Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1967: Chapter 1966: Jing Shuang’s Origins

Bai Zepei shook his head, ”The Emperor did not say, just told me to follow the arrangements.”

”Later, find Elder Su to thank him and ask him,” Bai Ruozhu said.

Bai Zepei’s expression was somewhat unnatural, ”Ruozhu, it’s really not good for me to hide like this, even Xiaojiang went.”

”Second Brother, your situation is different from his. For one thing, he is skilled in martial arts and is going to fight. You are just a civil officer, and they would have to allocate military force to protect you. On the other hand, he has been playing with the Emperor since childhood, their bond is different, so it’s hard not to help the Emperor now, otherwise, he might prefer to live peacefully with us.” Bai Ruozhu explained carefully.

She sighed again, ”You see, I never persuaded Achun, because if I did, it would only make things difficult for him. As for you, I think you need to go to the Jiuli Clan, perhaps you will have great gains, and by then your abilities will be stronger, and you can serve the country better.”

After listening, Bai Zepei said nothing, his attitude was not as resistant as before, knowing his sister made valid points.

Footsteps were heard at the door, Si Yihuan hurried over with the maid, an unmistakable smile on her face.

”Husband...” Si Yihuan was about to ask about the Holy Edict but changed the topic upon seeing Bai Ruozhu signaling her.

”Husband is back, I came to discuss tonight’s kitchen arrangements with my little sister.”

With an interest in food and great culinary skills, Si Yihuan understood some health preservation methods, thus the kitchen matters in the residence were left to her.

”Then let’s go to the kitchen and have a look, Second Brother, you should rest first.” Bai Ruozhu said as she took Si Yihuan’s hand and quickly left.

Watching Si Yihuan’s silhouette, Bai Zepei felt very comforted, for his wife was good-natured, without an ounce of a noble lady’s airs, and got along well with the family.

”Ruozhu, what’s going on?” Si Yihuan asked anxiously after they exited.

”Don’t you hope Second Brother stays?” Bai Ruozhu asked with a mischievous smile.

Si Yihuan’s face flushed immediately, ”Of course I do. He’s not a military officer, and it would be so dangerous if he went.”

”It was Elder Su who begged the Emperor, but Second Brother is a bit upset about it, so don’t press him; let him get over this, and he will surely tell you himself.” Bai Ruozhu said softly.

Si Yihuan’s long eyelashes lowered, ”He probably won’t say much to me, he talks to me very little.”

Bai Ruozhu inwardly cursed her brother for being such a blockhead, not only was he usually silent, but how could he be so cold towards his wife?

”Don’t be fooled by my Second Brother’s intelligence and competence, he’s actually quite shy and doesn’t know how to start talking with you. You are kind-hearted, so why not talk to him more? He won’t feel awkward then.” Bai Ruozhu readily gave her brother a ”shy” reputation, thinking a couple needs one to take the first step, though Si Yihuan is a girl, she’s not someone who blushes shyly at every turn, afraid to speak.

Si Yihuan chuckled, ”So he is shy? I always see him sitting seriously without talking, and it makes me nervous, but hearing you say it, I’m not nervous at all. I’ll talk to him more from now on.”

Bai Ruozhu nodded in relief, knowing her brother chose wisely in marrying this wife.

After speaking with Si Yihuan, Bai Ruozhu planned to visit Elder Su; however, upon finding him out, she decided to visit later.

As she walked towards her own yard, Gao Deng appeared glaring at her, ”Do you treat me as an elder? You don’t listen to me but believe a girl you’ve only known for days.”

Bai Ruozhu awkwardly rubbed her nose and explained, ”She came with Mo Beishan, using an array to clear Achun’s evil energy; having spent too much essence she felt weak, how could I not let her stay to recuperate?”

Gao Deng paused, then turned his head, ”Then I better hide away, I don’t want to see her.”

”You’re not unwilling to see her; you’re afraid of being asked questions you can’t answer, aren’t you?” Bai Ruozhu chided, ”You probably went to see Senior Jingshuang these days, right? If they are family, why not meet and have a good talk? Even if Senior Jingshuang doesn’t want to return, why not clear things up with Ao Song?”

”You don’t understand the situation!” Gao Deng said somewhat angrily.

”What situation? Could Ao Song really harm Senior Jingshuang?” Bai Ruozhu disliked such words; tell me if I don’t understand, yet with no explanation, what justification do you have?”

Gao Deng sighed and lowered his voice, ”Jingshuang has helped me many times, and I don’t want her to be troubled, she’s a pitiable person.”

”Tell me what’s going on, maybe I can persuade Ao Song to go back,” Bai Ruozhu offered.

Gao Deng hesitated, but finally spoke, ”I wasn’t aware she belonged to the Zhong Family; she only said her master was a hermit, disliking public exposure, and many who sought her help assumed she was an elder. This time I talked to her about Ao Song, advised her to let go of grievances, and visit her family, only then did she unwillingly reveal the truth.”

Gao Deng sighed again, cautiously surveying the surroundings, then spoke in hushed tones, ”Jingshuang discovered she is a child born from her mother and an outsider, not a true Zhong blood, felt ashamed to stay in the Zhong Family, and thus became a hermit outside.”

”She said as a child she couldn’t speak ill of her parents, and back then her mother was harmed by others, stained of innocence. Her mother remained melancholy, feeling guilty to her father her whole life, and died young, revealing the truth before passing. Now, her mother is buried in the Zhong Family’s ancestral tombs; if she disclosed the truth, her mother’s remains would be dug up and her name expelled from the family; she couldn’t bear to see her mother’s unrest.”

”After her mother’s death, Jingshuang left the family and sought those who wronged her mother, but things had passed over a decade, and her mother left no clear details, with no clues, it ended unresolved, she secluded herself, never returning to the Zhong Family.”

After listening, Bai Ruozhu had no words, Jingshuang’s mother was pitiable, a victim in essence, yet the era’s harshness towards women was overwhelming; she neither agreed with nor faulted Jingshuang’s mother for hiding the truth from her husband, but understood her choices.

Perhaps revealing the truth, Jingshuang might not survive; even if unblessed, she was her mother’s flesh and blood, too cherished to be lost.

”I feel ancestral graves and genealogies matter little, yet knowing people value them, anyhow Jingshuang refuses to return and reveal the truth,” Gao Deng stated.

Bai Ruozhu nodded, ”Rest assured, I won’t tell Ao Song a word, I’ll try persuading her instead.”

”Then I better head out; I’ll return before Achun’s departure,” Gao Deng said.

Bai Ruozhu laughed, ”Using Ao Song as an excuse, you’re really aiming to meet Senior Jingshuang, aren’t you? Father, remarrying is normal, I’ll try speaking to Achun for you.”

Gao Deng turned red, ”Off you go!”