Chapter 357: Kick Open the Main Gate
Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow and smiled at her, saying, "They have to report loss to the Government Office and ask for compensation, dare they? Even if we have to pay them, they should pay us first for the matter of the chef."
Wan Caiyue’s eyes lit up, she nodded and said, "You’re right, let’s see if they dare to be arrogant in the future."
Bai Ruozhu was especially happy, she was pleased with Wan Caiyue’s character which was neither weak nor impulsive, but very kind. If she were as fiery as her mother, it would be impossible to avoid friction as time went on.
When the Bai family set up their stall, business was good. Everyone in Bai Ruozhu’s family got busy. Bai Zepei was also setting up the stall with them today, attracting lots of attention. Some people even asked Lin Ping’er about him, asking her if she had revealed him to others for marriage.
Bai Ruozhu stole a laugh, Bai Zepei rarely comes to the stall, so many people think he is a relative of the Bai family. Seeing him in scholar’s attire and a handsome appearance, they thought of introducing him to someone for marriage.
Seeing so many people coming to talk to Lin Ping’er, Lin Ping’er began to worry. Knowing this would happen, she would not have agreed to have Bai Zepei come to the stall. She should have asked him to gather directly at the West Gate at the end of the hour.
Bai Zepei didn’t realize much, he tied his scholar’s robe around his waist and squatted to help his mother wash the dishes. As a result, this action did not harm his image, instead, it made people feel he has a good character - diligent and willing to work, so they wanted to marry him even more.
Almost at the end of the hour, Bai Ruozhu greeted Fusa, and went to the West Gate with her father and eldest and second brothers.
They hadn’t been there long before they saw Bai Lu arrive with people. Bai Lu brought a considerable number of people, looking at it, the Bai Family still had quite a few men.
Bai Lu had his three sons and his eldest grandson, Bai Zeji. Bai Zhanfu and Bai Zhangui did not appear, but each sent a son. In addition, Bai Zhanfu’s eldest grandson, Bai Zeyong, also came.
In addition, Bai Lu’s three daughters-in-law also came. When they saw Bai Ruozhu, they took her hand and asked if she had recovered from the past few days. Bai Ruozhu got along well with these three aunts and immediately laughed and said, "I’m fine, a night’s sleep and I was good. How about you three aunts?"
The Li Family replied that they were not too tired, it was much easier than farming.
"Okay, everyone is here. Let’s go to the Wang family now." Bai Lu said, then he looked at Bai Yihong and asked, "To what extent do you think we should make a fuss? Let’s make everything clear, so everyone can relax a bit."
"If they want to fight, we’ll fight. Just don’t kill or cripple anyone." Bai Yihong thought for a moment and said.
However, Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, "Smash anything in their home that isn’t too valuable. If they want to report to the officials for compensation, we can also ask them to compensate the loss of our wedding banquet’s chef. Then, let’s see who is at a loss."
Everyone nodded, Bai Lu also nodded and said, "Yes, we should smash what should be smashed. We have to give the Wang family a warning. If we only shout and do not take any substantial actions, they will not be afraid."
Bai Ruozhu was extremely joyful, she looked at their group, feeling that they outnumbered the Wang family in any conflict. Having more men in the family indeed boosted their morale, she wondered if the Wang family would be scared this time.
The group marched towards the Wang family, Bai Yihong knew where to go. After all, the Bai family and the Wang family had been in-laws for more than twenty years, and the old man had once let Bai Yihong carry grain to the Wang family. But the Wang family didn’t respect Bai Yihong much, they didn’t even offer him a drink when he entered the house.
When they got to the door of the Wang family, Bai Yixing kicked the door and shouted, "Where did the people of Wang family go? Did they already suffer retribution for their numerous bad deeds?"
At this time, footsteps echoed from the yard of the Wang family and an old man yelled, "Who is it? Who is stirring up trouble? Believe it or not, I will report you to the officials!"
Bai Yihong whispered to Bai Lu, "It’s the old master of the Wang family, I guess he hasn’t recovered from the last beating."
Bai Lu nodded, and shouted into the house, "Is there anyone in the Wang family who can speak up? Hurry up and open the door to apologize and make amends to our Bai family, or we will dismantle your gate!"
The others rolled up their sleeves, looking like they were about to take action. People of the Bai family were all farmers, their arms were full of muscles. For a moment, their posture looked rather fierce.
Of course, Bai Zepei didn’t roll up his sleeves. He often worked in the fields, but his skin didn’t tan much. Plus, he was tall and thin, even if he rolled up his sleeves, it didn’t have the same effect as others. It didn’t match his scholar’s robe either.
The Wang family’s house suddenly went quiet. The old master Wang seemed to be a little scared, he didn’t dare to reply. Soon, whispered conversations could be heard from the house. It seemed like the old master Wang was talking to someone.
Neighbors from both sides came out to watch the excitement when they heard the commotion. A well-meaning old man stepped forward and advised, "Can’t you two families sit down and talk about your issues? Don’t resort to violence and create disharmony."
Bai Lu glared at him and loudly said, "Our Bai family hosted a wedding banquet a few days ago and had booked a prominent chef. But the Wang family deliberately invited the chef for food and even drugged him, causing him to have diarrhea and be unable to cook for our banquet. You tell me, for such a big event like a wedding, should we settle the score with the Wang family for their despicable actions?"
The old man who wanted to mediate was left speechless, mumbling, "Well, yes, that’s a bit despicable." After saying this, he quietly retreated back into his house. He knew he couldn’t mediate this matter.
Footsteps could be heard from inside the house and a woman’s voice rang out, "Nonsense! When did we drug your chef? You Bai family wronged me and still dare to come to us. Do you have any shame?"
The speaker was Wang’s wife. She was howling and screaming behind the door, causing the neighbors outside to look enlightened. Wang’s divorce from her family and her trickery with a child from outside were already known by the neighbors. Of course, the fact that she was beaten with twenty boards by the county Lord was also known.
From the neighbors’ perspective, Wang was not a good woman. Would a decent and honest woman fake such a thing?
Upon hearing that it was Wang’s wife speaking, Bai Lu couldn’t quarrel with her anymore, or he would lose his dignity. Bai Ruozhu immediately responded, "Whether you drugged us or not, the chef Wang can testify. The neighbors around you must remember you invited him over for a meal two days ago. If you don’t admit it, we can argue at the county office. Perhaps Lord Li will reward you with another twenty boards."
At the mention of the twenty boards, the Bai family couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Wang’s wife was gnashing her teeth in the house, she cursed, "Bai Ruozhu, you bitch, you caused my family’s downfall and death. I curse you to die miserably!"
Bai Lu’s face darkened, "Are all the men of the Wang family dead? A mad woman is hiding behind the door and talking? Everyone, smash the door in. We have to teach the Wang family a lesson today!"
The Bai family responded and kicked at the door of the Wang family. Immediately afterward, a scream was heard from inside the house, and the door of the Wang family collapsed with a bang.