Chapter 340: Minglu’s Mother Makes Small Talk
Thinking about this, Wan Sushi began to worry about her wooden sonagain. She needed to find an appropriate opportunity to probe Bai Ruozhu’s thoughts. If Bai Ruozhu was genuinely unaware of Wan Minglu’s feelings and gotten engaged with someone else, that would be a real pity, wouldn’t it?
Wan Sushi had automatically overlooked Changsheng. She assumed that Bai Ruozhu was certainly going to remarry.
When Bai Ruozhu took Dengdeng to nurse him, Wan Sushi took Lin Ping’er’s hand and said, "You are truly fortunate, your children are all outstanding, and I can’t help but envy you."
It is said that happiness boosts spirits. Today, Lin Ping’er wore a brand new outfit, with a silver hairpin in her hair. At this moment, she looked beaming, appearing four or five years younger than usual.
"You are too kind to me, Caiyue’s mother. Are your children not remarkable? I really like your Caiyue," Lin Ping’er said with a laugh.
"Caiyue can’t compare to Ruozhu; you see, Ruozhu is educated and reasonable, diligent and competent. It would be a blessing of several lifetimes for any family to get such a good daughter-in-law." Wan Sushi was straightforward and spoke what was on her mind.
As soon as Bai Ruozhu’s marriage was mentioned, Lin Ping’er’s smile faded a bit and her face showed a hint of worry.
"Don’t misunderstand me. I just want to ask whether Ruozhu has plans to remarry." Seeing Lin Ping’er’s expression change, Wan Sushi quickly explained her intention.
Lin Ping’er made a bitter smile, "Changsheng’s life or death is still unknown, so even if she wants to remarry, she has to wait at least three years from the date he disappeared. Besides, considering Ruozhu’s situation, I’m afraid it’s not easy to find a good family. If the guy is not good enough, I can’t bear to see her wronged."
"Why wouldn’t she find a good match?" Wan Sushi was anxious upon hearing that, "Don’t you know that several families in the village think highly of Ruozhu?"
Well, she felt that she may have exaggerated a bit, but she refused to believe that after today, other families wouldn’t be interested in her.
Lin Ping’er’s face regained its luster, "Really?"
"Ruozhu is so capable and beautiful, she’s certainly popular among the men." Wan Sushi almost blurted out: doesn’t my second son like her very much?
"If that’s the case, I would feel much more relieved. However, we should ask Ruozhu’s opinion first and find a family that will be nice to Dengdeng," Lin Ping’er responded.
Wan Sushi nodded, "Then we have to find a local family, one with good family values, and the man must be honest and decent."
Lin Ping’er nodded along, "You are absolutely right."
After Bai Ruozhu finished nursing Dengdeng and handed him back to Lin Ping’er, she exchanged a few words with Wan Sushi and hurried towards the kitchen.
It was already time for the first round of guests to finish eating. Only the main table, where the officials were seated, hadn’t cleared out yet. They continued chatting and drinking, effectively keeping the banquet alive.
Li Family and the others were busy cleaning dishes. Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei were both helping. Zhou Deshun’s daughter-in-law had finished her meal and rolled up her sleeves, saying, "Let me help with dishwashing. I’ve eaten too much of your delicious food, and now I have to do some work to aid digestion. I don’t want to feel bloated!"
Bai Ruozhu appreciated her initiative to help. She thanked her with a smile and said, "Thank you, Auntie." On such a busy day, no one had time for politeness.
Zhou Deshun’s daughter-in-law joined Liu Family in washing the dishes, Li Family and Bai Lianhua were busy serving cold dishes. Bai Ruozhu and Mrs. Jin started cooking hot dishes.
Once the cold dishes were served outside, a new wave of guests sat down to eat. Bai Zehao was going from table to table, pouring wine for everyone. He was visibly enjoying the bustle, as one could tell from the constant smile on his face.
Just when Bai Ruozhu was busy with the hot dishes, the noise from outside seemed to quiet down a bit. Bai Ruozhu furrowed her brow, having an inkling of who might have arrived.
She quickly finished the dishes and filled six plates with food. Then, she called Li Family and Bai Lianhua to help serve the dishes.
As expected, she saw the old man had arrived. However, he was glaring with anger and dressed in a gray-white outfit. On such a day of his great-grandson’s rejoicing, wearing such clothing was utterly inappropriate.
Bai Ruozhu sneered inwardly, thinking who was the old man trying to vex by doing this? If one didn’t know better, they would think his eldest son had died and he was mourning him.
"Second son, come out!" Grandpa shouted angrily, shocking everyone present.
The Village Chief and several senior villagers were present. The Village Chief laughed and said: "Bai Fu, it’s your great-grandson’s wedding today. If anything’s bothering you, try to discuss it calmly. Don’t spoil everyone’s mood."
Bai Fu was somewhat afraid of the Village Chief, and thus, he lowered his voice.
"Village Chief, it’s not I, Bai Fu, who’s making trouble. It’s because there is a troublemaker in Bai Family!" Bai Fu said, his moustache quivering with anger, "You all don’t know, my Third Son’s leg is injured again. Doctor Li said he needs another month of rest at least, and it might even leave after-effects. How could I not be anxious? "
The Village Chief was taken aback, "How did he get injured again? And what does it have to do with Yihong? He’s been here, drinking with us."
Several people chimed in, saying that since the wedding procession returned, Bai Yihong had been with them, and hadn’t left at all. Even during the wedding procession, they had watched the whole process and nobody saw the Third Son of Bai Family. How could they blame Bai Yihong if his leg was injured again?
"Of course, Yihong didn’t cause the injury. But he is the head of the Second House. I can’t control others, so I can only talk to him." Grandpa sighed as though he was an old man dealing with ungrateful children.
"So what exactly happened? If it’s not a serious matter, wait until Zehao’s wedding is over to discuss it. Don’t delay the boy’s big day." The Village Chief was becoming increasingly dismissive of the old Bai mansion. Especially since the old mansion had been so spiteful to the wedding party before. Seeing Bai Fu’s attitude now, he was becoming impatient.
"My eldest son’s life or death is still uncertain, yet these youngsters are being so extravagant. They’ve forgotten their own roots. Holding a wedding banquet is fine, but making such a big fuss, do they think they’re the lord of the manor?" Bai Fu glanced at Bai Zehao disparagingly and began to scold him.
"Holding the wedding banquet is one thing, but Xiaosi went to make trouble for my Third Son, and as result, his leg worsened. Xiaosi is such a small child, what does he understand? Isn’t he just following someone’s lead?"
Impatient with his complaints, Bai Ruozhu interjected, "We spend the most time together, so does Grandpa think I instigated Xiaosi?"
Grandpa looked at her without shying away and snorted coldly, "What, you don’t want to admit it?"
Initially, when Bai Fu said Bai Zehao had invited so many people to his wedding, many villagers were displeased. The young man was expressing gratitude to the villagers. Your criticism seems to suggest that we’re unworthy of attending a wedding banquet?
Now that Bai Fu targeted Bai Ruozhu, someone spoke up, "Bai, you’re just guessing, aren’t you? We all saw that Ruozhu has been busy cooking meals in the kitchen all the time. She couldn’t have managed to meddle in your Third Son’s situation."
"Then how did Xiaosi end up in front of my house? The tofu workshop has seen it, how do you explain this?" Bai Fu glared back at the villagers, shouting.