Chapter 260: Niuniu’s Small Hat and Cooperation with Two Families
Why come here if she no longer wants to stir up trouble? Does she think others are fools? Bai Ruozhu sneered at Du Fuling’s words. A look of contempt spread across her face; the girl had clearly ignored the advice given to her.
Du Zhongshu spoke with an icy expression, "Stop talking nonsense, return home and behave properly. Young ladies should not behave recklessly. Furthermore, your family is considering arranging a marriage for you."
Upon hearing the mention of marriage, Du Fuling’s face turned pale instantly. She murmured, "I don’t want to marry those noblemen, I don’t want to..."
Fearing her nonsense talk, Du Zhongshu signalled the servants to escort her away. He walked behind, bowing apologetically to Bai Ruozhu, "Miss Bai, I apologize for the disturbance, I will visit you later to formally apologize."
"It’s fine, go take her home." In a tone lacking warmth, she implied he should take away the source of disaster. She could show due respect to Du Zhongshu, she could be lenient to Du Fuling, but there was no chance she would have a positive outlook towards Du Fuling.
After they left, Niuniu with tears welling up in her eyes commented, "That sister was really scary." It appeared she was on the verge of crying out of fear.
Bai Ruozhu apologetically glanced at Fusa, feeling guilty for dragging Niuniu into it.
"That young lady certainly had a temper. No wonder her brother wants to send her home. It seems she isn’t from our town," Fusa commented.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "She is from Beiyu City."
Fusa looked unsurprised.
Niuniu’s attention was soon drawn back by the little hat. She took it off again to examine it before putting it back on, checking her reflection in the washbasin, a sweet smile on her face.
"How did you make this hat? It looks as if children will love it, you should make more and sell them here, I’m sure they will sell well." Observing Niuniu’s enjoyment, Fusa suggested to Bai Ruozhu.
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes lit up, but her idea was to invite Fusa to make hats together to make money; in return for the kindness shown by the Lin Family, and as a way to earn additional silver for the Lin Family.
"That’s a great idea, we’ll do it together. Me and my mother alone would not be able to cope with the workload. I will teach you how." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.
Fusa certainly didn’t expect Bai Ruozhu to be willing to teach her the technique–a skill at this moment could provide a living. For instance, the Lin Family’s secret recipe for making tofu is a secret they would never reveal to outsiders.
"The process may be somewhat tiring, but I find it simpler than needlework. I’m really not skilled at embroidery, hence I devised this method." That she had discovered this knitting method by herself was a source of slight embarrassment to her, but to claim she studied it from a teacher or learned it from a book would be easily debunked.
Fusa glanced at her mother-in-law, and her husband, and then nodded at Bai Ruozhu, saying, "As you suggested. I must extend my thanks to you." Her face expressed heartfelt gratitude.
"There’s no need to thank me; it’s just a small trick." Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile.
The elderly Lin matriarch also smiled gratefully at Bai Ruozhu. Lin Laifu added, "I really feel indebted."
The two families hit it off and decided to dine together at the Bai Family home that evening, during which time Bai Ruozhu could instruct Fusa on the knitting technique. The Lins happily agreed. However, when packing up to leave, they discovered that Lin Laifu had slipped away at some point, only to return carrying a piece of pork in his hand. He laughingly handed it over to Bai Zehao, "You shouldn’t visit others empty-handed. Quick, take it."
"Brother Laifu, you are too courteous." Bai Zehao took the pork reluctantly.
The Bai Family, along with the Lin Family’s three adults and one child, proceeded to the West Courtyard. Seeing so many individuals, Fang Guizhi retreated into the kitchen with some concern, which surprised Fusa. She quietly asked Bai Ruozhu, "Who is she? She appears unwilling to meet others?"
"We are temporarily staying in the West Courtyard provided by the Xie Family. Mr. Xie is my elder brother’s teacher. The girl we just saw is a maid from the Xie Household. Mr. and Mrs. Xie have been very kind to us, fearing that we might be overly fatigued, and therefore sent her to assist us." It wasn’t that Bai Ruozhu didn’t trust Fusa, but she feared that too many people would learn about Guizhi, and whether she could tell outsiders was Guizhi’s decision to make–Bai Ruozhu could not make that decision for her.
"The Xie Family are good people," commented Fusa with a sigh.
Bai Ruozhu excused herself to Fusa, saying that she would leave her mother to attend to the Lin Family. She then went to the Xie Residence’s kitchen to prepare meals.
"There’s little we can give to repay the Xie Family’s kindness, aside from me helping them prepare meals daily." Bai Ruozhu laughed lightly before leaving.
After Bai Ruozhu had finished her work at the Xie Residence, she informed Yu Hongxiu that she had a friend visiting and would be returning to the West Courtyard for dinner. Yu Hongxiu playfully scolded, "You have guests and yet still come over to help prepare my meal. You think I can’t survive a meal without you?"
Bai Ruozhu laughed, "I made your favorite dish today - Royale Shrimp Dumplings. If you don’t want it, I can take it away."
"No, don’t!" Yu Hongxiu stamped her foot in exasperation, "You are just teasing me."
Bai Ruozhu returned to the West Courtyard and cooked a few more dishes. The table was filled with food and both families sat down together, enjoying a lively meal. Throughout the meal, the Lin Family praised Bai Ruozhu’s culinary skills, complimenting how well the dishes were prepared.
After dinner, Bai Ruozhu led the women back to her room while Bai Yihong took Lin Laifu to continue their merry drinking.
Bai Ruozhu explained to everyone how to thicken the thread. Niuniu’s grandmother, skilled at spinning, nodded, "I can spin multiple strands of thread together as you suggested."
"That would be lovely, Auntie. If you could help spin the thread, the hats will look even nicer," Bai Ruozhu responded excitedly. She thought, if they had wool, they even could knit woolen sweaters. But unfortunately, sheep were scarce. Where in the world could they find wool?
Bai Ruozhu took out the thickened thread she had already twisted and demonstrated to everyone. She showed the hook needle and then slowly began to crochet. She proceeded slowly and provided detailed explanations. Soon, everyone understood the process.
"I appreciate you for figuring out this method. This is much quicker than weaving." Fusa remarked in wonder.
Lin Ping’er was also learning for the first time and was equally astonished. However, besides being astonished, she felt an overwhelming surge of pride, pride for her daughter’s ingeniousness.
"There are more complex patterns, but you all should start first with this basic crochet technique. Tomorrow, I will arrange for someone to make more crochet hooks for you," Bai Ruozhu instructed.
Everyone present took turns to practice. Fusa learnt the quickest, followed by Lin Ping’er, and lastly Niuniu’s grandmother, whose vision blurred after a while. In the end, she waved her hand, saying, "Never mind, I can’t learn this. I will devote myself to spinning the thread."
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "Dividing the work based on individual skills works better."
Hearing these words, Niuniu’s grandmother felt reassured and was not disappointed at her inability to learn the new technique.
Everyone got so absorbed in learning that they forgot about the time until Lin Laifu came to call on them. Only then did they realize that it was already late.