Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1338: Chapter 1340 Negotiations with the Monarch_1

As a group of riders departed, Lian Jia was still stealthily scrutinizing Bai Ruozhu until Jiang Yichun gave him a displeased glare. He then realized that he had been staring at someone else’s wife for far too long, which might lead to misunderstandings.

Feeling embarrassed, he touched his nose and coughed twice before saying, ”Madam Bai is eloquent and persuasive, I am truly impressed.”

Bai Ruozhu snickered, ”It’s just some verbal sparring among women. You men shouldn’t argue with her either; it would only put you at a disadvantage. Isn’t she keen on putting on a show in front of the commoners to craft a good image? I’ll just indulge her then, let her accompany her dearly beloved husband. Although I can’t punish her much, having her sent out of the city has at least temporarily cost the great elder one chess piece.”

”Madam Diao Mo is quite astute and shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s likely that she hasn’t spared any efforts in offering strategies to the great elder on normal days. Madam Bai’s move will surely have a positive impact on the upcoming situation,” Lian Jia said with a smile, losing his former solemn demeanor as if he were friends with Bai Ruozhu and her company.

Muyu proudly interjected, ”That Madam Diao Mo is merely clever, our madam is truly wise. She’s got a long way to go if she wants to compete with our madam.”

A muscle twitched in Bai Ruozhu’s cheek. Although she was feeling quite smug about having dealt with Madam Diao Mo, surely such boastful words shouldn’t be said so blatantly? Wouldn’t it make them the subject of ridicule?

Lian Jia burst into laughter, ”This young brother speaks the truth. Both Bai and Madam Bai are exceptional; even the monarch speaks highly of you two. I didn’t understand it before, but today I am genuinely convinced.”

Flattered by Lian Jia’s praise, Bai Ruozhu felt a bit bashful and sneakily glared at Muyu for his boastfulness.

The party dismounted at the Palace Gate and were then led by Lian Jia to the Harem, towards Qingyou Hall, which Bai Ruozhu had visited once before.

Fearing that Jiang Yichun and the others might be surprised, Lian Jia explained, ”Tang Han and the others have been temporarily settled in Qingyou Hall.”

”Tang Han?” Bai Ruozhu paused, then understood—it must be Chu Hai’s real name.

”Exactly, the eldest son of Tang Gui,” Lian Jia said, mentioning the impressive reputation that Tang Gui once held in the Western Regions.

Soon after entering Qingyou Hall, as Lian Jia was about to announce their arrival, laughter from the Emperor echoed within the hall. Everyone hesitated, and Lian Jia didn’t feel right interrupting the Emperor’s good mood.

Bai Ruozhu squinted toward the inside of the hall, puzzled about how the Emperor and Chu Hai had become so familiar. Chu Hai hadn’t mentioned this before, had he? Otherwise, wouldn’t it have been easier to ask the Emperor for help directly?

The Emperor soon noticed the newcomers and beckoned with a smile, ”Come in, there are no outsiders here; there’s no need for formalities.”

Despite his words, everyone still bowed respectfully to the Emperor upon entering.

Bai Ruozhu looked at Chu Hai and saw that despite his pale complexion, he appeared uninjured, which eased her concern.

Chu Hai also nodded slightly toward her, indicating that he was alright.

He was seated right next to the Emperor, with no apparent distinction between them in status, suggesting that he was enjoying the Emperor’s company greatly.

”I only learned today that Chu Hai is actually the eldest son of Tang Gui,” the ruler said, then explained, ”When I was young, Tang Gui and I were close friends, but due to various reasons, we met less and less over time.”

With this, Bai Ruozhu could understand. The ruler and a hostage were supposed to be courteous with each other but couldn’t really become close friends. Coupled with the Holy Hall’s undercutting, it was normal for the ruler to gradually lose contact with Tang Gui, so initially, Chu Hai couldn’t be certain the ruler would be able to help them.

Jiang Yichun gave the ruler a formal salute and said, ”We are all friends of Chu Hai. Your Majesty must already know the purpose of our visit. We came solely to help a friend and have no intention of involving national affairs—please do not misunderstand.”

Now anything could be mentioned, except that seeking Fen Wan was by the Emperor of Danliang Country’s command, lest the secrets of the imperial family be exposed.

Chu Hai naturally wouldn’t mention that either, and with Jiang Yichun stating this, it was akin to both parties having cleared the air directly.

The ruler sighed, saying, ”To be honest, I can indeed contact Master Hao Feng, but I must be extremely cautious. The great elder of the Holy Hall has been searching for her all these years, aiming to harm her. I can’t bear to put Master Hao Feng in danger; she has been kind to me, saving my life more than once.”

As he spoke, he sighed helplessly again, ”Even if you find Master Hao Feng, with the Holy Hall possessing such great influence, I fear you will find it difficult to leave the Western Regions.”

Jiang Yichun understood the ruler’s implied meaning and with hands clasped in a polite gesture said, ”Since the Holy Hall aims to harm us, we can only ask for Your Majesty’s assistance or, to put it another way, we can help you confront the Holy Hall, seeking nothing in return after the matter is settled other than to leave the Western Regions safely with our friend.”

The ruler hesitated. After thinking for a moment, he asked, ”How could you help me?”

They were but a Merchant Team, at the most a few dozen people: not an Army. Could he truly rely on their help to overturn the Holy Hall’s influence?

Jiang Yichun smiled, ”Confronting the Holy Hall requires not force but cunning. Even if you suppress the Holy Hall with military power, the Holy Hall has deep roots in the hearts of the common people; carelessly provoking public wrath could lead to losing the people’s support.”

The ruler was reminded of the Fire Punishment of Qun Lian; he could have saved Qun Lian, but countless commoners sided with the Holy Hall, leading to the ultimate failure of the mission.

Seeing the ruler’s expression, Jiang Yichun knew he had fallen into reminiscence again, walking about, he continued, ”Therefore, if Your Majesty wishes to confront the Holy Hall, it must be done gradually and carefully.”

”Gradually and carefully? How long can you stay in the Western Regions?” The ruler forced a smile. He could see these people weren’t here to serve the Western Regions; otherwise, they would have requested ranks and titles from the start, so why speak of cooperation?

”Not too long, but as long as we take the first step correctly, the rest will not be a problem,” Jiang Yichun went on, ”The common people adhering to the Holy Hall isn’t wrong in itself, much like the people of Danliang Country who believe in Buddhism. But these temples and Taoist abbeys do not influence national sovereignty. Some have misused the Holy Hall, following the Evil Path. However, I’ve heard that it isn’t just the great elder’s faction in the Holy Hall—aren’t there also the second elder and other true believers?”

”Why not support the second elder and other genuine believers to take control of the Holy Hall? Devout followers focus on their spiritual practice and would not manipulate power like the great elder and his ilk. Subsequently, Your Majesty can slowly gain control, compressing the Holy Hall’s power over the coming years, couldn’t you?”

With some concern, the ruler said, ”I’ve considered it, but what if the second elder becomes another great elder?”

”So what if he does? As long as the second elder is bolstered, causing a split within the Holy Hall, such a change would naturally reduce the Holy Hall’s strength, giving the Royal Family and the aristocrats a chance to act gradually and carefully.” This time, Bai Ruozhu spoke, ”Besides, for the second elder to gain as much power as the great elder, it would certainly take time. Your Majesty, with proper control, a few years would be enough to change the situation.”