Chapter 918 - 920 Never Regret_1
Bai Ruozhu was momentarily stunned, and her heart quickly sank.
The horse did not run very fast, and before long, Zhang Dazhu had left Bai Ruozhu’s line of sight, without ever looking back at her even once as she walked away.
What did this mean? Zhang Dazhu was on a mission, disguising himself as a commoner hiding in the city. When he saw her and wanted to pay his respects, he remembered his mission and ultimately had to pretend not to know her.
This incident made it clear that the Northwest Main Camp had dispatched quite a number of people to infiltrate Beiyu City in disguise, in order to prevent Prince Duan from suddenly rebelling and swiftly taking over Beiyu City!
Bai Ruozhu’s heart rose to her throat. Had the situation reached this stage? Was Prince Duan about to cause trouble at any moment?
All the way until she reached Meng Residence, Bai Ruozhu was preoccupied with heavy thoughts. The Elder Lady Meng saw that she had something on her mind and began to inquire. Knowing that the Elder Lady Meng was prudent in her dealings, Bai Ruozhu gave her a sign with her eyes, and only after she had dismissed everyone around them did she relay the situation she had witnessed on the road.
The expression on Elder Lady Meng’s face also turned solemn, "It seems we don’t need to look for any more evidence. As soon as he takes action, the crime of conspiracy will be confirmed."
"I’m just afraid that he might use another excuse, or keep us hanging. I feel that the Emperor doesn’t want to be in a passive position. Even if Prince Duan doesn’t rebel, he will probably eliminate him soon," Bai Ruozhu said softly.
Elder Lady Meng nodded, "You’re right. Be extra careful when you go in and out these days, and try not to take the children with you when you go out."
This was also what Bai Ruozhu had in mind, which is why she had not brought Dengdeng with her these past few days for her errands—the little guy was pitifully upset about it.
After chatting with Elder Lady Meng for a few more moments, Elder Lady Meng cautiously looked outside the room, then dipped her finger in some tea water and wrote on the table: "If anything happens, come find me. There is a secret passage leading outside the city."
As soon as Elder Lady Meng had finished writing, she immediately wiped it away with her hand, her actions extremely cautious. Bai Ruozhu smiled gratefully at Elder Lady Meng. Such a secret was definitely the trump card of Meng Residence, the last resort for preserving the bloodline should a major event occur in the Meng Family. Yet, Elder Lady Meng was willing to share it with her, even allowing her to use it to escape, which showed that she truly treated her as dear family.
Of course, Bai Ruozhu also understood that she wouldn’t trouble the Meng Family unless she was completely out of options. Doing so could potentially reveal the Meng Family’s trump card and even jeopardize the survival of others from the Meng Family who needed to flee.
Bai Ruozhu took out the gifts she had bought from Jiangnan, and Elder Lady Meng immediately called a servant to summon Meng Jinse and Meng Jinxia.
The gift Bai Ruozhu presented to Elder Lady Meng was a silk blouse she had made herself. Elder Lady Meng received the blouse and immediately wanted to try it on, her eyes twinkling with joy, yet she said, "Child, you’ve had such hard work during the trip, and you even had to bring along a little one. Why bother making clothes for me? The embroiderers could have done this needlework. What if it wears you out?"
"Grandmother, I had nothing else to do on the boat, and sewing a little thing like this won’t tire me out," Bai Ruozhu knew that Elder Lady Meng was very fond of the present but was even more concerned about her well-being. She felt truly lucky to have found a grandmother who cared for her this much.
Soon, Meng Jinse and Meng Jinxia hurried over. The complexion of Meng Jinxia appeared rosier, seemingly well-nurtured recently.
Both were thrilled with the round fans that Bai Ruozhu had given them, holding onto them tightly in their hands. Meng Jinse even more joyfully said, "The fans made by the people of Jiangnan are indeed exquisite. This one is even inlaid with pearls. In our place, it would merely serve as a fan, but there, it could be considered jewelry."
