Chapter 274: Dengdeng Ascends the Clan’s Genealogy
If it weren’t for Bai Ruozhu’s inherent caution, at present, she might have believed that she had misdiagnosed last time. However, she clearly remembered that there was nothing wrong with her diagnosis last time. Madam Li had indeed been poisoned with slow-acting poison. Had someone cured her?
Bai Ruozhu was once again unsure. She didn’t dare to say that her medical skills were so advanced that she could detect any poison. It wasn’t impossible that she wasn’t able to diagnose it now.
She collected her surprise and showed no emotion, saying, "Madam Li’s health is very good. She just has a bit of heat. Drink more water and there’s no need to take any medicine."
Madam Li nodded, "If you say so, I feel relieved."
Bai Ruozhu didn’t believe that no doctor had ever diagnosed Madam Li. She just didn’t understand why Madam Li seemed more reliable than any other doctor.
In the end, she pretended not to understand and bowed to the two of them, leaving with Fusa.
After leaving the Ding residence, Fusa became excited and grabbed Bai Ruozhu’s arm asked, "Ruozhu, am I dreaming? We’ve just got ten taels of silver!"
Bai Ruozhu quickly made a hush gesture, "Be careful. Don’t let the thieves hear you."
Actually, she had already stealthily put the silver into the space. The thieves couldn’t steal it at all. But you also had to be careful that someone saw the money and became greedy, running out to rob it.
Fusa quickly closed her mouth, smiling awkwardly, "I’m just too excited."
Bai Ruozhu grabbed her hand and quickened her pace towards West Market, whispering as they walked, "Don’t say anything at the stall later on, beware of ears on the other side of the wall."
Fusa nodded vigorously, "I’ll be careful."
The two of them quickly returned to the stall, and Lin Ping’er came over smiling and asked, "How did it go?"
Bai Ruozhu gave her mother a look and said, "Let’s talk about it when we get home."
Lin Ping’er immediately knew things had worked out, and a smile filled her face.
After closing the stall for the night, Bai Ruozhu called over Fusa and her husband to dine in the West Courtyard, then told everyone about the successful order. Everyone was delighted upon hearing the news – they were going to make quite a sum from this.
Afterward, Bai Ruozhu discussed with Fusa about how to divide the work, planning to slowly start making the four hats.
"When I told them the craftsmanship was complex, it wasn’t a boast. Since we’ve taken their money for the order, we have to do it right and precisely. Our pace will be slower than usual, and even at the end of the thread, there should be no knots. We need to figure out a way to weave them together," Bai Ruozhu explained, demonstrating to Fusa how to join the two threads together without knotting them.
Fusa watched closely. She’d thought her own skills were insufficient and even considered suggesting letting Bai Ruozhu make the four hats. But in the end, she didn’t have the heart to ask. Since it was a collaboration between both families, it made no sense for her to always slack off. Luckily, there was enough time in half a month for her to practice first before making them for the clients.
Seeing Fusa determined to learn, Bai Ruozhu nodded in satisfaction. This business had to be handed over to Fusa, and if Fusa didn’t seize the initiative, her assistance was useless no matter what.
Afterward, it was business as usual for the pair – Bai Ruozhu sold goods at the stall during the day and worked on the crochet at home in the evenings. Time flew swiftly, and without realizing it, it was already the 15th – the day Little Dengdeng was scheduled to enter the family book.
The Bai family didn’t set up the stall that day. Early in the morning, everyone got ready and headed towards Fengye Village in a donkey cart.
Little Dengdeng was dressed up exceptionally festively, even wearing a tiger head hat, which made him look especially adorable.
"Our little Dengdeng is such a looker, just like Ruozhu when she was little." Lin Ping’er couldn’t help but compliment.
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes curved into a smile," Mom, you’re complimenting both me and my son at the same time, just as if you’re feeding me honey. I’m dying of happiness."
The whole family burst into laughter, Bai Ruozhu wasn’t shy about accepting compliments, and so was Little Dengdeng, who happily joined in with a giggle. The mother and son duo had equally thick skins.
Soon, the carriage arrived at Fengye Village. As the family disembarked, they noticed Bai Zeji had already been waiting for them by the village.
"Oh, Zeji, you’ve been waiting for us? How long have you been here?" Upon seeing Bai Zeji, Bai Yihong greeted him and quickly walked over.
Bai Zeji scratched his head awkwardly and replied, "I just arrived too, Grandpa asked me to lead the way for you."
Bai Ruozhu and the rest also went up, greeting Bai Zeji and thanking him. Under Bai Zeji’s guidance, they made their way to Bai Lu’s house.
Just as they approached, Bai Ruozhu noticed that Bai Lu’s home was bustling with activity. Bai Lu’s wife, Bai Zhaoshi, was already waiting at the door. As she saw them approaching, she enthusiastically waved and called out, "Yihong, you’re here! Come in and chat!"
Bai Yihong and Lin Ping’er quickly went forward and greeted her, saying, "Auntie, we’ll have to trouble you today."
Bai Ruozhu and the others also came forward and addressed her as "second grandma". Bai Zhaoshi was delighted and smiling from ear to ear, as she cooed over Little Dengdeng, praising, "Look at this child, he’s grown up so well, just like Ruozhu when she was little."
Bai Ruozhu laughed," Second Grandma, what you just said is exactly what my mother just said."
Everyone laughed, and Bai Zhaoshi also chuckled, "That means the child really does resemble you."
The group entered the house, greeted Bai Lu and the others, and once again extended their gratitude. Everyone in Bai Lu’s family was particularly welcoming toward them, especially Bai Zeji’s parents, who kept saying how they’d been greatly helped by them. Now that they were living in Bai Yihong’s house, they felt that they were causing a lot of trouble for Bai Yihong’s family.
Bai Ruozhu noticed that, while not all of Bai Lu’s descendants were perfect, they were all particularly cautious in his presence. It seemed that Bai Lu’s way of disciplining his children was far stronger than Bai Fu. Probably because he didn’t excessively dote upon them, there were no issues of spoiling them.
She couldn’t help but think back to what Bai Zeji had said – Bai Lu treated all his sons equally, providing for anyone who wished to study. They all knew how to read and had some face in the village.
However, no one from the old mansion had come. Bai Lu took the opportunity to quietly inform them that he had let Bai Zeji send a message to Bai Fu, who replied that he hadn’t been feeling well lately and probably couldn’t make it.
Bai Ruozhu didn’t care. It would be even better if the old man didn’t come, sparing them having to look at his gloomy face that was akin to a constipated person.
Not long after, Bai Lu announced the commencement of the ceremony to enter Little Chengtai into the family book. Just then, a loud voice sounded from outside the door, "Why won’t anyone wait for me? You guys have already started before I even arrived?" As the voice dwindled, the old lady Bai had already walked into the courtyard.
With a glance at who was behind her, Bai Ruozhu confirmed it was only the old lady and couldn’t help but chuckle inside. Most likely, no one from the old mansion wanted to come, but the old lady probably wished to have some good food from the feast.
"Elder Sister-in-law, if you were coming, you should have sent a message. When Zeji went to relay the message, older brother said he wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t come, so I thought nobody from your family was going to attend," Bai Lu glanced at her and said indifferently.
Both families had had disagreements for many years. How could they not be aware of each other’s character?