Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2501: Chapter 2502: Success and Withdrawal

Bai Ruozhu dared not mention the matter again, thinking it was difficult to grasp the situation, and better not to invite trouble for herself.

After the Fusang morning meeting concluded, the Astrologer Yin Yang Master came to visit.

”Yesterday yielded no results, not until today did I make some discoveries.” the Astrologer stated straightforwardly.

The others were still unclear about the Astrologer’s situation, and Bai Ruozhu wasn’t sure whether the Astrologer was willing to let others know, so she hurriedly said, ”Master Yin Yang has seen through She Zongyi’s true nature and has decided to join forces with us.”

Everyone’s attitude towards the Astrologer became noticeably friendlier, and Qiu Zhi even patted his shoulder, saying, ”Congratulations on seeing the light, from now on we’re all friends, you can come by to spar anytime.”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but cover her forehead, wondering how she’d ended up with such a fool.

”Do you even know how to use words? The phrase ’seeing the light’ isn’t used like that!” Fo Lanying couldn’t bear it and directly scolded.

Initially, the Astrologer had thought Qiu Zhi being Bai Ruozhu’s servant was somewhat a grievance to this Taoist Magic expert, but now he understood that Qiu Zhi was simply a joker who knew nothing about social interaction or the secrets of being a servant, and Bai Ruozhu was essentially taking care of him.

”Alright, Astrologer, please share your findings.” Bai Ruozhu interrupted Qiu Zhi, who was about to speak further.

”Yesterday I didn’t find anyone with shoulder injuries, but today I found two people, one is the civil officer Anben, who said it’s just shoulder periarthritis bothering him. The other is the officer recording household affairs, who claimed he was attacked by an enemy a few days ago.” the Astrologer said.

”Anben?” Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow, thinking could it be Lingzi’s father?

”Is it the Anben who supports the Crown Prince?” she pursued.

”Indeed,” the Astrologer revealed a look of surprise, ”Officer Bai knows Master Anben? Could it really be him?”

Bai Ruozhu shook her head, ”I’ve only met him before and exchanged a few words, so I’m a bit surprised. But why didn’t the civil officer with the sword wound take leave to recover and still attend meetings with his injury?”

”I asked him the same, he said he didn’t want to worry his elderly mother at home, so he concealed the injury, and besides, although he’s a civil officer, he practices martial arts regularly and is physically strong, so he didn’t take leave.” the Astrologer explained.

Bai Ruozhu kept silent, as it was still unclear who among them it was, or perhaps there was another suspect lingering?

”Should we find out why that middle-aged man got injured?” Jiang Yichun suggested.

The Astrologer shook his head, ”The bracelet has absorbed too little Qi, I can no longer divine anything further.”

”Then let’s assign people to monitor Anben and that civil officer, we can’t ignore anyone.” Gao Zhou decisively laid down the plan.

Bai Ruozhu bowed to the Astrologer, ”Could I trouble you to collect some information about these two, after all, we know very little in Fusang.”

”Alright, leave it to me.”

After the Astrologer had taken his leave, Gao Zhou, still concerned, asked, ”Can this Astrologer be trusted?”

”Should be okay.” Jiang Yichun replied.

Gao Zhou then refrained from asking more, appearing somewhat reassured.

In the following days, the poison of the second prince was nearly cured, with the focus shifting to recuperation and rehabilitation, Bai Ruozhu communicated with the Emperor to let him bring in some confidants of the second prince. They also planned to complete their mission and withdraw.

”Officer Bai, with Cilang’s condition still unclear, and the perpetrator yet to be caught, how can you leave now? I am truly worried,” the Emperor pleaded, trying to keep them.

Bai Ruozhu thought to herself that their inability to find the culprit was their own incompetence, and they couldn’t indefinitely delay them.

”We have other obligations; trading with Fusang requires us to understand the circumstances first, it’s truly not appropriate to delay any further.” Bai Ruozhu gave an excuse.

”Trade discussions are negotiable, I’ll send the Ministry of Commerce to communicate more with you,” the Emperor immediately responded.

”But we are foreign envoys, and it’s really not suitable to continue staying in the Palace; it’s better to reside at the Posthouse,” Bai Ruozhu pointed out.

”Well...”

Bai Ruozhu saw he was still reluctant and added, ”It’s more convenient for us at the Posthouse. We will visit the Palace every few days and the second prince will receive treatment then. Your Majesty, we eventually have to leave, the second prince’s safety relies on you all.”

”Oh, it seems I’m stuck in the dilemma; you’re right, I’ve become overly dependent on you.” the Emperor shook his head, realizing they wouldn’t stay in Fusang permanently.

”Then three days from now, we’ll return to the Posthouse.” Bai Ruozhu breathed a deep sigh of relief, feeling a bit more relaxed once leaving the Imperial Palace and its complicating affairs.

Everyone felt somewhat relieved knowing they could leave in three days, at least the task of curing the second prince could conclude soon.

The news about Bai Ruozhu leaving the Palace spread quickly, prompting Empress Yazi and Princess Ya’an to visit, bringing with them gifts to express gratitude.

Due to previous events, Bai Ruozhu didn’t feel much goodwill towards Empress Yazi and maintained a rather indifferent attitude.

”Officer Bai, may I go and see my brother?” Princess Ya’an asked politely.

”Of course, trusted people are arranged around the second prince, and as his biological sister, you are naturally his most trusted person.” Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile.

Empress Yazi didn’t leave but stayed to inquire Bai Ruozhu, mainly asking how to condition the second prince, what to pay attention to in daily life, and any prohibitions.

Fearing an onslaught of questions, Bai Ruozhu wrote detailed notes, several pages worth, and handed them to the Emperor.

However, whether Empress Yazi didn’t understand or wasn’t reassured, she insisted on asking everything again, causing Bai Ruozhu quite a bit of annoyance, but due to the Empress’s status, it wasn’t appropriate to ignore her.

As she drifted into distraction, she suddenly overheard the conversation by the second prince’s side.

Unfortunately, her heightened hearing, due to recent developments, along with Princess Ya’an not closing the door upon entering, led to this.

”If you don’t want to marry, I’ll tell Father, an engagement can still be canceled.” the second prince’s voice emerged.

”Brother, stop joking, how can we cancel an engagement, wouldn’t that make Father embarrassed? Besides, I don’t dislike Cousin Wen De.” Princess Ya’an replied.

The second prince’s voice raised abruptly, ”Have you already developed feelings for him? How could you change from what you told me before, that you felt no romance for him?”

”I haven’t!” Princess Ya’an lowered her voice, ”I simply don’t dislike him, I haven’t fallen in love with him at all, I don’t even know who I truly like.”

”Really?” The second prince’s voice became colder.

Bai Ruozhu found this odd, if Princess Ya’an liked Wen De, wouldn’t that be good, allowing them happiness after marriage. Why was the second prince acting so fervently? Could it be he had suspicions about Wen De, regarding him as a political adversary, thus unwilling his sister to become involved with Wen De?