Chapter 982 - 984 Persuasion_1
Is it the person she likes?
Bai Ruozhu heard it, unable to distinguish if it was a male "he" or female "she," momentarily a bit bewildered. Was he referring to Jiang Yichun? But when she had previously chatted with Jiang Yichun and mentioned Yao Yuxuan, Jiang Yichun didn’t mention knowing him.
For them, Yao Yuxuan was a person from the previous generation. He quickly faded from the public’s view. Furthermore, since Jiang Yichun left the Capital City at the age of 12, he had practically no contact with Yao Yuxuan.
Then is it the Empress Dowager?
Bai Ruozhu really wanted to ask, was Yao Yuxuan implying that the Empress Dowager liked her, so it would be impossible for her to suffer any harm?
She felt that it was really inappropriate to voice such a question, but she also suddenly understood Yao Yuxuan’s intentions.
Within Prince Duan’s treasonous declaration, the current Empress Dowager was implicated, stating that the Empress Dowager and the unparalleled medical expert of the time, Mr. Yao, had an affair, even alleging that the Emperor was not of legitimate Imperial family blood. Yao Yuxuan was seeking to avenge a personal grudge against Prince Duan!
Considering this, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but be somewhat moved; when he said his reputation must not be tarnished, surely he was even more concerned about the Empress Dowager’s reputation being violated, right?
"Mr. Yao, how will you alone seek revenge against Prince Duan?" Bai Ruozhu suddenly asked, "If you run into any trouble, this deal of mine will be a significant loss!"
Yao Yuxuan let out a hearty laugh. He might be a few years older than Bai Ruozhu’s father, Bai Yihong, but because he took good care of himself, his hair was still jet black, and his face bore few wrinkles. Only the crow’s feet betrayed the marks of time. Such a wholehearted laugh deepened the wrinkles at the corner of his eyes, reminding people that he was indeed a man in his forties.
"Mrs. Jiang is truly a businessperson, calculating profit and loss so clearly. Rest assured, I am not yet seeking death and will act within my abilities," Yao Yuxuan said with a smile.
If Yao Yuxuan still harbored feelings for the Empress Dowager, would he be more willing to heal the Empress Dowager’s daughter?
Bai Ruozhu didn’t dare to jump to conclusions; she had only met him twice and didn’t understand him well.
"I would advise Mr. Yao to stay calm. There isn’t much chance of success in going to the Turkic Country like this. Even if you want to poison Prince Duan to teach him a lesson, I fear it might also harm the innocent." Both Yao Yuxuan and she were doctors. Medical knowledge and poison go hand in hand; how could Yao Yuxuan not know how to use poison? Chasing down Prince Duan alone, he likely intended to use poison as a lesson.
The smile faded from Yao Yuxuan’s face, "Mrs. Jiang is indeed as astute as an icy, clear sky, but it is his followers who would be harmed - the traitors around him."
"What if innocent civilians are hurt? The civilians belong to the realm of all under heaven, not distinguished between Turkic or Danliang. I think Mr. Yao naturally understands," Bai Ruozhu said with a faint smile, and continued, "With your reputation, Mr. Yao, why bother putting yourself in danger? With just one word of denunciation against Prince Duan, saying he sullied your good name, people who desire one treatment from you would naturally act on your behalf to take his head."
"In case the Emperor of the Turkic Country falls ill and seeks your aid, they might directly present you with Prince Duan’s head."
Bai Ruozhu said this with envy in her heart; when might she have such fame? Then if someone offended her, just issue a bounty, and naturally, people would risk their lives for her.
Of course, that was predicated on her truly having the power to bring back the dead and mend bones.
Yao Yuxuan did not speak for a long while, seeming somewhat swayed. He wasn’t less prudent than a young maiden; it was just that over the years, he had come to regard his life less and less, hence why he had often undertaken dangerous ventures alone. It wasn’t that he lacked careful planning, but rather that he had no concerns or cares, indifferent to whether he encountered danger or not.
