With the help of Wax Plum in spinning yarn, the Bai Family worked all night and finally assembled some samples for display the next day. Early the next morning, Fusa went to open the shop while suppressing yawns, and Bai Ruozhu had Wa San accompany her and Lin Laifu to help out at the shop, ensuring security with a man present.
Before she left, Bai Ruozhu instructed Fusa: "If any customers come, sell the small samples, but not these skirts and jackets. If customers ask, just tell them these are samples that have been touched and dirtied or even scratched in places. It wouldn’t be right to sell them defective goods."
Fusa nodded hurriedly, then listened as Bai Ruozhu continued: "If someone wants to place an order, make sure to inform them they would have to wait around 15 days. Also, increase the price appropriately. If customers ask why it’s so expensive, explain that the design is unique and requires more labor time."
Fusa noted all of this down, saying, "When the shop is empty, I can work on the crochet products to try and complete one or two samples."
Bai Ruozhu patted her shoulder, saying: "No. When no one’s around, let Brother Lin watch the shop - take some breaks. Don’t do the crochet work in the shop. It wouldn’t be good to be seen."
Understanding Bai Ruozhu’s words, Fusa left the house together with Lin Laifu.
While the Bai Family was bustling to process the work orders, a weaving shop in Beiyu City quietly opened. If Bai Ruozhu had passed by and seen it, she would have undoubtedly cursed out loud, because the name of that shop was "Yun Xiaorong Weaving Pavilion".
For the following two days, the Bai family worked tirelessly on their crochet craftwork. Wax Plum gradually adapted to life in the Bai family home. Bai Ruozhu was so busy with her crochet work that she had no time for idle thoughts. Even the product Wu Wanqing ordered was set aside. After all, she had initially agreed to deliver it in around fifteen days.
That day was especially cold, even speaking outdoors created puffs of white breath.
Bai Zepei was late returning from school. His mother, Lin Ping, worried about this for quite a while. She even had Wa San hitch up the horse carriage to pick him up at the Study Palace gate. However, Wa San was gone for a very long period.
The darkness fell early this time of the year. It was only after dark, that Wa San returned with Bai Zepei in the horse carriage.
Wa San hastily said to Lin Ping: "Madam, when I went to the Study Palace to pick up the young master, I heard that he had some business at the Meng Family. So, I made a detour to the Meng Family, which caused the delay."
Impressed by Wa San’s quick adaptation, Lin Ping complimented him with a few words of praise, then invited him to join them for a late dinner, as he surely must be hungry by now.
After greeting his mother, Bai Zepei walked over to Bai Ruozhu, and handed her a letter from his pocket.
"Someone asked me to give this to you," Bai Zepei whispered, an undertone of teasing hinted in his voice.
Bai Ruozhu’s eyelids twitched, tacitly acknowledging that she understood who had sent the letter. She glared at Zepei in frustration. Couldn’t he hand her the letter more discreetly instead of revealing it in front of the entire family?
Bai Yihong looked over and asked, "Who sent a letter? Isn’t it hard for mail to be delivered in this freezing weather?"
Bai Ruozhu’s face turned red, and she was unsure how to respond.
"It’s an invitation from Lady Meng," Bai Zepei piped up, trying to help Bai Ruozhu out of this predicament. However, the gleam in his eyes as he glanced at Bai Ruozhu was full of smugness, indicating that he thoroughly enjoyed making mischief.
Bai Ruozhu didn’t even feel grateful to him. This was the first time she found out that Zepei could be so frivolous.
Well, evidently, Zepei was more of a dark horse than she had thought.
Nobody in the family really paid attention to the letter, thinking it was just a note from Lady Meng. Bai Ruozhu nervously retreated back to her room and opened the envelope with pounding heart.
Indeed, it was from Jiang Yichun! Although she wasn’t familiar with his handwriting yet, she could unmistakably recognize his tone!
"Ruozhu, I shouldn’t have sent you this letter. When we part for too long, I fear you might worry. I’m also concerned that something unexpected may come up, delaying my return. I hope that I get to see you in person within a couple of days after you read this letter..."
The letter was three pages long. Even though it didn’t mention the hardships of dealing with the robbers, Bai Ruozhu could sense his danger and struggles outside home. She hoped that he would return soon and no longer have to deal with these perilous tasks.
After carefully verifying that the seal of the letter was intact and hadn’t been tampered with, Bai Ruozhu noticed a sort of poison on the paper. The poison would induce immediate unconsciousness if one tried to secretly open the letter. This showed that Jiang Yichun was extremely careful. And he knew that Bai Ruozhu had special skills, which meant she wouldn’t fall unconscious on account of the poison.
She carefully folded the letter and tucked it away into her space, her heart tasting both sweet and sour simultaneously. She could only hope to see him again in a few days.
When Bai Ruozhu returned from her room, Bai Zepei was leaning against the door of the Main Hall, grinning teasingly at her: "Have you finished reading your love letter? Didn’t you hug it and read it over and over?"
Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow, reached out to touch Zepei’s forehead, and said, "Zepei, are you alright? You don’t have a fever, do you? This behavior is totally unlike your noble personality. Look at you, you’re turning into a gossip now."
Zepei brushed her hand away, replied: "It’s a common saying, ’When a family has a daughter, a hundred families come seeking.’ As your older brother, it’s normal for me to worry about your future."
Bai Ruozhu sneered, "You have discussed this with them early, haven’t you? Sold me off."
The corner of Bai Zepei’s mouth curled upward, "Or was it you who took the initiative to give yourself away? Do you really think I wouldn’t know?"
Bai Ruozhu’s face reddened. There were times when she did lose an argument. She could only wrinkle her nose at Zepei in indignation and declared, "There’s no such thing!" before running away, her heart beating furiously.
That night, she brought Dengdeng back to her room to play. Dengdeng had recently started babbling, "Dada, Dada," incessantly. At first, she mused that Dengdeng might be longing for his father because he had never met him. However, she quickly realized that the child simply enjoyed making those particular sounds.
Xiaosi poked his small head through the door gap. Bai Ruozhu waved to him, "Come in and play with Dengdeng for a while."
"Okay." Xiaosi ran in with a smile, his face radiating more warmth these days.
Xiaosi delighted in touching Dengdeng’s small hands and pinching his little bottom when he saw the baby lying on his stomach. Ticklish, Dengdeng giggled, his laughter so hearty that he couldn’t roll over anymore.
Soon, Niuniu and Rongrong heard the commotion and also crawled into Bai Ruozhu’s room. The room was brimming with children and was full of joy. Bai Ruozhu reveled in the happy atmosphere, secretly thinking it would be even better if she could give Dengdeng a little sister.
They said that daughters usually take after their fathers. If the girl looked like Jiang Yichun, then she’d grow up to be a cold beauty. Bai Ruozhu shook her head, both amused and conflicted at the thought. Beauty was a must, but the cold demeanor was not. She decided to nurture her into being lively and active from a young age, believing that girls who are too cold might not be so well-received.
Realizing that she was fantasizing about giving birth to Jiang Yichun’s child made her face turn as red as a beetroot, spreading all the way down to her neck. Rongrong, who was sitting next to her, noticed the change of color on Bai Ruozhu’s face, and asked worriedly, "Sister Ruozhu, are you feeling feverish? Why is your face so red?" As she spoke, she reached out her tiny hand to feel Ruozhu’s forehead, seeing if she was running a fever.
Bai Ruozhu felt utterly embarrassed. She was daydreaming so conspicuously that even the children noticed. In sheepish distress, she flatly denied Rongrong’s suspicions, saying, "There’s nothing wrong with me!" Then, she dashed off in a hurry.