Chapter 31 - 0 Utilizing Minimal Effort for Maximum Gain
Chapter 31: Chapter 031: Utilizing Minimal Effort for Maximum Gain
Chapter 31 -031: Utilizing Minimal Effort for Maximum Gain
Wang’s heart filled with resentment.
Bai Ruozhu, this girl used to be weak and frail.
She liked to put on airs after reading a few books, but she was very timid.
Now that she’s pregnant, she suddenly has the courage.
Just because she’s carrying a child, does she think she’s golden and high up in the sky?
Every woman in the village has given birth, what’s so special about her?
“Aye, Ruozhu’s tongue has become sharp.
Your issues are affecting your eldest brother’s marriage, aren’t you worried?” Wang’s eyes shifted as she raised her voice and called out.
Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes.
It seems that this Wang was not just here to cause trouble, but also to pick one.
Upon hearing the commotion, Lin Ping’er ran out from the kitchen.
She looked a bit distraught and yelled at Wang,”Stop yelling!
Can you take responsibility if you disrupt my son’s studying?
Leave this place, you’re only causing trouble!”
As she spoke, Lin Ping’er picked up a broom and began sweeping the yard, forcefully sweeping towards Wang’s feet, indicating that she wants Wang to leave.
Bai Ruozhu was somewhat surprised.
Her mother had a fiery temper, but she was usually shrewd and rarely quarreled with people.
Yet, if someone provoked her, she’d dare to argue and even fight with them.
But her sudden outburst to drive Wang away meant they had directly fallen out.
Wang was Lin Ping’er’s sister-in-law.
According to the respect and deference shown to elders at that time, if Lin Ping’er’s words were heard by others, she might gain a reputation for disrespecting her elder sister and being difficult to get along with.
However, seeing her mother’s fiery eyes, Bai Ruozhu understood.
This matter greatly upset her mother, causing her to lose her composure.
On the other hand, her mother didn’t want Wang to continue talking, fearing that her eldest brother would overhear, so she was eager to get rid of Wang.
Wang was nearly hit by Lin Ping’er.
She knew how fiery Lin Ping’er could be.
Recently, she had beaten Liu’s third daughter-in-law, nearly disfiguring her.
Therefore, Wang felt a little queasy and quickly stepped backward.
“Sister-in-law, I understand your feelings.
Aren’t I here to help you figure it out?” Wang was cunning.
A smile crept on her face.
As the saying goes, ‘don’t hit a person who’s smiling at you’.
She claimed to be kind-hearted, making Lin Ping’er seem unreasonable.
“You don’t need to think of any plans.
We’ll handle our family’s affairs ourselves.
Sister-in-law, please take your leave.” Lin Ping’er seemed to have recovered her wits, and her tone had softened a lot.
Wang’s goal hadn’t been achieved, so she wasn’t willing to give up, and loudly stated, “We are family, no need for polite formalities.
I could go explain to Wan’s family, how could our Ruozhu possibly become someone’s concubine?
A small misunderstanding shouldn’t affect eldest son’s good marriage prospects.”
Eldest son referred to Bai Zehao.
After Wang married Bai Yibo, she gave birth to two daughters.
Instead, Lin Ping’er, who joined the Bai Family after Wang, gave birth to two strong sons.
Those were tough years for Wang in the Bai Family.
The old man of Bai Family had always favored Zehao and Yibo, and even tutored them personally.
Hence, Wang had a deep resentment towards Lin Ping’er.
A clattering sound was heard.
It was the sound of something falling.
Bai Ruozhu turned hurriedly to see that the sound came from where her older and second brothers lived.
There was a slight pain in her heart, her eldest brother must have heard everything, she thought.
“Aunt Wang should be careful with her words.
It’s not good to gossip like those women who blabber around.
And what’s this about going to Wan’s family to explain?
Are they the ones who spread this rumor?
What if your reckless words damage Miss Wan’s reputation?
The Wan family are reasonable people; aren’t you afraid they will blame you and tarnish your reputation?” Bai Ruozhu could no longer keep her cool and began talking harshly.
