Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2555: Chapter 2556: Stealing Business

Bai Ruozhu and their group escorted the woman home, and on the horse carriage, she introduced herself briefly; her name is Miao Zi.

”I was born with very fair skin, and my parents said it was like snow, so they named me Miao Zi. It wasn’t until later that we discovered I had an illness...”

Miao Zi spoke with a hint of melancholy, ”Later, my parents both passed away from illness in succession, and they entrusted me to a friend, who is now my adoptive father. He treats me very well and has been helping me find doctors to treat my illness.”

”Miss, if the master sees you injured like this, he certainly won’t let me off,” the maid worriedly said.

”Don’t tell my adoptive father yet. I don’t want him to worry. Just this time, he’s been busy and hasn’t visited much. If he comes, I’ll just cover the wound first, and wait until I’m healed to deal with it,” Miao Zi said.

Bai Ruozhu took out a bottle of medicine and handed it to Miao Zi, ”Remember to change the medicine. Apply it once a day, and the scars will gradually fade. I’m staying at the posthouse, so if your wound feels uncomfortable, you can come find me, but make sure to take a horse carriage to avoid any misunderstandings.”

”Thank you, ma’am, for your concern,” Miao Zi said, her mood slightly downcast.

”In this world, there are always people who are ignorant, rejecting everything they don’t understand out of their own ignorance. You shouldn’t take it to heart. At least you have a father who understands and cares for you, right?” Bai Ruozhu comforted her.

Listening, Miao Zi nodded, ”I understand. Thank you.”

In this short time, she had thanked her several times. Bai Ruozhu smiled wryly; this girl was living too cautiously.

Before long, they arrived at Miao Zi’s home. Because she didn’t want her family to discover her head injury, she planned to sneak Bai Ruozhu and the others inside quietly.

”We still have things to do, so we won’t be going in. Take care and rest well,” Bai Ruozhu said after some thought.

If they went inside together, it would certainly alert the people in the residence, and soon, Miao Zi’s adoptive father would know about her injury.

”Then once I’m better, I’ll come over to thank you in person,” Miao Zi said shyly.

”Okay, but when you make an appearance, make sure to protect your eyes. Try to choose cloudy or evening times, as your eyes shouldn’t be exposed to light,” Bai Ruozhu instructed.

”I understand, I’ve noted it down.”

On the way back, Yaxi asked about Miao Zi’s condition and whether Bai Ruozhu could cure it.

Bai Ruozhu shook her head, ”Albinism is a genetic condition, very difficult to completely cure, but we can protect her eyes to ensure her vision doesn’t deteriorate.”

Yaxi felt sympathetic, ”So her hair can’t turn black?”

”I don’t have a way, perhaps someone else could, but it’s likely very challenging.”

Bai Ruozhu thought of Yao Yuxuan. He used to heal with special abilities, perhaps he could truly cure it, but unfortunately, Yao Yuxuan’s abilities were already depleted, and he had become an ordinary person.

Upon returning to the posthouse, Jiang Yichun was already waiting for her. Bai Ruozhu briefly recounted their encounter, and everyone couldn’t help but feel sympathetic.

After Yaxi left, Bai Ruozhu said, ”Seeing Miao Zi’s situation today, I’m really worried about Diao Bin.”

”Ning Yu should be with her, so she should be fine,” Jiang Yichun comforted her, though the worry was evident on his own face.

But with no news at all, there wasn’t much they could do but worry.

The night passed without incident. The next day was Bai Ruozhu’s day to enter the palace for a follow-up consultation with the second prince, so she went ahead to see the emperor first.

”Your Majesty, do you find any taste differences between the foods of Zhongyuan and Fusang?” Bai Ruozhu took the opportunity to ask.

The emperor paused for a moment, then replied, ”I won’t pretend otherwise. Indeed, Zhongyuan’s cuisine surpasses ours in many ways, and just in variety alone, it’s a delight. Dining is also a pleasure.”

Bai Ruozhu smiled, ”I agree with Your Majesty’s opinion. Food is considered as important as the heavens to the people, and dining can be more pleasurable. As for what I said about differences, it’s not to belittle your country’s cuisine; rather, I noticed Fusang’s seasonings differ from ours.”

She took out a small bottle and handed it to the emperor, who opened it to take a look, ”Is this salt?”

”I call it savory powder, and it serves the same purpose as salt, but can add more umami flavor to dishes,” Bai Ruozhu explained.

In fact, savory powder is equivalent to modern chicken essence, separate from salt. But Bai Ruozhu had deliberately mixed in some salt with the savory powder this time, so it had the dual function of both chicken essence and salt.

Her intention was clear, for She Zongyi pioneered the refined salt drying method, and most of Fusang’s salt came from his family.

So she intended to seize She Zongyi’s biggest business!

”Your Majesty, have someone use this in place of salt when preparing meals later and see the effect for yourself.” Bai Ruozhu didn’t elaborate further. Bowing, she said, ”I shall go to attend to the second prince now.”

”Very well, thank you for your hard work, Envoy Bai,” the emperor replied, still gazing at the fine white powder in the bottle, wondering if it was indeed so miraculous.

Bai Ruozhu left with a smile, and quickly arrived at the second prince’s palace.

Unexpectedly, Princess Ya’an was also present, and before she even reached the door, she heard the siblings arguing again.

”Since you don’t want to marry into the imperial family, go pursue your own happiness. I am well now, and there’s no need for you to sacrifice yourself!” The second prince’s voice trembled slightly, clearly very angry.

”You’re well and yet throwing a fit. What if your condition worsens? I used to say I didn’t want to marry into the imperial family, but how do I pursue my happiness? I don’t even know what I’m looking for!” Princess Ya’an snapped back angrily.

Bai Ruozhu realized that Princess Ya’an had yet to fall in love; she hadn’t found someone special yet. In her youth, she had been reluctant to marry a relative, but upon accepting reality, being asked to choose anew left her unsure of what she truly sought.

Could she randomly pick someone outside the imperial family to marry? She didn’t like the potential match, nor did she know their character, which left her even more uncertain about the future.

The second prince seemed to have punched a pillow, sighing heavily, ”All right, you’re still young and don’t understand matters of the heart. It’s hard to choose, but I worry about the future—what if you do meet someone you truly like later, what then?”

Princess Ya’an’s face was serious, ”Since I’ve chosen to marry Wen De, I’ll live well with him for a lifetime, even if I encounter someone who stirs my heart. As the saying in Zhongyuan goes, if we can’t stay together, then forget each other in the River Jiang.”

”You...” The second prince took several deep breaths, ”You understand nothing!”

Princess Ya’an was somewhat defiant, ”Perhaps not, but do you, brother? You don’t have anyone special either, and mother is always wanting to find you a crown princess.”

The second prince’s expression grew darker as he sighed heavily, ”No, my health isn’t good—I don’t want to marry.”

Stunned, Princess Ya’an’s face changed dramatically, ”Wasn’t the poison cured? How could it affect your marriage plans?”

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Remember back in high school, there was a person with albinism near the school. Sometimes we’d see him after school. At the time, being immature, we thought he looked strange and would point and discuss him with classmates. As I grew older, I slowly came to understand this condition, and thinking back on our previous behavior, I felt regretful about it.