Chapter 304: Marrying a Lady
In the end, Jiang Yichun didn’t show up until very late, so Bai Ruozhu just climbed into bed in her clothes. Since she was exhausted from the day, she soon fell into a groggy sleep.
In the middle of the night, Dengdeng needed to be fed. Bai Ruozhu awoke abruptly, changed his diaper, fed him, and then lay back down to sleep. Not long after, the sky outside the window began to lighten. Bai Ruozhu opened her eyes again and confirmed that Jiang Yichun wouldn’t be coming.
She was a bit upset. He didn’t show up when she needed help the most. He kept saying he would prove to her that he was serious, but now it seemed like he didn’t care at all—wasn’t it?
Bai Ruozhu got out of bed to feed Dengdeng. Soon, she felt like she was overreacting. Maybe he was working on helping her second brother, and she shouldn’t jump to conclusions.
Fang Guizhi had prepared breakfast. Though she was forcing herself to be energetic, her eyes were dark from a lack of sleep. Bai Ruozhu affectionately held her hand and said, "Take care of yourself first. If you get sick, who will take care of us?"
"Don’t worry about me, I’ll definitely take care of myself." Fang Guizhi assured her.
Seeing that she had taken her words to heart, Bai Ruozhu felt relieved. She looked around the yard and didn’t see Xiaosi, so she hurried to her second brother’s room, and there he was, still sleeping.
She hurried over and took Xiaosi’s pulse. Luckily, he was not internally injured; he just hadn’t woken up because he was too tired. She went out and gave the ointment to Fang Guizhi, telling her to help look after Xiaosi that day. They both needed to apply some ointment to their injuries.
Lin Ping’er had also gotten up. Because she had slept well the night before, she looked much better today. But she still couldn’t hide the worry on her face.
"Mother, we’ll continue to look for people in the village to sign the memorandum today," Bai Ruozhu said to her mother.
Lin Ping’er nodded, "Alright, let’s go together."
As soon as the family finished breakfast and was about to leave, there was a knock on the door. Fusa had come to visit.
"Ruozhu, I came to see if there’s anything I can help with?" Fusa asked as soon as she entered. She had already heard the situation from Fang Guizhi the day before, and after scolding Bai Yibo with her, she wanted to find Bai Ruozhu and help her, but she didn’t get a chance to meet with her.
Bai Ruozhu appreciated Fusa’s concern and smiled at her, "Just help us sell our hats, and when we’ve settled our affairs in a few days, we’ll set up the stall again. If any customers ask, please let us know."
Fusa nodded, "Sure, I’ll remember that. You need money to pawn various items. You can take this first and repay me when you’re more financially relaxed." She handed a purse to Bai Ruozhu.
As soon as Bai Ruozhu received it, she knew it was full of broken silver. It was definitely their savings. She quickly pushed it back and said, "We have enough money for now. We really don’t need this. If we do, I won’t be shy."
"You’ve already been too polite to me. Just take it. It’ll come in handy at a critical moment." Fusa refused to take back the purse, and the two began to defer to each other.
Lin Ping’er’s eyes reddened slightly. It’s said that trying times reveal true friends, and she was really beginning to understand this now.
In the end, Bai Ruozhu steadfastly pushed the purse back, saying, "Even if my finances become pressing, don’t we still have the money we earned together? Worst comes to worst, I’ll use that first and pay you back later."
After hearing this from Bai Ruozhu, Fusa finally agreed to take back the silver. Actually, Bai Ruozhu was just saying this, she had no intention of spending the money they had earned together.
After saying goodbye to Fusa, the family left the town and rented a donkey cart back to the Back Mountain Village. Today, Bai Ruozhu was carrying Dengdeng. She couldn’t bear to see her child go hungry and cry again. Bai Zehao also brought along pens and ink to return to the Wan family.
When they arrived at the Back Mountain Village, the family went from house to house, explaining their purpose, and asking them to sign the memorandum. Fortunately, the villagers were reasonable and didn’t encounter any problems like with Zhu Pozi.
