"The Zhou family is simple and honest, the couple had sold their land to treat the old Madam Zhou’s illness, but they are a couple full of filial piety. That’s why I chose to lease the land to them," Bai Zepei continued.
"Madam Zhou invited me over for dinner, and during our chat, she mentioned that a girl from our village is about to marry into Linjiang Village in less than a month. Afraid that our family’s land issues would be exposed, I asked Madam Zhou a few more questions, and it turned out that the girl she was talking about is your best friend, Fang Guizhi," Bai Zepei said, looking deeply at Bai Ruozhu.
Bai Ruozhu was shocked and exclaimed, "I was just worrying about Guizhi’s situation. I haven’t seen her for several days, and when I went to her house to find her, her mother, refusing to let me see her, said that she was sick. But even if she was getting married, she wouldn’t need to be this secretive, right?"
Bai Zepei’s eyes revealed some sympathy. He shook his head and said, "Things are not as simple as you think. Because she is your friend, I asked a bit more about the situation. I came to know that her mother told her she is being matched with a widower who is already thirty-three years old. Moreover, the village rumor is that he likes to drink and beat his wife. His former wife was beaten by him until she was barely human, and finally, she died of illness."
"What?" Bai Ruozhu felt like she had been struck by lightning. She jumped up and said, "Doesn’t Guizhi’s mother know? Why would she arrange such a match? Isn’t she pushing Guizhi into hell?"
Bai Zepei had a sarcastic smile in his eyes, "That Yang San’s family is actually quite wealthy. Because of his bad reputation, he finds his second wives from distant villages, and he is willing to give generous betrothal gifts."
"Such a sin! Is the Fang family going to sell their daughter? What kind of parents are those!" Lin Ping’er cried out. Fang Guizhi had a good relationship with Bai Ruozhu, and she had watched Fang Guizhi grow up. Hearing this, she too became anxious.
Bai Yihong also sighed, "I was thinking of asking Guizhi’s father about this, but it seems I need to find an opportunity to persuade her father tomorrow."
"That’s right, Guizhi is such a good girl, how can she marry an old widower who beats his wife," said Bai Zehao, shaking his head and showing a look of regret.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t sit still anymore, "No, I must find a way to see Guizhi. No wonder her mother didn’t let me in, Guizhi must have disagreed. She must have put Guizhi under house arrest."
"Little sister, don’t be impulsive. Let’s wait till it’s a bit late, and big brother will help you go and check on the Fang’s house," Bai Zehao thought for a while and said.
Bai Ruozhu hurriedly shook her head. Though Bai Zehao offered to help her find Fang Guizhi, in the end, there should be a distinction between men and women. Her big brother was about to get married soon. What if something happened that affected her brother’s marriage?
"Big brother, you can’t go. I will find a way to sneak into the Fang’s house later," Bai Ruozhu still had her space. If anyone found her, she could hide in her space, and at night, people would definitely think they were seeing things.
The Bai family was not at ease with Bai Ruozhu sneaking into the Fang’s house at night, and they all tried to dissuade her. In the end, Bai Ruozhu refuted them all. She turned to the others and said, "Guizhi and I grew up together, she is my best friend. Even if I really can’t save her, I want to see her before she gets married, otherwise I won’t be able to rest at ease for the rest of my life."
Lin Ping’er quietly wiped the corner of her eyes, mumbling to herself, "Both have daughters, how could Guizhi’s mother be so cruel?"
Rongrong’s mother, who brought Rongrong, couldn’t intervene. She just hugged Rongrong tightly at the side. But after hearing Lin Ping’er’s sentiment, she couldn’t help but sigh, and said, "I love Rongrong the most, I can’t bear to see my daughter suffer. Is Guizhi really her biological daughter? Or is she her stepmother?"
Lin Ping’er hurriedly explained, "Guizhi’s mother favors boys over girls. She spoils her son the most and doesn’t let him do any work at home, while the daughter is in charge of all the heavy and fatiguing work."
Something in Bai Ruozhu’s heart seemed to be touched, as if a fog had suddenly lifted. She remembered that Guizhi once said her mother was looking for a bride for her brother, and it seemed her brother had already found a suitable candidate. Could it be that Guizhi’s mother planned to marry Guizhi to a widower in exchange for a betrothal gift to arrange for her brother’s marriage?
It must be so. Such practices were common in rural areas in the present time. Generally, people would marry their daughters off and use the betrothal money to find a wife for their son. However, they would never push their daughters into such dire straits. She couldn’t believe that Guizhi’s mother was not aware that Yang San beat his wife.
"Father, mother, don’t worry. Guizhi and I have a secret code. Tonight, when the Fang family is asleep, I will shout the secret code outside. She will find a way to meet me," to prevent her family from worrying, Bai Ruozhu made up a lie. She and Fang Guizhi often met, there was no need for a secret code.
Lin Ping’er didn’t want her daughter to take risks. But it was not suitable for anyone in the family to accompany her. If a man went with her and was seen by others, wouldn’t it ruin Guizhi’s reputation? Lin Ping’er herself was the best to accompany her, but she might also hold Bai Ruozhu back.
Finally, no one could dissuade Bai Ruozhu. When it was late at night, Bai Ruozhu changed into a dark, sleek dress and quietly left the Bai’s house. Although all the lights in the Bai house were out, no one was asleep.
Finally, Bai Zepei quietly got up and whispered to Bai Zehao, "I will go to the village for a walk, it’s better to be on guard in case anything happens to our little sister."
Bai Zehao felt that he should go, but thinking of his impending marriage, he had to give up the idea.
After making some detours, Bai Ruozhu finally arrived at the back yard of the Fang’s house. She wanted to climb over the wall into the Fang’s house, but looking at the high courtyard wall, she tried several times, but couldn’t reach the height.
It turns out that she really isn’t suited for scaling walls, Bai Ruozhu thought, finding the whole situation ridiculous even in her anxiety.
Just as Bai Ruozhu was worrying, she suddenly heard a low sobbing sound in the Fang’s courtyard. The sound was very faint, as if the person was crying with their mouth covered.
Even though the sound was very faint and blurry, Bai Ruozhu recognized that it was Fang Guizhi’s voice!
She wanted to call out to Guizhi, but in the end, she didn’t dare to open her mouth. She was afraid of waking up the Fang family. That way, she wouldn’t be able to meet Guizhi tonight. Plus, when Guizhi would get married was uncertain, delaying one day would increase the risk.
Just then, Bai Ruozhu heard very light footsteps. She was startled and instinctively thought about going into her space. Suddenly, a cold voice behind her said, "Step on my shoulder to get over."
It’s my second brother! Bai Ruozhu turned and saw her second brother also dressed in black clothes, looking even thinner.
"Why are you here? What if someone sees you?" Bai Ruozhu asked in a low voice, but her tone was filled with surprise and gratitude.
Bai Zepei had already walked under the wall, crouched down, looking like he was waiting to support Bai Ruozhu up the wall. He spoke softly without raising his head, "What can we do? If worst comes to worst, I will have to marry Feng Guizhi. Can I just watch you get yourself into trouble?"
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes warmed up in an instant. Her second brother had no feelings for Guizhi, and he didn’t want to get married so early. He was here to help her, not caring about his own reputation or consequences!