Chapter 493 - 495 What Could Baffle a Foodie?
This was an excuse Wang Miaoshuang had thought over for two days; she preferred to take the blame for not properly managing her household and letting her servants spread rumors than admit she had impulsively caused a ruckus in Meng Liangshen’s study yard.
"Doctor Bai had rendered great service in treating the old lady’s illness, he is a distinguished guest of the Meng residence. Moreover, he saved the seriously injured guard the other day, he is indeed a meritorious individual - how could he suffer such disgrace?" Wang Miaoshuang’s teeth creaked upon speaking these words, but luckily, no one who was far away could hear it.
"I, the county principal, would like to apologize to Doctor Bai here. Due to my negligence in household governance, he suffered unjust accusations. Today, with all the madams present, it’s best to bear witness. After returning home, I will definitely make things clear and not let Doctor Bai be wronged again." Wang Miaoshuang forced a smile as she spoke.
At this moment, it was announced from outside that the old lady had arrived. Everyone rose from their seats to pay respect, for the old lady is an elder and also the city lord’s mother, and there’s no guest who could surpass her nobility.
The old lady, wearing the forehead cloth given to her by Bai Ruozhu, came in high spirits. Laughingly, she said, "Everyone, please get up soon. If you continue to be so polite, this old wife of mine can only retreat back to her yard."
Everyone hurriedly stood up, and those with livelier personalities said a few auspicious words to the old lady. Others complimented the old lady’s forehead cloth as exceptionally unique and something they had seen for the first time.
The old lady’s smile became even brighter as she said, "This was given to me by Doctor Bai. Upon entering, I heard the county principal’s words. It’s quite embarrassing to admit that I let Ruozhu suffer this injustice. I had a few restless nights because of it, and I genuinely feel guilty in my heart."
Bai Ruozhu hurriedly bowed and responded, "Old lady, you’re being too harsh. What others say are just rumors. With time, it will be clear who is righteous and who is evil. You shouldn’t take it to heart, and you should take good care of yourself."
The old lady smiled and nodded. "It’s fine, it’s fine. Now that things are clear, I can sleep well tonight."
The nobles present at the scene were all very astute. They eagerly echoed the old lady’s words. They dared not accuse the "insolent servant" of the Meng’s Residence, so they had no choice but to lavishly praise Bai Ruozhu. They not only praised her medical skills but also praised her heart and deft hands.
Bai Ruozhu felt the irony deeply. They were all looking down on her just a moment ago. But she maintained a light smile on her face while expressing gratitude to the crowd.
Someone noticed that although Bai Ruozhu was a country wife without any background, she was very calm and composed. She did not get angry when looked down upon and did not get overjoyed when praised – her temperament was indeed akin to that of a noble lady.
"I heard that the Bai family is an agricultural and scholarly family, indeed unique," someone commented in a low voice.
"Yes, how could the daughter of a scholar’s family be bad after all," another lady said with a sense of superiority.
Then Wang Miaoshuang invited everyone to the dining table. Bai Ruozhu was seated with the old lady, Wang Miaoshuang, and a few ladies of the highest status. However, she couldn’t sit at the same table with Yu Hongxiu.
The cold dishes had already been set on the table. Seeing that the ladies had been seated, the maids hurriedly began serving the hot dishes one after another.
Bai Ruozhu looked at the dishes in front of her, a faint smile creeping at the corner of her mouth. This Wang Miaoshuang was indeed not willing to give up.
The arrangement of the dishes in front of her was interesting. There were fish, chicken, vegetables, and even a large platter of crabs. But if one looked closely, they were all some unappetizing dishes.
It wasn’t that they tasted bad but rather their consumption could not maintain one’s poise.
For instance, there were two plates of whole fish on the table. Bai Ruozhu recognized one of them as sturgeon, which is known for having fewer bones but it was far from her. The fish in front of her was one with a lot of bones to contend with. Also, the chicken was good, but it was spicy chicken with a lot of red chili flakes on top. Considering Bai Ruozhu’s past misfortune with onions, she was well aware of the intensity of this spicy chicken.
Beyond that, it was the crab. Logically, the crab-eating season had passed, but on the tables of the illustrious families, such matters were taken to heart, and everyone had to at least put on a show of consuming it.
At a banquet, one shouldn’t stand up or stretch an arm to reach for food, nor is it good etiquette to simply sit there eating nothing. Clearly, these dishes were meant to embarrass Bai Ruozhu.
If this were her country-bred predecessor, there would undoubtedly be problems eating such foods, resulting in immediate humiliation. Everyone would witness that, despite her medical skills and receiving an apology from Lady Doctor Meng, she was just a mere villager who didn’t fit among the high society.
Bai Ruozhu chuckled quietly to herself, she was a foodie - could anything dealing with food possibly shake her? Especially this crab, Wang Miaoshuang probably thought Bai Ruozhu had never even seen one before. Unbeknownst to her, there were plenty of plump crabs in her spatial pond.
However, because she was nursing, she refrained from eating any as she was afraid that the cold nature of the crab might adversely affect her child.
Nanny Lu quickly noticed Bai Ruozhu’s situation and had intended to help Bai Ruozhu pick out the fish bones from behind. However, as the old lady’s most trusted maid, Nanny Lu hadn’t done something like this in many years. Furthermore, due to her age, her eyesight was not as sharp as before, so she was genuinely afraid she wouldn’t do a good job.
As everyone picked up their chopsticks, Bai Ruozhu gave Nanny Lu a reassuring look. She too picked up a piece of fish and effortlessly separated the meat with her chopsticks, skillfully removing several bones. Then, she gracefully popped the fish into her mouth.
Wang Miaoshuang’s gaze flickered subtly. She hadn’t expected Bai Ruozhu to be so dexterous, clearing the bones from the fish so quickly.
Subsequently, she instructed a maid to serve Bai Ruozhu some spicy chicken and crab. Then, warmly saying: "Doctor Bai, be sure to eat well."
Bai Ruozhu smiled and replied, "I am heaty, I cannot consume spicy food. I will instead partake in some crab."
After she finished speaking, she requested some crab tools from a maid nearby. Then, in front of everyone who had yet to react, she elegantly cracked the crab open with the utensils and casually took a few bites.
Eating a little should be fine. She had to put on a show of eating. If she were to outrightly state that she could not eat anything in front of her, that would give others the impression that she was nitpicking, deeming her as narrow-minded.
Wang Miaoshuang’s gaze darkened, she was completely taken aback as to how this rural woman knew dining manners. Even though Bai Ruozhu had probably never met etiquette teachers before, why could she do everything so elegantly?
Everyone watched Bai Ruozhu’s every move. They couldn’t help looking at her a few more times. Nowadays, eating crab was an aristocratic habit in the country of Danliang. How one ate, like how graceful one looked when eating western cuisine today, revealed their etiquette and status.
By the time the banquet was over, Wang Miaoshuang found no more opportunities to embarrass Bai Ruozhu. She didn’t dare to do anything too outrageous. She gritted her teeth as she watched Bai Ruozhu leave with the old lady and returned to her serene dwelling.
"Ruozhu, I indeed did not misjudge you. I foresee that you have an unlimited future," the old lady suddenly said as they entered the dwelling. It turned out that she had been observing everything.
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Synopsis: In her previous life, she was too naive and foolish. She was nibbled on by so-called family members, leaving nothing behind. Upon her rebirth, Li Shan is determined to fight for justice for herself.
A knife-sharpening sound echoes through the air. She is prepared to fight against her half-sister, her aunty, her trashy relatives, and the rogues. But the cold, ruthless, and cunning man continuously fools her into battling against the prince, the king, and the world...