Chapter 821 - 823: Can Only Use Extraordinary Means_1
Such an assassin organization is definitely something that everybody would want to eliminate, just like a tumor; even the Imperial Court fears it, unless it’s backed by some influential figure.
"Does the Qisha Pavilion have any connection with someone in the Imperial Court? Since its headquarters is in the Northwest, could it possibly be related to Duke Duan?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
Chen Feng shook his head, "So far, no connection has been found."
Bai Ruozhu slowly paced around the room, she had already made up her mind to eradicate Qisha Pavilion, even if she couldn’t act now, she would definitely seek revenge in the future. However, as a cautious person, wiping out an assassin organization in one fell swoop required meticulous planning, then striking with swift and decisive actions.
"Who is the mastermind behind the scenes?" she asked coldly, even though she already had a vague idea in her mind.
Chen Feng hesitated, knowing full well that the lady was not one to take offences lightly. Daring to assassinate her brother, she might truly go on a killing spree without restraint. If she was determined to annihilate the assassin organization, wouldn’t the person who ordered it be torn to pieces by her?
Seeing him not speaking, Bai Ruozhu raised her eyebrows and asked, "Is it Wang Miaoshuang? She hates me to death, thinking that my family can only prosper because of my second brother, so she wants to remove my second brother, preventing me from ever turning over a new leaf, right?"
Chen Feng touched his nose, "Madam is wise. Lord Meng has already decided to divorce Princess Wang, and she will soon return to the Capital City, so before leaving, she had someone..."
Bai Ruozhu snorted coldly without saying more, Wang Miaoshuang did something so malicious, did she really think she could return safely to the Capital?
"Alright, I’ve got it. You go and rest now," Bai Ruozhu said.
Chen Feng’s feet remained still, "Madam, you mustn’t be impulsive, whatever you plan to do, please discuss it with the master first."
Bai Ruozhu frowned, feeling somewhat irritated. Was she such an impulsive person? Tired, she waved her hand to signal Chen Feng to leave. This time, Chen Feng did not say anything more and obediently left.
A night passed without words. Bai Zepei’s condition was very stable, even better than Bai Ruozhu had expected. Jiang Yichun came to take her place so Bai Ruozhu could rest. With bloodshot eyes, she climbed into bed and slept until evening, utterly exhausted from the night’s events.
Upon waking, she felt thirsty and hurried to the table to pour water, only to suddenly go weak at the knees and fall, crashing into the chair beside her.
The door was abruptly pushed open, and Jiang Yichun rushed in like a gust of wind, going over to pick up Bai Ruozhu and asking anxiously, "Ruozhu, how are you? Why did you fall? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
The others, like Lin Ping’er, who followed, exchanged knowing glances upon seeing Jiang Yichun holding Bai Ruozhu so anxiously, and quietly left the room.
Bai Ruozhu’s eyebrows knitted together as she pointed to her throat and said, "I’m thirsty."
Jiang Yichun quickly sat her down on a chair and poured her a cup of warm water. Bai Ruozhu snatched the cup and gulped it down, feeling as if her throat was on fire. Not satisfied with just one cup, she gestured for another, and Jiang Yichun hurriedly poured her a second cup, which she also drained in one go, finally feeling a bit relieved.
"I feel better now. How is my second brother?" She rubbed her forehead. Even after a long sleep, her head still ached.
Jiang Yichun walked to her side, letting her head rest against his body, and started to gently massage her temples. While massaging, he said softly, "Your second brother is all right. He’s gradually getting better. He even woke up once during the day and wanted to see you, but knowing how exhausted you were, he told us not to wake you."
As he spoke, Jiang Yichun felt a pang of sourness in his heart. His wife and her brother shared such a close bond. But as her husband, he couldn’t possibly be jealous at a time like this, right?
"That’s wonderful!" Bai Ruozhu looked up, her eyes regaining their brightness as she affectionately said, "Achun, thank you. If you hadn’t been by my side, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to cope on my own."
Jiang Yichun reached out to touch the top of her head, gently stroking it and said, "Foolish girl, that’s why you need to stick with me. How could you manage without me here?"
Bai Ruozhu suddenly lifted her head, "Are you still talking about going to Jiangnan? Given my second brother’s condition, he probably won’t be able to go. There’s too much happening at home, and I will need to stay."
Jiang Yichun, annoyed, reached out to flick her forehead, "You little ingrate. I’ve been so kind to you. Don’t worry, I think your second brother will recover. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of that medicine. Moreover, after this incident, your second brother will definitely want to participate in the Eight Academies Competition."
Bai Ruozhu didn’t speak. She understood what Jiang Yichun meant. Her second brother was a proud man, and after being targeted for assassination, he would surely work even harder to gain the strength to defend himself and protect his family sooner.
She shook her head with a pained expression; her second brother’s life had been too harsh.
"Second brother lost so much blood; he needs to rest properly. I don’t want him to travel by boat and carriage in such a state," Bai Ruozhu said with a pout, having forgotten to rub the forehead that Jiang Yichun had flicked.
Jiang Yichun figured that trying to argue with Bai Ruozhu about this now would be futile; besides, Bai Zepei would likely argue the matter with her himself. It would be better to save his breath, so he deliberately changed the subject.
"Lei Zhen told me everything. Have you made any plans for the coming days? To kill Wang Miaoshuang?" Jiang Yichun asked.
Bai Ruozhu’s face darkened as she said, "I know how risky and not easy it is to kill a princess. It would also be difficult for the government office to investigate such a matter. Even if the head of Qisha Pavilion were apprehended, they might not reveal their clients, and even if they disclosed Wang Miaoshuang, who would believe the word of an assassin leader?"
"So I have to resort to extraordinary measures. There are many things in this world that simply cannot be resolved through the law," Bai Ruozhu said through clenched teeth. "I will let her live for a few more days, and make my move after we return to the Capital. This way, I won’t be as much of a suspect."
She wished she could tear Wang Miaoshuang to shreds immediately, but she had to control her impulses. Her actions could implicate her whole family.
"What do you plan to do?" Jiang Yichun had his own ideas, but he knew he needed to let Bai Ruozhu do it herself, otherwise she would not be able to vent her pent-up anger.
"We won’t have to look for her. She’s bound to come at us on her own. When she does, I’ll naturally have my chance to strike," Bai Ruozhu said with the corners of her mouth slightly raised in a bloodthirsty smile. Jiang Yichun was taken aback by her seductive look, making him itch with desire, but knowing she was too tired, he forced himself to refrain.
Unaware of Jiang Yichun’s unusual behavior, Bai Ruozhu stood up from the chair, saying, "I’m going to pay my respects to father and mother, then eat something. I’m absolutely famished."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yichun immediately went out to order the maids to bring the meals to the main house, and thoughtfully reminded them to also bring the soup, so that by the time Bai Ruozhu was done with her meal, the soup would be just cool enough to eat.
After greeting her parents, Bai Ruozhu sat at the table and began to eat heartily. Once she had her fill, a maid came to report, "Miss, the young master has woken up and requests to see you."