Chapter 1091 - 1093: Everything is Ready Except for the East Wind_1
Others naturally wouldn’t pick up the conversation, and Jiao Bingqin’s face grew increasingly embarrassed, even her dignified and virtuous smile could no longer be maintained.
"Let’s talk about it later then," she had no choice but to speak up and find herself an excuse to step down.
Bai Zepei swept her a cold glance and spoke, "Miss Jiao’s father was not harmed by a corrupt officer. Since his name has not yet been cleared, how can she be in the mood for outings everywhere?"
Jiao Bingqin couldn’t help but shiver, and Jiang Yichun also remained silent after hearing this. He only looked at Jiao Bingqin with an even colder gaze, hoping that this woman knew what she was doing and wouldn’t carelessly reveal any flaws.
Bai Ruozhu chuckled to herself. As soon as Jiao Bingqin had suggested wanting to go around places, she and her second brother had the same thought. If Miss Jiao had truly come to the Capital to seek justice for her deceased father, how could she have the mood to go shopping around?
If all that was a cover for her hidden identity, but her actions contradicted the identity she purported to have, wasn’t it too easy for her to reveal flaws?
Saying she wanted to go around places, her current identity might have been arranged for her to stay with the Bai Family, and going out was definitely not done casually. Probably, for her safety, Jiang Yichun would have to accompany her personally.
Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes and swiftly sized up Jiao Bingqin, who seemed dignified and virtuous but was not a simple character. Moreover, she faintly felt that Jiao Bingqin harbored some ulterior motives towards Jiang Yichun.
Thinking about it, it made sense. If the Emperor wanted her to enter the Palace, she would probably have done so immediately upon arriving at the Capital and become the Emperor’s woman, leaving the Bai Family no longer concerned. And her role was to help the Emperor with some matter, but as a woman ultimately couldn’t become an official, what about after the matter was done? She would definitely need to get married.
Jiao Bingqin had no foundation or background in the Capital, and it was nearly impossible for her to join an official’s family. But it would not be difficult if she became a concubine to Jiang Yichun because of this matter.
At this moment, Jiao Bingqin’s smiling face had completely stiffened. She already knew she had made a grave mistake and was quickly contemplating in her head how she could make amends.
"Miss Jiao must not be too playful; otherwise, your late father would be disappointed from the beyond," Jiang Yichun spoke coldly. Because Ruozhu was upset, he formally referred to her as Miss Jiao.
Jiao Bingqin’s eyes widened slightly as she looked at Jiang Yichun. Had her efforts along the way all been in vain?
Soon, her eyes began to redden, and she put on an act of struggling to hold back her tears, saying, "I, I only do not want everyone to worry. I promised my father that I would live happily."
Bai Ruozhu’s lips slightly curled up; Jiao Bingqin truly was not an ordinary character – just listen to how nicely she spoke.
Jiang Yichun didn’t continue the conversation, and naturally, no one else wanted to add anything, so everyone continued to eat their meal, leaving Jiao Bingqin hung out to dry.
Because she encountered resistance at every turn, Jiao Bingqin felt she had underestimated the Bai Family. After the meal, she politely excused herself to go back early to ponder over what to do, lest she make even more mistakes if she stayed on.
After the meal, the family sat together to drink tea and chat, but Jiang Yichun was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, eagerly wishing to immediately pull his wife back to their room to have a proper talk. Unfortunately, he had angered his wife, so naturally, he couldn’t act rashly.
Bai Ruozhu sneaked a glance at him and intentionally lingered, not leaving until Dengdeng was ready to sleep, at which point she finally got up to say goodbye.
Jiang Yichun performed a courteous bow to his parents and second brother, then stood protectively behind Bai Ruozhu and her son. Now that it was winter, the night had grown cold, so he wrapped his arm around Bai Ruozhu’s shoulders, trying to provide her some warmth to prevent catching a chill.
Little did he know, Bai Ruozhu quickened her pace without showing any emotion, leaving his arm hanging in the air. He quickly caught up and once again wrapped his arm around her.
Bai Ruozhu quickened her pace again, pulling away from his arm once more, so he chased after her again...
If it weren’t for the dim light of the night, the servants of the Bai Family would have certainly witnessed this scene, probably admiring how the young Miss and her brother-in-law knew how to have fun, playing a game of cat and mouse late into the evening.
"Ruozhu, I’ve explained everything clearly, why are you still angry?" Jiang Yichun said with some annoyance.
Bai Ruozhu glanced at him and said, "You have made things clear to me, but who shall I explain to? Let’s not mention the servants behind our backs feeling sorry for me or laughing at me; it’s likely that soon the whole Capital will be talking. If I cannot save face, how can I be in a good mood?"
"By then, everyone will know that I won’t take a concubine," Jiang Yichun asserted solemnly.
Bai Ruozhu sneered. Alright then, she would give him a good look when the time came. Men really shouldn’t be indulged!
"Well then, Wife, let’s rest," Jiang Yichun said with longing in his eyes. Heaven knows how much he had missed her while away, and seeing her now only intensified his yearning to the point of restlessness.
"Sure, but I have to put my son to bed first. Don’t disturb the child, okay?" Bai Ruozhu’s tone wasn’t exactly unfriendly, in fact, it was much gentler than before, but Jiang Yichun couldn’t shake the feeling that she was keeping him at arm’s length.
By the time Dengdeng fell asleep, Bai Ruozhu had also fallen asleep—or at least that was what she pretended, for when Jiang Yichun bit his lip and reached over to touch her, she mumbled fuzzily, "Don’t bother me, stay on your side!"
Jiang Yichun was so frustrated he wanted to smack her, yet she slapped his hand away with a smack.
Therefore, the next morning, Jiang Yichun went to the early court with two dark circles under his eyes, gritting his teeth and determined to show the Emperor just how miserable his life had become!
...
Bai Ruozhu, on the other hand, got out of bed feeling refreshed and exceedingly pleased with herself as she went to discuss the Beauty Pavilion’s affairs with Guizhi. Everything seemed ready except for the right opportunity.
While they were talking, a maid came to report that an invitation had been sent over from the Leng Residence.
"Wanhua is quick to act, her ’east wind’ has blown over already," Bai Ruozhu said with a laugh.
"Indeed, at this gathering we must make a strong impression for the Beauty Pavilion’s reputation," Fang Guizhi spoke eagerly. They didn’t have much status or recognition in the Capital, and they owed Leng Wanhua a lot. Otherwise, even if the Beauty Pavilion opened, it wouldn’t attract many customers without her help, and relying solely on word of mouth to build a clientele would have been much slower.
"Prepare for the banquet the day after tomorrow, and at that time, the Pure White Houyu Ointment will be the grand gift for the host," Bai Ruozhu said casually as she played with an exquisitely shaped Ink Jade Bottle, which would be suitable for containing Pure White Houyu Ointment.
Fang Guizhi flexed her wrists, "No problem, I’ve been doing facials for my godmother frequently these days, my skills haven’t gotten rusty."
Bai Ruozhu gave her an approving look, "The day after tomorrow is your time to shine."
If it had been the old Guizhi, she would have been extremely nervous about performing beauty treatments in front of so many noblewomen and young ladies, but along the way, she had learned a lot with Bai Ruozhu, gaining calmness, composure, and much more confidence.
Bai Ruozhu thought this confident and bold Guizhi was getting more and more charming by the day, wondering who would be fortunate enough to have her as a wife.