Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 495: Chapter 497: The Second One Who Doesn’t Recognize the Value

Three days after Hua Xiangrong’s opening, Bai Ruozhu no longer stayed in the shop, handing over all the shop matters to Fusa. Other family members would also take turns going to the shop to help manage it.

Over these three days, business had been extremely good. On the day of opening, Madam Meng bought the most expensive shawl in the shop, and also ordered a ”fu” (luck) embroidered waistband and a hand warmer. Others also bought various items, and Bai Ruozhu gave them all a 20% discount as VIP guests.

On this day, she stayed at home, continuing to make the mink vest for Jiang Yichun in her room. By midday, she finally finished sewing and completed it.

She gently brushed the smooth fur and couldn’t help but think of his dark hair. She was somewhat annoyed. That day in the carriage, she couldn’t even comb his hair properly, a disgrace to her reputation of being smart and competent.

Thinking of this, she quickly put the vest away and sat in front of the dressing table in her room. Using the bronze mirror, she began practicing different hairstyles, specifically styling her own hair in the style of a man’s topknot.

She combed her hair high on her head, then styled it in the way that Jiang Yichun liked, tucked it neatly with a hairpin. It really gave her a refreshing look, similar to a young gentleman.

After practicing multiple times, her hairstyles became neater and more presentable. At this point, she heard a knock on the door. Her second brother had returned home for lunch, and it sounded like he had brought some friends with him.

She peeked out of the window and saw her second brother with a few academic classmates. None of them were extravagantly dressed. In fact, two of them were dressed quite modestly.

”So this is where you live. You really are basking in the glow of Lord Meng,” said one of the students with a hint of jealousy in his tone. Bai Ruozhu squinted — wasn’t this the second-ranked student her second brother had mentioned before?

As this second-ranked student spoke, he turned his head towards the courtyard and ended up looking straight into Bai Ruozhu’s eyes, who was peeking out of the window. He was slightly taken aback, his eyes seemingly filled with surprise.

”Zepei, do you have a younger brother? How are his literary skills?” He asked Bai Zepei, after Bai Ruozhu retreated back into her room.

Bai Zepei hadn’t seen Bai Ruozhu. Thinking that the question was about Xiaosi, he answered, ”My little brother is just six months old, but he can already write and draw. He will be sent to school after the New Year.”

Fu Shengqing was puzzled. The beautiful boy he had just seen was definitely older than six. Wasn’t that his brother? Or was he just a servant? The more Fu Shengqing thought about it, the more jealousy he felt towards Bai Zepei.

Earlier, Bai Ruozhu had noticed Fu Shengqing’s surprised gaze and quickly retreated back into her room. She inwardly scolded herself for forgetting that she was still wearing a man’s topknot.

”Zepei, why are you standing at the door with your friends? Come in and sit.” Lin Ping’er greeted the group.

As Bai Zepei introduced his classmates, they all gave a respectful bow to Lin Ping’er. She was delighted that Bai Zepei had made some friends and asked, ”Have you all eaten lunch? Please join us for a simple meal!”

Originally, the group had come to scrounge a meal. Hearing Lin Ping’er’s words, they immediately agreed and followed her into the main hall to have tea.

Bai Yihong washed his hands and came over, exchanging pleasantries with the guests. Fang Guizhi quickly brewed tea and served it.

Wan Caiyue thought Bai Ruozhu had gone to sleep in her room, so she went to find her and whispered, ”Ruozhu, your brother’s classmates are here. Could you help cook some dishes?”

As she stepped into the room, she saw Bai Ruozhu combing her hair. Thinking Bai Ruozhu just woke up from a nap, she didn’t know Bai Ruozhu had styled her hair into a man’s topknot.

”Sis, I’ll be ready in a moment,” Bai Ruozhu responded. Despite her attempts, Bai Ruozhu’s hairstyling was not up to standard. Unable to bear watching her struggle, Wan Caiyue offered to do a simple round bun for her.

After her hair was done, she carried the sleeping Dengdeng and followed her sister-in-law out of the room. These days, Dengdeng usually napped twice during the day. The morning nap was shorter but typically lasted about half an hour.

The two left the room, hearing the conversation coming from the main hall.

