Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2293: Chapter 2292: Bai Darian Doesn’t Mind?

The manager couldn’t understand no matter how hard he tried. Even if his lord wanted a woman, it wouldn’t be someone Bai Zepei looked down upon, right? How embarrassing would that be?

Of course, he didn’t dare to say this out loud, he could only grumble inwardly.

Du Zhongshu sat with a sullen face, his mind in turmoil. Earlier, when he realized he might have some feelings for Bai Ruozhu, his mood plummeted. He didn’t want to admit how pathetic he was, nor did he want to admit he still longed for an enemy. He did all this purely for revenge, to make her live in misery.

However, he needed to start questioning himself now. She didn’t want to admit her feelings either, so he took a concubine. With a beauty in his arms, those inappropriate thoughts should disappear, right?

Thinking of this, he glanced at Lao Wan, who had been taken away by the maid. At least this woman had a waist as slim as a willow, fitting his preferences.

Suddenly, he shuddered, recalling what he had once said to Bai Ruozhu when she was still heavily pregnant. He said he wanted to marry a woman with a waist as slim as a willow, one that could be held with a single hand. Bai Ruozhu must remember that, which is why she dressed up Lao Wan according to his taste!

His mind was a mess, and he even felt a pang of tears. From when they first met, three or four years have passed. He couldn’t recall everything from the past, but she remembered his words. Should he be moved that she remembered his words, or be angry that she used her knowledge of his tastes to manipulate him?

Du Zhongshu didn’t know what to do. He just closed his eyes wearily.

The news that Bai Ruozhu had sent beauties to the Du Residence spread rapidly in the Capital City. Bai Ruozhu’s words, ”It is impolite not to reciprocate,” also spread around the Capital, becoming a phrase often mentioned when giving gifts. Meanwhile, Lord Du was also frequently remembered, but that’s a story for another time.

Jiang Yichun heard about it while discussing maritime affairs at the Maritime Affairs Bureau, and he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

He’s usually a stern man who seldom smiles because when he does, it carries a bit of an enchanting charm, drawing eyes wherever he is. So he often kept a straight face. Given all he went through since childhood, he didn’t much enjoy laughter.

But now that he smiled, the people at the Maritime Affairs Bureau were stunned. No one expected that with his usual stern look, Jiang Da-ren could be so handsome when he smiles, almost surpassing the most handsome man in the Capital.

The older officials at the Maritime Affairs Bureau, remembering the famed beautiful man Lao Wenshu from their younger days, couldn’t help but murmur, ”Not any worse than the young Lao Wenshu, is he?”

Jiang Yichun paid no mind to these words, nor did he overthink it. He was in a wonderful mood, proud of how clever his woman was for handling things so well!

He couldn’t have been prouder. Any other woman wouldn’t have thought of such a plan, and even if she did, she probably wouldn’t have dared to follow through, right? He was certain he had married the best woman in the world.

Thinking of this, he lost interest in continuing the conversation with the people at the Maritime Affairs Bureau and found a random excuse to quickly leave.

”Why did you speak in front of Master Jiang like that? Didn’t you see him leave so hastily? He’s not going back to scold Chief Doctor Bai, is he?” the angry Maritime Affairs Minister asked the junior officer who delivered the news.

The junior officer chuckled, ”You’re overthinking it, sir. Didn’t you see how brightly Master Jiang was smiling? I hear that he and his wife have a great relationship, and he’s quite afraid of his wife, so he wouldn’t go to scold Chief Doctor Bai.”

The Maritime Affairs Minister felt reassured and couldn’t help but sigh, ”Master Jiang truly is a paragon of both talent and looks.”

”Not to mention his great martial arts skill. If he hadn’t left urgently this time, he would surely have had first credit in storming the Capital,” the junior officer whispered.

”What a pity,” sighed the Maritime Affairs Minister.

...

In the Imperial Study Room, Jiang Yichun was helping Tang Yin review the memorials, pointing out key issues to save the emperor’s time.

At this moment, Wang Shun entered with a cheerful face, saying, ”Your Majesty, I just heard a funny story.”

Tang Yin, who was reviewing a memorial, looked up and stretched his neck, ”I was just about to take a break. What’s the funny story? Tell me.”

Bai Zepei’s head didn’t lift up, while the emperor could take a rest, he had to keep working diligently.

But as soon as Wang Shun began speaking, Bai could no longer concentrate. The amusing story involved his younger sister.

Wang Shun narrated the incident where Bai Ruozhu sent a concubine with lively details, including the reactions of the onlooking commoners and children. His storytelling was so engaging that even Tang Yin laughed heartily.

”Bai Ruozhu’s move is brilliant. It is indeed impolite not to reciprocate. Bai Aiqing, your sister is truly a heroine among women,” Tang Yin praised with a smile.

Bai Zepei responded with a slightly awkward salute, ”Your Majesty is too kind. She is merely a bit bolder than others.”

”Are you really not bothered at all? What sort of sister sends away her brother’s concubine? I heard that Miss Lao, although illegitimate, is both talented and charming. Are you really willing to let someone else enjoy such a delightful company?” Tang Yin teased.

Bai Zepei replied seriously, ”The Bai Family’s tradition is not to take concubines. I truly am not interested in other women.”

”To be so young and desireless is truly rare,” Tang Yin remarked with a smile and dropped the subject. Soon it was time for lunch, and Tang Yin went to dine with Concubine Le. Bai Zepei worked for a bit longer before heading to the dining area for a ”working meal.”

However, the meal was quite uneasy, as many who stayed to work through lunch in the palace were gossiping about Bai Ruozhu sending a concubine to Du Zhongshu. Many were curious, asking Bai Zepei, ”Don’t you feel it’s a pity your beautiful concubine was sent away by your sister?”

Bai Zepei replied with great composure, ”Our family’s tradition is not to take concubines. Lao’s daughter was merely a guest at our home. It’s truly a tale worth telling now that she’s serving the accomplished Lord Du.”

Many didn’t believe Bai Zepei. Being so accustomed to taking multiple wives, they assumed Bai Zepei felt secretly wounded but was just pretending to be magnanimous.

But Bai Zepei wasn’t pretending; he was genuinely pleased, though the constant questioning was frustrating him.

If it were any other day, he would’ve worn a serious face claiming busyness. Yet today, if he showed annoyance, it would really seem like he was displeased with his sister’s actions.

Though he didn’t care for others’ perceptions, he didn’t want people speaking ill of his sister, so his current attitude was crucial.

Finally, when all work was done, he breathed a huge sigh of relief, about to leave the palace.

He didn’t expect an Inner Servant to report that Lao Wenshu had requested an audience.

”Don’t be in a rush to leave, Bai Aiqing. Since Lao Wenshu is here, you should also stay and listen to what he has to say,” Tang Yin suggested.