Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1681: Chapter 1681 Bai Qizhi Who Fainted from Anxiety

Due to the sudden explosion, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t rest easy. She had to wait in her room for the subordinates she dispatched and listen carefully to the discussions of the guests downstairs at the inn.

”Oh, sir, don’t worry; just now, the County Magistrate said it’s not an Earth Dragon turning over, but an explosion in the North Mountain. The officers have gone to investigate, so there’ll surely be news soon.” The young waiter said to the guests planning to check out.

The guest seemed a bit hesitant after hearing that, given the risks of traveling in the middle of the night.

”Really? How can such a big commotion not be Earth Dragon turning over?”

”Otherwise, don’t rush to check out; go outside and inquire first. I wouldn’t dare to deceive you about such matters, but it’s certainly not Earth Dragon turning over; otherwise, wouldn’t our buildings be damaged?” The young waiter, quick-witted, made many feel a bit more at ease.

Just then, there was another loud bang in the distance; the ground trembled again, but it was evidently not as terrifying as the previous one.

Even so, people downstairs panicked, rushing outside while shouting, ”The Earth Dragon turned over again, run quickly!”

Bai Ruozhu’s lips twitched. People at this time had no understanding of earthquakes. If it were a real earthquake, running madly would really cause trouble.

But why was there another explosion? Could the people she sent have been affected?

Just as Bai Ruozhu was deeply worried, the voice of Jianqi came from outside, ”Master, our people just sent a signal that they’re okay.”

Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief, ”Let me know as soon as there’s any news.”

Finally, at midnight, the people she sent out returned.

”Reporting to the master, the collapse over there in North Mountain was severe. We hadn’t figured out what happened when the government officials arrived, so we had to hide temporarily, waiting for them to dig and investigate. Another explosion occurred along the way, injuring two officers, but not fatally. But the earlier excavation was in vain, and we couldn’t show ourselves; we could only observe secretly. Eventually, those officers stopped digging and rested.”

The dark guard lowered his head, ”Although we haven’t figured it out completely, I think it might be man-made.”

”Oh? What makes you feel that way?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

”I overheard the yamen runners mentioning that Kerosene was discovered in North Mountain before. Maybe the Kerosene underground caused the explosion, but how could it explode for no reason? Also, I vaguely smelled gunpowder. I have a sensitive nose, so I think I’m not mistaken.” The dark guard continued.

He referred to the Kerosene as unrefined petroleum, which can burn upon meeting fire and even explode if sealed while burning. However, such situations rarely occur naturally.

Could North Mountain be hiding some unspeakable secret?

Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes but quickly asked, ”Was the return route affected?”

”Not much impact.”

”Good, set off at dawn.” Bai Ruozhu said decisively.

Jianqi secretly breathed a sigh of relief beside her. He also felt something unusual and worried about Bai Ruozhu investigating it. But since they didn’t bring many people on this journey, what if they couldn’t figure out the matter and ended up in danger themselves?

That’s what Bai Ruozhu considered, too. If such a large explosion was deliberately caused, the person’s power couldn’t be underestimated. Why should she wade into this muddy water? Local officials are responsible for investigation, and if not, the emperor would worry. Why should she mind the business?

So, the next morning, the group left the inn. When they reached the City Gate, they were stopped, but fortunately, Bai Ruozhu always carried her Palace Token and identity as a female Chief Doctor, which allowed the officers to let her through.

Shortly after Bai Ruozhu’s group set off, they saw large troops heading in the direction of the explosion.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, they were stopped by soldiers once again, and after checking Bai Ruozhu’s credentials, they let her pass.

Holding an attitude of minding her own business, Bai Ruozhu led her people through North Mountain and soon left the area.

On the third day’s journey, Bai Ruozhu encountered Jiang Yichun, who came to meet her.

”Won’t you be tired rushing over here? We’re almost there; why come specifically to meet me?” She complained on the surface, but inside she felt sweet.

”I heard about the big explosion in North Mountain, and I couldn’t help but worry, so I followed the official road. I didn’t expect you to handle things so quickly.” Jiang Yichun said, stepping forward to hold her hand.

In broad daylight, with a crowd of guards behind them, Bai Ruozhu glared at him to dodge away, but he stubbornly grabbed her hand.

”I’m just glad you’re okay; I was worried sick along the way.” He said in a low voice.

Bai Ruozhu was warmed by his words, and she couldn’t bear to pull her hand away anymore, so she let him hold it.

On the way back, Bai Ruozhu shared the dark guard’s findings with Jiang Yichun. His face slightly darkened, and after a brief thought, he said, ”I’ve already taken leave; the emperor has assigned someone else to investigate this matter. It’s best if I don’t get involved.”

Bai Ruozhu laughed, ”Indeed, the Earth turns without needing anyone; let’s not take on more burdens, and let others keep busy.”

”Earth?” Jiang Yichun suddenly asked.

Bai Ruozhu hesitated. Um, that would be a complicated explanation...

When they got home, Little Dengdeng was overjoyed, hugging Bai Ruozhu and nuzzling her, saying he thought his mother abandoned him.

”Little fool, how could I bear to leave you? We’re going on a long journey the day after tomorrow; it’ll be hard work on the road, and you’ll have to endure it.” Bai Ruozhu said, stroking her son’s head.

Little Dengdeng, however, was full of excitement, ”I’m not afraid of hard work; I love going out and playing the most!”

Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun exchanged a glance. Children truly have unlimited energy.

The next day, Bai Ruozhu entered the Palace to meet the Empress Dowager, then went to bid farewell to the emperor. After finishing everything, it was already dusk. As she was about to leave the Palace and return to the Residence, a message came from Jianqi, saying that a woman surnamed Bai was crying at the Bai Residence Gate and had fainted.

Only then did Bai Ruozhu remember what Zhang Liliang had mentioned about Bai Qizhi, and she hurriedly left the Palace to return to the Residence. Upon returning, she saw that the woman surnamed Bai was indeed Bai Qizhi, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

As soon as Bai Qizhi saw Bai Ruozhu, she burst into tears.

”Ruozhu, I thought you left the Capital again, scared me to death.” Bai Qizhi said while crying, ”You don’t know I chased you all the way to North Mountain, finally found your Medicine field to inquire, and your steward said you had returned to the Capital! I’ve been rushing non-stop, yet how come I couldn’t catch up with you?”

Her voice was full of grievances, ”Just now I heard from your doorman that you left, and I thought I missed you again. Fortunately, you didn’t leave the Capital.”

Originally, after not seeing Bai Qizhi for a long time, Bai Ruozhu should have been very happy, but she forcibly suppressed the joy in her heart.

Bai Qizhi was so eager to find her, there must be a reason. Moreover, the matter between them involving Bai Guanghe made it difficult for them to act as intimate as before.