Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2006: Chapter 2005: Chenfeng and Lanlan

”No way, my parents went to discuss things with Elder Su. You have to stay with me. What if no one is here and Wu Wanqing takes over my body?” Lanlan said somewhat stubbornly.

This made Chenfeng even more reluctant to leave. ”Otherwise, I’ll carry you back to watch you in the house, is that okay?”

”No! I want Sister Ruozhu’s flower tea and dimsum, you fetch them for me!” Lanlan said with her hands on her hips, looking as if she was ordering Chenfeng around.

But what surprised Bai Ruozhu was that Chenfeng actually went to get it without any complaint, and even seemed a bit afraid of Lanlan.

Bai Ruozhu thought it was strange and wanted to go over and ask, but she—a fourth-rank official—being seen eavesdropping here would surely provoke laughter.

But just as she lifted her foot, she heard Lanlan say, ”Anyway, it’s not your fault; having a snake inside you isn’t your fault. It didn’t affect me, so let’s forget about it, and don’t mention it to my mom to keep her from worrying.”

Chenfeng nodded apologetically, ”Thank you, Miss Ji, for your generosity.”

Lanlan giggled, ”You’re too polite, just call me Lanlan. I’m no young lady.”

Seeing that things seemed settled, Bai Ruozhu cleared her throat and walked into the yard.

”Sister Ruozhu!” Lanlan called out happily, ”I kept your guard here to play with me, hope it didn’t disrupt your business?”

”No, what are you two talking about so happily?” Bai Ruozhu looked at the two; one knew the other had a snake in their body, the other knew they had a Poisonous Insect—they were quite aware of each other’s secrets.

Chenfeng bowed, his face full of remorse, ”It was my negligence that triggered the Poisonous Insect in the young lady’s body, almost causing a major mistake.”

Lanlan pouted, ”I told you to call me Lanlan.”

Bai Ruozhu smiled at Lanlan, ”What’s going on?”

”He has a snake inside him, although not a Poisonous Insect, it’s not a common creature. The Phoenix Poisonous Insect wanted to devour it and almost got out, scared me to death.” Lanlan patted her chest, ”Luckily, my willpower is strong enough to suppress it, or it would worry my mom again.”

”But it wasn’t his fault; he came looking for you, and I asked him to play with me, having him carry me into the yard.” Lanlan added.

Bai Ruozhu recalled that Lanlan was just a child at heart yet always had no friends. Now she was stuck in the medicine vat, couldn’t go anywhere—how could she not be lonely?

”Good to hear everything is fine. If you’re able to suppress the Poisonous Insect, it will benefit you too.” Bai Ruozhu encouraged her with a few words.

Just then, Jiao Ling and Fen Jiu returned from outside. Lanlan quickly winked at Bai Ruozhu and Chenfeng, signaling them not to mention it further.

Bai Ruozhu was amused by Lanlan’s charming expression, and felt a touch of sentiment; back when Ruolan was alive, she certainly didn’t have such lively expressions. She always seemed worried, not valued in the old mansion, jealous of her too conspicuous cousin. Later, her own mother was dismissed, and her father remarried a notorious widow.

Wondering if Ruolan has reincarnated, a fresh start maybe?

While Lanlan differed greatly from Ruolan in character, her experiences were much more tragic. Yet, she remained lively and hopeful for the future, unlike Ruolan who chose to hang herself, and Lanlan—left with just a soul—strove to keep living.

”Chenfeng, come find me when you have free time to hang out.” As Bai Ruozhu and Chenfeng were about to leave, Lanlan shouted to Chenfeng.

Jiao Ling laughed, ”Chenfeng has his duties, don’t pester him.”

Lanlan pouted, ”He’s not like Sister Ruozhu who needs to raise children, look after business. I truly feel embarrassed to bother Sister Ruozhu. How busy could he be?”

Bai Ruozhu felt slightly warmed by this; the child was quite considerate.

”Chenfeng is recuperating right now, has plenty of free time, so he’ll accompany you. In a few days, he’s traveling with us to Jiuli. I’ll assign him to be your guard during the journey.” Bai Ruozhu said generously.

As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Ruozhu suddenly felt she was being rash, hastily glanced at Chenfeng. After all, Chenfeng wasn’t her subordinate but a guard appointed by Achun for her, and she just arranged Chenfeng for Lanlan. It’d be reasonable if Chenfeng wasn’t willing.

Fortunately, Chenfeng didn’t show dissatisfaction, only appeared somewhat dejected, his gaze falling on the arm with the Iron Arm Guard.

Jiao Ling also hoped her daughter could have peers as friends. But given her daughter’s special situation—soaking in the medicine vat—finding a familiar confidant was difficult. Thankfully, Chenfeng wasn’t afraid of Lanlan.

”Then thank you, Chenfeng,” Jiao Ling said with a smile.

Chenfeng snapped out of it, his face slightly blushing, ”It’s what I should do.”

Lanlan stuck her tongue out at Chenfeng from behind, looking as if she had gotten her way.

Bai Ruozhu saw this, laughed unconsciously, thinking Lanlan seemed to have a good impression of Chenfeng.

Upon returning to the yard, Bai Ruozhu wasted no time, directly treating Chenfeng with a needle to control the snake’s activity.

However, the snake was still alive, as if hibernating, wouldn’t die; when touched, its body remained soft.

”Madam, I think it’s better if I don’t go near the young lady’s side,” Chenfeng struggled for a long time before finally speaking.

”Oh?” Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow.

Chenfeng looked even bleaker, ”Today the snake inside me almost triggered her Poisonous Insect, I’m worried it’ll happen again next time. What if it poses a danger to the young lady?”

”Lanlan is a judicious child, she was able to suppress the Poisonous Insect, and having asked you to accompany her shows it’s okay. You don’t need to worry,” Bai Ruozhu gave him an encouraging glance, ”Perhaps you’ll find a way to suppress the snake.”

Chenfeng remained silent for a long time before slightly nodding.

Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat melancholic seeing Chenfeng like this; once Muyu was here cracking jokes, Chenfeng would coolly rebut him. Now one had left with Jiang Yichun for an expedition, while the other had lost his previous sharpness, seeming deflated; even it was quieter around her, which felt unfamiliar.

But she wasn’t one to dwell in complaints; she took a deep breath quickly, believing everything will get better as long as they try hard and don’t easily give up.

The next day, Jianqi reported that after having the Commerce Association thoroughly investigate, it was found the officers escorting Ma Linglong indeed died from Poisonous Insect attacks, but instead of poisoning, their blood was drained, and parts of their skin and flesh were missing, as if attacked by beasts.

Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips without speaking, ”Let the Commerce Association continue investigating, see where she took it.”

”Yes.” Jianqi immediately went to carry out the order.

Lifting her spirits afterward, Bai Ruozhu took Min Xiang and Min Ju with her, gathering items for a trip—certainly a task with three kids to prepare for.

Busy with these chores, it was lunchtime, after the meal, Bai Ruozhu helped the three children nap, and she took a short nap too. Upon waking, Min Ju entered to inform, ”Mistress, Miss Ji An requests an audience; she’s waited for about a quarter hour.”