Chapter 122: Apology Gift

  Zhen'er heard the sound and was very curious about who had come to make Bai Zhi so angry. Soon, Zhen'er knew who the person was.

  "White Qi, you can't talk like that, I'm your aunt after all. This is not polite at all." Lotus sister said with a pout, she didn't come here today to argue with this dead girl.

  As soon as Zhen'er heard the voice, she started to get a headache. This Lian sister was really relentless in pursuing her. After Lian sister hurt Ye Qiuzi, it was said that the villagers were going to come and ask for her punishment, so she hastily packed up her things and ran back to her mother's house. Ye Zhong had to take care of the elderly at home, and Ye Quan was lying in bed, half dead and unable to move. Xiao Douzi was also stunned and frightened, and they were all busy to the point of chaos. If it weren't for the fact that Ye Zhong's married-out daughter came back to help with household chores, who knows what kind of mess the house would be in? Where would they have the heart to go find Lian sister again?

  Lotus sister's stay at her mother's house was not smooth either. Her parents thought she was still young, but her brother and sister-in-law had thoughts in their minds. They soon found out that Lotus sister was injured and ran back home. They were afraid of being implicated by Lotus sister, so they wanted to send her to the government office. However, they were stopped by her parents. But from then on, they didn't have much enthusiasm for her anymore. Usually, they would coldly mock and ridicule her, wanting to drive her away.

  Lotus sister also wanted to go back, but Ye Chong didn't come to pick her up. Firstly, she didn't know how Ye Qi uncle's matter was resolved, and secondly, she thought it would be embarrassing for her to return like this. She waited for Ye Chong to come and pick her up, after all, he had to send gifts on Dragon Boat Festival, so she could just follow him back then. Who knew that Ye Chong was angry with her, and didn't even go to send gifts on Dragon Boat Festival.

  Lotus's little brother is not very old, but his temper is very fiery and he is very protective of his sister. He didn't ask Lotus why she had returned to her mother's home, only saying that Ye Chong had bullied her and made her return home in a huff, and hadn't even come to deliver the festival gifts, so he had gathered a group of friends to come to Elm Tree Village to settle accounts with Ye Chong.

  Although Ye Chong has been doing some questionable things lately, the villagers have been gossiping about his family. However, when outsiders came to their doorstep, they still protected their own people. The Ye children even got into a fight with Lian's brother and his companions, causing a huge commotion. Ye Chong was furious and threatened to divorce his wife on the spot. Upon hearing this, Lian's brother became even more agitated, and both parties were ready to take drastic measures. In the end, it was the newly appointed clan head, along with the village chief and local officials, who intervened by summoning the village chief from Lian's hometown to mediate and resolve the situation.

  Lotus sister stayed in Elm Tree Village, and later she had to be good at being a wife and mother, and restrained her bad temper. If there was another disturbance, even if Ye Zhong didn't say anything, the clan would have to divorce her. She was scared out of her wits by this matter, and indeed became more restrained, but when she saw Zhen'er with no good expression, Ye Baiju couldn't bear it, and once she said something cold-blooded about Zhen'er, she was scolded by Baiju. What she usually relied on was just her seniority. Others had to give in to her and show respect to her. When everyone looked down on her, how could she still be proud? Since Ye Baiju scolded her once, she became afraid of seeing Baiju, and would avoid her from afar. It's really strange that she came to the door voluntarily today.

  Zhen'er was afraid that they would make a scene, so she quickly put on her shoes and came out to take a look. At the entrance, Lian Jie was carrying a basket with some vegetables inside, trying to squeeze in through the door, but Ye Baiju was blocking the way, her body too wide to fit through. She kept saying to Ye Baiju, "Baiju, move aside, move aside, I have something important to do today, really important, please let me in."

  Ye Baiji wouldn't fall for that, Zhen'er isn't feeling well today, she wouldn't be foolish enough to let her in and add to Zhen'er's troubles.

  "If you have something to say, just say it. If not, then leave." Ye Baiji raised her head, crossed her arms over her chest, and blocked the doorway.

  Lotus sister looked at her, hated to death, really wanted to grab this lovely little face, she swallowed the air in her heart and said: "Zi Yu Tou, you see, how can you call me aunt, we have something to say inside?"

  "Not good!" Ye Baiji was tough and unyielding, if you can't be nice to someone like Lotus Sister, she'll take advantage of your kindness and open a dye shop on the bridge of your nose! Lotus Sister often tarnished Zhen'er's reputation outside, but Zhen'er couldn't say anything because her skin was too thin. She wasn't afraid, anyway, it would be a case of "the fish dies and the net is broken", could anyone bully Zhen'er just because she was her younger sister?

  "Go away, my sister is busy and can't see you today." Ye Baiji said, driving him away.

  Lotus sister heard full of resentment, was about to regardless of the consequences and have a big fight with Ye Bai Zhi, but behind her came a voice.

  Zhen'er was supposed to collect the elm seeds from the He family today, and they had agreed on a time for tomorrow's collection. However, Zhen'er didn't go to town today, and Ye Baiju was worried about her health, so she rushed back to the village and forgot to inform them of the time for tomorrow's delivery. As a result, the He family waited for half a day for Zhen'er to arrive, but she didn't show up. They went to ask, and when they reached the door, they heard Ye Baiju say that Zhen'er was busy. In a panic, they asked, "If Zhen'er is busy, then what time will she collect the elm seeds tomorrow?"

  Ye Baiji saw that it was He Tufu's family, and hurriedly opened the door to let them in. Smiling, she said: "Auntie He, please come in, please come in."

