Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1368: Chapter 1370: Grand Plan_1

”No,” Bai Ruozhu said, her face growing solemn, ”On our way to Gaochang, we encountered the merchant team of Jin Wanliang. On the journey, his wife Diao Mo’s attendant, Jin Jing, was bitten by a beast from Sangta’s Beast Team and lost a leg. Her injury was serious, but within a few days in Gaochang, she miraculously recovered. The leg that was completely severed and deformed by the beast had healed entirely.”

The second elder’s face changed dramatically, ”How, how is this possible?”

”The maid doesn’t know why her leg was taken, yet Jin Jing’s leg healed miraculously. Such acts of taking another person’s leg and endangering their life actually occurred within the Holy Hall, and they used an extremely evil magic technique, isn’t that blasphemy against the gods? Can the second elder truly bear to see the Holy Hall fall into disrepute because of some people’s wicked deeds?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

”Is this true? Where is that maid now?” The second elder found it inconceivable and even dared not believe it.

”The second elder need not worry, just wait a few days and you will see our sincerity. It won’t be too late to see that maid then. Alternatively, you could inquire privately about the affairs of Jin Jing and Honglian,” Bai Ruozhu thought to herself that they had yet to formally ally, so why would she trust him with such information.

”Honglian?” The second elder looked puzzled, ”Honglian is a good girl. Over the years, she has been controlled by the great elder, suffering hardships just like the former Holy Maiden Fen Wan. She shouldn’t have any issues.”

Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun exchanged glances, and neither bothered to refute the second elder’s words, but both revealed meaningful smiles.

It seems Honglian has managed to cultivate a good image among the citizens of the Holy Hall. Moreover, being only eighteen years old, no one would suspect her of being scheming. Arguing with the second elder over this matter might be more trouble than it’s worth.

But it doesn’t matter. Planting a seed of doubt in the second elder’s mind, getting him to pay attention to Honglian’s actions, her fox’s tail will eventually reveal itself.

The sovereign understood Bai Ruozhu’s intent and said with intentional restraint, ”When the second elder has time, you might also look into Honglian’s true background.”

”What background? Isn’t she an orphan?” The second elder was somewhat surprised.

The sovereign merely smiled and did not answer, only saying, ”It’s most reliable for the second elder to investigate on your own. We can’t fully stand by what we say.”

The second elder left feeling puzzled; he had come, yet he didn’t understand what the sovereign and the others specifically intended to do. They mentioned something amiss with Honglian but wouldn’t elaborate. It seemed he really needed to pay more attention.

”Jiawu, go arrange an investigation into Honglian’s background. Make sure it is thorough,” the second elder instructed a young man behind him.

”Yes.”

...

Bai Ruozhu and others discreetly returned to the royal palace with the sovereign. The sovereign was extremely cautious this time. Apart from Lian Jia and another two trusted followers, he had not let anyone else know, so their meeting with the second elder was kept under wraps for the time being.

”Lady Bai, I’ve had someone check on the rain situation as you asked. There will be a heavy downpour in the next three days, and it will occur during daylight,” the sovereign said to Bai Ruozhu.

Bai Ruozhu showed a happy expression, ”It seems even the heavens are on our side; Your Majesty can just wait for the good news.”

”What exactly is this?” the sovereign asked, curious. But Bai Ruozhu just smiled and said, ”You’ll enjoy the show when the time comes.”

Back in the Qingyou Hall, Bai Ruozhu continued to prepare the medicine for the sovereign. She planned to finish the concoction that day and have the sovereign take it. The antidote for Ci Zichou’s poison was not a matter of one or two days. If they didn’t start early, they might not be able to completely detoxify before they left.

That night, Bai Ruozhu wiped the sweat from her forehead and personally delivered the antidote to the sovereign. The sovereign, having no suspicion, took it immediately.

A cool sensation filled his belly, and soon he felt much better; the oppressive feeling in his chest that had troubled him for days was gone, as was the discomfort.

”This first dose of medicine can only temporarily reduce the toxicity. Your Majesty will feel much more comfortable, and even the symptoms of the heart disease that appeared earlier will be gone, but this is not a complete detoxification. You will need to take two more doses with an interval in between, and the formulas will have to be adjusted based on your physical condition. The next time will be about ten days later,” Bai Ruozhu explained.

”Good, good, thank you so much. How should I thank you?” The ruler wanted to reward Bai Ruozhu handsomely but didn’t know what she would like.

”Let’s wait until all the poison in Your Majesty’s body is completely cleansed before we talk about rewards,” said Bai Ruozhu.

The ruler appreciated Bai Ruozhu even more after hearing this, feeling that she was a serious and responsible person, not one who is solely interested in benefits.

The next day, Bai Ruozhu was still busy with herbal medicine. Jiang Yichun, worried she was overworked, came over and asked, ”Is there anything I can help you with?”

Bai Ruozhu shouted immediately, ”Don’t touch that. Once you get it on you, it won’t wash off, and it’s the same if it gets on your skin.”

Jiang Yichun quickly withdrew his hand, ”Is this for that matter?”

Bai Ruozhu, without lifting her head, hummed in affirmation, ”Once Elder Xuan Jizi and the rest arrive, we will start the operation.”

Having said that, she continued to be busy. Because a large amount of drug powder was required this time, the preparation was also much more laborious, but she didn’t trust anyone else with the task and bore the hard work herself.

As they were talking, Jianqi came to report from outside, ”Master, our people have sent a message. Elder Xuan Jizi and his wife have already arrived at Gaochang City. Do you want to invite them into the palace?”

”No need for now. I will go out to meet them. They still need to keep their identities secret,” Bai Ruozhu said as she stood up and took off her gloves, apparently intending to go out.

Jiang Yichun touched his nose on the side, humphed with a hint of displeasure — she had no time for him when she was mixing drugs, but as soon as Xuan Jizi and his people arrived, she immediately made time to go out, completely leaving him behind again.

When she heard his petulant hum, she realized and walked over to pinch his hanging face, saying, ”Achun, you are still healing. Just stay put in Qingyou Hall; remember that you are now a sickling.”

Jiang Yichun lowered his voice, ”You know I’m already better!”

”But outsiders can’t know that. You’ll just have to endure it for a few days. Maybe you can even play possum then — oh, no, I mean feign illness to beat the villains,” Bai Ruozhu said with a giggle before turning and dashing out.

Jiang Yichun was left standing there with his eyes wide. Why had he agreed to continue pretending that the internal injuries hadn’t healed? Look at him now, he was practically turning into a pampered flower.

After disguising herself, Bai Ruozhu became an elegant and delicate-looking young master, and soon she met with Xuan Jizi and his wife outside the palace.

”You are...” Xuan Jizi was startled at first, and Lin Lian beside him couldn’t help but laugh. They noticed Bai Ruozhu had even crafted a fake Adam’s apple as part of her disguise, and the attention to detail was impressive, wasn’t it?

With a signal from her eyes, Bai Ruozhu spoke softly, ”Don’t reveal your identities. You should also dress as people from the Western Regions and blend in the market first.”

Both nodded seriously upon hearing this, but the sight of her moving fake Adam’s apple, as she spoke, still made them struggle to keep a straight face.