Chapter 498 - 500: There are Others in the Hot Spring Manor
It took Fu Qingsheng quite a while to recover. He hastily ate a couple of bites to alleviate the burning sensation in his mouth, then complained dissatisfactorily, "What kind of soup is this? Why is it so spicy?"
Bai Zepei managed to suppress his laughter, and explained, "This is sour spicy soup, a staple in our home during winter. It helps to warm up the body and ward off the cold."
"Indeed, I feel much comfier now," Qin Kaichang joined in, "The taste isn’t bad at all. Sister Bai’s culinary skills could rival a professional chef’s at a welcome banquet."
Fu Qingsheng clammed up, feeling rather annoyed. He figured that poor folks simply lacked exposure to the finer things in life. A proper soup should be clear and savoury to cut through the grease. Why was this soup so sour and spicy? Could they be playing a prank on him?
Upon this thought, he glanced toward the kitchen. That Bai Ruozhu wasn’t an easy one to deal with. But her disguise was rather charming in its own unique way. With these thoughts in mind, his disgruntled expression softened.
After they finished the meal, Bai Zepei and his classmates left the Bai family to return to their studies at the Study Palace.
Finally, Bai Ruozhu and the others could sit down and have a proper meal. Bai Yihong was very attentive, serving soup and pouring water for them. He commented, "You all worked hard today. It’s tough serving Er Lang’s classmates, particularly that young man surnamed Fu. He simply can’t be compared to the young men from our village. Who else would be so picky when invited to someone’s home for a meal?"
Bai Ruozhu curled her lip and chimed in, "Just like that and they boast about their good family conditions. That’s nothing but bad upbringing, isn’t it?"
Everyone agreed. Without even knowing basic manners, what’s the use of being charming and elegant?
That evening, Bai Zepei returned home and explained the reason for his classmate’s unexpected visit - sure enough, it was as Bai Ruozhu had guessed.
Bai Zepei concluded with a laugh, "In the afternoon, our professor asked Fu Shengqing to recite a text and his face was a picture of misery. When our professor thought he hadn’t done his reading, he was consequently punished by being asked to write an essay."
Everyone in the household laughed upon hearing this. It really seemed like this second-ranked scholar was jinxed. But it wasn’t really anyone else’s fault other than his own for refusing to drink the cooling tea Bai Ruozhu had brought, was it?
"It’s a shame that I wasn’t at home today. Otherwise, I could have had a good go at that dude too." Bai Zehao expressed his regret.
"You should focus on learning under Uncle Zhang." Wan Caiyue chided him playfully.
Bai Zehao laughed heartily, his gaze at his wife was filled with affection. Bai Ruozhu winked at her mother, hinting that her eldest brother and sister-in-law were so affectionate that she would be a grandmother soon.
Lin Ping’er was also very pleased. She said, "Hurry up and finish your dinner, and then go back to rest. It’s cold and you should go to bed early. That’s good for your health."
Bai Ruozhu almost burst out laughing. It was obvious that her mother wasn’t saying it’s time to go to bed because it’s getting colder. Instead, she was suggesting her eldest brother and sister-in-law go back to their room for some nighttime activities, wasn’t she?
After dinner, each person returned to their respective rooms. Lin Ping’er ran to Bai Ruozhu’s room to chat with her. She whispered, "Ruozhu, why haven’t there been any news about your sister-in-law’s pregnancy yet? Has your elder brother been too busy and it’s affecting...you know?"
Bai Ruozhu burst out laughing, "Mother, why don’t you listen at their wall tonight to see if big brother has been...you know?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Ping’er’s face turned red. She playfully slapped Bai Ruozhu, "Stop making a fuss. How would it look if I, as the mother-in-law, go eavesdropping? It’s not like it’s their wedding night. Be careful, if your sister-in-law knows you gave me this rotten idea, she’ll get angry with you."
