Chapter 89: A Day of Deception

Then, Chunlai fell to the ground again.

Having just arrived at the Bai Family with her mistress, Dongqu was dumbfounded by the scene in the small courtyard, crowded with people.

Wasn’t Chunlai the delicate woman who had just been pushed over by a village woman? How could she possibly be the same Chunlai who could take on three men at once?

And why were Chunlai’s eyes so red, as if she had been crying?

This was completely unlike the Chunlai she remembered.

Although she didn’t know what had happened, seeing Chunlai being bullied was something Dongqu couldn’t tolerate.

Just as she was about to rush forward, two small hands grabbed her from either side.

Dongqu looked down to see two nearly identical little faces.

It was the Bai Family twins.

Dongqu looked at the two children.

Bai Yunxing and Bai Yun’an exchanged glances.

Bai Yun’an was the first to let go, giving his brother a shy smile before turning to Dongqu with a pitiful expression.

“Auntie, you’re stepping on my pant leg.”

Dongqu looked down and indeed saw that her foot was on a small part of the child’s pant leg.

Since Bai Yun’an was wearing his older brother’s hand-me-downs, they didn’t quite fit.

Bai Yunxing succinctly explained, “Second Aunt suddenly barged in, pushed Auntie Chunlai, and broke the only porcelain jar left to her by her mother, worth two taels of silver!”

【At this moment, informing Auntie Dongqu of the known facts is most important.】

Dongqu stopped immediately, chuckling and no longer in a hurry, as she looked at Chunlai in the courtyard and shook her head.

Who would have thought Chunlai could act so convincingly?

Juanjuan watched as Auntie Dongqu stopped and then looked at her brother, who had only said one sentence.

Her little brain tried to figure out why her brother’s simple words could make Auntie Dongqu stop.

But before she could figure it out, a heavy voice called out from outside the courtyard, “Make way! Make way!”

The crowd at the door parted, and Juanjuan saw a familiar figure!

When someone shouted to make way, Huani’er’s Mother, watching the commotion with annoyance, grumbled, “Make way? Can’t you squeeze through yourself…”

Before she could finish, she caught sight of the carriage behind her and a young lady with an extraordinary aura, clearly from a wealthy family, surrounded by guards.

Even the noble young man who had just turned to leave got off the carriage to accompany the wealthy young lady.

Huani’er’s Mother: !!

She quickly stepped aside, urging her neighbors who hadn’t noticed the situation behind them, “Look behind, look behind!”

Liang Tian’er walked unimpeded into the Bai Family courtyard. Upon seeing Chunlai’s appearance, the corner of her mouth twitched beneath her veil.

Was this really her Chunlai? How did she end up like this?

She had only lent her to the Bai Family for a day, and she had already learned to deceive and swindle?

“What is going on here?” demanded the County Magistrate’s Second Young Master, Li Pingqing.

Seeing her mistress, Chunlai panicked, fearing her act would be exposed. She immediately knelt and said, “Please, Your Grace, seek justice for me! I came to seek refuge with my sister, but this woman suddenly barged in, pushed me, and broke the keepsake my mother left behind!”

She then raised her hand to rub her eyes.

Earlier, while leaning on Sister Jiang’s shoulder, she had forced herself to keep her eyes open without blinking to make tears flow, and now they were a bit sore!

Liang Tian’er: …

She couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Dai, who also wore a “pitiful” expression.

Jiang Dai gave Liang Tian’er an apologetic smile.

Liang Tian’er sighed.

Well, at least this wasn’t in the county, and no one knew Chunlai was her maid.

Her gaze fell on Chunlai, whose eyes were red from crying.

Liang Tian’er hadn’t expected that the Chunlai who had once been pinned to the ground and humiliated without shedding a tear, only fighting back, could now cry on command.

Her Chunlai was crying, so as her mistress, she naturally had to stand up for her.

Old Madam Bai quickly spoke up for her own.

“They’re just trying to swindle us! What kind of broken porcelain jar is worth two taels of silver?”

“A crazy woman doesn’t have wealthy relatives! I think that jar was just waiting to be used for extortion!”

“You two are well-traveled and knowledgeable, please, take a look!”

Old Madam Bai scrutinized the two young people, pondering their origins.

But regardless of their background, as farmers, they should try to appease them and avoid angering them.

Li Pingqing’s gaze fell on Liang Tian’er. “Miss Liang, you’re well-traveled and from Jingcheng, why not take a look?”

“Wow, from Jingcheng!”

