Chapter 343: Who Said You Aren’t Allowed to Enter?
The widow Zhou seemed stunned, a bad feeling sprouting in her heart. But with an audience watching her, she had no choice but to read it. At last, she cleared her throat and began reading aloud.
"Zhou Family settles the marriage compensation and pays 100 taels of silver on behalf of Bai Yibo to Wang Family. Bai Family will select an auspicious day to welcome her home, and must not renege on their promise. This agreement is signed by Bai Fu and Bai Yibo, with their red fingerprints. If anyone doubts it, feel free to examine it and see if I, Zhou, am lying." The Widow Zhou even brought the guarantee letter up for Bai Lu to see, as if afraid nobody would believe her.
Everyone sympathized with Bai Yihong’s family. The Widow Zhou was quite the handful. With this guarantee letter, even if Yibo and the old mansion got separated, could his birth father just not care about him? Nevertheless, they would have to cause trouble for Yibo.
Yet to everyone’s surprise, Bai Ruozhu suddenly burst into laughter. They all stared at her, wondering if she was laughing out of extreme exasperation.
"What my Grandpa says, goes. Since he signed the guarantee letter, we can’t back out. We will select an auspicious day to welcome you home; you can’t renege on marrying my uncle. Once you marry into our family, you can help care for my grandmother, fulfilling your duties as a child. How did money and property even get drawn into this?"
Everyone was taken aback, but soon came to realize that Bai Ruozhu was right. The letter only guaranteed that they wouldn’t oppose Widow Zhou’s marriage to Bai Yibo; it made no mention of compensation. They had been led astray by Zhou.
Widow Zhou, in shock, stared at Bai Ruozhu. "Your uncle has not returned, how will I marry? Are you trying to trick me, a lonely and helpless woman, out of my 100 taels of silver? Won’t that make the Bai Family a laughingstock?"
"Originally, you came forward on your own to offer these 100 taels of silver. You and my uncle had a strong relationship. It was a voluntary move on both ends, so how can you accuse us of cheating you? Even though my uncle is about to be exiled to the borderlands, he never said he wouldn’t return. Don’t you claim to carry his child? If so, marry into the Bai Family, honor your in-laws, raise the child and wait for his return. Or else..."
Bai Ruozhu drew out her words, "...you’ve changed your mind about marrying him?"
Widow Zhou gritted her teeth, she had underestimated Bai Ruozhu. Until now she thought she could wield this leverage to stir up trouble between the two families and profit from their conflict, but it seemed that her plans might fall through after all.
"With all the drama happening, how could I possibly get married? Bai Yibo hasn’t returned, who would I marry?" Widow Zhou painted a picture of misery, her tone drastically changed from her previous boldness, and now turning pitiful.
"What’s the problem? Isn’t my uncle’s child in your stomach? There are precedents for men and chickens in a wedding ceremony. Besides, since both of you have been married before, there’s no need for formalities. Marrying into the Bai Family is enough," Bai Ruozhu elaborated. "Of course, the crime my uncle committed is severe. We can understand if you want to back out of the marriage now. But then, it wouldn’t be because my grandpa didn’t keep his word but you were the one who made the choice."
In the end, Bai Fu began to roar, "I refuse to allow such a woman into my Bai Family. I was willing to let some things slide because she was carrying Yibo’s child, but I never expected her to be so ungrateful and ruthless. We don’t need a daughter-in-law like her in the Bai Family."
"Did you hear that? It’s the old man himself who’s violating the Guarantee Letter," Widow Zhou dejectedly spoke.
Everyone helplessly looked at Bai Fu. Bai Ruozhu was trying to clean up the mess for the Bai family, but instead of helping her, Bai Fu was only causing more trouble. He really deserved to be bothered by Widow Zhou every day.
Bai Ruozhu just shrugged. As the saying goes, "It matters not to worry about the opponent who is on par with you, but instead to be wary of teammates as blind as pigs." She learned and realized this truth once again. Luckily, she was prepared for this "pig-like teammate."
"A gentleman’s word is his bond. Surely what my Grandpa says will come to pass. You’ve upset him such that he isn’t feeling well now, and naturally stumbled in his speech. If you do wish to marry into our family and serve our elders on behalf of my uncle, they surely would be pleased." Bai Ruozhu continued calmly, ignoring Bai Fu’s ranting.
Bai Lu immediately signaled to Bai Yixing and Bai Yizhong. The two rushed and helped Bai Fu on his left and right. Bai Yixing added, "Uncle, you mustn’t ruin your health due to anger. You seem to be unwell, better take a rest."
Bai Fu began to yell, "What do you mean I am unwell? Where are you trying to take me?"
"Elder Brother, you’ve been too strong for too many years, and it has really hurt you to have been upset by your eldest son at your old age. I really cannot bear to see it. Don’t worry, just recuperate at my house, and you will recover soon." After saying that, he rose to his feet and paid his respects to Officer Li and the village chief before adding, "I fear my elder brother is about to fall ill again, I must take him to see the doctor. Please excuse us."
The village chief agreed, somewhat taken aback, while Officer Li saw through to the heart of the matter and chuckled, "You are the Chief of the Bai Clan, and you’re doing your best to care for Scholar Bai. You should go and fetch a doctor for him first, and leave the rest to us."
Upon leaving some daughters-in-law to help, Bai Lu led Bai Yixing and Bai Yizhong, carrying Bai Fu away.
Bai Fu howled in anger, wildly kicking about, far from the usual image of an elderly scholar. Some even began to truly believe he was experiencing mental issues. After all, why else would someone mentally sound cause a scene at his grandson’s wedding?
Once Bai Fu was taken away, Widow Zhou regained her senses, "Just because you’ve taken the old man away, do you think that gets you out of paying me my money? What about the old lady? If that doesn’t work, I will go to the County Government Office and make my grievances heard."
"You don’t need to go to the County Office; as an official, I am right here and can address your complaints," Officer Li declared with a smile, although his expression was more mocking than amused.
Several people laughed and echoed, "That’s right, Officer Li is right here. If you have any grievances, tell him now!"
Widow Zhou’s face turned pale. She had never been to the County Office before and had no idea what Officer Li looked like. If she had known he was present, she never would have chosen to cause a scene today.
"The Bai Family agreed to let you marry in. As an official, I will see that it happens. But this idea of 100 taels of silver, you’re off track. You can’t let your greed get the best of you," Officer Li added.
Widow Zhou felt utterly lost. Bai Yibo was on death’s door, and he would never have the opportunity to become an official for the rest of his life. Her plan to benefit overwhelmingly from the situation fell apart, and why would she want to join Bai Family now? She just wanted to minimize her losses, so she could choose a more reliable option for her future.
"This, isn’t this because the old man refused to let me in his home? Officer, you must stand up for me." Widow Zhou added, feigning a pitiful smile at Officer Li. This sorry sight of her must surely have won people’s pity - or more accurately, disgust. Many daughters-in-law could not help but spit at her.
Officer Li just frowned in annoyance. This woman had the audacity to try to seduce him? It was simply nauseating!