Bai Ruozhu was stunned, what’s going on here, does Second Brother have a nominal concubine now?
The n of the Bai Family don’t take concubines; people in the Capital City knew that before, so what is this virtuous consort all about?
Later, Si Yihuan’s words helped clarify things for her.
"Since His Majesty reclaid the Jiang Mountain this ti, so new nobility have erged. My Grandpa, having temporarily taken charge of the court in Beiyu City before, has now been rewarded, but in fact, the Si Family is being suppressed by His Majesty. Many people don’t want the Si Family to grow, and since Zepei and Xiaojiang from your family hold significant positions, so people can’t sit still. Lao Wenshu is one of those new aristocrats."
As Si Yihuan spoke, her tears flowed more heavily. Bai Ruozhu quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe her tears, patting her back like comforting a child. After a while, Si Yihuan’s emotions cald sowhat.
"My Grandpa ans our family should keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention. So, when the virtuous consort brought this up, my mother couldn’t refuse either, I..."
Bai Ruozhu imdiately said, "This is my Second Brother’s fault; he should understand your difficulties. However, those people are really insidious, they’re just making it hard for Second Brother, and now they are making things difficult for Madam Si and you, knowing you can’t easily refuse given the current situation."
"But your Second Brother is really angry with . I tried to talk to him a few tis in the past two days, and he didn’t even acknowledge ," Si Yihuan said, feeling wronged.
Bai Ruozhu secretly cursed Second Brother for not knowing how to cherish her, but she still comforted her, "Second Brother cares about you and doesn’t want you to accept such things, which is why he’s upset."
"I know it’s wrong, but I’m really caught in a dilemma, and it’s not easy for my mother either. As a daughter, how can I drive him away?" Si Yihuan bit her lower lip, her face full of conflict.
Bai Ruozhu sighed and thought for a mont, "You need to arrange for so trusted people to guard the door. Whenever sothing like this happens again, just say you’re not ho and hide away. Wait for Second Brother to handle it when he cos back. You can’t refuse it yourself, but you can leave it to Second Brother. If he, as the male lead, refuses, others can’t say anything."
Si Yihuan nodded vigorously, "I’ll rember that. I’ll make arrangents later, in case more vexing issues arise soon."
Bai Ruozhu felt so sympathy for her, thinking it didn’t seem aningful for Second Brother and them to be officials in the Capital City, but she couldn’t pull Second Brother and them away. Everyone has their habits and needs, just like how Big Brother and Sister-in-law prefer a peaceful life, doing small businesses is enough for them.
But Second Brother has been reading since childhood; asking him not to repay the Country with his knowledge, and only do bookkeeping with Bai Ruozhu, wouldn’t that be upsetting?
Moreover, Second Brother’s personality isn’t one to always be looked after by her, and Second Sister-in-law’s Grandpa is a pri minister; he’s already inseparable from the Si Family, making it even more impossible to withdraw.
People are different, personalities are different; her preferences might not be Second Brother’s pursuits, so she can help them, but she can’t decide anything for them.
Si Yihuan quickly regained her spirits, saying she would go to the Kitchen to instruct them to prepare more for dinner. Bai Ruozhu bid farewell to her and went to the West Side Courtyard to see the Lao sent over.
As she approached Lao’s small courtyard, she heard the sound of a guqin, the music was beautiful and very expressive, unexpectedly, Lao was a master of the guqin.
Bai Ruozhu felt sowhat uncomfortable; could it be that she mastered all the four arts? So sending a talented woman to Second Brother, what do they an by that? Did they want her Second Brother to be enchanted by her?
She slowly walked into the yard, seeing a maid hurriedly greet her, "What should I call this Madam?"
Bai Ruozhu glanced at the maid, thinking even a maid here was so well-mannered, the Lao Family indeed put in effort.
"I am the eldest daughter of the Bai Family, Bai Ruozhu." She answered lightly.
"This maid didn’t know it was the eldest Miss, apologies." The maid said respectfully and bowed, "I will go and inform Miss."
Bai Ruozhu gave her a glance, this maid wasn’t dumb, she didn’t address Lao as "Aunt Lao," after all, Bai Zepei hadn’t acknowledged her, changing the title without permission would only displease the Bai Family.
Soon the music ceased, and Lao Wan ca out, respectfully saluting.
"Lao Wan greets Lord Bai." She gracefully perford a curtsey, her movents incredibly elegant.
"There’s no need for formalities at ho; no need to call Lord Bai." Bai Ruozhu smiled at her, motioning her to rise.
Lao Wan then welcod Bai Ruozhu into the house for tea, with Bai Ruozhu maintaining a relaxed deanor, wanting to see what Lao Wan’s intentions were, so she could plan what to do next.
After a round of tea, Lao Wan also learned that Bai Ruozhu had just returned to the Capital City and felt sowhat familiar with her.
"I was drawn by the sound of the guqin; I didn’t expect you to be so talented. Coming here must feel like a grievance to you." Bai Ruozhu quickly broached the subject.
"The eldest Miss overestimates , I have long admired the talent of Second Young Master, and my family sent here willingly. I understand the Bai Family’s rules, and even if it’s just to be a maid for Second Young Master, I’m content." Lao Wan said sincerely.
Bai Ruozhu inwardly curled her lips, you’re content, but their marital relationship might be affected by you. Putting a beautiful woman as a maid, should she just live as a widow?
"But my Second Brother rarely even uses a book boy; why put yourself through this?" Bai Ruozhu continued.
"How will I know if I don’t try? I know the eldest Miss doesn’t like , and I won’t pretend with pleasantries; I have set my heart on Second Young Master, whether as a concubine or a maid, even in a personal role, I am willing," Lao Wan said.
Bai Ruozhu felt further discussion was pointless, so she stood and said, "Then Miss Lao, continue dreaming; later, you’ll understand that just because you desire sothing in this world, doesn’t an you’ll have it. The Bai Family isn’t for you to decide."
Lao Wan didn’t expect Bai Ruozhu to suddenly turn hostile. In her world, even if one was angry, they would keep pretenses, no one flipped so suddenly like Bai Ruozhu did.
Suddenly, she felt a twinge of envy; perhaps only those who live freely and wilfully can be like this.
Bai Ruozhu already left, and a maid quietly asked, "Miss, what are we going to do? Even Lord Bai won’t help us, how can we persuade Second Young Master?"
"Then focus on Second Sister-in-law," Lao Wan said slowly.
The maid sighed in relief, glad her Miss was clever and insightful.
In reality, Bai Ruozhu hadn’t gone far, and with her excellent hearing, she overheard the conversation between Lao Wan and her maid. She slightly raised her lips into a mocking smile, was her Second Sister-in-law really so easy to bully?
Besides, would she or Second Brother allow anyone to bully Second Sister-in-law?
As it neared dinner, Bai Zepei rushed back, and Bai Ruozhu greeted him, unexpectedly catching the sll of alcohol on him.
Bai Ruozhu frowned, not because Second Brother couldn’t hold his liquor, but because he rarely drank. What happened today?
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