Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2189: Chapter 2187: Conveying Messages Through Poetry

”Stop asking me. How should I know what’s on his mind? He left without even saying goodbye to me, his own father. I wanted to ask him that too.” Gao Zhou said deliberately in an exasperated tone, ”When you see him, ask him yourself, or when I find him, I’ll help you teach him a lesson.”

Bai Ruozhu knew he wouldn’t say, and she was tempted to use drugs to force him to talk, but she held back.

”How would you teach him?” She thought she would eventually track down Jiang Yichun and give him a good scolding for deceiving her and making her sad for so long.

Judging from the reactions of Jinglei and Gao Zhou, she was almost certain Jiang Yichun was hiding something from her on purpose. If he really didn’t care about her anymore, why would he still pay attention to her situation?

If it weren’t for him sending messages to Gao Zhou, why would Gao Zhou appear here?

Gao Zhou thought for a moment and said, ”Break his legs, would that satisfy you?”

Bai Ruozhu eyed him sideways, ”Would you really do that?”

”Uh...” Gao Zhou suddenly found himself at a loss for words, resorting to mumbling to gloss over it.

Bai Ruozhu knew that Gao Deng was hiding something, so she kept a close eye on him and privately instructed Jianqi to keep an eye on him and Jinglei, and to inform her immediately if anything happened.

”Master, are you doubting their reliability?” Jianqi asked, somewhat worried.

”No, they wouldn’t harm me, just that they, together with Achun, have hidden some things from me. Let’s pay more attention to it.” Bai Ruozhu said.

Jianqi nodded, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

Then Bai Ruozhu arranged for Jinglei and Muyu to go out on errands, and she subtly called Ruhua over and whispered, ”Arrange for Meiyan and Jun Chuan to quietly lie in wait nearby, but don’t show their faces, and make sure no one knows of their presence. If anyone sneaks into this mansion, be sure to stop them.”

Ruhua, not knowing the inside story, asked worriedly, ”Even people in the yard shouldn’t know?”

”Yes, everyone around me must be kept in the dark.” To prevent Ruhua from misunderstanding like Jianqi, she added, ”It’s not that there’s a traitor, just that someone, thinking they’re doing me a favor, is acting in secret. I need to catch them once.”

Ruhua understood and nodded, ”Don’t worry, Madam Bai. Jun Chuan is great at hiding and will definitely catch that person.”

Bai Ruozhu twitched the corner of her mouth. With Jun Chuan’s continuous loud gasps, how could they hide? Okay, she couldn’t help but think evilly again. This name is really something to reckon with.

Ruhua then went out, found Meiyan and Jun Chuan, and conveyed Bai Ruozhu’s instructions. The two of them agreed in unison.

”Who exactly is this person? Should we avoid hurting them when we catch them?” Meiyan asked.

Ruhua nodded, ”That’s right. Be careful not to upset Madam Bai.”

Jun Chuan chuckled softly, ”It must be her husband, Jiang Yichun. Didn’t the master say earlier that Jiang Yichun left Madam Bai, but that’s surely just a facade.”

Meiyan asked perplexed, ”What facade? It’s all so confusing.”

”That’s just marital romance. You wouldn’t understand, being a blockhead,” Jun Chuan rolled her eyes and laughed again.

After giving the two some more instructions, Ruhua returned to stand by Bai Ruozhu. However, thinking about Jun Chuan’s words ”marital romance,” Ruhua couldn’t help but observe Bai Ruozhu. But no matter how he looked, it didn’t seem like marital romance. Madam Bai seemed more worried or angry enough to grind her teeth. He felt Jiang Yichun was in for a big misfortune.

Soon it was the day of the Poetry and Literature Convention. As the invitation couldn’t accommodate too many people, Bai Ruozhu discussed with the others and decided to only bring Jianqi and Gao Zhou, leaving the rest to take care of Little Dengdeng at the mansion.

The coordination was handed over to Zhou Jue’s subordinates, who were more familiar with the roads and hiding spots here.

Bai Ruozhu disguised herself as Master Li, with Jianqi and Gao Deng disguised as a steward and a guard, and they set off on a horse carriage. Soon, they reached the venue, Changning Guild Hall.

Bai Ruozhu took out the invitation card and led them inside the guild hall, finding it much larger than she had anticipated.

”Changning Guild Hall used to host foreign delegations; it has accommodations, a stream running through it, picturesque scenery, and a large area. But as visiting delegations grew fewer, it became empty,” Gao Zhou quietly explained beside her.

Bai Ruozhu nodded slightly, indeed finding having a local like Gao Zhou very convenient.

They soon found the place indicated on the invitation card, which only had one seat, so Bai Ruozhu sat while the guard and steward stood by.

Shortly, a waiter served tea and dim sum, and the service was arranged well.

Gradually, the surrounding seats filled up. Bai Ruozhu checked her Western pocket watch, and it was almost time.

A moment later, Tang Feng, accompanied by several literati, entered the venue.

Bai Ruozhu watched him from a distance; he looked well, without any gloomy air, even appearing somewhat triumphant.

But as longtime friends who shared secrets as ”old acquaintances,” Bai Ruozhu noticed something different about him.

The previous Tang Feng wasn’t ostentatious, nor was he as reserved and composed as a middle-aged man; rather, he had the boldness and confidence of youth, exuding self-assurance and enthusiasm.

Now he still had confidence, but lacked that enthusiasm.

Tang Feng greeted everyone with a smile, ”Thank you all for honoring me with your presence today. I extend my sincere gratitude.”

He continued with a smile, explaining the rules set for this convention’s competition, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

As Bai Ruozhu listened to these rules, which combined elements of modern competitions, she realized he was still the same him.

She also noticed Tang Feng carefully observing his surroundings, as if trying to cover all angles and consider the guests from every direction, but she knew he was looking for someone, specifically her.

Silently planning her next steps, Bai Ruozhu thought that even if she managed to communicate with Tang Feng, it would be difficult for him to meet her privately. As long as he knew she was here, it would put him at ease.

Soon, a waiter brought paper and pen for the first session, where attendees were invited to write a poem as a congratulatory gift for the convention.

Bai Ruozhu pondered and wrote a poem that wasn’t too outstanding, but from the Ming and Qing periods; as long as Tang Feng saw the poem, he would know she was here.

Soon, many had finished their poems. Bai Ruozhu also finished hers and had Jianqi submit it.

Tang Feng, along with several literati, reviewed them, selecting some of the best to read aloud, with a genuine smile gracing his face.

Others thought the quality of the poems put this champion prince consort in a great mood, but Bai Ruozhu knew Tang Feng had realized she was there.

Just then, someone stood up and said loudly, ”I’ve long admired Champion Tang’s talent and deeply respect him. I wonder if Champion Tang could grace us with a poem today, allowing us to broaden our horizons?”