In the eyes of many noblewomen at this time, maids were merely objects. Unless they were personal maids trained up close, their deaths would not tug at their heartstrings. Hence, when Wang Miaoshuang spoke in such a manner, many agreed with her, thinking that Bai Ruozhu was not distinguishing between what was important and unimportant, going as far as to save a mere maid.
Standing at the side, Meng Jinse slightly furrowed her brows. She felt that her mother was becoming more and more unreasonable. At this point in time, she was still harping on her minor grudges with Bai Ruozhu. Moreover, Bai Ruozhu hadn’t wronged her mother in any way. The previous accusation of seducing her father was merely a misunderstanding. Couldn’t her mother look at the bigger picture?
Meng Jinse sighed. She wondered whether it was because her mother’s stay in Beiyu City had narrowed her vision, or because no one here was restraining her, causing her mother to stop taking any matter seriously.
"Mother, Sister Ruozhu first treated Lady Xie before she went to see Shuxin," Meng Jinse whispered in reminder.
Madame Li at the side showed a look of realization, "No wonder she went to treat a maid. It turns out that it was because the maid is close to Old Lady Meng. For the sake of currying favor with Old Lady Meng, she disregarded even her best friend."
Meng Jinse wrinkled her brows, "Madame Li, I am afraid you are mistaken. Likely, Lady Xie’s condition has already stabilized."
As the group chatted while walking, their conversation reached Bai Ruozhu’s ears. Bai Ruozhu didn’t have time to deal with Wang Miaoshuang and Madame Li. She merely raised her head and smiled at Meng Jinse, thanking her for the explanation.
Fortunately, Meng Liangshen’s eldest daughter wasn’t as unreasonable as her mother. Otherwise, the prosperity of the Meng Residence wouldn’t last long.
Once Shuxin was settled, Bai Ruozhu quickly caught up with Yu Hongxiu’s stretcher, whispering to her, "Everything’s fine. Just don’t overthink. If you worry too much, it will be harmful to the baby in your belly."
Upon hearing this, Yu Hongxiu hurriedly agreed, "Alright, I won’t think too much. Ask them not to tell my husband yet. I’m afraid he might get a fright."
Bai Ruozhu gave a wry smile, "I’m afraid the news has already reached Mr. Xie’s ears. He was just attending a banquet in the outer courtyard. It won’t take much effort for the servants to pass the message."
Yu Hongxiu wanted to speak but was stopped by Bai Ruozhu’s soft words, "Don’t think too much for now. I will take care of this for you. You should close your eyes, rest, and regain your energy."
Yu Hongxiu gave a nod and obediently closed her eyes.
Only then did Bai Ruozhu take the chance to look around. She noticed two women standing nervously to one side; one of them covered her knee and had red, swollen eyes from crying.
Feeling that the matter wasn’t that simple, Bai Ruozhu turned to Lady No. 2 and requested, "May I trouble Lady No. 2 to bring all those who were present at the scene to YouRan Residence? Old Lady will do justice to Lady Xie."
Wang Miaoshuang, who had caught up from behind, quickly objected, coldly saying, "Old Lady is getting on in age. She need not be bothered about these small matters. I, the County Princess, will investigate the matter and seek justice for Lady Xie."
Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu felt slightly uncomfortable. However, as she had already moved away, she didn’t bother to turn back and argue with Wang Miaoshuang. What did she mean by "these small matters"? Was it that Wang Miaoshuang truly regarded these as trivial matters, looking down on Lady Xie’s status, or was she simply incapable of speaking properly?
She wondered how Wang Miaoshuang had caught the former Empress Dowager’s eye years ago, treated like her own daughter. Such a temperament was, indeed, far from commendable.
The Second Lady, after hearing Wang Miaoshuang’s words, was torn. In the end, Wang Miaoshuang was the hostess of the Residence, being the chief wife inherited from the Patriarch. Besides, she was a county princess conferred by the former Emperor. Even if she was upset, she found it hard to openly contradict Wang Miaoshuang.
