Chapter 243: Do you want to be added to the Bai Clan’s Family Tree?
Bai Ruozhu was startled, it was unheard of for juniors to brazenly pull at an elder’s beard. This little fellow didn’t even know how to sit properly yet, he was such a handful.
"Little Dengdeng, let go quickly, or mom will spank you!" Bai Ruozhu whispered, but it was clear that the child was completely ignoring her, or perhaps didn’t understand what she was saying.
Bai Ruozhu was worried in her heart. Wasn’t this child usually very sharp? When she mentioned re-marrying, he’d bitten her, so why couldn’t he understand that she wanted him to let go?
Bai Lu laughed and waved his hand, "It’s okay, it’s okay. This child is brave and very amusing, he likes me, his grandpa, at first sight."
Little Dengdeng let go at this moment, but giggled at Bai Lu.
"Clan Elder Grandpa, I’m really sorry about this." Bai Ruozhu said with an embarrassed smile.
"What does a little child understand?" Bai Lu gestured to Bai Ruozhu not to worry and then asked, "Are you still willing to have this child entered into the Bai Family’s genealogy?"
Bai Ruozhu had said before that she didn’t care about entering the Bai Family’s genealogy and even said that she wanted to establish her own family separate from the Bai Family Sect. This was not due to any grievance towards the sect, but because the old head of the family had threatened and frightened her with all this, which had made her very upset. However, if she could be in the genealogy, why wouldn’t she be willing?
The genealogy was extremely important in ancient times. For example, if Dengdeng were to take the Imperial Examination in the future, not only would someone need to endorse him during the application, but he would also need to report his household registration and genealogy. Even becoming an official meant having to check the genealogy, which is somewhat similar to examining one’s file nowadays. The Bai Family was also considered a large clan in this area, so if no one obstructed it, it would naturally be beneficial for Dengdeng to enter the Bai Family’s genealogy.
If it could be simple, she naturally wouldn’t want to complicate matters.
Seeing her seeming somewhat worried, Bai Lu laughed and said, "I get the final say on this matter, you don’t need to worry about others."
This "others" he was referring to was obviously Bai Fu. Outsiders wouldn’t understand, but those of the Bai Family would certainly understand.
"Clan Elder Grandpa, my son’s surname is Bai, the county magistrate kindly named him Bai Chengtai, of course he should enter the Bai Family’s genealogy, as long as nobody objects." Bai Ruozhu replied.
"Then come over to my house on the fifteenth of this month, I’ll hold the ceremony for the child to enter the genealogy. I’ll have someone mention it to your grandfather, so you don’t need to worry." Bai Lu then looked at Little Dengdeng again, "This child is witty, you have to raise him well."
Bai Ruozhu was delighted to hear this and bowed with Little Dengdeng in her arms towards Bai Lu, saying, "Thank you, Clan Elder Grandpa."
Bai Yihong and Lin Ping’er also came to express their gratitude, saying that they would never forget the clan elder’s kindness.
"Don’t thank me. You helped Zeji come up with such a great idea, I should be thanking you!" Bai Lu said with a laugh.
Bai Zeji chimed in, "Yes, it never occurred to me. I’ll go and meet Teacher Wu later and beg him to take me as his apprentice."
"You can stay in Back Mountain Village. If your parents are worried, they can stay in my courtyard. Several rooms are empty anyway." Bai Yihong patted Bai Zeji on the shoulder, laughing, "Study hard, and make your parents and grandfather proud."
Bai Zeji nodded earnestly. "I will work hard and will not let down the help of Uncle’s family."
Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment, and then whispered to Bai Zeji, "Cousin Zeji, you can live in the main hall or my second brother’s room. But the new house should not be occupied. My elder brother is going to bring home a bride there soon, it’s going to be used as a bridal chamber."
At these words, Bai Zehao’s face reddened, but Bai Zeji burst out laughing, "I understand, I definitely won’t let anyone stay there. I’ll clean it every day and make it spotless for Brother Zehao."
Everyone laughed, including Bai Zehao, whose laughter was both shy and sweet. Knowing that he was about to marry and establish a family, especially with the girl he liked, his mood was extraordinarily good. He felt like he was dreaming.
When Bai Lu and his companion were about to leave, Bai Ruozhu had already packed a few fresh flatbreads to give them, asking them to take them home for their families to taste. Bai Lu wanted to pull out copper coins to give to Bai Yihong, but Bai Yihong adamantly refused, so they started insisting back and forth.
"Clan Elder Grandpa, our entry into the genealogy will be held at your home and we’ll need money for incense and fruit offerings. If you’re polite with us now, we’ll certainly have to give you silver coins on the fifteenth. It’s not good for a family to be like this." Bai Ruozhu saw the two of them were stuck in a stalemate and spoke to Bai Lu.
When Bai Lu thought about it, it made sense, so he finally pocketed the money.
After the two left, Lin Ping’er said with great emotion, "Look at how understanding and broad-minded the clan elder is. Then there are some people who have read more and more books and become more and more selfish. In contrast, those who haven’t read books are diligent and hardworking and have more warmth."
Bai Yihong sighed softly. Clearly this sentence made him feel very uncomfortable.
Bai Ruozhu nudged her mother with her elbow, Lin Ping’er wasn’t feeling great, but she still didn’t want to upset her husband, so she didn’t continue.
Bai Zehao, on the other hand, said thoughtfully, "I think moral character has nothing to do with how much one studies, it’s an education issue. In the future, whether our children study or not, they mustn’t become as selfish as our uncle."
Bai Ruozhu nodded, her eldest brother was right. Her second brother was also a scholar, but he was willing to endure hardships and never felt he was special or better than the rest of the family. He always helped the family share the workload and was diligent in the fields. That’s why her second brother was the person he was today. If their family had spoiled her second brother like the old man did because he was a scholar, she feared her second brother would have become the next Bai Yibo.
However, Bai Fu’s ideas could never align with theirs. Bai Fu was a scholar who had been favored by his father. He even looked down on his farmer brother, even though it was his brother who had taken care of him all these years. He still felt that it was his brother’s duty to do so because he was a scholar. This kind of superiority complex was always in his heart. So it was the same with his eldest son. He didn’t think there was anything wrong with Bai Yibo’s selfishness.
Not much later, everything at the stall was sold out. Bai Ruozhu and her family packed up and returned to the West Courtyard.
As soon as she entered the door, Bai Ruozhu noticed that Yu Hongxiu was at the West Courtyard chatting with Fang Guizhi. As soon as she saw her, she stood up, obviously eager to speak with her about something urgent.
Bai Ruozhu’s heart jumped. She knew Yu Hongxiu would come to ask about it.
Yu Hongxiu pulled Bai Ruozhu aside to talk privately and asked right away, "What’s going on with you today? I noticed something off, you do not seem like the type to pick a fight with Madam Li. Why didn’t you accept her consultation fee and have lunch together?"
"Sister Hongxiu, don’t introduce doctors to Madam Li anymore and stay out of this." Bai Ruozhu did not want to elaborate, but she had to warn Yu Hongxiu. She did not want to see Mr. Xie and his wife fall into danger.
Yu Hongxiu, being the legitimate daughter from a big family’s inner chamber, looked at Bai Ruozhu in surprise and asked, "Is there a problem with Madam Li’s health?"
"She’s not sick, but someone has been giving her a slow-acting poison." Bai Ruozhu lowered her voice. "Think about it. Whoever could poison her for a long time without the doctor finding out must be someone of significant status. We might not be able to afford to offend that person."