Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1367: Chapter 1369: Meeting with the Second Elder_1

Chu Hai and Hao Feng talked late into the night by candlelight, finally clarifying his recent experiences and the purpose of his trip.

Feeling somewhat angry, Hao Feng said, ”Just because they say it wasn’t done by the Empress Dowager, it’s not her? Perhaps it was someone close to her? We heard it with our own ears back then.”

”Master, because so many things have happened, I often calm down and think about it, always feeling that something isn’t right. I’ve met that woman from the Ding Family, and she really seems to know nothing. Moreover, the current Emperor of Danliang and the Empress Dowager have always been suppressed by senior officials, and the Empress Dowager often suffers indignities within the palace. If she was the one who meddled with the affairs of the Western Regions and harmed my family back then, how could she end up so downcast?” Chu Hai said.

”You can’t just look at the surface. If she’s so harmless, how did her son become the Emperor? And how did she secure her position as the Empress Dowager?” Hao Feng still held significant hostility towards the Empress Dowager.

”It is said that the Former Emperor cared most about this Empress Dowager. Even when both were cursed, the Former Emperor didn’t tell her, but secretly transferred the curse to her only daughter, Princess Diao Bin. With the Former Emperor doting on her so much, she seemingly didn’t need to be so guarded against my mother. Besides, Diao Yao is just a girl and doesn’t affect her son’s position,” Chu Hai analyzed.

”Plus, Diao Yao and Diao Bin hit it off at first sight, becoming friends without knowing each other’s identity. Although this return trip to pick up my mother was at Tang Yin’s request, it was also something Diao Yao hoped for.” He paused, then added, ”I also hope that this opportunity might awaken my mother.”

Hao Feng sighed, ”Your mother’s poison has been there for so many years, and I have never figured out a cure. What difference can such a young girl make?”

Her attitude towards Bai Ruozhu had softened, even inclining towards a favorable impression when she brought her up.

”We should at least let her try. You said my mother is getting weaker – if we don’t try, I’m really afraid we’ll be too late,” Chu Hai said urgently.

Hao Feng’s expression wavered, as she still didn’t trust anyone from Danliang Country, especially someone sent by the Danliang Emperor.

After a while, she looked up at Chu Hai and said, ”I’ll give them some time, let me see something from them that deserves my trust before we discuss further.”

Chu Hai wanted to say more but was stopped by Hao Feng raising her hand. Then, with a flash, she left Qingyou Hall.

The next day, Chu Hai, feeling somewhat guilty, relayed Hao Feng’s message to Bai Ruozhu, apologizing for not having been able to persuade his master.

Bai Ruozhu laughed upon hearing this and said, ”It’s not wrong for your master to be cautious. Our actions will continue, and this will also be an opportunity for us to gain her trust.”

Seeing that Bai Ruozhu was not upset, Chu Hai secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and his gratitude towards her deepened.

Soon, an envoy from the sovereign arrived, secretly inviting Jianqi, Bai Ruozhu, and Jiang Yichun for a meeting with the Second Elder.

The two quickly got ready, then brought Jianqi and others with them to the Imperial Study Room to rendezvous with the sovereign.

In the presence of the two, the sovereign opened a Secret Passage, apparently showing absolute sincerity towards them.

A group of people followed the Secret Passage out, and upon exit, they found themselves in a secluded courtyard located outside the City. It wasn’t long before a knocking sound was heard from the outside.

The two parties seemed to communicate with each other through some code words that were somewhat cryptic, and after a few exchanges, Lian Jia opened the door. A man who looked slightly over fifty years of age entered; he was dressed very plainly, his face bore the marks of a hard life, but his eyes were exceptionally bright and black.

He brought only four followers, whose garments were also made of coarse cloth, making them appear just like the most common master and servant in the City.

”Qiu Chen pays respects to His Majesty of Danliang,” the second elder entered the room and bowed, showing neither servility nor overbearing pride but maintaining a presence of confidence.

”There is no need for formalities, second elder,” said the ruler in a very conversational tone, not using ”I” to refer to himself, which showed a profound respect for the second elder.

The second elder greeted Jiang Yichun and Bai Ruozhu with a bow, saying, ”I’ve often heard of both of your reputations recently. Lady Bai is someone favored by divine spirits, capable of igniting the red incense, and Young Master Bai is indeed as handsome as the legends suggest.”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but chuckle; what the second elder referred to as ”legend” was probably about the rumor that Honglian was interested in Young Master Bai due to his good looks.

She sneaked a glance at Jiang Yichun, and indeed, although his face hadn’t changed, his aura had diminished somewhat.

The ruler laughed it off, steering the conversation away from the topic.

Soon, the discussion turned to the matter at hand. The ruler said to the second elder, ”The Holy Hall has existed for many years and has always supported the Royal Family in harmony. I personally hold the Holy Hall in high esteem, but in recent years, some have gone too far, not only using their power for personal gain but also controlling the people in the name of divine spirits. This has led to people not seeking medical help, resulting in a number of unnecessary deaths each year due to untreated illness. As the Emperor, my heart cannot bear this.”

The second elder showed a look of helplessness. He disagreed with the great elder precisely because of this issue. Claiming to be believers of the divine spirits, how could they commit such acts that displease the divine spirits? Are they not afraid of divine punishment, or do they not actually believe in the divine spirits at all?

”I have come to understand that these are just the actions of a few harmful individuals and do not reflect on the Holy Hall itself,” the Emperor continued. ”Why can’t the Holy Hall eliminate these harmful elements and restore its true purity, allowing those who truly believe in the divine spirits to reign and seek welfare for the people?”

”I understand what you mean, Your Majesty,” the second elder said. ”My enmity with the great elder over these years is also due to this. However...” He expressed hesitation, ”If I agree to your proposal, it will inevitably lead the Holy Hall into a storm of blood and violence, something I don’t wish to see.”

Bai Ruozhu caught the Emperor’s eye and spoke up, ”Second elder, you are aware that I am a person favored by the divine spirits, and you might have heard that I am the destined person entrusted by the high priestess Kailin and my Family. I can assure you that we will not rely on violent force to achieve our goals this time, and we will even aim to minimize bloodshed. If you are still not convinced, you may observe the ensuing events and then reconsider our proposal.”

The second elder was taken aback, ”You are already planning to take action?”

Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile, ”Please rest assured, second elder, and remember that all we do is not aimed against the Holy Hall, but merely against some harmful individuals. There is also something I must tell you; I happened to save the life of a Holy Hall maid who was inexplicably maimed and discarded at the Chaotic Burial Ground outside the City, nearly losing her life. Though her life was saved, she has undeservedly become crippled.”

The second elder was unaware of why Bai Ruozhu mentioned this incident and asked in confusion, ”Are you suggesting that it was done by someone within the Holy Hall? Did the maid learn something she should not have known?”