They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 402 The Bai family is going all out again.

Bai stared at her with a cold look in her eyes: "Don't you dare say anything out loud. If you dare to say these things, don't come to our house again."

Bai Lan choked, feeling inexplicably uneasy about her sister-in-law's gaze and attitude.

"Hey—girl, tell me, what...what happened?"

How could Bai possibly say that?
She lowered her eyes and scoffed, "In short, that family is no good. So stop trying to take advantage of them. Have you ever given them anything?"

Brandy choked again.

Bai sneered: "Since they don't have any, why should they give you any benefits?"

Bai Lan felt a little guilty. The news of Liang Minglang's death soon reached their village, and their family naturally knew about it as well.

We were joking back then, saying that Xu was raising her younger brother-in-law all by herself, and that she might not be able to make ends meet and would go around begging for money, or even going so far as to harass their family.
After all, their families are related, aren't they?

When people are extremely poor, what won't they do?

At the time, they felt disgusted just thinking about the possibility and said that if that day ever came, they would definitely ignore them.

It's not easy for us to earn a living through our own work, how could we possibly let others benefit from it?

They're not even proper relatives.

Even with legitimate relatives, it depends on the situation.

Fortunately, Xu Zhichun never visited, so they forgot about it.

Upon hearing Bai's words, Bai Lanshi immediately thought of this matter.

Lady Bai Lan could do it herself, but she felt uneasy about doing it for others. She muttered, "They're all relatives, so what's wrong with them helping us out if they become successful? We don't need anything for nothing, and we're hardworking too, we just lack an opportunity to make money. Why don't they include us in whatever business they're in? I heard they have many businesses, and even people from your village who aren't related to them are now managers in their companies, and I heard they earn quite a bit. So you—you must earn even more, right?"

"Alright, stop talking!"

Mr. Bai was irritable.

Looking at her sister-in-law, Bai Lan seemed to understand something.

So, although Ms. Xu didn't come to their house to beg for money, she actually did try to beg for money from her sister-in-law's family, right? Her sister-in-law definitely refused, so now she's being targeted.

Lady Brandt sighed: "Didn't you help them back then?"

Bai sneered, staring intently at Bai Lan as if she could see into her heart, and asked in return, "If it were you, would you help?"

"I--"

"you will not."

"."

Brandt was somewhat embarrassed.

Bai closed his eyes. Alright, this fig leaf has been torn off even if we didn't want to.

Yeah.

"In short, you shouldn't have come today!"

Brandt curled his lip. Why shouldn't he have come? He'd like to come again. A fool wouldn't take advantage of a good deal.

"Don't get any ideas. I'll say it again, that family is no pushover."

Lady Bai Lan was puzzled. "Is it really necessary? It's not like we have any major grudges! Is it something that can't be resolved with a few kind words?"

Bai roared inwardly, "No way! What a deep grudge we have!"

Xu almost died at her hands, and later she and Miss Zeng tried to harm Xu. This grudge can never be resolved!
"In short, you listen to me, or don't blame me for being rude!"

Bai threatened her fiercely. She'd had enough; were they all treating her like this?
She avoids the third wife's family like the plague, and if her sister-in-law adds to the trouble, she will really turn against her.

Bai Lan was startled and stared blankly at Bai.

"Did you hear that?"

"."

Brandt understood, "Oh."

My sister-in-law wouldn't say, but it's probably true. The second branch of the family must have seriously offended the third branch, right? No wonder, since my sister-in-law, as her aunt, doesn't go there, no one from that branch of the family has come to invite her.

Otherwise, even if she is not feeling well, can't she go over there, sit and chat with people, and have some fun?

If even her sister-in-law's family couldn't benefit, then her own family certainly wouldn't either.

Brandt was quite annoyed.

He thought to himself that if it weren't for this connection, he might have had a chance if he asked for help himself, so what was the point of having such a dragging relative?
Bai Lan sighed with envy, "Their house was so lively today! The county magistrate and the others came too, but I only caught a glimpse of them from afar. None of us dared to approach, nor were we worthy to. Look at Liang Mingxuan, he's so impressive! The county magistrate and the teachers at the county school are all praising him. That boy will be twelve this year, and in another two or three years he'll be ready to get married. I bet the suitors are practically breaking down his door by now. I wonder which family he'll marry into. It'll definitely have to be a wealthy family to be worthy of him. Oh my, they're getting more and more successful!"

Unfortunately, this prosperity has nothing to do with their own family.

Since her sister-in-law had been so blunt, even if Bai Lan was still tempted, she didn't have much of a desire left. At most, she could find an opportunity to tentatively mention it with a smile. If it worked out, all the better; if not, there was nothing she could do—it wasn't up to her to decide.

But I'm still envious.

The listener took it to heart; Bai's heart stirred, and the more she thought about it, the more her heart fluttered.
What if her thirteen-year-old niece Bai Yunxian from her maternal family got together with Liang Mingxuan?
If Liang Mingxuan marries her niece, their relationship will naturally become even closer. Would Liang Minglang and Madam Xu still hold onto past grievances? For her, this would be an extra layer of security.

Once Yunxian is married into the family, she has plenty of ways to coax her into obeying her, and of course, Yunxian will be more obedient to her aunt.

Then I won't have to live in constant fear anymore, right?

Liang Mingxuan is still young and has a bright future. That couple certainly won't consider his marriage now. They will wait until he achieves higher academic honors so that he has the means to marry a daughter from a higher social class and a better family.

Besides, even if he were to arrange a marriage now, they wouldn't be interested in Yun Xian.

But it's okay.

Scholars care about their reputation, don't they? If Liang Mingxuan were to gain a reputation for misconduct and immoral behavior, his path to officialdom would be over before he even got started.

As long as it can be proven that he ruined Yunxian's innocence, even if they are unwilling, their family will have no choice but to accept it.

My sister-in-law can't keep things to herself, so I can't tell her this.

She needs to think it over carefully and plan it out.
Take advantage of the large crowd today.

With more people, it's easier to find opportunities, and there are more people who can bear witness.

"Go and call Yunxian back."

"what?"

"I need to speak with Yunxian, go quickly!"

"this--"

"Go!"

Bai Lan was indignant, but still went with a cold face.

Bai clenched her fists, her heart pounding with excitement.

At noon, the banquet officially began. Two tables were set up in the main hall for Magistrate Lu, his advisors, the county magistrate, the headmaster of the county academy, and the teachers. Eight tables were set up in the courtyard and under the eaves to entertain the students, local gentry, and other prominent families.

Outside the courtyard, all the way to Aunt Zhu'er's courtyard, there was a long stretch of dozens of tables set up, where villagers and their relatives and friends sat.

Everyone sat down in a lively atmosphere, and one fragrant dish after another was served, bringing the festive mood to its peak.