The family walked until they arrived at the Fang Family home, where Fang Guizhi lived. Bai Zehao knocked on the door. The door was answered by Fang Fugong, Fang Guizhi’s older brother. When he saw Bai Ruozhu and her family, a gleam of schadenfreude flashed in his eyes, which made them all extremely uncomfortable.
Once they entered the yard, Bai Ruozhu saw Fang Fugong’s wife. She was indeed beautiful. However, she was dressed rather gaudily and was very enthusiastic in her greeting, but her eyes had a trace of restlessness and flirtation. When Fang Fugong glanced at her and smiled, he seemed completely dazzled, like he was bewitched.
At that moment, Guizhi’s parents walked out. Guizhi’s mother looked around, and then a warm smile appeared on her face. She said, "So it’s Ruozhu’s mother. Come in and sit down. I’ll pour you some tea."
After saying that, she turned to her daughter-in-law, "Go pour some tea for our guests." She even glared at her daughter-in-law, seemingly dissatisfied with her.
The daughter-in-law looked to Fang Fugong, looking aggrieved. Fang Fugong immediately jumped up, saying, "Mother, they’re not any important guests. Why bother with tea? Xinghua has been feeling unwell recently, don’t make her work too hard."
Upon hearing this, Guizhi’s mother turned pale with anger. This was a classic case of a man forgetting his mother after marrying a wife. Still, considering there were guests present, she didn’t want to start a fight and become the Bai Family’s laughingstock.
She glared at her son and complained resentfully, "You’re so considerate of your wife."
Seeing this, Lin Ping’er, Bai Ruozhu’s mother, quickly intervened, "We just stepped out of the house, there’s no need for tea. Guizhi’s mother, you really shouldn’t be so formal with us."
Guizhi’s mother had only said those things as a formality, and had been trying to order her daughter-in-law around. After her orders were ignored, she was hoping she could take back her previous statement. So Lin Ping’er’s words were a perfect out for her.
"I’ve been meaning to come see you recently. I wanted to ask how my Guizhi is doing at the Xie Family. Are they treating her well? Do they give her gifts frequently?" Guizhi’s mother asked excitedly.
Bai Ruozhu’s mood slightly cooled. What Guizhi’s mother really wanted to know was that last part, wasn’t it?
Still, she quickly put on a smile and said, "Auntie, rest assured. The Xie family is a charitable family, they would definitely treat Guizhi well. But Mr. Xie is thrifty, so I’m afraid there isn’t much in the way of gifts. However, I can pass along a message to Guizhi for you. If she comes into money, she can send it back to you for safekeeping."
What Bai Ruozhu said pleased Guizhi’s mother tremendously, and she replied immediately with a wide smile, "That would be so kind of you, Ruozhu."
Seeing that Guizhi’s mother was satisfied, Bai Ruozhu explained why they were there. Guizhi’s mother immediately agreed and said, "We know Er Lang’s character best. It is only right that we write a recommendation for him. Fugong’s father, you go and sign immediately."
Upon hearing this, Guizhi’s father went to sign his name and added his fingerprint. Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief. They thanked the Fang family and left to visit another family.
"Guizhi’s mother would sell her own daughter for money to find a bride for her son, only to wind up with a princess." After they had walked far away, Lin Ping’er scoffed and commented.
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I recommend my friend’s new book "Cute Queen: Wolf King, You’re So Annoying". Be sure to check it out when you have time~
Synopsis: Before her marriage, Ye Xiaoxiao was viewed as a cautionary tale by the girls in the capital. After her marriage, she became the epitome of virtue in the eyes of the common people.
Ye Xiaoxiao: If others slight me, deceive me, slander me, insult me, ridicule me, envy me, humiliate me or harm me, I’ll beat them up, beat them bad, beat them hard!
Wolf King: I command all under heaven to protect your innocence. Is that acceptable?