Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1602: Chapter 1602: Confrontation in Front of the Emperor

When Bai Ruozhu met the Emperor, she noticed that not only Princess Huilan had brought Dou Yun, but also Dou Ning and his wife, who were in jail for theft, were present. Judging by their expressions, they weren’t too worried. Most likely, Princess Huilan had brought them out of jail again.

Additionally, there was Fan Li and the officer who stopped the Grand Princess’s guards during the city patrol.

Bai Ruozhu found it amusing that the Grand Princess, previously creating troubles for her, served Hao Baishuang diligently, disregarding her princess status.

Now, she is busy running around for the Dou family, nearly earning the title ”beloved princess of the people.”

Bai Ruozhu and the others saluted the Emperor, and the Grand Princess snorted coldly, murmuring, ”Such arrogance, making the Emperor and us wait for you.”

Bai Ruozhu exchanged glances with Jiang Zhihe and the others, ignoring the Grand Princess as if they hadn’t heard her, given that she didn’t call out their names directly.

The Grand Princess’s face darkened in anger, and to avoid endless quarreling, the Emperor spoke directly, ”Since everyone is here, let’s discuss what happened that day. Bai, the Chief Doctor, has come to the Imperial Court, and I must ensure justice for her.”

The Emperor’s impartial words gained Bai Ruozhu’s favor, thinking that the eunuch passing the decree dared not offend the Grand Princess, thus hesitant to say much.

”Emperor, how could she have the right to file a complaint? And why bring impeachment against me through the Censorate? Why not discuss her abuse of power and disrespect towards her elders due to her authority?” The Grand Princess spoke first.

Bai Ruozhu calmly saluted the Emperor, saying, ”Elders need to be seen in context. Although Dou Ning and his wife are my uncle and aunt through marriage, they separated from the family and returned greedy for trouble, even angering Elder Jiang Ge to the point of fainting. How can I respect such elders? Moreover, the Grand Princess is inaccurate; I prevented their disturbance from affecting Zhihe’s wedding and had my guards drive them away without abusing my authority. My position is Chief Doctor; did I misuse any power from the Female Physicians Institution?”

The Grand Princess was momentarily speechless but quickly replied, ”Moreover, you showed disrespect to me, the Princess. Even if Dou Ning and his wife were at fault, you could have explained to the Princess. Yet when I questioned you, you left with your people. Did you even see the Grand Princess?”

”Dou Ning was sent to the Government Office for causing chaos at the Jiang residence. The Jiang family’s steward also provided a list of separated family properties for Fan Li to assess. How did Fan Li find it?” Bai Ruozhu’s conversation switched to Fan Li.

Fan Li’s mouth twitched, and he immediately said, ”I have verified it. The Jiang family indeed divided the property for Dou Ning according to Elder Jiang Ge’s separation method, which was quite generous since Dou Ning is not a Jiang.”

Bai Ruozhu nodded in satisfaction, ”Even Fan Li understands this logic, yet some are still greedily causing trouble, trying to ruin their niece’s wedding. Many witnessed it, and it spread throughout the Capital. Has the Grand Princess never heard about it?”

”I have no time to care about such rumors, only seeing your guards act against them and Dou Family’s daughter being held by Yu Chenghua, who should be responsible for her.” The Grand Princess spoke, looking at Yu Chenghua.

The Emperor’s gaze also fell on Yu Chenghua, whom he barely remembered, assuming his rank was below fifth, not needing to attend the morning court. Therefore, Tang Yin only knew that Yu Chenghua was Jiang Yichun’s subordinate, with a decent character; otherwise, Jiang Yichun wouldn’t marry his cousin to him.

Thinking about how Elder Jiang’s legitimate granddaughter couldn’t marry well, the Jiang family is indeed in decline.

Yu Chenghua saluted the Grand Princess, calmly saying, ”The Princess misunderstood. I did not hold Dou Family’s daughter.”

Dou Madam, who had been quiet, became anxious, ”How could you not? My Yun’er was seeking death, and you insisted on saving her, grabbed her in urgency, thus ruining her purity. You’re denying it now?”

The Emperor frowned slightly, disliking Dou Madam’s chatter.

Having received Bai Ruozhu’s reminder, Yu Chenghua was calmer, saying, ”Dou Madam was not present and did not witness the event; such claims are purely made up. I kindly intended to save Dou Yun’s life by cutting the rope with my sword, not expecting her to charge at me after being saved. Aware of the gender segregation, I quickly stepped aside.”

”You dare say you didn’t touch me?” Dou Yun screamed, glaring at Yu Chenghua, her voice shrill and resembling a betrayed woman.

”Miss Dou, your words are mistaken. I didn’t touch you; you touched me momentarily. And I dodged immediately. If such instances necessitate responsibility, then well-born young men in the Capital must be wary when going out.” Yu Chenghua said with a chuckle.

Bai Ruozhu secretly laughed, Yu Chenghua indeed has a sense of humor.

”You lie! I was unstable, fell into your arms. Are you not a man if you don’t dare to take responsibility?” Dou Yun shouted.

The Emperor frowned, ”Silence, I am still here. Dou, since you claim Yu Chenghua held you, who can testify?”

Dou Yun was briefly stunned, her voice softening, ”I was hanging myself at the Yu residence gate late at night; there were no others, just Yu residence’s old servants and Jiang Zhihe who saw it.”

Jiang Zhihe responded calmly, ”My husband spoke the truth; he indeed did not touch you, whereas you tried to touch him. Dou Yun, I am your cousin; I have no grudges against you. Yet, on my wedding night, you hung yourself twice at Yu residence gate. Do you hate me so?”

”Dou, without witnesses, and doing such unsightly acts on others’ wedding nights, you ought to return and study ’Women’s Precepts’,” the Emperor said.

Hearing this, the Grand Princess hurriedly said, ”Emperor, Dou Yun’s actions may have been extreme, but she was a filial daughter. Her parents were sent to jail by the Jiang family, and she was trying to save them at the risk of her own life. A woman’s reputation is most important; why would she lie about such matters? Would she deliberately ruin her own prospects for marriage? Regardless of whether Dou Yun touched Yu Chenghua or vice versa, Yu Chenghua should be responsible.”

The Grand Princess suggested looking at Jiang Zhihe, ”Jiang Zhihe just mentioned she and Dou Yun are cousins, so wouldn’t it be a great tale if both served one husband?”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but frown, to which she mentally replied, ’You call it a great tale, your whole family lives such great tales.’

”Emperor, I have no intention of marrying others, nor planning to take a concubine, and I wish to have no ties whatsoever with the Dou family, which goes against the Grand Princess’s wishes!” Yu Chenghua suddenly knelt, clasping his fists before speaking to the Emperor.

”Bold! You touched Dou Yun and should take responsibility; men having multiple wives and concubines is normal. What nonsense are you speaking?” the Grand Princess exclaimed.

Bai Ruozhu suddenly sighed, ”That day, the Grand Princess forced us, and Zhihe had to evade her, yet didn’t expect her guards to draw swords and chase us. Alas!”