Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1143: Chapter 1145: Drag Down and Behead_1

Because Ning Yu was also standing in the Main Hall, when he saw her arrive, he breathed a sigh of relief.

The Empress Dowager, on seeing the medical box in her hands, knew she had misunderstood and quickly said, ”It’s Ning Yu who found a method to reevaluate Princess Diao Bin’s illness, but he said he needs your help.”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but look at Ning Yu and ask, ”How do I need to help? Prepare medicine?”

Ning Yu shook his head, ”Your physical constitution is special; we need you to stand at the Array Eye to complete it.”

Bai Ruozhu was stunned for a moment, remembering how terrible it was when her soul had left her body previously, and she was somewhat repelled by the thought, but then she thought of how much Princess Diao Bin had helped her, placing herself in danger for Bai Ruozhu’s sake, and of how Ning Yu had only just saved Xiaosi; she felt that it would be inappropriate to hesitate further, so she nodded in agreement.

Seeing that Ning Yu didn’t seem to think it was a serious matter, he began to set up the Array after Bai Ruozhu agreed, quickly sketching out the various glyphs on the ground.

Princess Diao Bin cast a grateful look at Bai Ruozhu, ”Ruozhu, thank you.”

This made Bai Ruozhu a bit embarrassed, ”It’s just a helping hand, what’s there to thank?”

Princess Diao Bin smiled sweetly; for a moment, it was as if all the flowers around them bloomed. Yet such a beauty had already turned her black hair to silvery strands, truly a regrettable sight.

Finally, Ning Yu’s Array was ready, and he pointed to a spot, ”This is the Array Eye, please, Mrs. Bai, stand over there.”

Bai Ruozhu nodded, feeling somewhat apprehensive as she stepped onto the spot.

In her heart, she couldn’t help but feel contemplative; the her of the past never knew fear, especially during those years abroad, when she was just a lone figure. But ever since she had a family, children, and a loved one, she had more to worry about and became more timid.

She chuckled softly to herself, not because she was timid, but because she had more to care about now.

Afterward, Ning Yu asked Princess Diao Bin to stand in the middle of the Array, and he was about to initiate it.

”Ning Yu, is this Array something the National Master asked you to try?” The Empress Dowager suddenly asked, her expression and tone full of worry.

Ning Yu ceased his actions, ”No, my master is still in seclusion; this is something I’ve found in ancient books recently, and I’ve already confirmed its safety. Please rest assured, Your Highness.”

The Empress Dowager listened and said nothing more, nodding for him to continue.

Ning Yu activated the Array, and Bai Ruozhu, standing inside, quickly saw continuously shifting scenes that were very strange, as if immortals were dancing, and as if a group of children were playing. Despite the vast difference between immortals and children, how could she see them together?

Though Bai Ruozhu didn’t understand, she felt it might have something to do with the Array’s inherently mystic nature.

The scenes slowly came to a halt, and the Array gradually ceased its motion. Ning Yu opened his eyes wearily.

Princess Diao Bin also opened her eyes, staring straight at him and asked, ”How is it?”

The Empress Dowager moved forward anxiously and asked, ”What did you find out?”

”It’s a Curse transferred by someone of close kinship,” Ning Yu said. Fearing the three did not understand, he explained, ”Close kinship refers to the closest blood relatives.”

”How dare you! What nonsense are you spouting?” The Empress Dowager’s face turned beet red, and she suddenly rushed over and slapped Ning Yu.

Ning Yu was skilled in martial arts and not lacking in ability, but he did not dodge because the other person was the Empress Dowager, whom he could not evade.

Bai Ruozhu was startled by the Empress Dowager’s sudden outburst. Usually, the Empress Dowager was extraordinarily amiable, so much so that even Imperial Concubine Liu dared to defy her. Moreover, it was rare for nobility within the palace to strike someone personally, to avoid undermining their status, let alone someone of the Empress Dowager’s rank. This showed just how furious she must have been.

