Chapter 1109 - 1111 The Trouble Goes, The Surprise Comes_1
"Jiang Big Brother..." Jiao Bingqin’s voice was pitiable as she called out, her beautiful eyes fixed tightly on Jiang Yichun as if she were trying to see flowers on his face.
Jiang Yichun slowly shifted his gaze over, and as Jiao Bingqin’s eyes flashed with hope, looking affectionately at Jiang Yichun, Bai Ruozhu on the opposite side felt like she was about to throw up.
"Wasn’t what my guard said earlier clear? You should be aware of what you’re in the Capital for. Don’t forget that you still have enemies outside. If you don’t want to live, feel free to leave," Jiang Yichun said with utter disdain. After all, this person was thrust upon him by the Emperor, why should he have to cater to her moods? And dare to upset his wife?
Jiao Bingqin began to sob loudly while Jiang Yichun had already turned his head away, his eyes softening as he looked at Bai Ruozhu, raising his eyebrows towards his wife, indicating that he had made his stance clear, and it was now up to the lady of the house to deal with the matter.
Bai Ruozhu glared at him, annoyed at the trouble he always caused, then turned to Jiao Bingqin and said, "It’s getting late, Miss Jiao. It’s improper for you to be crying here and could damage your reputation. It’s better to go back and rest early."
Upon hearing this, Jiao Bingqin became frantic, "I don’t want to go back. I want to leave this place. Don’t think I don’t know that all of you are against me. I want to see the Emperor!"
Jiang Yichun shot her a fierce look, and his eyes suddenly became chillingly cold, "Keep quiet if you don’t want to die!"
Jiao Bingqin’s crying stopped abruptly; the murderous aura emanating from Jiang Yichun scared her mind into a blank, and her legs gave way, dropping her onto the ground with a thump.
When she came back to her senses, she realized how rash she had been, having dared to mention the Emperor. The Emperor might need her, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t kill her or treat her in another way, such as imprisonment.
Seeing that Jiao Bingqin no longer dared to leave, Bai Ruozhu glanced at Xianshi, motioning for her to help Jiao Bingqin back to the Yard. Sure enough, Jiao Bingqin lost her fight. She now believed that once beyond the Main Gate of the Bai Family, truly no one would care about her, silently making her way to her lodging. The two Yards were far apart, and it took Jiao Bingqin a while to limp her way back to her room, lost and dispirited.
Xianshi, supporting her, secretly curled her lip. If only this Miss had been less crafty and behaved herself, the Bai Family would have taken care of her with food and drink, and she could have been living in comfort.
In the blink of an eye, the day arrived for Bai Fu and the Liu Family to depart from the Capital. Bai Lu and his son weren’t in a rush to leave and decided to stay at Bai Ruozhu’s home for a while, mainly wishing to avoid traveling together with Bai Fu and his wife.
No matter how despicable Bai Fu and his wife had been in the past, Bai Yihong was, after all, their adopted son. Thus, the entire Bai Family went to the City Gate to see them off.
Bai Zepei specifically asked for leave from the Academy to bid them farewell. Bai Lu and his son also came along to see them off, and even Xiaosi, who shared no blood relation with the Old Master, came too.
When the Bo Family saw Bai Yihong and his family, they were exceptionally cordial. Bo Qun had lost his previous authority and stepped forward to pay his respects to Bai Yihong, his attitude very warm. Everyone knew he was expressing his gratitude for Bai Ruozhu saving his life.
Upon seeing this, the faces of Bai Fu and his wife darkened. Mrs. Liu wanted to speak up but was fiercely glared at by Bai Fu.
Though the Old Master’s warmth toward Bai Yihong’s family couldn’t be described as enthusiastic, he was at least polite. Since he was the elder with the highest status, everyone paid their respects to him. Then they stepped forward to wish Bai Fu and Mrs. Liu a safe journey,
"Very well, you too should take care of yourselves and let go of the past," Bai Fu said coolly, a light smile on his face as if he had truly let go, not showing Bai Yihong’s family the cold shoulder like before.
