Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1701: Chapter 1701: Vomiting Blood

Wang Shun supported Tang Yin, who seemed ready to collapse with just a gust of wind. Behind him followed An Beihou Shen Liushan and General Cai Yucheng of the Jinwu Guard, both also wore expressions of exhaustion, showing how arduous the journey had been.

Not only did they have to endure the humiliation of being driven out of the Capital, but they also had to constantly face attacks and ambushes from enemy forces. Along the way, the Jinwu Guard suffered countless casualties, reducing their numbers by more than half. An Beihou had initially brought twenty thousand elite soldiers from the North Pass, and now only over eight thousand remained.

When the Emperor approached, Concubine Le got off the carriage holding Prince Xi. She was also emaciated, with a white flower pinned next to her temple.

”Rise, my loyal subjects. There’s no need for formalities out here; you’ve all worked hard these days,” Tang Yin said feebly, and then started coughing violently.

”Your Majesty...” Meng Liangshen called out worriedly, his voice choked with emotion.

Tang Yin raised his hand to indicate that he was fine, then walked over to help Mrs. Meng up. Bai Ruozhu knelt beside Mrs. Meng, fearing that the Emperor might strain himself further, hurriedly got up to help support Mrs. Meng.

Others also stood up.

Tang Yin looked at Mrs. Meng and then at Meng Liangshen, saying with a hint of sorrow, ”It has been hard on you.”

Meng Liangshen, being the lord of the city, had reddened eyes upon hearing this, while Mrs. Meng couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.

Others quietly wiped away tears as well. The Meng family’s eldest son had nearly died and was now crippled, while their eldest daughter was captured by the rebellious King Rui, with little hope of a good outcome.

The carriage behind also came to a halt, and Chu Hai and Diao Yao got down, both suffering from serious injuries. Seeing Bai Ruozhu, they forced a smile, which was rather bitter.

”Alright, it’s freezing out here; let’s go inside to talk,” Tang Yin suggested.

About ten years ago, the Former Emperor visited Beiyu City and had a Guest Palace built for his temporary stay. Recently, upon receiving the news, Meng Liangshen immediately arranged for repairs and cleaning, and carefully selected servants to attend in the Guest Palace.

Thus, Meng Liangshen and other officials escorted the Emperor to the Guest Palace.

Tang Yin viewed the newly renovated Guest Palace but frowned slightly, saying, ”Meng, there’s no need for such extravagance in the future. Save more resources for the military.”

”Yes, Your Majesty, I will obey,” Meng Liangshen responded quickly while bowing.

Tang Yin coughed again, prompting Meng Liangshen to frown, ”Has the Imperial Doctor examined Your Majesty? Since Ruozhu is here, perhaps she could take a look?”

Tang Yin waved it off, ”I have already had Doctor Jiu examine me. He is the disciple of Chief Doctor Bai, so he won’t be lacking. I’ve promised Jiang Yichun to send Chief Doctor Bai back home to rest for two months before she can come to Beiyu City.”

He then looked towards Bai Ruozhu, ”I’ve heard you’ve exhausted yourself saving Meng Huilin. You should return home to recuperate today; otherwise, I would have a hard time explaining to Yichun.”

”Your Majesty, I am aware of my own health and would not risk my unborn child. Beiyu City needs doctors now, it’s better I stay,” Bai Ruozhu noted that the accompanying Imperial Doctors were only Jiu Sheng and a newly joined doctor, signaling a lack of medical staff.

”Take care of yourself. If there’s anything Jiu Sheng or others can’t handle, I’ll send for your assistance,” Tang Yin said politely, taking Bai Ruozhu by surprise.

Tang Yin noticed her surprise, pondering if he was perceived as someone overly imposing. Yet, being of sovereign status, he thought, one must exude a degree of authority to maintain order.

”I must thank you for donating your entire family estate to the Imperial Court. Your generosity truly earns you the title of a heroine among women,” Tang Yin remarked with a faint smile, even a glimmer of admiration in his eyes.

Meng Liangshen and others were unaware of Bai Ruozhu’s actions, and donating her entire estate left them in awe. How many in this world could achieve such a feat?

”I must thank my parents and brothers for their national spirit. Without their approval, I couldn’t have donated everything. Our family comes from a line of farmers; without the country’s stability and your wise governance, we wouldn’t have been able to prosper step by step. Now, it’s just about contributing external possessions where they are needed,” Bai Ruozhu respectfully replied.

Furthermore, she thought to herself, money can always be earned again, and earning isn’t difficult for her. At worst, their family still had expansive farmland and medicine fields, ensuring annual yields would keep them well-fed.

Following the Emperor, An Beihou Shen Liushan saluted Bai Ruozhu with a fist clasped over his hand, ”I used to look down on merchants, but now I see my error. Chief Doctor Bai’s noble gesture truly commands my respect.”

Bai Ruozhu smiled awkwardly, ”I have more respect for generals like you who fight on the battlefield.”

An Beihou was an esteemed Warrior Marquis appointed by the Former Emperor, renowned for being a one-man force that no army could pass. For years, the nomadic tribes in the North dared not make any moves where he held command. Bai Ruozhu had met An Beihou once and genuinely respected this great general from the heart.

An Beihou chuckled, shaking his head, ”I’m getting old.”

This little interlude lightened the atmosphere a bit. The Emperor exchanged a few more words with Meng Liangshen and others before dismissing them.

Bai Ruozhu was about to leave when unexpectedly the Emperor asked her to stay for a word.

”Has Ning Yu contacted you?” the Emperor asked.

”No,” Bai Ruozhu shook her head, pondering if the Emperor suspected Ning Yu had taken Princess Diao Bin on an adventure, hiding away and not showing up.

Tang Yin sighed, ”Princess Diao Bin has gone missing. I hope Ning Yu rescued her, yet I fear she might be hidden by King Rui for negotiation leverage against me.”

”With Ning Yu, Princess Diao Bin won’t be in danger. The Astrology Tower isn’t far from the Inner Palace. Presumably, senior brother rushed to save Diao Bin upon discovering the coup,” Bai Ruozhu calmly analyzed, ”Ning Yu and Diao Bin aren’t impulsive people. If conditions allowed, they’d have strived to meet with you. Perhaps they encountered some trouble.”

Tang Yin frowned, ”Currently, I can’t aid them. I just hope they navigate through danger swiftly and send word.”

After he spoke, he began coughing again, using a handkerchief to cover his mouth, leaving blood on it.

Wang Shun, standing nearby, showed a subtle shift in expression but did not appear overly alarmed, indicating this was not the first instance he’d witnessed.

Tang Yin quickly balled up the handkerchief, not wanting Bai Ruozhu to see the blood he coughed. However, Bai Ruozhu’s keen sense of smell caught the scent of blood immediately.

Suddenly, she stepped forward and snatched the handkerchief from the Emperor’s hand, exclaiming angrily, ”How long do you plan to hide your condition, Your Majesty? Don’t you want to avenge the Empress Dowager, to reclaim your throne?”

Tang Yin gave a bitter smile, ”How could I not want it? But I’ve let down my mother, the Former Emperor, and my ancestors.”