Chapter 962 - 964: Achun’s Sharp Tongue Again_1
The "what thing" Lin Ping’er referred to was not a belittlement of Zhou Taohua’s difficulty in bearing children, but a disdain for Zhou Taohua’s character, believing that such a person would surely be a troublemaker if brought into the family.
Bai Ruozhu blinked at her mother and whispered, "Mother, don’t worry, can’t I handle those two?"
Out of respect for Zhou Deshun, Bai Ruozhu didn’t want to cause a scene for the moment, but if they continued to be a nuisance, she had plenty of ways to keep them from causing more trouble.
At that moment, Jiang Yichun returned from outside and immediately asked upon entering, "Didn’t we agree to meet at the East Gate to see you off? Is there an issue?"
Jiang Yichun had plans to visit the Main Camp early, so he and Bai Ruozhu had arranged that he’d go to the Main Camp before dawn and then meet with them at the West Gate at the agreed time to see them off. But when the time came, and he didn’t see anyone there, Jiang Yichun couldn’t help but worry. He knew that the Bai Family had been prepared for a while, so why hadn’t they shown up?
As soon as he spoke, he saw Zhou Dehai’s family and his expression darkened.
Zhou Dehai stood up nervously and greeted him with a smile. Jiang Yichun was naturally cold-looking, and because he was in a hurry today, he hadn’t changed out of his armor, adding an even more intimidating aura to his presence.
Thus, Zhou Dehai’s greeting was not only obsequious but also tinged with fear, which left Zhou Deshun, observing from the side, feeling quite bitter.
The Zhou Family matriarch had only two sons: the elder steadfast and industrious, excelling in farming, and greatly trusted within the Village; the younger intelligent and adept at dealing with people, as well as diligent, consequently becoming a village mediator.
Zhou Dehai had earned the respect of the villagers through his role as a mediator, and Zhou Deshun had always felt that his brother was smarter and more capable than he was. However, seeing him like this now filled him with a sour feeling.
Would Dehai have turned out differently if he had not left Mountain Village and come to Beiyu City?
Would he have avoided this fate if he had given Dehai a hand back then?
With such thoughts, Zhou Deshun felt deeply saddened, and his mood plummeted.
Jiang Yichun, clad in military attire, glared coldly at Zhou Dehai and, ignoring his greeting, asked Bai Ruozhu instead, "What’s wrong? Suddenly there are too many unnecessary people and not enough carriages?"
"What unnecessary..." Tao Hua was quite irritated to call out but stopped abruptly when she met Jiang Yichun’s icy stare. She wondered why Ruozhu’s husband was so frightening. His gaze seemed murderous, and goodness, he was still wearing his armor. He probably killed people on the Battlefield often.
Tao Hua shrank her neck and dared not provoke someone like Jiang Yichun.
Bai Ruozhu saw everything and thought to herself that indeed, the wicked fear the more sinister, and only bully those who are kind-hearted and honest.
She smiled at Jiang Yichun and said, "Someone has gone to find another horse carriage. We’ll be able to depart soon. I should have had someone inform you earlier."
Jiang Yichun softened his tone considerably as he walked over to her, "No problem, I’ve managed to free up some time. I will accompany you part of the way and stop for lunch."
Bai Ruozhu returned his smile sweetly, "That would be great, it’ll be nice to spend some more time with Dengdeng."
He was going to escort them for part of the journey before hurrying back to the Northwest Main Camp; he was sure to be worn out. She felt a bit uneasy about this, but she also knew that trying to talk him out of it would be futile.
Afterward, Jiang Yichun no longer paid any attention to Zhou Dehai’s family. Only occasionally did he sweep them with a glance that was as if looking at prisoners about to be sentenced to death, causing Zhou Dehai and Tao Hua to tremble slightly. Meanwhile, Zhou Taohua was foolishly fixated on Bai Zepei, entirely oblivious to Jiang Yichun’s menacing air as well as Zhou Bin, who excitedly looked around and chatted with Zhou Chuang without heeding any of this.
