Chapter 541 - 543: Finally Delivered the Message
When Wu Wanqing and Wu Yunfeng arrived at Hua Xiangrong’s shop, the main gate was closed. Wu Wanqing’s expression changed, could Bai Ruozhu be playing her?
Wu Yunfeng, on the other hand, had a very serious look on his face. He knocked on the door, and Bai Ruozhu rushed out from the house to open it.
"Sir, I apologize for the inconvenience." Bai Ruozhu politely said and quickly led the two into the shop and secured the door again.
"Sir, how many people did you bring with you, and do you have any dark guards? It would be best to hurry and call people to ensure your safety." Bai Ruozhu quickly said.
Wu Yunfeng frowned when he heard her mention the dark guards, he carefully watched Bai Ruozhu’s expression and then nodded, "You can rest assured, I can guarantee both your and my safety."
Bai Ruozhu, without wasting any more time, took out the waist token Jiang Yichun had given her and handed it to Wu Yunfeng.
Wu Yunfeng’s eyes widened slightly, "You’ve seen Yichun? Where is he?" His voice was sharp due to his anxiety.
Wu Wanqing’s face turned dreadful, she didn’t understand how Jiang Yichun’s waist token ended up with Bai Ruozhu, could it be that he had gone to find her as soon as he came back?
"He’s still near Xuantian Mountain. The right minister blocked the road and has been chasing him. He can’t get back. He said he wanted to find his second senior brother to send a message but feared it would harm Senior Fox." As Bai Ruozhu hurried her explanation, she unintentionally mentioned the name ’Senior Fox’. After she spoke, she regretted mentioning it. She hadn’t expected that Wu Yunfeng’s look towards her would contain more trust because of it.
The nickname ’Senior Fox’ was indeed a habit of his disciple, Jiang Yichun. He was prone to believe Bai Ruozhu’s words even more, given the fact his disciple had mentioned wanting to marry this woman before him, his gaze towards Bai Ruozhu naturally softened.
Bai Ruozhu realized that her misstep had done her a favor, so she continued, "Jiang Yichun accidently discovered Li Yi colluding with the Turkic country while he was suppressing bandits. He even suspects that Li Yi is a Turkic. He asked you to find a way to expose Li Yi, claiming that Li Yi might carry the tattoo of the Turkic royal family on his body."
"He’s near Xuantian Mountain, how did you get this information? If he can send messages to you, why can’t he connect with us?" Wu Wanqing asked anxiously. At this moment, she found Bai Ruozhu exasperating.
She’s just a common woman, rumored to be already pregnant. Even though she doesn’t come from a prominent family, why did she catch Jiang Yichun’s attention? Otherwise, why would he only find her in his most perilous situation?
Bai Ruozhu detected the resentment in Wu Wanqing’s words and felt a trace of inner satisfaction. However, she didn’t want this unnecessary quarrel to affect the bigger picture.
"I learned about his troubles and went to Tianshan town to help him," Bai Ruozhu said seriously.
The expression in Wu Yunfeng’s eyes towards Bai Ruozhu had changed, admiration clearly visible. No wonder that kid Jiang Yichun was so infatuated, this woman was worth his genuine commitment with all she had done.
"You?" Wu Wanqing looked at Bai Ruozhu incredulously. "You don’t even know martial arts, how did you assist him?"
Bai Ruozhu slightly lifted her chin, boasting proudly, "I may not know martial arts, but I know how to protect myself. When he was seriously injured from an assassination attempt, I was the one who saved him."
Wu Yunfeng kept nodding as he listened. Back then, Jiang Yichun’s arm was almost ruined. It was indeed this woman who saved him.
"You continue." Wu Yunfeng signalled Bai Ruozhu to keep talking.
"I guess he was hiding from someone, so I disguised myself as a female doctor offering free consultations in Tianshan town. After waiting for three days, he finally found me. However, he has been pursued by Li Yi’s men and had to take refuge in Xuantian Mountain, where the men from Batianzhai were searching the mountain. Li Yi and Batianzhai are in collusion."
Bai Ruozhu continued, gritting her teeth, "I was captured by Li Yi on the road. Luckily, he underestimated me and I managed to escape after poisoning him. But I also learned that he has planted informants among your staff. Even reaching you at your residence wouldn’t necessarily mean seeing you. Moreover, my attempts to send a message to Officer Meng were stopped, Wu, Li Yi is very arrogant. Is he trying to stage a coup?"
Wu Yunfeng’s face grew cold, a murderous look flashed in his eyes. He said, "Thank you for delivering Yichun’s message. I’ll remember this. Leave Li Yi to me, I will not let him off easily!"
Bai Ruozhu felt that Jiang Yichun’s master was like a leopard ready to pounce, while Li Yi was a cunning and deceitful jackal. Both of them held the same official rank and roughly the same number of people under their control. If the two were to fight, who would come out on top?
Her eyes slightly squinted. Regardless of who was more powerful, she would do her best to take down Li Yi and return life back to normal.
"Miss Bai, at the moment, Li Yi is pursuing you, and it’s not safe for you to return home. Why not stay at my residence temporarily? I’d also like to take this opportunity to root out the informants." Wu Yunfeng suggested.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, she indeed had nowhere else to go. Although being bait was dangerous, it was better than hiding here and there.
"Rest assured, I’ll arrange for someone to secretly protect you, and I’ll also arrange some personnel at your home. I think as soon as I take action, Li Yi won’t have time to trouble your family." Wu Yunfeng said as he headed out. He then turned to Wu Wanqing and said, "Qingqing, get the female guards to protect Miss Bai. Ensure she is not harmed in the slightest."
Wu Wanqing’s gaze darkened, "Yes."
However, Bai Ruozhu was unsure. Wu Wanqing clearly held hostility towards her, she had even just questioned her manner of aiding Jiang Yichun. Would she assign someone good to protect her? Fortunately, Bai Ruozhu had her self-defense skills. As long as she wasn’t hit by a hidden weapon, it would be okay.
After considering all this, Bai Ruozhu began to worry again. Should she get a heart shield of sorts? And what about her head? Perhaps she should wear a helmet...
She followed Wu Yunfeng back to the Wu residence. The whole journey was full of covert dangers. Even though there was no attempted assassination, she could distinctly feel someone watching her, the murderous intent making the back of her neck go cold.
Wu Wanqing had already masked her previous mournful expression, exhibiting the demeanor of a young lady from a well-off family. She arranged Bai Ruozhu’s accommodation with great politeness and even a hint of enthusiasm. However, her gestures carried a certain air of superiority.
Having read plenty of court-drama novels in her previous life, Bai Ruozhu knew full well what Wu Wanqing was up to. She was demonstrating her higher status, hinting Bai Ruozhu to admit her defeat and withdraw politely.
Yet, Bai Ruozhu graciously thanked Wu Wanqing, accepted the clothes and dim sum she offered, cheerfully asked a maid to fetch her water to freshen up, and then changed into the new dress that Wu Wanqing had said to be specially prepared for the New Year.
The dress was made of pink cloud brocade. The fabric was smooth, and the craftsmanship was very exquisite. Delicate flower patterns were embroidered along the edges and sleeves of the dress. Bai Ruozhu usually wore less of such soft colors but now, with the dress on, it made her skin look even fairer.
Looking at the charming and graceful Bai Ruozhu, Wu Wanqing’s heart ached severely...
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I recommend my friend’s popular novel ’Space Carry-On: The Disgraced Lady of the Famous House has Land’ by Migao Love Freedom.
Summary: The abandoned wife of a Marquis relies on her space carry-on to dominate the world. Among a bunch of aristocratic suitors, ah, which one should she marry?