Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1626: Chapter 1626: He Lianlian Goes to the Capital

A few days later, the Capital City welcomed its first snowfall of winter, and the temperature dropped significantly. In the past, on such snowy days, many residences would hold banquets. Whether they were scholars or noble ladies, they would invite friends to admire the snow and plum blossoms, perhaps even write poetry, paint plums in the snow, to indulge in such elegant activities.

Unfortunately, this year was special; there had just been an assassination attempt in the Palace, and the Empress was dead. Who would dare to hold a banquet openly?

Bai Ruozhu had returned home early from the Female Physicians Institution. On such a day, having a snowball fight with Little Dengdeng was perfect.

Mother and son played wildly in their own garden for quite some time. Bai Ruozhu shamelessly took advantage, being tall and strong, and bullied the little Dengdeng frequently, even hitting him with snow in the face. Little Dengdeng’s face puffed up like a little bun with anger, until Bai Zehao couldn’t bear to watch anymore and joined the battle, saving Little Dengdeng from being constantly bullied by his mother.

”Mom, you can’t bully people like this!” Little Dengdeng shouted, ”Uncle, cover me. I want revenge!”

Bai Ruozhu burst into laughter. This little guy even knew terms like ”cover” and ”revenge,” he knew too much!

Xiaosi and Zhanna had just finished a new picture book to show Bai Ruozhu. Hearing from the servants that Bai Ruozhu and the others were having a snowball fight, the two hurriedly put down the picture book and rushed over.

Quickly, Xiaosi and Zhanna also joined the battle, but Zhanna’s legs weren’t flexible, so she hid behind a tree for sneak attacks. Xiaosi, being skilled in martial arts, directly stood on Little Dengdeng’s side, opposing Bai Ruozhu.

The family was having a great time when a maid reported that the eldest lady of the Jiang Family was seeking an audience.

Bai Ruozhu paused her actions. On this snowy day, no one wanted to go out unless it was urgent. Even if there was an issue, a servant would typically come to announce it. Why had the eldest lady come herself?

Could it be an emergency?

She dropped the snowball in her hand, ready to go to the front yard with the maid. Unexpectedly, Little Dengdeng suddenly charged over with his little legs and, taking advantage of Bai Ruozhu’s distraction, hit her face with a snowball.

Bai Ruozhu was about to inform everyone that she was stepping away when she ended up eating a mouthful of snow. She spat a couple of times, only to hear her son’s clear and melodious laughter, feeling both exasperated and amused.

”You little rascal, Mom is going to handle serious matters now, don’t sneak attack like that again.” Bai Ruozhu said, hands on her hips.

Little Dengdeng, with a proud face, said, ”Dad said, this is called ’All’s fair in war’!”

”Our Dengdeng is right, Ruozhu, are you going to be a sore loser as a mother?” Bai Zehao laughed.

Bai Ruozhu cast him a sidelong glance, ”Fine, fine, you’re all right. I’ll go meet the guest first, you all continue playing.”

After saying this, she turned and left. She was curious to see who’d be unlucky enough to be hit after she left. But before she got far, she heard Little Dengdeng say, ”Let’s build a snowman, see who can make the best one?”

She turned her head, puffing with anger, originally wanting to see the kids team up against their big brother.

When she arrived in the front yard, she saw the eldest lady of the Jiang Family sitting in the Main Hall, talking with Lin Ping’er, but showing some absent-mindedness while replying.

Bai Ruozhu stepped forward and greeted her with a smile, ”Aunt, you’ve come over, is there something urgent?”

The eldest lady of the Jiang Family gave an awkward smile, casting a secret glance at Lin Ping’er, and said, ”I won’t be shy with you and say it directly.”

”Please go ahead, we’re all so familiar.” Bai Ruozhu thought, judging from the tone, it’s not that Elder Jiang Ge was having health issues.

”It’s snowing heavily, and Dou Yun ran to the Main Gate and refused to leave. The old man felt soft-hearted and brought her into the residence, and now she refuses to leave, insisting that the residence is her home, and she won’t go anywhere else.” The eldest lady of the Jiang Family sighed, ”I know I shouldn’t bicker with a child whose head isn’t right, but she used to always harm our Zhihe. Such a scheming child, I always feel uneasy. Do you think she’s really foolish now? Should you take a look when you have the chance?”

”Aunt, a person’s head is the most intricate. Just by taking a pulse, I can’t fully determine if she’s genuinely daft. You’ll need to keep a watch on her. Does the old man intend to keep her in the Jiang Residence?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

The eldest lady of the Jiang Family sighed again and said, ”Yes, though he says it’s just one more person to feed, and that the child is pitiable, but it’s easy to invite a deity and difficult to send it away. What if Dou Ning and her husband find another way to cling back? I remember how they harmed Zhihe. I absolutely cannot live under the same roof as them again.”

Bai Ruozhu also felt that Elder Jiang Ge was too soft-hearted. Why were Dou Ning and his wife not taking care of Dou Yun themselves? Wasn’t it because they wanted to use Dou Yun to win Elder Jiang Ge’s sympathy?

”Now that Dou Yun is in this state, with a head injury and disfigured, it’s unlikely she’ll get married in the future. Having an unmarried old girl in the residence wouldn’t matter, but the Dou Family previously caused such a stir that people’s hearts were uneasy. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been so ruthless.” The eldest lady of the Jiang Family said.

Bai Ruozhu patted her hand comfortingly and said, ”Aunt, don’t worry. I’ll find a chance to visit in the next couple of days and take another look. You should also have someone watch over her, even if she’s pretending. With supervision, she can’t do much.”

”You’re right, I’ll go back and arrange it now.” The eldest lady of the Jiang Family quickly stood up to leave, her nervous demeanor really showing the chaos Dou Ning’s family had caused.

The next day, after the snow stopped, Bai Ruozhu planned to visit the Yu Residence to see Jiang Zhihe, then head to the Jiang Residence to see what’s going on.

In the morning, she went to the Female Physicians Institution, intending to arrange everything and visit Jiang Zhihe in the afternoon. However, Jing Lei hurriedly arrived and said, ”Madam, He Lian, the prefect of Jinshui City, has sent his daughter, He Lianlian, to the Capital City. News of He Lianlian being saved by Muyu has spread, and she’s come all the way to marry Muyu.”

Bai Ruozhu’s mouth twitched, ”Isn’t that so? Didn’t He Lianlian look down on Muyu? Why is she here now?”

”He Lian presented a memorial to the Emperor. Though the Emperor hasn’t issued an edict, he has already asked Muyu to give an explanation to He Lianlian. Muyu’s still with the Emperor, and the Lord has left the Palace on an errand, so I can only seek you for guidance.” Jing Lei explained.

”Later, tell Muyu not to worry. I will handle everything. Even if he’s forced to marry He Lianlian, I promise he won’t suffer any injustice.” Bai Ruozhu whispered.

”Yes.” Jing Lei was relieved that he had married Luluo, for he would never take interest in a woman like He Lianlian trying to charm the Lord.

After Jing Lei left, Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment and headed to the Imperial Study Room. She feared Muyu wouldn’t make his point clear, and even while refusing, they couldn’t anger the Emperor. She decided to assist him in expressing himself to let things pass peacefully.

But when she reached the Imperial Study Room, she was stunned by Muyu’s actions...