Chapter 442: I’ve Got Your Back
Bai Ruozhu emerged from the West Courtyard and whispered to Jiang Yichun, "Did you deal with your matters? Why is Madam Li still not well? Could the culprit be unable to wait any longer?"
Jiang Yichun just lightly shook his head, "We merely reassured Li Shunsheng a little bit. We thought we could unravel the situation through Liu Xianxian, but we didn’t expect her to make her move early. She’s probably getting impatient."
What’s the hurry at this time of year?
"Right, it’s the end of the year!" Bai Ruozhu’s eyes lit up in realization, "I understand now, it’s the end of the year, when ladies usually return home. But, if my sister-in-law is bedridden, she would have an excuse to stay and attend to her, and could even gain a virtuous reputation, right?"
Jiang Yichun nodded, "That’s indeed possible. I bet her family is also making marriage arrangements for her. We may have indirectly stirred up this matter ourselves."
While they were talking, they arrived at the East Courtyard. Master Xie and Bai Zepei were standing at the entrance of the hall in conversation when they lifted their heads and caught sight of the pair approaching. They were somewhat taken aback, unsure about what the pair were discussing. Both wore serious expressions, particularly Bai Ruozhu, who bore none of the shyness usual in a maiden. However, it hit Zepei that they were remarkably good together...
Maybe it was because Bai Ruozhu was rather tall, standing alongside the towering Jiang Yichun without appearing fragile.
Bai Ruozhu glanced up and saw Zepei, quickly waving him over and saying, "Brother, I heard Madam Li is ill. I thought you could come with me to check on her and bid her and Master Li farewell."
As they approached, Jiang Yichun was predictably aloof while Bai Ruozhu greeted Master Xie, stating, "I hope we’re not intruding."
Master Xie, particularly grateful to Bai Ruozhu since his wife had become pregnant, smiled at her saying, "You should go quickly. I just paid a visit yesterday. It won’t do for me to crowd things up."
Bai Ruozhu would rather Master Xie not get involved. It would be best if his cleanly kept sleeves didn’t get pulled into this matter.
Not wanting to involve Zepei either, this was unavoidable. If Madam Li fell ill and they didn’t help her, it would surely create a rift between Zepei and Li Shunsheng.
After bidding farewell to Master Xie, Bai Zepei followed Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun out of the Xie Residence.
"Are you openly volunteering to the be a protector this time, Sir?" Bai Zepei smirked with a hint of mockery in his tone.
Upon hearing those words, Bai Ruozhu immediately glared at him, "Humph, you’ve been conspiring against me behind my back, haven’t you? Do you view me as dead?"
Jiang Yichun coughed a couple of times, discretely throwing Bai Zepei a scathing glance, then said, "Let’s focus on Madam Li’s situation first, we don’t have the luxury of time."
Upon finding out about Madam Li’s poisoning, Jiang Yichun became serious, casting a doubtful glance at the other two.
Bai Ruozhu gritted her teeth at Jiang Yichun before explaining to Zepei that she just happened to discover that Madam Li had been poisoned with a slow-acting poison.
"Do you think I should expose her, if she really did make her move prematurely?" Bai Ruozhu asked Jiang Yichun, after finishing her explanation. "I’ve always been afraid of agitating the poisoner. If it weren’t for the trip to Beiyu City and meeting with Master Meng, I wouldn’t dare to stir up this mess."
"Don’t hesitate to expose her, and boldly provide the antidote. I will shoulder any backlash — even Master Meng supports us," Jiang Yichun responded. However, he was somewhat uncomfortable. If he were to openly protect her, she wouldn’t have these worries, would she?
Bai Ruozhu looked at Zepei apologetically, "I initially didn’t mean to drag you into this. However, if I expose everything in your absence, Master Li might misunderstanding you."
"It’s no trouble. You proceed confidently. Master Li treats me as his brother, and I’m not willing to stand by while someone plots against him," Bai Zepei, who had a keen political mind, replied after understanding the circumstances.
The trio quickly agreed on a plan and arrived at the County Magistrate’s Residence. Li Shunsheng was taken aback by their coinciding visit.
Bai Zepei immediately explained, "Brother Li, my sister heard from Madam Ding that sister-in-law was unwell and wanted to check in on her. Since I’m heading to Beiyu City in a few days, I thought we could visit your home and bid you farewell."
Master Li patted Bai Zepei’s shoulder in response, "Your journey to the study palace in Beiyu is a good thing. Study hard; I’ll be eagerly awaiting your good news."
Bai Zepei and Master Li had a genuine friendship. He felt a trace of sorrow at their impending separation.
"Could Master Li bring me to your wife? I checked her pulse previously and she seemed well. Now she’s suddenly sick, and it worries me quite a bit," Bai Ruozhu suggested.
Standing beside Bai Ruozhu, Jiang Yichun coldly added, "Miss Bai is well-versed in medicine. I would also like to take a look, perhaps I’ll learn something."
Master Li’s face changed, as if he had realized something. He lost interest in reminiscing with Zepei. Courteously accommodating Jiang Yichun, he led the three of them to the courtyard.
The four arrived outside Madam Li’s room just as Liu Xianxian was stepping out with a tray of water. Seeing them, she expressed her disbelief.
"Xianxian, why are you doing these things again? Just let the maid handle it," Li Shunsheng reprimanded Liu Xianxian, slightly exasperated at her insistence on personally caring for his wife. Nevertheless, he held no irritation but instead felt gratitude.
Bai Ruozhu subtly looked at Jiang Yichun. She could now fairly conclude that the bureau of political affairs likely only hinted to Li Shunsheng but did not specify the culprit of the poisoning, fearing that doing so would alert the suspect. As a result, Li Shunsheng did not have any aversions to Liu Xianxian and was incredibly grateful that she assisted him in caring for his wife.
"Cousin, why is there a strange man in the house? Isn’t ... isn’t this inappropriate?" Liu Xianxian protested, acting like an innocent young lady, particularly concerned about preserving her reputation and social conventions.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but scorn her. If Xianxian were so concerned about propriety, then what was she doing lingering in another’s home? Did she not feel any embarrassment from her hypocrisy?
Surely, she recognized Bai Ruozhu and her previous demeanor changed drastically, snapping in anger, "What is this fraudulent fame-seeker doing here? She swindled Madam Li and Sister Ding of so much money!"
Jiang Yichun was suddenly surrounded by a chilling air when he heard these remarks. This Miss Liu didn’t seem interested in mixing with others any more; who dared to insult his lady?
Bai Ruozhu sneered in response, "Miss Liu, whether you have silver to spend on a shawl is your business; however, spreading false accusations about me is unacceptable. Madam Li and Madam Ding are both older than you and surely have encountered more in life than an unmarried girl, such as yourself. Aren’t they surely clear about whether I’m a fraud?"
Liu Xianxian was taken aback and lost some momentum, eventually retorting, "They were merely deceived by your manipulative trickery!"
Li Shunsheng frowned in disapproval at her behavior, correcting her, "Xianxian, don’t speak of guests in such a manner. Miss Bai is here to tend to your sister-in-law’s illness."
After listening to Li Shunsheng’s words, Liu Xianxian was filled with scorn, "Isn’t she a doctor? Can she treat the ill?"
Nodding toward Xianxian in a defiant manner, Bai Ruozhu said, "I can treat many illnesses, especially ones infected at the hands of irresponsibility. People should refrain from wantonly doing bad things, as such an odor can’t simply be concealed."