Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1428: Chapter 1429: Ruozhu’s Revenge_1

Once the matter spread, He Lianlian’s reputation naturally suffered, and it became difficult for her to aim for connections with the high and mighty. Who would let her mess with Bai Ruozhu’s man? Bai Ruozhu was certainly not a merciful saint.

When the group set off again, Jiang Yichun asked Bai Ruozhu in a displeased whisper, ”Why did you do that?”

Mounted on her horse, Bai Ruozhu turned her head to see his frowned face, full of disapproval, and felt a chill in her heart, ”Why can’t I do that? Anyone who crosses me must accept punishment. If you feel sorry for her, then go back and marry her. I can vacate the position of the main wife for her right now.”

Jiang Yichun was taken aback. How had she misunderstood?

”What are you thinking? How could I feel sorry for that woman? If I did, I wouldn’t have knocked her over. I’m just asking why you had to bring up her approaching me. I don’t like being associated with that woman.”

The anger in Bai Ruozhu’s heart extinguished somewhat. She remembered that in Gaochang City, he had also been displeased when she mentioned Jin Jing liking him. So, his displeasure was over this.

”If I don’t bring it up, should I wait for others to add fuel to the fire and create unsavory rumors, then just send the woman off to the Capital?” Bai Ruozhu glared at him fiercely, ”The trouble was caused by you!”

Jiang Yichun went limp and dared not say any more superfluous words.

On the road thereafter, the weather remained good without significant rainfall, ensuring a very smooth journey for everyone. The renovated horse carriage was much faster, almost matching the speed of a fast horse, so they made the trip back even faster than when they came.

This time, they did not take a detour to Beiyu City again, so the route was slightly different, and they quickly arrived at the large city of Duanliang.

Bai Ruozhu arranged for the morning breeze and others to go ahead to settle in and purchase supplies while she, accompanied by Jianqi, went to the Commerce Association. Jiang Yichun immediately followed her and even showed some hostility toward Jianqi.

”Why do you allow him to follow you every day, but not me?” Jiang Yichun grumbled softly.

With sharp ears, Bai Ruozhu overheard and glanced at him, saying, ”Jianqi is my dark guard, meant to protect my safety, so naturally he has to follow me. You, being a person of high status, are busy and cannot always be by my side.”

”Then I will also become your dark guard.” Jiang Yichun said with a brazen face.

”Let’s see if the Emperor agrees.” When mentioning the Emperor, Bai Ruozhu began to worry again. If, upon returning to the Capital, Jiang Yichun remained the same, how could he face the Emperor? If it really came to that, they might as well feign illness and recuperate at home.

During their conversation, the trio found the Commerce Association. Bai Ruozhu went in and took out her identity plaque; soon she received a letter from her master, Lin Zhenghui.

”Ruozhu, congratulations, your second brother has become the Provincial Examination runner-up. When can you return to the Capital? Your master has already gone to the Capital to wait for you. There will soon be an assessment for young elders of the association; make sure you don’t miss the date.”

After reading the letter, Bai Ruozhu was so excited that she almost jumped up. She grabbed Jiang Yichun’s arm next to her and said, ”My second brother has become the runner-up. Look, that’s what my master’s letter says!”

Jiang Yichun was infected by her excitement and a radiant smile appeared on his face, ”That’s wonderful, the second brother is about to become an officer in the imperial court.”

She was excited for a while, then turned to the manager of the association and said, ”Please get me the materials on this year’s Imperial Examination.”

Given her unique status and her brother being the new Provincial Examination runner-up, the manager didn’t dare to neglect her request, quickly handing her the materials.

”As expected, Tang Feng is the Champion.” Her words carried an affirming tone, but also a sense of helplessness. Tang Feng, like herself, had the ’Golden Finger’ advantage, along with the memories of two lifetimes; the original ancient people here truly were no match for him.

She continued to flip through the material and soon saw the ranking of Mr. Xie, which also delighted her. Then came Leng Bin, Ding Guangji, Lin Xufei, and others. Lin Xufei’s ranking was relatively late, indicating he had likely been too busy with romantic pursuits these days.

However, he is the heir to the Huainan King and was originally meant to inherit his title in the Capital City. If he performs too conspicuously in the Imperial Examination, it might not be a good thing.

It seems the Huainan King and Lin Xufei both understand this principle.

As she continued reading, her expression grew increasingly grim. Even Jiang Yichun, who was next to her, could feel the murderous aura emanating from her and hurriedly asked, ”Ruozhu, what’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

”There’s nothing wrong, it’s just that someone is overstepping, not wanting to live.” Bai Ruozhu spoke through gritted teeth, and the information also detailed the case that occurred during the Provincial Examination, which the Emperor personally reviewed, sentencing a total of five people to beheading and several officials to demotion or dismissal.

Although the Yang Family wasn’t sentenced in the end, Bai Ruozhu knew for sure it was their doing!

Taking the information to read, Jiang Yichun also became furious. His wife’s second brother had been framed, which was tantamount to framing him, wasn’t it?

”Ruozhu, don’t be angry, fortunately, the Imperial Palace is just and incorruptible, and has already beheaded those people,” Jiang Yichun advised at her side.

Bai Ruozhu knew he could not remember the Yang Family’s involvement, so she didn’t say much and gave some reward money to the Commerce Association manager, asking him to send two letters to the Capital City for her—one to her master and one to her family—informing them of her approximate date of return.

Back at the Inn, Bai Ruozhu locked herself in her room and pondered how to deal with Yang Tianhua—she definitely couldn’t just swallow this grievance!

Thinking for a long time, she couldn’t come up with any effective method, and was about to decide to wait until she returned to the Capital when suddenly, a plot from a period drama she saw in her previous life popped into her head.

It was a scene in a costume drama where a heavenly stone suddenly unearthed somewhere had naturally formed characters on it, bearing auspicious words. Someone presented it to the Emperor, who regarded it as an auspicious omen.

Bai Ruozhu’s eyes narrowed, realizing she could use this idea, but in a reversed manner.

Soon, she entered the Space and started to tinker with her bottles and jars. By late at night, she had finally completed her concoction.

To be on the safe side, she specifically went to the Inn’s backyard to find a stone to test on, and naturally, it was a success.

Jianqi noticed her leaving her room and followed behind, unable to help asking, ”Master, why aren’t you resting properly, what are you doing?”

Bai Ruozhu turned her head, her face wearing a mischievous smile that was somewhat creepy under the moonlight, startling even Jianqi.

”Jianqi, I have a mission for you. You’ll go...” Bai Ruozhu quietly started to instruct Jianqi.

Upon hearing the plan, Jianqi appeared disapproving, ”It will take me at least three days to go back and forth. I really can’t be at ease about Master’s safety.”

”But I can’t be at ease sending someone else either. You don’t need to rush, there are so many dark guards around, I’ll be fine,” Bai Ruozhu said.

Seeing that Bai Ruozhu was resolute, Jianqi had no choice but to set off immediately.

The next morning when they were set to depart, everyone realized Jianqi was missing. They reported to Bai Ruozhu, asking if they should send someone to look for him.

”I had some affairs at the Commerce Association that required attention, so I sent Jianqi ahead. He will be waiting for us in the next town over,” Bai Ruozhu had already thought of an excuse.