Chapter 326: Second Brother’s Inquiry
Jiang Yichun’s face was ashen. He covered his nose with one hand and leaned on the wall with the other. In the blink of an eye, he saw Bai Ruozhu extend her slender fingers and lift up...the white bundle underneath.
Initially, she was just trying to make it easier for the child to feed, but to Jiang Yichun, that sight nearly killed him!
Feeling his hand on his nose growing warm and damp, he hurriedly averted his gaze, daring not to look again or linger, lest he become a peeping Tom.
Well, he would find an opportunity to talk to her about it in the daylight tomorrow.
Bai Ruozhu had no idea that someone outside had run off in a panic. She was somewhat distracted at the moment, hence she didn’t notice that the window had been left open.
She gently touched her own lips, which were slightly swollen and stinging with heat. Even though he hadn’t devoured her as wildly as he had the first time, those many passionate kisses had swelled her lips nonetheless.
She couldn’t help covering her burning cheeks. Oh no, she had unwittingly been ’eaten’ by him. Or more accurately, many times!
When did she agree to deepen their relationship? Or let him kiss her? That guy had clearly attacked her unfairly! But thinking about it, she seemed not to be too resistant, which made her face burn even more. Oh my, such beauty could be lethal.
It was only after she finished nursing that Bai Ruozhu realized the window was still open. The weather was getting cold now, and a window left open during the night could let in the chill. She gingerly laid Dengdeng back down, who had fallen asleep again, before reluctantly leaving the warmth of the bed to go close the window.
Huh? There seemed to be a faint scent of blood. Bai Ruozhu involuntarily furrowed her brows, her nose being as sharp as it was.
However, she obviously hadn’t guessed correctly what had happened. She thought Jiang Yichun might have injured himself again, possibly reopening a wound during their intense kiss.
"See, this is what happens when you indulge your desires excessively," she muttered, before closing the window and returning to bed.
If Jiang Yichun were to hear these words, his face would surely turn ashen again. How could he possibly have overindulged his desires? There was still a torrent of pent-up passion within him!
Early the next morning, family members were getting up one after another and starting their busy day. Bai Ruozhu looked at herself in the water basin from different angles. She had applied some ointment the night before, so her swollen lips should not be noticeable now, right?
However, she felt guilty, as if she had done something wrong, and was scared that her family might ask her why her lips were swollen or if she had been talking in her sleep again.
Fortunately, all of her worries were unfounded, as nobody asked her anything during breakfast.
After they finished eating, she prepared to go out and set up the stall with her parents, only to be stopped by her second brother. It was clear that Bai Zehao wanted to talk to her privately since he was standing at the gate leading to the East Courtyard. Her heart thumped in her chest. Had Bai Zehao found out about something?
She braced herself and walked over, her heart pounding so hard that she didn’t dare to look at her brother. "What’s up, second brother?"
Bai Zehao stared at her, seemingly noticing her nervousness. Then he softly said, "I’ve been pondering something these past few days."
"Ah?" Bai Ruozhu lifted her head to look at Bai Zehao, what was he pondering? Her relationship with Jiang Yichun?
"I’ve been wondering why my release from the charges went so smoothly. I suspect there may have been someone helping me behind the scenes." He paused, then locked eyes with Bai Ruozhu, "Or did you secretly do something on my behalf?"
Bai Ruozhu knew she couldn’t hide it from him, but she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Bai Zehao hadn’t overheard anything last night.
"I offered one of my secret techniques to the Imperial Court, so they not only promised to let you and the Bai family off the hook in the future, they’ll also grant me rewards." Bai Ruozhu said to Bai Zepei with a treasure-offering expression.
Bai Zepei slightly frowned, "What secret technique?"
Bai Ruozhu lowered her voice even further, "The suturing technique, it can speed up the healing of wounds, reportedly it’s greatly beneficial for the army’s medical treatment."
A shocked expression spread across Bai Zepei’s face. He remained silent for a while and finally spoke up in a somewhat dispirited tone, "You’ve been wronged, little sister. That should have been your exclusive skill."
"Brother, where is your mind going? Innocent if too poor to have any valuable possession, I’d rather not have any exclusive skills. Now, being able to secure the safety of our family and gain some benefits for myself, what discomfort could there be?" Bai Ruozhu thought in her heart, why did ancient people value exclusive skills so much? Even her second brother seemed to feel in debt to her.
Bai Zepei’s lips moved, but he didn’t say what was on his mind in the end.
He wanted to say that he wasn’t strong enough to protect his family, which led to his loved ones living in constant fear.
But in the end, he kept those words to himself. Because a person who strives hard does not need to go around broadcasting these things.
"You better get busy, before dad and mom ask." Bai Zepei said.
Bai Ruozhu winked and smiled at him, "Brother, you must keep this a secret. Please make sure to never let it slip. It’s best to pretend you know nothing." She was really afraid that her second brother would go and ask Jiang Yichun about this. Although she knew Jiang Yichun wouldn’t do anything to her second brother, it still wouldn’t be good.
Bai Zepei nodded, understanding the weight of the matter.
Bai Ruozhu waved goodbye, and turned to leave. Suddenly, she was smacked on the head. Bai Zepei’s constraining voice entered her ears, "Does your second brother seem like the type to spill someone’s secret?"
Bai Ruozhu wrinkled her nose angrily at Bai Zepei, rubbing the spot where he hit her, she muttered indignantly, "You’re being childish, Brother. Huh, wait until my future sister-in-law comes home, I’ll make sure she keeps you in line!"
Bai Zepei isn’t like Bai Zehao. He wouldn’t blush at this. He raised an eyebrow, then said quite proudly, "Then you have a long wait ahead." With that, he walked away with a smile, leaving Bai Ruozhu to grumble and pick up Dengdeng, heading out to the stall with their parents and eldest brother.
Bai Zehao saw this and grinned, "Did you get hit on the head by the second brother again?"
Bai Ruozhu shot him a glare, "Big brother, you should discipline your younger brother. He is always bullying the only sister in this family, is that right? You, as the eldest brother, are just watching and enjoying the fun, is that right?"
Bai Zehao scratched his nose and chuckled twice, "Not appropriate, I’ll talk to him later."
Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong could barely keep their mouths closed from laughing, watching the kids fooling around created such a warm and comfortable atmosphere in their lives.
The family joked and laughed as they set up their stall. Bai Ruozhu continued discussing hat-making with Fusa, while business at the stall gradually picked up. As Bai Ruozhu predicted, Lin Ping’er was not as anxious as in the previous couple of days.
When it was almost midday, Zhang Liliang found them at the stall. He greeted the Bai family with a smile and an apologetic look, "I was not in town these few days, so I missed your opening ceremony to congratulate you. I am really sorry for that!"
----
Let me share a piece of good news and bad news with everyone. The good news is that Mouka has been promoted in the PK again, many thanks for all your support, without which Mouka wouldn’t have made it this far. The bad news is my wisdom tooth is aching again and it hurts so much my heart is tearing into pieces (please imagine the pain if you ever had a toothache, I really feel like pulling it out but I have already lost two wisdom teeth, won’t my jaw loosen if I pull more?). This trouble particularly affects my writing; I might not be able to update more than five times today but I promise no less than five. If I feel better in the afternoon, I will try my best to update six times~