Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 1300 - 1302: The Early Bird Catches the Worm_1

Chapter 1300: Chapter 1302: The Early Bird Catches the Worm_1

Ao Qi, who had been kneeling and drinking tea, hastily rose and made his obeisances as soon as he saw the two, saying, "I have just caused trouble for the two of you, Ao Qi is truly ashamed, I apologize here for the inconvenience."

The young waiter quickly closed the door to the private room and withdrew.

Bai Ruozhu returned the courtesy, saying, "Not at all, I should also thank the young master’s grandmother for that brooch."

Jiang Yichun also made a gesture with his hands, saying, "It wasn’t a disturbance."

As they spoke, the two sat down, and Ao Qi courteously poured tea for them both. Bai Ruozhu smelled it cautiously—there was no problem.

"I never expected to meet someone in the Western Regions who was fated with my grandmother. May I ask what brings you here?" He drew out his words, clearly aware of Bai Ruozhu’s identity.

After all, how could Ao Qi not take an interest in someone who had a connection with his grandmother and obtained her heirloom? At the very least, he had to clarify her identity, right?

A fleeting chill flashed in Jiang Yichun’s eyes as he said solemnly, "Accompanying my wife here for business."

"Oh?" Ao Qi clearly didn’t quite believe this, but he heard Bai Ruozhu say, "It’s merely taking advantage of my position to take a look and collect some things to sell back in the Capital. Young Master Ao, just pretend you don’t know us, and especially do not let the news travel back to Danliang, otherwise we really will be punished by the Emperor."

Ao Qi was skeptical but smiled and said, "As long as it doesn’t harm the Royal Family, I don’t wish to inquire further. You might have already found out—my mother is the Grand Princess."

This took Bai Ruozhu by surprise, "I knew you were from the Ao Residence, but I didn’t expect you to be the son of the Grand Princess. With such status, why would you run a little shop in Danliang Country and bring your grandmother’s heirloom there in search of someone fated?"

Ao Qi’s laughter was frank, "I’m not a prince, and it’s inconvenient for me to be an officer, so naturally, I enjoy being free and unfettered. My grandmother told me before she died to travel around, and if I could encounter someone fated with her, to give them the brooch. I didn’t only go to the Capital of Danliang, but also to Turkic Country and Chengshui twice. I thought it was completely impossible to fulfill my grandmother’s last wish, yet unexpectedly, the old lady really had the foresight."

"Traveling thousands of miles is better than reading thousands of books. Your grandmother was a very thoughtful person," Bai Ruozhu sincerely praised, pitying that she never had the chance to meet this ’fellow townsman’.

"How long will the two of you be staying in Gaochang? There will be a banquet in my Residence in a couple of days, and I’d like to invite you both to come and sit with us," Ao Qi said warmly, "My parents have always wanted to meet the person my grandmother spoke of."

Jiang Yichun frowned slightly, "We will leave after selling the goods in a few days; it’s not convenient to attend the banquet at your Residence."

"It is possible to visit your parents privately, but let’s forgo the banquet; it’s not suitable for us to show our faces," Bai Ruozhu added.

Ao Qi nodded slightly after listening, "Alright then, we’ll go by what you two wish. If you need anything in Gaochang, come to the Ao Family to find me. In the city, just ask around, and you’ll know the Ao Residence’s location."

Ao Qi did not stay long and soon took his leave. Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun also returned to their room.

At that moment, Jianqi came, his voice lowered, "Master, son-in-law, Chu Hai has gone to see his Master, saying he’ll come back later."

"Didn’t you assign someone to protect him?" Bai Ruozhu was startled; why was Chu Hai in such a hurry?

"He said it was not convenient. He will find a way to move his mother out after meeting with his Master," Jianqi replied.

Bai Ruozhu furrowed her brows with concern, shook Jiang Yichun’s arm, and said, "You said Jin Wanliang is looking to trouble us, won’t it be unsafe for Chu Hai to go out alone?"

"You worry too much, he’s a grown man and can take care of himself!" Jiang Yichun said with a cold huff.

Oh, it seems he dislikes Chu Hai, yet Chu Hai has no particular interest in her, was it not just that he wanted to take her as his master at the beginning? Does he have to be so guarded? What a jealous pot!

Seeing Jiang Yichun like this, she had to let go of the matter regarding Chu Hai and started talking about the Ao Family. She planned to visit Ao Qi’s parents in a couple of days, as she was quite curious about what kind of son her "fellow countryman" had raised.

Jiang Yichun didn’t object but insisted he accompany her, and absolutely wouldn’t allow her to go out alone.

By the time it was ten o’clock at night, and the lights were being lit, Chu Hai still hadn’t returned. Originally, Bai Ruozhu thought Chu Hai hadn’t seen his master for quite some time and surely had a lot to talk about, so it was normal for him to be late. Therefore, she let everyone go to the main hall on the first floor for dinner without waiting for Chu Hai.

But after everyone had finished eating, Chu Hai was still nowhere to be seen.

Just as Bai Ruozhu had decided to arrange for someone to look for him in the city, he finally returned to the inn, barged into the room shared by Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yihong, and flung his gauze cap to the ground.

"Something’s happened, my mother and my master are missing! If they had to move to another place for some reason, they would definitely send me a letter. Even if there wasn’t time to send a letter, they would leave behind some secret sign or clue. But there’s nothing left in the place where they were staying!" Chu Hai said anxiously.

"What! Is it possible that they have been preempted by someone else?" Could it be that Chu Hai’s mother’s situation is more perilous than fortuitous? Bai Ruozhu swallowed back her following words, now was not the time to speak carelessly, as Chu Hai might lose his reason.

Jiang Yichun’s eyes narrowed slightly, "It’s Chiyou!"

He paced forward and continued, "From the beginning, when he caused the plague in Guangqi Town, it wasn’t to confront us head-on. On the surface, we won a round, but in reality, he delayed us, preventing me from finding the former Saintess before him."

"But why would he want to capture Chu Hai’s mother? What exactly is he trying to do?" Bai Ruozhu felt somewhat disheartened. They had been influenced by that Chiyou over and over again. Could it be that he captured Fen Wan just to drive Diao Bin to death?

Going to such lengths to harm Diao Bin, the princess? Clearly, that seemed a bit implausible, as it would be much simpler for him to just send someone to assassinate Diao Bin directly.

"Don’t panic, everyone. I believe that Chu Hai’s mother and master are safe and sound for now. Chu Hai, you go tomorrow to other places your master might have gone, and I too will arrange for people to look around the city. As soon as there’s a clue, we’ll discuss the next step," Jiang Yichun said.

Chu Hai was burning with impatience, but there was no other choice.

Early the next morning, Bai Ruozhu went to see Qingyan again, whose spirit had improved a lot. He smiled at Bai Ruozhu and said, "I’ll be leaving soon. If you ever need anything, you can take this to Qi Residence and look for me."

As he spoke, he handed over that black stone to Bai Ruozhu who, having no choice, accepted it and then sent two guards to escort him to Qi Residence.

Qingyan rode in the horse carriage, escorted by the two guards through the busy streets. Suddenly, they heard a commotion, as the people in front screamed and scattered in all directions, followed by a barrage of arrogant laughter.

Qingyan lifted the curtain of the carriage window to look out and saw that it was indeed Sangta riding his white tiger ostentatiously through the market, followed by two subordinates riding leopards, looking particularly out of place among the crowd.