Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1818: Chapter 1818: Pleading One by One

”Do you know what Bai Ruozhu did?” The Emperor’s face was livid with anger. This new top scholar of his was indeed competent, but what did kneeling like this mean? Forcing him to release someone?

”I do not know, but I know my younger sister has been sensible since childhood, even if she made a mistake, she knows her limits. I believe in her.” Bai Zepei said motionlessly on his knees.

”Good, good that you believe in her. She failed to treat Consort Le’s illness and has shown no remorse, even defying me. Such arrogance deserves some punishment. You may leave, I am tired and shall not be disturbed!” Tang Yin said, waving his hand to signal the guard to take Bai Zepei out.

Who knew Bai Zepei wouldn’t leave but instead knelt at the main gate, clearly meaning: If you don’t release her, I won’t get up.

Tang Yin paced back and forth inside the bedchamber, while Wang Shun smartly kept his mouth shut, minimizing his presence.

”Wang Shun, go to the prison and ask Bai Ruozhu. If she’s willing to reveal where the Empress Dowager is, I will release her immediately.” Tang Yin suddenly spoke.

”Yes, I’ll go right away.” Wang Shun, as if granted a pardon, left the bedchamber excitedly.

Seeing Wang Shun leave the bedchamber, Bai Zepei thought for a moment, then hurried to catch up with him.

”Eunuch Wang, are you going to the prison?” Bai Zepei asked as he caught up with Wang Shun.

Wang Shun wiped the sweat that had emerged from walking too fast, muttering, ”It seems to get hot earlier in the Northwest than in the Capital.”

This was obviously not wanting to answer Bai Zepei’s question, or perhaps it was inconvenient for him to answer.

But he didn’t outright say no either, which was equivalent to acknowledging it. Bai Zepei figured it out and continued to follow him.

”Sigh, you should advise Lord Bai not to confront the Emperor head-on. Luckily, the Emperor hasn’t forbidden visits; otherwise, Lord Bai would be really scared in jail.” Wang Shun couldn’t hold back after a while and started murmuring while walking.

Bai Zepei kept a straight face and suddenly chuckled, ”Would she be afraid? If she were afraid, she wouldn’t have stirred up trouble.”

Wang Shun opened his mouth, thinking Bai Ruozhu didn’t stir up trouble; she was just a messenger. It was just that the task was unfortunate, and anyone in her position would have bad luck.

But he couldn’t say much about the matter, so he kept his mouth firmly shut.

Wang Shun grew quiet again as they quickly reached the prison. Wang Shun stopped and said to Bai Zepei, ”I’ll pass on the Emperor’s message first, then you can see her.”

Seeing Bai Zepei wanting to follow, Wang Shun gave him a stern look and said, ”Don’t make it impossible to visit; the Emperor is quite angry now.”

Bai Zepei had no choice but to stop, though he was curious about how exactly Bai Ruozhu had angered the Emperor. It didn’t seem to be about treating Consort Le.

Wang Shun, led by the prison guard, went to see Bai Ruozhu. He kept a stern face and said, ”By the Emperor’s decree, as long as you tell where the person is, you will be released to go home at once.”

Bai Ruozhu sat on a messy pile of straw, shrugged her shoulders, and said, ”I really don’t know; she didn’t tell me. I even asked back then, and they just said they would hide. Didn’t say more than that.”

”Really? I can understand if you don’t want to say, but there’s no one else here, so don’t hide it from me. Look, you’re showing already; can you spend the night in a place like this?” Wang Shun sighed, advising her.

”It’s true, Eunuch Wang. We’ve known each other not just for a day or two. You’ve always taken good care of me; how could I lie to you?” Bai Ruozhu said sincerely.

Wang Shun sighed, ”That’s normal; people don’t want to come back; they must keep something in mind, leave a way out. But it’s a pity for you.”

