Chapter 333: The Last Resort
The following day, Bai Ruozhu continued her visits to the Zhang Family to check on Rongrong and her mother’s condition, then instructed Zhang Liliang on how to prepare the medicine. Given she was preoccupied with her elder brother’s wedding at Back Mountain Village the next day, she had to leave it in his hands.
The day before the wedding, Lin Ping’er went to make sure the goods she had ordered had arrived. Items like preserved liquor and some vegetables were already delivered to Back Mountain Village. In addition to ordering meat from the butcher, she also had them slaughter the fattest pig from their own livestock – after all, it was more economical than buying the meat, and it saved some money.
On the wedding day, the Bai family closed their stall early, as they needed to get to Back Mountain Village the night before to start preparing. Hosting a feast for the entire village was no simple undertaking.
"Mrs. Lai Fu, you must come tomorrow," Bai Ruozhu said to Lai Fu with a smile. "You can come after finishing up at your stall. The feast will be served until after dark."
"Alright, we will definitely come," said Fusa, turning her gaze to Bai Zehao,"Zehao, congrats!"
Bai Zehao’s face turned scarlet, he simply thanked her and left.
Bai Ruozhu chuckled at the sight of him. He’s getting married tomorrow, and if he’s still this shy, how will he cope with the wedding night?
The thought of the wedding night immediately reminded Bai Ruozhu of Jiang Yichun, who didn’t even know how to kiss. She could hardly hold back a mischievous smile. She speculated that both her big brother and sister-in-law are probably the same, and whether or not they could make it work was anyone’s guess.
Upon seeing her daughter’s joy, Lin Ping’er asked, "What naughty thought crossed your mind again? Don’t tease your big brother. Tomorrow is his big day."
Oblivious to her teasing, Bai’s eyes sparkled with mischief and she hooked arms with her mother, leaving her father and elder brother behind.
"Mom, wouldn’t it be terrible if my shy and ignorant elder brother fumbles with the wedding night?" she whispered to her mother, unsure whether she would understand or disapprove.
Lin Ping’er’s eyes widened as she scolded her, "What’s gotten into you, talking about such things?"
Bai Ruozhu pouted, "I’ve already had a child..." In her mother’s eyes, she remained a young lady. Where did she think Dengdeng came from?
A twitch ran through the corners of Lin Ping’er’s mouth as she considered the reality that her daughter had no man by her side, and that poor Dengdeng hadn’t seen his father yet.
Seeing the change in her mother’s expression, Bai Ruozhu rushed to add, "What are you thinking, mom? Aren’t you worried about my elder brother? With dad’s temperament, there’s no way he’ll pass on anything to Big Brother. Don’t you have any secret tips you can give him?"
People in ancient times were quite prudish about sharing the birds and bees talk. On hearing her daughter’s words, Lin Ping’er’s face turned red; she frowned at Bai Ruozhu and scolded, "Who taught you this? To be so bold to even talk about secret tips, and feel no shame?"
Bai Ruozhu giggled. As a modern woman, she believed there was no need to make a taboo out of such things. After all, it was those who overly shy away from such matters who tend to look prudish.
"Mom, I’m not broadcasting it for all to hear. I’m just concerned about my brother. Don’t you want to hold your grandchild sooner?" Bai asked, her face split in a smile.
Lin Ping’er’s face lit up at this suggestion, though she stubbornly countered, "Don’t I already have Dengdeng as my grandson?"
"It would be even livelier with one more. Dengdeng could have a playmate, and it’d be so nice," Bai Ruozhu added, egging her on. She could already imagine her elder brother’s face when he saw those secret tips. His reaction would be so hilarious.
Surely enough, Lin Ping’er didn’t respond, but immediately dashed into their room to rummage after they got home from the market. Bai Ruozhu was rather intrigued about what ancient secret tips could contain, but she did not dare to follow too closely, fearing her mother’s wrath.
After a while, Lin Ping’er emerged from the room, telling Bai Zehao, "Zehao, you and your mother should try the wedding robes again." While saying this, she cast a quick, nervous glance at Bai Ruozhu, whose stifled laughter nearly gave the game away.
Bai Zehao did as his mother told and went to try on his wedding attire. Even though it had been previously fitted, his mother wanted him to try it again to catch any potential mistakes. Bai Zehao, oblivious, simply complied. However, he emerged from the room with a blushing face, acting a bit sneaky.
Bai Ruozhu noticed something hidden in his arms and teased loudly, "Elder brother, how was the fitting? Why don’t you wear it out here for us to see?"
Bai Zehao, startled, practically jumped on the spot, quickly stammered, "You’ll see it tomorrow." He then rushed back into the room without even looking back.
Bai Zepei, now prepared to head out, looked suspiciously at Bai Ruozhu and raised an eyebrow, "What prank are you planning this time?"
Bai Ruozhu was now laughing so much that her eyes crinkled at the corners, "What could I possibly plot? Second brother, you’re overthinking." But in her heart, she was having wicked thoughts about pulling a similar trick on him during his own wedding; she didn’t believe that her usually composed second brother wouldn’t turn into a blushing groom.
The thought delighted her; she was holding back full-belly laughs.
Meanwhile, in the opposite side of the courtyard, Guizhi was hiding, her face gloomy. She couldn’t join the Bai family at Back Mountain Village nor partake in the wedding, and was doomed to a cold, lonely vigil in the yard.
Glancing backwards, Bai Ruozhu saw Guizhi’s gloomy face and immediately understood what she was feeling. She chided herself for overlooking Guizhi’s isolation and homesickness, while striving to protect her.
"Guizhi, Mr and Mrs Xie are attending the feast tomorrow, so why don’t you tag along with Sister Hongxiu? Your family wouldn’t mind, and if anyone summons you from there, just tell them that Mrs Xie is pregnant and can’t be left alone; this way you can avoid them," Bai Ruozhu suggested after some thought.
Guizhi’s eyes lit up at her suggestion, but hesitated, asking, "Won’t that trouble Mrs Xie?"
"An extra pair of hands will be more helpful. Just stay by her side and don’t interact with your parents. Your mother still hopes to get your bonus and monthly pay. The woman who sold you off still dreams of you making money for her," Bai Ruozhu said, her face showing a trace of contempt.
After hearing this, Guizhi nodded and said, "I understand."
Bai Ruozhu then headed to the East Courtyard to discuss bringing Guizhi along with Yu Hongxiu. However, she emphasized the need for Yu Hongxiu to have a personal maid, as Guizhi’s services would be insufficient. With Yu Hongxiu currently pregnant, she had to be especially careful.
Yu Hongxiu agreed readily, "What’s so difficult about that? I’ll have someone send Guizhi the uniform for the maids at the Xie Residence soon. Tomorrow morning, she can come with me."
"You always think ahead, Sister Hongxiu. I’ll leave now. Tomorrow, if you feel tired, you can rest in my room, or go home early. We’re close, so there’s no need for formalities," Bai Ruozhu reminded, unable to help but worry.
"Alright, I got it," Yu Hongxiu replied, her laughter drawing out the words, "You’re becoming as naggy as an old hag."
Bai Ruozhu, laughing, bid her goodbye and returned to the West Courtyard, ready to depart with her family to Back Mountain Village.