Chapter 892 - 894 Exposure, He Takes the Blame Alone_1
The two of them let the head of the Literary Institute go back first and took Dengdeng to meet with the Huainan King.
The Huainan King was in the resting room next to the testing ground, which coincidentally was the same room where Bai Ruozhu had previously re-sutured Tu Bai’s wounds. Her heart thumped suddenly, she wanted to mention this to Jiang Yichun, but the Huainan King had already summoned them to enter.
Her hand was suddenly enveloped by a warm, large one, and Bai Ruozhu felt as though she had suddenly gained strength. She looked up at his sharp profile and slowly calmed down inside. What was there to fear with him by her side?
They entered the room, and Bai Ruozhu was meeting the Huainan King up close for the first time. Although she was prepared mentally, she was still taken aback by his commanding presence.
Indeed, this was a hero who had emerged from the battlefield, a military leader who had clawed his way through the dead. Even though he hadn’t been on the battlefield for many years, the aura around him remained undiminished.
"This subordinate, Jiang Yichun, pays respect to the Huainan King," Jiang Yichun gently squeezed Bai Ruozhu’s palm, then let go to salute the Huainan King.
Bai Ruozhu also hurriedly curtsied and said, "This humble lady, Bai Family, pays respect to the Huainan King."
The Huainan King glanced at the Dengdeng in Jiang Yichun’s arm, and the stern expression on his face suddenly softened, even conveying a hint of a smile.
"There’s no need for formalities. This place is simple; we won’t serve tea. Please, have a seat," he said.
Jiang Yichun immediately found a chair to sit down in. Bai Ruozhu sat next to him and took Dengdeng into her arms.
It seemed that the Huainan King had something to discuss with Jiang Yichun.
"Although there was a reason for Officer Jiang’s actions yesterday, it caused quite a panic in Xuanlang City. I hope there won’t be a next time," the Huainan King suddenly spoke.
Jiang Yichun’s expression remained calm. He bowed his hands toward the Huainan King and said, "It’s a trivial matter, not worthy of troubling Your Highness. It had to be resolved in the way of the Northwest Main Camp. However, I believe there won’t be any more disgraceful incidents that harm my wife’s reputation. I won’t act rashly again."
Bai Ruozhu felt anxious for him inside. Wouldn’t this response provoke the Huainan King?
The Huainan King snorted coldly, "Are you blaming me for lax governance, allowing the atmosphere in Jiangnan to be corrupted?"
"I dare not," Jiang Yichun replied, neither servile nor overbearing, without a trace of panic.
"What’s stopping you? Are you going to report to the Emperor, claiming the Supervisor of the Grain Transport and others want to divide the nation?" The Huainan King’s voice grew even deeper.
"That won’t be necessary. This subordinate simply reported the facts. Does Your Highness mean to intercede for those few?" Jiang Yichun asked boldly.
The Huainan King snorted again, louder than before, "Does this King need to do that?"
This time, Jiang Yichun did not speak, but his expression and attitude plainly asked: If it’s unnecessary, why do you even ask?
The Huainan King’s gaze suddenly fell on Bai Ruozhu, causing her heart to jolt and her spine to straighten a bit more.
"Lady Jiang was the one who bandaged Tu Bai’s wounds in this room that day, right?" the Huainan King suddenly asked.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, "Indeed."
"Does Lady Jiang care to explain to me if it truly was as you’ve explained to everyone else? My subordinates seem to have seen something unusual," said the Huainan King, his gaze falling upon Bai Ruozhu’s hands, his expression not looking very pleasant.
Bai Ruozhu was startled. She had been careless, with only a few of her dark guards around, and she was on the Huainan King’s territory—how could there not be his dark guards watching?
Was the matter of her defying an Imperial Decree about to be exposed?
Just as Bai Ruozhu was hesitating, Jiang Yichun spoke up, "Your Highness must know who attempted to assassinate Tu Bai, and also that he cannot die in Jiangnan, right? My wife was only trying her best to save him, and I believe the Emperor will not blame her."
Upon hearing him say this, Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat relieved. At least the Huainan King was someone on the Emperor’s side and could be trusted, otherwise Jiang Yichun wouldn’t have stated it so explicitly.
"And what about this business of stitching flesh with needle and thread..." Before the Huainan King could finish his question, Bai Ruozhu interrupted him.
"Please order your subordinates to keep silent, Your Highness. This treatment is my unique secret technique, which was presented to the Imperial Court last year. The Emperor plans to use it within the army, hence a gag order was issued. I was not permitted to use it in public, but given the necessity of saving Young Master Tu, I dared not but employ this suturing technique."
The Huainan King’s expression shifted as he scrutinized Bai Ruozhu’s eyes, finding no trace of deceit. It seemed she was telling the truth.
He suddenly regretted prying too deeply—these were matters it was better he knew less about.
"I, too, am aware of this issue. It was when Young Master Tu was in critical condition on the road that I decided to proceed as we did," said Jiang Yichun, appearing completely willing to take full responsibility. Bai Ruozhu felt a rush of anxiety, but after some thought, remained silent.
The Huainan King quickly regained his composure, smiling as if the questions had never been asked, he patted Jiang Yichun on the shoulder and said, "It’s not a big deal for a young man to be passionate for a beauty, just don’t cause too much of a stir here. I’d like to stay an idle prince and can’t deal with people nagging at my door every day."
Seeing the Huainan King’s tone had softened considerably, Jiang Yichun politely responded, "You are right in your guidance, Your Highness. I will be more careful in the future."
He said he would be more careful, but did not say he would refrain from doing it again. Protecting his woman was natural, and if anyone dared to encroach, he would not back down.
As if he hadn’t caught on, the Huainan King cheerfully gifted Little Dengdeng a jade pendant as a meeting present and then let them leave.
On the ride back in the horse carriage, Bai Ruozhu asked in a low voice, "Am I going to stir up big trouble this time?"
Jiang Yichun laughed and tapped her head, "Not at all, you saved Tu Bai and you will be rewarded for your contributions. Don’t worry."
Bai Ruozhu rubbed her head and glared at him reproachfully, "If it’s nothing, then why did you take all the responsibility? Stop keeping things from me. Do you think I’m some naïve woman who can be easily fooled?"
"I’m concerned that some might seize this opportunity to cause trouble. I’m in command of the escort team, and if I give the orders, anyone with objections will be dealing with another matter entirely," Jiang Yichun explained.
Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment, then asked, "What’s the Huainan King’s attitude? Is he just going to let his people ostracize those from the Northland and create division?
Jiang Yichun lowered his voice and said, "He wants to be an idle prince, and as a meritorious prince of non-imperial blood, he must tread with extreme caution."
Bai Ruozhu instantly understood. If the Huainan King managed his territory too well, others might suspect he had ulterior motives, so he had to turn a blind eye to the affairs of his domain. Also, Bai Ruozhu found it strange upon meeting the Huainan King because Lin Xufei seemed rather more scholarly. Now, she finally understood why.
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