Chapter 747 - 749: Shen Lu’s Big Backstage Support
"Once the child recovers, he should no longer be moving around. Tell your master not to come over anymore. I will finish things up here soon and go back to accompany them." Jiang Yichun said to the dark guard, "Also, be careful when you’re in the capital and take good care of yourself."
"Yes." The dark guard replied.
By the time Bai Ruozhu received the report from the dark guard, Dengdeng’s fever had subsided and he had broken out in a rash. Even though she knew the rash was harmless, seeing her child covered in red spots was still a heartbreaking sight.
Dengdeng still loved to laugh and was especially cheerful playing around on his bed, but his appetite wasn’t as good as before, he could only eat less than half a bowl of his beloved millet porridge.
Lin Zhenghui came to visit, concerned, he asked, "Are you sure he doesn’t need medication for this? Won’t you try to heal him, or should we get a doctor to see Dengdeng?"
Bai Ruozhu looked askance at Lin Zhenghui and said, "Master, are you doubting my medical skills? This disease will heal on its own, medication might even harm the child’s immune system. Would I not be concerned about my own son?"
Lin Zhenghui laughed awkwardly, "I was just saying. It’s tough being a teacher these days, even having to please the apprentice."
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help giggling, and Dengdeng, seeing the adults laughing, joined in. Seeing his high spirits, Lin Zhenghui was reassured.
On the third day of Dengdeng’s rash, a decree suddenly arrived from the palace. The Empress Dowager wished to see Bai Ruozhu and asked her to bring the child to the palace. Bai Ruozhu was startled, what did this mean? She remembered Princess Diao Bin was the Empress Dowager’s own daughter. Was the Empress Dowager intending to stand up for her daughter?
Her heart thumped wildly as she thought of a way to refuse the summons to the palace. Despite thinking hard, she couldn’t find a good solution. If only she had been more resolute and left the capital with the sick Dengdeng.
Since there was no way she could refuse, she asked Lanmei to help her find an outfit. She then changed into a decent yet not too flamboyant attire.
Not long after, a eunuch from the palace came to collect her. Bai Ruozhu invited him in and said, "Eunuch, my son has a rash from being sick. I’m afraid it might offend the Empress Dowager if we bring him into the palace, wouldn’t it be better for him not to go?"
The eunuch leaned in to take a look and indeed saw that the child’s face, arms, and the back of his hands were all covered in red rashes. He hastily stepped back, as if afraid of catching the disease himself.
"Alright, you don’t need to bring your child. I will inform the Empress Dowager" said the eunuch.
Bai Ruozhu quickly signaled to Lanmei, who handed a purse over to the eunuch.
"This is for your effort in leading the way, and for a cup of tea." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.
The eunuch weighed the purse in his hand and then a smile appeared on his face, "Let’s go, we shouldn’t keep the Empress Dowager waiting."
Bai Ruozhu followed the eunuch onto the palace’s horse carriage. Soon, they arrived at the palace gate. Since horse carriages were not permitted within the palace, she alighted from the carriage and proceeded toward the Empress Dowager’s palace, escorted by the eunuch. Along the way, she tried to probe the eunuch for the reason she was summoned to the palace. But to no avail, as this eunuch seemed to be just a messenger and didn’t seem to have any clue about the Empress Dowager’s intentions.
Without Dengdeng by her side, Bai Ruozhu wasn’t as nervous. She soon entered the Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided, escorted by the eunuch.
Upon entering the main hall, Bai Ruozhu saw an elegantly dressed woman seated in the prime seat. The woman wore a beautifully done up hairstyle with a gold phoenix hairpin adorned with a little green on top, all giving off a sense of grace and beauty.
In Danliang, it was not common for people to marry and have children at the age of fourteen or fifteen. Most of the people from large families would discuss marriage after the age of fifteen. By the time they got married, they would be around eighteen years old. So, given the Emperor was now twenty-six years old, the Empress Dowager should be about forty-five or forty-six. But she looked like she was in her thirties, which showed she took great care of herself.
Following palace etiquette, Bai Ruozhu paid her respects to the Empress Dowager and then stood quietly where she was.
"Girl, you don’t need to be so nervous. How is your child’s illness?" As soon as she entered the hall, the eunuch informed the Empress Dowager about Dengdeng’s rash. At this moment, the Empress Dowager’s tone was very kind, as if she was just a common woman.
"Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. Dengdeng just has a rash. It will go away in a few days. I didn’t dare to offend your majesty, so I didn’t bring him along." thought Bai Ruozhu. As for why the child couldn’t be exposed, she didn’t mention that. These higher-ups always liked others to consider them first.
"You can bring him to see me some other day." The Empress Dowager said gently. There wasn’t much authority in her voice. Combine this with her gentle appearance and there was no reason to dislike her.
But was the Empress Dowager really as harmless as she seemed? Bai Ruozhu wondered. Could a woman who had been an Empress, whose son had become the Emperor and elevated her to Empress Dowager, really be so innocent and ignorant?
"Yes, your majesty." Bai Ruozhu respectfully replied.
The Empress Dowager began to laugh. Turning to a palace maid, she said, "Let Jiang Madam have a seat, so she doesn’t have to be so nervous."
"Jiang Madam"? Bai Ruozhu’s ears perked up. From the tone of the Empress Dowager, it didn’t sound like she was summoned because of Jiang Yichun.
Bai Ruozhu thanked the Empress Dowager and sat down on the stool brought over by the palace maid.
Seeing her composed manner, without showing any signs of fear or nervousness, the Empress Dowager nodded and said, "You really are extraordinary, just as Shen Lu said."
Bai Ruozhu looked surprised as she lifted her head to look at the Empress Dowager. So, the person backing Shen Lu was actually the Empress Dowager!
No wonder no one could touch the Xian Guesthouse and no one could get a share of the profits.
The Empress Dowager could not help laughing when she saw Bai Ruozhu’s jaw drop in surprise. Her laugh was radiant and welcoming, like a ray of sunlight breaking through the dark clouds. Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but think, no wonder the previous Emperor cherished the Empress Dowager. She was probably the one with the most beautiful smile in the palace back then.
Just imagine, a man who is tired and worn out from dealing with state affairs all day, comes home to such a warm, radiant smile. One look was like seeing a garden full of flowers in bloom, wouldn’t his mood naturally improve?
Bai Ruozhu stared in disbelief, the admiration and envy obvious in her eyes. The Empress Dowager saw this and her smile became even warmer, more radiant.
"There have been many who praised my smile in the palace before. But none dared to stare at me, you really are as bold as Shen Lu said. It seems that giving you that 15% share was worth it." The Empress Dowager laughed.
Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu felt a great sense of relief. If the Empress Dowager could so generously give her shares, she probably won’t be quick to find fault with her, right? She also won’t be forced to ask for a divorce?
"You flatter me, your majesty. I’m just a country girl, not familiar with the customs. I was just so taken by your beauty." Bai Ruozhu laughed awkwardly. She really was floored, the Empress Dowager was too beautiful.
Which woman wouldn’t like to hear others say she is beautiful? Even though many had praised her before, when Bai Ruozhu complimented her, the Empress Dowager was extremely pleased, and her smile deepened.