Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1869: Chapter 1859: The Huang Family Comes Calling

Bai Ruozhu did not persuade the Empress Dowager; some things are simply unstoppable.

”Dengdeng, go over there and practice a set of punches. Have you not been practicing much lately?” Bai Ruozhu intentionally sent her son away. Little Dengdeng felt a bit unhappy about not defeating Consort Le earlier, so he decisively went to practice punches.

The Empress Dowager looked at Dengdeng and laughed, continuing, ”Wenwen doesn’t really have any hopes for that child. It’s just her soft heart. She doesn’t need to worry about these things. I’ve been soft-hearted my whole life, and now I know when to be soft-hearted and when not to be.”

She sighed, ”If I hadn’t been soft-hearted towards King Rui back then, these things wouldn’t have happened. It wouldn’t have caused chaos in Danliang, leading to so many deaths. Ling Xue is not a simple woman. That child can’t stay, or it could very well become a tool for her to control imperial power. You won’t blame me for being ruthless, will you?”

Bai Ruozhu, reminded of this, suddenly thought of a possibility. If something happened to the Emperor, the ministers here would definitely support the little prince to succeed. But what if Prince Xi was cursed?

Then only Ling Xue’s son would inherit the throne, and she would become the Empress Dowager.

Otherwise, why would she painstakingly approach Consort Le and get pregnant with the Dragon Heir through her relationship with the Emperor? Was it just for the Emperor to look at her differently after a moment’s spring breeze? She is a smart woman and clearly knows the Emperor’s temper—he would only want to kill her, not change his attitude toward her.

As for King Zhong, he should be the completely manipulated role in this, being used by Ling Xue due to his foolish loyalty.

So, if Ling Xue were to bear the child, she could very well have the next steps planned, including actions against the Emperor and Prince Xi.

The intelligent Emperor would not allow a female dark guard to become his woman because they are not ordinary women. If their intentions are not right, the consequences are unimaginable.

”No, if I were in your position, I would also be ruthless,” Bai Ruozhu said sternly.

She would save the child from Liu San’s wife, but she couldn’t be soft-hearted towards Ling Xue’s child. This is the big picture; if you are soft-hearted, it could harm more people and even cause more children to lose their lives.

The Empress Dowager smiled somewhat helplessly, ”Your heart nature is more steady than Wenwen’s. Please look out for her when it’s convenient.”

”Alright, rest assured.” Bai Ruozhu agreed.

When Consort Le changed clothes and returned, she invited Bai Ruozhu and Little Dengdeng for a meal. Little Dengdeng, having fought with Consort Le once, liked her and spoke lively with her.

”Ruozhu, I was muddled before and was easily swayed by others; I’ve really wronged you with my words. You’ve helped me so many times. Thinking about it, I really feel guilty.” Consort Le suddenly said to Bai Ruozhu.

Even the Empress Dowager didn’t expect her to boldly say these words. Bai Ruozhu also felt a bit awkward and smiled, ”What’s past is past, there’s no need for such distant words between us.”

”Mm, I won’t act foolishly anymore,” Consort Le smiled a little embarrassedly.

Bai Ruozhu saw that her demeanor was almost healed from depression. It seems that the accompaniment and encouragement from family is indeed the most important.

After the meal, Bai Ruozhu took Little Dengdeng out of the palace. After returning home, she coaxed Dengdeng for a nap and then went back to her room to check the account books.

She had been away for so long, the business below needed checking, lest any more worms emerge.

The steward who previously made fake accounts had already been let go by her; she couldn’t afford such people.

When it was evening, the maid Min Ju reported that a guest was seeking an audience, claiming to be Huang Li, the steward of the Huang Family from Shangqiu.

Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow. So Huang Rou’s people did come, Mo Beishan is also not a good thing, warning her to be careful on the surface, but secretly betraying her to the Huang family people?

”He’s the only one? No one else?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

”That’s what the doorman reported. Otherwise, I could go check,” Min Ju suggested.

”No need, just have Jianqi arrange for someone to go.” Bai Ruozhu instructed Jianqi before leisurely grooming herself. Why should a steward require her to rush out urgently?

Quickly, Jianqi’s men reported back, saying Huang Li was followed by Mo Beishan, seemingly acting as a mediator.

Bai Ruozhu snorted coldly, ”Let’s go, and see how hypocritical that Mo’s person is.”

Upon reaching the Main Hall, Lin Ping’er, who was unaware of the situation, warmly offered the two of them tea and dimsum. Bai Ruozhu signaled to Min Ju, who then asked Lin Ping’er to leave.

”You’ve come from a long distance, and I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. What brings you to seek this officer?” Bai Ruozhu deliberately referred to herself as ”this officer,” reminding the Huang family steward that she is an imperial officer, suggesting they should watch their behavior.

Huang Li, appearing in his early forties with a lean face and graying temples, looked displeased due to the term ”this officer” from Bai Ruozhu.

”Our young mistress is mischievous and injured your servant. I am here to apologize on her behalf,” he said, rising and bowing deeply to Bai Ruozhu.

”There is a misunderstanding, Steward Huang. The injured woman is not my servant, but an official maid of Princess Yingtong from the Western Regions.” Bai Ruozhu reminded deliberately, lest they underestimate Muxin as just another servant.

Huang Li glanced at Mo Beishan, who awkwardly touched his nose, ”I didn’t really get it clear; I just saw that maid following Bai Dengdeng and assumed she was a Bai Family servant.”

Bai Ruozhu snorted coldly, ”There are plenty of things Hero Mo doesn’t know. My cousin was injured saving the princess, and out of gratitude, she ordered the official maid she valued most to care for him, but unexpectedly, Miss Huang chased after you and chopped off one of her fingers. Shouldn’t I seek an explanation from you, Hero Mo?”

Huang Li coughed lightly, performing a bow before Bai Ruozhu, saying, ”The young lady was ignorant, so we will do our best to compensate that maid, and ask that Bai Daren be generous and help detoxify our young lady. People are not perfect and make mistakes, it would be unfair to cost her life for this mistake.”

Bai Ruozhu feigned surprise, ”Your young lady is poisoned? What does that have to do with me? Did Mo Beishan say I poisoned her? I haven’t even been near your young lady!”

Mo Beishan awkwardly touched his nose, ”I didn’t say that.”

Clearly, Bai Ruozhu did not believe him.

”I brought emergency medicine from home and gave it to the young mistress after she said it was Bai Daren who acted. Though our young mistress is mischievous, she does have skill and sharp eyesight,” said Huang Li.

Bai Ruozhu was surprised that the Huang family had medicine that could temporarily revive Huang Rou. It made her wonder if she had wrongly suspected Mo Beishan?

She secretly pouted, knowing Mo Beishan was no good; didn’t he also tell Huang Li that Muxin was a Bai Family servant?

”The young lady’s ailment came on suddenly. Why blame me? Perhaps it was because she hurt an official maid from the Western Regions and was punished by the Holy Hall’s divine spirits.” Bai Ruozhu arched an eyebrow, ”Hasn’t Steward Huang heard of the Holy Hall’s prestige in the Western Regions? The citizens there, especially those of high status, are under the Holy Hall’s protection.”