Chapter 1022 - 1024: They are not from the Bai family!_1
Jiang Yichun did reveal some information to the Emperor, but spoke very cryptically, after all, it might involve the late Emperor, and it was necessary to save face for the Royal Family.
"I am only guessing, since the princess wasn’t poisoned, and it doesn’t seem like any strange illness either," said Bai Ruozhu cautiously.
The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "What are we to do now, the National Master has been ill and unable to examine Diao Bin, otherwise, I would have been somewhat reassured."
Diao Bin hurriedly took the Empress Dowager’s hand and said, "Mother, don’t worry, there’s always a way to deal with things. Hasn’t the National Master read my fortune before? He said I have the appearance of someone destined for fortune and longevity, so nothing will happen to me."
After speaking, she smiled at Bai Ruozhu and said, "It’s just that my mother is too worried about me, so since I’ve been back for so long, she’s kept me in the Palace and won’t let me out. Otherwise, I would have gone to play with you and Xiaoyao long ago."
Bai Ruozhu also smiled back, but she felt a deep sense of pity in her heart. Such a beautiful young girl had turned her hair white, and her appearance had grown so much older, anyone would feel heartbroken upon seeing her.
She then chatted with the Empress Dowager and Diao Bin for a while longer. The Empress Dowager also expressed her gratitude for Bai Ruozhu’s care of Diao Bin along the way, and bestowed upon her quite a few gifts, which made Bai Ruozhu feel very embarrassed. The Empress Dowager didn’t know why Diao Bin sought out Bai Ruozhu, but Bai Ruozhu herself was well aware of the reason.
After leaving the Imperial Palace, Bai Ruozhu went to the Commerce Association to inquire again about finding someone knowledgeable in the arts of Sorcery; even if the National Master was unable to help, she didn’t believe that no one else could be found.
Meanwhile, back at the Bai Residence, Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong were once again busy with new tasks, as Little Dengdeng’s first birthday was approaching!
They did not have many relatives and friends in the Capital, so they simply decided not to host a grand first birthday banquet. However, the ceremony to mark the first birthday was something they definitely wanted to do well.
Bai Ruozhu had also gone through the first birthday ceremony as a child, though she of course didn’t remember it herself. It was only later when she grew up that her Grandpa had often recalled with emotion how she had picked a book, suggesting she would be a scholar in the future. Later on, she went abroad to study and even earned a master’s degree, becoming quite the educated child among her relatives.
I wonder what Little Dengdeng will pick?
Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong thought about it and felt it was inappropriate not to call over the Old Master for Dengdeng’s birthday, and since the family Elder was also in the Capital, they had to invite him as well. If not for the Elder’s help back then, Dengdeng might not have been included in the family genealogy.
Thus, the couple consulted with Bai Ruozhu, suggesting they send a message to the Bo Family, inviting Old Master, the family Elder, and Bai Yixiao to join them for a meal.
"It probably wouldn’t be proper not to invite the Bo Family either. Let’s just mention it casually and see who will come," Lin Ping’er said after some thought.
"Dengdeng is a member of the Bai Family. I’m not sure if Old Master Bo would be willing to attend," Bai Yihong said and then suddenly lowered his voice to ask Bai Ruozhu, "Ruozhu, has Yichun mentioned anything about Dengdeng changing his surname?"
To tell the truth, the Bai Family would prefer Dengdeng to bear the Bai surname, as a descendant of the Bai Family, but Jiang Yichun was indeed a grown man and not genuinely married into the Bai Family; how could they make him not pass his surname to his own child?
Bai Ruozhu hadn’t discussed this matter with Jiang Yichun either; Dengdeng was still young, and in daily life, they always called him by his nickname.
"Dengdeng is still too young, and Achun and I haven’t discussed this matter. We’ll see in the future," she said.
That very day, the Bai Family sent an invitation to the Bo Residence. Bai Ruozhu even personally made the trip; after all, as her child was celebrating his first birthday, she needed to show proper etiquette.