Bai Ruozhu quietly glanced at Bo Qun, understanding what had happened.
This Marquis Bo was a military man, decisive in killing and action. Could he not handle an old Scholar?
Seeing Bai Fu had spoken, Mrs. Liu had no choice but to feign concern, "We’re leaving now. Don’t worry about us. Come and visit when you have the time."
This statement was obviously taught by someone else; Liu Family recited it dryly, and perfunctorily. Everyone understood what was going on and simply responded positively with a smile, without taking her too seriously.
Fortunately, on this occasion, Liu Family didn’t make a fuss. Lin Ping’er had people move the gifts onto the carriage, and then she stepped aside. Bai Fu and Liu Family successively got into the carriage, which then set off into the distance.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and Bai Fu’s head poked out to look back. He waved at the people behind him, his eyes glistening with tears. Upon closer inspection, his gaze was fixed on Old Master Bo.
Old Master Bo waved back at him, his eyes slightly reddening. These two really seemed to have formed a genuine familial bond.
After Bai Fu and his party left, the Bai Family members said their goodbyes to the Bo Family and boarded the carriage to head home. Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun, along with their son, got into a horse carriage and set out towards the Suburb of the Capital.
"Where are we going? Is it possibly Jingxin Temple?" Bai Ruozhu, unfamiliar with the Suburb of the Capital, only knew the road that led to Jingxin Temple, where she had been before. She hadn’t heard that men were permitted to visit Jingxin Temple, and besides, the abbess there wasn’t a true nun.
Jiang Yichun wore a smile at the corner of his mouth, "You’ll know once we get there."
Bai Ruozhu, seeing his smug expression, thought he must be taking her to some delightful place, and suddenly the idea of a steaming hot spring popped into her head, causing her eyes to light up.
Of course, she had a hot spring in her Space as well, perfectly good for a soak at leisure, but it was just too small and a bit unsatisfactory.
Soon, the carriage arrived at its destination, which turned out to be a manor.
Jiang Yichun helped Bai Ruozhu alight from the carriage and picked up their son Dengdeng, who was eager to run about. He said with a smile, "Go on and take a look inside."
Bai Ruozhu, somewhat puzzled, followed him in and noticed that the manor was quite expansive, though somewhat antiquated and seemed short on servants. Only upon their arrival did a woman rush over to greet them.
"Master, madam, this old servant offers you respects; I’ll go and prepare some food right away," the woman said with a bow before hurrying away.
Bai Ruozhu, surprised, looked at Jiang Yichun. "Did you buy this place?"
Jiang Yichun nodded, "Not just this place, but also several dozen acres of fertile land nearby."
"Where did you get so much money?" Bai Ruozhu asked in shock, knowing that his stipend was all handed over to Lin Ping’er.
A smile crept onto Jiang Yichun’s face, "The Emperor bestowed it."
Bai Ruozhu’s face was a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment. Indeed, working for the big boss had its many perks; no wonder everyone wanted to be a close minister to the Emperor.
"I’ve only hired a few sturdy maids and a kitchen maid to sweep and cook for us here at the manor, and from now on, it will be your duty to manage it. Come on, I’ll take you and Dengdeng for a walk around," Jiang Yichun said as he pinched his son’s chubby cheek. The little fellow was already getting antsy.
Bai Ruozhu followed him out of the manor to the fields for a look. The more she saw, the happier she felt. It was challenging to find property within the Capital, and land in its suburbs was just as hard to come by. For ordinary people, even with money, it was impossible to purchase such land. That the Emperor granted this land was truly generous. But this generosity was built upon Jiang Yichun risking life and limb for him, taking the fall for Jiao Bingqin, which made Bai Ruozhu feel a twinge of discomfort in her heart.