Thankfully, at this moment, a sedan chair slowly approached from afar. The two sturdy women carrying the chair were walking quite quickly, and everyone soon saw that it was Old Lady Meng sitting on the chair, with her close attendant, Nanny Lu, accompanying her at the side.
In no time, Old Lady Meng reached them and urgently asked, "How is Hongxiu?" The red blot on Yu Hongxiu’s dress was a stabbing pain in her eyes.
Bai Ruozhu urgently said, "Do not worry, madam. She is stable now. Once we get to our destination, I will make some medicine for her to recuperate."
The old lady breathed a great sigh of relief and quickly turned her sharp eyes on the others present, demanding, "What happened exactly?"
The second lady hurriedly said, "Mother, I have not had the time to inquire as we were busy saving her life. Miss Bai suggested we bring her to You Ran Residence and let you investigate."
Wang Miaoshuang, already at the scene, frowned upon hearing this and argued, "The guest was invited by me. If anything happened, I should be the one to handle it. Why should I trouble my mother?"
The old lady pointedly retorted, "Since I’m already here, let me ask the questions. I don’t want to rust my old bones."
Wang Miaoshuang was about to retaliate, but she was subtly nudged into silence by the person next to her, Meng Jinse.
"Everyone to You Ran Residence, and those not involved may continue with their plans. Don’t let this interfere with your get-together." Lady Meng replied, expression cold.
However, after such an event, who was in a mood to continue the gathering? Many left, fearful they might attract trouble. They bid farewell to Lady Meng and Wang Miaoshuang, promising to visit another day.
The most frustrated person was Madam Du, as all her plans had failed. Forced to take her leave, she was then given a fierce glare by an upset Wang Miaoshuang, causing her to break out in a cold sweat. What had gone wrong? Bai Ruozhu hadn’t been deceived, and she had offended Lady Meng. How will she explain this to her husband, Old Master Du?
Madam Du felt exceptionally unlucky. Who had she provoked? The matter regarding Du Zhongshu’s marriage should have been handled by his mother. If not because Du Zhongshu’s mother was unreliable and returned home, she would not have been forced to take over this dire matter.
Bai Ruozhu accompanied Yu Hongxiu to You Ran Residence ahead of everyone else. She instructed the guards to carry Yu Hongxiu to her temporary room, and recruited Guizhi and Wu Ying to gently help move her onto the bed.
"For safety reasons, I advise you not to get off the bed, even when using the toilet." said Bai Ruozhu.
Yu Hongxiu blushed, "How could I do that?"
Bai Ruozhu turned around and quickly sketched a flattened toilet commonly used in modern obstetrics and gynaecology for pregnant women, handing it to Nanny Lu. She quickly wrote a prescription and gave it to Nanny Lu as well. "May I trouble you to find someone to make this toilet and to send a reliable person to pick up these herbs?"
Nanny Lu responded, "Alright, I’ll see to it immediately." She promptly left.
Bai Ruozhu checked Yu Hongxiu’s pulse again and gave her a light massage, and asked gently, "Do you remember what happened?"
"I don’t know. Shuxin and I were walking slowly. Lady Wang and Lady Lu suddenly rushed from behind. We had a few words then Lady Lu inexplicably bumped into me." Yu Hongxiu’s eyes reddened as she recalled, "Shuxin was thankfully there to cushion me, otherwise..."
"Alright, alright. Shuxin is fine too; stop worrying. The old lady will uncover the truth. You should close your eyes and rest awhile. Once the medicine is prepared, I’ll wake you."
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A small note for clarification: the person seated to the right of Guizhi during the banquet was Madam Du, the aunt of Du Zhongshu. Du Zhongshu’s biological mother, the second wife, was expelled and sent back to her maternal home by Old Master Du for planning to murder Bai Ruozhu. Our apologies for any previous confusion, and it will be rectified. I, Mouka, apologize for any discrepancies.