Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1555: Chapter 1555: Madam Plans Benefits for You_1

”No, however, she mentioned she would seek an audience with the master in a few days, but her attitude was somewhat displeasing.” Nanny Zhang has always been prudent, so her words were already very euphemistic.

Bai Ruozhu felt annoyed. Even on regular days, when she always treated Nanny Zhang with great respect and politeness, did that Gai Yalai really think she was some lofty lady? She was nothing more than a concubine of a non-royal duke with no real power. In terms of official rank, she wasn’t even as high as Bai Ruozhu.

But seeing Jiang Yichun’s face grow gloomy, she didn’t want to say more, lest Achun felt distressed.

A woman, who chose not to believe in her own husband when he was in trouble, but rather to divorce and protect herself.

A mother, who did not worry when her son left the Capital City and showed disdain instead of recognition when she saw him after her remarriage.

It was enough to reveal her selfishness and ruthlessness.

”You may go and rest, don’t mind that matter,” Jiang Yichun said tiredly.

Nanny Zhang, who had followed Jiang Yichun for many years, sighed inwardly and left after bowing respectfully.

”It seems she has confirmed the identities of those two dancing girls.” Jiang Yichun said indifferently. When he referred to his mother, he called her ”she” and did not refer to the two dancing girls as ”cousins.”

Clearly, Jiang Yichun didn’t intend to get too entangled with that side. He would do what he should, make his best effort, and didn’t wish to mention it again once it was over.

Bai Ruozhu was also pleased with this, so she dropped the subject. They played with their child for a while, then they went to bed.

In the following days, there were always people coming to the Welcome Guest Inn to inquire when the two dancing girls would perform. The dance of Hua Hao and Yueyuan had indeed become famous in the Capital City. The shopkeeper, harassed by endless questions, could only say they were taken away, but he was unclear about their whereabouts.

Thus, many joked if Mister Jiang had hidden his beauties in a golden house. ”A good thing should not be hoarded for oneself,” they said. With some purposely adding fuel to the fire, the rumor of Jiang Yichun keeping a secret love spread throughout the Capital City.

Perhaps because the rumors had gone too far, the steward of Zheng Country’s Residence was sent to the Government Office to be punished with board hitting, and the Duke of Zheng Country did not hold Bai Ruozhu accountable anymore.

Even the Grand Princess visited the Cining Palace twice, complaining on one hand that Luluo was an ungrateful wretch and on the other that the Empress Dowager had undermined her prestige.

”Luluo’s mother had some connection with Myself. When I gave her this bracelet, I told her she could ask Me for one thing. The Grand Princess should not make things difficult for Me. A forced melon is not sweet; the Duke of Zheng is not lacking one or two concubines,” the Empress Dowager said firmly. She felt she had been too easily bullied, which led to these troubles.

The Grand Princess Huilan was used to arrogance and said displeasedly, ”Then I really want to see how she seeks the Empress Dowager’s favor to rise above her station. In this Capital, I doubt any respectable family will take a fancy to her!”

This was a veiled threat. If Luluo refused to become a concubine for the Duke of Zheng, she would spread rumors so that no decent family would marry Luluo, and the lesser ones dare not offend the Grand Princess. For the more average families, the Grand Princess had ways to crush them like ants.

During the conversation, a palace maid announced from outside that Miss Bai, the Chief Doctor, had arrived.

The Empress Dowager had specially permitted Bai Ruozhu to enter the Cining Palace without announcement, so Bai Ruozhu soon walked in.

Grand Princess Huilan smirked scornfully at the sight of Bai Ruozhu, feeling uplifted thinking how Bai Ruozhu must be so frustrated.

And Bai Ruozhu found the Grand Princess’s foolish, pig-like self-delusion rather amusing as well.

The Empress Dowager saw Bai Ruozhu coming and intentionally said, ”Ruozhu arrives just in time. I am worrying over what kind of marriage to arrange for Luluo. You are well-experienced and knowledgeable; perhaps you can offer me some advice. Even the Grand Princess says it’s not easy to find a match for Luluo.”

Bai Ruozhu had already heard about Luluo’s situation, and having interacted with her before, she had a certain admiration for this woman who refused to become a concubine for princes or nobles.

”How could Bai, the Chief Doctor, from an agricultural family, possibly know anyone? Your Majesty, you may have sought the wrong person,” the Grand Princess said with a mocking tone.

Luluo suddenly knelt down beside them and said to Bai Ruozhu, ”Madam Bai, I do not seek wealth or glory, I just wish to marry a down-to-earth, kind-hearted man and live a good life. I absolutely do not want to become someone’s concubine.”

Bai Ruozhu could tell that Luluo spoke with sincerity and was not just pretending to gain sympathy. She glanced at the Grand Princess and suddenly had a strategy in mind.

”Speaking of which, several of my husband’s guards are truly talented. Each of them is highly skilled in martial arts, and taking the Martial Exam Ranking would not be an issue. Moreover, I am aware they hold some military positions. They are also morally upright and do not have the habit of keeping multiple wives and concubines. They might just be a suitable match for Miss Luoluo,” she said.

The Empress Dowager, pleased upon hearing this, said, ”I think this is good. How about we let Luluo pick for herself afterward?”

Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, ”Certainly, it still depends on whom Luluo herself is satisfied with. However, all of them are quite handsome.”

Luluo blushed and said, ”Thank you, Madam Bai.”

As the three of them conversed back and forth, the Grand Princess turned livid with rage. Seeing that Luluo might find a husband, her hatred for Bai Ruozhu deepened. However, Bai Ruozhu did not care at all; she had already been seen as a thorn in the Grand Princess’s side even before she provoked her, so why not fight back as well?

”They’re just guards, born to be servants. What’s there to be happy about?” the Grand Princess said sourly.

Bai Ruozhu chuckled softly, ”Your Highness, the Grand Princess seems to have misunderstood. My husband’s guards are not mere servants. Haven’t I just mentioned that some also hold official ranks?”

The Grand Princess glared, ”Bai Ruozhu, are you determined to oppose me? Don’t forget that I am the Grand Princess, and what are you?”

The Empress Dowager’s expression cooled, and with a cough, she said, ”Huilan, you must be tired. You should go back and rest.” She then lifted her teacup in a gesture of seeing her guest off.

Enraged, the Grand Princess glared back, but this was Cining Palace, and there was no choice but for her to leave grudgingly, too angry to even perform customary courtesies before departing.

Luluo showed a worried expression, bowed to the Empress Dowager and Bai Ruozhu, and said, ”It is Luluo who has implicated Your Majesty and Madam Bai. I am truly ashamed.”

Bai Ruozhu scoffed, ”Even if I hadn’t spoken up for you, I would have already offended her, so it doesn’t matter. My offer was not made in jest. If you truly wish to marry one of my husband’s guards, he may not be able to spend much time with you after marriage. However, regarding the promise of not taking a concubine, that I can assure you.”

Luluo hastily bowed, ”A man’s ambition carries him far and wide. It doesn’t make sense for him to stay at home all day. Marrying a husband who does not take concubines, even if he were a mere peddler or porter, would satisfy me fully,” she said, her eyes misting over as she thought of her mother.

That evening, when Bai Ruozhu returned to the Residence, she told Jiang Yichun about the matter, then smilingly looked towards her attendants and said, ”You can’t stay single forever. I have sought a benefit for you with this, haven’t I?”

Muyu was visibly excited, ”Madam, what does Luluo look like?”

Bai Ruozhu shot him a glance, ”Why ask so many questions? It’s not your turn anyway, you joker.”