Chapter 726 - 728: Falling into the water, life hanging by a thread
The buffet quickly started, with Madam Meng preparing to collect her own food. Meng Jinxiu eagerly offered, "Grandmother, let my sister and I get it for you. Just let us know what you’d like to eat."
Madam Meng chuckled, "I’m old, but it doesn’t mean I can’t get moving. If this is today’s rule, I need to do it myself, it’s more fun this way."
Meng Jinxiu and Meng Jinxia found her words reasonable, so they didn’t insist and accompanied her to get food.
Bai Ruozhu carried her food plate around, introducing the dishes to everyone with a radiant smile. She also reminded the ladies not to forget getting bird’s nest soup from the window across the room, and asked the elders like Lady Meng if they needed anything. She was enjoying the bustle of the party.
Thanks to her business at Hot Spring Mansion, Guizhi knew many ladies and young misses. She also helped Bai Ruozhu to entertain the guests. The male guests were attended to by Bai brothers. The atmosphere was lively and everyone felt more comfortable without the usual formalities.
"Oh, isn’t this Xue Meiniang smaller than before? The fried fish is also tiny. It has no bones. Was it prepared this way on purpose?" A curious young miss asked.
Bai Ruozhu gave her an appreciative smile, "Most of us are walking around chatting. If the food is too large, it’s hard to eat. We prepared it considering everyone’s convenience."
Everyone nodded in agreement, saying it was a good idea as it’s much more convenient for them to eat this way.
Bai Ruozhu moved to her master Lin Zhenghui, chuckling, "Master, my buffet isn’t bad, right?"
Lin Zhenghui nodded, "It’s pretty good, quite relaxed. Though not quite suitable for a formal gathering. If held outdoors, adding some games like quoits and poetry would be better."
Bai Ruozhu didn’t agree with the ’not quite suitable for a formal gathering’ but she couldn’t argue with Lin Zhenghui being an old-fashioned man.
"Master, you have a good insight indeed. If it was for a poetry conference or a flower appreciation banquet, it would be even better." Bai Ruozhu said with a chuckle.
The buffet went well and the attendees were very satisfied. They were usually restrained during banquets, but today they felt much more relaxed and made many new friends. Bai Ruozhu also asked them to take care of the Bai family when she wasn’t home, and make sure no one bullied her family or intruded on her business.
Before leaving, some guests asked the waitstaff if they could book the place for a similar buffet event in the future.
Bai Ruozhu walked over, laughing, "You could even host such flower appreciation banquets in the gardens of your own residences. The weather is improving, and sunlight isn’t very harsh. A buffet on the lawn would be interesting, wouldn’t it? Our establishment is willing to host such buffet feasts. You can discuss this with Old Shen." She also introduced Shen Lu to several interested ladies.
After Bai Ruozhu left Beiyu City, the custom of hosting buffets became popular. The establishment enjoyed the benefits, but it was a pity that Bai Ruozhu was already on the road and couldn’t witness the scenario.
On the third day after the buffet party, Bai Ruozhu left with Little Dengdeng, accompanying Jiang Yichun. Her family members were extremely reluctant to see her leave, and they accompanied them to the outskirts of the city. They bid tearful goodbyes, reminding the pair to take care of themselves and ensure Little Dengdeng’s safety.
Moved by their affection, Bai Ruozhu shed a few tears, promising to write letters during her journey and return as soon as possible. Amidst the emotion, Jiang Yichun felt awkward, feeling as if the Bai family was treating him as an enemy for taking their precious child away.
Once on the road though, he happily began to joke and tease Bai Ruozhu, treating her as if she was his own.
The couple traveled with their child, stopping only at the larger cities due to the tight schedule. Bai Ruozhu was not the type to let fun interfere with her schedule.
Finally, they arrived at the pier. As soon as they boarded the boat, they could head straight to the Capital City. When they approached the Capital, they would continue their journey by land.
Bai Ruozhu did not suffer from seasickness in her past life, so she wasn’t worried about herself. The one she worried about was Little Dengdeng. But to her surprise, Dengdeng, seemed to enjoy being on the boat. He was so excited that he even refused to nap in the afternoons, insisting on playing on the deck, enjoying the sound of water against the ship.
Jiang Yichun held Dengdeng on the deck, while Bai Ruozhu couldn’t sleep at ease. She went to the deck as well and watched her husband and son playing joyfully.
Suddenly, two grappling hooks shot out from the side of the ship, aiming straight for Bai Ruozhu. Before she could react, she was entwined by the hooks and was quickly dragged off the ship and into the river.
"Help!" She yelled, before being plunged into the water. She hurriedly held her breath, but was choked by the water when the grappling hook pulled her again. She felt very uncomfortable.
Jiang Yichun on the ship reacted quickly, but fell short of grabbing her. With Dengdeng in his arms, he couldn’t jump into the river immediately. He urged his secret guards to chase after her. He handed Dengdeng to the maid in the ship’s cabin, and ordered her to stay put and not to go anywhere. He also instructed four of his men to keep an eye on Dengdeng. Afterwards, he dived into the water to chase after her.
As Bai Ruozhu felt herself blacking out underwater, she saw a blurry figure swimming towards her, lifting her out of the water.
She coughed violently, then greedily inhaled the fresh air. She looked at the person who had saved her, her eyes flashing with anger rather than gratitude. She demanded, "Zhou Jue, will you ever stop?"
Only Zhou Jue’s chest was above the water, his hair and cheeks dripping. The water drops rolled down on his fine skin, spinning around his delicate collarbone before falling down. His wet clothes stuck to his chest, revealing his flat chest, which revealed his gender. If it weren’t for that, anyone might mistake him for a stunningly beautiful woman.
"You’ll be rid of me as soon as you help me produce that thing," Zhou Jue teased, flirting with his eye as he tightened his grip on Bai Ruozhu’s waist.
Bai Ruozhu suddenly remembered his bisexuality and immediately felt nauseous. Coupled with the water she had swallowed earlier, she couldn’t help but heave over the water surface.
So, when she helps him get what he wants, Zhou Jue will cease to trouble her? Or maybe, that’s when she’ll meet her end. One look around, and she found her official ship was nowhere to be seen. Had he planned it all along, to drag her away from everyone else?
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Another update to follow tomorrow...