Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1567: Chapter 1567: Was it done by Miss Xu? _1

Previously, Bai Ruozhu hadn’t encountered Ling Xue while at the concubine’s quarters; it was unclear whether she had intentionally avoided her or if her injuries had not yet healed.

Upon noticing Bai Ruozhu’s gaze on Ling, the concubine introduced her, ”This is Ling Xue, a palace maid given to me by His Majesty. She is highly skilled in martial arts.”

She was unaware that Bai Ruozhu recognized Ling and even gave Bai Ruozhu a meaningful glance, suggesting that the maid, now going by the name Ling Xue, was trustworthy.

Bai Ruozhu smiled and nodded, ”Having a maid to protect you closely is indeed best.”

Ling looked up at Bai Ruozhu and said, ”I greet you, Madam Bai.”

”There’s no need for such formalities.” Bai Ruozhu’s tone was indifferent. She didn’t believe that Ling was unaware of her refusal to save her back then; there was nothing worth discussing, so why should she exchange pleasantries with Ling?

The woman before her held a special status, being both a Shadow Guard close to the Emperor and a secret agent for Jiang Yichun from the building’s upper floor. How could someone of such depth be ordinary?

Bai Ruozhu disliked Ling’s lingering thoughts about Jiang Yichun and had even less desire for further contact.

”Since the concubine is well, I shall take my leave.” Bai Ruozhu said, bowing to the concubine.

The concubine was a perceptive person; she felt something odd but refrained from stopping Bai Ruozhu.

As Bai Ruozhu left the concubine’s room, footsteps followed behind her, soon joined by Ling’s voice.

”Madam Bai, please wait a moment.” Ling called out softly and then quickly followed.

Bai Ruozhu turned her head toward her and asked indifferently, ”What is it?”

”Does Madam Bai have some misunderstanding about me?” Ling asked with a look of grievance.

Bai Ruozhu found it somewhat amusing; surely Ling herself was unaware of the nonsense she spoke. Of course, there was no need for her to clarify the situation from before, or else the matter would become even more entangled.

”Not at all. We do not know each other, how could there be any misunderstandings?” Bai Ruozhu chuckled.

Ling paused, then bowed her head and said softly, ”Did I do something to cause a misunderstanding? The situation was urgent then, and I had no choice. I admit that I am fond of... ”

”Ling Xue, your duty is to closely protect the concubine and the Imperial Prince. Is it really appropriate for you to be away from them like this?” Bai Ruozhu interrupted her directly.

At that moment, footsteps approached from the distance, and Jiang Yichun strode over.

”Ruozhu, I’ve been searching for you everywhere.” Jiang Yichun had begun to speak when he suddenly noticed Ling not far away and his expression awkwardly shifted.

”This servant Ling Xue greets you, Lord Jiang.” Ling bowed to Jiang Yichun in the manner of a palace maid, losing the Shadow Guard’s valiant demeanor, but adopting a more delicate air.

Jiang Yichun nodded slightly and asked Bai Ruozhu, ”What’s this about?”

Bai Ruozhu scoffed, ”It’s nothing. Ling Xue claims I’ve misunderstood her, but how could there be a misunderstanding when I don’t even know her? Instead, she’s wasting time here rather than protecting the concubine and the Imperial Prince. It would be unfortunate if the Emperor were to blame her.”

Jiang Yichun’s eyes grew cold, ”Why aren’t you returning to your duties?”

Ling quickly bowed and hurried back into the room, her eyes reddening. Soon, the concubine’s concerned voice could be heard from inside, ”Ling Xue, what’s wrong?”

”This servant is fine,” Ling Xue replied solemnly.

Bai Ruozhu scoffed outside and cast a sharp glance at Jiang Yichun. See, this is the so-called ’subordinate’ you boast of.

Jiang Yichun’s face showed a hint of embarrassment as he reached out to grab Bai Ruozhu’s hand, ”Don’t stay in the palace tonight, I can’t come back tonight either.”

Bai Ruozhu’s heart tightened, ”Is something big happening in the palace tonight?”

”Don’t speculate wildly. It’s better for you to stay put than Ning Yu. You won’t be able to sleep well here either,” Jiang Yichun said as he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it softly, whispering, ”I’ll keep you company properly after I get through these busy days.”

Her face flushed and she quickly withdrew her hand, muttering, ”The palace maids and eunuchs have seen us.”

Jiang Yichun always found it amusing when she reacted like this, laughing as he said, ”Let them see. If they dare to gossip, just drag them out and beat them with a paddle.”

It was a joke, but her heart felt clogged for a moment, the atmosphere in the palace last night had been far too oppressive.

She pulled him aside, whispering, ”What’s going on with Lady Xu’s case? I can’t believe it’s her.”

”Don’t meddle in this. Tools used for casting curses were found in Lady Xu’s room, and her maidservants have testified against her actions. Her father has sided with Prince Duan, and people from Prince Duan’s side arranged for her to carry out certain tasks, saying that if she did well, once Prince Duan ascended the throne, her father would become the Prime Minister and she would be made an Imperial Concubine. She has already confessed,” Jiang Yichun said in a lowered voice.

”How could that be possible? Would Prince Duan take the emperor’s woman, and even make her an Imperial Concubine? Can such a claim be trusted? How could she be so foolish? Did she confess under torture?” Bai Ruozhu asked incredulously.

”No, we cannot use torture on imperial ladies at will; she admitted it herself. Several remnants of Prince Duan’s faction have also been caught, confirming the story. You have treated Lady Xu before, and Grand Princess is already having the imperial censors impeach you,” Jiang Yichun added.

Bai Ruozhu snorted coldly, she had always been reluctant to act against Grand Princess, not wishing to provoke the emperor’s wrath or to meddle with the Royal Family without good cause, but now she had had enough of Grand Princess!

”The emperor naturally believes in you and me, don’t overthink it. Don’t stay in the palace tonight,” Jiang Yichun told her.

Bai Ruozhu bit her lip, ”I want to see Lady Xu.”

Jiang Yichun frowned, ”You’re already a suspect; it’s really not convenient to see her.”

”This...” Bai Ruozhu was dissatisfied in her heart. She felt that things were not as simple as they seemed on the surface, but with eyewitnesses and physical evidence present, and several people pointing the finger at Lady Xu, who had also confessed, overturning the case seemed nearly impossible.

But why did she feel an exceptional sorrow in her heart?

Later, Jiang Yichun left to attend to his duties, and Bai Ruozhu turned to leave, only to discover a shadow by the window of Consort Yue’s room. She stared for a moment before walking away.

Needless to say, that shadow was naturally Ling’s.

In the evening, Bai Ruozhu followed Jiang Yichun’s instructions and returned to Bai Residence. Yet her mind remained restless, and as she slept restlessly into the night, she suddenly felt an itch on her face. Reaching up to scratch it, she woke up with a start.

It was Furball! Her little Furball had healed and was bouncing energetically out of the Space again!

Elated, she cradled Furball and asked, ”Are you completely recovered? Does it still hurt?”

Furball cutely wiggled its body, indicating it was no longer in pain, then hopped onto Bai Ruozhu’s shoulder.

”You said something is calling you? Outside the city?” Bai Ruozhu asked in surprise. She had raised Furball for so long and this was the first time Furball had communicated something like this to her.

Furball hopped again and nodded its little head in agreement.

”But we can’t leave the city now; it’s too chaotic lately. Even without danger, my leaving the city could easily incite unnecessary suspicion,” Bai Ruozhu said worriedly, ”What exactly is going on?”

Furball wiggled its body cluelessly, indicating it didn’t know either. It just felt as if something was calling it and it really wanted to check it out.