Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1683: Chapter 1683: Regretting the Past

Wang Shun did not know the details and thought it was a good thing that Bai Ruozhu had a grandfather who was a vice minister of the Ministry of Rites. Combined with Bai Guanghe’s family’s literary heritage, Bai Ruozhu’s identity seemed even more distinguished. However, Bai Ruozhu did not want to recognize Bai Guanghe at all.

Bai Ruozhu forced a smile, ”Not at all, not at all.”

Wang Shun was a sharp person, noticed Bai Ruozhu’s perfunctory response, and did not continue speaking.

”The Emperor will ask about this matter too. Sir Bai, if you have any difficulties, speak with the Emperor clearly. Do not contradict the Emperor,” Wang Shun quietly advised, ”After all, there was the matter with Elder Jiang Ge before.”

Bai Ruozhu nodded and bowed, ”Thank you, Eunuch Wang, for the reminder.”

Previously, Jiang Yichun did not want to recognize Elder Jiang Ge, and this dynasty revered filial piety. For this reason, the Emperor even issued an edict to Jiang Yichun. If Bai Ruozhu refused too bluntly this time, the Emperor might again think she is disregarding filial duty.

Bai Ruozhu was actually resentful at heart; filial piety should depend on whom it’s directed. Her father favored a concubine over his wife—does the son, or granddaughter still need to adhere to filial piety?

However, she was only resentful herself. Now, this was not just her issue; her second elder brother was serving as an official at the court, and she dare not make things difficult for him. Fortunately, her second brother had already left the capital; otherwise, he’d be the one called in for a talk by the Emperor.

The Emperor summoned her as usual in the Imperial Study Room. When she entered and saw Jiang Yichun was also there, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Yichun gave her a gentle smile, indicating she need not worry too much.

The Emperor glanced at Jiang Yichun and thought, this Yichun only shows such a foolish smile when he sees his wife.

”I, your humble servant, pay my respects to the Emperor.” Bai Ruozhu respectfully bowed, waiting for the Emperor’s instruction.

”There’s word on the streets that your father is the vice minister of the Ministry of Rites, Bai Guanghe, and eldest son of his original wife, from the Jiao family, that you are Bai Guanghe’s granddaughter. Is this true?” Tang Yin asked.

Bai Ruozhu thought, have you not asked Achun? But she still answered respectfully, ”Yes, it is true. But the truth back then is chilling, and my family does not intend to acknowledge any kinship.”

”Oh? Tell me more,” Tang Yin said.

Bai Ruozhu quickly glanced at Jiang Yichun, did Achun not say anything to the Emperor?

Jiang Yichun slightly shook his head; he hadn’t said anything because the Emperor hadn’t asked him, only mentioned hearing rumors and called Bai Ruozhu over to ask for her thoughts.

Bai Ruozhu had no choice but to recount the events of those years. After finishing, Tang Yin suddenly asked, ”Then is Bai Guanghe’s original wife from the Jiao family still alive?”

”When Bai Guanghe entrusted my father to Bai Fu back then, he said the child’s mother died shortly after childbirth.” Bai Ruozhu’s heart was racing. Why was the Emperor asking about Jiao Yunyun, the most easily overlooked in this story? Had the Emperor learned of Jiao Yunyun’s mysterious identity?

But seeing Bai Guanghe’s cautious demeanor, he was unlikely to easily tell others that Jiao Yunyun was from the Jiuli Clan.

She could only speak of what she had heard, since she herself was not certain if Jiao Yunyun was still alive.

The Emperor sighed, ”It’s hard for an honest official to settle family matters; I cannot decisively help you either. But I hope you can visit Vice Minister Bai, not as his granddaughter, but as the Chief Doctor, carrying my decree to treat Vice Minister Bai. I hope Vice Minister Bai can recover.”

Bai Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief, ”I will follow the decree.”

After all, treating an illness is not the same as recognizing kinship, which she could accept.

”Go then, and treat him early so you can leave the capital sooner.” Tang Yin waved his hand.