But the words of the lady before him held merit; it seemed there truly was no need for him to go through such troubles.
Seeing that she had said all that needed to be said, and Yao Yuxuan seemed to be changing his mind, Bai Ruozhu promptly took out the Caladium Lily and gave it to him, saying, "Mr. Yao, this medicine is a gift for you. If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave first."
Yao Yuxuan bowed to Bai Ruozhu in thanks, "Much obliged. If your friend needs medical treatment, just come find me with the Yao medical order."
Bai Ruozhu nodded slightly and then left with Jianqi and Muyu.
After leaving Yingkelai, Muyu whispered a reminder, "Madam, a person like Mr. Yao cannot fall into the hands of Prince Duan."
Bai Ruozhu glanced at him, "Can’t you see that even death doesn’t scare him? Even if Prince Duan catches him, what could he possibly use to threaten him?"
Muyu scratched his head, "How could I see all that."
Bai Ruozhu thought for a moment, then told Muyu to go and inform Jiang Yichun, asking him to have people keep an eye on Yao Yuxuan’s movements, and to offer him appropriate help if necessary.
However, she thought that Yao Yuxuan wouldn’t go to the Turkic Country anymore.
Afterward, Bai Ruozhu went to the Meng Residence to see the old Madam Meng, as she didn’t know how long it would be before she could see the old lady again after this trip to the Capital City.
Although she wasn’t her biological grandmother, she was much kinder to her than the Liu Family, so Bai Ruozhu had long regarded the old Madam Meng as her own grandmother.
"Girl, don’t worry. We will also be returning to the Capital at the end of the year. Liangshen has to return to the Capital for his duties. By then, we’ll be able to meet again," said the old Madam Meng, stroking Bai Ruozhu’s head tenderly, also full of reluctance, "When you’re in the Capital, you might run into Hong’er and Jinse. Do take good care of them; they don’t have the same steady heart nature as you do."
"Alright," she promised.
"Fortunately, miss Red Sleeve isn’t in a hurry to leave. She can keep this old wife company. All you children are leaving one by one, and Jinxia’s health isn’t good. This old wife feels very lonely," the old Madam Meng comforted Bai Ruozhu and then started to feel sentimental herself.
Xie Dun and Yu Hongxiu, because of the two children, decided not to rush to the Capital, saying they would go to the Capital after the new year to meet up with the Bai Family.
Bai Ruozhu had no choice but to keep her company for a good while longer, reassuring her, before finally returning home.
Over the next two days, Jiang Yichun took care of all the affairs of the Northwest Main Camp, and he said to Bai Ruozhu with a smile, "I promised the Emperor to return to the Capital within a year at the latest, and now I’ve completed the mission ahead of schedule."
"That’s thanks to my second brother," said Bai Ruozhu, quite proud.
Her second brother had topped the Rural Examination, and she was very proud of this.
Jiang Yichun smiled and rubbed her head, his expression suddenly became more solemn, "On the way to the Capital, I might have to leave for a while due to official business, but I will try my best to catch up with you."
Bai Ruozhu was surprised, "What official business? Why haven’t I heard you mention it before?"
Jiang Yichun didn’t speak but made a "secret mission" gesture with his mouth. Bai Ruozhu understood it was a secret mandate from the Emperor and didn’t ask further.
"Originally, it was confidential, but I was afraid you would say I didn’t consult with you about such matters, so I had to tell you in advance," Jiang Yichun said, kissing her fingers and deliberately nibbling them a little.
Bai Ruozhu’s ears grew warm again. She lowered her head and said, "I understand, but you must be very careful."
Jiang Yichun took her fingers and began to lightly kiss each one, just as he was about to move further, a maid’s anxious voice came from outside, "Miss, someone from the Hot Spring Mansion has sent word that the second young Miss has been beaten!"