CHAPTER 2051: CHAPTER 2049: IF YOU CAN’T WIN, YOU JUST CAN’T WIN

"Bai, why was your second brother recommended by Elder Su to the Enlightenment Tablet? It’s incredibly hard to reach the Enlightenment Tablet. Elder Su’s granddaughter, Fo Lanying, wanted to go, but she didn’t pass the elders’ test." A small-statured girl asked.

"I don’t know either. Elder Su didn’t explain in detail, just said that my second brother is exceptionally intelligent." Bai Ruozhu replied, muttering inwardly. Why is there still a test? If my second brother doesn’t pass, then we should just leave. Who cares about the Jiuli trial, whether I participate or not?

"I noticed Bai doesn’t speak much, but I didn’t expect him to be so intelligent. It’s truly surprising." Another almond-eyed girl said, her eyes shining brightly, clearly love-struck.

Bai Ruozhu helplessly thought of covering her forehead and pondered aloud, "Does my second brother really speak less?"

She intentionally feigned surprise and continued, "When he’s with my second sister-in-law, he talks a lot and often personally buys things for her."

She didn’t believe these women wouldn’t be disappointed hearing this. Once they know the corner is stable, they should give up digging, right?

"I didn’t realize your second brother was such a considerate person. He’s simply too charming!" The petite girl exclaimed.

Bai Ruozhu twitched her lips; what’s going on here? This girl’s worldview is skewed. The guy is married, yet you’re still interested? Hearing that he treats his wife well, instead of backing off, you get even more excited?

"Indeed, it’s rare for men nowadays to truly know how to cherish women. Bai isn’t only intelligent, but also has a great personality." Someone chimed in.

Bai Ruozhu shivered inside. Did her earlier words have the opposite effect, making these delicate flowers even fonder of her second brother?

Oh... Bai Ruozhu seemed to cry out miserably. What a situation!

Isn’t it said that Jiuli Clan mostly practices monogamy, not many take concubines? Why do these women want to serve one husband together?

Finally, someone mentioned Si Yihuan, making Bai Ruozhu understand their thoughts.

"Your second sister-in-law doesn’t know martial arts, right? Her literary skills are average too, doesn’t seem very capable." Someone asked disdainfully.

"In Danliang Country, it’s enough for women to know how to be a steward." Bai Ruozhu said awkwardly, adding that Si Yihuan enjoys eating, and in modern times, she’d definitely be a gourmet.

"I’ve heard her grandpa is the prime minister. Did he force Bai to marry her? If she’s capable of nothing, she really doesn’t measure up to Bai."

"Yes, we Jiuli people can’t be coerced. Bai, don’t fear the Danliang prime minister; the clan will stand up for you."

"Being forced to marry such a wife, Bai really has suffered injustice."

"..."

Bai Ruozhu listened dumbfounded, finally coming to her senses, coughing vigorously before saying earnestly, "Everyone, it’s a misunderstanding. No one forced my second brother; he and my second sister-in-law have a good relationship. Besides, many aristocrats from Danliang Country wanted to marry into our family, and it’s my second brother who chose his wife."

But these women, accustomed to considering matters of power, showed disapproval. They felt with Si Yihuan’s level of capability, Bai Zepei couldn’t possibly like her.

Bai Ruozhu covered her forehead, realizing communication with them was difficult. Anyway, her second brother wouldn’t have extra thoughts about them, and once they see reality, they’d give up.

Why does my second brother always attract Tao Hua everywhere he goes?

In the distance, Bai Zepei hurriedly walked over with Si Yihuan, both looking slightly anxious.

Bai Ruozhu quickly approached, "Second brother, weren’t you accompanying your wife to the mountain? Why did you suddenly come back?"

Bai Zepei, pulling a long face, "On the way, we ran into a girl causing trouble and ended up fighting with auntie’s niece."

"It’s Bi Tao." Si Yihuan quickly reminded Bai Ruozhu, seeing she hadn’t reacted, "She helped us, and that fierce girl even hit me."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu was furious, thinking who dared to hit her family? What did that girl think she was?

Bi Tao stepping in was indeed unexpected.

"Bai, who disrespected you?" A few girls’ eyes lit up, instantly surrounding them. Someone sneakily squeezed Si Yihuan aside to separate her from Bai Zepei.

Bai Ruozhu twitched her lips, noticing the women being so overt about it!

"Ruozhu, go see if Bi Tao is okay; she seems unable to win. After all, she’s helping us." Si Yihuan said worriedly.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at the girls with a headache, signaling to her second brother, "Second brother, you should take your wife back first."

Although Bai Zepei wasn’t sensitive to male-female issues, he realized the problem, promptly breaking out of the encirclement and taking Si Yihuan’s hand to dash into the Diaojiao Building.

Bai Ruozhu secretly breathed a sigh of relief; she truly feared her second brother would be taken advantage of.

"Help! Fo Lanying is out for blood!" Bi Tao’s voice came from afar, followed by the sight of her disheveled hair and torn clothes scampering over.

Bi Tao deeply regretted this moment; her plan to earn favor from Bai Zepei and make him grateful backfired. Unexpectedly, Fo Lanying was a real madwoman, and she ended up terribly beaten. She’d never suffered such a loss in the clan before.

Bai Ruozhu frowned, finally stepping forward. Though unimpressed with Bi Tao’s schemes, she acknowledges Si Yihuan’s mention of Bi Tao shielding them from the mad girl.

She intervened decisively against Fo Lanying, stunning the girls into dropping their jaws. Though they knew Bai Ruozhu’s medical skills were outstanding, acknowledged by the clan, they didn’t expect her martial prowess matched Fo Lanying’s.

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t be bothered squabbling with Fo Lanying, forming seals with her hands, directly using a magic technique to block her, then casually flicking her fingers to swiftly incapacitate Fo Lanying.

"You used poison! Despicable and shameless, why not fight me openly? Using poison is a coward’s trick!" Fo Lanying shouted, though her poisonous state robbed her of the earlier momentum.

Bai Ruozhu snorted disdainfully, "You obviously haven’t left Jiuli, have you? If you were wandering the River Jiang and encountered an enemy, would you demand they fight you honorably? You’d have lost your life multiple times. Tell me, who are you? Why did you attack my second brother and sister-in-law?"

"This isn’t the River Jiang; since it’s a clan competition, you shouldn’t use tricks. What else are you but a coward?" Fo Lanying replied defiantly.

"Then you attacking my second brother and sister-in-law, neither skilled in martial arts, is that considered honorable competition? Is it even competition, without the other party agreeing? Is Jiuli Clan’s rule unreasonable, attacking over a disagreement?" Bai Ruozhu scoffed with disdain, "They say all guests are welcome; is this how you treat guests?"

"Can’t beat me, then can’t beat me, why make excuses? If you lack the ability, don’t come to the Jiuli Clan!" Fo Lanying arrogantly retorted.

"I’ll return that comment to you; can’t beat me, then can’t beat me, don’t blame others for your defeat; your prowess is just like that!" Bai Ruozhu responded bluntly.