Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1712: Chapter 1712: Not a Family

The crowd saw Bai Ruozhu didn’t think much of it and stopped mentioning the matter, fearing it would affect her mood and harm the fetus in her womb.

Bai Ruozhu, as before, continued to nurture the pregnancy, play with the child, and occasionally guide her little disciple Guoguo in medical skills. Speaking of Guoguo, the child is quite talented in learning medicine and is particularly serious and diligent. Perhaps experiencing that catastrophe has matured her mind beyond her peers.

”Guoguo, after some more learning, you might be able to see patients. Common ailments shouldn’t be a problem,” Bai Ruozhu praised Guoguo with a smile, ”You’re progressing quickly.”

Guoguo blushed and said, ”Thank you for the compliment, Master. I still lack experience and need to learn properly.”

Little Dengdeng stared at Guoguo with big eyes and said, ”Guoguo Brother, can you look at me first when you see patients?”

Guoguo smiled and patted the small chubby hand holding her sleeve, saying, ”Dengdeng is perfectly healthy and doesn’t need to see a doctor. You just want Brother to play with you, don’t you?”

”But my tummy hurts a bit,” Little Dengdeng said, pouting.

Upon hearing this, Guoguo seriously checked his pulse, touched his tummy, then sternly said, ”You’ve eaten too much. Let me rub your tummy to help with digestion. You can’t eat so much all at once in the future, or you’ll hurt your stomach. If you want more, eat smaller meals more frequently!”

Little Dengdeng nodded vigorously, like a little chick pecking at food, amusing Bai Ruozhu nearby.

Guoguo appeared very mature, like a big brother. Bai Ruozhu thought of Xiaosi, who was about the same age and also very mature, showing signs of early wisdom.

Speaking of Xiaosi, he went North with his Master and Mistress for experience after seeing Bai Ruozhu safely reaching Mountain Village. According to Elder Xuan Jizi, staying in one place doesn’t benefit progress; even disciples of the Huashan Sect must often venture down the mountain.

Bai Ruozhu fully agreed with this idea; traveling thousands of miles is more valuable than reading volumes of books, especially for martial artists. With the Xuan Jizi couple accompanying him, Bai Ruozhu had no worries.

Of course, there’s another point; even if Xiaosi and the Xuan Jizi couple never mentioned it, Bai Ruozhu knew they wanted to avoid Xiaosi’s origins, fearing his biological mother’s family might come seeking him again.

Soon a maid reported that Wang Jiapo had come to visit Bai Ruozhu, and Lin Ping’er invited her to the Main Hall for a chat.

Wang Jiapo is somewhat of a gossip, fond of discussing others’ affairs. Bai Ruozhu once used this trait to expose Wang LaiDi’s affair with her cousin. Although the Bai Family didn’t have a close relationship with her, they didn’t want to offend her needlessly, as appearances were important.

Bai Ruozhu walked slowly to the Main Hall and greeted Wang Jiapo with a smile, ”Sorry to keep you waiting, Grandma Wang. I can’t walk quickly due to my condition.”

Wang Jiapo smiled brightly and rubbed her hands, saying, ”That’s right, that’s right, you’re kind enough to call me Grandma, which is admirable.”

Bai Ruozhu secretly glanced at her mother, and Lin Ping’er shook her head slightly, indicating she didn’t know Wang Jiapo’s intentions.

After sitting down, a maid brought goat milk, which Wang Jiapo smelled. She flattered, ”Is this goat milk? Your family is different indeed; we can’t afford such things.”

”Rendong, bring a cup of goat milk for Grandma Wang,” Bai Ruozhu instructed the maid nearby and said to Wang Jiapo, ”You’re too kind; it’s merely a nourishing item.”

Receiving the goat milk, Wang Jiapo was even happier and began to share the village gossip, showing off her knowledge of village affairs.

”Oh my, I can’t tolerate deceitful people. I’ve heard several times that the Zhou Family in your old mansion has been speaking poorly of you,” Wang Jiapo said disdainfully, ”What’s that Zhou Family, even daring to talk to them? Aren’t they afraid of disgracing their own family?”

At this point, Wang Jiapo quickly glanced at Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping’er’s reactions, as talking about the Zhou Family’s disgrace would mean discussing the Bai Family’s disgrace.

Bai Ruozhu smiled faintly and said, ”Don’t mind them; we separated the family early on, or the family morals would have been ruined.”

”Right, right, you have a point,” Wang Jiapo continued with a smile, ”The Zhou Family is cunning; they don’t openly criticize you, but their words imply you don’t respect the elders, claiming her Mother-in-law cries daily, and the second son won’t visit her. Oh, many people sympathize with them.”

During these times, filial piety is emphasized; being labeled unfilial not only ruins reputations but also incites public indignation and criticism, especially in rural areas.

Lin Ping’er was livid, her face turning blue, and she gritted her teeth. The old lady in the old mansion talking about them was one thing, but what’s the Zhou Family’s worth to dare speaking of them?

Bai Ruozhu was unfazed, taking a sip of goat milk and nonchalantly said, ”A woman like the Zhou Family, who corrupts morals, should have been expelled from Mountain Village long ago.”

”Exactly, I’ve heard the Fengye Village head was delighted when she left; now it’s our village head’s headache,” Wang Jiapo said, pursing her lips.

Bai Ruozhu gave her mother a look and continued, ”She probably got some news, knowing we’re not the same family, and feeling she can’t benefit from us, that’s why she gossips.”

”Not the same family?” Wang Jiapo’s eyes lit up. What does this mean? Has she heard big gossip?

Lin Ping’er hurriedly said, ”It’s nothing; let’s not mention it.”

Bai Ruozhu put on a regretful expression, as though she regretted speaking too much, and in Wang Jiapo’s expectant gaze, she said, ”It’s nothing; besides, if my father becomes unhappy, my father is just kind-hearted.”

Wang Jiapo heard the beginning but not the end, feeling curious like a cat scratching at her heart. She wanted to inquire further but didn’t dare too much, leaving after finishing the goat milk with frustration.

Nevertheless, this didn’t stop her spreading the word or prevent her from seeking more news.

Soon she caught wind of shocking inside information; it turns out someone in the village, familiar with a Bai Family guard, spilled some secrets over drinks.

The news was astonishing: Bai Fu isn’t Bai Yihong’s biological father, and Bai Fu did many things wrong to Bai Yihong. However, Bai Yihong is kind-hearted, still giving them money every month and not wanting others to know Bai Fu’s faults.

This news quickly spread like an explosive sensation in Mountain Village, even becoming the main subject of conversations among villagers over meals or tea.

”I think this can’t be true. If Bai Yihong isn’t Bai Fu’s child, why would he pay for the Bai Clan’s Clan School? I recently saw the Bai Clan’s leader visiting our village, praising Bai Yihong’s family.”

A few villagers chatted during a break while working in the fields, naturally discussing the Bai Family matters.