Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 2784: Chapter 2785: Observing in Secret

Bai Ruozhu looked up and immediately saw Tong Zhengye following behind Tong Qian, which startled her.

”Madam Bai, we meet again.” Tong Zhengye greeted respectfully, his attitude very courteous.

Tong Qian was taken aback, pulling on Tong Zhengye’s sleeve, ”Brother, she’s the one who took away the Empress Dowager’s gift.”

Bai Ruozhu raised an eyebrow at Tong Qian, ”Tong Zhengye, I thought your family only had a bit of confusion, but it turns out you have a daughter who can turn white into black with just her words.”

”Am I slandering you? Didn’t you take my necklace?” Tong Qian retorted, raising her chin.

”Qianqian, shut up and apologize to Madam Bai!” Tong Zhengye’s voice suddenly turned cold, like the icy wind of December, making Tong Qian shiver uncontrollably.

Tong Qian looked at him in disbelief, ”Why are you siding with outsiders? I understand now, you’ve never been so approachable with any woman before. No wonder you refuse the marriage our family arranged, refuse to marry Sister Lu, turns out you fancy this woman!”

She suddenly mocked, ”She’s wearing a married woman’s hairstyle; she’s already been married, and you fancy such a woman!”

The sound of two slaps echoed, and Bai Ruozhu had appeared in front of Tong Qian, delivering two hard slaps that sent Tong Qian sprawling to the ground, her cheeks swelling immediately.

”Tong Zhengye, on your account today, I’ll only give her two slaps, but if there’s a next time, I’ll want her life!” Bai Ruozhu glared at Tong Zhengye.

Tong Zhengye’s face turned alternating shades of red and white; he hadn’t wanted their first meeting in over a year to be under such circumstances.

He had heard she returned from the sea and had considered visiting her but felt it was too abrupt, hesitating until this unfortunate encounter.

The last time, he was nearly killed by someone close to him who thought he was his father’s illegitimate son, attempting to take everything that belonged to him.

But his father mentioned it, that Sui Sheng wasn’t his son, yet was still a part of the Tong Family.

That time, he almost lost his life, and it was thanks to her rescue. He always said the Tong Family owed her a great favor, yet upon meeting again, his sister was causing her trouble.

”Kneel!” Tong Zhengye suddenly said in a low voice.

Tong Qian was dazed from the slap, staring blankly at Tong Zhengye, ”Brother, what did you say?”

”I told you to kneel! If you don’t kneel and apologize to Madam Bai today, from this moment onward, you’re no longer a part of the Tong Family, nor will you have any protection from us!” Tong Zhengye said coldly.

The embroiderer on the side backed away in fright, wondering just what situation she had walked into, feeling like she had witnessed something monumental.

Tong Qian, born proud and indulged by her family, never thought of kneeling to anyone, her anger causing her to bite her lip until it bled.

”Do you know who she is?” Tong Zhengye said, frustrated, ”If it weren’t for her rescue, I would’ve died, and even the Tong Family would’ve suffered greatly. Do you think you’d still have such a wealthy life?”

Tong Qian was deeply shocked, finally understanding who she had crossed and why her brother was so angry.

She gritted her teeth, got up to kneel properly, and lowered her head, saying, ”Madam Bai, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have been jealous of your friend’s dress, shouldn’t have caused you trouble, and shouldn’t have turned things upside down.”

Tears helplessly streamed down; this was the most humiliating day of Tong Qian’s life.

Bai Ruozhu glanced at her indifferently, then said to Tong Zhengye, ”Your sister is very clever, but misapplies her intelligence; it’ll only harm herself eventually. She’s not young anymore, if she doesn’t change, soon she won’t be able to.”

”I will definitely discipline her strictly when we return and personally teach her,” said Tong Zhengye, his face flushed with embarrassment. Continuing like this, she’d not only harm herself but eventually bring great trouble to the family.

Bai Ruozhu turned her head to the embroiderer, ”Leave the dress here for repair, we’ll come to collect it tomorrow.”

The embroiderer hastily said, ”No need, we’ll have someone deliver it to your residence, Madam.”

Bai Ruozhu laughed, ”Thanks, it’ll be at Scholar Bai’s Residence.”

If referred simply as Bai Residence, it could also mean Ministry of Rites Assistant Minister Bai Guanghe’s residence.

”Understood, I’ll note it down.” The embroiderer quickly responded.

Then Bai Ruozhu, holding Meng Jinse’s hand, left Caiyi Pavilion in large strides, neither bidding farewell to Tong Zhengye nor sparing him a glance.

Tong Zhengye felt a tightness in his chest, glaring fiercely at Tong Qian, saying, ”Follow me home, from today you’ll learn manners properly from me.”

Tong Qian, finally terrified by her brother’s fierce demeanor, shrank back, got up, but winced as she pulled on the skin on her face, taking in a few sharp breaths from the pain.

In the past, Tong Zhengye would’ve definitely provided the best medicine for her injuries, but today he chose not to, wanting her to learn a lesson properly.

Bai Ruozhu, with Meng Jinse, went to Yingkelai, where they ordered the signature dish and some fruit wine.

”Master, I saw it clearly, there’s indeed a mole on the wrist,” a guard whispered to a man in black in the private room of the tea house across the street.

The man faced away from the window, only his lean figure visible, but just from his back, his imposing aura could be felt, impossible to ignore.

”She’s finally out, and Bai Ruozhu indeed has a way,” the man murmured, his voice clear as spring water yet somewhat chilling to hear.

”We’ve heard Bai Ruozhu and her group will soon leave the Capital, supposedly returning to the Jiuli Clan to visit family, a good time for us to...”

The man in black raised his hand, cutting off his subordinate’s words, ”They’ll stop by Beiyu City to take her home.”

”Then what do we do? Shall we seize an opportunity quickly?” The subordinate asked urgently.

”No hurry, the Capital is tightly guarded, following them along the way will eventually present an opportunity,” the man replied.

”But our undercover agents are all in the Capital, which might be disadvantageous for us on the road,” the subordinate expressed his concern.

The man elegantly took a sip from his teacup.

”I’ll handle the arrangements myself.”

”Yes.” The subordinate quickly retreated.

The man turned his head, peering through the gap in the window. The window of the opposite private room in Yingkelai was closed tight, revealing no view of the people inside, only faint outlines.

He extended his hand, sketching those outlines as if caressing a lover’s face, with such tenderness it seemed capable of melting the coldest ice.

Bai Ruozhu took Meng Jinse shopping extensively before finally returning to the Bai Residence. Seeing the abundance of things, Fo Lanying shouted angrily, ”Shopping without telling me, do you even have a conscience?”

”There’s more shopping tomorrow, just don’t complain about being tired then,” Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile.

”Come on, no woman ever gets tired of shopping,” Fo Lanying declared confidently.

Meng Jinse watched them laughing and teasing, feeling envious. She and Jinxia used to be as carefree and close, yet what had become of her now? And didn’t know if Jinxia was still well?