Chapter 441: Someone’s Getting Impatient
"We could be staying there for some time, as my second brother must go for his studies in the Study Palace, but when we have time, we will return to visit you. You could visit us in Beiyu City as well." Bai Ruozhu summoned a forced smile, but her heart was tinged with bitterness. Everything good must come to an end, and it pained her to separate from the Lin Family, who were as close as extended family to her.
Fusa seemed lost in thought, and only after a long while did she bring out the finished shawl to show Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu took her arm and said, "Let’s deliver these items now then. I’ll also inform Madam Ding and the others that they can come straight to you if they need anything."
"I, I can’t do it alone." Fusa thought about how Bai Ruozhu managed to interact with the noble ladies, how she designed patterns and styles that they liked. How could she ever accomplish that on her own?
Linking her arm gently through Fusa’s, Bai Ruozhu explained, "It’s been decided for some time that my second brother will go to Beiyu City’s Study Palace. When we agreed to collaborate on the crochet work, my plan was to leave the Anyuan Town enterprise in your hands. With your current skill level, you’ll definitely manage it. If there’s a design you can’t think of, you can always visit me in Beiyu City- at most it’s a day’s journey away."
Fusa wanted to say something, but she knew that she couldn’t prevent the Bai Family from departing, or hold back Bai Zepei’s path to his future.
Then, the two women headed to the Ding Residence. Mrs. Ding was very pleased upon seeing the completed shawl, immediately trying it on and spending quite a long time looking in her bronze mirror. Bai Ruozhu stifled a smirk - what kind of effect could you get from a bronze mirror? It made people look jaundiced.
She then recalled the small mirror Jiang Yichun had given her, and a sweetness filled her heart.
Subsequently, Bai Ruozhu gave two boxes of dim sum to Mrs. Ding, explained that she had visited Beiyu City a few days ago and brought back some gifts, and then informed her that her family was relocating. The creative work could still be requested from Fusa.
Mrs. Ding looked at Bai Ruozhu in surprise, "Why the sudden decision to move? Have you found a place to stay yet?"
Bai Ruozhu nodded, but didn’t say much, only replying, "My second brother is going to study academy. We don’t feel comfortable leaving him alone out there, so we thought it would be better if the whole family moved there, and see if we could find a way to make a living."
Mrs. Ding laughed, "With your good head for business, you are sure to make a good living wherever you go."
"Thank you for your kind words, Mrs. Ding," Bai Ruozhu responded with a smile.
Mrs. Ding then asked Fusa a few questions, mainly about how to contact her after she had moved houses. When she learned that Fusa’s stall was right next to Bai Ruozhu’s, Mrs. Ding felt relieved. Fusa, however, seemed deep in thought, and her responses were a little bit slower than usual.
Bai Ruozhu hurriedly explained to Mrs. Ding, "Don’t be upset, Mrs. Ding. She’s feeling down because she just heard I’m moving. She hasn’t recovered from the shock."
"Your bond is strong, and this is only to be expected. When I got married, my sister and I couldn’t stop crying together before I left. Luckily, we get to see each other quite often now," Mrs. Ding said reassuringly. She then turned to Fusa and said, "Life brings people together in unexpected ways. There will always be opportunities to meet again."
Fusa quickly bow-ed to Mrs. Ding, saying, "Thank you, Mrs. Ding. I feel much better now."
Bai Ruozhu asked Mrs. Ding to help deliver the shawl she had made for Mrs. Li. Mrs. Ding sighed and said, "Why don’t you go and see her? She’s been acting a bit strange lately."
A flicker of an unusual emotion appeared in Bai Ruozhu’s eyes. Could it be that Liu Xianxian was starting to make her move? The slow-acting poison shouldn’t have taken effect yet unless someone had become impatient.
After leaving the Ding Residence, Bai Ruozhu bid farewell to Fusa. She planned to go home and invite her second brother to accompany her to Mr. Li’s house. Fusa seemed preoccupied, and it took her a moment to respond even when Bai Ruozhu called out to her.
"Alright, I’ll come to your house tonight," Fusa said.
"Great, come over early for dinner. There are still some accounts to be settled," Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile.
As they parted ways, Bai Ruozhu took a glance back at the somewhat melancholic figure of Fusa. It pained her to realize that they’d be seeing less of each other, despite their close friendship.
When Bai Ruozhu returned home, she was stunned to find Jiang Yichun as a guest. He sat there, wearing a mask and silent as a stone, which left her parents unsure of what to do.
Bai Ruozhu remembered what he had said the previous night, "I will come find you tomorrow," not, "I will come find you tomorrow night." How could she have misunderstood?
She shot him a disapproving glance, wasn’t he aware that his seriousness might frighten her parents?
Seeing her daughter back, Lin Ping quickly said with a smile, "Ruozhu, come meet our benefactor quickly. He was instructed by Meng to come over and see if we needed any help with the move."
Bai Ruozhu thought it was a good excuse, she flashed a smile to her mother and said, "I should thank our benefactor then."
Having said that, she walked over to Jiang Yichun, giving him a courteously slight bow, and said, "Thank you for your concern, benefactor."
Jiang Yichun felt a little embarrassed at her response and coughed lightly, saying, "No need to be so formal, I’ve arranged for three horse carriages for you, should be enough, right?"
Bai Ruozhu was taken aback by the preparations he’d made, she quickly assured him, "That’s more than enough! I’ve also arranged for a horse carriage on my end. We have plenty."
A smile flickered in Jiang Yichun’s eyes, "If there’s anything else you need, just say it. There’s no need to be polite."
Bai Ruozhu thought to herself, like I’d be polite with you! But she couldn’t say that in front of her parents.
"I heard from Mrs. Li’s sister that she’s fallen ill. Since she happens to have placed an order with me, I plan to visit her, and also take the opportunity to bid farewell to Official Li," said Bai Ruozhu. She then turned to her mother and asked, "Where’s my second brother? Let him come with me."
"Your second brother has gone to Mr. Xie’s place, he should be back soon," Bai Yihong replied.
Upon hearing that Mrs. Li was ill, Jiang Yichun’s eyes flashed. "Since I need to see Li Shunsheng as well, I’ll go with you."
"Then let’s not delay, let’s go to the East Courtyard to find my brother and set off together." Bai Ruozhu gave Jiang Yichun a knowing glance.
"Okay." Jiang Yichun stood up and walked towards the door.
Bai Ruozhu also got up and walked out following him. She turned back for a moment to tell her parents, "I’ll be back shortly. Can you help me pack? We will be heading back to Mountain Village this afternoon."
Lin Ping and Bai Yihong both nodded. They really were pressed for time at this point.
Once Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun left, Lin Ping nudged Bai Yihong’s elbow and asked, "Husband, have you noticed that our benefactor’s treatment towards our Ruozhu is quite special?"
Bai Yihong nodded in agreement, but his expression was filled with concern, "But given his status, aren’t we reaching a bit too high?"
Lin Ping had also been worrying about this point but hearing Bai Yihong’s response made her slightly irritated. She shot her husband a look and retorted, "What’s this about reaching too high? Our Ruozhu is nothing short of excellent. Even for an average person, I wouldn’t approve so easily!"