Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1825: Chapter 1825: The Empress Dowager Returns to the Palace

Bai Ruozhu knew that Wang Shun was worried about her, so she quickly leaned in and whispered, ”Eunuch Wang, please quickly inform His Majesty and ask him to dismiss everyone around.”

Wang Shun was momentarily taken aback, but having spent many years in the Palace, he immediately sensed that something was different. His gaze shifted to the Empress Dowager who was following Bai Ruozhu.

”This...” Wang Shun’s eyes widened in shock. If Bai Ruozhu hadn’t pulled him back, he would have shouted ”Empress Dowager!”

”Alright, alright, Lord Bai has urgent matters to report to His Majesty. I will go and convey the message immediately,” Wang Shun struggled to calm himself, then swiftly headed into the inner room.

Inside, the Emperor had already heard the commotion. He continued to look at the book in his hand, impatiently saying, ”I am busy, no visitors!”

Wang Shun leaned in and whispered, ”Lord Bai has brought someone with him.”

Tang Yin suddenly looked up, meeting Wang Shun’s eyes. Wang Shun slightly nodded, and Tang Yin understood who ”brought someone” referred to.

He quickly stood up, and Wang Shun hurriedly stopped him, ”Your Majesty, please don’t rush. Lord Bai said there is urgent business to report, and it’s best to send everyone else away first.”

Tang Yin finally didn’t rush out of the room, but he didn’t sit down again either. His eyes were fixed on the main gate, and the hand gripping the table trembled slightly, showing how agitated he was at that moment.

”Let Bai Ruozhu in, and everyone else, leave,” the Emperor’s voice trembled slightly.

Lately, the Emperor had been in a bad mood, so the palace maids on either side dared not hesitate and quickly withdrew. Wang Shun met them at the door, leading Bai Ruozhu and the Empress Dowager inside.

As soon as the Empress Dowager appeared, the Emperor dashed from behind his desk towards her.

”Mother, you’re really unharmed!” The Emperor held the Empress Dowager’s shoulders, his eyes turning red.

”Yinyin, I’m really fine, just went to the Ghost Gate and was saved back.” The Empress Dowager was also very emotional and began to cry as she spoke.

Hearing ”saved back,” the Emperor paused slightly, aware that the Empress Dowager was referring to Yao Yuxuan. However, to not affect the good mood of their reunion, he refrained from mentioning Yao Yuxuan.

Bai Ruozhu and Wang Shun exchanged a glance, then quietly moved to the side room, leaving the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to talk.

”Eunuch, these are snacks my family made, why don’t you try them?” Bai Ruozhu took out a small packet of Green Bean Cake from his sleeve and started eating, also handing a piece to Wang Shun.

Wang Shun didn’t stand on ceremony, taking a bite and saying, ”Indeed fragrant and not greasy; the food in Lord Bai’s family is always very particular.”

Bai Ruozhu chuckled, ”Just a bit of skill, not comparable to the items from the Imperial Kitchen. This is the rheumatism medicine I made; I’ve noticed your back isn’t well lately. Use this, and when I return from the Barbarian Clan, I’ll make more for you. It will surely cure you completely.”

”You really are going to the Barbarian Clan?” Wang Shun asked, worried.

”I’ve found a method to break the Barbarian Evil Art, so I must go. Once His Majesty calms down, I will report to him,” Bai Ruozhu said.

Wang Shun sighed, ”I know I can’t dissuade you. I just pray for the Bodhisattva to protect you and Master Jiang, and that you both return safely.”

”Thank you for your concern, Eunuch Wang.” Bai Ruozhu smiled at him.

He waved the medicine bottle, ”I should be the one thanking you.”

No one really noticed his recent back troubles, and yet this girl did.

After a period of time, the Emperor called for Wang Shun, and Bai Ruozhu and Wang Shun hurried back to the Inner Hall.

”Chief Doctor Bai, this time you have redeemed yourself, we will let the past issues slide,” the Emperor said.

Bai Ruozhu bowed, ”Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity.”

The Emperor slightly frowned, feeling that this sentence had a faint tone of irony.

”Well then, you have matters to attend to, and we’ve stayed too long already. I will go with Ruozhu to see Wenwen. Just say I’m a Nanny arranged by Ruozhu to care for Wenwen,” the Empress Dowager said.

”Alright, I will make sure the people over there are properly informed. Don’t worry, Mother,” the Emperor said.

The Empress Dowager smiled, ”Don’t call me Mother; when no one’s around, just call me Mother. I’m tired after all these years.”

The Emperor felt a pang in his heart, ”Alright, I’ll do as Mother says.”

After that, Wang Shun led Bai Ruozhu and the Empress Dowager to Concubine Le’s place. He was worried about meeting someone along the way who might recognize the Empress Dowager and make a scene, but as long as he was there, he could keep things under control.

Fortunately, the journey was smooth. Not many palace maids in the Guest Palace had stayed at the Capital Imperial Palace, and many had never even seen the Empress Dowager in person, which made things easier.

Upon reaching Concubine Le’s residence, Wang Shun told the maids to leave and not to disturb Lord Bai while he treated Concubine Le. Then he led Bai Ruozhu and the Empress Dowager inside.

”Ruozhu, are you alright? You scared me when you fainted that day,” Concubine Le asked with concern, not noticing the ”Nanny” following Bai Ruozhu.

”I’m fine now. I even specially brought someone to see you. Why didn’t you recognize her?” Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

Only then did Concubine Le see the Empress Dowager, instantly overwhelmed with joy and about to scream. Bai Ruozhu quickly rushed over to cover her mouth and quietly said, ”Madam, the Empress Dowager cannot be known to have returned to the Palace. You must stay calm and not let those outside hear.”

Concubine Le looked puzzled but nodded, so Bai Ruozhu released her hand. The Empress Dowager stepped forward, held Concubine Le’s hand, and gently touched the bandage on her neck, saying, ”You silly child, how did you end up like this?”

”Aunt...” Concubine Le hugged the Empress Dowager, crying as if letting out all her suppressed emotions at once.

”You’re really alive? I was so afraid I would never see you again,” Concubine Le sobbed. ”You know I’m timid; you have cared for me since I was little, even helping me during my pregnancy. Without you, I’m really scared.”

Bai Ruozhu felt her eyes moistened. Although she was not a fan of Concubine Le’s overly gentle character, she was still moved by the affection between Concubine Le and the Empress Dowager.

”Silly child, none of you are worry-free, how could I bear to die?” the Empress Dowager joked.

”But why can’t others know you’ve returned to the Palace?” Concubine Le asked puzzled.

The Empress Dowager was about to speak when Bai Ruozhu interjected, ”Madam, you’ve heard how King Rui arranged a grand funeral for the Empress Dowager. How could he let the world know she’s alive? If the Empress Dowager returned to the Palace directly, those in the Capital might label her as a fake and even plot against her in secret, which is too dangerous!”

Hearing this, Concubine Le nodded quickly, ”Yes, yes, Aunt, you just escaped danger; you can’t take any more risks.”

”So externally, just say I’m a Nanny sent by Ruozhu to care for you. If there are people around, you mustn’t let the secret slip,” the Empress Dowager whispered, glancing at Bai Ruozhu. Seeing Bai Ruozhu signal her, she knew her plans couldn’t be disclosed to Concubine Le yet, as it might cause her to become depressed.

”Alright, I understand. Shall I call you Nanny Bai?” Concubine Le asked.

The Empress Dowager nodded, ”That will do.”

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Today is Mouka’s little pumpkin friend’s birthday, which comes only once a year. As a mother, I need to spend quality time with him, so there are only three Chapters today. Please understand~