Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1172: Chapter 1174 Her Turnaround_1

The New Year’s Eve had passed just like that, and for the next few days everything seemed quiet. Bai Ruozhu couldn’t believe it was truly over. She couldn’t accept that the sinister man with the ghostly mask had entered the palace merely to seek pleasure?

Or perhaps because she had discovered him, he hadn’t been able to silence her with death, so he temporarily canceled his plan?

What was his purpose for sneaking into the Inner Palace—to assassinate the Emperor, to change the dynasty?

Bai Ruozhu rubbed her forehead. These matters shouldn’t concern her. She should think less about them. The more she dealt with palace affairs, the more weary her heart became.

She glanced at the still unconscious Consort Le, her eyebrows furrowing tightly again. What could she do to ensure that the poison was completely cured for Consort Le?

Before they knew it, it was the fifth day of the New Year, and the Emperor finally allowed Bai Ruozhu and her daughter to return home to celebrate the minor New Year with their family. They took Little Dengdeng and left the palace gates in haste, afraid that the Emperor might change his mind at the last minute.

As soon as they arrived at their home’s entrance, they saw a horse carriage parked outside. Upon closer inspection, it was the Ding Family’s carriage.

Thanks to Jiang Yichun’s facilitation, Ding Feiyu’s brother had managed to secure a position in the capital, and the family had rented a small yard to live in. Grateful to Bai Ruozhu’s family for their help, Bai Zhi and her husband often paid visits, becoming one of the closest families to the Bai Family.

”It must be your aunt and the others. That’s great, the more people the merrier,” said Lin Ping’er happily.

Bai Ruozhu also mustered a smile, leading Little Dengdeng with one hand and supporting her mother with the other as they entered the yard.

Seeing the three return home, everyone went up to greet them, asking after their wellbeing. Bai Yihong even pulled out a big red envelope for Little Dengdeng, saying with a chuckle, ”Good grandson, you must keep Grandpa’s red envelope safe.”

Little Dengdeng particularly liked red things and happily kissed Bai Yihong. He then took out the Silver Coins inside, obediently handing them to his mother while keeping just the red cover to play with.

Everyone burst into laughter, and Ding Feiyu remarked, ”Dengdeng is very filial, knowing to hand the silver over to his mother. Xiaomai, you should take note; you’re the elder brother after all.”

Ding Mai said with a cheeky grin, ”I don’t want to; I still want to buy snacks.”

The crowd laughed even louder, calling Ding Mai a naughty boy.

Bai Ruozhu’s heart was constantly concerned for Jiang Yichun’s safety. Despite the smile on her face, her mind was not on the gathering. It was only when Bai Zhi spoke to her that she noticed an apologetic air in Bai Zhi’s demeanor. It took her a moment to understand that Bai Zhi felt guilty because Ding Feisheng hadn’t come to pay a New Year’s visit, even causing some quarrels with Ding Feiyu. But Ding Feiyu really had no solution for his elder brother’s behavior.

In the afternoon, Bai Zhi’s family said their goodbyes and left. Bai Zehao then spoke somewhat indignantly, ”I don’t know who has been spreading rumors outside, claiming that my sister had contracted smallpox and was sent out of the city, and even said...” He glanced at Bai Ruozhu, deeming it inauspicious to continue.

”So that Ding Feisheng didn’t even dare come over for New Year’s visit. When he was seeking Xiaojiang’s help, he wasn’t like this, was he?” Lin Ping’er didn’t mince words as she spoke out.

Whenever Jiang Yichun was mentioned, Bai Ruozhu’s face clouded with worry. Bai Yihong shot a stern look at Lin Ping’er and said, ”Let’s not talk about such things during the New Year. We’ll just avoid distant relatives from now on.”

”Younger sister, how is your husband doing?” Bai Zepei suddenly asked. Since Bai Ruozhu had returned to the capital and immediately entered the palace, and Lin Ping’er had been taken into the palace without the chance to return home, the family members were still unaware that Bai Ruozhu had returned empty-handed.