”Zepei, does your house not usually drink tea? Why are you substituting in herbs for tea leaves?” The one asking was the second place student Fu Shengqing. The implication was that Zepei’s family was so poor that they couldn’t even afford to serve their guests tea. Fu had already remarked that Zepei was only succeeding due to the grace of Sir Meng, implying that the Bai family could barely survive in Beiyu City without help.

Bai Ruozhu curled her lip. The second-place finisher was certainly jealous of her second brother. Could he be any more obvious about it?

Another young man with more years chimed in, ”Right, these herbs can be used for tea?”

Bai Zepei leisurely took a sip of the tea and said, ”Fu, Wang, you misunderstood. This tea was specially prepared by my little sister, who is studying medicine. It is meant to brighten the eyes and clear the liver. It is not something you can just buy anywhere. We, as scholars, must look after our eyes well.”

Upon hearing this, Fu Shengqing was not convinced. ”Surely your little sister is bluffing. How can these ordinary herbs have any effect?”

Bai Ruozhu handed Xiaosi to her sister-in-law and walked straight in. ”If the gentleman here does not like my brightening tea. I shall have my second brother personally brew Da Hong Pao for you all.”

As she spoke, she walked towards the door, muttering to herself, ”My special tea is highly sought after. Some people really don’t know the good things when they see it.”

Her voice was extremely low, but it still drifted into the ears of the people in the house. One of the frugal-looking individuals hastily spoke up, ”This tea tastes fine. I will drink this.”

Fu Shengqing snorted quietly. He thought to himself, ”Surely, Qin Kaichang, the poor scholar, must share the same taste as all the poor folks.”

Bai Ruozhu called Fang Guizhi, and together they brought in tea utensils and hot water. Additionally, they also brought in the Da Hong Pao gifted by Old Sir Du. Ever since Bai Ruozhu had seen her second brother’s skill at the tea ceremony, their family had moved to Beiyu City. Bai Ruozhu had bought a good tea set for her brother, spending quite a lot of silver. Although her brother scolded her a bit for her extravagance, his eyes reflected delight.

After all, the scholars of Danliang Country loved refined pursuits such as these. How could she disappoint her second brother?

Everyone brightened at the sight of Bai Zepei with his tea set, eager to witness his tea brewing skills. Bai Ruozhu was very confident in this regard. Her second brother’s tea skills outshone even those of the Du family’s. What were these students compared to him?

Indeed, after watching Bai Zepei skillfully prepare the tea, Qin Kaichang couldn’t help but praise, ”Zepei’s tea ceremony skills are superb!”

Fu Shengqing disparagingly responded, ”What do you know about the tea ceremony? Try it first before commenting.”

Qin Kaichang’s face turned slightly red. He didn’t actually know anything about the tea ceremony. His family was too poor for him to have any opportunity to practice it. However, he’d seen others perform it and was aware of the different grade levels.

Bai Zepei handed out cups of tea one by one. The other five all accepted and tasted the tea carefully. Even Fu Shengqing’s face started to look somewhat uncomfortable.

A smirk curled at the corners of Bai Ruozhu’s lips. She curtsied towards everyone and said, ”Gentlemen, please continue to enjoy the tea with my second brother. I’ll go prepare some dishes for everyone to taste.”

Fu Shengqing glanced at Bai Ruozhu, his looks sour. He had originally thought she was a handsome young man, but he hadn’t expected her to be Bai Zepei’s younger sister, the same one he had looked down upon for days. And she had just now called him ”unappreciative,” a blatant slap on his face.

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Recommend my friend Huanghuacai’s good novel ”Love First, Frenzy Later: Big Boss, Slow Down”

Summary: She is afraid of the night, so he embraces her as they fall asleep each evening; she dreads the days when he’s not around, so he always keeps her close. ”Mr. Mo, Madam has thrown the money into the sea.” He remains indifferent while continuing his own affairs: ” let her be, I, Mo Yan have more than enough money.” ”Mr. Mo, Madam, she...” He finally responds, ”Speak.” ”Madam has spent a large sum hiring a few young men.” Caught in a fit of anger, he stands up suddenly: ”Bring her back!”