Jiang Yichun stood beside Bai Ruozhu and the two bowed and retreated together.

He secretly held her hand concealed in his wide sleeve, saying, ”I’ll accompany you to see Vice Minister Bai.”

Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips and quietly said, ”The Emperor says it’s not about recognizing kinship, but isn’t it still about making Bai Guanghe feel better, so he recovers sooner?”

Jiang Yichun squeezed her palm and smiled, ”Do you wish for him to pass away?”

She shook her head; she indeed did not wish for that. Though she couldn’t accept Bai Guanghe, she did not hate him to the core. After all, Bai Guanghe had helped Jiang Yichun speak on the Court more than once.

The two took a horse carriage and soon arrived at Bai Guanghe’s residence; after informing the gatekeeper, someone quickly came out to greet them.

”Ruozhu, you finally agreed to come!” Bai Qizhi excitedly reached to hold Bai Ruozhu’s hand.

Bai Ruozhu did not have the heart to pull away, glanced at the two middle-aged men following Bai Qizhi, and explained, ”I have carried the Emperor’s decree to treat Vice Minister Bai.”

Bai Qizhi showed disappointment; does it mean she still won’t recognize Grandpa?

”I am Bai Yuanshan; I’ve often heard Qizhi mention you.” The younger man greeted Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun.

The other man did not move, so Bai Yuanshan quickly said, ”This is my elder brother Bai Yuanxiu.”

Oh, so it’s Bai Guanghe’s eldest son. No wonder.

Bai Ruozhu had absolutely no intention of recognizing Bai Guanghe, so she was indifferent to Bai Yuanxiu’s attitude.

She returned the greeting, ”Thank you, Sir Bai. I will first go to check Vice Minister Bai’s pulse.”

”Alright, please, Sir Bai, Sir Jiang.” Bai Yuanshan noticed Bai Ruozhu performed an official ceremony and quickly reciprocated, realizing Bai Ruozhu held a higher rank. Calling ”Sir Bai” made him feel awkward, with everyone being ”Sir Bai”...

Bai Ruozhu did not think much of it; she just wanted to quickly heal Bai Guanghe to avoid delaying her departure the day after tomorrow.

Soon she was led to Bai Guanghe’s room, and the displeased Bai Yuanxiu followed closely, seemingly afraid she might say something to Bai Guanghe.

Bai Ruozhu reached out to take Bai Guanghe’s pulse, unexpectedly waking Bai Guanghe. He opened his eyes dazedly and said, ”Jiao Yunyun, is that you? You finally returned.”

He suddenly grabbed Bai Ruozhu’s hand, his voice choking, ”Yunyun, it’s me who wronged you; it’s I who wronged you!”

Bai Ruozhu hurriedly tried to pull her hand away, but that hand, marked with age spots and thin as a twig, pained her eyes. She even forgot to exert force, and only after Bai Yuanshan softly advised from the side, ”Father, you’ve mistaken the person. This is Chief Doctor Bai, the Emperor has ordered her to treat you,” did Bai Guanghe’s eyes gradually regain their focus, his frail hand loosening, expressing apology and pain, ”I’m sorry, I got confused.”

Bai Yuanxiu cast Bai Ruozhu a sidelong glance and said, ”Chief Doctor Bai, please quickly write a formula. My father’s condition cannot be delayed.”

Bai Qizhi glared at Bai Yuanxiu, wanting to speak but was held back by Bai Yuanshan, who apologized with a smile to Bai Ruozhu, ”I trouble you, Chief Doctor Bai.”

This time, he did not call her ”Sir Bai.”

Bai Ruozhu requested paper and pen, quickly wrote a formula, and stamped it with her seal before handing it to Bai Yuanshan to prepare the medicine.

In fact, Bai Guanghe did not have a serious illness, just malnutrition coupled with mental weakness, resulting in loss of appetite and poor sleep.

Perhaps every time he thought of Jiao Yunyun and his eldest son, he regretted so much that he couldn’t eat or sleep?