Chapter 594 - 596: Something is Lost at Home
On her carriage ride home, Bai Ruozhu was still thinking about that sentence: "Not only this, I should take responsibility for you for a lifetime."
She was jolted back to her senses only when Dengdeng in her arms woke up and demanded to be held upright.
She massaged her aching waist, and a shy smile appeared on her face.
She took out from the space the small mirror Jiang Yichun gave her, held it up to her neck, and indeed, the three spots were as clear as jade, just like her original skin.
It was only then that she returned home with relief. As soon as she entered the yard, she felt something was off.
She soon noticed something. The one who opened the door was not Guizhi, but Aunt Lin. Guizhi, who now had a suitable excuse, was able to move freely. Normally, if someone rang the door, she would be the first to run over.
Aunt Lin pursed her lips and said in a low voice, "You’d better see for yourself. Your grandmother is treating Guizhi like her maid."
At this, Bai Ruozhu’s face fell. Guizhi’s past evoked sympathy, and with her cheerful personality and strong work ethic, who in the courtyard wouldn’t like such a good girl?
Moreover, Guizhi was now her sworn sister, the second miss of the Bai family. Why should she serve an old lady as a servant?
Bai Ruozhu thanked Aunt Lin and then hurried towards the main hall. She saw the old lady soaking her feet in broad daylight, and instructing Fang Guizhi, "Remember to add hot water later, or what if it gets cold?"
Fang Guizhi was massaging her shoulders, saying, "Yes," but her face showed disapproval.
The old lady suddenly slapped her arm, saying, "What kind of attitude is this, you wretch? Don’t forget your place as a servant. If you’re called by your master to serve, you’d better do it well, or I’ll have your master beat you and sell you to a brothel!"
Tears welled up in Guizhi’s eyes as she retorted, "Grandma Bai, we’re from the same village. Even if I were sold to serve as a maid, we’re still kinsfolk. Do you have to treat me this way?"
The elderly Bai lady rolled her eyes smugly, "So what if we’re from the same village? You’re a servant now, still trying to claim kinship with me? Realize my family is arguably richer than yours." She suddenly began to laugh, "Of course, if you serve me well, I’ll let my son buy you from the Xie family. Then you can serve me exclusively, return to our village with me, and see your parents regularly."
She hoped to coax Guizhi into begging her with these words, but instead, resentment flashed in Guizhi’s eyes, and she remained silent and bowed her head.
"Stop standing and come massage my feet!" Grandma Bai shouted again.
Having listened to this for a while from the doorway, Bai Ruozhu clenched her fists tightly.
Carrying Dengdeng, she stormed in and asked, "Grandma, what’s all this fuss about washing feet in broad daylight? How dirty are your feet?"
Upon seeing her, the old lady started grinding her teeth, "You still have the nerve to see me after spreading rumors about me being mentally ill outside? I can see now, you’re the most unfilial person in this family!"
Bai Ruozhu responded with a cold laugh, "Yes, I am unfilial. You should spread the word when you go back to the village, let everyone know about my ugly face. You might as well make sure I can never remarry."
"I certainly will, you don’t need to tell me." The elderly Bai woman rolled her eyes.
Bai Ruozhu grabbed Guizhi’s arm and said, "Let’s go cook. Don’t waste time here."
"Stop!" The old woman shrieked, scaring Dengdeng in Bai Ruozhu’s arms, who then burst into tears.
"She came here to serve, what’s wrong with her serving me? I’ve been in jail for a night, my feet hurt, I need someone to massage them." The elderly Bai woman glanced at the sobbing Dengdeng and did not lower her voice in the slightest.
Seeing Dengdeng crying, Guizhi went over to comfort him, and Bai Ruozhu too didn’t want to stay there for a second longer, carrying her crying son.
"Fang Guizhi is a maid of the Xie family, not a maid of ours. I’ve never heard of a maid in a wealthy family taking the place of a common family’s young miss. Guizhi usually prepares dimsum for Lady Xie in the Xie residence. If you make trouble and aggrieve Guizhi, see how Lady Xie will settle the score with you!"
Having said that, she pulled Guizhi towards the door, then turned back to say, "By the way, did you know that Mr. Xie is highly favoured by the City Lord? A single word from Lady Xie could send people to jail. Grandma, would you like to try?"
After she finished speaking, she paid no attention to the elderly Bai woman’s reaction, pulled Guizhi away, and returned to her room.
Guizhi’s face was still stained with tears, and Bai Ruozhu gave her a sympathetic look, saying, "Are you dumb? If she asks you to do something, pretend you didn’t hear, and stay away from her. Isn’t that all it takes?"
Guizhi sniffled and muttered, "I just didn’t want her to spot the loophole, and since she kept saying she wanted to return to the village..."
"Even so, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice yourself. Even if she refuses to leave, I will keep fighting with her, and I won’t let you be bullied." Bai Ruozhu said indignantly.
Guizhi wiped the corner of her eyes, took Dengdeng who had stopped crying into her arms, and said, "I understand, I’ll avoid her. Even our Dengdeng doesn’t like her".
Bai Ruozhu grimaced, "No one in this yard likes her. By the way, where did my parents go?"
"Father said he found a piece of land, and went to see it with Uncle Deshun. Mother went with Aunt Deshun. I heard that Father invited Uncle Deshun to farm those few acres of land together and grow winter vegetables," Guizhi said.
Bai Ruozhu nodded. The Zhou Deshun family were good people, just if Deshun Zhou was to come to Beiyu City, his parents also have to be brought here, as he was the eldest son, But, if Peach Blossom’s mother and Peach Blossom also came over, that wouldn’t be quite as good.
As Bai Ruozhu was pondering this, her eyes suddenly caught sight of a bookshelf, causing her to frown.
"Guizhi, did anyone come to my room when I was out?" She asked hurridly.
"I didn’t pay attention. Grandma Bai had me, boiling water for her, washing her clothes, serving tea etc. I was so busy." She looked surprised, "Someone entered your room?"
The rule in the yard was that everyone cleaned their own room. Even Bai Ruozhu was no exception. So, almost no one would enter her room, unless helping her with Dengdeng, but no one would rummage through her cupboards.
"The cupboard has been moved." Bai Ruozhu’s face darkened. She couldn’t blame people for being annoying, but having this kind of thieving behavior? It was no wonder Sanlang turned out to be a thief.
"Oh, quickly check to see if anything’s missing!" Guizhi shrieked, as Bai Ruozhu was in charge of most of the Bai family’s finances.
Bai Ruozhu was not worried, since she had been robbed once by Sanlang, and she had discovered that her space could store items, she had put all her valuable possessions into it, making it convenient for her to use any time.
But she couldn’t leave the cupboard empty so she had put some things in it. She got up and opened the cupboard to check and indeed, a set of fine cotton clothes was missing.
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Dear readers, the fifth update is here. I, Mouka, will first take the children out and we’ll continue tomorrow~