Chapter 1040 - 1042: The Banquet at Hongmen_1
When Jiang Yichun saw Bai Ruozhu looking like that, the anger that had originally risen in his heart dissipated involuntarily. This woman was scheming again, and he found it funny; he naturally couldn’t get angry anymore.
Moreover, Mrs. Dou might have been happy with her tongue, but she definitely wouldn’t end up well—she might even fall ill within a few days.
Jiang Xuexiang’s face stiffened, "This, this..."
He, too, was at a loss for what to say. He could talk to his cousin but it wasn’t proper to directly interfere with another man’s wife. He could only let out a silent sigh, realizing that someone did not wish for Yichun and Ruozhu to return.
What he didn’t know was that his own wife also didn’t want Jiang Yichun and Bai Ruozhu to return to the Jiang Family.
Jiang Yichun and Bai Ruozhu paid their respects to Jiang Xuexiang and quickly left the Jiang Residence.
On the way back in the horse carriage, Bai Ruozhu raised her eyebrows and looked at Jiang Yichun, "Aren’t you going to ask about the result of the pulse diagnosis?"
"I can’t be bothered with that old man’s fate," Jiang Yichun said displeasedly.
"Aren’t you curious at all? Don’t be such a bore, or your wife here might start thinking you’re as dull as wood," Bai Ruozhu said, pouting her lips.
Suddenly, Jiang Yichun raised his hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, saying with a mischievous smile, "Whoever called me as hot as charcoal? Have I turned into wood so quickly?"
Bai Ruozhu’s face turned red as her confidence waned due to embarrassment, "Charcoal is made by burning wood, isn’t it?"
Jiang Yichun laughed heartily, who said he had no way with his woman? He had plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
Bai Ruozhu glared at him, "I’m not joking with you. Elder Jiang Ge seems to have been poisoned with a slow-acting poison. He has been taking medicines for a while, and he was losing his temper when I was taking his pulse. My diagnosis wasn’t very clear, but I feel like he might not have many years to live, and even his bad temper could be an effect of the poison."
Jiang Yichun’s expression changed, and then he turned his head to the side, "The sooner he dies, the better. He can confess to my father underground sooner. Don’t poke your nose into it."
"Normally I wouldn’t want to interfere, but now they are trying to pin something on you, and it’s very likely that the person behind this is related to the past incident that framed your father. Are you really not going to investigate?" Bai Ruozhu removed his arm from her shoulder and her expression turned serious.
Jiang Yichun was silent for a moment and finally nodded, "You’re right, maybe we can unravel the past if we follow the clues."
"However, if the Emperor asks, don’t mention the poisoning. I haven’t figured it out yet; without evidence, it’s easy to startle the snake in the grass," Bai Ruozhu reminded him.
"Okay, I’ll listen to my wife," Jiang Yichun said and once again raised his arm to wrap around her shoulder, refusing to let go no matter how she struggled.
...
Soon, the news that Jiang Yichun and Bai Ruozhu visited Elder Jiang Ge to inquire about his illness spread, and Bai Ruozhu wrote a prescription for the Imperial Doctor to examine. The Imperial Doctor also reported back to the Emperor, confirming that the medicine prescribed by Mrs. Jiang was very suitable. For a time, the voices of the imperial censors impeaching Jiang Yichun subsided.
After Bai Ruozhu had a peaceful couple of days, when she was at the Residence instructing Gu Xue’an and Guizhi on bookkeeping, a maid came to report that they had received an invitation card.
"The wife of National Duke from Zheng Country’s Residence is inviting me to a Flower Appreciation Banquet?" Bai Ruozhu felt very surprised when she saw the invitation card, as she did not know any National Duke’s wife.
But someone who could be referred to as the National Duke must certainly hold no ordinary status.
Having grown up in the Capital, Gu Xue’an quickly began to explain to Bai Ruozhu.
