Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2468: Chapter 2469: Secret Jade Bracelet

”Excuse me, is Lord Bai from Zhongyuan inside?” A voice, clear and pleasant, though not overly delicate, came through. The woman speaking must have a wonderful voice for singing.

Bai Ruozhu and the others looked towards Sa Tian and Xinye, only they knew who the visitor was as they were unfamiliar with the palace affairs.

Sa Tian shook his head to signal his ignorance, while Xinye thought for a moment before whispering, ”It seems to be Empress Shangzi, who is also the Second Prince’s aunt.”

Xinye spoke without intention and only remembered Bai Ruozhu’s previous remarks afterwards, which left him somewhat embarrassed. He added, ”The Empress passed away early, and the Crown Prince was raised by Empress Shangzi herself, who has no children of her own.”

Bai Ruozhu thought of the Crown Prince, the Second Prince’s biggest rival, realizing that this Empress Shangzi’s visit carried ulterior motives.

The voice outside called again, ”I am Empress Shangzi. I caught a delightful aroma while passing by. Is it the smell of food?”

Everyone looked at Bai Ruozhu, implying that it must be her cooking that lured the Empress out here.

Since the weather had been exceptionally fine and the group gathered to eat was large, Bai Ruozhu had set a table in the yard hoping to enjoy the view of the distant sunset while dining. As darkness fell and lamps were lit, they could sip on some wine under the moonlight. However, it seems the aroma attracted a visitor.

”Wasn’t it said that the Emperor forbade anyone from approaching here?” Bai Ruozhu showed a puzzled expression.

”Empress Shangzi and the Emperor share a good relationship, and she holds his respect. The subordinates probably didn’t dare to stop her,” Xinye, being of aristocratic origins, knew more than the others.

Fo Lanying, standing nearby, sneered, ”A good relationship? Then why did the Emperor leave the secular world?”

”Um, it’s probably a relationship like that of family,” Xinye hesitated, pondering whether the Emperor’s feelings for Shangzi were romantic.

Not wanting to leave the other party waiting, Bai Ruozhu stood up and said, ”You all continue eating; I’ll go take a look.”

Jiang Yichun also intended to rise, but Bai Ruozhu gestured to him, ”I’ll go alone; after all, she’s an Empress, and it’s not appropriate for an outsider like you to go.”

”Okay, I’ll have them save some food for you,” Jiang Yichun glared at Yuan Licheng, who was reaching for the Pot Sticky Pork, and said displeasedly, ”Ruozhu likes this Pot Sticky Pork.”

Yuan Licheng retracted his chopsticks and obediently started eating the Sour and Spicy Fish, figuring it best not to anger Jiang Yichun.

Bai Ruozhu smiled gently, walked to the door, and opened it to find a lady of elegant demeanor standing outside. She was slightly plump, but it lent her a gentle aura.

”Ruozhu greets Empress Shangzi; sorry to keep you waiting.” Bai Ruozhu greeted her politely; the other was courteous, and she was willing to reciprocate in kind.

”It was not right of me to disturb Lord Bai so abruptly. I won’t enter; I just wanted to ask if these wonderful aromas are from your cooking?” Shangzi’s eyes were filled with anticipation, and Bai Ruozhu instantly realized she was a foodie.

Moreover, she volunteered not to enter the yard, clearly understanding boundaries.

”These are just some dishes commonly eaten in Zhongyuan. Please excuse us,” Bai Ruozhu responded.

Shangzi looked envious, ”I’ve never tried Zhongyuan cuisine. Lord Bai, could you spare me a portion next time you cook? It doesn’t have to be much, just one or two dishes.”

Shangzi asked hesitantly, reminding Bai Ruozhu of her foodie sister-in-law, softening her heart.

”Alright, I’ll have someone send it to the Empress tomorrow.”

It was just a matter of making a little extra and having it sent by Dagu’s people, not much trouble.

”Thank you so much.” Empress Shangzi smiled sincerely and removed a bracelet from her wrist to hand to Bai Ruozhu, ”This is our first meeting, and I didn’t prepare anything. Let this bracelet be a meeting gift.”

Bai Ruozhu glanced at the bracelet and didn’t refuse, quickly saying, ”However, since you’re currently treating the Second Prince, maybe you should keep it to avoid complications.”

”Alright, then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Bai Ruozhu accepted the bracelet.

”I shall take my leave now. When convenient, let me invite you to my palace for tea,” Empress Shangzi said further.

”Very well, take care.”

Empress Shangzi courteously bowed and left with her attendant.

Bai Ruozhu returned to the table, displaying the bracelet to everyone.

”Is there something wrong with this bracelet?” Gao Zhou squinted. As a Divine Doctor, how could he not notice anything?

Bai Ruozhu nodded, ”Wearing it long-term can cause infertility.”

”What!” Jiang Yichun’s face turned cold, ”Does Empress Shangzi intend to harm you? Throw it away immediately.”

”It’s only a problem with long-term wear; having a look isn’t harmful.” Bai Ruozhu found Jiang Yichun’s nervousness amusing. Even if it’s about infertility, so what? They already had three sons, and she wasn’t planning on having more anytime soon, imagining what if it’s another son?

Thinking of this made Bai Ruozhu’s heart twinge; indeed, one cannot have it all.

”Does this mean Empress Shangzi is harming the Second Prince?” Xinye hurriedly asked.

Bai Ruozhu shook her head, saying, ”She’s also a victim. This bracelet looks heavily used; I saw she struggled a bit to remove it, likely worn long enough for her hand to swell. We’ll find out its origin by asking her. Also, didn’t you say she had no heirs? It’s likely related to wearing this bracelet long-term.”

”But jade doesn’t have such effects, does it? How is it achieved?” Tang Feng curiously asked.

”Jade has fine glyphs and is even said to be alive, becomes more lustrous the longer it’s worn. There’s a special method using medicinal stews soaked into the jade, like contraceptive medicine. To avoid detection, the jade undergoes several rounds of washing and soaking until the surface is residue-free, but the infused medicine releases slowly over time, especially when warmed by body heat.”

Bai Ruozhu patiently explained, ”This method I only know generally, not the specific procedure. Thus, whoever made this jade bracelet is indeed skilled.”

Jiang Yichun noticed the gleam in her eyes and silently guessed that the method of making the bracelet is connected to her desire for the ”Poison Classic.”

After a while, Wa Wei finally said, ”That Empress Shangzi is pitiful; even if she finds out now, it might be too late.”

Bai Ruozhu remained silent. Even if the Emperor hadn’t left the secular world, it would still be difficult for Empress Shangzi to have descendants.

”Alright, let’s set aside others’ affairs for now and eat.” Bai Ruozhu didn’t want the atmosphere to grow heavy. She picked up her chopsticks to grab some Pot Sticky Pork first. The others realized and started grabbing too, quickly clearing the entire table with nothing left but the plates. Qiu Zhi, feeling unsatisfied, even mopped up the Sour Spicy Soup with rice for another bowl.

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