Chapter 69: Chapter 069: Whose Child Is It?
Chapter 69: Chapter 069: Whose Child Is It?
Bai Ruozhu’s mother doesn’t like Old Lady Wang.
When the old gossip came knocking on the door, with the news of Wang LaiDi, she replied indifferently: “So what if she’s been put in jail?
Her family just needs to pay the fine and she’ll be released.”
But Old Lady Wang snorted, saying, “Who would pay the fine for her?
If someone was willing to pay, she would’ve been out already, wouldn’t have had to wait until now.”
Bai Ruozhu pricked up her ears — it seemed like the story was rather juicy.
“The Liu Family doesn’t claim her, and the Cao Family’s business is now in shambles because of her.
Apparently, the wife of the Cao Family made a scene at Wang Laidi’s mother’s place, almost got physical.
The Wang family is so embarrassed, they don’t even want to admit she’s their daughter,” Old Lady Wang relayed this with a hint of spite, implying that Wang LaiDi got what she deserved.
Bai Ruozhu was lounging on a chair.
Given her heavy pregnant state, sitting on a wooden chair had become increasingly uncomfortable.
She yearned for the couch she had in her previous life.
Adjusting her position to make herself more comfortable, she looked at Old Lady Wang and said, “Come on, don’t keep us in suspense.
Old Lady Wang was pleased that her gossip was piquing interest.
Her eyes sparkled as she said, “My contact at the Government Office told me she’s pregnant.
The lord in charge being kind-hearted, released her and waived the fine.”
At this news, not only was Bai Ruozhu taken aback, even Lin Ping-er perked up, gazing at Old Lady Wang and asking, “How did they find out she’s pregnant?
If she knew that Wang LaiDi was pregnant, she might have been more considerate; After all, she herself was soon-to-be a mother.
Any matter related to children made her feel soft-hearted.
It was just unfortunate that Wang LaiDi’s tricks had been so mean-spirited that she had to fight back, or else she and her unborn child would have been in danger.
Old Lady Wang let out a chuckle, revealing her yellowed teeth, “Who knows really?
Perhaps she can’t even tell who the father is.
She has ruined the Cao Family’s reputation.
The business is on the verge of ruin, and Mr.
Cao’s wife is threatening to divorce.”
Bai Ruozhu and her mother exchanged glances.
They both felt the topic was too crude and chose not to comment.
Old Lady Wang pursed her lips, thinking that the Bai women were too prim and proper.
After all, hadn’t they already lived through similar experiences?
Feeling bored, she made her exit.
Once she left, Lin Ping-er heaved a sigh and said, “Old Lady Wang indeed!
You should not indulge in such conversations with her.”
Bai Ruozhu chuckled, pointing at her belly, which was as big as a watermelon, and said, “Mother, I’m now.
How can I be considered a young girl?”
Lin Ping-er couldn’t help but laugh either.
It still hadn’t sunk in for her that her daughter was now a wife herself; primarily because the marriage ceremony hadn’t taken place.
Suppressing the sorrow in her heart to prevent it from affecting her daughter, she smiled gently and said, “No matter when, in my eyes you will always be a child.”
Bai Ruozhu went over to her mother, looped her arm affectionately, and said, “Yeah, I’m going to stick to you and father for life.
You can’t send me away.”
The color drained from Lin Ping-er’s face.
She wasn’t sure what her daughter was implying.
Was she considering remaining a widow if Chang Sheng didn’t come back?
She couldn’t bear that thought.
In truth, Bai Ruozhu was not waiting for Chang Sheng.
She just didn’t want her parents to arrange a “suitable” man for her to remarry.
As a modern woman, she couldn’t accept a marriage without love.
Even the prospect of consummating the marriage was something she couldn’t come to terms with.
She recalled Old Lady Wang’s words — that Mr.
Cao’s wife was threatening to divorce.
It appeared that divorce was possible in this era as well.
She seemed to glimpse a ray of hope.
If Chang Sheng didn’t show up, she wouldn’t mind being a widow.
However, if he turned up suddenly, she would have to think of ways to divorce him.
This was a debt of affection owed by her former self.
She didn’t want to repay someone else’s debts, even if that person was her child’s father.
By lunchtime, Bai Ruozhu, who had been napping in the rattan chair, was awakened by her returning father, who cheerily said, “Sweetheart, have your food and then go back to your room and rest.”
Getting up, Bai Ruozhu felt embarrassed.
In a typical household, a daughter-in-law, even on the day of childbirth, wouldn’t be having such a leisurely nap.
She really was a lucky girl.
Standing up from the rattan chair, she had to struggle because of her bloated belly.
It took her father’s help before she could manage to get up.
“Your mother was the same during her pregnancy with your elder brother.
She would need my help to get up after lying down.
Once, when I wasn’t around, it took her half an hour to get up.
She was scolded by your grandmother for that,” said Bai Yihong, laughing.
But his smile froze as he realized he had unintentionally mentioned his mother.
He felt a wave of sadness.
Catching her father’s mood shift, Bai Ruozhu pretended not to notice and walked around the courtyard.
While walking, she said, “Next time, I’ll roll over to get up.
Father, you should go back to the room and rest.
I need to move around some more.”
Her body was getting heavier and heavier, and she really didn’t feel like moving.
But she knew if she became lazy now, it could be a threat to her life during childbirth.
So for the sake of her child, she had to exert herself.
Bai Yihong gave a dry laugh and went inside the room to drink some tea.
Bai Ruozhu began to walk around the small courtyard.
Shortly, her elder brother returned from chopping wood on the Back Mountain, and Lin Ping-er called him to come in and prepare for the meal.
Just as Bai Ruozhu was about to go inside, she heard Fang Guizhi’s voice from outside, “Ruozhu, I need to talk to you.”
Bai Ruozhu rushed to open the door, only to see Fang Guizhi panting heavily, her face flushed and sweaty.
But her eyes were bright and her smile wide — it was obvious that although she had rushed, the reason wasn’t anything bad.
Fang Guizhi lowered her voice and whispered into Bai Ruozhu’s ear, “Wang LaiDi is making a scene at the Liu Family’s gate, claiming she’s pregnant with Liu San’s child.
The Liu Family isn’t acknowledging it.
Not sure if you want to go and watch the drama?”
Wang LaiDi was certainly quick to act.
Perhaps she had nowhere else to go, so as soon as she got out of prison, she ran straight to the Liu Family’s house.
To think she used to have a good life at the Liu Family’s place.
Liu San was good to his wife.
Unfortunately, her actions ruined everything.
Bai Ruozhu thought about the innocent life inside Wang LaiDi’s womb.
She shook her head and said, “I’m quite heavy now.
I don’t want to go and indulge in such gossips.
But do tell me afterwards what happened.”
Fang Guizhi nodded, “That’s true.
You should avoid crowded places.
I’ll come find you later.” After saying this, she ran off, making it clear she was eager to join the scene.
Bai Ruozhu sighed and shook her head.
It was not that Fang Guizhi was unsympathetic.
Next time, she needed to remember that it was normal for young girls to be interested in such gossips.
Lin Ping-er had heard Fang Guizhi’s voice but found no one upon coming out of the kitchen.
She asked Bai Ruozhu about her visit, so Bai Ruozhu told her about Fang Guizhi’s intentions.
Lin Ping-er was taken aback and commented, “Old Lady Liu is quite concerned about her family’s reputation.
I do hope it doesn’t blow up into something big.”