Chapter 26: The Plot

  Dear friends, on the last day of May, thank you for your company this month. Here's a second update, I hope you enjoy reading and have a happy weekend~~~ kisses

  Ye Baiji's mood had clearly fallen a lot after leaving the stall.

  Even the curious tiger cub on the road felt it, and obediently held Qi Zhen'er's hand without asking any questions.

  They walked for two streets, and Ye Baiji was still depressed and hadn't gotten angry. It was almost noon, and if they didn't head back, they would go hungry. Qi Zhen'er pulled Ye Baiji to a stop and asked, "Baiji sister, what do you plan to do?"

  "What's the plan?" Ye Baiji sneered, "It's just this kind of goods, and my dad is still eagerly approaching her. She's been married for over a decade and hasn't even gotten pregnant, let alone given birth to a child. Even if she does get pregnant in the future, who can guarantee that it's not the illegitimate child of her and that adulterer? My dad is willing to be a cuckold!"

  Ye Baiji's words were blunt and also shocked by what happened to Liao Jia's fifth sister today.

  "Bai Zhi sister, this is still on the street." Qizhen reminded. Everyone knows about this, but no one will say it to their face, isn't that offending people? And the ones being offended are the Liao family, who ordinary people can't afford to mess with.

  "What am I afraid of?" Ye Baiji let out a sharp cry and was immediately pulled into an alley by Qi Zhen'er.

  "White Qi sister, you need to change your temper. You don't even consider the place and when you get angry, you don't care about anything. You should know that if you shout out like that, it will ruin your whole life!" Qizhen said sternly. Years of living in the Qi manor had taught Qizhen not to interfere with trivial matters or speak idle words. Even a small rumor could destroy someone and lead to a miserable outcome. If she didn't appreciate Ye Baichi's character and feel sorry for Sun Shi's misfortune, plus their kindness towards her, Qizhen wouldn't have gotten involved in this mess.

  Ye Baiji's face turned red after being scolded by Qi Zhen'er, and she calmed down, knowing that what Zhen'er said was right. If it weren't for Zhen'er holding her back, those dirty words would have spread out, and her reputation would be ruined later on. After all, no young girl would shout about having an affair.

  Squatting by the wall and crying for a while, Ye Baiji finally calmed down, wiped away her tears, and put on a strong face again.

  "Come on, Bai Zhi sister, it's almost noon, I don't know how Auntie is doing at home." said Qi Zhen'er.

  Ye Baiji looked up at the sun and thought, "Isn't it late already?" She tidied herself up a bit and then took Qi Zhen'er and her brother to walk outside the city.

  As soon as I came out of the alley, I arrived at a bustling street. The street was filled with food vendors, and it was just noon, so the aroma wafted everywhere, enticing my taste buds.

  Qī Zhēn ér didn't notice at first, until the hand she was holding started to slow down, and when she lowered her head, she found that Hǔ Zǐ was staring at a stall selling bags and couldn't move his feet.

  Qī Zhēn ér watched with a heartache, but there was no way out. They didn't have much money to begin with, and they still hadn't paid for Doctor Ye's medical fees. Although they didn't know the exact amount, their money definitely wouldn't be enough. Today, she was afraid that if she couldn't hold back, she would spend recklessly, so she didn't even bring a single cent.

  Ye Baiji also noticed the situation on their side, thinking that her sister and brother had accompanied her for a while, and Zhen'er had just helped her with a big favor, so she should thank them. She pulled Hu Zi's hand and said: "Hu Zi, today Baiji is treating, what do you want to eat? Speak up."

  Hutou pursed his lips and looked at Qizhen'er without saying a word.

  Ye Baiji also followed his gaze towards Qi Zhen'er, "Don't be afraid, Sister Baiji will pay the bill, what you say doesn't count, Sister Zhen'er."

  Qī Zhēnér furrowed her brow, pulled Hǔ Zǐ forward and said, "It's just that your sister Bái Zhǐ doesn't agree because it's a waste of money. Listen, Hǔ Zǐ, we need to hurry back home now, Aunt is still bedridden with illness, we need to go take care of her, right?"

  Hutou looked back and hesitated for a moment before nodding, "Yes, Auntie is sick, we should go back to take care of her. Sister, when you were sick, Auntie made medicine for you, applied the medicine, and even sewed clothes for Hutou."

  Qī Zhēn ér stroked his head and praised: "Hǔ Zǐ is really clever."

