Chapter 740 - 742: No Matter How Beautiful, She Can’t Compare to My Lady
"Brother Yichun, it’s me, don’t you recognize me?" Princess Diao Bin was somewhat excited as she grabbed on to Jiang Yichun’s sleeve, shaking it as she spoke.
Bai Ruozhu’s pupils shrunk slightly, relieved it was not her hand, but her mood was still a little sour. She just wanted to grab her son and leave, but unfortunately, the palace was not as flexible as other places where one could come and go as they please.
Jiang Yichun composedly removed his sleeve from Diao Bin’s grip, chuckling, "Diao Bin, you’re all grown up now. Have you met my wife yet?"
Upon hearing "my wife," Diao Bin already had tears welling up in her eyes. But she put on a brave face, "I just said hi to Sister Bai and complimented how adorable your son is."
Jiang Yichun glanced at Bai Ruozhu, only to see her holding their son, standing somewhat aloof in the back, with her head slightly lowered in contemplation.
"Ruozhu and I have matters to attend to, we shall take our leave for now. Some other day, let’s talk of old times." Jiang Yichun said with a slight tremor in his heart.
Diao Bin had a somewhat resentful look, "It’s been nine years since our last meeting, Brother Yichun, don’t you want to sit and catch up in my palace?" she paused, "Sister Bai can join too."
"No need, we shall visit once we have settled down." Jiang Yichun declined straightforwardly once again, then went around Diao Bin, approached Bai Ruozhu, took Little Dengdeng from her, holding their son in one arm and grabbing Bai Ruozhu’s hand with the other, "Let’s get back."
"Mmm." Bai Ruozhu answered dully, but a feeling of smug satisfaction bubbled up in her heart. She swore to give him a piece of her mind if he dared to agree to visit Diao Bin’s palace.
"Brother Yichun..." Diao Bin began crying at the sight of Jiang Yichun walking away with Bai Ruozhu. The palace maid at her side couldn’t help but remark, "Princess, don’t be upset. Mr. Jiang and that woman were quite rude. You should take this matter to the Emperor and he can punish them for their impropriety."
Diao Bin hastily wiped away her tears and demanded, "Do not speak nonsense, if you dare spread gossip, you will no longer serve in my palace."
The palace maid got startled, "I, the servant, do not dare."
...
Jiang Yichun clasped Bai Ruozhu’s hand tightly, his palm a little sweaty. He wasn’t sure whether it was due to their brisk pace or because he was nervous, but both of them maintained their silence, only the sounds of Little Dengdeng babbling filled the awkward silence.
As soon as they left the palace and climbed into a horse carriage, Bai Ruozhu gave him a sideways glance, asking, "What, pity her?"
Jiang Yichun gave her hand a slightly firmer squeeze, "What are you imagining? Wasn’t my rejection clear enough?"
"Humph, then why didn’t you ever mention you had such a childhood friend?" Bai Ruozhu grumbled in dissatisfaction.
Jiang Yichun grinned as he brought her soft fingertips to his lips, giving them a gentle peck, "I completely forgot about her. How could I have failed to inform you?"
"She’s been waiting for you for nine years, and you forgot her without a trace?" Bai Ruozhu cast him a suspicious look.
Jiang Yichun couldn’t resist flicking her forehead, chortling, "I was only twelve when I left the Capital City, and she was just a ten-year-old girl. The Emperor is five years older than me, so during our playtimes, I always followed him, and Diao Bin, being two years younger than me, always called for me wherever I went."
"Back then, the Queen fancied my looks and jokingly mentioned marrying me and Diao Bin, but who could seriously consider that? Even when the Emperor mentioned it earlier, I refused outright. Even if I am not an officer anymore, I would never marry another."
Bai Ruozhu rubbed her forehead where he had flicked it and glared at him reproachfully. The anger that had arisen due to Diao Bin’s presence dissipated considerably.
"Alright, stop imagining things. If I, your husband, stop being an officer, then we would have to start our business. How about we start a family-run business together?" Jiang Yichun remarked with a laugh, seemingly in high spirits, completely unaffected by Diao Bin’s sudden appearance.
Bai Ruozhu curled her lips, "Why, happy to see a beauty? Princess Diao Bin is indeed sweet, if I were a man, I’d also be unable to take my eyes off her, just like how some people forget about their wife the moment they set their sights on her."
"What is this smell? It’s so sour." Jiang Yichun burst into laughter. Bai Ruozhu’s jealousy seemed to improve his mood further, "Had you not mentioned it, I wouldn’t have even noticed how beautiful she had become. Next time, I got to have a good look."
You!" Bai Ruozhu promptly reached over to pinch his waist, using all her strength this time.
Pleading for mercy, Jiang Yichun pulled her into his arms, "Alright, alright, I am just teasing you. Everyone else’s beauty pales in comparison to that of my darling wife. And I was not rejoicing because of seeing her again, rather I was happy to see you jealous."
Upon seeing his smug expression, Bai Ruozhu figured it out; he was using her to attain his sense of self-worth. She felt a rush of embarrassment and anger, firmly deciding to never let him know even if she was jealous in the future, lest he develops a sense of superiority.
In the days that followed, Jiang Yichun kept busy with governmental affairs whereas Bai Ruozhu juggled between taking care of their child and making some plans. In a blink of an eye, Lin Zhenghui had arrived at the Capital City. Upon his arrival, he exchanged pleasantries with Bai Ruozhu but did not inquire much about Jiang Yichun. Bai Ruozhu presumed there must be some other entanglement between the two as he seemed well informed about Jiang Yichun’s situation.
"Girl, now that you have been wronged, Master will grant you an additional twenty dark guards." After a few exchanges, Lin Zhenghui said directly.
Bai Ruozhu immediately responded with a smile, "Great, thank you, Master."
"You had it planned all along, didn’t you?" Seeing her not mincing words, Lin Zhenghui couldn’t help but laugh.
"I can barely protect myself, why should I be insincere? I have never been that impractical." Bai Ruozhu said with a laugh.
Lin Zhenghui stroked his beard and burst out laughing, "That’s right, it’s good to be practical. In another five days, there is a Commerce Association proposal meeting in the city. I plan to take you there. Spend the next few days thinking about any good proposals, it’s time the old folks get a glimpse of the vigor of the young generation."
"Five days?" Bai Ruozhu raised her eyebrows slightly, "A proposal about what exactly?"
"Proposals regarding the management and operations of the Commerce Association, anything that could enhance the running of its funds and the measures for merchant management will suffice." Lin Zhenghui explained.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "I’ll think about it."
When Jiang Yichun came home that evening, he saw Little Dengdeng playing on the bed with Lamei watching from the side. Bai Ruozhu was busy writing with a brush on a piece of paper, fully absorbed, not even noticing the blot of ink on her face.
A smile involuntarily appeared on his face as he approached softly. He reached out, gently caressed her cheek, and wiped off the ink.
Bai Ruozhu, oblivious to the ink blot on her face, assumed that he was just trying to touch her face the moment he walked in. With the maid present in the room, her face flushed in embarrassment.
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Mouka has finally reached home! Due to low physical strength, she suffered from altitude sickness while climbing and also wore out her behind while riding the horse. She really is hopeless. So Mouka has resolved to update regularly and work on her physical conditioning to avoid such predicaments in the year ahead! No longer wants to be a weakling!
ps, could you please spare some voting tickets for poor Mouka?