Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2558: Chapter 2559: Origami Artist

Bai Ruozhu had wanted to ask Empress Shangzi something, but before she could, everything was thrown into chaos.

But because of Empress Shangzi’s antics, Bai Ruozhu completely lost interest in selling the fresh soup powder to the Emperor.

On one hand, the Emperor would eventually renounce the throne and had no interest in business matters. With the fresh soup powder in his hands, it might not succeed, and wouldn’t it be a waste of such a valuable resource?

On the other hand, after the Emperor abdicates, the second prince will take over, and the fresh soup powder business will be handed to him. And since Empress Yazi is his biological mother, how could things develop positively with such a disruptive influence involved?

Therefore, Bai Ruozhu thought it best to plan for the long term, and perhaps even finding a merchant or a daimyo for cooperation would be better than dealing with the imperial family.

But among the daimyos they knew, only General Chisong was an option, and he was greedy and tyrannical, certainly not an appropriate partner.

Just as they were discussing who would be the best person to collaborate with, a figure appeared at the door, looking timidly at everyone, and asked, ”I feel much better now. Is there anything I can help with? You’ve saved me, and I’d like to do something to repay you.”

The person who came was none other than Gong Feng, who had been saved by Yan Zhi with her life. However, Bai Ruozhu and the others found it difficult to decide what task to assign to a demon.

If they let him leave, what if he remembered something and went back to where he and Yan Zhi used to live, then thought of Yan Zhi and ended his life for her? Wouldn’t Yan Zhi’s sacrifice be in vain?

”How are your martial arts? I’m not referring to demonic methods.” Jiang Yichun asked.

Gong Feng showed an awkward expression, ”Without demonic methods, I have little martial arts ability, even self-defense is challenging.”

”But here in Kyoto, using demonic methods will attract Yin Yang Masters to capture you.” Jiang Yichun said.

”Then I’ll practice martial arts seriously now.” Gong Feng said earnestly.

Bai Ruozhu shook her head slightly. Practicing martial arts now couldn’t be achieved overnight, so it seemed like any task requiring combat capability shouldn’t be given to him.

In the end, after thinking it over, they could only have him help with some kitchen work.

Fortunately, Gong Feng wasn’t pompous and didn’t mind that the kitchen was mostly run by women, quickly and enthusiastically taking up his position and starting with lighting the fire.

Bai Ruozhu saw that he was easily content, with a smile on his face from time to time, and remembered when Yan Zhi died, causing her heart to feel a bit heavy.

On one hand, she didn’t want Gong Feng to remember Yan Zhi, as it was Yan Zhi’s last wish. But on the other hand, she felt sorry for Yan Zhi, not wanting her sacrifices to go entirely forgotten by Gong Feng.

Two days later, the Emperor sent someone to apologize to Bai Ruozhu, mentioning that Empress Yazi had realized her mistake and wanted to apologize to Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu immediately replied saying it wasn’t necessary; she couldn’t bear an apology from an empress.

It was easy to guess that Empress Yazi would think she was at fault? Even if she reluctantly apologized, who knows how much she actually resented her in her heart. Bai Ruozhu was not interested in playing such games with her.

The Emperor thought she was still angry and decided to give it some time, opting not to bother her further for the moment.

That afternoon, Bai Ruozhu was in the posthouse organizing medicinal materials. Recently, she had been helping many people, consuming quite a lot, so she needed to check which materials were running low and restock in advance to avoid running out when urgently needed.

She didn’t expect to hear the sound of a horse carriage outside, and someone got off to knock on the door, speaking cheerfully, ”Is Lord Bai here? Yaxi requests an audience.”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but smile and asked Yizi to open the door.

Unexpectedly, it wasn’t just Yaxi who entered, but also Fangzi and the girl named Miao Zi.

”How come you three came together?” Bai Ruozhu asked with a smile.

”I asked Fangzi to accompany me to see Miao Zi, and since she hadn’t yet bought a birthday present for her adoptive father, we took her along and helped her choose one.” Yaxi said with a smile, pointing to the sky, ”Luckily there’s no sun today.”

While usually people would say it’s good to have a sunny day, this girl’s tone made it sound like an overcast day was something wonderful.

Bai Ruozhu’s smile deepened, ”You all seem to get along well. You should visit Miao Zi more often to talk to her.”

”Okay.” Fangzi answered with a smile.

Miao Zi curtsied towards Bai Ruozhu, ”I asked Yaxi and Sister Fangzi to bring me here because I wanted to properly thank you, Madam. It was all so rushed that day.”

Bai Ruozhu helped her up, ”You’ve already thanked me, no need to be so formal. Let’s talk inside.”

Even though the sky was overcast, Miao Zi’s skin was still sensitive to ultraviolet rays.

The three of them followed Bai Ruozhu into the room, and Miao Zi took out a box and handed it to Bai Ruozhu, saying, ”Madam, I made this myself. I hope you like it.”

Bai Ruozhu opened the box to find an intricate origami piece. Upon closer inspection, it was a peach on top with a bat at the bottom.

”I heard that in Zhongyuan customs, bats represent fortune, and peaches represent longevity. I wish you good health, so I folded this for you.” Miao Zi explained.

”Wow, so intricate! Miao Zi, did you think of this yourself?” Fangzi asked in surprise.

Miao Zi blushed and nodded, ”I just enjoy working with these things.”

”Amazing, even the best origami pieces I’ve seen aren’t as delicate as yours!” Fangzi said earnestly, her eyes glued to the box, clearly very fond of it.

Miao Zi smiled, ”I’ll make one for you too later, in a different style.”

Bai Ruozhu thought that the Fusang people loved origami art. Put in contemporary times, this Miao Zi would be an origami artist.

”Thank you for your gift, I really like it.” Bai Ruozhu said, smiling at Miao Zi.

Miao Zi was delighted, ”I’m glad you like it, Madam.”

”Miao Zi, with your skills, even people in the Imperial Palace would be impressed. You should have more confidence in yourself in the future.” Yaxi said.

”How can I be compared to those masters? I just play around on my own.” Miao Zi said modestly.

Bai Ruozhu quite liked the young ladies, so she invited them to stay for a meal. After eating, they all praised the food enthusiastically and exclaimed that they’d love to visit often.

Bai Ruozhu once again felt proud of the Zhongyuan cuisine. Is it any wonder that in modern times, Chinese food is popular worldwide? It’s all because of the excellence of our own cuisine.

...

At the City Gate, a man dressed entirely in black with a half-metal mask on his face was stopped by the guard.

”Wearing a mask, blocking your face like this, how can anyone know you’re not a wanted criminal?” the guard said sternly.

The man touched the mask on his face and sighed, ”My face is ruined; I’m afraid of scaring you officers if I take it off.”

”Nonsense! We’ve seen everything. When you’re told to take it off, you take it off, stop wasting words!” the guard said angrily, giving him a push.

The man sidestepped and avoided, displeased, ”This is on you; don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

After speaking, he removed the mask, and all the people around immediately changed their expressions. Some of the more timid ones even screamed in fright.