Chapter 490 - 492: Mocked Before the Banquet Starts
In fact, Yu Hongxiu also had this in mind, but since Bai Ruozhu did not mention it herself, she did not feel it was right to bring it up. She wanted to avoid causing any resentment if Bai Ruozhu felt obligated to give her a share out of affection.
"I would of course be willing to partake in such an opportunity, but as you mentioned that we are cooperating with multiple parties, it’d be best for you to discuss it with them first. If they have no objections, then we can proceed," said Yu Hongxiu.
Bai Ruozhu took her arm, saying, "There’s no need. When they decided to join me, we agreed that I would make such decisions. I can’t promise anything else, but giving you a shareholder status should be no problem."
Bai Ruozhu was initially going to generously offer a 20% stake, but upon reflection, she felt if she distributed too much, she would not have enough operating funds for the employees later on.
"Great, I won’t hold back then, I’m looking forward to making a fortune with you!" exclaimed Yu Hongxiu with good spirits.
Afterwards, Yu Hongxiu informed the shopkeeper, who sent someone to relay a message to Mrs. Liu, informing her that she would be meeting them at the tea house shortly.
When Mrs. Liu arrived, Bai Ruozhu quickly sized up the wife of the regional judge. She appeared to be in her early thirties, with a slightly round face and skin as fair as a silver plate.
Bai Ruozhu greeted her, saying, "Villager Bai Ruozhu pays her respects to Mrs. Liu."
Mrs. Liu, who was also observing Bai Ruozhu, hastily stopped her and said with an ingratiating smile, "Miss Bai is being too courteous. Come, let’s go upstairs, we can have tea and chat there."
The three women went upstairs into a private room, with windows that let in the warm winter sun and a view of the street below.
"How do you like my place?" Mrs. Liu asked with a grin.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "It’s indeed very nice."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu grew even happier, although she modestly said, "It’s a pity that I’m not good at managing it, and I’ve let this great location go to waste. If you need it, you can rent it."
Following their discussion and agreement on the price, they contacted the Commerce Association to sign the contract.
"Ruozhu, I can clear out these items by tomorrow night, then you can decide if you want to renovate or simply clean up the shop for opening." Mrs. Liu quickly warmed up to Bai Ruozhu.
"Thank you, Mrs. Liu." Bai Ruozhu’s eyes twinkled as she saw the ambiguous look in Mrs. Liu’s eyes; a mix of envy mixed with flattery, along with a hint of contempt and jealousy.
Bai Ruozhu surmised that Mrs. Liu hoped to form a meaningful friendship with her, perhaps because she thought Bai was about to marry into the Meng Residence. Bai Ruozhu chuckled bitterly. As of now, that was indeed the rumor going around. Of course, the contempt likely stemmed from a wife’s disdain for a mistress or a fox spirit.
If she never enters the Meng residence, Mrs. Liu will probably be disappointed. Bai Ruozhu no longer paid Mrs. Liu much mind, focusing instead on her business. As long as she paid her rent and maintained a business relationship, that would be enough.
When Bai Ruozhu returned home with the lease and showed it to her family, they were delighted. They began to discuss when the shop should open its doors.
"Try to open before the year ends, for there will surely be people looking to order high-end gifts for the new year," suggested Fusa.
"Indeed, we should open as soon as possible," Ling Ping’er echoed.
Bai Ruozhu agreed that the shop did not require extensive remodeling and estimated they could be ready to open within five days. The women cheerfully busied themselves with preparations, wishing they had more crochet work to do in the next few days.
...
In the Meng Residence, Wang Miaoshuang was arranging the banquet with a face as dark as iron. She had sent out all the invitations, one of which was for Bai Ruozhu.
"Mother, you’re doing the right thing. Enduring a moment of peace, stepping back for a broader view," the eldest daughter, Meng Jinse, hushedly tried to persuade her. "Don’t think of it as bowing down to her or losing face. Think of it as quelling rumors and protecting Father’s reputation. While some might gossip, in the end, they’ll still praise you as a virtuous wife."
Wang Miaoshuang sighed and waved her hand, saying, "Fine, enough with the sugar-coated words. This time she’s lucky, but she’ll have a tough time sooner or later!"
Meng Jinse shivered slightly. Her mother still couldn’t let go. Even though Bai Ruozhu hadn’t seduced her father, did her mother need such a deep-seated hatred?
Meanwhile, the old lady arranged for the nanny and maids to watch Madam Meng closely at tomorrow’s banquet to prevent further complications. Meng Liangshen, refraining from meddling in backyard affairs, also arranged for some guards to protect Bai Ruozhu covertly tomorrow.
After so many years as a couple, he understood the part of Wang Miaoshuang’s character that could be extreme.
By the time Bai Ruozhu received the invitation from Wang Miaoshuang, it was dinner time. Bai Zepei, usually a man of few words, after seeing the card, spoke, "Go sit there for a while tomorrow. Just act accordingly."
Bai Ruozhu looked deeply at her second brother. Why would Lady Meng want to apologize in public? The corners of her mouth inadvertently twitched upwards. She was eager to see the sincerity of the other party’s apology.
Many official family females in Beiyu City had received the invitations, which quickly made them think of the recent rumors swirling around the Meng Family. They were excited as if injected with chicken blood, wishing the next day would arrive sooner.
Early the next morning, Bai Ruozhu got up and dressed. She didn’t plan to take Dengdeng to the banquet because the situation seemed complicated and she couldn’t bear to take risks with her precious son.
She chose a dress made of fine material and craftsmanship, then simply put up a side-swept bun, inserting the gold hairpin given by the old lady.
She then put on the East Pearl Necklace the old lady had given her. Her presentable jewelry was scarce. When their home’s condition improved, she’d have to slowly replace it. Women loved beautiful clothes and jewelry, and she didn’t want to treat herself poorly. Moreover, in any era, the first impression given by one’s appearance and dress often mattered the most. She planned to establish her business in Beiyu City in the future, so she mustn’t appear too shabby, otherwise, it would be hard to deal with those noblewomen.
Seeing Bai Ruozhu dressed up, everyone at home praised her as looking like a noble daughter, causing Bai Ruozhu to blush somewhat. She didn’t have the heart to say that the clothes she was wearing to the banquet were likely to be the worst among all.
Noticing that the time was right, she got into the carriage and directed Wa San to the Meng Residence. It wasn’t long before they reached the vicinity of the Meng Residence. Bai Ruozhu didn’t have the carriage go into the alley; the area around the Meng Residence was crowded, with many carriages already parked. There was no point in squeezing their small carriage through.
She got out of the carriage at the entrance of the alley, told Wa San to wait for her nearby, and then walked towards the main gate of the Meng Residence.
Just as she reached the entrance, the curtain of a carriage was lifted by a maid, and a beautiful woman, aided by the maid, got out of the carriage, nearly colliding with Bai Ruozhu who was walking towards it.
The woman sneered and casually glanced at Bai Ruozhu, seemingly oblivious to her existence, and said to the maid beside her: "The low-grade will always be low-grade, no matter how hard they try to climb up, they will never become phoenixes."
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Summary:
Before her wedding, Ye Xiaoxiaowas considered the perfect negative example by noble maidens in the capital. After the wedding, the general public praised her as the epitome of virtue.
Ye Xiaoxiaowho: When others belittle, cheat, slander, bully, laugh at, envy, insult, and harm me, I will beat her, beat her, beat her hard!
Wolf Monarch: How about I rule the world and protect your innocence? Is that okay?