Chapter 69

Shuiqing frowned, and Fan Jin shook his head and whispered to her, “He’s just a relative, don’t take other people’s words to heart.”

Bai Ziqian knew that his aunt was always sharp-tongued and miserly, but his grandmother was different. She was always generous with money, so he had to strive to get more thanks for Uncle Fan and Aunt Shuiqing!

“Grandmother, where are my father and mother? Why didn’t they come together?” His father was soft-hearted and his mother was straightforward; if they were here, they would certainly be more generous.

Bai Ling, hearing him ask about his father and mother, assumed her nephew missed them. She pursed her lips and interjected, “Isn’t it because your mother heard your white horse appeared in Xinning Prefecture and insisted on going there? Your father was worried, so he went with her. It’s a day and a half’s journey from Xinning to Guangning, so they couldn’t make it back in time.”

She didn’t want to say more, but the old lady was afraid her grandson would misunderstand his parents and explained, “Good grandson, don’t blame your parents. If they hadn’t gone to Xinning Prefecture and caught that horse trader, how would they have known you had an accident up ahead? We wasted so much time searching the city! Your parents sent a message back by carrier pigeon, so they should be home by the time we get there.”

Although she didn’t like her daughter-in-law, a martial arts instructor, her daughter-in-law had given her a good grandson and played a key role in finding him this time.

Hearing that his parents wouldn’t be back for a while, Bai Ziqian turned to Bai Ling with a calm but impeccable smile, “Aunt, thanks are thanks, but gratitude is gratitude. They saved me, and since I’m a Bai family member, it means they did a favor for the Bai family, right?”

He emphasized that he represented the Bai family. His aunt always looked down on his mother for her martial arts background, often treating him poorly as well, reminding him that without the Bai family, he wouldn’t live such a lavish life. He should be grateful to the Bai family and strive to make his own way instead of relying on them. He used to be driven by this, thinking he had to earn his own living. But after Shuiqing Aunt’s words yesterday, he realized that as a Bai family member, relying on his family wasn’t shameful.

Bai Ling was taken aback. The Bai family had only her and her brother, and the family lineage was thin. Without Bai Ziqian, the vast family fortune would go to her sons, Wu Guangzong and Wu Yaozu.

“You silly child! If you say things like this, poor people will latch on like leeches, sucking your blood and the Bai family’s. You’re too naive. Mother, how can we trust such a large family business to him?” Bai Ling first expressed concern for Bai Ziqian, then looked worriedly at the old lady.

The old lady’s face darkened, not because of her grandson, but because Bai Ling was belittling the Bai family’s descendants publicly. She gave Bai Ling a stern look and then kindly instructed her grandson, “Good grandson, your aunt and I already discussed the thank-you gift yesterday. It’s in the last carriage. Don’t worry; we’ll make sure the gratitude is appropriately repaid.”

In fact, Bai Ling managed the thank-you gift, and although the old lady had some reservations, she found her daughter’s reasoning sensible. In a poor village where people couldn’t even afford cornbread, giving gold, silver, or jade could breed dependence. They might keep asking for more, becoming a perpetual burden on the Bai family.

They had to settle this before the soft-hearted son and daughter-in-law returned.

Hearing about the thank-you gift, Bai Ziqian felt a bit relieved. The surrounding villagers stretched their necks and tiptoed, eager to see what the wealthy family would give.

“Look at the carriage. Could it be gold or silver?”

“Have you heard ‘gold has a price, but jade is priceless’? I bet it’s jade!”

“But you can’t tell the quality of jade. I think silver bracelets and gold hairpins are more practical!”

“Look at the woman Blackie calls aunt. With all that jewelry on her head, neck, wrists, and fingers, they can’t just give silver to Shuiqing’s family. It’s got to be all gold!”

Sun Jinhua listened jealously. She had wished Blackie had been saved by her family, felt relieved it wasn’t her problem when Bai Ling spoke of punishing Blackie, and now was back to envying the promised gifts.

The village head, who had been silent since being invited over, sat quietly on the cool bed with Fan Jin, waiting patiently. He murmured to Fan Jin, “I wonder what those two elders are up to.”

Fan Jin said indifferently, “Let them be. Shuiqing and I didn’t expect any thanks.”

They had planned to send Blackie home this morning but didn’t expect the family to come first. Shuiqing didn’t expect a thank-you gift, but if there was one, she wouldn’t refuse it either!

She wasn’t so noble as to see money as mere dirt. She hoped for gold, silver, pearls, and jade to be showered upon her. However, even a blind person could sense the hostility radiating from Bai Ling, so she didn’t foolishly believe the gift would be generous.

Oh well, whatever she gets is still a gain. If there’s no gold, who would complain about silver?

Over there, the old lady, noticing the villagers whispering among themselves, made a grand gesture and instructed the servants, “Bring it out!”

A roar of excited discussion erupted among the crowd.

“Did you hear that? The old lady said ‘bring it out.’ My goodness, how much stuff must there be!”

“I heard it! Wealthy families are so extravagant, even their thank-you gifts have to be brought out.”

“We’re in for a treat today, something to tell our grandchildren about!”

Bai Ling surveyed the crowd arrogantly, thinking, just wait. When they see the gift, they will be green with envy!

The poor farmers crowded around the carriage in layers, those at the back tiptoeing to get a better view.

When rough burlap sacks were unloaded, the previously buzzing crowd fell into a collective silence.