CHAPTER 1801: CHAPTER 1801: OFFENDING THE MOTHER-IN-LAW

Ji Ziyan walked into Yingshoulai, went directly to the second floor for a private room, and then asked the waiter to bring up some wine and dishes. He started to drink and cry.

"If you’re not going to tell me, then never speak of it." He wiped his tears with his sleeve, "No, I must figure it out myself."

After saying that, he picked up the wine pot and began to gulp it down. It was true, he should listen to the Medical Saint’s advice of "rare ignorance." Right now, he just wanted to be drunk and forget everything.

By the time Bai Ruozhu received the news, it was the Yingshoulai shopkeeper who had sent someone to report it, saying that someone fell from the second floor of Yingshoulai and fearing a murder case might ensue.

Bai Ruozhu immediately thought of the broken railing incident in the Capital and didn’t dare delay. She hurriedly called Min Xiang to bring the medicine box and rushed to Yingshoulai.

At this moment, all the guests of Yingshoulai had left, and the shopkeeper, being smart, did not move the injured person. Bai Ruozhu went closer to take a look and discovered it was Ji Ziyan.

"Why him? What on earth happened?" Bai Ruozhu frowned; Ji Ziyan wasn’t thinking straight and ran to Yingshoulai to jump, was he?

Even though she felt a bit of guilt towards him, it didn’t mean she understood his behavior; after all, the person responsible for harming him was Zhou Jue, not her, Bai Ruozhu.

"He seemed in a bad mood, ordered several pots of wine, and I was afraid something might happen, so I instructed the young waiter to assist him downstairs. If it wasn’t possible, to send him home. Who knew he suddenly went crazy, shouting and yelling, knocking the young waiter over in one swoop? That kid was also unlucky, rolled directly down the stairs, and even broke his head."

The shopkeeper spoke somewhat angrily, but seeing the unconscious Ji Ziyan, also feared getting involved in a lawsuit.

"He probably was too strong when he threw, didn’t stand firm himself, and flipped over the railing of the second floor. Luckily, he didn’t hit the guests below." The shopkeeper sighed, "Quite a few guests panicked and left without paying. Today’s business is ruined, but that’s a minor issue, as long as nobody dies."

Bai Ruozhu had already squatted down to examine Ji Ziyan. After listening to the shopkeeper’s words, she said, "Thank you for your hard work. You go rest first; I’ll handle this. Let the injured young waiter come here for a look. Give him a few days off, and pay him double monthly money this month, to help him recover."

"Alright, just follow Bai’s orders." The shopkeeper was happy for the young waiter and bowed out.

"Miss, will he die?" Min Xiang looked at the tightly closed eyes and fearfully pale face of Ji Ziyan, and couldn’t help but worry.

"He won’t die for now, but there’s some problem with the spine; fear he might suffer from it in the future." Bai Ruozhu sighed, truly a case of trouble coming together—Ji Ziyan’s drinking for no reason, and his family’s servants not knowing to stop him!

She applied a set of needles to Ji Ziyan and then told Jianqi: "Send someone to find a sturdy stretcher, take him home."

Soon the young waiter was also brought over, Bai Ruozhu checked him over, then handed some healing medicine to Min Xiang to apply.

After tending to everything, a stretcher was found, and Bai Ruozhu told Jianqi again: "Be sure to remind his family’s servants to take care of him; I’ll go over to check on him tomorrow."

"Yes."

When Bai Ruozhu got home, Lin Ping’er quietly pulled her aside and said, "That Gu Madam left with Nanny. I tried to persuade her but it was no use; she retorted if I intended to imprison her."

Bai Ruozhu’s expression darkened, "Mother, don’t bother her. It’s even better that she doesn’t come back, as if we’d ever welcome her warmly."

After all, the dark guards who were sent to monitor Gai Yalai must be following, so soon they’ll know where she went and whom she met.

In the evening, the Wan Family came to visit. They had settled in Beiyu City and came to ask Bai Zepei about the education of offspring.

"The court is unstable now, but studying certainly has to continue; whatever happens, the Imperial Examination won’t halt. Even if not seeking a title, acquiring some knowledge is good. Usually, one has to pass the Scholar exam to enter Beiyu Study Palace, but this year’s policy changed. Child students just need to pass the entrance test to enter Beiyu Study Palace; it is, of course, the best choice."

Bai Zepei also introduced several well-known private schools; Wan Family listened and nodded, saying they found the right person to ask.

Bai Ruozhu looked at her second brother in a daze, all saying heroes emerge in chaotic times, but for a scholar, chaotic times represent hardship.

When the Wan Family bid farewell and left, Gai Yalai returned, just in time to meet the Wan Family coming out of the Main Gate.

The Wan Family, unaware of Gai Yalai’s situation, thought it odd for this woman to wear a gauze cap at night. Gai Yalai directly scrutinized the Wan Family and said: "Bai Family is indeed a bumpkin from the countryside, engaging with what sort of people, all looking so impoverished!"

Nanny quickly pulled her aside, whispering: "Madam, you shouldn’t talk like this."

Gai Yalai glared, "Are you my nurse or Bai Family’s servant? It’s only been a few days, and you’re already speaking for them?"

"Madam..." the Nanny was upset and didn’t know what to do.

Because the Wan Family said not to trouble the Bai Family by seeing them off to the Main Gate, Bai Family didn’t know this situation, but the Wan Family weren’t pushovers. Despite being ridiculed, Wan Su, with hands on her hips, began cursing.

"Where did this madwoman come from, covering her face at night, must be so shameful to be seen, no wonder hiding it, every word stinks."

Wan Family laughed together, not showing kind faces to someone who insulted upon meeting.

"Bull|shit! Truly a bumpkin’s lowly people, exuding despicable air all over!" Gai Yalai was already in a bad mood, now even worse.

The Bai Family’s gatekeeper noticed the situation was unwell and rushed back to the yard to report; by the time Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping’er arrived, Wan Su and Gai Yalai had been cursing at each other for a while.

Yet, the Wan Family wouldn’t bully with numbers, except for Wan Su, none spoke to help.

Lin Ping’er heard the words from both sides, stomped in anger, told Bai Ruozhu: "When Yichun returns, I must have a stern talk with him; he brought such a mess here, causing us trouble and offending others."

Bai Ruozhu silently prayed for Jiang Yichun; offending the mother-in-law wasn’t ending well, blame it on having such a father-dispersing mother.

"Why are you so fierce? Lowly people are indeed ignorant. My son can crush you with one finger, exterminating your whole family!" Gai Yalai yelled like a fighting hen.

Bai Ruozhu, overwhelmed with anger, laughed, interrupting her.

"That’s enough! No matter how high the position, one can’t convict without reason; do you think your son is such a muddled officer?" Bai Ruozhu stepped between them, glaring at Gai Yalai, "If you don’t want to stay, then leave, don’t cause trouble for Bai Family, or your son can’t protect you!"