Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1155: Chapter 1157 All Settled_1

”Why wouldn’t Bai Ruozhu agree to guarantee the birth of a male heir? She really had no other choice; I’ve seen everything. It’s the prescription from that doctor with the surname Jiang, claiming it’s a secret family recipe passed down through generations! Their family has served as imperial doctors for several generations; isn’t it normal for them to have secret formulas? But there’s no one serving as a doctor in Bai Ruozhu’s family.” Hao Mu, a palace maid from Cining Palace, mentioned this casually to the Nanny in charge of the Laundry Bureau while delivering the Empress Dowager’s clothes with a little palace maid.

Once Hao Mu went off to have tea with the Nanny, the palace maids from the Laundry Bureau surrounded the little palace maid from Cining Palace with questions. The little palace maid, looking quite honest, answered everything in full detail.

As a result, within a couple of days, the direction of gossip in the Capital shifted—the word was now that Jiang Yichun was the Divine Doctor who could guarantee the birth of male heirs, and that Bai Ruozhu had previously been too scared to expose him. Eventually, the gate of Bai Residence was no longer guarded, and the Bai family members dared to venture outside again.

In the Imperial Study Room, upon hearing Wang Shun’s report, the Emperor chuckled and said, ”The Bai family does have some cleverness. Have you found out who spread the rumor?”

Wang Shun cautiously replied, ”It seems to have been spread by a palace maid from Imperial Concubine Liu’s entourage.”

The Emperor snorted coldly, ”She’s under house arrest now; these are the only kinds of things she can do.”

Wang Shun didn’t dare to reply, and even the breath he took was as quiet as possible.

...

At the Bai Residence, Bai Ruozhu discussed her plans to travel afar with her family. It was a secret family meeting that the Bai family hadn’t convened in a long time.

”Just tell outsiders I am treating someone else’s illness and caught a cold myself. Besides, I have lingering health issues from giving birth before; I’ll be going to a different residence to recover,” Bai Ruozhu said, ”Even to Miss Lai and Miss Gu, don’t say too much.”

It’s not that she intended to keep them in the dark, but if they knew the truth, it could potentially bring great danger upon them.

”Isn’t this too dangerous?” Lin Ping’er asked worriedly.

”Mother, there’s nothing to worry about. Achun has a good number of people under him on my side, and I’m the only one who can mobilize them. By taking them with me covertly, I’m also providing him support. It’s just that he has enemies watching, and we can’t afford to let any word slip,” Bai Ruozhu spoke sternly, ”I hope that what we discuss today remains known only among our family. Even with our closest allies, we can’t divulge a word, or Achun and I could truly end up in deep trouble.”

Bai Yihong, concerned, asked, ”Who are these enemies? They’re not Yichun’s master, are they? His daughter caused our Dengdeng so much harm; how dare he trouble Achun?”

Bai Ruozhu knew her father was mistaken, but she didn’t want to explain further, ”Father, it’s not that simple. Please don’t ask any more questions; otherwise, it will bring trouble to our family, and it wouldn’t be worth it. Also, once we are back, we cannot let word of this leak out. If anyone with ulterior motives discovers that Achun and I have such people at our disposal, I fear...”

The family understood, nodding and agreeing that they definitely wouldn’t let the information slip.

After getting her family’s consent, Bai Ruozhu heaved a sigh of relief. However, on the way back to the Yard with Dengdeng, her second brother caught up with her.

”Sister, things aren’t as simple as you’ve said, are they? Is it an Imperial Decree that cannot be defied?” Bai Zepei scrutinized Bai Ruozhu and asked with a cold voice.

Bai Ruozhu knew she couldn’t fool her astute brother and said helplessly, ”For our family’s sake, you shouldn’t ask too much, brother. Just know that I will take care of myself. Your sister here does have some skills,” she said, deliberately crinkling her little nose with an air of pride.

The second brother reached out to flick her forehead, but Bai Ruozhu’s martial arts were now quite impressive, and she dodged with a swift move to the side, boasting even more, ”Couldn’t get me, could you?”

Bai Zepei looked at his hand hanging in the air, shaking his head helplessly in his heart. His little sister had grown up and was different from before; at least she wasn’t as easy to tease anymore.

For some reason, Bai Ruozhu felt that the second brother’s gaze was very desolate, and for a moment, her heart felt uncomfortable. The smartest in their family was the second brother, who always worried about her the most. His burdens were already heavy enough!

”Enough. Just take good care of yourself, and remember, you’re not alone. The child is still young,” Bai Zepei sighed and said.

Bai Ruozhu nodded vigorously. If worse came to worst, she could just act like a shrinking turtle, hiding inside the space without leaving, ensuring her life was safe.

Of course, she also had to bring back the child’s father. The child couldn’t be left without a father!

Two days later, Bai Ruozhu ostensibly moved to another residence, but in reality, as soon as she arrived, she was secretly relocated. She took a team of dark guards and met with the Imperial Shadow Guards arranged by the Emperor, heading towards Wucang Mountain.

This time she took Jianqi, Muyu, and Chenfeng, along with more than a dozen dark guards. She didn’t leave too many behind to protect the Bai Residence, because she knew that before she left, the Emperor had already sent a large number of horsemen to secretly monitor both the Bai Residence and the Bai Family’s separate residence. The Emperor had made it very clear that he didn’t trust her.

However, Bai Ruozhu had already moved past her discontent with the Emperor. It was better to be openly distrustful than to pretend, to guard and scheme behind one’s back, right?

At this moment, Bai Ruozhu was in disguise as a man, even wearing a gauze cap. Those around her addressed her as ”young master,” and at a glance, she looked like a young man out on a journey. Only one Team Leader of the Shadow Guards followed closely by Bai Ruozhu’s side, while the others remained hidden. Aside from Jianqi, Muyu, and Chenfeng, the rest of the dark guards were also arranged by Bai Ruozhu to protect in secret, making their group less conspicuous.

The team leader of the Shadow Guard was quite arrogant, and he said to Bai Ruozhu, ”My subordinate is Civil, the ’Civil’ in discipline. Young master, just remember how to properly call me.” After that, he rarely spoke, and even when Bai Ruozhu asked questions, he seemed somewhat indifferent.

Bai Ruozhu knew that ”Civil” was definitely not his real name, nor would it be his code name within the Shadow Guards; these were things he couldn’t reveal to her. But this man obviously looked down on her. She was anxious to find Jiang Yichun and didn’t want to stoop to this person’s level. However, how could she manage any issues later on if he didn’t respect her leadership?

With that thought, Bai Ruozhu gathered some resolve. She didn’t believe she couldn’t get this Civil to be completely obedient to her.

”Civil, is there any new information from Wucang Mountain? They’ve been searching for so long; have they really found nothing?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

Civil replied reluctantly, ”Young master, please refrain from talking too much, lest we let slip any information. Plus, if there’s news, I’ll naturally inform you.”

”You...” His tone had already caused Jianqi and Muyu at her side to become unhappy.

Bai Ruozhu made a gesture to signal the two not to act rashly, then looked at Civil with a smiling face and asked, ”You don’t respect me, do you? Look down on me because I’m a woman without merit or rewards? Isn’t the master supposed to teach you to obey absolutely? It seems he hasn’t trained you well enough.”

”How dare you!” Civil felt offended, as if Bai Ruozhu was dishonoring the Emperor. He became angry all of a sudden, but as he was about to continue his scolding, his face suddenly showed a look of shock...