  Ye Baiji led the way to the He Tu Fu's house, smiling and explaining: "Zhen'er wasn't feeling well today, so I was asked to deliver the silver ingots. She reminded me this morning that as soon as I returned, I should hurry to find you and tell you about tomorrow's collection time. Look at how delayed I am, and I almost forgot about it, Auntie please don't mind."

  Zhen'er and Ye Baiji are now the gods of wealth, where would they get angry? He Tu Fu's busy waving his hand, anxiously asked: "Zhen'er, what's wrong with you? Is your illness serious? Have you taken medicine? Are you better?"

  A string of caring words made Ye Baiji happier than hearing others care about her. Eldest Aunt said that if this matter of collecting the money was done well, there would be fewer rumors in the village about Zhen'er and her brother in the future, and they would truly treat them as their own people, wouldn't that be a change?

  "I haven't even entered the door yet." Ye Baiji glanced at the outside of the door, implying something. He Tufu's family understood the implication, turned around as if he had just seen Lian sister, pulled her aside and persuaded her in a low voice.

  Last time she scolded Lotus sister, Zhen'er came back and told on her. Ye Baiju thought of what Zhen'er said last time, now she doesn't have the leisure to care about Lotus sister, let her cry if she wants to cry, let her make trouble if she wants to make trouble, when they earn money and live a good life, you'll see what Lotus sister will be like.

  Zhen'er also warned her that after all, they were younger. This way of going against Lian Jie would not gain them popularity in the village. Now that Lian Jie was unpopular, the villagers' sympathies would be with them. However, respect for authority was still deeply ingrained in rural people's minds, and no one would dare challenge their elders. They were disrespectful to Lian Jie, saying it was a personal vendetta if they said little of it, or a challenge to Lian Jie's authority if they said more; either way, the villagers' hearts were not pleased.

  Now it's not just them who can't stand Lotus, but many people in the village also dislike her. Why don't they use someone else's hands to deal with Lotus? Although Zhen'er said this method is a bit too sinister, she likes it, and she doesn't like others talking about Zhen'er, Zhen'er is actually very good, especially to family members, they are blind if they can't see Zhen'er's goodness. They stab her in the back.

  The butcher's wife advised her a few words, and Lotus reluctantly handed the basket to her and went back with a sullen face.

  He Tu Fu's family carried a basket, smiled awkwardly at Bai Ci, who didn't seem to notice and still warmly welcomed her into the house. They talked about collecting olives tomorrow and the time.

  Zhen'er is in the inner room. Looking out of the window, Ye Baiji responded with a measured tone. Feeling at ease, she lay down again. She listened carefully to the voices outside.

  "Yi Yaotou, don't worry, I'll definitely bring the silver to you on time tomorrow." He Tufu's family guaranteed, saying: "Zhen'er is still young and can't bear such hardship. She's too young to understand things, you must advise her more often. If collecting the silver is too busy, just go find that lazy son of mine, he has nothing better to do all day, if he wants to help, just ask him." Ye Baiyi smiled in response.

  He Tu Fu's family was just about to leave when she saw the basket, hesitated for a moment, and then said with a dry mouth: "This has to be said, Auntie still has something to trouble you." Ye Baiji did not comment, waiting for her to continue.

  "Lotus Aunt just said that too, it's not someone else, she also knows what she said and did before was excessive, this is to apologize to you all."

  Ye Baiji listened with a curled lip, and Lotus Aunt had just that look, which didn't seem like she came to apologize at all. It was more like she came seeking revenge, her whole face looking as if someone owed her 108,000 taels of silver and hadn't paid back yet.

  He Tu Fu's family also seemed to find the sentence not quite credible, and smiled lightly, continuing: "She is an elder, it's really not easy for her to come and find you like this, you can see that her family is in a mess, just tolerate her a bit." After finishing, he looked at Ye Bai Zhi with full expectation.

  Ye Baiji couldn't help but think of Zhen'er's words, thought for a moment, and smiled: "Auntie, we're younger generations, it's not for us to say whether or not to tolerate older generations. Older generations shelter us from the wind and rain, and it's only right that we show them respect. I and Zhen'er are just children, of course we listen to our elders' words. Once she wakes up later, I'll tell her, let's go apologize to Lotus Auntie and ask for her forgiveness."

  The butcher's family hastily waved their hands and said, "No need to apologize, no need to apologize." They apologized and said, "She really knows she was wrong, you don't have to go apologize. Isn't this collecting elm money? If you collect their elm money too, it will be settled."

  Ye Baiji nodded slightly, and indeed it was not in the wine. After sending away He Tufu's family, Ye Baiji happily ran into the inner room, saw Zhen'er lying on the bed, staring straight at the ceiling with clear eyes, obviously waking up early.

  "How are you? Feeling better?" Ye Baiji leaned against the headboard, touched Zhen'er's forehead and found it wasn't hot, so she felt a bit relieved.

  "It's much better now, nothing will happen once I wake up." Zhen'er explained, then asked about selling the yulan money today.

  Ye Baiji finished speaking, and Zhen'er listened without any issues, doing as they had agreed. After Ye Baiji finished speaking, she thought about what had just happened and excitedly said to Zhen'er: "Zhen'er, you were right, it turns out that making someone speechless is more satisfying than directly scolding them, it's more comfortable to see someone being tongue-tied. Haha, seeing Lian Jie getting angry but unable to speak, with a dark face, makes me happy."

  Zhen'er looked at her with some helplessness, seeing how self-satisfied she was. She had only just begun to understand these things, and the road ahead was still long. What was there to be proud of? However, Jiang's methods were truly ingenious. The two daughters of the second house, Bai Zhi was raised to be somewhat simple-minded, even not understanding human emotions. Bai Ji was raised without any vision, short-sighted, relying on them for everything. Truly a good tactic.