Chapter 1069 - 1071: Probably Misunderstood_1
Diao Yao’s face had turned red to the base of her neck, and she knew she should not have called Ruolan a "fool." The poor girl was already mentally impaired due to her illness, and yet she had berated her, truly appearing vicious.
"I, I know I was wrong. Would it be okay if I apologize to her?" Diao Yao was fundamentally a good person, and her face was now full of remorse.
Bai Ruozhu nodded. She liked the girl Diao Yao and was willing to take the effort to guide her; had it been anyone else, she would have long since retorted on Ruolan’s behalf.
"Will Brother Hai forgive me? Will he think I am very cruel? A bad girl?" Diao Yao, having vented her anger, suddenly recalled Chu Hai’s angry demeanor and couldn’t help but worry.
"No, he certainly knows your nature is good," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile as she patted Diao Yao’s head, offering encouragement.
Diao Yao nodded, and followed Bai Ruozhu back to the doorway, where she faced Chu Hai, who was still sitting there.
"Brother Hai, just now..." Diao Yao looked at Chu Hai, very nervous, "I should not have insulted anyone. I will not do it again."
Chu Hai remained as cold as an iceberg, glancing at Diao Yao and saying, "Just be mindful in the future."
Seeing that Chu Hai wasn’t angry, Diao Yao immediately brightened up and turned to Bai Ruozhu, "I’m going to apologize to Sister Ruolan now."
After saying this, she dashed out the door, with Bai Ruozhu not pursuing her. She looked towards Chu Hai, "I’ll check you over and see if it’s appropriate to treat you again soon."
Chu Hai extended his hand, which was very white, almost to the point of pallor, revealing the veins underneath, which made him seem rather frail.
Bai Ruozhu took his pulse for a thorough check, then retracted her hand, "Let’s do it the afternoon after next. You’ve been adjusting well. After this time, I think one or two more sessions and the poison should be cleared."
Unexpectedly, Chu Hai showed little surprise at her words; his expression unchanged, not reflecting the joy Bai Ruozhu had anticipated.
Looking at him with some confusion, Bai Ruozhu asked, "Why aren’t you happy about the detoxification?"
"I might be detoxified, but there’s no way to help my mother’s poisoning. What’s there to be happy about?" His voice was light, his tone mild, even tinged with a hint of helplessness.
Bai Ruozhu sighed, powerless.
"Ruolan is currently not sound of mind, and she likes pretty things. Don’t overthink it. Just try to avoid it in the future, okay? It doesn’t matter to you, but consider Diao Yao’s feelings," she said, intending to leave but then stopped to add.
"What do you mean? Likes pretty things? Am I a thing?" Chu Hai seemed slightly upset.
Yet Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh, "Aren’t you a ’thing’?"
This time Chu Hai was left speechless, a flush of irritation creeping onto his otherwise pale, cold face.
"Why should I consider Diao Yao’s feelings? What are you talking about?" Chu Hai put away his embarrassment, shifting the subject.
"Why, you know very well yourself. There’s no need for me to spell it out, is there?" Bai Ruozhu’s lips slightly curled, not believing for a second that the icy Chu Hai hadn’t been warmed by Diao Yao.
"I don’t understand, she’s my sister, what do I need to understand?" Chu Hai said.
Bai Ruozhu felt Chu Hai was really as dense as wood, and somewhat impatiently said, "You consider her your sister, but she’s not your blood sister, and she certainly doesn’t think of you as her brother."
Chu Hai suddenly glanced towards the door and lowered his voice, "Don’t talk nonsense, she is my sister, we are blood-related, it’s just that she doesn’t know yet."
Bai Ruozhu’s eyes widened in shock. Weren’t these two master and disciple? Chu Hai had saved Diao Yao’s life, and since Diao Yao liked him, she had been taking care of him by his side.
"Then why don’t you tell her? Do you want her to fall deeply into feelings for you, only to then discover that she’s your sister? Don’t you think that’s too cruel?" Bai Ruozhu raised her voice angrily.
Chu Hai showed a pained expression, "I don’t want to keep it from her either, but I made a promise to my mother..."
Just then, Diao Yao returned from outside. Chu Hai immediately fell silent. Bai Ruozhu glanced at Diao Yao, who appeared carefree again, and felt a bitter taste in her heart. She wanted to reveal Chu Hai’s secret, but in the end, she chose to remain silent.
Perhaps Chu Hai had a compelling reason for his secrecy, and perhaps Diao Yao would face even bigger problems if she knew the truth. That’s why Chu Hai couldn’t tell her, and she shouldn’t get involved in this mess.
After saying goodbye to Chu Hai and Diao Yao, Bai Ruozhu went to check on Bai Ruolan. Bai Ruolan had not fallen hard, just landed on her bottom a bit painfully, but there were no other injuries. She chatted with Ruolan for a bit and then pulled Lamei aside.
"Lamei, you are in charge of looking after Lady Ruolan, but you can’t just let her do as she pleases. Don’t take her to Chu Hai anymore, and if she insists on going, find something else to distract her." Bai Ruozhu whispered.
Ruolan was like a child; if given a toy, she would likely play with the toy and forget about her plan to find Chu Hai.
Although Lamei couldn’t speak, she understood Bai Ruozhu’s intention and nodded vigorously to show she understood.
The next day was the day Gu Xue’an came to learn bookkeeping from Bai Ruozhu. Because Bai Ruozhu had to enter the Palace later in the afternoon, she taught a bit less content.
After the lesson, Bai Ruozhu took Gu Xue’an’s hand and said, "Stay for lunch, it’s already this time."
"Maybe next time, I still have to visit Qizhi’s place today." Gu Xue’an sighed as she spoke, "Qizhi’s grandpa fell ill at my house that day and has been unwell ever since, with his illness coming and going. He hasn’t been able to attend court these last few days. I said I’d visit, hoping Grandpa Bai recovers soon."
Bai Ruozhu suddenly remembered Bai Qizhi’s grandpa and that day in the study of the Gu Residence, when he saw her, his complexion changed as if he was shocked, and then he fainted.
It felt as if a cord in her heart was plucked; she quickly looked at Gu Xue’an and asked, "Has there been someone in Qizhi’s family who went missing in the past? Or someone who hasn’t returned home for many years? Someone from the generation of Qizhi’s grandpa?"
"I don’t think I’ve heard anything like that, why do you ask?" Gu Xue’an replied, perplexed.
Bai Ruozhu quickly calmed her excited emotions and said with a smile, "It’s nothing, I must have remembered incorrectly. I remember someone was looking for a lost relative, but I don’t know how I got it mixed up with Qizhi’s family."
Gu Xue’an didn’t think too much of it and while packing up, said, "You must have remembered incorrectly. The Qizhi family has many members; several of her paternal granduncles were officers, and there are quite a few officers among her uncles too. Her father’s rank is considered the lowest among them, but I’ve never heard about anyone missing."
Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat disappointed upon hearing this. It seemed she had been mistaken; how could such a coincidence happen? A relative that had not been found for decades, how could it be that simple to run into them in the Capital City?