noffsinger Chapter 1088 Old Master Bai
Chapter 1088 Old Master Bai
Knowing he was to see the Empress, Old Master Bai specially changed into a new navy blue outfit, combed his hair until it was shiny and smooth, and even sought out a local gentry to learn the proper etiquette for bowing.
He hurriedly straightened his already neat clothes, then knelt down on the cold stone slab with a thud. He placed his hands together, left hand over right, neatly on his forehead, bent over, his forehead pressed tightly against the ground, his nose almost touching the blue bricks, and shouted loudly, "This humble subject, Bai Shuyan, kowtows to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
"One kowtow." His forehead ached from the kowtow, but his body remained perfectly still.
"Kowtowing again." The voice came from Old Master Bai himself.
"Three kowtows," he shouted again.
After he finished kowtowing three times, everyone present was stunned, and they could only feel the wind rustling in the dark night sky.
How could Old Master Bai be so ridiculous?
Jiang Fenghua was also momentarily stunned. She had never paid such attention to etiquette in public, but the old master of the Bai family was acting like a theatrical performer, or perhaps he had learned the etiquette on the spot because he knew he was going to see the empress.
Jiang Fenghua said to Bai Yuhan, "Yuhan, quickly help Old Master Bai up and offer him a seat."
Seeing her grandfather's appearance, Bai Yuhan blushed. She quickly helped the old man up and whispered in his ear, "Grandfather, where did you learn all this?"
Grandpa Bai also said in a low voice, "Isn't that how it's performed on the stage? I was a bit clever and went to ask the village gentry for advice. I learned it several times before I got it right. See, I didn't embarrass you!"
Bai Yuhan could only think that this was incredibly shameful. How could someone kowtow to themselves like that? Her grandfather probably repeated all the things the local gentry had said.
She just felt embarrassed.
The next moment, when Old Master Bai saw his two sons sitting steadily on the stools without any manners, he lifted his long robe and kicked them in the buttocks, cursing, "You good-for-nothings, how dare you be so insolent in front of the Empress! You ill-mannered brats!"
The two of them could only wipe their sweat and knelt down again with a "thud," their bodies swaying and trembling.
Old Master Bai looked at him with disdain.
Seeing that the three members of the Bai family had made a complete fool of themselves, Bai Yuhan explained, "Your Majesty, please don't be offended. Grandfather is usually quite normal, but today he..."
Jiang Fenghua smiled and said, "Old Master Bai is quite adorable. He's a lot like my maternal grandfather. They're both well-mannered people."
Old Master Bai said, "The Bai family is willing to donate grain to the imperial court. Han'er has already told this humble person that the Empress has always taken good care of her. Now that Her Majesty is in trouble, the Bai family should repay the kindness. Since it is military supplies, how can grain alone be enough? The Bai family also runs a medicinal herb business, and this humble person can also donate some medicinal herbs."
Upon hearing this, Bai Lao Er hurriedly said, "Old Master, are you still half asleep and confused? Where in the Bai family can we donate medicinal herbs?"
The medicinal herbs in the Bai family's warehouse were all delivered by people who rented the Bai family's land to pay rent. It was getting cold, and the Bai family was keeping the herbs to sell for money in the winter. Now they've given them to the Empress. The court should just pay for them with silver. Why should they take them for free? What's the difference between this and robbery?
The head of the Bai family knew the old man's temper, so he dared not utter a sound. The reason why the Bai family had not yet divided up was also the old man's intention.
The old man only wanted the Bai family to grow stronger. Once the family split up, it would be impossible for them to grow stronger. Many large families prosper because they have many members.
Jiang Fenghua said, "The imperial court does need medicinal herbs, but I cannot take them for free. The old master, name your price, and I will buy them at the market price."
"No money needed, just give it to the Empress." Old Master Bai said urgently, "These are all common medicinal herbs that are worthless. They are everywhere on the mountain. They are the rent money collected last year. Since the people don't have money, I, a humble citizen, decided to let them dig up herbs to pay the rent."
"These herbs are not expensive medicines, but they are very effective in treating colds, stopping bleeding and removing blood stasis. They are especially useful for soldiers in battle."
Old Master Bai continued, "When I was young, I was also a barefoot doctor. I can help with medical treatment. During the flood in Yuzhou, I also went to the villages and towns to help out in some small ways."
Jiang Fenghua said, "I truly admire the old master's benevolence. No wonder Yuhan is also so kind-hearted. The old master has raised a fine granddaughter!"
"Han'er has been kind-hearted since she was a child and can't bear to see people suffer." He added, "We common people are protected by the court, so we should remember to share the court's burdens. Without His Majesty, how could we common people have such a good life? The Bai family is willing to overcome the difficulties together with Your Majesty and Her Highness."
He spoke very eloquently; as expected of someone with experience... experience is indeed valuable.
Bai Yuhan felt her face turn even redder. Her grandfather's motives were too obvious. She didn't donate grain to get the Empress's reward; she simply wanted to help the Empress, since the Bai family had enough grain anyway.
Jiang Fenghua thought that Old Master Bai was clever. In fact, no one in the Bai family was willing to donate grain to the imperial court. Bai Yuhan disregarded the opposition of the whole clan and donated grain to help the disaster victims.
The first time, Old Master Bai was probably angry, but Bai Yuhan had a relationship with the Empress, which meant that the Bai family had a link with the royal family.
The second time, Bai Yuhan acted impulsively again, but when she stole the grain, she sent someone to inform the old master and also mentioned that the empress was in Yuzhou. So he did not send someone back to the Bai family to stop her, but instead let Bai Yuhan successfully steal the grain. This made Bai Yuhan even more popular with the empress.
He probably wants Bai Yuhan to stay by the Empress's side and change her fate. If she really enters the palace and becomes a concubine, it will be the best opportunity for the Bai family to change their destiny.
Instead of mentioning the court's difficulties and the Bai family's donation of grain, he said that the Empress was in trouble and the Bai family was helping her, thus making the Empress directly owe Bai Yuhan a favor.
Jiang Fenghua asked the Wan and Bai families to donate grain because she knew they didn't lack that little bit of grain. As soon as spring came, the Wan family's fields would produce even more grain. They didn't lack grain, but they lacked social status.
Old Master Bai did this to give Bai Shi a certain status.
Originally, Wan Qianshan had something to discuss with "Brother Ruan," but ever since he learned that she was a woman and an empress, he hadn't been able to process it and hadn't listened to a word the Bai family said.
Bai Yuhan glanced at him secretly, thinking to herself: "What an idiot, his soul has probably wandered off somewhere."
Wan Qianshan had no recollection of how he got out; he was simply taken away by the Bai family head and Bai Lao Er.
Finally, Old Master Bai kept Bai Yuhan behind, saying, "Han'er, stay and keep Her Majesty the Empress company. Her Majesty is a guest from afar, and we should host a banquet to entertain her. Tomorrow, Han'er, invite Her Majesty to our home as a guest."
"Grandfather." Bai Yuhan quickly stopped her, "Her Majesty the Empress has important matters to attend to. How could she possibly have time to visit the Bai family? Let's go quickly. It's already very late, so let's not disturb Her Majesty's rest."
Old Master Bai personally led his son in a kneeling ceremony, saying, "This humble subject will take his leave now."
Jiang Fenghua nodded to Hongxiu, "See Old Master Bai out! Light the lamp for the old master and escort him to the main gate."
Hongxiu understood the Empress's implication: she needed to reassure Master Bai that Bai Yuhan's title of County Princess would only be officially conferred upon a written decree.