Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1716: Chapter 1716: Trouble on the Mountain

Bai Ruozhu perked up her ears, listening intently.

Tian Fang spoke even more quietly, ”It was the National Master who happened to pass by and lent us a hand, otherwise, I wouldn’t be seeing you now. At that time, the National Master brought people along with Princess Diao Bin, probably to protect her as she left. But since this involves the princess’s reputation, I didn’t dare tell anyone else.”

Bai Ruozhu rejoiced upon hearing this. Indeed, it was her senior brother who rescued Diao Bin, which greatly relieved her.

”The situation was rather chaotic at the time, and we were all scared out of our wits. Just then, I saw the National Master and Princess Diao Bin from the direction I was facing. The others didn’t see them and later asked who helped us. I said I didn’t see clearly, it might have been some officer from the Jinwu Guard,” Tian Fang continued.

Bai Ruozhu nodded in satisfaction, ”You’re a smart kid, don’t tell anyone else about this for now. I understand what’s going on.”

”I didn’t say anything because I was afraid you’d worry. Knowing that you have good relations with the National Master and the princess, I only told you,” Tian Fang said earnestly.

Bai Ruozhu asked Tian Fang a few more detailed questions. Tian Fang tried to recall and said that both the National Master and Princess Diao Bin seemed uninjured at the time, which allowed Bai Ruozhu to breathe a sigh of relief.

But why haven’t they appeared? Knowing both of their characters, even if they wanted to travel far away and live incognito, they wouldn’t leave at this moment.

After the meal, Gu Xue’an and the others expressed a desire to go for a walk. These young gentlemen and ladies rarely visit the countryside, so naturally, they were curious about everything.

Bai Ruozhu felt quite well in the past few days, so she called her elder brother to accompany and take them out for a walk.

The group went to see the Bai Family’s farmland and then the small river in the village. Gu Zhun even wanted to fish in the river, but Ding Guangji said the fish were too small, dissuading him from the idea.

Later, they finally decided to take a stroll up the back mountain, saying they might hunt some wild game. Si Yihuan’s eyes lit up as he was the most enthusiastic about it.

”I’m still on bed rest, so I won’t participate in climbing the mountain. Let my elder brother take you instead,” Bai Ruozhu said.

Tian Fang also chose not to go, wanting to accompany Bai Ruozhu back, while the others followed Bai Zehao up the mountain.

When the group returned, the atmosphere seemed a little off. Only then did Bai Ruozhu notice the frail Bo Caiyue lying on Ding Guangji’s back, being carried back by him.

”What happened? Let’s quickly go inside and talk,” Bai Ruozhu said as she escorted them inside.

Ding Guangji said nothing, briskly carrying Bo Caiyue into the main hall, while Bo Caiyue’s face turned a deep shade of red, as if about to drip blood.

Si Yihuan winked secretly at Bai Ruozhu, indicating that nothing serious had happened.

Bai Zehao, looking embarrassed, said to his little sister, ”Elder Brother didn’t take good care of your friend and almost let her tumble off the cliff- thank goodness Ding Guangji saved Wan Caiyue, or it would have been all my fault.”

”Don’t say that, Brother. I know you’re responsible. Come inside for a cup of tea first, and we can discuss the rest later,” Bai Ruozhu tugged at her brother’s sleeve.

Bai Zehao nodded and walked into the room.

At this point, Gu Zhun spoke up, ”It’s not Brother Bai’s fault; I wasn’t careful enough. I had caught a pheasant and tied it with some vine, leaving it with Miao An while I went to hunt other game. Who would have known the pheasant was only knocked out, and the vine wasn’t secure? It suddenly flapped its wings and flew right onto Miss Bo.”

”And I didn’t hold onto the pheasant properly, which startled Caiyue, causing her to fall off the cliff. Thankfully, an old pine tree at the bottom caught her, or else...” As Gu Xue’an spoke, his eyes turned red.

The outing, supposed to be a joyful event for the young people, would have left a psychological burden if someone had died there.

With a pale face, Bo Caiyue quickly spoke, ”It was all an accident, and I’m fine now. Don’t blame yourselves.”

Bai Ruozhu went over and asked, ”Did you hurt your leg? Let me take a look first.”

”It’s just a scratch from the branches; it’s not serious. Later, perhaps, you can have a look,” Bo Caiyue said, her face blushing again.

Bai Ruozhu understood; how could a young lady reveal her legs in front of so many men?

She quickly called a maid over, saying, ”Support Miss Bo to the side room so I can examine her.”

But unexpectedly, Ding Guangji, who had been sitting with a cold expression, stood up and said, ”I’ve carried her all this way, what’s another short distance? I’ll take her over.”

Everyone had peculiar expressions, but Bo Caiyue’s face turned even redder, and Ding Guangji, still with a cold demeanor, carried her directly to the side room.

Bai Ruozhu instructed the maid to serve tea and dimsum to everyone, then mentioned she would go check on Bo Caiyue’s leg, sneaking a quick glance at Si Yihuan before leaving.

When she arrived in the side room, Ding Guangji had already put Bo Caiyue down and walked out with a cold face.

Bai Ruozhu saw that Bo Caiyue was so embarrassed that she almost buried her face into her chest, so she pretended not to notice anything and tore the hem of Bo Caiyue’s dress to check her injury.

The wound was on her calf, scratched by branches, and because she fell quite hard, the wound was surprisingly deep, potentially leaving a scar.

Fortunately, Bai Ruozhu had scar-removing ointment, which would surely restore Bo Caiyue’s smooth calves.

”The wound is somewhat deep, so I’ll need to clean it well and stitch it up. Since you’ll be staying for a while, it would be best to rest and recover. Make sure to keep it dry. I have scar-removing ointment that guarantees no scarring,” wanting to comfort Bo Caiyue, who loved beauty, Bai Ruozhu mentioned this. Unexpectedly, Bo Caiyue seemed lost in thought, not hearing a word.

Bai Ruozhu administered anesthesia, disinfected with alcohol, sewed it up, and finally wrapped it with clean white gauze.

By the time she had finished everything, she noticed Si Yihuan already waiting beside her. She was so focused while treating patients that she hadn’t even noticed Si Yihuan coming in.

”All set now. You should rest here. I’ll instruct the servants to make you some decoction, and later prepare a room for you. In the meantime, don’t walk around,” Bai Ruozhu advised.

”Oh, alright,” Bo Caiyue replied, finally coming back to her senses.

Bai Ruozhu exchanged a glance with Si Yihuan as they left the room.

”What’s really going on? They don’t seem to be telling the whole story, and you aren’t going to keep it from me, right?” Bai Ruozhu asked Si Yihuan.

Si Yihuan laughed, looking utterly frank, ”Of course, I won’t hide anything from you. It’s just a shame we lost the wild game, which pains me.”

Bai Ruozhu gave him a sidelong glance, ”There’ll be Pot Sticky Fish tonight—fresh fish from the south, rarely seen even in the Capital. Actually, it’s the plump fish from my space.”

”Great,” Si Yihuan clapped in delight, and then began to recount the story to Bai Ruozhu.

”We worked together to haul Bo Caiyue up, but her leg injury was severe, making it impossible for her to walk. I and Gu Xue’an couldn’t carry her, so it was up to the men. Your brother didn’t feel it was appropriate and remained silent. Since the pheasant was caught by Gu Zhun, he should have been the one to carry Bo Caiyue, but he inexplicably said that since he was already married, carrying Bo Caiyue down the mountain would mean he’d have to take her as a concubine if word got out, and that would be unfavorable for her...”