Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2167: Chapter 2165: The Secret in Achun’s Letter

When the Third Elder returned at night and the matter was mentioned at dinner, he stroked his beard and said, ”Judging by her martial arts moves, that woman surnamed Chao is most likely from Wandu Palace.”

”Wandu Palace?” Bai Ruozhu felt it sounded familiar, but it didn’t seem like something she had heard after transmigrating.

”It’s a sect in the Wulin, known for not adhering to any Jianghu ethics. They do things entirely based on personal mood, and combined with their vicious use of poison, their reputation isn’t very good,” the Third Elder said. ”That’s why their whereabouts are uncertain, and their sect’s location is very secretive as they’re afraid of enemies seeking revenge.”

”No wonder she managed to scheme against Achun.” Bai Ruozhu remarked, thinking Wandu Palace people must be extraordinary.

The Third Elder, somewhat displeased, said, ”What kind of people has Jiang Yichun been provoking? Who knows what he’s been doing outside attracting trouble. Those from Wandu Palace are extremely vengeful, I fear she might give you more trouble in the future.”

Bai Ruozhu laughed and said, ”She’s not my match. I just didn’t want the trouble to escalate, so I spared her. But if she doesn’t appreciate it, next time I won’t just humiliate her so lightly.”

”Well said. Our Jiao Family shouldn’t fear trouble; if someone dares to bully us, we hit back! Grandpa will back you up!” The Third Elder laughed heartily.

Bai Ruozhu felt a warm feeling inside. It reminded her of her grandpa in her previous life. Although grandpa was extremely strict when teaching her medicine, using a rattan stick to hit her hands if she misrecited the names and effects of medicinal materials, she knew he genuinely cared for her. His strictness was in hopes that she would have a skill to rely on in the future.

Fortunately, because of this, she had a skill after transmigrating.

The Third Elder’s gaze at her was much like her grandpa’s in her previous life, filled with genuine care and affection.

After dinner, Bai Ruozhu went to see Yizi, played with the children for a while, and then returned to her room, entering the Space.

She took out some poison powder she had secretly hidden away and began studying it. It was what had fallen from Chao Xiangman when Bai Ruozhu cut a wound on her with a dagger. She quietly collected it when Chao Xiangman wasn’t paying attention.

The poison powder was hidden close to Chao Xiangman’s body, yet wasn’t used on her. If it wasn’t due to the low efficacy, it would be because it’s too precious for Chao Xiangman to use.

She fiddled with it for two quarters of an hour and finally confirmed her suspicion.

”It’s poison from the ’Poison Classic,’ and it’s a part I don’t have.” Bai Ruozhu mumbled, her eyes lighting up. Could it be that Chao Xiangman has a part of the ”Poison Classic” she doesn’t, or that it’s available in Chao Xiangman’s sect?

In her past life, she had learned the ”Poison Classic” but never had a chance to use it, so she didn’t feel too attached to it. Nowadays, because poison helped her support her family and defeat opponents multiple times, she became more invested in it.

This investment wasn’t driven by a desire to harm but by a quest to enhance her strength.

Just like how a medical student feels the urge to compete in medical skills when encountering an expert, or a martial artist wants to exchange moves; today, seeing Chao Xiangman using poison, she got excited, feeling like she met a worthy opponent.

This spurred her to work harder in her research on poison skills. She defeated Chao Xiangman today because Chao Xiangman’s skills were lacking, but Chao Xiangman still had a master, and there were other poison experts in the River Jiang. How could she make herself stronger in poison skills?

The ”Poison Classic” is her greatest support. If there’s a chance, she wants to collect the complete ”Poison Classic” to pave her way further in poison skills.

She quickly began to research the components of the poison. It was a special type of slow-acting poison, intoxicating individuals insidiously; Bai Ruozhu could only discern the medicinal materials within but couldn’t figure out the specific quantities, as its numerous components require a lot of time to experiment with for accurate proportions.

Thus, she focused more on how to neutralize this poison, lest she fall victim to Chao Xiangman’s trick someday.

...

Bai Zepei, with Si Yihuan, had arrived at Shuimo City east of Duanyang City. The two, along with their subordinates, found an inn to settle down. Not long after, someone reported that the post station received a letter sent by Jiang Yichun to the Capital City. Because Jiang Yichun didn’t personally deliver it, it caught attention, and they intercepted the letter and brought it back.

Bai Zepei glanced at the handwriting on the envelope and said, ”It’s indeed Jiang Yichun’s handwriting, presumably sent by one of his guards. Fine, send it back to the post station tomorrow and have them quickly deliver it to the Capital City.”

As he said this, he handed the letter to a guard, but as the other party was about to take it, he withdrew his hand.

”You go ahead and attend to your tasks first; we’ll discuss this matter later,” Bai Zepei said.

The subordinate was somewhat puzzled. Why hesitate after confirming it’s Jiang Yichun’s handwriting? Could Bai be afraid of making a mistake?

He dared not ask more, saluted, and retreated.

”Why did you keep the letter? No matter how angry you are, you can’t withhold the letter meant for the Emperor; the responsibility is too great for us to bear,” Si Yihuan knew how to weigh the importance of such matters as a lady from an officer’s family.

Bai Zepei smiled at her, ”Who said I’m withholding it? I just want to make sure again, to avoid any mistake.”

”Oh, then take your time checking. I’m exhausted; I’ll go to sleep first,” Si Yihuan yawned and lay onto the bed, kicking off her shoes.

Bai Zepei said, feeling a bit sorry, ”It’s been tough on you following me. From now on, don’t rush around.”

”Not at all, this journey was so much fun.” Si Yihuan’s voice grew quieter until she fell asleep.

Bai Zepei chuckled; she was indeed exhausted, falling asleep so quickly.

He walked to the table, sat down, and carefully opened the envelope, taking out the thin letter inside.

The handwriting inside was undoubtedly Jiang Yichun’s. Bai Zepei read it closely, which roughly explained that Jiang Yichun was in poor health, tired of a dangerous life, and wished to retire from the River Jiang, hoping the Emperor would understand. Interestingly, it never mentioned Bai Ruozhu.

Bai Zepei felt somewhat annoyed, almost crumpling the letter. If he wanted to retire from the River Jiang, why not accompany his sister? Why take off with another woman?

However, he quickly reconsidered and examined the letter closely again. If Si Yihuan were awake now, she’d surely wonder why he stared at that thin page for so long—it took him long enough to read it dozens of times!

After about half an hour, Bai Zepei rubbed his slightly sore eyes, mumbling, ”Nearly deciphered.”

He was suspicious and felt Jiang Yichun must’ve stated his position clearly to the Emperor before leaving the army, so why write a letter specially? Therefore, he scrutinized it several times, discovering a hidden secret!

It was a coded message Jiang Yichun learned from the dark guards for communication. The letter appeared straightforward, but through intricate rearrangement, it concealed some deeper meanings. Although Jiang Yichun wasn’t a dark guard and hadn’t directly been exposed to such coded language, having mastered the Enlightenment Tablet, making him incredibly adept at understanding the Path of Wisdom, how could he not decipher some cryptic codes?

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Another update coming soon~