Chapter 473 - 475: Just Want to Hold You Back
Madame Meng’s previously smiling face grew stern. Not because she didn’t like the two granddaughters, on the contrary, she always enjoyed having children bustling around her. What vexed her was that they could hardly bring themselves to visit her early on normal days but were prompt today just to impress others. With this pretence at play, it would be peculiar if she wasn’t annoyed.
During the conversation, Miss Meng Jinse and second Miss Meng Jinxia walked in. Bai Ruozhu quickly admired the two girls. Miss Meng Jinse was dramatically beautiful; she was not only the eldest legitimate daughter of Meng Liangshen but also fortunately inherited the best traits from both her parents. At the mere age of fourteen, she had already grown into a beautiful girl.
Of course, Bai Ruozhu learnt all this from Nanny Lu’s chit-chats. Without any maid arranged by Madame Meng for herself, she preferred taking care of her own child and herself instead. Having someone else bustling around her would just make her uncomfortable, besides, it was improbable that she’d ask a maid about such matters.
As for the Second Miss Meng Jinxia by her side, Madame Meng was also quite fond of her. At the young age of thirteen, she was gentle, earnestly listened when someone conversed with her, and always wore a soft smile on her face, but she was not born of the first wife.
"Granny, what were you all talking about so early in the morning?" Meng Jinse walked to Madame Meng, grabbed her arm and coquettishly asked.
Regardless of her displeasures in mind, Madame Meng belonged to the Meng Family, and she didn’t want to blame the children as their behaviour was perhaps directed by the adults.
"Miss Bai was instructing me about how to stay healthy. I’m old now, not physically well." Madame Meng sighed as she spoke.
Meng Jinse glanced at Bai Ruozhu who instantly bowed to show respect to her and second Miss, saying, "I’m honoured to meet you, Elder and Younger Miss."
"Oh, so you must be the female doctor." Meng Jinse happily said, but a flash of surprise quickly slipped away from her eyes, however, she was quick to hide it.
Second Miss being shy gave a nod and shyly smiled towards Bai Ruozhu.
Observing the situation, Bai Ruozhu stood up and told Madame Meng, "Madame, I should take my leave now." Completing her sentence, she then turned to the two girls and said, "Elder and Younger Misses, I should go now to tend to my child."
Hearing the words ’tend to my child’, Meng Jinse exposed an evident look of disdain. Whether she felt Bai Ruozu was humiliating herself talking about her motherhood or bringing down her own value by bringing up her maternal responsibilities, nobody knew.
But soon after, Meng Jinse spread a smile across her face, saying, "Miss Bai, don’t rush, I’ve had some acne recently, can you take a look for me?"
Bai Ruozhu having no other choice agreed to diagnose her. She found out that Jense had a minor level of Qi deficiency with no apparent signs of acne; still, she patiently instructed her about matters she should be careful about.
"Thank you, sister Bai. Help my younger sister, too. She complained of chest pain a few days back." Meng Jinse again requested.
Bai Ruozhu lowered her eyes; the older Miss was intentionally delaying her, it seemed.
"Sure." She replied, checking the pulse of the younger sister. She wasn’t in a hurry. If she couldn’t punctually show up for her lesson, the one who should be anxious would be Meng Liangshen. He should take note of how the ladies of his family were causing a delay.
Examining Meng Jinxia’s pulse, Bai Ruozhu frowned slightly. Madame Meng, despite not being engaged in affairs, was a sharp woman and instantly noticed Bai Ruozhu’s change of expression, asking anxiously, "What is it? Is there something wrong?"
Bai Ruozhu glanced at the second Miss, the young girl appearing very calm, only a bare hint of worry hiding in her eyes. Since she was naturally not cheerful she might feel upset if Bai Ruoshu directly told her about her health condition, which would worsen her situation.
"No, nothing really. You just need to have a good rest and not to worry too much." Bai Ruozhu gently smiled.
Madame Meng glanced at her, and although she found it strange, she asked no further.
"The child must be hungry by now. You should rush." Knowing Bai Ruozhu had work to do, Madame Meng directly intervened.
However, Meng Jinse held Bai Ruozhu’s back, saying to Madame Meng with a smile, "Granny, shouldn’t Miss Bai be allowed to nurse her child in our ear room? As soon as she finishes, we can all have breakfast together. After all, we hit it off from the moment we met, she can keep me company."
Bai Ruozhu was wondering the motive behind the older Miss holding her back. Probably her mother-in-law, Madame Meng, disliked her and the older Miss wanted to humiliate her given the opportunity.
Something stirred in Madame Meng’s face, thinking of saying something. Just then, a maid announced the second master, his wife and their son, and third daughter had come to greet Madame Meng.
Hearing the word ’second’ multiple times made Bai Ruozhu secretly mock them. Was everyone from this room a fool? But thinking again, even in her family, she had to accept her parents were the second master and his wife and her second brother was the second son; at least, she was not the second daughter.
With the arrival of other members, it was not appropriate for Bai Ruozhu to leave suddenly. After they all greeted Madame Meng, she introduced Bai Ruozhu to the second room’s family. Holding Dengdeng, she courteously greeted everyone.
Subsequently, Meng JInse initiated a conversation with her even insisting she join them for breakfast. Bai Ruozhu had already eaten, but given Meng Jinse’s cordiality, she couldn’t turn down the offer.
Soon, the Madame Meng of the house, Wang Miaoshuang arrived, maintaining her usual stern expression. Seeing a room full of people, she said, "Seems like I am late today."
Madame Meng laughed lightly, replying, "You’re not late, your daughters arrived exceptionally early to show their respects today."
While Meng Jinse didn’t react, Meng Jinxia blushed faintly, lowering her head slightly.
"Ruozhu, you may leave if you have work to do." Madame Meng, observing the time, discreetly signalled Nanny Lu. Affairs of the Imperial Court weren’t to be taken lightly.
Wang Miaoshuang’s face twitched, and she suggested, "Since Madame Meng likes Miss Bai, why don’t we have a meal together? She shouldn’t feel awkward here."
Secretly, Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips, thinking, "Why didn’t you feel awkward when you scolded me the day before yesterday?"
Guessing Wang Miaoshuang’s intention, Madame Meng’s face turned sour. Regardless, she didn’t burst out in anger but after thinking for a moment, she said, "Ruozhu has to prepare my medicine. If you want to chat with her, you could do so later. Let’s not delay her service for me."
With that being said, nobody could insist Bai Ruozhu stay. After all, Madame Meng’s medical treatment was a top priority.
The second Madame’s eyes flickered, and chuckling, she said, "Of course, Madame Meng’s medicine is more important. Dr Bai, we are indebted to you."
Bai Ruozhu respectfully bid farewell to everyone, carrying a clueless Dengdeng out of the room. Taking out her handkerchief, she wiped his drool, grumbling, "Naughty boy, not trying to sneak a peek at their breakfast, are you? In any case, you can’t eat, you’ll feel more uncomfortable if you see it, won’t you?"
Nanny Lu, standing beside them, couldn’t help but chuckle, "Stop teasing him; he is teething, that’s why he’s drooling. Even Master Meng was the same during his childhood."
Even though Bai Ruozhu was a doctor, this was her first time being a mother. Only after Nanny Lu’s reminiscence that she recalled, yes, it was indeed teething time for Dengdeng.