Seeing that the two were about to argue, Bai Xinyu interrupted them coldly, "Stop arguing. It's not something to be proud of, so why bring it up? If Dad hears this, neither of us will have a good time."
Although this era is more tolerant of issues of conduct, at least not like in ancient times when a woman's marriage would implicate the entire family, wealthy people have all the status and wealth they need, and they lack nothing but face.
If Dad finds out that his eldest sister's daughter is too promiscuous, both his eldest sister's family and her family will be affected by his anger, and he might forcefully find someone else to arrange a marriage between them.
Arranged marriages are inevitable, but it would be terrible if the chosen one only cares about interests and would kick them aside after using them. Bai Xinyu's daughter is smart, so there's not too much to worry about, but Bai Xinru's daughter would be in trouble.
"Hmph, she brought it up first." Lin Xiaoxue glared at Bai Xinru. She was never easy to get along with, and she was scheming. Now that she had money, Song Yuheng was protecting her, and her older sister was her backer, she became even more arrogant. She didn't take Bai Xinru seriously at all.
"Alright, Xiaoxue, say less," Lin Xiazhu's face was not very good, her eyes were downcast and her emotions were unreadable. She stepped forward with her hands on her waist and said, "Second Aunt, Third Aunt, I'm a little hungry, so I won't chat with you anymore. I'll go to the kitchen to get something to eat. Please help yourselves."
Then she left without looking back. She knew that Bai Xinru and Bai Xinyu didn't like her and didn't want to stay with her, so she made an excuse to leave quickly.
Seeing this, Lin Xiaoxue quickly followed. She noticed that Lin Xiazhu was walking with difficulty and reached out to help her, but the latter shook off her hand and refused to be helped.
"Big sister, don't be angry. Aunt Bai went too far just now. If I don't shut her up, she'll bring up you next. I don't want you to be wronged." Lin Xiaoxue followed her into the kitchen.
She hadn't felt hungry before, but the aroma from the kitchen made her hungry. She opened the lid of the stew pot, glanced at the pork tripe and chicken stew inside, licked her lips, and wanted to eat.
She took a large bowl from the cupboard, ready to make soup. The pork belly and chicken were stewed and ready to eat. Just as she picked up a spoon to scoop some soup, the maid came in.
"Young mistress, don't move around. Go sit in the living room. Just tell us what you want to eat. Please don't do it yourself." This maid was specifically there to help in the kitchen. Besides her, there were two chefs and three other maids who helped out like her.
It's just one chef and two assistants. They went out for a bit, and when she came back in the blink of an eye, the young mistress came in. If the old master knew that the young mistress wanted to eat but had to do it herself, he would definitely get angry.
They might be fired immediately. The Bai family pays exceptionally high wages, more than double that of servants in other wealthy families, and none of them want to lose their jobs.
"I also want to eat egg pancakes, just make me two, and a serving of fried rice." Lin Xiazhu has always had a good appetite, and the servants are used to it.
The fried rice should have plenty of ingredients: shredded beef, diced sausage, eggs, corn kernels, and green vegetables. Do not add soy sauce or MSG, just a little salt.
After giving her instructions, Lin Xiazhu felt much better and happily went to the restaurant to wait for her food. Lin Xiaoxue followed her the whole time, but when they came out, Lin Xiaoxue asked the kitchen to cook an extra portion of rice and order a bowl of pork tripe and chicken soup.
"I'll make you a separate soup. The old duck soup is ready too, but the pork tripe and chicken soup is for the young mistress." Indeed, Lin Xiazhu could drink the whole pot of pork tripe and chicken soup in one go, leaving not a single dreg.
Lin Xiaoxue also thought that her older sister had a big appetite, so she ordered old duck soup.
Just as the food was served, Bai Xinru and Bai Xinyu came over again. Bai Xinyu, mindful that Bai Zhengping would be back soon, didn't go near Lin Xiazhu and went to sit in the living room to eat fruit. She called for her older sister, but Bai Xinru wouldn't listen.
"Don't pull my clothes. I just came over to say a few words to her. I won't do anything stupid." Bai Xinru insisted on going over.
Bai Xinyu was speechless. Going near Lin Xiazhu at this moment was already stupid enough, did she want to be even more stupid? Dad will be back soon. If he catches you bullying your niece-in-law, you'd better be ready to get a scolding.
Sure enough, Bai Zhengping returned quickly. Ever since Bai Ruan joined the company, he had retired and spent his days playing chess and bowling with his old friends. He used to be out all day and only returned home in the evening.
After Lin Xiazhu became pregnant, he would come back at noon to make sure she ate properly. Although it was childish and boring, he enjoyed it.
As soon as he entered, he smelled the aroma and headed towards the side hall. He saw Lin Xiazhu eating and nodded gently. However, when he saw his eldest daughter also holding a bowl and drinking soup, he frowned.
"Dad, you're back! Come and eat! I'll tell the kitchen to serve the food right away." Bai Xinru stood up immediately when she saw him.
"You're such a grown man, and you're still greedy? You're fighting with a pregnant woman for food. If you want some, you can ask the kitchen to make it for you. Don't take Xiaozhu's chicken soup." Lin Xiazhu always drank the whole pot of chicken soup by herself. Bai Zhengping was afraid that she wouldn't eat enough and would feel unwell, which would then cause her great-grandson to suffer from malnutrition.
“Dad, there’s a whole pot of this. Xiaozhu can’t finish it all by herself,” Bai Xinru explained.
“Xiaozhu is eating for two, so she can only eat a little more. Don’t argue with her.” Bai Zhengping didn’t mention that Lin Xiazhu wouldn’t be full even after finishing a whole pot of soup, and that she could eat even more.
Although Lin Xiazhu didn't mind others laughing at her for her big appetite, she was now Mingxuan's wife and the mother of his great-grandson, so Bai Zhengping naturally wanted to protect her reputation.
Bai Xinru seemed not to understand what Bai Zhengping was saying. She looked at Lin Xiazhu and said, "Xiaozhu, do you eat this much every day? This is not good for the baby. If the baby gets too big, you won't be able to have children."
"Pah, stop jinxing me. My older sister will definitely have a smooth delivery, and both my little nephew and I will be safe and healthy." Lin Xiaoxue retorted again, but then she backed down. Bai Zhengping was there; she was too quick to speak.
Even if Bai Xinru is not good enough, she is still his biological daughter. She shouldn't have lost her temper in front of him. If she offends him, things will get complicated.
"Don't worry about my aunt's concern, I have regular check-ups, and the child is very healthy," Lin Xiazhu said with a polite smile.
"But..." Bai Xinru wanted to say something more.
"Alright, let's eat. Stop worrying about this and that. Even if you don't eat Xiaozhu's share, you'll still get to eat, right?" Bai Zhengping was always strict with his children, speaking in a harsh tone. Even if there was a misunderstanding, he would not take the initiative to explain. He was always autocratic and domineering.
Both daughters were quite afraid of him. They didn't know what their eldest brother was like in front of their father back then. They only knew that their fourth brother was very spoiled when he was young, but he was also beaten a lot because he was too naughty and rebellious. However, he was thick-skinned and no matter how much their father beat or scolded him, he couldn't win against him.
Perhaps due to his age, Bai Zhengping has softened his attitude a lot in recent years, especially towards his grandson Bai Ruan, whom he has repeatedly indulged, and by extension, Lin Xiazhu as well.
In the past, he would only use forceful methods to make his juniors obey, never bothering to spend money to coax them or flatter them.
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