Chapter 1073 - 1075: Xiaosi Returns_1
Bai Ruozhu was nervous inside, yet she dared not let a single flaw show on her face. Deep down, she did feel somewhat guilty about what happened to Wu Wanqing.
Even if Jiang Yichun had not acted to kill Wu Wanqing, she would have certainly done it herself. Who told her to dare use Poisonous Insect Techniques on Little Dengdeng? But since Jiang Yichun was the one who acted, Bai Ruozhu still felt some discomfort in her heart. She knew he did not want her hands to be dirtied, nor did he want her to attract trouble, but how could she not feel distressed for him?
Indeed, when she thought about him feeling guilty toward the master who raised him, her heart ached unbearably.
But Wu Wanqing could not be spared; it was just that she should have been the one to act.
Xu Huilin’s complexion changed, and he lowered his voice, "My master received a secret imperial edict to enter the Capital. Because of the past incident, my junior brother has not been in contact with him, but still, the master keeps him in mind. Do not speak of this matter; it is not good for outsiders to know about my master entering the Capital, as the rules of the Communication Bureau have always been such."
"What rules?" Bai Ruozhu was somewhat puzzled.
"Historically, the historians of the Communication Bureau are stationed in the Capital, and the left and right communicators stay at strategic border locations. Only in the case of significant matters do they enter the Capital to report to the Emperor. If outsiders knew he is entering the Capital now, there would likely be some wild speculation," Xu Huilin explained.
Bai Ruozhu nodded. This was something Jiang Yichun had not mentioned to her before, and she had never inquired about the affairs of the Communication Bureau; this was indeed the first time she heard of it.
"Where Achun is right now, I also do not know, but I guess he should be back soon, maybe in time before your master leaves the Capital," Bai Ruozhu said, her words carrying a probing intention. She wanted to know how long Wu Yunfeng would stay in the Capital and whether he would be leaving soon.
"That would be good," Xu Huilin did not say much, but the implication was that Wu Yunfeng would not be leaving soon; otherwise, Xu Huilin would certainly have asked about the time frame to estimate better.
Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment, then asked, "Did your junior sister not come with you?"
Xu Huilin looked at Bai Ruozhu with a touch of surprise and said, "The junior sister has gone missing. Until now, the master has not found her. Did my junior brother not mention it to you?"
"I did hear about it when I was in Beiyu City. I thought she would have been found by now," Bai Ruozhu said casually, not showing much concern like others might. After all, she had a grudge with Wu Wanqing, and caring about her would be like caring for a ghost.
"There’s still no news; her master is also looking for her," Xu Huilin said.
Bai Ruozhu was somewhat surprised; she certainly had not heard from Jiang Yichun that Wu Wanqing had another master.
"Wu Wanqing’s master? I thought she learned her skills from your master," Bai Ruozhu inquired.
"I also happened to learn that the junior sister has another master, an expert from beyond the world, but my master mentioned it’s not convenient to speak of that person’s name," Xu Huilin said.
Bai Ruozhu mulled over this, considering that Wu Wanqing could use Poisonous Insect Techniques, and Wu Yunfeng probably did not understand such techniques, so Wu Wanqing’s knowledge of Poisonous Insect Techniques was likely inherited from her master, who was also an expert in the use of these techniques.
After Xu Huilin left, Bai Ruozhu no longer hoped for Jiang Yichun’s return as eagerly as before, rather wishing that he would come back later so she could avoid crossing paths with Wu Yunfeng.
In the afternoon, while Bai Ruozhu was still accompanying Little Dengdeng for his nap, a maid rushed over and called out softly at the door, "Miss, are you awake?"
Bai Ruozhu, a light sleeper, awoke at the noise and asked, "Is there some urgent matter?"
The maid’s voice was cheerful as she said, "The young master and his master have arrived home. The lady has sent me to inform you."
Bai Ruozhu sat up suddenly from the bed, "The young master? Is it Xiaosi?"
She had been corresponding with Xiaosi all along, and when she arrived in Capital City, she wrote him a letter with her address, asking if he could come home for the New Year. Xiaosi’s reply, however, stated that he was still learning from his master and could not decide when to return.
Bai Ruozhu thought it made sense, considering Xiaosi was still young and couldn’t possibly come home by himself. His master surely wouldn’t be at ease with him leaving all the time.
Yet, what she didn’t expect was for Xiaosi to suddenly return. Counting from the last letter she received from him, he must have set out just a few days after sending it. Was this boy planning to give the family a surprise?
She hurriedly got out of bed, glanced at Little Dengdeng who was still sound asleep, and went out to instruct Nanny Zhang, "Nanny, please take care of Dengdeng. When he wakes up, bring him to the Main Courtyard to meet his uncle."
Nanny Zhang, sensing the joy in her voice, also became happy and said, "Madam, go ahead quickly."
With a smile on her face, Bai Ruozhu walked briskly toward the Main Courtyard. The Bai Residence wasn’t large, and she soon reached the Main Courtyard. Indeed, there she saw Xiaosi and his master Xuan Jizi inside the room.
After several months apart, Xiaosi had grown taller. Although he was still quite thin, he had notably become much more robust. His little back was ramrod straight, and he emanated a certain air that he didn’t possess before.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t quite put her finger on this feeling—it was as though Xuan Jizi appeared like an enlightened immortal, and Xiaosi beside him, like a celestial child.
"Sister, I missed you so much!" As soon as Xiaosi saw Bai Ruozhu, he rushed out of the room and hugged her tightly around the waist.
Bai Ruozhu touched Xiaosi’s head, her eyes becoming slightly moist. Despite his maturity beyond his age, he was still a child after all. It was normal for him to miss home and his relatives after being so far away for the first time.
"Is martial arts training hard? Have you regretted it?" Bai Ruozhu asked teasingly.
Xiaosi sniffed and quickly replied, "It’s not hard, I’m much better now."
He was afraid Bai Ruozhu would stop him from continuing his martial arts training. Seeing his enthusiasm, she chuckled to herself. If he truly loved martial arts, what reason did she have to hinder his dreams with her own experiences?
"By the way, you didn’t mention you were coming back in your letters. How come you suddenly arrived with your master?" Bai Ruozhu inquired.
Xiaosi let go of Bai Ruozhu, his face blushing slightly, "The sect has always felt indebted to Jianqi because of the Black Gold Sword. After searching for this period, we finally found his sword. My master thought that instead of sending someone else to deliver it, it would be better for him to come with me, so I could also see you all, and moreover..."
Xiaosi paused here, seeming to struggle with words he found difficult to say.
Just as Bai Ruozhu was about to press for more details, she saw someone come out of the room. Standing nervously at the door, the woman said, "It’s good that Miss Bai is here. Could you tell Xiaosi whether or not I am his real mother?"
Bai Ruozhu squinted her eyes as she gazed at the woman in the distance, a murderous intent appearing in her eyes. Indeed, that woman was Niu Cuicui, Xiaosi’s birth mother!
She had clearly taken the two hundred silver from Bai Ruozhu in agreement not to disturb Xiaosi for ten years, so why was she here?
Xiaosi looked towards Bai Ruozhu and said, "Sister, she found Mount Hua and claims to be my real mother. She also says you all are aware of her identity. Is what she’s saying true?"
Bai Ruozhu was infuriated. She wanted nothing more than to eject Niu Cuicui out of there. She had once sympathized with Niu Cuicui’s plight, but now she felt nothing but deep revulsion.
Indeed, those who are pitiable usually have their detestable sides. She really wanted to tell him it wasn’t true, but she couldn’t bear to deceive Xiaosi...