  Ye Baiji watched them from behind, seeing how sensible they were, and the tears she had just held back began to fall again. She stomped her foot, ran to a bun shop, bought three buns, and hurriedly chased after them.

  Looking at Baozi, Qizhen glared at Ye Baiju with disapproval.

  Ye Baiji rolled her eyes, knocked on Qizhen's head and said: "Now who is older, you or me? You don't even respect your sister. I bought it for Huzi to eat, what are you staring at?"

  "You'll spoil him like this." Qizhen'er said helplessly.

  Ye Baiji handed a steamed bun to Hu Zi, "Here, Hu Zi, don't mind your sister. She used to be okay when she was sick, but now she's like a little adult, even controlling her own sister." She reminded him, "Be careful not to burn yourself."

  Hutou carefully accepted the bun, a smile blooming on his face, and brought it to his mouth, then hesitated and looked at Qizhen'er.

  Qī Zhēn ér nodded, and he put it in his mouth, happily taking a bite.

  Ye Baiji handed another one to Qi Zhener, but Qi Zhener didn't take it and asked: "How much does each of these cost?"

  Ye Baiji originally didn't plan to say anything, but seeing Qi Zhen'er insisting, she said in a bad mood: "Tuzi's meat-filled ones are two cents each, and these mushroom-filled ones are one cent each. How much do you plan to pay me?"

  Qizhen'er asked around today and found out that the prices here should be slightly higher than those in Qijiayuan, so this package for one cent is still a good deal.

  "Go ahead and eat it, take the remaining one back for your aunt."

  "My mother won't eat it, you have some."

  "Why?" Qizhen'er asked curiously. Ye Baiji's tone was very unpleasant.

  Ye Baiji sighed and said, "My mother didn't give birth to a son. When my father beat her, he would say that she couldn't even bear a son, and that she was just wasting food every day. She's always been careful about eating at home, let alone now when we're having a small stove meal. If she eats, she'll feel guilty."

  Qizhen'er fell silent. She thought of her mother, Yang Shi, who used to work hard at home before she became pregnant with Huazi, afraid that Liu Shi would find fault with her. A woman who cannot bear a son is inferior to others.

  Finally, Qizhen and Yebai divided one between them, leaving one for Huzi.

  The city gate was in sight, but Ye Baiji refused to move. Qi Zhen'er turned around and looked at her.

  Ye Baiji said with a hint of resentment: "Zhen'er, I'm going back like this, but I'm not reconciled in my heart."

  "Zhen Er, you have many ideas, why don't you give me one?" Ye Baiji said again.

  Qizhen'er actually sympathized with Sunshi's experience, after all, she and Yangshi's fate were somewhat similar, both so bumpy, but also different. If Qisan Niu took Yangshi as a concubine, she wouldn't have to die, Qizhen'er would rather he take a concubine. But Sunshi was Ye Baiju's father who took a concubine and she couldn't live, Liao Jia Wu Jie heard that she was a proud person, now her reputation is bad, wanting to marry as a concubine, after the storm passes, she will definitely not be willing, at that time where will Sunshi have a way to survive?

  But this matter is too big, and Qizhen can't make up her mind for a while.

  Ye Baiji saw Qi Zhener's entangled face and knew that this was a bit too much to ask. No matter how Qi Zhener acted like a little adult, she was just a ten-year-old girl after all. Coming up with some small ideas was fine, but something like this was probably still beyond her comprehension.

  Yebaiji forced a smile and said, "Zhen'er, I just felt frustrated in my heart, so I vented out. What I said earlier was just a joke, don't take it to heart. Let's go, we should hurry back."

  Ye Baiji's smile was so forced and ugly that even Qi Zhener couldn't help but look at her with pity. If only she had spoken up for her mother back then, would her mother still be gone? Now, with Ye Baiji fighting for her family and protecting her mother, how could she bear to refuse?

  Ye Baiji walked forward with a low mood, and Qi Zhen'er looked very heartbroken.

  "White Qi sister, I do have a plan, but it depends on whether you dare to do it or not?" Qizhen'er wanted to know how resolute Ye Baichi's determination was, and didn't want her to back out at the last minute.

  Ye Baiji listened with excitement and nodded repeatedly, "Zhen'er you said, I dare to do anything."

  "Alright," Qizhen'er nodded, pointing to the two people at the foot of the city wall, and whispered in Ye Baiji's ear, "You go find them, like this......"