Chapter 318: Astonishing News
The news was quietly shared with Bai Ruozhu by Zhou Deshun’s wife. She was well-liked in the village and often seen about. Occasionally, she even played matchmaker for others, hence she was fairly informed.
"Ruozhu, have you heard? The Zhou widow made a scene at your grandparents’." Zhou Deruoshun’s wife pulled Bai Ruozhu into a room and whispered.
Bai Ruozhu wasn’t surprised, she disdainfully remarked, "She wasted a hundred taels of silver for nothing, she surely won’t let it go that easily."
A hundred taels of silver was a large amount, it was doubtful the Zhou widow would just let it go.
"But you don’t know this, she demanded silver from your Grandpa. When your grandpa said he had no money, she showed the receipts that the old man had written that day. She threatened to take them to the County Government Office if they didn’t repay her. She even asked for the land and said that the land was not worth a hundred taels of silver, demanding to be given land from the second Bai household as well." Zhou Deruoshun’s wife was agitated as she spoke, taking in large gulps of tea.
"What kind of nonsense is this? Since you have split your homes, why should she count your land? However, she argued publicly that the land split was a gift from the old people. Now that the old people are in trouble, can the second Bai family not help the elderly and return the land?"
Bai Ruozhu lifted Dengdeng in her arms. The child was getting heavier and it was getting more difficult to hold him.
"I figured this would eventually be a burden on our household, but I didn’t foresee her calculation this blatantly. She is incredibly cunning." Bai Ruozhu’s gaze was icy cold. This Zhou widow dared to scheme for her family’s properties.
"What do you plan to do? If she pushes the old mansion too hard, you will be in trouble, sigh, why can’t these days become less worrisome?" Zhou Deshun’s wife sighed.
"It doesn’t matter. She hasn’t come yet, we’ll deal with it when she comes." Bai Ruozhu replied.
Zhou Deruoshun’s wife decided not to say more when she saw Bai Ruozhu’s confidence. However, her brow furrowed further in anxiety. Her voice decreasing in volume, "I heard something else, it might not be accurate but I thought I should warn you. It might be a capital offense."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu’s eyelids twitched. She had a premonition that it would be related to that millennia-old pest, Bai Yibo.
"Aunt, you better say it quickly so that we can make plans early." As Bai Ruozhu hurried, she gripped Zhou Deshun’s wife’s arm.
"I heard some rumors that your grandfather was thinking of using his connections to rescue your uncle. Can this be done casually? It’s a serious crime. There is talk of finding someone to replace your uncle and then taking your uncle to an unknown place to recover." Zhou Deshun’s wife’s voice lowered again, "Don’t rush, and don’t publicize this. If the news leaks, it could implicate your family."
Bai Ruozhu took a deep breath. Was the old man crazy? Had his love for his son led him to madness? Hijacking a felony not only leads to beheading but also to decapitation of the whole family. He has reached an old age and perhaps doesn’t want to live anymore, but he shouldn’t victimize others!
After a while, Bai Ruozhu managed to suppress her anger and whispered, "Thanks for reminding me, aunt, otherwise he might have made a big mistake. I’ll try to stop this as soon as possible."
Zhou Deshun’s wife nodded, "You are smart, I feel relieved when I tell you these things. Otherwise, I would have been on tenterhooks worrying whether your house would be implicated by the old mansion."
Bai Ruozhu gifted Zhou Deshun’s wife with a grateful smile, but it was somewhat bitter. Deshun’s wife sighed quietly, thinking to herself that everyone in the second Bai family was good, so why were the elders so worrisome?
Bai Ruozhu, with lots on her mind, got up to bid farewell to Zhou Deshun’s wife. Upon leaving, she found Zhou Taohua standing in the yard, craning her neck to peek in their direction. Caught red-handed, Zhou Taohua shyly lowered her head.
Zhou Deshun’s wife glared at Zhou Taohua, very displeased with her impolite behavior. As Bai Ruozhu had things to attend to, she didn’t have the time to bother with Zhou Taohua and walked briskly towards the exit.
"Sister Ruozhu!" Zhou Taohua suddenly called out to Bai Ruozhu, halting her steps.
Bai Ruozhu reluctantly stopped and turned around to look at her, wondering what Zhou Taohua wanted this time.
"I wanted to thank you for last time. I didn’t get a chance earlier, my mom ..." She didn’t finish, but obviously meant her mom stopped her so she couldn’t thank Bai Ruozhu.
Bai Ruozhu despised Zhou Taohua’s behavior. For her few visits to the Zhou family, if Zhou Taohua wanted to thank her, she could have found a way to see her, but she obviously hid in the house avoiding her.
Isn’t this just because of the rumors flying about the village? Oh well, separate issues shall be separate. Since she treated Zhou Taohua’s injuries, can’t she thank her in public without being used by her?
Now that Zhou Taohua needs her, she is cozying up and pushing the responsibility onto her mom. From this perspective, this lady is no good.
"Forget about it, it’s in the past. I have something else to attend to, so I’ll be going now." Bai Ruozhu didn’t want to bother with her and continued her journey after a brief statement.
This time, Zhou Taohua seemed anxious, she hurriedly caught up to her, pleading, "Wait sister Ruozhu, are you upset with me? What happened wasn’t what I intended."
"Why should I be upset with you?" Bai Ruozhu pretended not to understand, "I need to go and deliver an invitation, and still have to meet my elder brother. I’m short on time."
"It will just take a little time." Zhou Taohua was pleading, and stood in front of Bai Ruozhu.
Zhou Deshun’s wife couldn’t stand it anymore, she walked over and said, "Taohua, don’t delay Ruozhu in her important tasks. Her house is busy with a happy event."
Zhou Taohua didn’t pay her aunt any mind, and instead addressed Bai Ruzhou, "Sister Ruzhou, I have irregular periods, and I get severe stomach pains. I heard it could affect having children in the future. Could you please check for me?"
Bai Ruozhu grew even more displeased with Zhou Taohua after hearing this. Before, she didn’t bother thanking her and even avoided her. Now that she needs her, she comes running back. Isn’t that too self-serving?
"I don’t know how to treat this. I can treat small wounds and illnesses but not this. If I had the ability, I would have become a female doctor instead of working hard in the business." Bai Ruozhu continued, "It’s better for you to find a professional female doctor at Fushou Hall. Don’t delay it."
Zhou Taohua stared at Bai Ruozhu, with a scrutinizing look in her eyes, as if not quite believing what she said.
"But last time, Wang LaiDi nearly had a miscarriage, and it was you who told the doctor how to save her unborn baby. How come you don’t know treatment methods?" Zhou Taohua’s voice softened significantly, as if she was feeling very wronged.
Bai Ruozhu had forgotten about that incident, had she not reminded her.
"That was something I observed at the clinic, it’s an emergency measure and has nothing to do with conditioning the body. Besides, I don’t even possess any medical skills. Would you trust me to adjust your body? Aren’t you afraid it could worsen?"