Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1713: Chapter 1713: Knock

”Has anyone ever praised Bai Fu? Ever praised Bai Fu for raising such a good son? I think they must be grateful, but hasn’t it been said that Bai Fu did something to betray him?”

”Now that you mention it, it really seems possible. Wasn’t Bai Fu particularly biased before? He only cared about his eldest son the Scholar, making the second son’s family serve them tirelessly.”

”Isn’t that right? Don’t you remember that Bai Yibo got drunk and scribbled insults, saying he would kill Bai Yihong’s family? If it were my son behaving like that, I’d have broken his legs. But Bai Fu still sided with Bai Yibo back then and didn’t punish him.”

”...”

The village gossip was compiled by Jianqi and reported to Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu sipped her tea with pursed lips, doubting that the old Bai could remain calm any longer.

Sure enough, by afternoon, Bai Fu showed up at the door, his face full of effort, shouting in the yard, ”Bai Yihong, get out here! After all I did to raise you, this is how you repay me?”

Talking about this was nauseating for Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping’er, not to mention that Bai Yihong had already been sent away by them, having gone to Fengye Village early in the morning to discuss matters with the clan leader.

Bai Ruozhu feared it would be awkward if her father were present and also feared her father would become soft-hearted.

Lin Ping’er and Bai Ruozhu came out, both politely bowing to Bai Fu, and then Lin Ping’er spoke up, ”Father-in-law, what do you mean by this? Yihong isn’t at home today, and we don’t know what he’s done to upset you.”

Bai Fu was so angry his breathing was heavy, and suddenly glared at Bai Ruozhu, saying, ”Is this your idea again? Yihong is so kind-hearted, he wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Bai Ruozhu chuckled softly, ”Yes, my father is kind-hearted, so kind-hearted people are destined to be taken advantage of, for many years even, and their token of identity has been sold. I’m not kind-hearted, and I certainly won’t let others bully me for nothing.”

”You, what do you want?” Bai Fu, who had come, was beginning to feel a little scared, worried that if Bai Ruozhu broadcast his actions, he wouldn’t be able to stay in Mountain Village.

At this point, the neighboring villagers crowded against the wall and door, ears pressed to listen. Bai Fu heard the commotion outside and suppressed his anger, saying, ”Let’s talk inside.”

He walked ahead while Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping’er exchanged smiles, knowing that the old man loved his reputation, and this tactic would surely get to him.

Her family originally didn’t want to talk much with others, let alone discuss the rights and wrongs of the old man and the old lady after all the care. Things were in the past; at most, neither side was particularly close, but they still gave the sustaining money, doubling it on account of Bai Family’s wealth.

But the old lady and the Zhou Family had said bad things publicly and privately more than once, suggesting that Bai Yihong’s family was unfilial. If Bai Yihong’s family were just ordinary farmers, they might have tolerated it. But Er Lang was an officer, and if these words spread, especially during tumultuous politics, he might get impeached by the imperial censor.

Did Bai Fu not know this? Maybe he turned a blind eye, or perhaps he was even fanning the flames from behind. Regardless, Bai Ruozhu decided to give him a taste of a lesson; if a family head can’t manage his household, he should be prepared to be taught a lesson.

Once in the hall, Bai Fu put on airs again.

”You people let rumors spread everywhere, aren’t you afraid of affecting Er Lang’s career? After all, I raised the second one, no matter what, what you’re doing is unfilial!”

”Dad, that’s not right. How are we unfilial? Have we not given you sustaining money or mistreated you elders? Even towards the clan, we’ve been devoted. No matter who investigates, we have a clear conscience.” Lin Ping’er finished with a cold snort, ”I just wonder if others can say the same.”

”You...”

He was just about to curse when Bai Ruozhu interrupted him, ”We haven’t asked anyone to spread anything. In the world, are there any walls that don’t leak? Especially with the old lady and that Zhou Family constantly talking about us. When they’ve talked enough, people notice and discover clues. Ultimately, it’s because my father is kind-hearted and didn’t want to say you embezzled his father’s silver, but I, Bai Ruozhu, am not that kind-hearted. I won’t hesitate to blurt it out if I’m displeased.”

”You dare! Do you believe I’ll report you to the Government Office? Whoever heard of a fourth-rank female officer being unfilial and still keeping her position!” Bai Fu shouted crazily, completely devoid of the demeanor of the old Scholar he pretended to be in daily life.

Bai Ruozhu took a slow sip of warm water and smiled, ”Unfiliality depends on whom. There’s evidence from back then; if you stir things up, you won’t know who will suffer.”

Bai Fu glared at Bai Ruozhu. Despite his loud yelling, he was only bluffing. He himself was insecure and felt guilty.

After a long while, he finally simmered down, looking dejected like a helpless and pitiable old man. If Bai Ruozhu hadn’t known about his acting nature, she might have been deceived, thinking herself the villain.

”Forget it, I’ll manage them. You all don’t spread things either. Whatever the reason, we are one family...” He paused, ”with some bonds, so give me some face.”

”You’re right, if you manage your people, nobody wants to break the family ties, do they? But if I hear them gossiping outside again, I won’t hold back.” Bai Ruozhu spoke with sternness at the end, making Bai Fu shiver instinctively, thinking to himself that he must keep his wife and the Zhou Family under control to avoid provoking this family again.

After Bai Fu left, the Onlookers outside gathered around him to ask questions.

”Old Man Bai, why did you come to find Bai Yihong? Are you not really father and son?”

”What exactly did you do to wrong them? You weren’t just favoring the eldest son, were you?”

”Are Bai Yihong’s family making up rumors, being unfilial and slandering you?”

Bai Fu remained silent until he heard this question, then stopped in his tracks.

”That’s not true; don’t guess wildly. The second family’s supporting money has been increased multiple times. It’s like the whole family is being supported by the second family. How could they be unfilial? Don’t listen to the Zhou Family woman’s nonsense.”

He thought back to Bai Ruozhu’s words, feeling some fear, so he pushed the blame onto the Zhou Family, as he had always disliked that Zhou woman who was fickle and flirtatious.

”Ah, it’s that shameless Zhou Family stirring trouble again,” the villagers, who disliked the Zhou Family, immediately agreed upon hearing this.

But as Bai Fu walked away, someone muttered, ”But that’s not right; his wife also said things, even more seriously than the Zhou Family. Could it be his wife’s mischief?”

Someone responded, ”Most likely. I remember the old lady once went to Bai Yihong’s house causing a scene for money. This time, she probably wanted money again. They’ve increased the support money several times; not worrying about food or drink and still not satisfied? Are they giving big sums of silver to her eldest son and grandson to squander?”