“Aye, Ruozhu, you sure have a quick tongue.
What did I say?
I came here out of my good intentions to help, but you, look at what you’ve done to your family members.” Wang was clever with her words.
If it had been her past self, she might have fainted from crying or at the least, she would’ve been infuriated.
However, Bai Ruozhu was not her past self and she wouldn’t think so negatively.
“If Auntie keeps talking about me this way, I might just have to ask Grandpa to resolve this.
Accusing me of harming my own family is a heavy accusation that I won’t accept.
My marriage was arranged by my parents.
Yes, Chang Sheng is my son-in-law, but we still went through all the proper rituals of kowtowing to Heaven and Earth, and we even had a witness.
Now, outsiders are tarnishing my name with their idle gossip.
If they keep this up, they’ll be punished in the underworld upon their death.
Aren’t you afraid of retribution if you continue to talk like this, Auntie?”
The people of the ancient times were superstitious.
They believed that after death, one would go to the underworld and face judgement from the rulers there.
Hence, they had the saying ‘doing bad deeds would lead to suffering in the eighteen layers of hell,’ making Bai Ruozhu’s words quite shocking to the Wang Family.
“I-I didn’t say anything much…
just trying to help,” the Wang Family mumbled, their voice significantly quieter, seemingly lacking confidence.
Lin Ping’er had completely calmed down now, a cold smirk on her face.
“Sister-in-law, there’s no need for you to worry.
The innocent will prove their innocence.
When I have the time, I will definitely expose those who spread the rumors.
If not, I can report them to the Government Office and see if they’ll be punished!”
The Wang family wished to say more, but Bai Ruozhu turned around and took a few baked potatoes from the stove, wrapped them in her skirt, and handed them over to the Wang family.
“Here, Auntie.
Take these back for Xiaosi to eat.”
Actually, Bai Ruozhu was craving baked sweet potatoes, but there weren’t any available yet.
So, she just made do with some baked potatoes which are also delicious when complemented with some soy sauce after removing the skin.
However, the baked potatoes were now covered with ash.
Before the Wang family could react, Bai Ruozhu stuck the potatoes into their arms, causing a large patch on their bright and clean clothes to turn black.
The Wang Family nearly jumped up.
“Slow down, watch out for my clothes!”
Bai Ruozhu acted surprised.
“Oh my!
Auntie’s wearing new clothes!
I really didn’t notice.
Your clothes are so beautiful, but they seem impractical for housework.
Aren’t you supposed to help with washing dishes?”
Bai Ruozhu’s voice wasn’t quiet.
People from the next door had already gathered and were listening by the wall – they were idle old ladies.
As soon as they heard Bai Ruozhu’s words, they couldn’t help but sneer.
They couldn’t stand an extravagant, but lazy daughter-in-law like the Wang family.
The Wang family’s face turned a little awkward.
She hurriedly said, “That’s not it.
Your mother was just worried about you and sent me over to help.
If you don’t need me, then I will head back first.”
She then turned to glance at Lin Ping’er with a somewhat smug smile.
“Younger sister, you’re impulsive.
Don’t offend the Wan Qilao family because of this.
A forced relationship is never sweet.
If they truly aren’t willing, you should let it go.”
Lin Ping’er nearly lost her breath in anger.
This made it sound like she was clinging on to the Wan family.
Bai Ruozhu quietly pulled on her mother’s arm.
They shouldn’t get angry with the Wang Family, or else they would get what they wanted.
“Auntie, isn’t it too much to say things like that?
We’re all well aware of the Wan family’s reputation.
Plus, the Wan family hasn’t mentioned cancelling the marriage.
Isn’t what you’re saying tarnishing their reputation?” Bai Ruozhu pretended to look bewildered as she spoke to the Wang family.
—
We have a question for our book friends: Do you enjoy reading male-oriented books?
We’d like to recommend one called “Tian Wu Emperor.” The author, Qianxun Luoluo, is Mouka’s younger brother.
He’s a handsome man who writes well, quite the fresh young talent~