Chapter 975 - 977 Bo Zheng Visits_1
Bai Ruozhu suddenly realized, "So, the princess wasn’t his offspring, and that’s why it failed and she died?"
Jianqi nodded, "The rumors say as much."
"And if it had been successful, how long could the Emperor have lived? What would have happened to the princess who had the witchcraft transferred onto her?" Bai Ruozhu suddenly asked, her expression turning solemn.
"I heard the Emperor could prolong his life by ten years, but this subordinate does not understand witchcraft, nor knows its truth. As for the person to whom it is transferred, I’m afraid it won’t end well for them," Jianqi answered, then suddenly looked up, "Master, are you thinking of Princess Diao Bin?"
Jianqi’s voice dropped to a whisper, knowing that such matters concerning the Royal Family had to be handled with the utmost caution.
Bai Ruozhu had a serious look, "Contact my master and ask him to find someone who understands witchcraft. We will soon be entering the Capital; if he finds someone quickly, they can meet us halfway, otherwise, we will have to wait until we reach the Capital City."
"Yes, I will take care of it immediately," Jianqi responded without a moment’s delay, promptly going out to instruct the other dark guards.
While Bai Ruozhu lay down with her clothes on to lull her son to sleep, her mind was filled with various conjectures.
The simplest was that the princess had been cursed by her enemies, resulting in her current state. As for the pill given by the Former Emperor, he probably knew about it early on, meaning the princess was harmed in her youth.
More complex was the possibility that the Former Emperor was cursed and, to prolong his life, transferred the curse to the princess. Then, after living an additional ten years, he, feeling guilty, sought out medicine for the princess. However, his condition was beyond the help of medicine, and perhaps there was more than one pill and he had taken them himself.
But the Former Emperor had more than one child; why was Princess Diao Bin chosen? Was it merely because she was a girl?
Bai Ruozhu felt a renewed sense of pity for Princess Diao Bin, both for her kindness and for her rough fate despite being born into the Palace.
Previously, Princess Diao Bin mentioned she was going to marry into the Turkic to seek kinship. The Turkic has always been at odds with Danliang Country. If war were to break out one day, the first to be sacrificed would surely be the princess who married for an alliance.
And was it truly necessary to marry someone she had never met, without a shred of affection?
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t bear the thought, such a beautiful woman she was.
Once Dengdeng fell asleep, Bai Ruozhu got up again. Jianqi was waiting at the door, seemingly with something to report.
After leaving the room, Jianqi immediately bowed and said, "Master, I have already sent people to handle it, and I’ve also learned something about the Marquis Jingping’s Residence. The Old Master of Marquis Jingping’s Residence has indeed been looking for a sister named Bo Jingru for many years. They had previously posted a missing person notice with the Commerce Association, but I never thought it would be connected to you."
"It seems true then. If I hadn’t lost that book, amidst the vast sea of people, they might have never found her," Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat emotional and uncertain whether acknowledging kinship with the Marquis Jingping’s Residence was the right choice.
"Master, be assured, Marquis Jingping was utterly loyal to the Former Emperor. When the current Emperor was still the Crown Prince, the Former Emperor arranged for Marquis Jingping to protect him and he never came close to the other princes," Jianqi explained.
Bai Ruozhu nodded, political loyalty was an important consideration.
The next morning, Bo Zheng suddenly paid a visit. He didn’t seek out Bai Zepei, the recently successful examination candidate and vanguard, but requested to see Bai Ruozhu instead.
Bai Ruozhu welcomed him to the Main Hall for tea and asked in puzzlement, "What brings you here, Steward Bo?"
Bo Zheng smiled and said, "I heard that it is you, Madam, who truly makes the decisions for the Bai Family. After visiting Magistrate Li yesterday, he also had nothing but praise for you. So I thought you were a person of clear understanding, and it would be more convenient to speak with you."
