Chapter 75 - 075 Chang Sheng Will return
Chapter 75: Chapter 075: Chang Sheng Will return
Chapter 75 -075: Chang Sheng Will return
At such times, the more people want to argue with you, the less you should allow them to put on an act.
After Lin Ping’er responded, she took large strides towards the kitchen.
But unexpectedly, Madam Wang hastily pursued her.
With a forced smile on her face, she said, “Ruozhu, let me help you.
I’ll light the fire.”
Bai Ruozhu suppressed the nausea rising within her and replied with a smile, “Auntie, you’re too polite.
You are our guest after all, how could we let you do such heavy work?
What if you dirty your clothes?
Why don’t you help by serving tea to our guests instead?”
Reluctantly, Madam Wang took the teapot.
She actually wanted to show off her capabilities, considering she married into a scholar’s family and was a student’s mother.
But when Bai Ruozhu mentioned her clothes and with her father-in-law’s cold stare at her, she felt her moving away was something of a struggle.
Madam Wang clenched her teeth.
Did she think Madam Wang was foolish enough not to know Bai Ruozhu set her up?
She supposed herself too refined to do coarse labor.
But didn’t she just help butcher the fish?
Part of her regretted wearing such flashy clothing, but imagining herself in Lin Ping’er’s dull attire, she also felt sheepish.
In the end, Madam Wang, under the watchful eyes of those present, didn’t want to serve the guests but couldn’t decline.
She gritted her teeth and served the tea one by one.
She noticed that the guests were occasionally glancing at her, then subtly casting their eyes onto Lin Ping’er, who was busily working in her plain clothes.
Mother and daughter Bai Ruozhu shared a laugh and continued with their work.
A banquet was laid out and the cold dishes were served.
As the guests began to sit down, Bai Yihong and Bai Zehao sat down to accompany them.
Bai Zepei, who would usually avoid these festivities to read, also came out to entertain the guests.
However, he couldn’t handle his liquor and only sipped a couple of cups.
As the feast began, every helper—a stout man—would have their drink while munching on the cold dishes.
After a bite, someone couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, Yihong, did you order these cold dishes from the town restaurant?
They taste first-class!”
Upon hearing the praise for the dishes, Bai Yihong laughed until his eyes squinted.
“How could I have ordered all the way from town, it’s all prepared by Ruozhu.
She’s fantastic in the kitchen, she even has her mother as an assistant.”
The door to the main hall remained wide open, everyone turned to look through the door towards the kitchen in the distance.
There among the bustle of the kitchen, Bai Ruozhu could be seen, even through their limited view.
Her pregnant belly was very noticeable.
“Ruozhu is truly wonderful, despite her condition she’s working hard for us.
It’s really hard on her,” Zhou Deshun, Bai Yihong’s good friend, could not help but praise.
“That’s true.
Ruozhu is not only beautiful and capable, but also intelligent and knowledgeable.
Marrying her is a blessing one must have accumulated from their past life!” The speaker was Wan Minglu, the second brother of Wan Caiyue.
He was straightforward and just said whatever was on his mind.
It wasn’t until his elder brother subtly kicked him under the table that he realized he spoke out of turn.
In a situation where her husband’s life hangs in the balance, wasn’t it sarcasm to mention blessings from a past life?
Wan Minglu became anxious.
He didn’t know how to correct his misstep.
Fortunately, Zhou Deshun, who was always eloquent, laughed and said, “That’s also because Yihong and his wife raised her well, and Uncle Bai guided her well.”
The clever ones heaved a sigh of relief.
They all came to help and had good relations with the Bai family, so they couldn’t let the atmosphere become awkward.
Just as everyone was about to change the subject, Bai Yibo, with a twisted smile, said, “Yes indeed, Ruozhu is such a good girl.
I’m surprised my second brother was willing to marry her off to a nobody.
I think she could even marry into a prominent family in the town.”
He put down his wine cup and continued, “That guy’s life is hanging by a thread, I strongly suspect he ran away.
He’s utterly ungrateful!” He looked furious, as if he was genuinely upset for his niece.
The Patriarch had a stern look on his face.
Regardless of what happened, everyone knew Bai Ruozhu was already married.
It was simply inappropriate to say such things now.
“Yibo, why bring up such matters?
Don’t spoil everyone’s mood,” the Patriarch said coldly.
Bai Yibo picked up a dish with his chopsticks, his face somewhat gloomy.
“I’m simply speaking up for Ruozhu.
If you don’t want me to continue, I’ll cease,” he said then.
The patriarch huffed in annoyance.
But considering the number of guests, it wasn’t a place to scold his eldest son.
He could only swallow his anger.
Bai Yihong was also annoyed, but considering they were hosting guests, creating a scene wasn’t fitting.
He had to muster up a smile and say, “Don’t just talk, eat more.
We’ve got more dishes coming.”
Because Bai Yibo spoke so loudly, Bai Ruozhu could hear everything clearly in the kitchen.
She snatched the dish her mother was about to serve and leisurely walked towards the main hall.
Everyone saw her coming and started complimenting her.
“Ruozhu, your cooking skills are superb, perhaps you should let my daughter learn from you.”
“Yes, we often have this cold mixed cucumber dish at home, but why doesn’t it taste as good?”
“Young miss, don’t tire yourself out.
It’s okay to make fewer dishes, you need to rest.”
…
These were villagers who got along well with the Bai family’s second household, genuinely caring for Bai Ruozhu.
Bai Ruozhu smiled and thanked everyone with a bow.
But then a troubled look appeared on her face as she said, “I just overheard my elder uncle mentioning Changsheng.
Uncle, I think you’ve misunderstood Changsheng.”
Everyone looked at her, worried that she might be upset by the mentioning of Changsheng.
“Young lady, do not overthink it.
He may return soon,” Zhou Deshun sighed, covertly glaring at Bai Yibo.
As a close uncle, how could he deliberately upset his niece?
It was like plunging a knife directly into her chest.
Bai Ruozhu gave Zhou Deshun a bitter smile, then addressed the crowd, “There were some matters I didn’t wish to mention, so as not to concern my parents.
But now …” she paused tactfully before shifting her gaze towards Bai Yibo with a hurt expression.
Everyone noticed and felt Bai Yibo was in the wrong.
“Why are you looking at me?
As your elder uncle, I’m just worried for you,” Bai Yibo lied.
“Thank you for your concern, Uncle.
Actually, a few days ago, Changsheng had someone send a letter to me.
Everyone in the village was saying that he had come back,” Bai Ruozhu said shaking her head slightly.
“But it was actually one of his friends who arrived, saying that he had accidentally fallen off a cliff and was saved.
He was taken to the clinic for treatment.
The person who saved him was a kind-hearted merchant.
When he had to leave for business in a far-off place and saw Changsheng was still unconscious, he decided to take him along.
By the time Changsheng regained consciousness, he was in the external capital.”
The external capital was second only to Chang’an City in size in the Danliang Country.
It was heavily populated and far away from the Back Mountain Village, which would deter anyone from questioning the authenticity of her story.
“So far away?” Someone gasped.
Bai Ruozhu nodded and continued, “Changsheng asked his friend to pass me a message.
He has broken his arms and legs and is inconvenient to move.
He is also frequently coughing up blood due to internal injuries from the fall.
He is unsure if he could be treated and thus can’t return for the time being.”