Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1596: Chapter 1596: The Cost of Maturity_1

Bai Ruozhu’s room was filled with talk of Ao Qi.

She carefully took out a scroll from her sleeve, unrolled it, and examined it for a long time before looking at Jiang Yichun and saying, ”It must be Tu Ying.”

Jiang Yichun nodded, ”Again in the Southwest, and with this appearance, it must be her.”

Neither of them voiced their thoughts at the time, partly due to the shock of it all and partly because Tu Ying had joined the army at the Main Camp in the Southwest without her family’s knowledge. This matter was not a trifling one, but since her whereabouts were unknown and it was unclear what had happened to her, revealing her identity could give those with less-than-pure intentions a chance to cause trouble for both Tu Ying and the Tu Family.

So, they decided to test Ao Qi a bit further, to see just how much he truly cared for Tu Ying.

”It seems that Tu Ying encountered some trouble on the battlefield and was unexpectedly saved by a master, perhaps the same one Ao Qi mentioned when he left,” Bai Ruozhu mused, resting her chin on her hands.

”The issue might lie with her master. Some recluses are quite eccentric with conditions like not being able to leave if their disciplines fail,” Jiang Yichun suggested.

Bai Ruozhu was worried, but she soon reassured herself, ”This is Tu Ying’s own chance. We can’t interfere now. Perhaps she will be able to return soon.”

”Definitely,” Jiang Yichun comforted her.

Just as they had discussed Tu Ying the day before, early the next morning, Lady Tu brought Tu Bai into the Capital City and went straight to the Bai Family.

Upon seeing them, Lady Tu couldn’t help but burst into tears. The sight of Bai Ruozhu reminded her of her daughter, whose whereabouts were currently unknown, and her heart filled with sorrow. The Battlefield in the Southwest was no laughing matter; had she known her daughter was so ambitious, she would never have taught her martial arts from a young age.

Bai Ruozhu hurried to support Lady Tu, softly saying, ”It’s good you’ve come, Lady Tu. Let’s talk inside.”

Lady Tu, being forthright, quickly dried her tears and said, ”Please, just call me Aunt Tu from now on. ’Lady’ is too formal.”

”Alright, Aunt Tu, please come inside with me,” Bai Ruozhu responded with a smile.

Lady Tu made a gesture and the guards carried Tu Bai down from the horse carriage. Bai Ruozhu was taken aback when she saw him.

Even though she had always known that Tu Bai was not in good condition, and expected some deterioration, she was still startled upon seeing him.

Tu Bai’s cheeks were sunken in, and even though his beard was cleanly shaven, his face still bore the signs of extensive hardship. This look of deep weariness wasn’t caused by neglect or the hardships of travel, but rather by the profound anguish within.

”Tu Bai, I will heal you,” Bai Ruozhu said earnestly, suppressing the pity in her heart.

In Tu Bai’s listless eyes, a spark suddenly flickered. His eyes, which resembled stagnant pools, showed signs of life as he looked at Bai Ruozhu, asking excitedly, ”Is there still hope for me?”

Bai Ruozhu nodded, ”Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.”

She had already known about Tu Bai’s situation, and a glance now gave her a rough idea. Tu Bai wasn’t beyond the hope of standing up again, but the rehabilitation process would be lengthy.

Having been bedridden for so long, even with daily massages, the muscles throughout his body had atrophied to varying degrees.

Lady Tu couldn’t help but have her eyes redden again as she took Bai Ruozhu’s hand and said, ”Ruozhu, thank you.”

Bai Ruozhu led them into the yard and helped the Tu Family mother and son get settled in the side courtyard before she took Tu Bai’s pulse properly.

She withdrew her hand and wrote a formula, then said to Lady Tu, ”I will arrange for someone to prepare the medicine. You rest for now. I will send someone to escort you at noon, my mother said she wants to hold a feast to welcome you.”

”Sure, sure, thank you for your trouble,” Lady Tu said.

Before departing, Bai Ruozhu glanced at Tu Bai, who once appeared somewhat light-hearted but had now become silent and gloomy. It seemed he had matured, but this maturity came at a great cost.

By noon, Lady Tu came for the meal, but Tu Bai did not. Lady Tu said awkwardly, ”Tu Bai has been exhausted from the journey and hasn’t woken up from his sleep yet.”

Bai Ruozhu guessed that Tu Bai probably didn’t want to be carried over, so she quickly replied with a smile, ”It’s fine, he will start treatment after a good rest.”

Upon hearing this, Lady Tu didn’t look as embarrassed as before.

Lady Tu brought many gifts for the Bai Family and Bai Ruozhu didn’t decline. After all, it would be impolite to refuse gifts someone brought from far away. Besides, she knew that the people of the Tu Family were straightforward and certainly not the kind just to offer gifts in pretense, waiting for them to be rejected.

The meal was enjoyed by all, as Lady Tu and Madam Lin were of similar age and found much to talk about, although their conversation mostly revolved around their children.

After the meal, Lady Tu and Madam Lin went aside to chat, and somehow the conversation turned to Tu Ying, which made Lady Tu’s eyes redden once more.

”Sister Lin, I’m not afraid of being laughed at. I know that my daughter Tu Ying fancies your Zepei,” Lady Tu suddenly broached the subject, leaving Madam Lin at a loss for words.

Lady Tu patted Madam Lin’s hand with a smile and said, ”Actually, I also felt it was inappropriate at the time. The two of them are too different in temperament and interests. I heard that your Zepei is about to be granted a marriage, so it’s better if Ying resigns herself sooner. I just don’t know where she is now.”

Her voice suddenly choked up, ”I don’t even know if she’s still alive...”

Madam Lin hastened to pat her back, consoling her, ”Your daughter Tu Ying is destined for great fortune and will surely return safely.”

Lady Tu felt somewhat better, sniffled, and then saw Bai Ruozhu walk in.

Bai Ruozhu took a scroll given by Ao Qi from her sleeve and unfolded it for Lady Tu to see.

Lady Tu was surprised to see her daughter’s portrait, but she quickly noticed that the clothing was different from before.

She grabbed Bai Ruozhu’s hand eagerly and asked, ”Did Tu Ying send this to you? Did she draw this in the Southwest?”

Bai Ruozhu shook her head and lowered her voice, ”This was drawn by a friend of mine. He had an accident while in the mountains of the Southwest and fell into a valley. He said a woman saved him and gave him the Seven-color Ganoderma from her master to detoxify him. He mentioned that the woman said she’s from Danliang, and so I was asked to help find her. Unexpectedly, the portrait turned out to be that of Tu Ying.”

”Where did he encounter Tu Ying? Did he give any details? Where is he now? Can I meet him?” Lady Tu was so excited; she asked several questions in a row.

”My friend is from the Western Regions and he is the leader of the Western Regions delegation this time, Son of Ao Qi. He said ever since Tu Ying helped him out of the valley, he and his men couldn’t find the valley again no matter how they searched. I suspect that Ying’s master is a highly reclusive figure and she must be all right,” Bai Ruozhu explained, ”It’s just that Tu Ying secretly went to the Southwest military camp, so I dared not divulge her whereabouts, hence I didn’t tell Ao Qi that I knew the woman he was seeking.”