared it with her mother. They ate enough of the oil cake to placate their hunger, but Lin Ping’er felt the flavour couldn’t compare with their home-made hand-grabbed cake.
Bai Ruozhu, noticing her mother’s dissatisfaction, chuckled at how she had spoiled her mother’s taste. She knew these oil cakes were very popular among the guests at the table. Only her family members would think they were not delicious.
Utilising the opportunity created by the cook serving soup, Bai Lu whispered to Bai Yihong, "I heard you opened a stall in town. I’ll come by one day."
"That’s a deal. You must come, Uncle," both exchanged brief glances that indicated they both had something more to talk about.
The feast ended reasonably smoothly in the end. Bai Lu, claiming to have something to attend to at home, left with Bai Zeji, becoming the first to exit. Everyone could clearly see his stance.
Bai Ruozhu’s family also took their leave along with the rest of the guests, fearing it would be harder to leave later.
Leaving the old mansion, they all heaved a sigh of relief. Bai Yihong, concerned for his wife and daughter, suggested, "How about we make something in our courtyard and eat? You all can head to town after having a good meal."
Lin Ping’er looked at Bai Ruozhu, she wasn’t particularly hungry but worried that Bai Ruozhu wouldn’t produce enough milk if she was hungry.
While holding the sleeping Dengdeng, Bai Ruozhu shook her head and suggested, "Let’s hurry back to town. We can set up the stall in the afternoon. I’ll have a bing in the west courtyard when we get back."
"Sounds good. We should leave now, so grandpa doesn’t lecture us." Bai Zehao shrank his neck and muttered, "It was so uncomfortable sitting next to him just now. He seems to be bottling up a lot of frustrations, and he might vent it on us."
The whole family agreed with the plan, and they quickly walked to the entrance of the village, hailed a donkey cart, and rushed back to town.
On the way, Bai Zehao spoke highly of Bai Zeji.
"Zeji is very diligent in his studies. It’s a pity he hasn’t found a good teacher," Bai Zehao shared, "Sect leader Grandpa experienced hardships in his younger days, so he treats all the children in his family equally. If anyone wishes to study, he would let them. Unfortunately, due to limited resources and their peasant background, they could not afford good teachers. After a while, his uncles couldn’t see the results they desired from reading and decided to focus on farming."
"Zeji is the best student in his generation. However, the sect leader grandpa never favoured him. Instead, his uncles proposed to sponsor his education with hopes of having a scholar in their family. Zeji is grateful for this opportunity and diligent in his studies. However, he yet has to find a way."
Everyone nodded in agreement. If it weren’t for meeting Teacher Xie, Bai Zepei might not have been able to become a scholar either.