Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2491: Chapter 2492: Identical

In the Fusang Imperial Palace, Bai Ruozhu felt her eyelids twitching all day, worried about any complications that might arise from meeting the astrologer and Yin Yang master.

Jiang Yichun didn’t leave early in the morning, saying, ”I’ll stay with you, and we’ll also call Qiu Zhi. If we have to face Yin Yang techniques, his Dragon Tiger Gate Taoist magic comes in handy.”

”Alright.” Bai Ruozhu paused, ”Your father suspects your senior brother has hidden his identity here, reminding me not to spoil his plans.”

”Let’s see the situation later then.” Jiang Yichun said.

After the morning court session ended, the Emperor sent Otani with a message, saying the astrologer and Yin Yang master should enter the Palace around noon and invited Bai Ruozhu to the Emperor’s palace to meet them.

”Okay.” Bai Ruozhu responded and informed the people in the yard about the matter.

”Xiaoyuan, set up the array, I’m afraid the other side is about to make a move.” Bai Ruozhu said.

Yuan Licheng thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, ”Ruozhu, why don’t we stage a play?”

Pointing to Tang Feng, he said, ”How about letting Tang Feng control the Array Eye later? I’ll go with you to the Emperor’s place. Seeing I’m not there, the other side might lose patience and act, rather than us always being on guard and waiting.”

”Can I handle it well?” Tang Feng asked worriedly.

”I’ll give you the formation flag and tell you the method, at least it won’t be a problem until we get back.” Yuan Licheng smiled confidently, ”As long as no one leaves this Imperial Palace, I can sense someone breaking into the array.”

Jiang Yichun looked at Bai Ruozhu, ”I think it’s feasible, better to lure the snake out of the hole than to wait by the tree for the rabbit.”

”Alright, then let’s be more careful. Yizi and Jianqi, protect the Second Prince; nothing must go wrong.” Bai Ruozhu said.

Yizi and Jianqi immediately took orders and went to prepare.

By noon, Yuan Licheng had mostly briefed Tang Feng, and the group left for the Emperor’s Council Chamber.

Bai Ruozhu felt a bit excited inside, soon she would see that Yin Yang master. Would she be able to find out if it was Ning Yu later?

She couldn’t help but think of the National Master who had exhausted his vitality. Thinking of his dying instructions made her feel ashamed—she’d promised to take care of the naive Ning Yu but allowed him and Diao Bin to disappear for so long.

Lost in thought, a large hand grasped hers, and she realized her palms were sweaty, feeling damp and uncomfortable.

He took a handkerchief to wipe her hands, softly saying, ”Rest assured, I’m here.”

Bai Ruozhu looked up and smiled at him, ”Mm.”

The group soon reached the Emperor’s Council Chamber, and Otani came out to greet them, ”The Emperor invites everyone in, the Master Astrologer will also be here soon.”

Bai Ruozhu and her entourage bowed in return and followed Otani into the Main Hall.

Unexpectedly inside the hall were not just the Emperor, but also She Zongyi and Empress Shangzi.

Bai Ruozhu felt displeased. Why was She Zongyi, that troublemaker, everywhere?

”Lord Bai, Mister She and Empress Shangzi heard that you wish to engage with the astrologer, and both are very interested. You don’t mind if they observe, do you?” The Emperor asked with a wide grin, seemingly unaware of Bai Ruozhu’s dislike for She Zongyi.

Bai Ruozhu forced a somewhat stiff smile, ”I don’t mind.”

Empress Shangzi’s eye twitched; she wondered if Bai Ruozhu was unhappy.

She thought about some sects in Zhongyuan that valued inheritance and didn’t like too many people knowing their sect’s skills. Would her observing be too presumptuous?

Before she could think further, a palace maid announced from outside, ”Master Astrologer requests an audience.”

”Please bring him in quickly.” The Emperor said with a cheerful smile.

Soon, the palace maid led the astrologer and Yin Yang master inside. Today he wore a white-based Yin Yang master’s robe, looking immaculate, exuding a sense of elegance and mystery.

Bai Ruozhu’s heart trembled slightly. This, this Yin Yang master looked just like Ning Yu—how was he not Ning Yu?

But the astrologer merely glanced over them, eyes devoid of any warmth, then stepped forward to salute the Emperor and Empress Shangzi, his attitude neither servile nor overbearing, extremely graceful.

”Astrologer, these are envoys from Zhongyuan, among them, Lord Bai is a disciple of the previous National Master of Danliang Country, wishing to exchange with our Zhongyuan Yin Yang masters.” The Emperor said with a smile.

The Yin Yang master saluted Bai Ruozhu and her group, ”So you are the distinguished guests from Zhongyuan, Astrologer has met you all.”

His attitude remained neither servile nor overbearing, leaving no room for error.

If She Zongyi wasn’t present, Bai Ruozhu would definitely have asked the astrologer why he chose this name, and why he had no reaction upon seeing them.

Qiu Zhi seemed eager and spoke up, ”I’ve heard that Fusang’s Yin Yang masters excel in using talismans; I wonder if they are similar to the talismans of our Dragon Tiger Gate.”

”Afraid? Fellow practitioner, feel free to show it.” The astrologer was quickly drawn to Qiu Zhi’s words, without sparing Bai Ruozhu and her group a glance.

Bai Ruozhu was even more surprised; based on her knowledge of Ning Yu, it was impossible for him to show no waves of emotion upon seeing them—no matter how well he pretended, he couldn’t be this calm.

Could he not be Ning Yu?

But that face was exactly like Ning Yu’s.

Oh right, Bai Ruozhu suddenly remembered Ning Yu had a birthmark. He had a habit of rolling his sleeves high when drawing talismans, probably because he lived in the Astrology Tower with the National Master, without many servants around, he dressed carefully, afraid of staining his clothes.

And every time his sleeves were rolled high, Bai Ruozhu would see a red birthmark on his elbow.

Ning Yu was an orphan, adopted by the National Master when he was young. Bai Ruozhu once mentioned to him that perhaps this birthmark could help him find his family.

But Ning Yu laughed and said, ”No need to search for family, let fate decide.”

Bai Ruozhu stared at the astrologer’s arm; with sleeves this long, how could she check for a birthmark?

Qiu Zhi had already taken out the talisman. One talisman turned into five fire points, flying out in the arrangement of the Five Elements, with some attack capability.

”Our Dragon Tiger Gate’s Taoist Magic is mainly for catching ghosts and subduing demons.” Qiu Zhi was excited to encounter a peer.

Bai Ruozhu noticed She Zongyi’s eyes fixed tightly on Qiu Zhi, unaware of what crooked idea he was thinking.

The astrologer also produced a talisman, performing a Yin Yang technique. Bai Ruozhu didn’t notice anything special, but Qiu Zhi smiled and said, ”Fusang’s Yin Yang techniques also rely on the Five Elements; they should share a common origin with Zhongyuan’s Taoist magic.”

The astrologer seemed very interested in Qiu Zhi’s Taoist magic, showing more enthusiasm on his face, ”If it’s convenient, fellow practitioner, we can exchange more insights.”

”Astrologer, you should also engage with Lord Bai.” The Emperor worried the astrologer might overlook Bai Ruozhu since she was a woman, so he quickly intervened.

Qiu Zhi realized the astrologer’s capabilities and hurriedly said, ”I’ll represent my master.”

However, the astrologer looked surprised, frowning slightly, ”You’ve even signed a master-servant contract with her, for what reason is this?”