Chapter 335 Someone Likes the Smell of Qi
"Who would’ve thought the Wang Family would stoop so low, sabotaging the head chef’s meal, leaving him with an upset stomach by the time I got there!" Bai Yixing expressed his anger passionately. Exhausted from hurrying his way there, he drank several gulps from the tea cup, then continued to narrate the story after quenching his thirst.
"I initially thought the head chef was trying to shirk his responsibilities, but his pale face told me that he wasn’t lying. He even returned the deposit to me, asking me to apologize to you on his behalf, Yihong. He blamed himself for his carelessness that has damaged his reputation," Bai Yixing explained while passing the silver to Bai Yihong.
Even with Bai Yihong’s usually agreeable temperament, he couldn’t help but lose his temper after hearing the incident, "It’s the Wang Family again! When we set up a stand in town, they copied us and started selling hand-grab pancakes, pricing them even a few wen cheaper than us, evidently with the intention to steal our business. Now they’re causing trouble at such an important event as our children’s marriage. Absolutely heartless!"
Bai Yixing, the youngest sibling with the biggest temper, slapped his thigh and declared, "Let’s let this go today, it’s a joyous occasion after all. But we must go to town tomorrow and show the Wang Family that we, the Bai Family, are not to be messed with!"
Right then, more visitors arrived at the Bai Family household. As they were hosting a celebration, the gates of their yard were wide open. Thus, Bai Zhanfu and Bai Zhangui, who had just approached, heard the gist of the conversation and likewise chimed in that they must stand up to the Wang family.
Bai Yihong felt a sting in his eyes. In the past, his family faced all difficulties alone, never once receiving help from the relatives at the old mansion. It was his first time experiencing the warmth and solidarity of the extended family.
Bai Lu comforted Bai Yihong with a pat on his shoulder, then turned to the others and asked, "Everyone, settle down now. Let’s not let this matter distract us today. Let’s focus on giving Zehao a proper wedding!"
The moment the chief of the family spoke, everyone ceased their grumbling, though their expressions indicated they weren’t just giving empty promises.
At this time, the groom, Bai Zehao, had changed into his wedding attire and was being pushed out from the house by Lin Ping. Seeing Zehao, everyone’s eyes lit up, applauding and cheering for him.
"Our Zehao is the most esteemed in their generation, and the first one to get married. What a show of talent! Your wife is indeed a lucky woman," Bai Yixing said to Lin Ping with a huge smile.
Lin Ping laughed so hard that her crows feet deepened, "Seeing the eldest brother of our family getting married fills me with joy."
The crowd erupted into laughter and chatter, momentarily forgetting the issue of the head chef’s absence.
Bai Ruozhu retreated back into the kitchen and resumed her work. She had anticipated the unexpected turn of events earlier, so she had prepared all the ingredients beforehand, not relying on the head chef to come anymore.
"Ruozhu, won’t you be exhausted from cooking all day long if the head chef doesn’t show?" Mrs. Li asked with concern.
Bai Ruozhu chuckled, "It’s alright, I can hang on for a day, and I can rest properly tomorrow."
Mrs. Jin suggested upon some thought, "Ruozhu, I cook decently. How about I help you prepare some side dishes?"
Recalling Mrs. Jin’s cooking, Bai Ruozhu agreed readily, "Sounds great. Thank you for your help, Auntie."
An otherwise silent Mrs. Liu chimed in, "I can help prepare some cold dishes to share the workload."
"I am truly grateful to you all. I would’ve been worn out without your help," said Bai Ruozhu, flashing a warm smile at the three women. She felt the warmth of her aunts’ love for the first time. Her former aunt, Mrs. Wang, had never been kind to her before.
Without a sour relationship between Bai Fu and Bai Lu, the relatives would visit each other more frequently. It was Bai Fu’s fault for stirring trouble and alienating the second Bai Family’s household, thereby giving Bai Lu a reason to help Bai Yihong’s family. If not, he would risk being accused of driving a wedge between a father and son.
Awhile later, Lin Ping rushed into the kitchen in a panic, asking Bai Ruozhu for her next steps. Only then did she learn that the kitchen crew had already figured out what to do. Overwhelmed by gratitude, Lin Ping expressed her thanks fervently to her sisters-in-law.
Seeing that the auspicious time to fetch the bride was near, Mrs. Li shooed Ruozhu out of the kitchen, "Go with them. Your brother’s bride will get the wrong impression if you, the sister-in-law, don’t show up at the procession. You will have enough time to start cooking after the marriage ceremony. Cold dishes will be served first anyway, we can prepare them now."
Bai Ruozhu gave them her thanks, wiped her hands dry, and left the kitchen.
The time had come and the procession was ready to leave. Bai Zehao, glowing in happiness, was at the front with a big red flower pinned to his chest, bringing luster to his flushed cheeks.
Bai Ruozhu, hidden in the back, couldn’t help but giggle. Her elder brother really had thin skin. She wondered what he thought about the secret contents of his trunk that he had snuck a peek at the night before.
Accompanied by a band hired by Lin Ping, the lively bride-fetching troupe set off for the Wan Family home. Many villagers, who had received wedding invitations from the Bai Family, eagerly awaited their turn to attend the ceremony and enjoy the wedding feast. Now, hearing the lively noises, they decided to join the procession for the fun of it.
The procession grew more impressive, turning into an unprecedentedly grand scene that Mountain Village hadn’t seen in years.
At the entrance of the Wan Family home, Mrs. Wan’s face was plastered with joy. Hearing children clamoring at the gates, she went out with wedding candies to distribute amongst the children and neighbors, inviting them for tea in the courtyard. Inside the house, Wan Caiyue was already dressed in her bridal attire. Underneath her red bridal veil, her cheeks turned as pink as the cloth, her lips spreading into a smile of pure happiness.
The bride-fetching procession had to pass the old Bai mansion to reach the Wan Family house. Knowing the strained relationship between Bai Yihong’s household and the old mansion, they tactfully decided not to disturb Bai Laoye, the patriarch of the old mansion. Unexpectedly, just as they were about to pass the old mansion, the gates suddenly swung open. Though no one stepped out from the yard, a bucket of unknown liquid was poured out near the entrance.
Everyone quickly discovered the horrible truth and quickly covered their noses.
"Why is the old Bai mansion behaving like this? Are these the actions of an elder?" someone muttered, unable to keep their thoughts to themselves anymore. Who would throw a bucket of excrement at the front gate where their own grandson’s wedding procession was passing?
Bai Ruozhu, with a keen eye, clearly saw whose hand was responsible for the disgusting deed. The wrinkled skin on the hand was obviously an old woman’s!
Luckily, the old woman did not dare to go too far. If she had dared to pour the excrement directly onto Bai Zehao, Bai Ruozhu would’ve stirred up a big fuss at the old mansion, consequences be damned.
However, the smell of the pail of excrement instantly put a damper on the joyous atmosphere of the procession, like a bucket of cold, stinking water poured down their heads.
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes narrowed with a cold glint, but she quickly swapped it for a sweet smile, urging the crowd in a high-spirited tone, "If someone prefers to fill the air with a stench at their own doorstep, who are we to intervene? Let’s not stand around any longer; we need to fetch the bride!"
Immediately after Bai Ruozhu’s speech, Mrs. Zhou, with her quick wits, muttered as if by accident, "Oh dear, while everyone else wants to add a touch of brilliance to the occasion, some people seem to love the stench. What a peculiar preference!"
With a large crowd in the procession, it didn’t take long for someone to burst into laughter. Soon, the sound of laughter rippled through the crowd, with many others joining in.