Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2502: Chapter 2503: Xinye Imprisoned

Bai Ruozhu was relieved when Empress Yazi wanted to see the siblings. At least she didn’t have to answer Empress Yazi’s muddled questions now.

Empress Yazi seemed anxious, perhaps worried that the Second Prince might have a relapse if he got angry again, and hurried ahead.

Bai Ruozhu followed closely; she couldn’t just ignore the guests and continue sipping tea, but she was also curious to see what was going on with the Second Prince.

”Aren’t you two siblings supposed to be the closest? Why are you fighting?” Empress Yazi asked as soon as she reached the door.

Princess Ya’an’s face showed a glimpse of pain, while the Second Prince also displayed a fleeting look of reluctance. Bai Ruozhu seemed to have caught on to something in all of this.

”Mother, it’s my fault. I won’t upset brother again,” Princess Ya’an hurriedly said.

The Second Prince hummed softly, ”I’ve been a bit irritable lately. I didn’t mean to argue with Ya’an.”

Seeing that the siblings weren’t truly at odds, Empress Yazi laughed, ”You’re still the same as when you were kids.”

Bai Ruozhu remained silent until Empress Yazi chatted with the Second Prince for a while longer before she rose to take her leave.

After the two left, Bai Ruozhu sat down in the room and poured herself some tea.

”Lord Bai, is there something else you wanted to discuss?” The Second Prince asked, unable to hold back any longer after Bai Ruozhu’s prolonged silence.

Bai Ruozhu leisurely sipped her tea and smiled, ”What, feeling restless and impatient?”

The Second Prince paused, at a loss for how to respond.

Bai Ruozhu chuckled, ”From what I know, while the Fusang Royal Family allows marriages of close kin, they absolutely prohibit relationships between siblings born of the same parents, right?”

The Second Prince exploded instantly, ”What do you mean?”

”Exactly as the words suggest, or does the Second Prince have another interpretation?” Bai Ruozhu’s smile widened.

”You...” The Second Prince glared, feeling angry yet holding back due to Bai Ruozhu being his lifesaver, and didn’t want to show true anger.

”Your matters don’t affect me, nor are they related to me. I’m merely curious, and I won’t tell anyone else, so you can rest assured.” Bai Ruozhu said, now serious.

The Second Prince lowered his head, murmuring, ”Thank you.”

”But since you’re my patient whose life I saved, and the longest I’ve treated, I’ll give you a piece of advice: better to put away what’s inappropriate early, or else you’ll only harm her in the end.” Bai Ruozhu slowly said.

Bai Ruozhu had a favorable impression of Princess Ya’an, or perhaps felt some sympathy for the princess who had no say over her life, and meant to give this advice. If the Second Prince couldn’t restrain his emotions, it would only harm Princess Ya’an.

In such matters, most would blame the woman, making it hard to be a woman.

”I... understand.” The Second Prince’s voice was gloomy, suppressing his inner pain.

Bai Ruozhu sighed quietly, stood up, and walked out of the room.

A voice suddenly rose behind her, the Second Prince’s, ”If... if we weren’t part of the Royal Family, then perhaps...”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but interrupt him, ”Regardless of your status, you are siblings. You shouldn’t harbor such thoughts.”

This time, she didn’t linger, striding away directly. She had said all she needed to, and if he couldn’t understand, there was nothing she could do.

Returning to her room, Bai Ruozhu tidied up her belongings briefly; they would soon leave the Imperial Palace, and the outside seemed to promise fresher, freer air.

”Master, Sa Tian requests an audience, saying there’s trouble in Xinye.” Jianqi’s voice sounded at the door.

Bai Ruozhu looked up, ”I wondered why they hadn’t come by in recent days. Summon him to the Main Hall.”

Soon, Bai Ruozhu went to the Main Hall, where Sa Tian was pacing anxiously. Upon seeing her, he rushed over, ”Lord Bai, Xinye has been imprisoned by the General.”

”Why?” Bai Ruozhu frowned, wondering what grave mistake had led to the imprisonment.

”It’s my fault,” Sa Tian said remorsefully, ”Xinye switched out the Shadow Ninja but somehow it was reported to the General.”

Bai Ruozhu squinted, ”There’s a spy around Xinye. Is General Chisong holding confirmed evidence?”

”Probably not yet, they’re still investigating. Xinye initially found a death row convict’s corpse, defaced it, and cut off the tongue to impersonate the Shadow Ninja, but if scrutinized, the wounds aren’t old and will surely be discovered. Lord Bai, I beg you to save Xinye, he’s among the General’s men but not evil at heart.” Sa Tian spoke, choking up.

”If it’s confirmed he harbored the Shadow Ninja, what will happen?” Bai Ruozhu frowned.

”Given the strictness of the General’s governance, even if not beheaded, his Martial Arts will be crippled.” Sa Tian said.

Bai Ruozhu pondered briefly, ”This situation is partly due to my oversight. I should have asked more at the start. But we can’t intervene openly, otherwise General Chisong will suspect him even more.”

Sa Tian’s heart sank to the depths, wondering if there would be no help for Xinye. Sadly, he couldn’t muster any practical solution.

”Don’t rush, let me finish. Can you manage to see the replacement corpse?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

”I...” Sa Tian pondered, ”It’s been so long, those corpses have been hastily buried. Now that a complaint’s been made, they’ve all been exhumed and stored in the Government Office. The overseer enjoys chanting Buddha and has some rapport with me. Maybe I can try.”

Bai Ruozhu considered the risks too high for Sa Tian alone and said, ”Let me disguise myself and go with you. Just find a way to show me the corpses, and I’ll handle matters so that nobody discovers problems later.”

”Isn’t this too dangerous? How can I dare trouble Lord Bai to do this personally?” Sa Tian objected.

From outside the hall, Jianqi promptly bowed and said, ”Master, let me go instead. You should not risk yourself.”

”I can provide the Medicine Liquid, but your lack of skill will expose flaws. If confronted by an experienced coroner, it’ll go unnoticed. Wouldn’t that be pointless?” Bai Ruozhu sighed, ”Jianqi, you can assist nearby, while I disguise and take a trip with Sa Tian. This can’t be delayed; if a coroner has already examined the remains, Xinye won’t escape.”

”Yes.” Jianqi realized Bai Ruozhu was resolute, understanding time was crucial, and followed her arrangements.

Bai Ruozhu spent some time back in her room, and when she emerged, she looked like a Fusang youth, her face unrecognizable. Had the two not been waiting outside the Yard, watching her enter and exit, they might have thought she was someone else.