Chapter 331: Master Jiang Yichun’s Summon
"It’s just to make you comfortable, it’s not an immediate cure. How can it be a miraculous medicine?" Bai Ruozhu wished she could create a miraculous medicine, to instantly cure them.
"That is still very magical," said Rongrong cheerfully.
Bai Ruozhu handed Rongrong a small cap, saying, "Your sister had this made for you. You need to take a good rest and heal well, and when you’re better, I’ll take you out to play."
Rongrong’s eyes widened upon seeing the cute, small cap. She cried out, "It’s so pretty! can I wear it now?"
Bai Ruozhu smiled, helped her sit up and put the cap on her head.
"Mom, does it look good?" Rongrong asked her mother shyly.
Rongrong’s mother felt a sting in her eyes and said, "Yes, it looks good. Our Rongrong is so beautiful."
Rongrong went over and hugged her mother’s neck, saying, "Mom, you should also get better soon, so we can go out and play together."
"Alright, Mom will eat medicines properly and listen to your Sister Ruozhu," Rongrong’s mother was touched, finding that her daughter was becoming more considerate as she grew older.
Bai Ruozhu got up to cook, but Zhang Liliang stopped her, saying, "I have already made porridge. You must be tired from getting up so early, you should rest for a bit."
After hearing this, Bai Ruozhu didn’t insist anymore. After awhile, Zhang Liliang brought the porridge for her, which she took and drank a bowl of.
When noon arrived, Bai Ruozhu rushed back to the Xie Residence. She had to find Du Zhongshu.
"Madam Bai, are you here about the dividend matter?" Du Zhongshu asked Bai Ruozhu, once she arrived at the East Courtyard of the Xie Residence.
Bai Ruozhu was taken aback, "Madam Bai"? Why did he sound so distant?
"No, I came to ask for your help with procuring some medicinal materials." After saying this, Bai Ruozhu handed a list to Du Zhongshu.
After looking at the list, Du Zhongshu expressed his surprise, "Many of these medicinal materials are rarely found in Beiyu City and they are extremely expensive. What do you need these for?"
He seemed to have forgotten his previous aloofness, probably due to his surprise.
"Some of my loved ones have suffered burn injuries and I want to treat them," Bai Ruozhu replied simply.
"I see, I will help you find them, but I can’t guarantee that all of them will be available," said Du Zhongshu.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "Thank you, I haven’t taken this month’s dividends, you can consider them as a deposit. If more money is needed, just let me know."
Du Zhongshu frowned, "There’s no need to go through all that hassle, we can just deduct from your monthly dividends."
"Let’s keep things separate. Later, just let me know the total cost and I’ll pay you the remaining amount. You also need money to procure the materials and you might even have to call in favors. It’s not right for me to ask you to pay up front," Bai Ruozhu said somewhat awkwardly. She had originally planned to give Du Zhongshu some silver coins directly but she was running short, her recent expenses had been rather large and she would soon have to worry about earning money again.
Du Zhongshu’s frown deepened, "I said, there’s no need to make this complicated. Why are you making extra work for yourself?" Perhaps out of impatience, his tone changed significantly.
Bai Ruozhu felt annoyed, what was wrong with this man? Even if they weren’t the best of friends, they were at least friends. But, since his return from Beiyu City, he was acting cold and distant. Had she done something to offend him?
With this thought, Bai Ruozhu didn’t want to continue dealing with him. In a cold voice, she said, "Thanks, then." After saying this, she turned and stormed out.
Du Zhongshu was filled with regret at that moment. He rushed out to follow her, but after a few steps, he stopped and sighed heavily.
Not far away, Bai Zepei watched his reaction with a cold smirk.
In the afternoon, during their reading session with Mr. Xie, Bai Zepei’s offhanded remark left Du Zhongshu deeply embarrassed. Du Zhongshu didn’t suspect Bai Zepei’s intention. He remained silent, lamenting the irony of life.
During the discussion about what makes one a gentleman, Bai Zepei casually said, "Shifting the blame onto others while having a guilty conscience is certainly not the conduct of a gentleman."
Mr. Xie nodded in agreement, "A gentleman should have an open mind."
Du Zhongshu seemed a little out of it. He was guilty and had unfairly lashed out at Bai Ruozhu.
Bai Ruozhu had no idea that her brother avenged her. On her way out, she ran into Jiang Yichun who had to meet his master.
"Hold on, I’ll be back with the stuff in a moment," Bai Ruozhu said hastily and then scurried back to the West Courtyard. After picking up the bag, she met up with Jiang Yichun again.
"If my master asks you anything, answer truthfully. But you must pretend not to know that he is my master," instructed Jiang Yichun.
Bai Ruozhu looked at him questioningly.
"Our identities need to be kept secret. I don’t want my master to know about us unless I am absolutely certain," Jiang Yichun explained seriously.
Bai Ruozhu nodded her understanding. She felt relieved that he had thought everything through. She was worried that if Jiang Yichun’s master didn’t approve of her, he might get rid of her outright.
They went to a private residence, which was probably either property of the Ministry of Public Affairs or a private residence that Jiang Yichun had bought himself.
"I temporarily stayed here when I was recovering from my injuries," Jiang Yichun’s words confirmed Bai Ruozhu’s suspicions.
Bai Ruozhu nodded slightly and followed half a step behind Jiang Yichun into the house. They both went straight to the Flower Hall. Upon entering, they saw a middle-aged man sitting at the table, drinking tea. He glanced over briefly, causing Bai Ruozhu’s heartbeat to miss half a beat – his gaze was so sharp!
"Greetings official, this is Bai that I mentioned before," Jiang Yichun greeted Wu Yunfeng respectfully.
Bai Ruozhu hurriedly bowed, "Commoner Bai greets the official."
Wu Yunfeng saw that Bai Ruozhu’s manners were respectful and she showed no signs of fear. He inwardly nodded in approval, thinking she was unlike most village women who would have shivered in their shoes if he had swept them with his stare.
"No need for formalities. I heard you are skilled in the suturing technique. Have you thought about dedicating this technique to the Imperial Court?" Wu Yunfeng asked gravely.
Bai Ruozhu lowered her head slightly and responded calmly, "I am willing. It would be my honor to contribute to Danliang Country."
Although such words were cliché, they were also invariably effective. Wu Yunfeng was satisfied with her attitude, smiled slightly and lessened his air of authority.
Bai Ruozhu heaved a sigh of relief internally. Dealing with high-ranking officials was indeed not simple, especially those in the higher echelons of the Ministry of Public Affairs. Today was certainly an enlightening experience for her.
She proceeded to open her bag and took out the items inside, one by one, and presented them to Wu Yunfeng.
"These are the tools required for the suturing technique; please have a look, official," Bai Ruozhu neatly presented all the tools and then retreated back to her original position. Her decorum surprised Jiang Yichun, who had been watching her, and he didn’t expect that she, hailing from a rural background, would be so aware of the proprieties.
If Bai Ruozhu had known his thoughts, she definitely would have rolled her eyes and said, "You can learn all this from watching a few period dramas."