Chapter 828 - 830: The Heartbroken Must Leave_1
Zhou Taohua in Mountain Village is not considered a good marriage prospect, because many people know about her health issues and fear that she may not be able to bear children, which is important to farming households that value lineage, so no one dares to marry her. However, it’s different in Beiyu City. In ancient times, information did not travel well, and the rumors of Mountain Village couldn’t reach there.
Still, Bai Ruozhu felt that what her mother said wasn’t entirely without merit. With Zhou Taohua’s character, she really might not find a good family to marry into, and even if she did, with the way she behaved, she certainly wouldn’t have good days ahead.
Just look at her lovesick appearance when she saw Second Brother and Achun—it was truly embarrassing. Fortunately, they were about to leave, so Zhou Taohua would have no way to cling on to them.
In the following days, Bai Ruozhu was busy packing luggage. This time, she had to pack not only for her family of three but also had to carefully select items for Second Brother, including body-nourishing supplements for the journey. The days passed in this manner, and in the blink of an eye, the day arrived for them to meet at the Study Palace before their departure.
Originally, Bai Ruozhu was to accompany Second Brother to the Study Palace with Big Brother, but after breakfast, the sister-in-law vomited due to the baby pressing on her stomach. Bai Ruozhu then asked Big Brother to stay at home and take good care of the sister-in-law first.
On the horse carriage, Bai Ruozhu, looking at her calm and still Second Brother, couldn’t help asking, "Second Brother, during these days, you have never asked who tried to assassinate you. Don’t you want to know?"
Bai Zepei’s eyelids lifted slightly, and he said indifferently, "There’s no need to ask. I already know. Some things are left unsaid, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be settled later."
Bai Ruozhu felt relieved seeing that Second Brother could understand and whispered, "Don’t worry, she won’t end well."
Bai Zepei’s eyes suddenly fixed tightly on Bai Ruozhu, asking somewhat displeased, "Have you already made a move? That’s too dangerous!"
Before Bai Ruozhu could speak, Bai Zepei sighed and shook his head, "Ruozhu, you are clever enough, but still too young. Even if you act with secrecy, what if something goes wrong and brings big trouble to yourself? Second Brother doesn’t want you or the family to get into trouble."
He paused for a few seconds, then squeezed out another sentence through his teeth, "A gentleman’s revenge is not too late, even after ten years."
Bai Ruozhu pouted and said no more. After all, what was done was done, and Wang Miaoshuang wouldn’t end well. She thought it was better to speak less to keep Second Brother from worrying.
Soon, they arrived at Beiyu Academy. Bai Ruozhu couldn’t go in, so after instructing Second Brother to look after his health, to not get angry, and to be careful, she waited at the gate.
Waiting was quite boring. She took out a book to flip through. Soon, she couldn’t help but think about the ancestral book she had seen on the way to Mount Hua and had somehow lost. Normally, she would keep it in her Space, but during those days, Muyu and the morning breeze were with her, and she was afraid of being noticed, so she kept it in her sleeve or in the carriage. Later, she was poisoned and fell into a coma. After returning to Beiyu City and being busy, by the time she remembered, the book was long gone.
The book wasn’t worth much money, but it had a different significance, being an ancestral item. Losing it like this was somewhat disrespectful.
As she pondered whether there was a way to go look for it, Wa San’s voice came from outside the carriage, "Miss, I hope I’m not disturbing you. I have a few words I’d like to say to you."
Hearing the seriousness in Wa San’s tone, Bai Ruozhu put down the book she was holding and got out of the carriage, "It’s fine, go ahead."
Wa San suddenly knelt down with a thump, his head hanging low as he said, "Miss, thank you for your care these past days. By right, I, Wa San, should not be ungrateful. However, I want to try my luck out in the world and I’m afraid I won’t be able to drive your carriage anymore."
Bai Ruozhu did not show much surprise. She also felt that being a coachman was a bit of an injustice to Wa San. Since Wa San was not truly her subordinate, nor was he her relative, and he was not willing to sign an Indenture Contract, there was a layer of separation. To ask her to go out of her way to groom him, she was not a saint.
Looking at Wa San again, there was some despondency and disappointment on his face, looking a bit like someone who had been dumped...
She probably understood then, Wei San must have had feelings for Guizhi, and certainly knew about Guizhi’s affection for Qin Kaichang. He likely felt that it was because of his lower social status that Guizhi could not choose him, which is why he now wanted to go out and strive in the world.
Bai Ruozhu opened her mouth but ultimately decided it was better not to speak; these words might not be useful if she said them. Pointing things out directly would be bad for everyone, and Wei San would find it embarrassing. Besides, if he had the ambition to fight for a better life, it might not be such a bad thing.
"I know you would only speak if you had made up your mind, and my persuasion would be of no use. Take this silver with you; consider it your final wages and bonus from me as the head of the household." Bai Ruozhu said, handing over twenty taels of silver.
Wei San’s face turned red, and he suddenly stood up and started backing away repeatedly, "No, I can’t take this money. I feel bad for leaving you, the master, and the madam like this. How could I take even more money?"
Bai Ruozhu threw the silver directly at him, feigning anger as she spoke, "I am the head of the household. If I say to give it to you, then it’s yours. If you refuse to accept it, then if we ever meet again, we can’t even consider each other acquaintances. Do you really want to part on bad terms with us?"
Now Wei San dared not refuse, and he knelt down again to kowtow to Bai Ruozhu, saying, "I will also go and kowtow to the master and the madam."
"Get up quickly, I’m not accustomed to such formalities," Bai Ruozhu frowned and said. Such grand gestures made her feel uneasy all over.
"Take good care in all you do outside. It’s good to have ambition, but don’t resort to dangerous methods, nor should you stray onto the wrong path. No matter how long it takes, as long as you wish to return, the Bai Family will welcome you. Even if you do not wish to come back as a helper, you can still come to visit us when you have the time," Bai Ruozhu said.
Wei San climbed up from the ground, wiping away the redness at the corners of his eyes, and with a choked voice, he said, "Miss, I will remember all of it."
The departure of Wei San left Bai Ruozhu feeling somewhat sullen. With her family’s current situation, hiring a few coachmen wasn’t a problem. It was just that they had become accustomed to Wei San, and he had become a friend over time, which made the parting rather sentimental.
At that moment, the sound of horse hooves approached from afar, and a figure in red caught Bai Ruozhu’s eyes. Once again, the phrase came to mind: "Bright attire and spirited horses, a beauty like a flower."
The figure in red, Tu Ying, along with Tu Bai in a black suit, arrived swiftly. They dismounted and greeted Bai Ruozhu.
"Has Zepei already gone in? Then have I come too late?" Tu Bai asked in disarray, completely lacking the composure of Bai Zepei.
Tu Ying rolled her eyes in disgust and said, "Big brother, you’d better hurry inside. I’ll stay here and talk with Sister Ruozhu."
Upon hearing this, Tu Bai rushed into the Academy like a puff of smoke.
"Sister Ruozhu, it’s too hot in the sun. Let’s talk in the carriage," Tu Ying said to Bai Ruozhu with a smile.
Bai Ruozhu thought to herself that if Tu Ying wasn’t afraid of getting sunburnt coming on horseback, why would she be now? Clearly, she just had something private to say to her.
----
Thank you all for the comforting words yesterday; Mouka is feeling much better and will continue to work hard on updates today. I’ve been doing five updates in the past few days, which is my way of making up for what I owe. I didn’t speak up because I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me. I thought I’d better get the work done first before saying anything (runs away covering face).