Chapter 70: Raising Someone Else’s Son

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Raising Someone Else’s Son

Ms. Zhang was so furious she could have spat blood. ’How did I end up marrying a man like this?’

Old Mrs. Bai’s icy gaze returned to Ms. Zhang’s face. "You shameless hussy, you’ve grown some nerve, haven’t you? A mere woman daring to shout about splitting the family. What, has our Bai Family mistreated you? Have we not clothed you? Have we not fed you?"

Ms. Zhang had thrown all caution to the wind. She straightened her back and said bluntly, "Never mind our food and clothing. Let’s just talk about Xiao Feng’s schooling. Xiao Feng is my sister-in-law’s son, and he gets to study. My son, Fugui, is no worse than Xiao Feng, so why isn’t he allowed to study? Why should my entire family toil just to support Xiao Feng’s education?"

Liu quickly interjected, "Sister, there’s no need to sound like a stranger. Xiao Feng is your and Erzhu’s nephew. When he becomes a high official in the future, our whole family will share in his good fortune. Do you really think we would forget about you and Erzhu?"

’Others might not know what Bai Xiaofeng is really like, but I see him every day. How could I not know? With his personality, forget about whether he can even pass the exams—even if he did become a high official, would he spare a thought for poor relatives like me and Erzhu? I’ll never believe that for a second.’

"I’m not counting on that. I just want to split the family now. I’ll take Zhenzhu and Fugui, and we’ll farm our own land and eat our own food. I don’t want to raise someone else’s son anymore."

Old Mrs. Bai doted on Bai Xiaofeng more than anyone. Hearing Ms. Zhang repeatedly refer to him as "someone else’s child" and "someone else’s son" made her seethe with rage. She pointed a finger at Ms. Zhang and cursed, "Zhang Shumei, you’ve gotten bold, haven’t you? Since when is it your place to criticize the Bai Family’s affairs? You have no say in splitting the family. Just do what you’re told and stay out of everything else!"

With that, she turned and glared at Liu. "What are you still standing here gaping for? Get on with it!"

Liu snapped back to reality and scurried out with a quick "yes."

Old Mrs. Bai shot Ms. Zhang another vicious glare before turning and storming back into the house.

Ms. Zhang was fuming. She was about to take her anger out on Bai Erzhu, but he had already bolted.

Ms. Zhang didn’t even bother hanging the laundry. She stormed into the house, packed a few items of clothing, and dragged Bai Zhenzhu outside.

"Mother, where are you taking me?" Although Bai Zhenzhu had stayed inside, she had heard every word of the argument in the courtyard.

"I can’t stay in this house a moment longer. You’re coming with me to your uncle’s place for a few days."

Bai Zhenzhu was completely against the idea, but her mother was dragging her so forcefully. She couldn’t very well start a fight with her own mother in the middle of the village, could she? With no other choice, she let her mother lead her toward her uncle’s house in the next village.

Old Mrs. Bai had no idea her second daughter-in-law had left with her granddaughter. Her stomach started to growl with hunger, but Ms. Zhang never came to call her for the meal. She spewed a torrent of curses inside her room and went looking for Ms. Zhang, but there was no sign of her. Only then did she realize that Ms. Zhang had taken Bai Zhenzhu and left.

She was furious, muttering every foul word she could think of. But what good did cursing do? If she wanted to eat, she would have to cook it herself. Zhao Lan and Bai Zhi weren’t around, Liu had gone to Baiyang Village, and now Ms. Zhang had left. ’Great,’ she thought. ’Now there’s no one left to do any work but me.’

Meanwhile, Bai Zhi and Zhao Lan were heading to Hu Changlin’s house when they came across an ox-cart on the road. The cart was driven by Old Zhao from their village. He made trips to town every now and then, and any villagers who wanted a ride would arrange it with him beforehand. A single trip cost five copper coins.

And sitting on the ox-cart at that very moment was Doctor Lu.

Bai Zhi’s eyes lit up when she saw Doctor Lu. An idea suddenly sparked in her mind, and she rushed to flag down the ox-cart.

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