“A young lady from a big family in Jingcheng? Why is she in our little place?”

“Hey! I remember the last time someone came to the Bai Family, it seemed to be this young lady.”

“This young lady seems to be… the owner of that big restaurant in town!”

“Miss, please help us take a look! Is that jar really valuable, and is the Bai Family girl lying?”

Liang Tian’er took a few steps forward to Chunlai, her voice gentle and soothing.

“Come, let me have a look.”

Chunlai hesitated before reluctantly handing over the porcelain shards from her arms.

Liang Tian’er looked at the familiar porcelain jar, a smile involuntarily appearing in her eyes.

This porcelain jar was used at their Shiwei Restaurant to entertain distinguished guests, specifically those who spent lavishly at the Shiwei Restaurant in Jingcheng.

Though given away for free in Jingcheng, the jars were not ordinary items, as they were gifted to wealthy patrons.

Liang Tian’er’s voice was calm and steady, inspiring confidence in those around her.

She said, “Two taels is a bit much.”

“See! See! The young lady herself said two taels is too much!” Old Madam Bai exclaimed loudly, ensuring the onlookers heard.

Then she pointed at Chunlai, her expression excited, spittle flying as she spoke.

“You little wretch, asking for two taels right off the bat, I knew you were trying to swindle us!”

“And you!” Old Madam Bai turned to Jiang Dai. “You think you’re so great! Do you really have wealthy relatives? Dream on!”

Liang Tian’er stood up, her earrings swaying gently, her clear, noble eyes falling on Old Madam Bai.

“Though it’s not worth two taels, it’s still worth nearly one.”

“If this jar is the only thing left to this girl by her mother, then compared to that, two taels isn’t much. The jar has a price, but the sentiment is priceless.”

“Since you barged in and broke her belongings, you should apologize. How can you be so arrogant?”

Jiang Dai seemed to have anticipated this, lowering her head with a subtle smile.

Because of her height, Juanjuan could just see her mother’s confident smile: Wow!

Her mother’s smile was… so beautiful!

Jiang Dai, making eye contact with Juanjuan: …

【A miscalculation, a miscalculation, focusing on avoiding the surrounding onlookers, I forgot about little Juanjuan!】

Juanjuan, labeled as a little one by her mother: Stare!

Jiang Dai immediately adjusted her smile, nodding at Juanjuan.

Then she composed herself, quickly running to stand in front of Old Madam Bai, blocking her path.

Her body was frail, her face showing a hint of timidity, yet she forced herself to be strong.

“Mother, you and Second Sister-in-law can bully us, but you can’t bully my poor sister!”

Her accusations stirred sympathy and compassion in those who heard.

Bai Tian, witnessing the scene, thought: 【This acting is truly impressive!】

Bai Tian couldn’t lag behind and immediately stood in front of Old Madam Bai, trying to cry but finding he couldn’t. So he decided to go all out, expressing his anger directly.

“Mother! You said we’d split the family, but you gave me nothing and drove me out. If it weren’t for my wife, I’d have frozen to death that winter!”

“I know you look down on me and don’t like me, but you can’t drag my wife’s relatives into this!”

“You can bully me, but don’t take it out on innocent people!”

Jiang Dai, standing behind Bai Tian, quietly gave a thumbs-up.

【This guy is not bad, seems genuinely angry, and it’s clear he’s speaking from the heart!】

“Move aside, I’m going home to get the money! I’ll get the money!”

Old Madam Bai, clearly frustrated, shouted loudly.

But once she was home, who would know if she really intended to return the money?

“Actually, you could write a promissory note. That way, you wouldn’t have to worry about her not paying back.”

Li Pingqing, who had been watching the scene unfold, suddenly spoke, smiling at the Bai Family.

Old Madam Bai protested, “How could I not pay back! I can’t read, I don’t understand promissory notes, it’s not possible!”

Li Pingqing ignored Old Madam Bai, only looking at Bai Tian and Jiang Dai.

Jiang Dai was a bit surprised to see this young gentleman, whom she had just met, offering his help.

Since he had laid the groundwork, it would be ungrateful not to follow through.

Jiang Dai wiped her tears. “It’s okay, Mother, there are two young nobles from the county here, they can read!”

Old Madam Bai waved her arm, pulling her daughter-in-law along as she continued forward.

“These two came looking for you, who knows if they’re in cahoots to scam us!”

Li Pingqing chuckled, “I’m the County Magistrate’s Second Young Master, why would I scam a village woman?”