Chapter 84: The Bai Family is Not Simple!

Bai Yunxing took a deep breath, reminding himself not to rush. Even if it meant waiting a little longer, he needed to proceed cautiously. The fact that he had come back to life was too bizarre, and he couldn’t afford any mistakes.

When Juanjuan emerged from the inner room and returned to Dongqu and Chunlai, her second and third brothers had already left.

“Juanjuan, should I still go to town?” Dongqu asked.

Juanjuan nodded. “Yes, my parents said to trouble Aunt Dongqu.”

“No problem, it’s my duty,” Dongqu replied, understanding that if the young lady could indeed bring the White Rabbit back to Jingcheng, it would be greatly beneficial. The Bai Family needed money, and the young lady wanted the White Rabbit. In comparison, the young lady stood to gain more.

“Auntie, my mother also asked you to bring back some things,” Juanjuan said, handing fifty coins to Dongqu.

…

By noon, Dongqu had returned to the courtyard where Liang Tian’er was resting.

Liang Tian’er, bent over her painting, casually asked, “Why have you come back?”

Dongqu bowed. “Miss, the Bai Family found a White Rabbit a few days ago.”

Liang Tian’er finished the last stroke with a steady hand and then looked at Dongqu.

Dongqu continued, “The White Rabbit is tame, perhaps because it hit its head.”

Liang Tian’er quickly grasped Dongqu’s implication. She stood up, walked out from behind the desk with a calm and graceful demeanor.

“A rare White Rabbit, and one that’s hit its head? That’s quite something. Dongqu, do you think the Bai Family is destined to meet me?”

First, it was barbecue seasoning, then sweet potatoes, and now a White Rabbit. Liang Tian’er was beginning to suspect that the Bai Family might be heaven-sent benefactors.

“Certainly destined!” Dongqu replied, pausing before continuing, “Miss, the Bai Family is not simple.”

“Hmm?”

Dongqu explained honestly, “This morning, I saw Jiang Dai practicing a set of boxing techniques. It was quite profound, yet she was willing to teach it to me and Chunlai without any conditions.”

Liang Tian’er hadn’t expected such a thing. After a moment of contemplation, she made a decision.

“Let’s go, prepare the carriage. We’ll visit the Bai Family again.”

To see the White Rabbit and that not-so-ordinary Bai Family.

Dongqu hesitated slightly, “Miss, I still need to bring some things back for the Bai Family.”

“What things?”

“Paper money and white flour.”

Liang Tian’er: ?

White flour was understandable, but what was the paper money for?

Dongqu went out to purchase the items the Bai Family needed. Meanwhile, Liang Tian’er prepared the things she needed for the trip to Niantao Village.

“Mo Han, bring some Osmanthus Cake. Little Juanjuan likes it.”

Liang Tian’er couldn’t help but adore the little girl. Moreover…

Thinking of the little one’s slightly droopy puppy eyes and long lashes, Liang Tian’er found her utterly adorable.

A figure appeared at the door, and Liang Tian’er saw Shopkeeper Liang.

Liang Tian’er quickly went to greet him, knowing that Shopkeeper Liang wouldn’t come at an unscheduled time unless it was important.

“Miss,” Shopkeeper Liang greeted her, then said, “There’s no movement from Kang An, but today the County Magistrate’s Second Son left the city. According to our people, he seems to be heading towards Niantao Village.”

Liang Tian’er recalled, “If I remember correctly, the County Magistrate’s Second Son is a frequent visitor to Zhenxiu Restaurant?”

Shopkeeper Liang replied, “Yes, but the Second Young Master is not particularly friendly with Zhenxiu Restaurant. He simply… enjoys eating.”

“Kang An, though in our county, is a person of the Main Family in the Capital. Zhenxiu Restaurant can make some of the rare dishes from Jingcheng, which our chefs here haven’t learned, so…”

Liang Tian’er understood, “So, the Second Young Master is actually there for the Jingcheng dishes at Zhenxiu Restaurant, not because he’s friendly with Kang An.”

“Exactly, Miss,” Shopkeeper Liang nodded and continued, “The secret roasted meat from a few days ago was almost entirely bought by the Second Young Master, but the seasoning was too scarce, and it ran out quickly.”

Liang Tian’er immediately caught the key points in his words.

“Zhenxiu Restaurant, Second Young Master, seasoning, Bai Family, Niantao Village…”

After pondering for a moment, Liang Tian’er said, “The Second Young Master went to Niantao Village, likely for the barbecue seasoning. But why would Kang An do that?”

