Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1657: Chapter 1657: Her Man Can Be Trusted

Bai Zepei’s actions were to show the emperor his position, indicating that he stands by his sister, believing in her character.

But the emperor’s intentions are hard to predict. What if this incident displeases him and affects his second brother’s career?

Bai Ruozhu wanted to stop him but saw the determination in her second brother’s eyes and knew she couldn’t persuade him.

In her second brother’s eyes, career is not as important as family.

”Second brother, thank you.” Bai Ruozhu said with reddened eyes.

Bai Zepei reached out his big hand to rub her head, chuckled softly, and said, ”Why thank me? Second brother didn’t help you much. It’s better to rest early, just in time to pack up, so you can return home early.”

Bai Ruozhu sniffled, nodded, and said, ”Second brother, this journey will be tiring you and brother and sister-in-law.”

”For our own family, isn’t it the right thing?” Bai Zepei laughed.

The next day, Bai Zepei asked the emperor for leave, saying he wanted to return home to worship ancestors. Bai Zepei had mentioned this before, and now suddenly asking for leave, the emperor naturally understood his meaning, was silent for a moment, then said lightly, ”I approve. You don’t need to come tomorrow.”

”Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting permission.” Bai Zepei said as he bowed.

But somehow the matter became known to the officials, and the rumors quickly changed. Some said Bai Ruozhu committed a heinous crime, and Bai Zepei feared being implicated by his sister, so he quickly asked for leave to return home, perhaps never returning to the Capital.

Others said Bai Ruozhu certainly committed a major crime and, fearing it would implicate the family, let her second brother use the pretext of ancestor worship to lead the family out of the Capital City, and said perhaps Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun would also secretly flee one day.

These rumors soon spread to the Imperial Medical Hospital, and Jiu Sheng relayed them to Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu shook her head after hearing them, ”The web laid in the dark is really extensive, but I don’t know whether these plans are just his idea or a plot with the Grand Princess. If the Grand Princess knew everything, even killed Duke Zheng cruelly, she’s truly a viper woman.”

Jiu Sheng was shocked, ”Who is ’he’?”

Bai Ruozhu saw him wanting to ask and laughed, ”Better if you don’t know. Anyway, someone harmed your master, and things are complicated afterward. Be careful not to be implicated by me.”

Jiu Sheng was anxious, ”Master, what do you mean? If you’re in trouble, should I just avoid and hide? Am I still human then? I’m not one to forget favors or righteousness!”

”You literati are too easily anxious. I’m saying you keep a distance from me on the surface but help me secretly; otherwise, if you’re also harmed, I lose a capable assistant.” Bai Ruozhu raised her hand and tapped him on the head.

If someone saw this scene, they’d surely find it strange—a young woman as a middle-aged man’s master, speaking to him like an elder, tapping his head.

This is due to long companionship; Bai Ruozhu was used to her role as master, seeing Jiu Sheng and Guoguo like her children.

Jiu Sheng hesitated, wondering how society viewed him. But he quickly understood—his loyalty to his master mattered, not others’ opinions. So long as he could work for his master, why fear some bad reputation?

Bai Ruozhu knew he was reliable, and seeing him understand, she felt somewhat relieved.

The next day, the shopkeeper from North Mountain sent a Pigeon Messenger; Bai Ruozhu received it and found that the medicine fields had a problem—large areas suddenly withered. They asked an old medicine farmer for help, who said it shouldn’t have had issues, so the manager suspected sabotage that ordinary people couldn’t detect, hoping the master could personally check.

The North Mountain isn’t far from Capital City, but Bai Ruozhu can’t leave now. The Department of Justice issued an order, and the emperor commanded; if she leaves the Capital City suddenly, she’d be deemed fleeing in guilt.

She crumpled the secret letter fiercely, then burnt it with a candle—a step clearly pre-arranged, truly a challenge.

Bai Ruozhu didn’t tell her family about North Mountain’s issues; she didn’t want to worry them further before their departure. Her parents had set the return date, departing in three days.

...

In a casino in Capital City, a middle-aged man dressed as a steward was gambling. He was lucky, winning six or seven games in a row, attracting others to bet alongside him.

The man finally won a hefty sum, leaving with a delighted look, followed by two others who also made small winnings by betting with him.

The three went to a restaurant, happily ordered two jars of good wine, some appetizers, and began eating and drinking.

After several drinks, the man dressed as a steward felt elated and said to the other two, ”I’m a steward from Duke Zheng’s residence. If I have a chance, I’ll give you both a hand and find you roles in the residence.”

The two laughed heartily. One said, ”Brother, don’t fool us. Everyone knows Duke Zheng just passed. The Grand Princess is very sad. If you’re really the steward, why gamble and drink here instead of mourning for Duke Zheng?”

The other raised his thumb mockingly, ”Brother, you’re good at gambling but terrible at bluffing; you can’t deceive anyone.”

Their voices weren’t quiet, catching many people’s attention. Many perked their ears to listen.

The steward, slightly drunk, was displeased, shouting, ”You’re really blind! What’s wrong with me enjoying myself? The Grand Princess isn’t necessarily sad; why should a servant mourn?”

The two still didn’t believe him. They began bickering, agitating the steward who then claimed, ”How wouldn’t I know if the Grand Princess is sad or not? She has someone better to keep her company. Why care about Duke Zheng, that old lecher? I saw the Grand Princess and Du Zhongshu on the bed, and she secretly had an old doctor check her pulse, who said she’s pregnant!”

The steward’s tongue was tied from drinking, speaking awkwardly, but the explosive nature of his content wasn’t affected.

”You think it’s Duke Zheng’s posthumous child? How silly! It’s her lover’s!” The steward laughed loudly afterward. ”The Grand Princess said she must save her child’s father.”

This shocked listeners deeply—the Grand Princess had an affair, was pregnant, and Duke Zheng mysteriously died—it provided much material for stories!

When news reached Bai Ruozhu, it had evolved into several versions, leaving her stunned. Her husband said he’d handle it, and indeed, he did so brilliantly!

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Finished sleeping. There might be delays in display on mobile, but Mouka truly worked until midnight; explaining to avoid scoldings, 555