Chapter 964 - 966 Confusing Right and Wrong_1
The rest of the journey went very smoothly. They arrived at Anyuan Town in the evening but did not stay, instead taking Zhou Deshun’s horse carriage back to Back Mountain Village, while the other horse carriages went straight to Fengye Village.
In the past two days, the Bai Family had agreed to visit Fengye Village first upon their return. Discussing ancestor veneration matters with the clan leader was deemed most appropriate to avoid Grandmother Bai meddling again.
Moreover, Bai Fuzhi was in Fengye Village, so they could say that upon returning to their hometown they visited the old master right away, leaving no room for criticism.
When twilight was falling, the caravan arrived at the entrance of Fengye Village. From a distance, many people were seen standing at the entrance to welcome them, with someone shouting, "They’re here, they’re here, the Scholar lord has arrived!"
Following closely behind were the crackling sounds of firecrackers, and children’s laughter and raucous voices exclaiming, "The Scholar lord has returned! Come see the Scholar lord!"
Scholars were not numerous in these ten miles and eight villages, let alone those who had passed the imperial examination as a Scholar. Bai Zepei’s success, particularly as the top scorer, was enough to make the Bai Clan hold their heads high with pride. So, the Bai Family had sent word to the clan, and everyone had been eagerly anticipating their return.
Bai Ruozhu was cradling Dengdeng, gently patting his back, fearing the sound of the firecrackers would startle him. Little did she know that the youngster was quite brave; not only was he unafraid, he actually giggled with delight, seemingly enjoying the firecrackers like many boys do.
When the carriage came to a stop, everyone alighted. Bai Yihong quickly stepped forward, bowing to Bai Lu, saying, "Second Uncle, we have returned."
Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei also hurried over, and Bai Ruozhu followed suit, holding Dengdeng as they all paid their respects together.
Bai Lu was somewhat emotional. The Bai Family had not enjoyed such glory for many years. With tears in his eyes and trembling hands, he steadied Bai Yihong and said, "It’s good that you’ve come back, good. Tomorrow we shall pay homage to our ancestors, all thanks to their blessings."
Bai Yixiao and Bai Yixing also came to greet them, mentioning that Bai Yizhong’s family was still in Back Mountain Village but would join for the ancestor veneration.
The headman of Fengye Village, all smiles, came over to greet them. In his eyes, Bai Zepei was not considered a person from Back Mountain Village, since the Bai Family originally took root in Fengye Village. It was only because of the feud between Bai Fu and Bai Lu that they moved to the Back Mountain Village. Therefore, the emergence of a Scholar from the Bai Family was considered a point of pride for Fengye Village as well.
The Bai Family exchanged pleasantries with the village headman and the village elders, then followed Bai Lu towards home.
Bai Ruozhu scanned the crowd and, not seeing Grandpa Bai, quietly pondered whether he did not wish to come or had returned to Back Mountain Village.
There was no mention of Bai Fu leaving in the clan leader’s letter, so it was more likely that he did not want to greet them in person.
Although it was inappropriate to expect an elder to meet them outside, Bai Ruozhu and Bai Yihong did not ask further. However, halfway through their journey, a blunt and outspoken elder suddenly inquired, "Where is Bai Fu? His grandson has become a Scholar and brought honor to the family. Shouldn’t he come and see for himself?"
A flash of embarrassment crossed Bai Lu’s face as he coughed and said, "My elder brother is not in good health and cannot walk much. He is waiting for us at home now."
The elder grunted in acknowledgment and said no more, but amongst the onlookers who came to enjoy the spectacle, some began murmuring to each other, "Waiting at home? I passed by the Bai Family home earlier and heard them quarreling inside. Bai Fu smashed things in the older generation’s house and was shouting that he does not acknowledge such descendants, claiming that Bai Zepei’s Scholar title was obtained at the expense of his eldest son’s prospects."
