Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1700: Chapter 1700: Welcoming the Emperor, Crying Bitterly

Bai Ruozhu heard the news and instantly stood up. Although she knew Yichun probably continued east to the Capital City after meeting with the Emperor, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement and hope that he might appear with the Emperor.

Perhaps the Emperor forbade him from taking risks, or maybe the Emperor needed someone to protect him, or possibly his mother came with the Emperor, so he returned as well.

Bai Ruozhu disliked using a maid, and after hearing Jianqi’s report from outside, she quickly tidied up her clothes in a few swift moves and walked out in haste.

”Master, slow down and be careful of your health.” Jianqi frowned at the back but couldn’t help reminding her, feeling a bit disgruntled. If the master had a personal maid to attend to her, he wouldn’t have to be the one giving such reminders.

Bai Ruozhu smiled sheepishly, ”The Emperor has arrived, we must hurry to attend the royal audience.”

Jianqi’s expression remained unchanged, but he said sternly, ”I have already sent someone ahead to find out if the son-in-law has returned as well.”

”Good, good.” Bai Ruozhu laughed even more awkwardly. Was she so anxious that she couldn’t think of such a simple solution?

Now she couldn’t afford to be overly rushed, her pace steadied considerably. But after a few steps, she retreated to call her parents from the front room.

Previously, they had been crowded in Xu Huilin’s room to treat him, but on the day they were about to leave, unexpectedly, the old lady fainted, so the Bai Family stayed again, this time residing close to the old lady’s yard.

”Father, Mother, the Emperor is about to arrive. Please make yourselves presentable and come with me for the royal audience,” Bai Ruozhu said.

Bai Yihong and Lin Ping’er were both from peasant families, and even though they were now wealthy, they still held a lot of fear and respect for the Emperor. Hearing this, both showed an expression of nervousness.

”Ruozhu, is it appropriate for us to go?” Bai Yihong asked.

Bai Ruozhu smiled and said, ”Second Brother should have gone over with Lord Meng. Mother has an official title, so it’s better to go together to pay respects to the Emperor. Father, you’re the head of the Bai Family, don’t decline either.”

There was another point she didn’t express clearly. In previous days, it would have been a large crowd going to greet the Emperor, not just her mother; even someone like her, a female Chief Doctor, couldn’t easily approach. But now the situation was different, as the Emperor had had his power usurped by King Rui and felt greatly dejected. More courtiers and titled women welcoming him now might give him more confidence to reclaim his authority.

After all, Beiyu City wasn’t like the Capital City with many officials; not many knew about the news.

Bai Yihong and Lin Ping’er didn’t think too much, but listened to what their daughter said, quickly dressing up and following Bai Ruozhu outside.

”Wait!” Bai Ruozhu stopped them, swiftly walking to her mother’s side, whispering, ”Mother, don’t wear this jacket, the edges are red.”

Lin Ping’er instantly understood. Her clothes had always been somber in color, and this jacket with gold-edged red borders was made for the New Year. She quickly took it off and replaced it with a darker jacket. She also took off the gold hairpin and replaced it with a plain silver one.

Bai Yihong also hurriedly checked himself; as a man, his attire was suitably plain and simple.

The three of them left the house, soon meeting with the elder lady of the Meng Family in the front yard. The group then left the Meng Residence, taking the horse carriage towards the City Gate.

On the way, Bai Ruozhu asked the old lady, ”Grandmother, is there anything we should keep in mind or avoid later?”

Mrs. Meng, having been distressed by her grandchildren’s calamities, had grown noticeably thinner, and her eyes had lost their usual luster and spirit, her hair turning largely white.

”In the current situation, there isn’t much to be particular about, except that the Empress Dowager has passed, so a national mourning will follow,” Mrs. Meng said.

Bai Ruozhu nodded. At this moment, Jianqi’s voice came from outside the carriage, ”Master, the informants report that the son-in-law did not return.”

”Is he in the rear team?” Bai Ruozhu asked, unwilling to give up, since the Emperor’s escort team traveled quickly, and there was another slower team escorting ministers and imperial relatives.

”It’s reported that the son-in-law has taken on a different task and is temporarily not returning.” Jianqi heard Bai Ruozhu’s disappointment, hesitating momentarily before speaking honestly; even if he didn’t say it now, the master would find out later.

Bai Ruozhu weakly steadied herself, and Lin Ping’er quickly held her hand, softly comforting, ”Yichun is quite capable, it’s only right for him to handle matters for the Emperor at this time, don’t worry too much.”

Mrs. Meng also smiled at Bai Ruozhu, saying, ”Girl, your appearance is one of blessed fortune. Didn’t the former National Master say you were someone with the rising purple aura? With your fortune, your Xiaojiang will come to no harm.”

Was she implying that her good fortune would ensure she wouldn’t become a widow?

Seeing Mrs. Meng doing her best to comfort her under such circumstances, Bai Ruozhu quickly put away her disappointment, reminding herself that there was still a long road ahead. She had to pull herself together, and even without Achun by her side, she would have to live well and take good care of her family.

Soon, the horse carriage reached the City Gate. Bai Ruozhu and the others got off the carriage and quickly spotted Meng Liangshen and Bai Zepei standing at the forefront. With the guards’ orders, a path was cleared to escort Mrs. Meng and Bai Ruozhu’s group forward.

”The Emperor will arrive shortly,” Meng Liangshen paused as he spoke, ”Princess Diao Yao and Prince Han are also here, but the whereabouts of Princess Diao Bin are currently unknown.”

”How can Diao Bin be missing? Why didn’t foster father mention this before?” Bai Ruozhu was shocked.

Meng Liangshen sighed, ”I just learned of it from messengers returning from the front. Princess Diao Bin did not attend the palace banquet at that time, and when the Imperial Palace was in turmoil, the Emperor sent people to fetch her, but she was nowhere to be found. However, it’s likely she was rescued by someone.”

Bai Ruozhu furrowed her brows, hoping that Ning Yu had taken the opportunity amidst the chaos to rescue Diao Bin.

As they spoke, a procession of horsemen protecting several double-horse carriages came into view for everyone.

Mrs. Meng began to weep, her voice choked, ”How does the Emperor sit in such a simple carriage? The Meng Family swore allegiance to the Former Emperor, yet we have failed to protect the Emperor!”

In the past, Bai Ruozhu might not have understood Mrs. Meng’s sorrowful feelings, but having lived in this era and interacted with its people for so long, she understood now.

Meng Liangshen’s eyes reddened, and he fell to his knees with a thud, followed by a large group of people behind him kneeling down.

Bai Ruozhu and her parents also knelt, but she noticed more and more crying around her. To her surprise, the officials who came to greet the Emperor were all crying!

Soon, the carriage approached and stopped in front of them. Wang Shun jumped down from the carriage, then extended his hand to help the Emperor out.

”Welcome Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!” The kneeling people chanted in unison.

Bai Ruozhu, unlike the others, didn’t lower her head. She had heard that Tang Yin was seriously injured, and with her medical instincts, she couldn’t help but lift her head to check his complexion. What she saw startled her; Tang Yin’s face was deathly pale, and his cheeks were deeply sunken.