Chapter 387: The Zhou Family Doesn’t Dare to Confront
This comment left Bai Ruozhu feeling rather upset. Why would her family owe anything to Yang Laosan? At most, they helped prevent Guizhi from marrying him. Wasn’t that simply because his reputation was too tarnished?
Xi Ya, sitting next to Yang Laosan, hurriedly stood up and apologized to Bai Ruozhu, "Miss Bai, my husband has a short temper. Please don’t mind him."
Bai Ruozhu glanced at the shy and timid Xi Ya, then at Yang Laosan who did not explode in anger, finally confirming that Yang Laosan was indeed treating Xi Ya well.
"A few days ago, we went to Fushou Hall to get medicine. The doctor saw the formula you gave me for treating sheep madness, praised it and said he couldn’t prescribe anything better. I’ve been taking it for a few days now and wanted your advice on whether it has improved, and whether there’s a need to switch prescriptions," said Xi Ya, much more confidently than before, completing the long sentence without stuttering.
Yang Laosan, however, spoke fiercely to Bai Ruozhu, "Did you hear that? You should have a look at my wife. If you do, we can forget the previous account. I can’t be bothered to settle it with you."
Bai Yihong and Lin Ping’er showed a look of joy. If this matter could be settled once and for all, it would save everyone a lot of trouble.
However, Bai Ruozhu did not rush to diagnose Xi Ya, instead, she said to Yang Laosan, "Even if you don’t mind dealing with us, we still have issues with you! The Zhou Family has been complaining about you wreaking havoc in their fields, ruining quite a number of crops. When we checked the other day, we only compensated them with some silver and cancelled the lease. But how about the loss to my family?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Laosan’s eyes widened, "Don’t try to blame me, I just scared them a bit, trampled on an acre of land, and that was it. Just once. I’m a farmer myself, I can’t be that cruel. Later on, when I got married, I didn’t have time to bother them."
"So why did the Zhou Family come to us twice, complaining that you’ve been damaging their crops and asking us to figure out a solution, otherwise they would sue you?" Bai Ruozhu noticed Yang Laosan’s reaction and was certain the Zhou Family was lying. She wanted to teach them a lesson.
Hearing this, Yang Laosan jumped up, "What? Have the Zhou Family decided not to farm your field and is creating all this chaos? If I’ve done something, I’m not afraid to admit it?"
Xi Ya also hurriedly said, "My husband is telling the truth. I did advise him earlier. After that, he really didn’t trouble the Zhou Family anymore." She said this blushing.
"Is it so? Then I’ll go to your village tomorrow, to have a good confrontation with the Zhou Family to ascertain the truth." Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow as she spoke.
"Fine, let’s clear things up tomorrow. Now I also want to ask the Zhou Family why they are framing me." Yang Laosan glared, obviously now holding a grudge against the Zhou Family.
Without saying more, Bai Ruozhu went over to Xi Ya, and diagnosed her. She then coldly stated, "The condition has improved a bit, but this illness can’t be cured in a day or two. You can continue with this medicine, it’s not expensive. Most importantly, don’t get frightened and never get hit!"
She deliberately raised her voice, emphasizing the words "never get hit." Even Yang Laosan, a tyrant, couldn’t help but blush and lowered his head, not uttering another word.
The two sat down and continued eating. Once they finished, they paid the bill and left. On getting to a slightly slippery place, Yang Laosan reached out to support Xi Ya.
Looking at their retreating figures, Lin Ping’er couldn’t help sighing, "Isn’t Yang Laosan quite good to Xi Ya? Do you think we were wrong to prevent Guizhi’s marriage to him?"
Bai Ruozhu gave her mother a glare, "Guizhi is in her prime and a wonderful girl. How could she marry an old widower? She deserves someone better. Moreover, it is a fact that Yang Laosan is abusive. His good treatment of Xi Ya now is just her luck."
She didn’t say what was on her mind: if Guizhi had married Yang Laosan, there’s no guarantee that she would be treated well by him.
After listening, Lin Ping’er nodded slightly. "You’re right, it was just my pointless sentimentality."
Fusa approached and held Bai Ruozhu’s hands, "You haven’t been coming to the stall often, and I don’t see you every day anymore. I do miss you."
Bai Ruozhu laughed, "Why don’t you pack up the stall and come to my house? How’s your crochet work coming along?"
"I’ll bring it to you tonight." Fusa winked at Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu had told her earlier not to show it in public, in case others get envious.
...
Early the next morning, Bai Ruozhu and Bai Yihong went to Linjiang Village again, and directly inspected their fields. Bai Ruozhu squinted and saw no additional signs of damage, but noticed some plants were missing. Although the ground had been filled in and nothing seemed amiss, Bai Ruozhu had a keen memory and knew that they had been torn out from their roots.
"Dad, some plants are missing." Bai Ruozhu whispered.
Bai Yihong nodded. As a seasoned farmer, he had previously inspected the field and was familiar with the count of the plants in each row.
"Could it have been dug up by the Zhou Family?" He asked, furrowing his brows.
"Let’s go and check it out." After saying this, Bai Ruozhu and her father headed towards the Zhou Family’s house.
After knocking on the door, Zhou’s daughter-in-law came to open it. Seeing them, she was startled at first, but then put on a smile, "Uncle Bai and Miss Bai, come in quickly."
Bai Ruozhu did not enter the house, but stood at the door and said, "No need, it seems our land has been tampered with again. We cannot just ignore the losses. We came to inform you to confront Yang Laosan with us."
The Zhou Family’s daughter-in-law’s expression changed immediately. Adopting a pitiful look, she said, "Yang Laosan is so cruel, we dare not offend him. I advise you also to just tolerate this, lest he starts a deadly feud and burns down your fields. We can’t afford to provoke him."
Bai Ruozhu looked at her coldly, making Mrs.Zhou’s heart pound. She felt as though her lies had been seen through. She quickly lowered her head, not daring to make eye contact with Bai Ruozhu.
"We are not afraid of thugs. Since they are doing wrong, I want to clarify the matter. If the village can’t resolve it, isn’t there still the Government Office? As long as you confront Yang Laosan and act as witnesses, it will be fine," said Bai Ruozhu.
Mrs.Zhou’s expression turned ugly. She waved her hands repeatedly and said, "I don’t dare! I’m too scared; I don’t want you to get involved."
"Then ask your husband to come with us. He’s a grown man, surely he isn’t scared too? And speaking of him, where is he? Why haven’t I seen him come out?" Bai Ruozhu craned her neck to look into the yard. As she was taller than Mrs.Zhou, she easily saw the situation in the yard.
The old Mrs.Zhou was washing clothes, and there were piles of clothes in the tub in front of her.
"Well...my husband is ill, he has shingles and I’m afraid he can’t go outside. He needs to avoid wind exposure," said Mrs.Zhou.
Bai Ruozhu stared intently at Mrs.Zhou, "Does he have shingles, or did he do something that brought misfortune upon him? Since he’s indisposed, let me call Yang Laosan over to confront your husband."