Chapter 338: Breaking One’s Own Leg
Jiang Yichun loved watching her serious demeanor when she was focused on her work. He found even the tiny beads of sweat on the tip of her nose adorable. A smirk appeared on his lips; he felt immensely proud that the woman he had chosen was so capable.
The wedding ceremony was officiated by Wan Caiyue’s aunt. At this moment, the Liu Family matchmaker was assisting Caiyue back to the bridal chamber, having completed her part at the ceremony.
As Bai Ruozhu had previously worked in a restaurant before, she was fast and efficient at cooking. She plated the dishes one by one, with Liu Family helping to serve them. While Ruozhu was busy creating a storm in the kitchen, Liu Family were also busy, shuttling back and forth to serve the food required a lot of effort.
The Jin Family was supposed to fry three dishes, but when she realized she was responsible for fewer dishes than Bai Ruozhu and yet was slower, she felt an increased admiration for Ruozhu’s abilities.
Seeing the dwindling pile of tofu, Bai Ruozhu asked Bai Lianhe, "Lianhe, could you go check on the tofu from the Tofu workshop? I believe they should have delivered a whole cartload by now."
Hearing this, Bai Lianhe immediately agreed and darted out as if she were a run-away horse.
Jin couldn’t help but laugh, "This child is far from being ladylike."
"She needs to practice her embroidery more," Liu Family also chuckled.
Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Bai Ruozhu resumed her cooking. Not too long after, Bai Lianhe returned looking flustered.
"Sister Ruozhu, something’s wrong! The tofu maker is crying. All the tofu in his cart fell over and broke into pieces! He wants to know who’s going to compensate him for his loss. It’s too late for him to go back and make more." Lianhe sheepishly gauged Ruozhu’s reaction and added, "He said Bai Zehong tipped his cart and wants the Bai family to compensate him."
Liu had had enough when she heard the accusation, "He should go to the old mansion for his compensation. If an old cripple could really knock over his cart, then that tofu maker is really useless!"
"That’s exactly what I said to him! However, he argued that he saw Bai Zehong with a crutch and never suspected what he was capable of. Unexpectedly, Zehong took his crutch and smashed the cart," continued Bai Lianhe, then turning to Ruozhu she said, "Sister Ruozhu, you mustn’t be upset. We’ll figure something out."
Bai Ruozhu took a deep breath and said, "I’m not upset, but I’m not compensating the tofu seller either. With what he just said, it’s clear that he doesn’t make any distinction between right and wrong. We’ve already separated from the old mansion, why should we answer for Zehong’s misdeeds?"
"Right, he has no business asking you for money. That tofu seller sure knows how to stir up trouble," Liu backed her up. "Without tofu, we can’t make Mapo Tofu. With a dish missing, how are we supposed to fulfill the wedding feast requirement of ’good things come in pairs’? What shall we do?"
"What if we slice the meat into strands, and pair them with another ingredient to stir-fry?" Jin Family suggested hesitantly.
Bai Ruozhu shook her head slightly. There was already a dish with stir-fried pork strips at the feast. The wedding banquet dishes should not be similar; making another stir-fried pork dish wouldn’t be right. Moreover, Mapo Tofu was a staple dish. If they were to replace it, they needed to substitute it with a dish just as flavorsome.
"Right!" Ruozhu’s eyes lit up suddenly. "I’ve got some dried fish stored. The flavor is savory and salty, perfect for eating with rice. I’ll go to my room and get it."
Before anyone could respond, Bai Ruozhu had already whisked off to her room like the wind, closing the door behind her as she entered. In no time, she emerged with a large package, and was back in the kitchen.
Workhouses like theirs made dried fish in winters, but what Bai Ruozhu brought back was different. Hence, the Liu Family and others took interest, asking about the origin of this dried fish. Bai Ruozhu explained that she bought them from a passing merchant. As she found it delicious, she had bought enough to keep in stock.
Bai Ruozhu tore off a few strips of the fish to offer to Lianhe and the rest, all of whom found it delicious too.
"This dried fish is excellent. I predict our guests will find it novelties, more appealing than Mapo Tofu even," Liu remarked, laughing.
"Yes, we don’t have to worry now," an exuberant Lianhe chimed in.
Bai Ruozhu cut the fish into small pieces and arranged them nicely on small plates with vibrant parsley garnished in the center. Once that was done, she passed the plates to Liu Family and the rest to serve to the guests.
Bai Ruozhu was engrossed in her work to realize that Xiaosi, who had been hiding and playing in the kitchen, had quietly left the Bai Family’s yard.
Jiang Yichun had already heard the whole story from outside. Seeing Xiaosi sprinting out, he discreetly followed him.
Xiaosi ran quite fast. He arrived at the old mansion in no time, where from a distance, he saw tofu fragments scattered on the ground and could smell the stink coming from the entrance of the mansion.
The tofu seller sat on the mess, unaware of the filth, crying and cursing. Meanwhile, Zehong, leaning on his crutch, had a delighted look on his face.
"Who asked you to supply tofu to that bitch, Bai Ruozhu? It serves you right! If not for my leg, I would beat not only your cart but you too," Zehong roared arrogantly.
"Is there no justice left? Doesn’t the Bai family play by the rules?" The meek tofu seller lamented, continuing to sob on the floor.
Xiaosi glared, ready to attack Zehong as he yelled, "You bad person, don’t you dare curse my sister!"
Although Zehong’s leg wasn’t in the best shape, he was much bigger than Xiaosi and had a crutch in his hand, which he swung towards Xiaosi.
"How dare you approach me, you little wild boy? I’ll beat you every time I see you. Today, I’ll break your leg!" Zehong sneered, thoroughly enjoying Xiaosi’s fear. He had often felt the itch to batter someone ever since Xiaosi left.
Just as Zehong was about to strike Xiaosi, Jiang Yichun from a distance flung a stone at him. The stone struck his crutch, causing it to deviate and hit Zehong’s own injured leg instead.
With a horrible scream, Zehong tumbled over, and cried, "My leg, my leg..."
Xiaosi looked around quickly, and seeing what happened, fled the scene.
Jiang Yichun squinted, watching from afar. The lad dared to curse his woman. One day, he would teach him a lesson that he would never forget!
Back at Bai family’s courtyard, Xiaosi was agitated. He decided to confess to Bai Ruozhu in the kitchen, "Sister, I think I caused trouble."
"What happened?" asked Bai Ruozhu, looking startled. She paused her work and turned to Xiaosi. She knew Xiaosi was dependable and never caused her trouble.
"I went to confront Zehong but I never met him. He tried to hit me with his crutch but surprisingly hit his broken leg instead. He might have to go to the doctor again. I’m worried that they might come to bother you," Xiaosi explained while observing Bai Ruozhu.
Before Bai Ruozhu could reply, Liu Family and others erupted into cheer.
"Good for him; he deserves it. If anyone troubles us, we’ll send him packing," expressed Liu emphatically, already beginning to take on the air of head of the household.
Jin backed them, "Indeed! Why should they trouble you? He hit himself. Serves him right!"