Chapter 69: Seeking Trouble

The news that Bai Xi intended to buy books for the villagers to study spread throughout the village before nightfall. Thus, Chen Daliu, who delightedly relayed Bai Xi’s wishes, was entirely unaware that, in Bai Xi’s eyes, he had already become “Big Loudspeaker Little Liu.”

A few days later, Li Jia’s twin sons reached their first full month. As the highest-ranking member of Niuluo Village—and the one whose blessing had enabled Li Jia to bear two healthy boys—Bai Xi was, of course, the guest of honor. Bai Xi, feeling idle, went to attend the celebration as soon as she heard the news.

She wore an off-white blouse and green trousers, her hair tied into two little buns atop her head. Her round, cherubic face looked adorably soft and innocent. Along the way, whenever she met anyone, she’d respond with the poise of a little adult—either nodding slightly or replying with a gentle “Mm”—making her even more endearing to those she passed.

Li Jia’s family was not particularly wealthy; their modest courtyard held only a few tables. In addition to the villagers, relatives and friends from Li Jia’s maternal side had come to celebrate, making for a lively gathering. Most of the villagers merely dropped by to offer a token gift, drank a little water, exchanged a few words, and left soon after. The gifts ranged from three or five eggs, two pounds of cornmeal, dried bamboo shoots and mushrooms, to half a meter of cloth—an odd assortment indeed.

Finding the courtyard too noisy, Bai Xi retreated indoors to see the twins. Though everyone called them “two chubby boys,” in truth, they were not fat at all; given the village’s fare, children could hardly grow plump, but the name was affectionately used all the same.

“Great-Aunt is here, please have a seat,” Li Jia’s mother-in-law greeted Bai Xi with a beaming smile. Once Bai Xi sat, she hurried to fetch a special teacup, rinsed it with hot water, and poured a cup of sweetened hot water for Bai Xi. The kitchen, busy as it was, nonetheless boiled water just for Bai Xi’s cup upon hearing it was for the Great-Aunt. The brown sugar water was meant for Li Jia, but among all the day’s guests, only Bai Xi received this honor. Bai Xi, however, showed little interest and gestured for the woman to set it aside, her attention drawn instead to the twins sleeping soundly in their swaddling clothes.

Seeing Bai Xi’s interest, Li Jia happily carried both sons over to her. “Great-Aunt, look—they were crying so loudly just now, but as soon as you arrived, they fell fast asleep…”

Even now, Li Jia felt as if she were dreaming every day, and she remained deeply grateful to Bai Xi for blessing her with two sons.

Hearing this, Bai Xi muttered inwardly, How could they not cry, with such a noisy crowd? Of course they’d be upset. Under Li Jia’s expectant gaze, Bai Xi pondered a moment, then said, “They look good—seem to have grown a lot.” In truth, Bai Xi had no idea, as this was her first time seeing the twins, but she had overheard someone say this upon entering and simply repeated it.

After a pause, she added, “Raise them well.” This admonition had a hint of reproach—one would not typically say such a thing at a child’s full-month celebration. But in the celestial realm, whenever Bai Xi offered words to those who had just had children, this was always her advice: raise them well, and do not let them stray. She spoke out of habit, and the people of Niuluo Village found nothing amiss in her words; to receive a reminder from the Great-Aunt was considered a great blessing.

Others, however, did not see it the same way.

From the moment Bai Xi entered, the eyes of everyone in the room were fixed upon her. Li Jia’s mother had arrived with her entire family. Her sons waited outside for the meal, while she and her three daughters-in-law stayed inside—not helping in the kitchen, but instead watching to see what gifts the guests brought her daughter, hoping for a chance to claim something for themselves.

When she saw her in-law, who had barely greeted her, being so warm to a little child and even preparing brown sugar water for her, Li Jia’s mother immediately took offense. She was the mother-in-law, after all, who had come from afar—wasn’t this an affront, not serving her any sugar water?

She said nothing, but eyed Bai Xi with evident disdain, thinking, What’s so special about this so-called Great-Aunt? She’s just a little child; why all the fuss?

Seeing all the Niuluo women in the room greet Bai Xi, Li Jia’s mother rolled her eyes inwardly. This village must be full of fools.

Hearing Bai Xi’s words, she found her excuse to lash out. “Hey, you little brat, what are you saying? Where are you from—where are your parents?” She feigned not to have heard others call Bai Xi “Great-Aunt” earlier and loudly scolded, “Don’t you know how to speak? Haven’t your parents taught you any manners?”

“If you can’t speak properly, then keep quiet. How could you say such things about my grandsons? My grandsons will amount to something great one day!”

Stunned by the tirade, Bai Xi tilted her head and regarded her in silence.

Li Jia’s face turned ashen; she nearly dropped the child in her arms. “Great-Aunt…” Li Jia now deeply regretted inviting her own family. She hadn’t wanted them to come, but after giving birth, she felt obliged to inform them. Her mother, seizing the date, had brought along her brothers, sisters-in-law, and nephews—empty-handed, and ready to criticize as soon as they arrived. If not for her mother-in-law’s presence, Li Jia was certain her mother would have already led her sisters-in-law to rummage through her belongings.

Her plan had been to serve the meal quickly so they would eat and leave, but she never expected her mother to scold the Great-Aunt.

How dare an outsider rebuke Niuluo Village’s Great-Aunt? It was an insult to the entire village.

Li Jia’s mother-in-law and the others in the room immediately darkened. One hot-tempered woman threw down her melon seeds, pointed at Li Jia’s mother, and snapped, “What did you say?!”

“How dare you speak to our Great-Aunt that way?”

“Say that again!” She rolled up her sleeves, clearly ready for a fight.

Bai Xi’s lips twitched. Her hearing was excellent; she didn’t need anyone to repeat the words. But she understood the villagers were standing up for her, so she remained silent, merely poking the cheeks of the twins who’d been awakened and were about to cry.

The twins instantly stopped fussing and blew bubbles at Bai Xi, grinning widely.

Li Jia watched anxiously, relieved to see Bai Xi unruffled, then looked pleadingly at her mother-in-law. She was terrified the matter would escalate and she’d be thrown out. Her mother-in-law might not expel her, but village rules were strict.

At this point, Li Jia’s mother-in-law stopped the two relatives who were about to hurl insults back at Li Jia’s mother. Seeing the latter’s smug expression, she snapped sharply, “You old hag, did you forget to brush your teeth this morning? Your mouth is foul!”

She gave her no face at all, her expression cold. “If you don’t want to stay for the meal, why don’t you take your sons and grandsons and get out! Don’t bark in my house. You’re not welcome here.”