Chapter 6.4 Bai & Xu created a rift
Bai Suzhen had a few cups of wine in a row, leaving Xu Xian and Jing Song at a loss. Jing Song quickly helped her back to her seat and glared at Xiao Qing, blaming her for teaching Bai Suzhen, who didn't know how to hold her drink, the rough way of drinking like a man during their time in the Bai household.
Xiao Qing looked away guiltily.
There were several empty wine jars on the table, and when Bai Suzhen wanted to pour more wine, she found that the jars in her hand were all empty. She was a little tipsy, with a hint of coquettishness and confusion in her eyes, and her body swayed slightly.
Xu Xian and Jing Song immediately stood up and supported Bai Suzhen.
Both of them said at the same time, "Are you okay?"
Bai Suzhen smiled brightly, "I'm fine. Did I toast everyone? Are you guys drunk?"
There are so many formalities in the human world! Now her behavior should be in line with the rules, right?
Jin Ruyi sneered, "Most young ladies in the mansion study tea ceremony, flower arrangement, embroidery, and sewing. But Miss Bai seems to be fond of drinking like a bull. The education of the Bai family is really different."
Bai Suzhen looked at her in confusion, seeming not to understand the meaning behind her words.
Jing Song unfolded his fan and laughed, "This young lady doesn't know. The Bai family has always been enlightened and doesn't like false pretenses. Suzhen is straightforward. It's just a few ounces of wine. How can we not drink if we meet a friend?"
Jin Ruyi slammed the table and said, "Are you saying that I am hypocritical?"
Jing Song continued, "Miss, you speak your mind. I admire that."
Xiao Qing couldn't help but laugh, and Jin Ruyi turned green with anger.
Jin Ruyi sneered, "What's so great about the Bai family? Even if they are high-born ladies, they are now alone and helpless away from their hometown. As the saying goes, a phoenix fallen among chickens..."
Suddenly, there was a loud noise. Xu Jaorong hit the table with her chopsticks, her face cold. The chopsticks fell to the ground.
Xu Jaorong's eyes were tearful, but she tried to restrain herself. Her voice trembled as she said, "Ha ha, what a fallen phoenix among chickens."
Her father, Xu Huairen, was a high-ranking official who was upright and dedicated to his country and the people, but he was falsely accused of neglecting his duties and abusing his power and was removed from his position as an imperial censor and exiled to Lingnan. Her current situation does fit Jin Ruyi's words!
Xu Xian stood up and wiped the chopsticks that fell on the ground before handing them back to Xu Jaorong. He comforted her, "Sister, the chopsticks are dirty. They can still be cleaned. There's nothing we can't overcome. Whether it's dirty chopsticks or dirty water spilled on us, we can get through it."
Xu Xian looked at Xu Jaorong firmly, and she took a deep breath and regained her composure. Jin Ruyi was frightened by Xu Jaorong's sudden outburst and quickly offered her some food with a hint of flattery, "Sister Xu, are you okay? Have something to eat."
Xu Jaorong smiled faintly and spoke more politely to Jin Ruyi, "I'm fine. I was just dizzy from the wine. Please have some more of the home-cooked dishes. Miss Bai, you're sitting far away. Hanwen, please take care of her."
Xu Xian understood and pointed to a plate of fish in front of them. "This Song Sao's fish is crispy and tender, sweet and sour, and very delicious. Would you like to try it?"
Jin Ruyi thought Xu Xian was talking to her and quickly picked up a piece of fish belly and said, "I knew you remembered that I love fish."
Bai Suzhen looked up and saw the scene, her eyes dimming. She knew that Jin Ruyi had misunderstood, and Xu Xian didn't refute it. Instead, he got up to personally pick fish for Bai Suzhen. However, a pair of chopsticks had already taken the other side of the fish belly and put it in Bai Suzhen's bowl.
Jing Song said, "Try it while it's hot. It's different from our Sichuan style fish with bean paste." After that, he seemed to casually lift his head and smiled at Xu Xian.
Xu Xian felt a bit disappointed, and Jin Ruyi took the opportunity to pick vegetables for him. "You should eat more too. I remember you love this glutinous lotus root." Jing Song and Jin Ruyi kept picking dishes for the two of them. After a while, the dishes in Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen's bowls piled up into small mountains, but neither of them had picked up their chopsticks yet, and their eyes were still on each other.
Jin Ruyi saw the situation and said, "Jing Song and Bai girl seem to have a good relationship."
Jing Song put down his chopsticks, looked gently at Bai Suzhen and said, "Of course, I have been childhood sweethearts with Suzhen, and I have always taken care of her. Without me, she wouldn't be able to handle many things."
Xu Xian heard their conversation, and his expression became more despondent.
After the meal, the guests left one after another to bid farewell to the host. Seeing that they were the only ones left at the table, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen still hadn't made any progress. Seeing this, Xu Jiaorong became anxious.
She shook her head, intending to help her younger brother. She walked up and said, "Bai girl, do you have time to help me later?"
Bai Suzhen replied, "Of course, sister. What can I do for you?"
Xu Jiaorong explained that Xu Xian loved collecting various books, and today, she wanted to take them out to air them out in the sun. However, she couldn't handle it alone.
Li Gongfu suddenly leaned over and said, "Madam, you want to air out books? I am strong!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he was glared at by Xu Jiaorong and chased away. "Didn't you make an appointment to drink with your brothers? Do you have to hurry over there?"
"Right! It's getting late. I have to go first. Enjoy yourselves." Li Gongfu bowed to everyone and left in a hurry.
Xu Xian stood up and said, "Sister, Bai girl is a guest."
Xu Jiaorong interrupted him and said, "Of course I know Bai girl is a guest, but there are too many books in the house, and some of them are unique copies. I think Bai girl is also a book lover, so I'm asking for her help."
Bai Suzhen quickly said, "Sister, you don't need to be polite. It's my pleasure to see Mr. Xu's collection."
After the meal, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen got up and walked towards the study. Jin Ruyi quickly put down her chopsticks and stood up, "I'll come too. I often help my father organize medical books at home."
Yin Xiang whispered, "Miss, when will you help..."
Jin Ruyi turned around and gave her a nudge.
Jing Song didn't want Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen to be alone, so he stood up and said, "Since there are so many books, I'll go and help too."
Xiaoqing thought to herself, "You little rat just wants to pester my sister, but I won't let you have your way." She grabbed Jing Song's arm and said, "Jing Song-gege, I want to buy something for the young lady. You always say that I'm not attentive enough, so accompany me and let me see how attentive you are." After speaking, she dragged him away.
Jing Song understood her intentions and used a spell to block her, and they secretly fought with each other while keeping an eye out for anyone who might pass by.
In the room, Xu Jiaorong smiled and took Jin Ruyi's hand, "Ruyi, I have some gifts for Master Jin that I need you to give him. Come with me to the courtyard." She didn't care that Jin Ruyi was reluctant, and pulled her away.