Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2185: Chapter 2183: A Chun Appears

The letter stated that Jiang Yichun’s whereabouts were not found, but indeed, Princess Fu’an had seized control of the government. Many noble families in Chengshui were dissatisfied with her, with Zhou Shibin’s family being the most discontented. Naturally, Zhou Shibin’s father, King Ying, also coveted the throne.

Additionally, Zhou Jue sent some useful intel.

Due to the rampant rumors lately, Princess Fu’an, fearing further damage to her reputation, planned to assign Tang Feng some tasks and demonstrate their love in front of the public.

Thus the people would say: Princess Fu’an and her husband are so in love, those rumors must have been spread by jealous individuals.

However, in Chengshui’s tradition, the husband could not interfere in politics, so Princess Fu’an intended for Tang Feng to engage in activities that would earn him a good reputation without involving politics.

The general plan was to use Tang Feng’s name as a Champion to organize literary gatherings, inviting scholars from the Capital City to gather, write poetry, and engage in other literary pursuits.

Bai Ruozhu, upon reading, thought of the Medical Alliance. Could it be that Princess Fu’an got the idea from seeing her establish the Medical Alliance in Danliang?

Winning over the scholars was already half the battle won.

Zhou Jue couldn’t confirm all the details, but the intel was for this or the next day. If Tang Feng often appeared in public, there would be more opportunities to save people.

Bai Ruozhu felt very pleased. Reading further, she was surprised to find out that the waist tag was his token, allowing her to mobilize all his subordinates in the Capital City!

She handed the letter to Jianqi, who was equally astonished. ”Is Zhou Jue repaying the life-saving favor?”

”That’s part of it, but perhaps he doesn’t mind anymore. However, this is just borrowing, and it must be returned to him in the future,” Bai Ruozhu said.

Even though she dared not hope that Zhou Jue’s subordinates were as well-trained as her dark guards, it was better than having no worthwhile subordinates at all.

”Looks like things won’t resolve quickly. Go rent a small yard, somewhere discreet,” Bai Ruozhu said, handing some silver banknotes to Jianqi.

”Yes, I’ll handle it right away,” he replied.

Shortly after Jianqi left, Zhou Shibin visited again, disguised as a middle-aged merchant, almost the same age as Bai Ruozhu’s ’Master Li’ disguise, as if he was genuinely there for business negotiations.

Bai Ruozhu immediately recognized him and said, ”Any news?”

”Princess Fu’an plans to assign Tang Feng some tasks to show their deep love and avoid tarnishing her reputation,” Zhou Shibin reported.

It was the same information as Zhou Jue’s. Bai Ruozhu quickly feigned surprise, asking, ”But Tang Feng is a royal husband, shouldn’t he stay out of politics?”

”It’s not political; he’s supposed to establish a literary society, gathering young scholars from the Capital to discuss poetry and literature, thereby earning her some accolades,” Zhou Shibin explained.

”Won’t Tang Feng be unwilling? How does she control him?” Bai Ruozhu inquired.

Zhou Shibin shrugged, ”I don’t know.”

Bai Ruozhu paced around the room, pondering, ”If she cares about her reputation, why let her maid catch handsome young men at the market? Why not be more cautious?”

”I am also puzzled by this. I had it investigated, but when she’s with her maid, no other servants are allowed near, so it’s hard to determine the reason. I suspect it’s the maid’s doing; Fu’an trusts or perhaps indulges her too much,” Zhou Shibin remarked.

”No, it’s not indulgence. Princess Fu’an doesn’t dare defy her!” Bai Ruozhu concluded, ”Or perhaps Princess Fu’an is helpless against her, forced to find her own solutions.”

”Do you think the maid controls Fu’an?” Zhou Shibin was somewhat surprised but realized it might not be impossible.

”Most likely, though how they’ve controlled Tang Feng remains unknown.” Bai Ruozhu frowned, feeling uneasy, suspecting Jian Dan’s complexity.

Zhou Shibin noticed her silence and, after a pause, asked, ”What’s your plan?”

”First, lay low elsewhere and observe for a while. Are you in a hurry?” Bai Ruozhu retorted.

Zhou Shibin wasn’t angry. ”One can’t eat hot tofu in a hurry; I understand. Once you find a place to stay, send a message to the King Ying Residence to facilitate our contact.”

”No, King Ying Residence isn’t safe. Let’s meet in the private room here in three days,” Bai Ruozhu suggested.

”Alright.”

Soon after Zhou Shibin left, Jianqi quickly returned, saying he had bought the mansion.

Bai Ruozhu was astonished, ”So fast?”

”In Chengshui Capital, rentals and purchases go through the House Exchange; the information is comprehensive, so finding a suitable place was quick, though it’s now registered there,” Jianqi explained.

This was akin to modern housing agencies, though it seemed to be an institution run by the Imperial Court.

”No matter, the rules here are as such. No one would bypass the official channel to purchase for us. Requiring not using the House Exchange would raise suspicion,” Bai Ruozhu noted.

Reassured by her words, Jianqi handed over the property deed to Bai Ruozhu.

That afternoon, Bai Ruozhu took everyone from the guest room to the newly acquired small residence.

Little Dengdeng ran around the small yard excitedly, asking, ”Mother, what’s this place? Are we living here?”

Bai Ruozhu smiled, ”This is our new home, where we’ll stay for a while.”

”Yay! Can I set up a practice post there?” Little Dengdeng eagerly asked.

Bai Ruozhu felt a twinge of heartache, worrying about his young arms hurting from practicing against wooden stumps.

Yet, upon meeting his hopeful eyes, she sighed and agreed. While fortunate to gain Fen Jiu’s inner strength, Little Dengdeng might not have the same luck. Building a solid foundation in martial skills was the right path, at least granting him self-defense skills.

The small residence was quickly rearranged, and Bai Ruozhu inspected the surroundings, finding honest, ordinary families with no one monitoring them.

That evening, she removed her disguise, letting her face breathe some fresh air.

She was sick of seeing that ’Master Li’ face; why make herself so ugly? Even pretending to be a handsome scholar would have been better.

As night fell and she lay beside Dengdeng to sleep, a shadow suddenly appeared in the yard.

Tonight, Jing Lei was on duty. Without thinking, he lunged forward, only to have a copper coin flung at him. Catching it, his eyes lit up with delight.

It was the Master!

The next moment, a black figure appeared before him, signaling him to silence.

Even Jing Lei, usually wooden, was moved and was about to kneel before Jiang Yichun, but Jiang Yichun supported him with one hand.

He gestured to Jing Lei, mouthing the word, ”Go!”