Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1630: Chapter 1630 The Passing of Mei

Bai Ruozhu knew he was trying to change the subject, but she couldn’t help asking, ”How did it happen? Weren’t you too ruthless?”

”You can’t entirely blame Lightning. That woman rushed over to confess her feelings, then suddenly pulled out a hairpin, intending to give it to me as a token of love. But perhaps she was too nervous and overdid it. Lightning thought she was trying to stab me. At that time, I happened to have an internal injury, and in panic, Lightning struck her with a palm. The woman had no martial arts skills at all and ended up spitting blood and dying instantly,” Jiang Yichun said, shaking his head. ”Lightning got into quite a bit of trouble because of this and had to hide for a while.”

Bai Ruozhu’s mouth twitched, ”This counts as manslaughter, right? By the way, what was that woman’s status? Didn’t her family hold you accountable?”

”She was a courtesan from a brothel, involved with local officials, likely looking for a new patron when she saw me. Her family didn’t pursue it, but the madam of the brothel made quite a fuss. We had to keep insisting that she tried to assassinate me,” Jiang Yichun replied, curling his lips.

Bai Ruozhu found it amusing; she didn’t know Achun had such a history of unpleasant romances.

”Why didn’t you ever tell me about this? Were you trying to hide such things from me?” Bai Ruozhu complained.

”You never asked about it, did you? If I brought it up on my own, you might think I was bragging,” he said, though he did look rather smug.

Bai Ruozhu clicked her tongue, ”Keep talking. You mustn’t hide anything from me. Clear up all the entanglements and affairs.”

”Alright, wife, I don’t have such entanglements. I’m about to enter the palace; let’s talk about Muyu’s situation another day,” Jiang Yichun deferred.

Bai Ruozhu’s gossiping spirit ignited, ”What could possibly be going on with Muyu?”

Jiang Yichun was delighted to have successfully changed the subject and said with a smile, ”Otherwise, you can ask Muyu about it later. I’m really out of time now.”

”Fine, fine, go ahead. I’ll accompany our son for breakfast,” Bai Ruozhu said, picking up a cloak and helping him put it on, tying the strap around his neck.

He suddenly stretched out his arms and hugged her, whispering in her ear, ”Wife, don’t let your imagination run wild. Those people have nothing to do with me.”

Bai Ruozhu chuckled softly, ”You sure never forget to clear your name at any moment.”

Jiang Yichun reluctantly released her and said with a smile, ”I’ll pick you up from the Female Physicians Institution in the afternoon to go home together.”

”Alright,” Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile.

Ever since Hao Baishuang spread scandalous talks about her at the Female Physicians Institution, Jiang Yichun would pick her up whenever he had time, partly to prevent people from gossiping about her and partly to discreetly show his support. Even the female physicians there praised Lord Jiang as a good husband.

As for Hao Baishuang, due to violating palace rules, she was punished with thirty blows of the staff. Although she survived, she was half dead, still recuperating at home and unable to move freely for a couple of months.

After Jiang Yichun left, Bai Ruozhu went to accompany the awakened Dengdeng for teeth brushing and washing, then had breakfast together.

Halfway through the meal, a cry of shock came from a distance, soon followed by servants calling for Bai Ruozhu and Bai Yihong to report that there was a death in the family!

Afraid to scare Dengdeng, Bai Ruozhu quickly said, ”Nanny Zhang, stay with Dengdeng for breakfast; I’ll be right back.”

Saying this, she gave a look to the messenger servant and walked out briskly.

Little Dengdeng, watching his mother’s back, asked in confusion, ”Nanny, what does ’someone died’ mean?”

Nanny Zhang patted Little Dengdeng’s head and said, ”You’ll understand when you grow up. For now, you need to eat well so you can grow up quickly and help your parents.”

Little Dengdeng was full of curiosity but obediently stopped asking questions. Still, his eyes darted around, possibly scheming something mischievous.

Outside, Bai Ruozhu found Jianqi already waiting. He saluted and said, ”Master, I have sent people to investigate. I’ve instructed them to secure the scene and not allow anyone to move the body.”

”Who died?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

The messenger boy stammered, ”It was Lady Ruolan’s servant, Lamei.”

”Lamei?” Bai Ruozhu was stunned. Did she hear correctly? How did Lamei die? Why would she die?

”Due to snow these days, I was late with the cleaning. This morning, while sweeping Lady Ruolan’s yard, I found Lamei lying on the ground. When I went over to call her, she didn’t respond. Her body was cold and stiff, and she wasn’t breathing,” the boy said, shivering again, clearly frightened.

Bai Ruozhu immediately turned to Jianqi and asked, ”Was no one watching that area at night? What did the guards say?”

”With Saihan’s whereabouts unknown, the dark guards have recently been assigned to protect the master and the front yard. They were not stationed throughout the residence as before. Last night, the guards protecting the second young master didn’t notice anything unusual and didn’t hear any noise,” Jianqi explained.

Bai Ruozhu became angry instantly, ”Lamei was mute; what noise could she make?”

If Lamei had been murdered, what about Ruolan?

In a panic, she hurriedly walked out. Despite the cold weather, she didn’t wear a cloak, so Jianqi quickly grabbed one and caught up with her.

”Master, it’s my fault for dereliction of duty, but please take care of yourself,” Jianqi said, his tone a bit firm as he handed over the cloak.

Bai Ruozhu sighed, snatched the cloak, put it on, and continued to rush toward Bai Ruolan’s yard.

Before she reached the entrance, she heard Bai Ruolan’s hysterical screams. She hadn’t had an episode in a while; it must have been a shock to discover Lamei dead.

People are not made of wood; who has no feelings? Even though Bai Ruolan had become childlike in intelligence, she still felt emotions and knew who was good to her.

Lamei had accompanied and cared for her for so long; she had become inseparable from Lamei. Now with Lamei’s sudden death, her emotions spiraled out of control.

Listening to Bai Ruolan’s screams, Bai Ruozhu felt deeply distressed but also a bit relieved that at least Bai Ruolan was unharmed.

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then walked over in large strides.

She saw several sturdy maids restraining Bai Ruolan, with someone gently persuading, ”Lady Ruolan, you can’t go there. Lamei has already passed on, so let her go in peace.”

Bai Ruolan wasn’t listening to anyone; she was wildly clawing at people like a madwoman. Fortunately, it was winter, and the servants were thickly clothed, so a few only had minor scratches on their hands.

Bai Ruozhu didn’t say a word. She dashed forward, lifted her hand to press Bai Ruolan’s sleeping acupoint, and then caught her as she collapsed, handing her over to a maid nearby.

”Take Lady Ruolan to the side room to rest and light some calming incense,” Bai Ruozhu instructed.

The maid hurriedly complied. Bai Ruozhu glanced at Ruolan, sighed again, and then stepped into the yard, heading toward Lamei’s body.