Bai Ruozhu shook her head. ”It’s still unclear. I was urgently recalled because of Consort Le’s incident. I left Chen Feng, Muyu, and the others to continue the search.”

No one spoke after that, all understanding how distressed Bai Ruozhu must feel in her heart.

That evening, Bai Ruozhu visited the northwest corner of the yard to check on Xiaosi and Xuan Jizi. As she approached the yard, she heard the sounds of sword practice inside, with the sharp blades cleaving through the air, producing a whistling whoosh.

She slowed her steps, not wanting to disturb the swordsman inside. Soon, the sounds quieted down.

”Not bad, you’re starting to resemble your master quite a bit,” a voice, harsh and somewhat indifferent, echoed in the yard; surprisingly, it was Lin Lian’s voice.

”Thank you for the compliment, Master’s wife,” Xiaosi replied with a note of delight in his tone.

”Hmph, you little brat, if you call me Master’s wife again, I’ll break your dog legs!” Lin Lian said angrily.

Xiaosi let out a laugh and dashed off in a flash.

Bai Ruozhu listened carefully from outside, a smile inadvertently gracing her lips; it seemed that Lin Lian’s attitude towards Xiaosi was slowly changing, and she wasn’t as hostile towards Xuan Jizi anymore either.

She knocked on the gate and entered. Xiaosi poked his head out from the house and, upon seeing her, sprinted over with joy, exclaiming, ”Sister, you’re finally back!”

Bai Ruozhu looked at her brother, who had shot up and now looked even thinner, and tenderly stroked his head, saying, ”Listen to you, as if I’m ten thousand miles away when I’m at the palace. Here, this is a red envelope from your sister.”

Xiaosi smiled and accepted the red envelope, ”Thank you, sister!”

She watched as Xiaosi’s smile became brighter, feeling reassured in her heart. It seemed her decision to agree to let Xiaosi leave home to apprentice was the right one after all; his personality had indeed become much more cheerful.

Xuan Jizi and Lin Lian treated Bai Ruozhu with indifference. After exchanging a few words with the three of them, she proposed treating Lin Lian for her poison, fearing she might have to enter the palace for a good while and could only take the chance to treat the poison while she had the time.

Once Xuan Jizi and Xiaosi had left, Bai Ruozhu began treating Lin Lian with the Ancient steaming method. After a round of needles, Lin Lian soaking in the bath had lost consciousness.

Bai Ruozhu carefully brought her into the Spatial Hot Spring, let her soak in it, and after a while, took her out and placed her back into the bath.

Having removed the silver needles, Lin Lian slowly regained consciousness.

”The same as last time, soaking overnight?” Lin Lian asked.

Bai Ruozhu nodded, ”You’ve been poisoned for too long; we can’t rush it. Let’s do it gradually, one step at a time.”

Of course, it had to be gradual. After Lin Lian soaked in her Hot Spring, the Hot Spring Water turned red. Had Bai Ruozhu not known it would clear in a couple of days, she would have been utterly vexed.

”Thank you,” Lin Lian said softly.

”You don’t need to thank me, just don’t think about killing my brother anymore. If I can cure your poison, I can also make your life a living hell!” Bai Ruozhu said bluntly.

”You...” Lin Lian’s eyes widened. How can the younger generation be so arrogant these days?

Bai Ruozhu turned and walked out the door, aware that Xuan Jizi had heard her words too. She cast a meaningful glance at Xuan Jizi, who, ashamed, lowered his head and gave her a bow, ”Don’t worry, Ruozhu, Lin Lian won’t take her anger out on Ze Qing anymore.”

”Yeah, sis, Master’s wife even gave me pointers on my Swordsman Techniques,” Xiaosi chimed in anxiously.

Bai Ruozhu glared at him sternly. Was she playing the bad guy for his benefit? Was this little brat too easily swayed?

The next morning, the palace sent for Bai Ruozhu, and she bid her family farewell with reluctance as she stepped through the Palace Gate once again. But the news that followed presented her with a crucial turning point...