A bystander spat contemptuously and whispered, "Has he lost his mind? Who in the ten miles and eight villages doesn’t know about that cheating scandal? It was his eldest son who nearly brought ruin to the entire clan with his partiality gone so far astray."
"Exactly. Bai Zepei has genuine talents. How else could he have been named top scorer twice? Becoming a Scholar is tremendously difficult, and Bai Fu’s eldest son has attempted the Scholar examination for decades without success. How could his failure be attributed to the Scholar’s achievements?"
Every word of the villagers’ discussions reached Bai Ruozhu’s ears unaltered. She remembered seeing Grandpa Bai last time, practicing his calligraphy and seemingly having calmed down, but it appeared that he was once again making such statements. Indeed, he had grown senile.
Bai Yihong also overheard some of the villagers’ comments, and his expression turned slightly grim, probably out of despair upon his father’s repeated disapproval.
Favorites, unreasonable, confusing right and wrong!
When they arrived at the entrance of Bai Lu’s house, Bai Lu turned around and smiled at the crowd, thanking them with a bow, saying, "Thank you to the village chief, the elders, and all the villagers for coming to greet us. As it is getting late today, after the Bai Family’s ancestral rites tomorrow, a banquet will be arranged. Then I’ll invite everyone to enjoy the feast."
The onlookers understood. With the commotion that Bai Fu had caused earlier, it was indeed inappropriate for the guests to enter.
After the villagers had left, Bai Lu turned to Bai Yihong with a wry smile, saying, "Go inside and see your father."
Bai Yihong heard the urgency in his voice and hurried into the yard, where the Bai Family women were cleaning up. There were many scraps of paper on the ground, and Li Family’s wife was sweeping them up. On the other side, the firewood that should have been neatly stacked was thrown all over, and Liu Family’s wife was arranging it.
Bai Ruozhu looked carefully at the scraps of paper on the ground and quickly made out the printed characters--it had been a book, torn to pieces.
Without a doubt, this was Bai Fu’s handiwork.
Bai Yihong walked quickly into the small room Bai Lu had arranged for Bai Fu and found Bai Fu lying on the bed, gasping for breath. When he saw them, he glared and tried to get up, clutching his chest, unable to rise for a long time.
Bai Yihong hurried forward to help the old man, his voice choking a little as he said, "Dad, why must you do this to yourself?"
"Hmph, you’re all gleaming now, but Yibo’s life and death is uncertain. Have you done right by me? Have you done right by Yibo?" Bai Fu, after being propped up, finally caught his breath and immediately shot back with those words.
Bai Ruozhu, holding Dengdeng and not yet close, couldn’t help but laugh in anger. How could the old man have the nerve to ask such a question?
Bai Zepei stood there without moving closer, just said indifferently, "My family hasn’t wronged you, nor has it wronged Uncle. Grandpa, if you can’t distinguish between right and wrong, you should ask around and see how others view it, and find out who has really wronged whom."
"You--you unfilial descendant! Don’t think you’re something special just because you’ve become a Scholar. Even a Scholar can’t neglect filial piety!" Bai Fu shouted angrily, then started coughing violently.
"Grandpa, you should calm down. If you work yourself up and harm your health, then Uncle will be even more unattended," said Bai Zepei, who turned and walked away, stopping by Bai Lu to say, "Clan Elder Grandpa, I’d like to ask about the details of the ancestral rites. Let’s talk about it somewhere else."
"Alright, alright," Bai Lu said, quickly taking Bai Zepei away.
Bai Ruozhu gave her older brother and father a look and also made her way outside.
"You unfilial offspring, may you come to no good end!" Bai Fu shouted in rage from behind.
Bai Ruozhu inwardly sneered. If anyone was to come to no good end, it should be Bai Yibo!
Li Family’s wife came over and said, "You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? Please go sit down and have some hot food first. The rest can wait."
Bai Yihong thanked Li Family’s wife and led Bai Ruozhu and the others towards the Main Hall.
Li Family’s wife looked back at Bai Ruolan, whom Mei Lamei was leading, and sighed silently.