Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1188: Chapter 1190: Virtuous King Exerts Pressure_1

”Second Brother, how could you...” Bai Ruozhu was taken aback, but before she could finish, Bai Zepei interrupted her.

”There are many things at home that Second Brother should have taken care of, yet you, a woman, have had to run around everywhere. Even when your brother-in-law was in trouble, it should have been me looking for him,” Bai Zepei said with deep despondency. ”Second Brother has failed to be your support, and I have only brought you more trouble.”

Seeing her second brother so dejected, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but feel pained, ”Second Brother, you mustn’t say such things anymore, or it will sadden Big Brother even more.”

Bai Zepei was stunned, at a loss for words for a moment.

”Second Brother shouldn’t blame himself. You are meant for a government career, and it’s already quite an achievement for someone your age to pass the Imperial Examination. Wait until you succeed in the spring examinations, in the future, you’ll certainly make a name for yourself. These things can’t be rushed,” Bai Ruozhu said earnestly.

”After all, I am but a woman, and the family business will inevitably fall more on Big Brother’s shoulders. Only when you’ve become an officer can our family truly thrive, so both of you are vitally important. As for me, I’m the one worrying now, but in the future, I’ll be the one enjoying the fruits of my labor as a hands-off shopkeeper, so please don’t feel burdened. Second Brother, you’re the one who’s going to be the most capable in our family,” she assured him.

Bai Zepei, somewhat embarrassed by her words, raised his hand and flicked Bai Ruozhu’s smooth forehead. Bai Ruozhu, who now had some martial arts skill, instinctively tried to dodge, but ultimately stood still and took the flick from her second brother.

Little Dengdeng, who hadn’t understood their conversation, giggled upon seeing his mother flicked on the forehead, covering his own forehead with his chubby hand and saying, ”Mommy hurts.”

Bai Ruozhu and Bai Zepei couldn’t help but laugh, and the gloom that had hung over them was swept away.

Afterward, Bai Zepei walked Bai Ruozhu and her son back to their room in the yard, then turned and left. Outside the yard, he glanced back at the candlelight in the room, thinking that his little sister must be worried again.

It wasn’t until late at night that Jiang Yichun returned to the Bai Family. As it was too late to pay respects to the elders, he hurried back to his own yard.

A small oil lamp was still burning in the room, casting a faint glow. His wife’s face, shrouded in the candlelight, appeared especially serene, while their son’s mouth puckered slightly in his sleep, as if he was dreaming about something unsatisfactory.

In that moment, his heart melted, and even the pain in his body seemed to lighten considerably.

”What happened, why are you so late?” Bai Ruozhu asked as she got up to greet him upon hearing his footsteps, but then she saw him standing at the door, lost in thought.

She pulled him, only to see him wince. She quickly rolled up his sleeve, revealing a series of whip marks on his arm!

Bai Ruozhu immediately panicked, ”What happened? Take off your clothes!”

Jiang Yichun chuckled softly, ”You’re in such a rush, my lady?”

Irritated, Bai Ruozhu glared at him, ”I’m not joking with you right now, I need to put ointment on you!” After saying that, she turned to get a bottle of fine ointment from the cabinet and came back to find him hesitantly undressing, realizing that he must be in great pain and having difficulty moving.

Her heart ached, and she reached out to help him untie his robes, gingerly removing his clothes. When his clothes fell to the floor, she couldn’t help but gasp in shock.

”Was this done by someone sent by the Emperor?” Bai Ruozhu’s voice was somewhat choked up as she applied the ointment and asked.

”No, it was the Virtuous King who, after receiving a letter, made a fuss in the Palace, insisting on punishing me for unfilial conduct. Since this matter didn’t get brought up in Court, it wasn’t spread outside.” He said with a smile, ”I have a foundation in inner strength, so this superficial skin injury will heal in a few days.”

Bai Ruozhu suddenly burst into tears, ”Bullshit! Even if you heal quickly, does it mean you don’t feel pain? Your pain doesn’t lessen, why should you suffer this? Filiality isn’t shown only to Elder Jiang Ge. Tomorrow morning, I’m going to the Palace to present an Imperial Decree of complaint. I don’t believe that Virtuous King can cover the sky with one hand!” Bai Ruozhu exclaimed angrily.

He hastily covered her mouth, ”Quiet, don’t wake our son.”

After all, she loved her son dearly and suppressed her anger, but tears continued to fall unceasingly. He reached out to wipe her tears; for so many years, no one ever considered that he could feel pain. Not even his masters, who would say his constitution was strong and it didn’t matter if he was injured, as he would recover faster than most. But she was the first one who thought of his pain and cried for him like this.

”Alright, I’m truly fine and I don’t hurt. The Virtuous King used filial piety to pressure me. If I don’t let him vent, the incident of the past will be dredged up again,” his voice grew softer, ”I don’t want my father to be disturbed in the Underworld.”

Bai Ruozhu sniffed, ”I understand now. I won’t go to make a fuss with them, but I’ve noted this incident. I absolutely won’t let the Virtuous King and his people get away with it!”

During their conversation, Bai Ruozhu had already applied ointment to every wound and helped him change into clean undergarments before supporting him to lie down on the bed.

”The Virtuous King has been continuously asking for a Holy Edict, urging the Emperor to command us to return to the Jiang Residence, claiming that my staying with the Bai Family is inappropriate. Initially, the Emperor rebuffed him, but later talked to me at length. From the sounds of it, if the Virtuous King persists, with the knife of filial piety hanging over our heads, he won’t be able to protect me anymore,” Jiang Yichun said.

Bai Ruozhu huffed coldly, ”Is this also his subtle form of dissatisfaction, a small punishment for both of us?”

He put his arm around her for her to rest her head on, saying with affection, ”It just means troubling you and our son.”

She was careful to avoid his wounds and gently wrapped her arms around his waist, ”There’s nothing troubling about it. When the time comes, it’s yet to be seen who’s really troubled. If Elder Jiang Ge really wants us back, then let him brace himself for what’s to come!”

He chuckled softly; he really liked his wife’s fiery temper.

She laid her face against his chest and spoke softly, ”At least we’ll be in the Capital. Going back home won’t be inconvenient, and I think my parents should be understanding. As long as we, husband and wife, stand united, there is no hurdle we cannot overcome.”

Jiang Yichun leaned down and kissed her forehead, ”That’s right, as long as we, husband and wife, stand united, there is no hurdle we cannot overcome.”

In the following two days, Jiang Yichun took a leave for illness, and it turned out to be a lively reunion for the whole family. However, on the morning of the third day, the Bai Family received a Holy Edict, ordering Jiang Yichun and Bai Ruozhu to return to the Jiang Residence to properly honor the Elders.

Bai Ruozhu received the Edict with great indignation; now that the Holy Edict was delivered to the Bai Family, she’d be defying the Emperor’s command if she didn’t go. It meant that, even for the sake of her family, she had no choice but to go to the Jiang Residence. Indeed, those in power were sly and shameless.

Even though Bai Ruozhu had previously prepared her family, Bai Yihong and Lin Pinger were still very reluctant and worried, mainly afraid that Bai Ruozhu would be bullied at the Jiang Residence. Eventually, it was Bai Zehao who spoke, ”Our family is in the Capital. If anyone dares to bully our sister, we two brothers can support her. Moreover, our sister not bullying others is already commendable.”

The whole family was amused by this. Indeed, Bai Ruozhu was not someone who could be easily trifled with. The Jiang Family should just count its blessings.