The people in the room all laughed, and just as the atmosphere became harmonious, a maid’s voice came from outside: "The Young Master has arrived, Elder Lady Meng and Miss, Second Miss..."
The maid’s voice grew quieter and quieter because she hadn’t finished speaking before Meng Hanhong had already rushed into the Flower Hall.
Meng Hanhong’s eyes were red, clearly having just cried. Although he could be willful, "boys don’t shed tears lightly"; he didn’t usually cry easily, so his appearance at the moment startled the old madam. She quickly stretched out her hand toward him, "Hong’er, come here quickly, let Grandma see what’s happened to you?"
At her question, Meng Hanhong immediately burst into loud sobs, "Grandma, a letter came from the Capital, my mother... she has passed away!"
"What?" Meng Jinse grabbed his arm in one motion, staring at him as she said, "Big brother, don’t talk nonsense. Mother is in such good health, how could she, how could she..."
Perhaps it was Meng Hanhong’s expression that convinced Meng Jinse; she believed his words and, halfway through her sentence, she burst into tears with a wail.
The old Madam Meng was also shocked, but after all, she didn’t have the same feelings for Wang Miaoshuang as Meng Hanhong and Meng Jinse did; she was much calmer, "How did your mother die? Did the letter explain clearly? Didn’t the Capital send a letter before saying she was living well, even attending banquets for meritorious families in the Capital City? How could she suddenly die?"
Meng Jinse and Meng Jinxia both looked at Meng Hanhong, waiting for his answer.
"The letter said Mother got into an argument that was too heated, and as a result... as a result... her internal organs were injured, and she passed away," Meng Hanhong said with difficulty. He couldn’t believe what the letter said; he knew his mother had a bad temper, but how could someone die from anger? It was not as if she had heart disease.
"This, how is this possible? I don’t believe it!" Meng Jinse exclaimed, and her eyes rolled back as she fainted, leaning backward. It was only because Meng Hanhong was beside her and caught her in time that she did not fall to the ground.
The room immediately descended into chaos. The old madam had people help Meng Jinse onto a soft lounge, and Bai Ruozhu stepped forward and pinched her philtrum. She woke up soon after but continued to cry incessantly.
Looking at the tears of the three Meng siblings, Bai Ruozhu felt a bitter taste in her heart. If the people in this room knew that she was the perpetrator, would they hate her to death?
Although she felt sorry for Meng Jinse and her siblings, she did not regret killing Wang Miaoshuang. Murder required atonement, and since Wang Miaoshuang dared to kill her second brother, she wouldn’t give Wang Miaoshuang an ounce of mercy. Allowing her to live for an extra two months was already merciful.
Not to mention that her second brother had survived. So, Wang Miaoshuang did not deserve to die? If it weren’t for the pill from Princess Diao Bin, her brother truly would have died. She would never forget the peril of that night, the large bloodstain on her brother’s chest, and the harrowing state of him being on the brink of death.
Therefore, she had no regrets!
"Grandma, I want to go back to the Capital to mourn for my mother and also to clarify things, to see if my mother’s death was really as the letter stated." Meng Hanhong suddenly kneeled before the old Madam Meng, "Please forgive your unfilial grandson for not being able to serve you well, please let me go."
Meng Jinse struggled to rise from the soft lounge and also wanted to kneel before the old madam. However, it was the old madam who firmly held onto her, preventing her from doing so.
"Grandma, I want to go too. No matter what kind of person my mother was, she gave birth to us, let us go to mourn for her," Meng Jinse cried as she spoke.
Madam Meng sighed deeply. She had no sympathy for Wang Miaoshuang in her heart, always causing trouble wherever she went, what good was there in arguing with others? She brought it upon herself in death, yet still managed to bring misfortune upon these two children.
"All of you stand up. I’ll agree to it," the old madam said somewhat angrily, "But you cannot just go back like this. Take some time to steady your emotions. I need to arrange for some people to escort you, and there are things to prepare for the journey. We’ll set out after three days."