He suddenly turned his head and shouted to the guards in the distance, ”How do you guys do your jobs? Bring Lord Bai a couple of blankets to sleep on. What if Lord Bai catches a cold?”

Bai Ruozhu, somewhat embarrassed, said, ”No need, no need, I’m healthy.”

Actually, she had a bit of a cleanliness obsession and didn’t want to use blankets others had used, but then again, others had lain on this straw pile too, making her feel awkward, so it seemed indeed uncomfortable here in jail.

”Enough, I’ll go and report back to the Emperor and put in some good words for you. If the Emperor wants to see you, just say something soft, and he won’t trouble you for Doctor Jiang’s sake.” Wang Shun whispered.

Bai Ruozhu got up and saluted him, ”Thank you, Eunuch Wang, for your hard work.”

Wang Shun hurriedly waved his hand, ”Don’t move unnecessarily; rest quickly. Don’t tire yourself out while pregnant.”

After Wang Shun left, Bai Zepei saluted him quickly, then entered the prison cell to visit.

”Second Brother, don’t tell Father and Mother, especially Mother.” Bai Ruozhu said gloomily.

”Now you’re worried Mother might find out, yet you were quite capable when angering the Emperor?” Bai Zepei sternly said.

Bai Ruozhu chuckled twice, ”Second Brother, are you here to lecture me?”

Bai Zepei couldn’t keep a straight face, sighing, ”Of course, to help you sort things out, then continue to plead with the Emperor.”

”Don’t go.” Bai Ruozhu hastily said, ”Don’t meddle in this matter; after he’s done being angry, he’ll let me out.”

”What exactly happened?” Bai Zepei frowned.

”Second Brother, don’t ask, I can’t say right now. I’ll tell you when I get home later.” Bai Ruozhu whispered.

Bai Zepei took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, wanting to chastise Bai Ruozhu but couldn’t bear to seeing the prison conditions.

Just then, a prison guard came over with two blankets, saying fawningly, ”Lord Bai, these are blankets ordered by Eunuch Wang. Say the word if you need more.”

Bai Zepei glanced at the somewhat soiled blankets, frowning. He couldn’t help but think of how particular his younger sister was with cleanliness, very pampered; using such blankets would be too much for her.

”Very well, thank you, big brother.” Bai Ruozhu cheerfully accepted the blankets and then collapsed onto the straw.

”Second Brother, go home. Tell Mother I’ll stay overnight with Consort Le, don’t say anything else, and don’t plead with the Emperor. It will only make him angrier; who knows, one day of tour in prison might turn into three.” Bai Ruozhu giggled at Bai Zepei as she said this.

Bai Zepei sighed in distress, silently nodding after a pause.

...

In Tang Yin’s bedchamber, the doctor sought an audience, also pleading on behalf of Bai Ruozhu.

The doctor was Gao Zhou, though outsiders didn’t know.

”Your Majesty, I am Consort Le’s attending doctor. I should be responsible for anything that happens. Lord Bai was only an assistant and is pregnant. It was my own decision to deceive Consort Le, and it really had nothing to do with Lord Bai.” Gao Zhou saluted and said.

Hearing about the ”deceiving Consort Le” matter, the Emperor’s expression grew even worse. He now suspected Bai Ruozhu knew the Empress Dowager was alive in advance, which was why she dared say so to Consort Le, making her guilty of deceiving the sovereign!

”Doctor, you may withdraw. Bai Ruozhu spoke insolently, disrespecting me and deserving a lesson.” Tang Yin said.

Just then, Wang Shun returned, and Tang Yin looked at him, and he slightly shook his head.

”Alright, Doctor, you may withdraw. I have my own judgement.” Tang Yin’s voice noticeably cooled, even carrying a hint of killing intent. Gao Zhou, helpless, had to withdraw first.

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The consort realizes that without pleading for monthly votes, the Emperors forget to cast them. The consort beseeches the Emperors for mercy, showering some monthly votes here, mwah mwah~