If he wanted the barbecue seasoning, Kang An, being so clever, should know that the Bai Family wouldn’t have it. Otherwise, Shiwei Restaurant would have already used it.

Could it be just to cause trouble for the Bai Family and enjoy the spectacle?

But Kang An, who loved to bully the common people in Jingcheng, would find more satisfaction in going himself if he wanted to oppress the Bai Family.

“Miss, some of our staff saw Wang Maquan and others limping back to the county, looking flustered. Not long after, one of Kang An’s close guards also returned injured,” Shopkeeper Liang reported, bowing his head.

“Because there was no news from the Bai Family, I didn’t mention it to you, Miss, to avoid troubling you.”

Faced with Shopkeeper Liang’s decision, Liang Tian’er remained calm and spoke evenly.

“You should have told me.”

Shopkeeper Liang nodded apologetically, “Yes.”

“So, Kang An isn’t avoiding the Bai Family; he’s wary of them?” Liang Tian’er speculated. “But what is it about the Bai Family that makes him afraid?”

Considering the Bai Family’s unique way of dealing with people, their rare items, and the precious martial arts Dongqu mentioned today, Liang Tian’er formed a bold hypothesis.

The Bai Family might very well be descendants of a once-great but now-declined noble family.

…

Niantao Village, Wang Family.

The wind rustled the grass as Juanjuan watched Wang Dachui catching ants on the ground.

“Brother Dachui, you should be studying.”

Today, all the chores at home were finished by her family. After collecting eggs and feeding the little rabbits, Juanjuan had nothing left to do.

Coincidentally, Brother Dachui came to find her, and her father sent her out, along with her second brother who was at home.

The children hadn’t played for long before Dachui’s Mother sent them to study, even giving Juanjuan a piece of candy to teach Dachui.

In truth, Juanjuan couldn’t read. If you picked out the characters from the Thousand Character Classic individually, she might not recognize them, but she could recite them. In short, she could recite them but couldn’t match them with the characters in the manuscript because she had only heard her uncle recite them.

Her family didn’t have a manuscript for her to learn from, so she had to match what she memorized with the characters in the manuscript over and over.

But now, Dachui had a manuscript!

While teaching Dachui, Juanjuan could also match the characters and learn them anew.

So, with candy as motivation, Juanjuan was very responsible.

Wang Dachui, who was catching ants: …

“Juanjuan, you’re betraying me. We’re friends! Let’s catch ants and not study!”

Wang Dachui tried to sway Juanjuan.

But Juanjuan was resolute. “No, you need to study. Even my second brother learned it, and you…”

“Ha!”

Wang Dachui suddenly stood up, speaking grandly as he headed inside.

“Let’s go! If your second brother can learn it, how can I not? What a joke!”

Juanjuan, who was interrupted mid-sentence: …

Juanjuan watched Wang Dachui, then recalled what she had just said.

She seemed to have discovered something significant.

So, after teaching Dachui a couple of lines, and Dachui refusing to continue, Juanjuan said, “My second brother remembered it after hearing it a few times.”

Dachui: !

No way, he, Wang Dachui, had to prove he was capable!

But Juanjuan didn’t realize that someone who was easily provoked but only persisted for a short while would also give up quickly.

After repeating it three times, Wang Dachui gave up completely. “Juanjuan, I really can’t remember. I’m just not cut out for studying, just like my dad!”

Dachui’s Father, who happened to be passing by the door: …

“Wang Dachui! Say that again!”

“Dad! What did I say? I didn’t say anything!!!”

Juanjuan held the manuscript, watching as Dachui’s Father started scolding Dachui.

She had no choice but to watch.

Otherwise…

Should she go up and intervene, only to be scolded by Dachui’s Father as well?

Wang Dachui bolted towards the courtyard gate, but as soon as he glanced outside, he turned and ran back inside.

“Dad, stop scolding!”

“Juanjuan, someone is causing trouble at your house again!!”

Wang Dachui shouted to Juanjuan.

For a moment, Juanjuan’s mind couldn’t comprehend why someone was causing trouble again, but her feet had already started running towards the gate.

Wang Dachui waved to his father, “Dad, you go ahead. I’ll go with Juanjuan to check it out!”

With that, the chubby boy happily ran towards the gate.

Of course, who wouldn’t be happy to watch the excitement!

The entrance to the Bai Family next door was bustling again, with many villagers gathered to watch.

Juanjuan didn’t rush to her own gate.

Her second brother, Bai Yunxing, stopped her.

