Chapter 2944 - 2945: Request

Chapter 2944: Chapter 2945: Request

Fortunately, the wife of Niu San is quite independent and does not want her daughter to continue suffering at the Niu Family.

"Can she paint?" Su Zhen exclaimed, then slapped her head, "I remember now, her grandpa was a scholar before, her mother was a genuine scholar’s daughter. Unfortunately, her mother’s life was tough, and she only gave birth to one child without ever having a son, leading to a miserable life in her in-laws’ home. While playing in the village before, I heard the Niu family’s mother-in-law cursing her, saying her mother couldn’t give birth to a son, she must take after her and can only give birth to worthless daughters."

Su Zhen stuck out her tongue, "That’s too harsh, I won’t learn anything else from you."

"If that’s the case, then why did the Niu Family insist on marrying her?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

"Didn’t they see that her mother was a scholar’s daughter, and she could read? They thought she could add prestige and teach the babies in the family to read and write," Su Zhen replied.

Bai Ruozhu sighed, the Niu Family doesn’t recognize true value, they’ve wasted a talented woman and chilled her heart.

Niu San, to be fair, is better than Qiao Er. He doesn’t beat his wife, but even Niu San didn’t protect his wife, chilling her heart.

Bai Ruozhu and Su Zhen sighed and went back to look after the children. The gaze upon meeting the wife of Niu San again was entirely different.

A woman who does not bow to fate and strives to protect her daughter through her efforts deserves respect.

In the evening, the wife of Niu San quietly went to find Bai Ruozhu.

"Lord Bai, I am the wife of Niu San. My maiden name is Shen, from the nearby Xiatang Village," the wife of Niu San introduced herself with poise.

"Is there something you need?" Bai Ruozhu saw that she wouldn’t come if there wasn’t a reason.

Unexpectedly, she fell to her knees, "Lord Bai, I know I don’t have the right to ask anything of you, but I don’t want to be separated from my daughter, so I’m thick-skinned enough to ask you for help."

"Stand up and speak," Bai Ruozhu helped her up.

"I’ve asked Niu San to divorce me, but I’m afraid the Niu Family won’t let Niuniu go with me, and the child might suffer a lot if she stays with them," the wife of Niu San said, "So I want to ask for your help by saying Niuniu’s illness is quite serious and requires long-term medication, then they might consider her a burden and won’t fight me for her."

Bai Ruozhu thought back to when her family wanted to separate from the old mansion. They also used illness as a way to make the mansion reject them, feeling a flood of emotions.

"Have you thought it through? You know that a woman raising a child is tough, perhaps you have support now, but no one can help you for life. You might not lead a comfortable life, and it might be difficult for the child to get married in the future," Bai Ruozhu already intended to help her but needed to lay down the harsh truth to avoid future repercussions.

"I’ve thought it through. I’m not hiding from you that I’ve saved some silver by painting, and with that, I can buy some land and establish a household myself later. I want to open a shop dedicated to teaching women how to paint and sell some paintings too," the wife of Niu San said.

"You have good ideas, but as a woman, you might be bullied, and there are many competitors in business. You must prepare in advance," Bai Ruozhu reminded.

Moreover, a woman abandoned by her in-laws may not be embraced back by her maiden family.

"My elder aunt and uncle will let me be under their name, and I have them and my cousin to care for me, and the clan supports me as well." She sighed, "My mother was skilled in painting, my elder aunt in calligraphy, both were talented women of this generation back then. It’s a pity my mother didn’t marry into a good family. If she hadn’t been hurt during childbirth, how could she have been infertile later? My aunt’s family is genuinely kind-hearted, and they’ve already spoken to the clan elders, who don’t oppose it."

Bai Ruozhu let out a sigh of relief. Being supported by relatives is a blessing, better than enduring alone.

"Alright, I’ll say that Niuniu has contracted pneumonia and needs long-term medication," Bai Ruozhu said, "I’ll prescribe the formulas and choose some good medicinal materials. Keep this secret, or my reputation might be ruined."

The wife of Niu San knelt again, "I swear never to reveal a word, or may the thunderstrike me dead!"

Bai Ruozhu helped her up again, saying helplessly, "Alright, go look after the child, tomorrow I’ll say it in front of the Niu Family Members."

"Thank you, my lord." She bowed deeply before leaving.

Bai Ruozhu called Jianqi in, instructing him to take people to investigate the Niu Family. Although she agreed to help the wife of Niu San, she needed to ensure she wouldn’t be used.

After midnight, she got up to check on the children. They were much better now and she only needed to check once in the night.

Once she finished, Jianqi approached, saying, "I visited the Niu Family tonight. They happened to be discussing Shen’s matter. The Niu family’s mother-in-law said they must not let Niuniu go with Shen, lest she gets her wish. Without her child, she’ll definitely beg them."

"This Niu family’s mother-in-law, does she not want her daughter-in-law, or can’t bear to let her go?" Bai Ruozhu was speechless.

"She said they spent so much on the betrothal gift that they must get some back. But this couldn’t be said directly, or the villagers would be critical, so they’re using this method to coerce Shen into giving silver for Niuniu." Jianqi continued.

Bai Ruozhu held her forehead, "Did they say how much silver Shen needs to give them to be satisfied?"

"The Niu family’s mother-in-law said at least thirty taels. Niu San spoke up, saying he didn’t want a divorce, but his mother kept saying Shen can’t have sons, doesn’t Niu San want to avoid being laughed at forever? She also said once they get the silver, they’ll find Niu San a young, fertile bride, who can quickly give him a big chubby boy."

"Thirty taels, Shen probably hasn’t saved that much," Bai Ruozhu was at a loss, "And Niu San is a wimp too. Forget it, I’ll help that mother and daughter."

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived, and the Su Family Village hired the Astrology Gang for purification.

Bai Ruozhu instructed Huzi’s mother and several women to oversee the sick children, while she and Su Zhen went to the site.

"Master, is there anything important? Should women avoid it?" The village chief cautiously asked.

"No need, I can handle it," said the Astrologer.

"Oh, good." The village chief was completely nervous, not daring to defy the Astrologer, despite feeling uncertain, he didn’t ask further.

The Astrologer disliked idle talk and set up a Yin Yang array to dispel the foul energy.

Yin Yang charms flew out one after another, forming a pentagram array, emitting a faint glow.

The onlookers couldn’t help but exclaim in excitement, seeing the twinkling lights scattered into the surrounding air.

A black shadow hovered in the air, causing timid women to shriek but quickly cover their mouths.

"Why do you refuse to depart?" The Astrologer asked in a deep voice.