”Impossible, you must have made a mistake. Your array is incorrect!” Princess Diao Bin also cried out.

Ning Yu did not touch the half of his face that was swollen and red but declared with a determined gaze, ”This commoner has not erred. Indeed, someone has transferred the curse of a close relative!”

Bai Ruozhu inwardly cursed bad luck, realizing that Ning Yu, who was as clean as a blank sheet of paper and somewhat naive to the ways of the world, was already insulting the Former Emperor. This by itself was enough to cost him his head, yet Ning Yu seemed to think it was just that the Empress Dowager and Princess did not believe him.

She quickly reached out to pull Ning Yu, urging, ”Don’t be so quick to conclude; what about methods to break the curse? What would be the consequences of breaking it?”

”One could find the person who cast the curse to undo it, or killing the caster would also break the curse. As for other methods, I haven’t thought of any for the moment. I might have to wait until my master finishes his seclusion.” Ning Yu’s attention was successfully diverted by Bai Ruozhu, ”After the curse is lifted, the princess will naturally revert to her original state, and the person she replaced would die. Of course, if that person is already deceased, then there would be no effect.”

”What rubbish you speak!” The face of the Empress Dowager erupted in fury, ”Someone, seize Ning Yu and execute him by beheading!”

The guards below, upon hearing the decree of the Empress Dowager, charged in and surrounded Ning Yu in an instant.

Bai Ruozhu was still in shock; she couldn’t believe the normally gentle Empress Dowager would decree the beheading of an innocent. She felt a chill in her heart, but quickly understood the Empress Dowager’s rage considering the matter concerned the honor of the Former Emperor, which was why Princess Diao Bin also did not speak out to prevent it.

They could endure hardship, even being bullied, but could not tolerate anyone hurting the Former Emperor, even though he had been dead for several years.

Bai Ruozhu suddenly became very curious about what kind of man the Former Emperor had been to possess such charisma.

Suddenly, she knelt down on the ground with such force that her knees throbbed with pain, causing her to grimace. She then bowed her head low to the ground, concealing the expression on her face.

”Empress Dowager, this humble woman begs you to give Young Master Ning an opportunity, please be lenient.” Bai Ruozhu said, drawing in a cold breath.

The Empress Dowager could see that Bai Ruozhu had hurt her knees; a flicker of mercy crossed her eyes, but when she thought of what Ning Yu had just said, she spoke with displeasure, ”Why would you plead on his behalf?”

”Replying to the Empress Dowager, Young Master Ning has shown nothing but sincere loyalty. A few days ago, he helped in rescuing my brother who had been abducted by evildoers. The Bai Family owes him a debt of gratitude,” answered Bai Ruozhu honestly.

Ning Yu, however, lost his temper and stood straight as a rod, saying, ”Ning has done nothing to wrong anyone. However, if my lord wishes I die, I must die. Ning is willing to accept the Empress Dowager’s judgement.”

Bai Ruozhu glared at him fiercely, saying, ”Ning Yu, has nobody been managing you in your master’s absence? You also understand the difference between sovereign and subject, kneel down at once!”

Her command ”kneel down” carried inner strength and was uttered with great authority. Ning Yu knelt down reflexively, looking up into her deep black eyes; he suddenly felt a shameful sense of inferiority and bowed his head.

The Empress Dowager thought Ning Yu had acknowledged his mistake, and her heart relaxed somewhat, not having the heart to really behead him. She maintained a stern face and said, ”You have shown disrespect to me, your death sentence is spared, but your life sentence is unavoidable. Considering Ruozhu has pleaded on your behalf, you will be imprisoned in the jail for the time being. Remember to watch your mouth!”

The Empress Dowager dared not speak of the Former Emperor, fearing word would spread, so her words were ambiguous. The surrounding guards all thought Ning Yu was impetuous and had disrespected the Empress Dowager. Ning Yu did not object and obediently followed the Royal Guards to the prison.