After a while, the horse carriage arrived, and everyone set off. Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun took one carriage with Dengdeng, her father, and eldest and second brothers took another, followed by Zhou Deshun’s family with the old lady and Zhou Chuang in another carriage, and finally, Zhou Dehai, Tao Hua, Tao Hua’s mother, along with Bai Ruolan and La Mei shared one.
Tao Hua’s mother immediately expressed her displeasure upon hearing this, grumbling, "That idiot is from the Bai Family. Why does he have to be with us? What if he goes crazy and hurts someone?"
As soon as Bai Ruozhu heard her refer to someone as "that idiot," her face fell, but before she could speak up, Jiang Yichun coldly interjected from beside her, "You’re also not from the Bai Family, so then don’t ride in the Bai Family’s horse carriage. That carriage was prepared for Bai Ruolan; you’re just basking in her goodwill!"
"Didn’t they find a special carriage for us?" Tao Hua asked quietly.
"Who do you think you are? You really have quite the nerve," Jiang Yichun said dryly, as if stating the most ordinary fact.
The faces of Zhou Dehai’s family turned from white to red, and then back to white again, while Bai Ruozhu struggled to suppress her laughter on the side; Achun’s sharp tongue had revealed itself once again.
"We are guests of your household. My father even bought land from Bai Ruozhu before, how can you speak to us this way?" Tao Hua protested unwillingly.
"Guests? Did we invite you? Was there no commission paid for the land deal? She doesn’t owe you anything. I remember she even saved your life, and yet you repay kindness with ingratitude. The Bai Family is lenient enough not to hold it against you. I would have made you leave a long time ago!" Jiang Yichun’s voice grew even colder. It was the truth; if not for the sake of the Bai’s elders, he would have thrown them out long ago.
Zhou Deshun felt miserable inside and looked to Bai Yihong for help, softly saying, "Yihong, it’s Dehai’s wife who is being unreasonable. I apologize to you all on behalf of her."
At that, Deshun’s wife became furious, yanking at his sleeve and saying, "What are you apologizing for? Since when does an uncle apologize for his brother’s wife? If you’re worried about your brother, this is not the way to show it." She then glowered at him, clearly very dissatisfied with Zhou Deshun speaking up for them.
Zhou Dehai hurriedly tried to calm his wife, sternly saying, "What nonsense are you talking about? Ruolan is much better now, and she has a maid to take care of her. It’ll be livelier for us to share a carriage. Keep your mouth shut, or else don’t bother coming back with us!"
It seemed that Zhou Dehai was determined to reap the benefits of Bai Zepei’s return to the village, even if it meant leaving his wife and daughter behind.
Tao Hua’s mother, feeling aggrieved, did not dare to say another word and resentfully boarded the horse carriage.
Bai Ruozhu gave La Mei a few instructions, mainly to take good care of Ruolan, and if anyone started causing trouble, to come and inform her immediately.
With everyone finally aboard the horse carriages, after half an hour’s delay, they were ready to depart.
The carriage belonging to Bai Ruozhu was the most spacious. With Dengdeng now being so active, she couldn’t possibly sacrifice her precious son’s comfort for the sake of others, could she?
Jiang Yichun was very satisfied with Bai Ruozhu’s arrangements. He curled the corner of his lip and said, "There’s no need to be too polite to them on the road. If it’s inconvenient for you to speak up, have Muyu do it. He’s my guard, and what he says represents my will."
Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips into a smile, recalling how Muyu loved to lurk within the crowd and sway public opinion—this task was indeed perfect for him.
"Alright, I understand. Let’s make it a quick trip and be back in no more than five days," Bai Ruozhu said while glancing at her son. Seeing that he was not looking her way, she quickly stretched her neck to give him a light peck on the face.
His recent behavior had certainly been satisfying to witness—that peck was a little reward.
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My dog has been being treated for pneumonia at the pet hospital for several days, and just yesterday and today, it started running a fever. What should I do? I’m really worried...