Unexpectedly, the Madam of the Bo Family was delighted, and smiling, she said, "Then I really must go and enjoy the fun. It’s most amusing to see a child’s first birthday ceremony."
"Absolutely, you’re most welcome!" Bai Ruozhu responded with a smile.
The Madam of the Bo Family brought her to the Old Master’s yard and, after explaining her purpose, Bai Lu and Bai Yixiao immediately said they would definitely arrive on time that day. However, Bai Fu, who was standing by, indifferently said, "I have not been feeling well recently, so I will not be running back and forth. The child is young, and we should not make things too extravagant, to avoid harming the child’s fortune."
Indeed, people in ancient times had this belief that being too extravagant for a child from a young age could harm their fortune. But when the Old Master said it, the tone sounded odd, making Bai Ruozhu feel very uncomfortable.
Upon hearing this, Madame Liu also chimed in, "Then I won’t go either. Your grandpa is not in good health, and I need to be by his side to take care of him."
Goodness gracious, it seems that Little Dengdeng’s great-grandfather and great-grandmother don’t feel like coming to his first birthday. What a way to show face.
The eyebrows of the Old Master Bo furrowed slightly, but he did not say anything.
Bai Ruozhu was not angry but smiled and said, "Grandpa and Grandma’s health is the most important. Dengdeng is a junior; there’s no need for anything elaborate. The key is for you to take good care of yourselves."
She was already being very polite, but Madame Liu still glared sideways and muttered, "Stop with the pretense; we’re all upset because you won’t let us save Boss. How can we be in good health with this on our minds? You just want to anger us to death."
Goodness gracious, the Old Lady was bringing up the issue of saving Bai Yibo again. Bai Fu glanced at her but did not speak to stop her, clearly also eager to bring Bai Yibo back.
Bai Ruozhu felt even more repulsed and thought about settling the matter once and for all by crushing their hopes to spare the Old Master Bo any persuasion.
"Grandpa, Grandma, I understand you are worried about my eldest uncle, but children are not spoilt in vain. Besides, my eldest uncle is not young; he has grandchildren and should be accountable for his own actions. If you truly have his best interests at heart, you should be stricter with him rather than indulging him."
Seeing Bai Fu’s face showing anger, she knew he did not like anyone speaking ill of his first son.
Ignoring this, she continued, "As for his exile, the examination fraud case was taken very seriously by Emperor Huang, who was also very angry. He specially dispatched an imperial envoy to investigate. Since the imperial envoy has made a judgment, it is not something we can casually intervene in. What if we attempt to rescue my heavily accused eldest uncle and anger the emperor? How will we face that?"
"Stop trying to scare people. What would the emperor care about Yibo? You’re just holding a grudge against your uncle’s family, not wanting him to return, not wishing for our family to be reunited!" Madame Liu shouted angrily.
Our family...
Bai Ruozhu sneered secretly; look at that—the Old Lady didn’t even consider the second branch as part of the family. Such blatant favoritism!
For some reason, the Old Master suddenly looked up and glared fiercely at the Old Lady, signaling her to stop talking, and then said, "It’s not your place to interfere with matters of the elders. Whether your uncle will be saved or not will be discussed later."
Bai Fu just wanted to send Bai Ruozhu away without arguing over whether to rescue Bai Yibo. He feared that if Bai Ruozhu aired all of Bai Yibo’s past misdeeds, wouldn’t that affect Bai Yibo’s image in the Old Master Bo’s eyes?
But Madame Liu was not privy to Bai Fu’s inner thoughts. Upon hearing this, she got agitated and yelled at Bai Fu, "That’s your own son. Aren’t you in a hurry to save him? Do you have to be satisfied only when those outsiders have caused his death?"
Bai Fu’s face changed drastically, "What nonsense are you spewing? Go inside and stay there!"
But Madame Liu planted her hands on her hips and refused to leave, furiously saying, "They were never part of the Bai Family to begin with!"
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Accidentally fell asleep, so this is as far as I can go for today. Will strive for five updates tomorrow~