Chapter 583 - 585: What’s the Trouble?
Bai Ruozhu glanced at her elder brother with some reassurance, realizing that he hadn’t given up. Instead, he had learned to play psychological games. It seemed that letting him accompany Zhang Liliang had a positive influence.
The old lady, examining the expression on Bai Zehao’s face and confirming his indifference to reputation, began to ponder. She was not good with directions and could easily lose her way. What if she couldn’t find her way back home and unwillingly became the butt of people’s jokes?
However, she couldn’t accept the idea of being oppressed by someone from the younger generation. Her eyes darted around as she proclaimed loudly, "If you are not afraid of ruining your reputation, I will tell Er Lang. He is set to participate in the Imperial Examination. I don’t believe he won’t fear disqualification!"
At these words, not only Bai Zehao but also everyone else in the yard grew uncomfortable. Zhang Liang stepped forward from a room and told the old lady, "Aunt Bai, I have no place interfering in your family matters, but at your age, it’s important not to be muddle-headed! Er Lang is your family’s hope. If he gets an official post, you will be the wife of an official. Who would intentionally push their grandchild into disaster?"
Aunt Bai huffed, "It is they who forced me into this. Look at how they treat me, at first resenting me for coming here, then showing me long faces after my arrival, and now they expect me to take all the blame. They are all absolutely brutal. What am I supposed to do at my age? Would you treat your mother like this too?"
Zhang Liang sighed, saying, "Aunt Bai, wouldn’t it be better if we all got along with each other? To be frank, Bai’s family has been good to you, has never neglected you in terms of food and clothing, and they top everyone else in their monthly allowance for you. In return, shouldn’t you also be considerate towards the younger members? Take a good look at yourself, reflect on how you’ve treated them over the years, and ask yourself what you’ve done for them. We can’t carry on with this endless row you’re creating. You’ve become quite unbearable."
Zhang Liliang continued, putting more emphasis on his words, "Even we, as neighbors, have been disturbed. If this continues, we will have no choice but to move out."
The old lady’s eyes darted around. She knew that if the Zhang Family moved out, the rent money would be deducted from her allowance. Thus, for the time being, she dared not provoke Zhang Liang. She sulkily turned away, returned to her room and sulked without saying goodbye.
Bai Ruozhu shrugged at Zhang Liliang, saying, "Uncle Zhang, don’t be upset. Rest for a few days, and then we’ll be busy with business again."
Zhang Liliang nodded in agreement. However, he avoided discussing the business venture with Bai Ruozhu, lest Aunt Bai overheard and caused a ruckus again.
Bai Ruozhu handed Dengdeng to her elder brother, her arm was aching from holding him. "Elder brother, let’s go check on sister-in-law. Did she drink today’s tonic soup?"
"Yes, she did. She is feeling much better now. Although she didn’t want to stay bedridden, I insisted she should," Bai Zehao responded.
After hearing this, Bai Ruozhu entered the room to find her sister-in-law looking pale. Annoyed, Bai Ruozhu said, "Sister-in-law, we’re family, not outsiders. Are you scared of other people gossiping about you, or what? There’s no need to push yourself so hard. Can’t you think about the safety of your baby?"
Wan Caiyue became a bit nervous upon hearing this, "I’ve seen other women with children who are not so delicate. Will something really happen if I get up and work?"
Bai Ruozhu glared at her and responded, "Usually, no. However, after a long journey and lack of rest during the New Year’s holiday, you’ve become a bit physically weak in the first trimester, which is the most crucial period. Therefore, you must refrain from any strenuous activities right now. Otherwise, I would be blamed for not taking care of the child in your belly."
With a pout, she gestured towards the main hall and mocked, "There’s no need for you to bother about that woman who insists on being attended to. As a pregnant woman, it’s not your task."
"Did you hear that? Listen to your sister’s advice and take care of yourself," Bai Zehao added from the side.
"You’ll be fine after resting for a couple more days. When you get out of bed, remember to move slowly. And also..." Bai Ruozhu trailed off, turning to her elder brother. Lowering her voice, she said, "Elder brother, you should also exercise restraint. At least for the first three months, you cannot... "
Bai Zehao’s face instantly turned red as he stammered, "Me... I..."
Upon saying this, he couldn’t help but recall what follies he had committed with Caiyue the night before they left home. He wondered if it might affect the baby.
Wan Caiyue’s face also turned bright red as she murmured, "Little sister!"
Bai Ruozhu left her brother and sister-in-law’s room with a mischievous smile on her face. She hadn’t been messing with them. Seriously speaking, especially as her sister-in-law’s body was weak and her pregnancy was unstable at present, they needed to refrain from sexual activity.
Stepping outside, Bai Ruozhu went to Fang Guizhi’s room. In the past few days, Guizhi had been completely choked, even sneaking out when visiting the toilet, and avoiding leaving her room altogether when Aunt Bai was not in the main hall.
Bai Ruozhu looked at the dismay in Guizhi’s eyes and comforted her, "It will be better in a few days. Otherwise, you can accompany me when I go out later. Just say that Sister Hongxiu noticed my sickness and arranged for you to help with some tasks."
Fang Guizhi thought that this was a good idea, which could save her from any potential troubles Aunt Bai may cause.
The lunch was simple. Since Bai Yihong and Lin Ping’er had taken the Zhou family out, Bai Ruozhu and Wan Caiyue were advised against overexertion. On top of that, Guizhi was unable to leave her room, and Fusa and Lin Laifu went to the shop. Only the Zhou family aunt was left to cook. Therefore, she just made a large pot of noodles.
However, Mother Rong wanted to help but was stopped by Bai Ruozhu. Given the fresh scar on her body, she wouldn’t stand the damp heat from the noodles and the heat from the stove. This would affect her recovery.
This resulted in Aunt Bai complaining about the plain and mediocre meal.
This time, even Zhou Aunt lost her temper, slamming the bowl on the table. "I am close to your age, and you’re in no position to reprimand me. I owe you nothing. If I could cook, why can’t you? All you do is sit around complaining. Aren’t you tired? Since you don’t appreciate my cooking, don’t eat!"
Having said that, she took away the old lady’s noodles, leaving her with nothing.
Fearing that this episode might upset Zhou Aunt, Bai Ruozhu consoled her. However, Zhou Aunt just laughed it off, saying, "Don’t worry about it. I was just fed up with her attitude. I thought it was time to show her my discontent."
Bai Ruozhu felt a warmth inside. She knew that Zhou Aunt had stood up for her on account of Aunt Bai’s scolding earlier in the day.
In the afternoon, Bai Yihong and all the others returned, carrying lots of packages big and small. Zhou Chuang helped with carrying them. Given his strength, he didn’t look strained at all.
"Wow, second brother, did you buy all these?" Aunt Bai stepped out of her room, mockingly asking.
Bai Yihong furrowed his eyebrows and replied, "These goods were bought by each family for themselves. They are bringing some stuff for their relatives."
Aunt Bai grimaced, apparently not buying this explanation.
Hearing this, Bai Ruozhu walked over and said, "Uncle Zhou, are you planning on going back in the next couple of days? Things have been far from peaceful lately."
Zhou Deshun understood the hidden message in Bai Ruozhu’s words, cooperatively saying, "We’ll be leaving tomorrow or the day after."
Aunt Bai’s eyes darted around, "What hasn’t been peaceful? I haven’t heard anything of the sort!"