Du Fuling sneered unpleasantly, feeling that Auntie Du didn’t like her and was deliberately defending Bai Ruozhu. She reached out for the drawing by Bai Ruozhu, saying, "Let me see what this trickster is up to."
Madam Du, however, hid the drawing and shot her a warning look. "Don’t mess around. If you damage or lose it, you can kiss your tooth goodbye."
...
The Bai Family was upset when they learned that the Meng Residence was trying to mediate by having Bai Ruozhu reattach Du Fuling’s tooth. They knew how arrogant Du Fuling was and how rude she had been to Bai Ruozhu.
However, Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, "It’s fine. They even made the tools for me, which saves me the trouble. Besides, I can earn a consultation fee and give face to the Meng Family. Why not?"
Losing their initial indignation upon reconsideration, the family was only left worried, especially Lin Ping’er, who said, "I should accompany you when you reattach the tooth. It’s normal for you to need assistance, so as to prevent Du Fuling from causing trouble."
Bai Ruozhu nearly burst into laughter, "Mother, there are so many people in Meng Residence. Do you really need to argue with them?"
Lin Ping’er lowered her head, her expression uneasy, and after a long silence said, "While I was shopping yesterday, I heard about what happened. Even though it’s been cleared up, you should have told us about it, instead of suffering alone."
Her eyes reddened as she spoke, and she dabbed at the corner of her eyes.
Bai Ruozhu felt a bitter sadness. So her mother had heard about it yesterday. That explained why she looked off when Bai Ruozhu left with Meng Qiu earlier that day. During her time at the Meng Residence, her mother must’ve been anxious, afraid that she would face more grievances.
Bai Ruozhu took her mother’s hand and said, "Mother, it was all just a misunderstanding. It’s fine now."
Lin Ping’er sniffled and complained, "I know you didn’t want us to worry, but by saying nothing at all, you left me to my own fears. These wealthy families are always difficult to deal with, so it’s best to limit our contact with them in the future."
"Have you forgotten how kind Madam Meng was to me? She even personally attended our shop’s opening. Can I truly avoid contact with them?" Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh. Even if her second brother became an officer in the future, these kinds of encounters were inevitable.
"Well, we certainly can’t avoid Madam Meng, but do stay away from Madam Du." Lin Ping’er pondered before saying.
Bai Ruozhu nodded quickly, "Yes, mother. You’re right. I’ll only meet directly with Madam Meng, avoiding any contact with Madam Du."
Lin Ping’er sighed in relief and her mood improved.
The next evening, Zhang Liliang and Bai Zehao arrived home with two carts full of goods, worn out from the journey.
The family got busy again, with the men unloading the carts and the women boiling hot water. After such a long journey, everyone deserved a relaxing bath.
In the evening, in Bai Zehao’s room, he was entrancingly kissing Wan Caiyue’s cheeks, whispering, "My wife, you’ve become even more beautiful. You were all I thought about during my journey."
Wan Caiyue’s face flushed like a ripe apple as she looked at Bai Zehao and said, "You should let Ruozhu give you a facial. Your skin has become coarse from all that wind and sun."
Bai Zehao laughed. "We men don’t mind things like that. Don’t you think I’ve become manlier?"
Wan Caiyue couldn’t help laughing. Bai Zehao blew out the candle and moved in closer...
There was no conversation throughout the night. The next morning, Bai Ruozhu started to prepare fresh noodle soup with Zhang Liliang and her elder brother. Being meticulous people, they worked slowly but made no mistakes. By noon, they had prepared all the noodle soup.
Bai Ruozhu called Wa San to help load the carts with the jars of noodle soup and then headed to Yingkelai.
She never expected that once she mentioned her name, the shopkeeper would directly lead her to the backyard, where she encountered Shen Lu.
"Madam Bai, we meet again," Shen Lu greeted with a smile.
Bai Ruozhu politely responded, "I didn’t expect to find you in Beiyu City, Shen Lu. Are you planning to stay here more permanently now?"
Stroking his beard, Shen Lu said, "Now that Yingkelai’s business is booming, how could I not be here to oversee it?"
"That makes things easier. But I won’t be coming personally in the future. I’ll send my Uncle Zhang to deliver the goods for me," she said and gestured for Zhang Liliang to greet Shen Lu.
With a nod, Shen Lu agreed, "Understandable. But whenever you’re free, stop by to chat. Here, take this card. Whenever you visit Yingkelai, you’ll have access to a private VIP room, with complimentary meals."
Bai Ruozhu laughed, appreciating how good Shen Lu was at socializing. It was far more enjoyable working with him than with the Du family.
"Thank you, Shen Lu. I’ll be sure to come by and feast on the famed dishes of the number one restaurant in Beiyu City."
"As I’ve heard of your extraordinary culinary skills, I hope you might provide some suggestions when you do." Shen Lu chuckled.
This delivery was larger than the previous one. Not only did Bai Ruozhu deliver the initial order to Shen Lu, but she also received a sum of silver. Shen Lu was very considerate, paying in advance for the next order.
After exchanging pleasantries, Bai Ruozhu was about to leave, but she saw a woman enter Yingkelai and directly proceed to the second floor rooms. She narrowed her eyes, recognizing the woman with phoenix eyes she had seen once at the hot spring mansion. She stopped and asked softly, "Shen Lu, do you know who that woman is?"
Shen Lu glanced in the direction she was pointing and shook his head. "Before, I wasn’t often in Beiyu City, so I’m not familiar with the ladies of the local gentry. If Madam Bai needs to know, I can have someone inquire."
Upon hearing that, Bai Ruozhu quickly replied, "No need. She just seemed familiar, that’s all. She has extraordinary bearing, and I guessed she must be from some influential family. But as the end of the year approaches, there will be many banquets, and I’m sure we’ll meet then."
Shen Lu didn’t think much of it and bid farewell to Bai Ruozhu with a smile.
Once in the carriage with Zhang Liliang and her elder brother, Bai Ruozhu was deep in thought about the woman’s identity. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t pay attention to the conversation between her elder brother and Zhang Liliang. Soon, through a crack in the carriage window curtain, she saw the figure of Senior Fox.
Senior Fox wasn’t wearing his mask. He wasn’t smiling, but his eyes hinted at a smile. He walked quickly, clearly in a hurry to meet someone. Bai Ruozhu glanced at the direction he was going, and guessed he was heading to Yingkelai.
Was Senior Fox going to meet the woman with phoenix eyes? Were they actually a couple? Perhaps the woman knew about the manor because of Senior Fox, and so she had gone for a visit.
But the woman wore the hairstyle of a married woman. Had she already married Senior Fox? If so, then Du Fuling had no chance. She was not even close to matching the woman with phoenix eyes.
Bai Ruozhu felt her spirits lift, perhaps she had indeed been mistaken.
"Ruozhu, I’m speaking to you!" Bai Zehao’s voice interrupted Bai Ruozhu’s thoughts. "Mother said I should take Caiyue back to Mountain Village for the New Year. Do you need me to take anything there? Do you have any messages for our benefactor?"