“Wait, Dad and Mom are there, and Aunt Chunlai is too.”

Bai Yunxing hadn’t expected these people to dare come again.

Wang Dachui also ran over, his breath chaotic from being chased by his father, but he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

“Juanjuan, why does your family have so much going on lately? There’s always… excitement to watch!”

Juanjuan didn’t understand why her family was so lively all the time.

Juanjuan didn’t understand, but Jiang Dai was well-prepared for the excitement.

As a joke, how could she not expect excitement after transmigrating into a farming novel? Terrible relatives were practically a standard feature. She’d feel something was missing if they didn’t show up!

When the Bai Family came knocking, Jiang Dai had just finished discussing a money-making plan with Bai Tian.

Hearing the commotion outside, Jiang Dai stretched lazily and yawned. “See, I told you, our family should be quite lively these days.”

Bai Tian looked at Jiang Dai, not understanding why she was so certain and calm.

Jiang Dai spoke earnestly, “You clearly don’t know the horrors of rural interpersonal relationships, nor do you understand the tropes of female-oriented farming novels!”

“What tropes?”

“Of course, it’s about overcoming challenges and defeating terrible relatives! The key is to lead the whole village to prosperity.”

Saying this, Jiang Dai made a fist, full of enthusiasm!

Bai Tian: …

So that’s what female-oriented novels are like. He had only read “The Legend of Zhen Huan” and knew how terrifying palace intrigue could be, but he didn’t know rural women could be just as formidable!

Jiang Dai tidied her clothes, preparing to face the challenge at the gate, chatting with Bai Tian along the way:

“I initially thought only the Bai Family would cause trouble. I never expected Zhenxiu Restaurant’s people to join in.”

“Now that the people I’ve been waiting for have arrived, you’ll assist me, be quick-witted!”

Bai Tian gave an okay gesture. “Got it, we’ll work seamlessly together.”

Jiang Dai pushed open the tightly closed inner room door.

Chunlai’s face was tense, showing the nervousness of facing an enemy.

“Sister Jiang, who are these people…”

Jiang Dai flexed her fingers and rubbed her face to prepare for the performance.

“They’re Bai Tian’s maternal family. Don’t be afraid, don’t worry!”

“Oh, and Chunlai, no matter what happens to me, don’t reveal that you know martial arts. Don’t intervene!”

Chunlai was about to ask something when she saw Jiang Dai, usually cheerful and kind, showing a slightly sinister smile.

“If they dare to hit me, we’ll hit them back at night! Cover their heads and give them a good beating. After all, we’re just two weak women; no one would suspect us!”

Chunlai remained silent. Her conscience told her this wasn’t right, but she couldn’t help feeling it might be okay.

Jiang Dai listened to the knocking at the door, whispered a few words to Chunlai, and then walked over to open it!

Before opening the door, Jiang Dai had a cold smile, showing no fear.

But the moment the door opened, Jiang Dai instantly got into character, exuding an aura of “I’m easy to bully,” “I’m very weak,” and “I’m so pitiful.”

So, Juanjuan saw her mother looking fragile and scared.

The child instinctively wanted to run over.

But her second brother, Bai Yunxing, held her back.

“Second Brother, Mother…”

Juanjuan was anxious, seeing her mother on the verge of tears!

“Juanjuan, don’t worry. Mother has Aunt Chunlai with her, and Dad is home too. Mother isn’t the type to easily get scared or cry. Don’t rush.”

Juanjuan was indeed four years old, but Bai Yunxing wasn’t!

He had a clear understanding of his family; his mother was pretending to be weak.

Juanjuan looked at her second brother, then at her father, who had come out of the courtyard, and at Aunt Chunlai, who knew martial arts.

Juanjuan stopped in her tracks and asked her second brother, “Mother will be okay, right?”

Bai Yunxing nodded. “She’ll be fine. Let’s check on her first.”

【Juanjuan is too young. Rushing over now would only worry our parents more, and she might get hurt. It’s better for her to stay here.】

Hearing her brother’s thoughts, Juanjuan lowered her head slightly, looking at her small hands and short legs.

Unknowingly, a thought took root in the child’s heart.

That thought was to grow up!

Growing up meant being able to do things children couldn’t, helping out with family chores, and being able to protect herself and fight off bad people.

“Bai Tian, aren’t you going to let Mother sit down and rest? Your wife doesn’t know better, but do you not know better either?”

The wife of the Bai Family’s second son spoke up, criticizing Bai Tian.