Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1704: Chapter 1704: The Dirty Secrets of the Old Mansion

Bai Ruozhu almost didn’t recognize Mountain Village when she returned, not because the village had changed, but because her family’s house had become a grand mansion.

It turned out that the clan leader Bai Lu decided to expand the mansion after learning that Bai Zepei had ranked second in the examination, considering that they would be returning home to pay respects to their ancestors, he had Bai Zeji’s parents, who had been staying at the Bai Family yard, help with organizing the mansion expansion.

Bai Zeji’s father Bai Yizhong and his mother from the Jin Family were honest people and very diligent. With the Bai Clan contributing funds and manpower, Bai Ruozhu’s yard was expanded into a grand mansion, making everyone in the village envious, and they all said Bai Zepei had made them proud and that the Bai ancestors had shown their spirit.

However, when Bai Fu heard this, it was particularly unpleasant, as others didn’t know, he still didn’t know if Bai Yihong was his son. Watching others’ sons and grandsons become increasingly outstanding, he couldn’t help but compare with his eldest son and grandson, feeling quite bitter inside.

Bai Yihong’s family had already been congratulated by the villagers upon their return home, and for Bai Yihong, it was like returning home in glory.

After the initial excitement, Bai Ruozhu returned home without being surrounded like a monkey at the zoo, allowing her to rest peacefully in the mansion.

She slept for a whole day. Upon waking, she realized Achun’s suggestion was correct; indeed, only by staying away from the court and returning to her countryside home could she truly relax.

”Master, you awake? The old madam is very worried about you,” Jianqi said.

Bai Ruozhu got up, ”I’ve rested enough, it’s fine, and with this much sleep, I feel much more comfortable.”

She wanted to call for water to freshen up but realized it wouldn’t be suitable to ask Jianqi for these small tasks, such a waste of talent. Since she might need more assistance, she considered keeping a couple of maids around.

After tidying up and heading to the Main Hall, she saw her mother chatting warmly with her sister-in-law’s mother, Wan Su. Her sister-in-law was accompanying, and on the other side was Bai Zeji’s mother from the Jin Family.

Wan Su immediately stood up upon seeing her and quickly walked over to support her.

”Ruozhu girl, why have you lost so much weight? Aren’t you suffering from morning sickness on the way?” Wan Su’s eyes were filled with genuine concern, and Bai Ruozhu knew this expression was heartfelt, with no pretense.

She smiled and said, ”Sorry to make aunt worry, indeed, the morning sickness was tough, when I had Little Dengdeng it wasn’t as taxing, perhaps this time it’s a girl, as they say, girls tend to be more delicate.”

Wan Su was about to say she heard that severe morning sickness might mean a boy but seeing Bai Ruozhu’s eyes light up at the mention of a girl, she realized they cherished daughters greatly and promptly swallowed her words.

She led Bai Ruozhu to sit down, and Lin Ping’er asked, ”You haven’t eaten since you woke up, right? Shall I ask the kitchen to make a bowl of noodles for you?”

Bai Ruozhu nodded, ”Alright, just Yangchun noodles with some small Green Veggies.”

Bai Ruozhu then greeted Jin Family, her sister-in-law, smiled, and inquired about recent events. Everyone chatted and laughed, soon shifting the conversation to the old mansion.

”Usually, I don’t want to trouble you with these things over letters. Now that you’re back and staying for a while, I have to remind you. Listen but don’t get upset, treat it as a joke,” Wan Su said.

Lin Ping’er winked at her, ”You know my husband has no connection with them, we recognize the gratitude of the Bai Clan.”

Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu realized her mother had told Wan Su about her father not being Bai Fu’s biological child. Jin Family likely knew too, and Bai Lu had already told the clan but not to label Bai Yihong’s family as outsiders, rather to acknowledge how much Bai Yihong’s family contributed unconditionally. They owed nothing to the Bai Clan, but rather, the clan owed Bai Yihong’s family for their kindness.

”Actually, we discussed this privately and never thought it was true; Bai Fu is really shameless!” Wan Su lowered her voice, for Bai Fu counted as her elder in the village, and he was Scholar by reputation, so she needed to be cautious.

”Well, let me continue. After you left, the affair between Sanlang and Zhou Widow was all over the place, truly disgraceful. Proper families in the village avoided passing by their door, taking detours out of embarrassment and pity for their neighbors on both sides.”

”Later, when Bai Fu’s old couple returned from the Capital City, the old lady didn’t stop bragging about their relation to a Marquis and that they’re now a wealthy family. When asked about your family, she didn’t hold back on belittling you, saying you were unfilial, and it was your clan leader who brought people to defend you.”

Bai Ruozhu felt warm hearing this; the clan leader grandpa had not mentioned it in letters probably because he considered it a small matter and wanted to spare them the trouble, yet he silently supported them behind the scenes. Even if they rarely returned home, he didn’t want their reputation to be tarnished.

”Recently, your uncle returned, saying he performed well outside the pass and was released early, probably because the old man pulled some strings,” Wan Su said with a slight sneer, ”He returned unchanged despite the hardship, still lazy and gluttonous. When Mr. Wu from the village school fell ill recently and wanted his assistance teaching some kids, he turned his nose up at the offer.”

Lin Ping’er sneered upon hearing, ”That’s good; otherwise, he might lead those children astray. With his ways, he’d definitely hinder their development.”

”I’m curious about one thing, Bai Yibo is back, and Widow is his concubine yet got involved with Sanlang; how are things now?” Bai Ruozhu asked, her face full of curiosity.

Lin Ping’er glanced at her, ”How can you ask such bold questions? If you were an unmarried daughter, I’d have to scold you.”

Bai Ruozhu laughed, ”Mom, my kids are old enough to buy soy sauce, what’s there to be afraid of?”

Wan Su and Jin Family couldn’t help but laugh but felt a bit embarrassed, while Wan Caiyue, whose face was the thinnest, excused herself saying Chenxi was thirsty and slipped away.

Seeing this situation, Bai Ruozhu became even more curious, ah, this matter must be something extraordinary, her sister-in-law was not an unmarried girl, why such thin skin?

Indeed, Wan Su coughed a few times, lowered her voice, and said, ”She stays over there, Bai Yibo hasn’t claimed her as either wife or concubine. Anyway, there wasn’t a wedding, but she reportedly enters Bai Sanlang’s room from time to time.”

”The old man doesn’t mind? He is Scholar, supposedly hates such behavior,” Bai Ruozhu sneered, the old man was hypocritically righteous, truly insincere.

”Sanlang’s leg isn’t well, always needs someone to attend him. If the widow doesn’t care, should the old lady serve him? A marriage was proposed but the girl from that family wouldn’t agree even if she had to hang herself, regularly it’s only his stepmother caring for him,” Wan Su said, lowering her voice further, ”Neighbors heard the father and son and her talking together at night.”

Bai Ruozhu’s mouth twitched, the ”talking” being a euphemism, turns out it was a ménage à trois, with the father and son together, Zhou Family was really skilled.