Bai Ruozhu silently cursed Li Shunsheng, wondering if the man was complimenting her or worried about interfering with his time to see his second brother, for he had already planned to meet with Li Shunsheng this morning. Clearly, he was just afraid that Bo Zheng would affect his reunion with his second brother.
"It’s not so much about making decisions, it’s that things are also discussed at home; Manager Bo, you may speak freely." Bai Ruozhu nodded slightly and courteously said.
"Madam must know that the Capital City is unlike other places, where the biggest fear is people causing trouble, so I will just speak plainly. I hope to take Bai Zehao and Bai Zepei to meet with our Old Master. It’s fine if other younger family members accompany them, but those too distant, forget about it," Bo Zheng thought for a moment, then added with an embarrassed face, "Such as your grandmother, and that third brother of yours."
Bai Ruozhu wanted to say that they need not worry, for she didn’t like them either, but of course, that wasn’t something to say outright to outsiders.
"Rest assured, Manager Bo, I won’t let them go and cause trouble for you. However, I do have a matter I’d like to discuss with you. My second brother has passed the imperial examination and can now study at the Imperial Academy. Our family was already planning to set out for the Capital City today, so we will also bring the clan leader Grandpa and my grandpa along, which will help us better take care of them on the road."
Worried that the people from the Bo Residence might misunderstand their traveling with such a large group as freeloading, she added, "I have some businesses in the Capital City, and the people in charge have already arranged the mansion. It’s just that we will be slower on the road since we’re traveling with family."
Manager Bo was silent for a few seconds, seemingly considering the matter, then finally spoke, "It should indeed be slower, to avoid harming Bai Zehao and the second master. However, it wouldn’t be good for me to return empty-handed to report back, so may I travel with the Bai Family?"
Bai Ruozhu laughed, "Of course, you’re welcome to."
After all, a couple of additional people wouldn’t matter, and with Manager Bo there, the Liu Family would likely pay more attention to "etiquette."
With that thought, Bai Ruozhu still mentioned that they would take the Old Mistress with them, but assured Manager Bo that she would ensure the Old Mistress would not trouble the Bo Residence.
Upon reaching that point in the conversation, Bo Zheng felt somewhat embarrassed; he hurriedly said, "Madam, please don’t misunderstand, it’s just that, just that..."
Just that the Liu Family is too unreasonable and loves to kick up a fuss, right?
Bai Ruozhu knew Bo Zheng couldn’t elaborate, she laughed and said, "Manager Bo, I understand your concerns; I too have been at my wits’ end because of it before, so all I can do is keep the elderly close by, take extra care of them, and prevent any unnecessary complications."
Bo Zheng, who was used to observing his master’s moods to conduct his duties, quickly nodded his head, thinking that Bai Ruozhu was indeed very thorough in her considerations.
Bo Zheng then inquired about the time of departure and left his contact at the Inn in Anyuan Town, asking Bai Ruozhu to notify him before they set out.
After Bo Zheng took his leave, Bai Zehao approached Bai Ruozhu and said, "I just heard you mention bringing grandma along; aren’t you afraid she’ll cause a scene? The last time we went to Beiyu City, it didn’t take many days for her to turn our house upside down, causing such a ruckus that even the neighbors went to the Government Office."
Remembering that incident, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Big brother, the mansion we have in the Capital City is quite large and secluded; I’m not worried about her causing trouble. I’ll have someone look after her. If things get too out of hand, we’ll use ill health as an excuse and send her to the manor in the suburbs of the Capital."
Bai Zehao listened, his frown still not relaxed, but he said no more.
Subsequently, as guests came to visit, Bai Ruozhu became very busy, and in the afternoon, little Dengdeng wanted to sleep, and so did the manor residents—the visitors finally came to a halt.
Once Dengdeng was asleep, Bai Ruozhu stepped out of the Room only to see her second brother standing at the door. However, the first question he asked gave her quite the start...
----
A new day begins, begging for monthly votes, please please pleas~~~~