Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1465: Chapter 1566: The Rush for a Son-in-Law Continues_1

Muyu rushed to find Jing Lei, but the early morning court session had already begun.

The air in the court was extremely tense at the moment, and after the City Patrol Department reported the assassination attempt on Bai Ruozhu by Qisha Pavilion in the Capital City the previous day, Bai Zepei stepped forward immediately and, bowing, said, ”I humbly report to Your Majesty, the Capital City is our Danliang’s most prosperous and also the most tightly managed place. For an assassin organization like Qisha Pavilion to brazenly commit murder in broad daylight in the Capital, this matter must not be tolerated! But Qisha Pavilion only takes money to remove people’s troubles. The true audacity lies with the hidden mastermind behind this, and this matter cannot be tolerated either. Otherwise, if the slightest conflict arises, people would hire killers, would not our Capital be thrown into chaos?”

”Bai Bangyan you’re so agitated, isn’t it just because the victim is your sister?” Wang Wen, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, spoke up. He was the brother of Wang Miaoshuang and the father of Wang Tianzuo and Wang Tianyou.

”It’s true that Bai Ruozhu is my younger sister, but she is also a fourth-rank female officer personally appointed by His Majesty, and the Chief Doctor in charge of the Female Physicians Institution. How can we tolerate such blatant assassination attempts against a court-appointed officer? This trend simply must not be encouraged; otherwise any official in court could become the next victim.” Bai Zepei did not look at Wang Wen. His tone was high and earnest, and his words won nods of agreement from many. Something like this happening in the Capital definitely could not be taken lightly, for anyone could be next.

Wang Wen said with disdain, ”Who knows what kind of trouble that Bai Family has provoked with the unruly Jianghu people? How can we dignified officials of the Capital be compared with her?”

Bai Zepei’s face turned cold. ”My younger sister only moves around the Capital, and the last time she went on a journey, it was to the Epidemic Area to save people. How could she be as you describe, Lord Wang? You have repeatedly spoken sarcastically. Perhaps you’re trying to shield the ones behind the murder?”

Wang Wen’s face turned a few shades paler as he glared at Bai Zepei and said, ”How dare you! As the younger generation, you show such disrespect to your elder. If Bai Ruozhu was behaving properly and doing things right, why would the assassin target nobody else but her?

Bai Zepei couldn’t help but laugh, ”Lord Wang’s theory is truly laughable. If being targeted by criminals means one’s behavior is improper, then, Lord Wang, you have condemned a whole lot of people.”

Everyone looked towards the Emperor who, sure enough, let out a cold snort. Among those present, he was probably the one who had encountered the most assassins, wasn’t he?

From his birth to becoming the Crown Prince, and then his ascension to the throne, he had faced assassination attempts numbering in the double digits. Wang Wen’s theory was inadvertently including the Emperor as well.

Wang Wen also realized this, his face flushed with anger as he tried to explain that the Emperor was no ordinary person. However, the Emperor’s assassination attempts were usually kept secret to avoid causing instability, and it was also taboo to speak of afterward. Now, how was he supposed to explain?

”Your Majesty, Minister Bai has a point. This matter must be thoroughly investigated to restore peace to the Capital and to bring justice to the Chief Doctor Bai.” Prime Minister Si Yuanhang stood up and said.

Bai Zepei, standing further back, could only see Si Yuanhang’s back. He felt grateful and thought to find an opportunity to thank the Prime Minister after leaving the court.

”Your Majesty, I, too, believe that this matter cannot be overlooked. I am willing to be tasked with conducting a thorough investigation,” said the Virtuous King, causing a stir in the court.

It was known that the Virtuous King had not taken on official duties for quite some time. He guarded the Former Emperor’s mausoleum for six years, and after returning to the Capital, every official post offered by His Majesty was declined, saying he was getting older and preferred to live a quiet retirement. Therefore, everyone knew that the Virtuous King disliked handling affairs and enjoyed a carefree life. So why would he take the initiative to handle this matter today?

Seeing this, everyone understood. The competition for a desirable son-in-law had spilled into the court.

Bai Zepei looked somewhat embarrassed but quickly regained his composure, appearing as indifferent and tranquil as usual.

However, it quickly occurred to everyone why it was only Bai Zepei speaking up for Bai Ruozhu. Considering Jiang Yichun’s temperament, wasn’t he supposed to be a madly protective husband?

Everyone then realized that Jiang Yichun was not present, and speculation about his whereabouts began.

”I learnt of this matter yesterday and immediately dispatched Jiang Aiqing to investigate. Now that the Royal Uncle has volunteered, I entrust him with full authority over this matter. In addition, increase the guards of the Jinwu Guard and the Patrolling Guard these days. We must ensure that such incidents do not occur again,” Tang Yin said with a stern face.

”Yes, Your Majesty. Your servant understands,” the Virtuous King replied with great pleasure. Si Yuanhang glared at him furiously from the side. He didn’t know who had troubled his sister before, and now this man was competing with him for his granddaughter’s husband. Hmph, no chance!

After the court session had ended, Bai Zepei followed the Emperor to the Imperial Study Room. Tang Yin reviewed several petitions and suddenly threw down his pen and said, ”Zepei, who do you think wants to kill your sister?”

”Your Majesty is well aware. Why ask me this question?” Bai Zepei replied with his head lowered, his demeanor calm and without any trace of obsequiousness or panic.

Tang Yin observed him. From the first time he saw him at the Imperial Examination, Bai Zepei had this composed demeanor, which is why Tang Yin decided to appoint him as the Assistant to the Imperial Secretary.

”Then what do you suggest I should do?” Tang Yin asked, narrowing his eyes.

”Trace to the source and break their arm,” Bai Zepei said steadily, uttering the eight characters with neither haste nor delay.

Tang Yin couldn’t help but laugh and felt much better. He knew that some people could not be easily dealt with—touching one would affect many. He even thought that Bai Zepei might angrily demand punishment for Liu Fei and the entire Liu Family, refusing to show leniency. However, Bai Zepei’s mind was clear, aware of the pros and cons, and was able to strike a fierce blow while maximizing the damage.

If they could not uproot them completely, then at least break their arm. If they could not take their life, they would make her suffer to the bone, hurting her vitality deeply.

”Not bad, though I’m not sure if the Virtuous King fully understands this principle. He’s been making quite an effort to fight for you as a son-in-law,” Tang Yin said as he burst into laughter.

A faint blush spread across Bai Zepei’s face. He did not argue or say much else, knowing that anything he said would only make matters worse.

Seeing Bai Zepei lose his usual composure, Tang Yin laughed even louder. ”They say a family with a daughter will have a hundred families seeking an alliance. These days, even competing for a son-in-law is this popular. I truly have quite a spectacle to watch,” he said.

Bai Zepei stood stiffly to one side, half a year wasn’t long nor short, and he should’ve handled this sooner.

He cared not whether his future wife liked him or not, but she had to have a good temperament and be able to get along with his family. Only with domestic harmony could prosperity follow. He didn’t want to marry a wife of distinguished family only to have his family members suffer.

But how would he know if her temperament was good?

He sighed silently, fearing he would have to trouble his younger sister again.

Meanwhile, Bai Ruozhu had already rushed to the Astrology Tower and informed Ning Yu about the attempted assassination, and how she used magic to block the Dark Arrow.

”Ning Yu, yesterday I felt completely drained of essence and extremely exhausted. I should have fallen ill, but after a good sleep, I felt much refreshed. Why didn’t I experience the same as you?” Bai Ruozhu wondered why her situation was different from Ning Yu’s, when both had exhausted their essence.