"National Duke Zheng is called Zheng Yi, who once established remarkable military achievements for Danliang Country and was also a legendary figure on the Northwest battlefield. However, during the Former Emperor’s reign, he left the battlefield due to injuries and was conferred the title of National Duke. Later, he even married the Former Emperor’s sister, Princess Huilan. The lady who sent you the invitation card is none other than Princess Huilan," said Gu Xue’an.
Bai Ruozhu listened with surprise, "I’ve heard that son-in-laws usually don’t hold substantial official positions, right? The National Duke was able to marry a princess?"
Gu Xue’an lowered her voice, "National Duke Zheng had been on the battlefield for a long time, and his wife, who accompanied the army, passed away unfortunately from illness. He did not remarry for a while. As for Princess Huilan, she had previously wed a son-in-law, who, however, passed away from illness. She later met National Duke Zheng and then..."
"Then what?" Bai Ruozhu asked, as keen on gossip as hearing the latest news, her interest clearly piqued.
"The Former Emperor would naturally not allow it, but who would have known that the two had already formed a secret bond? Even without his blessing, they had no choice," Gu Xue’an made a shushing gesture, afraid someone outside might overhear. "It’s said that Princess Huilan has a rather difficult temperament. You’ll need to be extra careful tomorrow."
Bai Ruozhu rested her chin on her hand, lost in thought, before finally asking, "What illness did Princess Huilan’s original husband die from? It wasn’t..."
"It’s said to be smallpox, but there are also whispers that he had made Princess Huilan unhappy," Gu Xue’an’s voice grew even softer.
Guizhi covered her mouth, almost exclaiming aloud, and muttered quietly, "Are people from the Royal Family really that frightening?"
Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips, thinking that this Princess Huilan didn’t seem like an easy person to get along with. Then why the sudden invitation? If she refused, it would be showing disrespect to a princess and the Royal Family. If she went, she might be walking into a den of dragons and tigers.
"Don’t worry, I’ll be extra careful tomorrow. I have these guards with me; nothing will happen. Besides, I haven’t offended Princess Huilan. Maybe she just wants to meet me, perhaps to have her pulse checked," Bai Ruozhu reassured Gu Xue’an and Guizhi.
Before she knew it, the next day had arrived. Bai Ruozhu entrusted her precious son to her mother’s care, while she took Nanny Zhang and set out.
According to the customs of the Capital, married ladies typically took a maid or nanny with them when visiting. Bai Ruozhu was used to being independent and feared that a common maid might become a burden. It would be better to bring Nanny Zhang, who knew some Martial Arts and had a steady temperament.
These past days, she had observed that Nanny Zhang was very loyal to her and genuinely fond of Little Dengdeng, but not to the point of spoiling him like her parents would; Nanny Zhang could be quite strict when needed.
In the horse carriage, Bai Ruozhu gave Nanny Zhang a brief rundown of the situation at the Zheng Family Residence based on what Gu Xue’an had told her. It wasn’t detailed, but she wanted Nanny Zhang to be aware, in case she encountered any trouble and needed Nanny Zhang to come to her aid promptly.
When they arrived outside the gates of the Zheng Family Residence, she found that many horse carriages had already stopped there. It seemed that the Flower Appreciation Banquet had quite a few invitees.
Bai Ruozhu, accompanied by Nanny Zhang, stepped out of her carriage, handed over her Invitation Card, and then entered the Zheng Family Residence.
The National Duke’s Residence was indeed extraordinary. Its grandeur was evident from just outside the Main Gate. Once inside, Bai Ruozhu felt all the more that although her family’s situation was improving and they were not lacking in money, they really couldn’t compare with the deep-rooted aristocrats.
At that moment, a maid dressed in a smoke-green gown approached gracefully, curtsied to the two of them, and said, "My name is Luoluo, and the princess has sent me to guide Miss Jiang."
Bai Ruozhu handed over a prepared sachet with a smile, "Then I must trouble Miss Luoluo."
As Luoluo accepted the sachet, Bai Ruozhu’s gaze suddenly fell on the bracelet on her fair wrist, her eyes narrowing slightly.