Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2287: Chapter 2286: The Prince Blocking the Way

Early the next morning, Jiang Yichun left the house early. He wanted to make use of his days in the Capital City to thoroughly investigate matters concerning the Merfolk, and also to arrange ship travels.

Not wanting Bai Ruozhu to overwork herself, he asked her to take a few days to rest, meet up with relatives and friends first. Since the journey after setting sail would be hard work, he would handle all the arrangements for now.

Bai Ruozhu didn’t argue with him; having a man in the house to handle matters is naturally good. It’s unnecessary for a woman to take charge of everything, and why make herself so fatigued?

After breakfast, Bai Ruozhu went to see Si Yihuan. Seeing the worry still in Si Yihuan’s eyes, she knew that he hadn’t reconciled with his second brother yet.

She didn’t offer much advice; it’s normal for young couples to have little disputes, and making up after fighting is just a part of life’s little charm.

She took Si Yihuan’s hand and said, ”Second Sister-in-law, let’s go out for a stroll later. I haven’t been back to the Capital in a long time and have no idea about the latest trends in jewelry.”

”Sure, I’ll go with you for a walk later. I also want to get some new clothes.” Si Yihuan replied happily.

Indeed, shopping is always invigorating for women.

Bai Ruozhu looked at her second sister-in-law with satisfaction, and the two of them quickly tidied up before taking a horse carriage towards East City.

Soon they purchased some jewelry and picked out some fabric. Bai Ruozhu also went to check on Hua Xiangrong’s business, as after the King Rui rebellion incident, Hua Xiangrong had not held a new product press conference for a while, which affected business somewhat. But Hua Xiangrong was still a prestigious brand, so compared to other shops in the Capital, it was still doing extremely well.

Afterwards, she went to check on the Beauty Pavilion, but unfortunately, Guizhi wasn’t there. Even though the manager was in charge, it’s just not the same as having Guizhi. Moreover, with the Capital being unstable, many women were afraid to go out, so business had declined a lot.

These matters didn’t concern Bai Ruozhu much; her mind was now focused entirely on Jiang Yichun’s Vein Curse. Making money had completely slipped from her priorities.

The two walked hand-in-hand, along with Jianqi, Yizi, and a maid of Si Yihuan’s who was helping to carry things. Since it was Yizi’s first time in the Capital City, Bai Ruozhu would occasionally introduce her to some local customs.

At that moment, a horse carriage stopped by the roadside. The curtain was lifted slightly, and a person inside looked toward Bai Ruozhu’s radiant and vibrant face by the roadside.

He frowned slightly, his eyes flickering with emotions—excitement mixed with a trace of dilemma. Eventually, he lifted the curtain and stepped out of the carriage.

He approached Bai Ruozhu and Si Yihuan, blocking their path.

Bai Ruozhu looked closely and saw that Du Zhongshu, who was approaching, seemed to have gotten sturdier, and his skin was darker than before. He had lost some of his scholarly air and gained a rugged aura like that of a Grasslands man.

She had just mentioned this person to Jiang Yichun yesterday and was not pleased. She didn’t expect him to appear so soon, and he even dared to block her way.

”Bai Ruozhu, we meet again,” Du Zhongshu said with a light smile, his tone calm.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at him indifferently and said, ”Yes, quite a coincidence!”

Was he trying to flaunt that he had become a king with a different surname? Bai Ruozhu found it uninteresting. What did it matter to her what he became? Unless he used his title as a prince to oppress her and cause her trouble.

”It’s been a long time, and you’re still as indifferent and merciless,” Du Zhongshu said with a bitter twist in his smile.

Bai Ruozhu gave him a sideways glance and said, ”I’ve never been indifferent or merciless to a friend. But how can there be emotion or mercy for an enemy?”

Du Zhongshu frowned, his gaze sharp and filled with a hint of threatening aura.

”You never considered me a friend from the beginning, you already saw me as your enemy, right?” he asked.

Bai Ruozhu found it amusing, ”You should know better than I about the events of the past. I worked earnestly with you and the Du Family, but how did your Du ancestor treat me? How did they set me up? I’m not someone who takes things lying down, so how could I swallow that? Who ended up harming themselves by lifting a stone to crush their own foot? You’re the one confusing right with wrong, blaming these matters on me. Who didn’t treat whom as a friend? Who made an enemy of whom? Don’t you know?”

Du Zhongshu didn’t refute, instead, he looked calmly at Bai Ruozhu and after a moment, nodded and said, ”You’re right, I’ve thought it through, back then it indeed wasn’t your fault. But I can’t speak of the elders’ faults, I can only say I’m sorry to you here.”

He said this and bowed politely to Bai Ruozhu, his attitude very humble.

Bai Ruozhu quickly stepped back. What’s going on? Has the strategy changed? This change of approach is too quick. Why is he suddenly being friendly and apologizing?

”No need to be polite, King Du, let the past be in the past,” she said distantly.

Du Zhongshu showed a look of disappointment, shaking his head, ”You still won’t be friends with me again? We met in Anyuan Town back then and did business with toothpaste. At least we were friends for a while; the affection from that time is something I haven’t been able to forget over the years. Can’t you forgive me now?”

His sincere words made Bai Ruozhu somewhat embarrassed. Re-establishing a friendship with Du Zhongshu was certainly unrealistic, but directly rejecting someone who was sincerely apologizing to her in public seemed small-minded.

As she hesitated, Jianqi stepped forward and said, ”Master, we still have matters to attend to; we should go now.”

Jianqi, accustomed to a cold demeanor, spoke with a touch of lethal force, suddenly breaking the awkward atmosphere. Bai Ruozhu nodded in satisfaction at Jianqi and said, ”Alright, we’ll take our leave then.”

Du Zhongshu appeared dejected and could only bow to Bai Ruozhu, returning to his carriage. After boarding, a sarcastic smile appeared on his lips as he told the coachman, ”Back to the Residence.”

Bai Ruozhu took Si Yihuan and quickly left. Once they were some distance away, she mumbled, ”What is Du Zhongshu up to? I can’t believe he really wants to change from foe to friend with me.”

Si Yihuan cupped her chin, saying, ”Could it be that he doesn’t only want to change from foe to friend, but also has an interest in you?”

Jianqi narrowed his eyes and warned in a low voice, ”Master, Du Zhongshu once had feelings for you, please be careful.”

Bai Ruozhu gave Jianqi a sharp look, ”Jianqi, why are you suddenly talking so much?”

Her second sister-in-law was still present, and Jianqi was mentioning other men having feelings for her, making it awkward for her. Besides, she wasn’t amnesiac, surely she remembered who had feelings of admiration for her?

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