Bai Ruozhu waved her hand in amusement, "I was just kidding. Mother, don’t worry. It hasn’t been long since my sister-in-law joined us. Pregnancy is a matter of fate. Perhaps she will conceive after the new year."
At this remark, Lin Ping’er’s eyes lit up. She felt her daughter’s words were very accurate. Maybe after the new year, they could expect some good news.
"I’m returning to my room now to make a couple of dresses for your elder brother’s child." With that, an excited Lin Ping’er left.
Bai Ruozhu squeezed Little Dengdeng’s nose and whispered, "See how anxious your grandmother is. She’s started making clothes now."
Dengdeng cooed and chuckled, as if he understood them and was amused by his grandmother.
The New Year was just around the corner. Every night, Bai Ruozhu was restless, as Jiang Yichun hadn’t returned nor had there been any news. She was unsure about how the bandit subjugation was going.
In those days, she also thought a lot about Xuantian Mountain located in the northern territories of Turkic Country and the stronghold’s audacious construction and hidden mechanical traps. Could it be such a stronghold was simply a bandit camp, or was there support from the Turkic Country behind it?
With that in mind, she became even more worried. Jiang Yichun hadn’t brought many soldiers with him. If government soldiers from the Turkic Country suddenly came to reinforce the stronghold, wouldn’t Jiang Yichun be in grave danger?
Another two days passed in anxiety. She had no solutions. Surely, she couldn’t approach Senior Fox for information, could she? Senior Fox hated them so intensely, who knew if he would intentionally make mischief?
One day, she brought Fang Guizhi to take Dennis out shopping. They had just exited their house and boarded a horse carriage, when she told Wei San, "Let’s go out of the city, through the South Gate."
Fang Guizhi asked with surprise, "Why are we going out of the city?"
Bai Ruozhu gave a mysterious look, "I’ll take you to a wonderful place, but you must keep it a secret for me, otherwise, next time I won’t bring you."
"You want it to be kept secret? You’re not planning to sell me, are you?" Fang Guizhi cracked a joke, laughing.
"How could I bear to sell you? Anyway, you just have to keep it a secret for me to prevent mother and the others from asking questions." Bai Ruozhu replied.
She instructed Wei San on the route, and soon the carriage arrived at the manor Jiang Yichun had given her at the Hot Spring. Even before the carriage halted, she lifted the carriage curtain, pointed at the manor, and stated proudly, "This manor is mine, I’ve brought you along for fun."
Fang Guizhi glanced outside and couldn’t help exclaiming, "Since when do you own a manor? How much silver does it cost?"
Just as Bai Ruozhu was about to tease her, her face instantly darkened. Outside the manor, she spotted another horse carriage.
As soon as the carriage stopped, she swiftly disembarked with Dengdeng in arm, approaching the horse carriage to take a closer look.
There was no one in the carriage. The person must have entered the manor. Could it be that Jiang Yichun has returned? She felt a surge of excitement, and without waiting for Fang Guizhi, she proceeded to enter. However, a guard suddenly appeared, blocking her way.
"Bold of you. Who dares to trespass?" The guard bellowed coldly.
Bai Ruozhu was walking so fast that she almost collided with the guard. She stepped back hurriedly, holding on tight to Dengdeng, and asked, "Why can’t I go into my own property? Instead, I’d like to know who you are?"
The guard seemed somewhat taken aback, but quickly responded, "What proof do you have that this place is your property? It would be problematic if you’re not the owner and endanger my young mistress after being let in?"
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes widened. Young mistress? Who could know about this place, enter it, and also be a young mistress?
She suddenly had an uncomfortable feeling that was like encountering a paramour on the street, but she quickly shook her head, reminding herself not to overthink things. Jiang Yichun wasn’t that kind of man.
Fang Guizhi also stepped up, looking worried, she pulled Bai Ruozhu and suggested, "We’re outnumbered, let’s go back first, shall we?"