Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 1577: Conflict Arises Again_1

Chapter 1577: Chapter 1577: Conflict Arises Again_1

Some things, when understood too clearly, can actually rob you of happiness.

Jiang Yichun wrapped an arm around her shoulder, speaking softly, "Don’t worry, I’ve already used the unrest in the Capital as an excuse to refuse His Majesty. He plans to send Liang Jing to find King Rui instead."

Bai Ruozhu sighed in relief, "That’s good."

As they were talking, Jianqi came from outside to report, "Master, the envoy from the Western Regions just entered the Capital City, and now they have already gone to the Palace to have an audience with the Emperor. The one leading them is Young Master Ao Qi."

Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu became elated, "Yingtong and Ao Qi are both here; we must hurry and meet them."

Jiang Yichun held her back, smiling, "Have you forgotten that our trip to the Western Regions was a secret mission? If you suddenly know them, wouldn’t that give us away? It’d be better to find an opportunity to get to know them in a proper way."

"I completely forgot about that. But Ao Qi is cautious; surely he has already contacted Yingtong, otherwise they would have come looking for me here before even entering the Palace," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

Soon after, news came from the Palace that Emperor had arranged for Princess Yingtong to stay at the Westward Pavilion, at a considerable distance from the Eastward Pavilion where Prince Saihan was lodged. This evidently was to prevent Prince Saihan’s discourtesy from offending Princess Yingtong.

The next morning at the imperial court, the Emperor said that Chu Hai was King Su’s eldest son, and his mother was also from the Western Regions; he understood more about the customs of the Western Regions. Therefore, he was appointed to receive the Western Regions envoy. For this reason, Chu Hai made an official appearance before the public, but outwardly he was called "Tang Han."

Actually, Tang Han was Chu Hai’s real name.

In addition, the Emperor ordered Jiang Yichun to be responsible for the safety of the Western Regions envoy and also decreed that Princess Yingtong was not accustomed to the local climate and felt slightly unwell, so Bai Ruozhu was to take care of her medical treatment.

Thus, Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun officially had a chance to meet Princess Yingtong and Ao Qi.

"Ruozhu, finally, I see you. Ao Qi told me to pretend not to know you, which nearly killed me with anxiety," Yingtong said in a hushed tone when they were alone.

Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips and giggled, "So today I will help you adjust and cure your acclimation issues, and then we’ll have such a pleasant chat that we’ll feel regret for not having met sooner, and thus become good friends."

"Right, right, exactly like that!" Yingtong said in agreement, clapping her hands before giving a thumbs-up gesture.

Ao Qi stood by, shaking his head with a smile, "You girls chat; I’ll go talk to Chu Hai so as not to get in your way."

"Don’t leave just yet, how come you’re leading the envoy this time? Is it because you’ve done business in Danliang before?" Bai Ruozhu called out to Ao Qi.

Ao Qi turned around with a smile, "Because I wanted to find that benefactor of mine, I volunteered to lead the envoy and escort my cousin over. And yes, my benefactor said she’s from Danliang; maybe I’ll get to see her again this time."

"Draw a portrait tomorrow, and I’ll have our Commerce Association help you look for her," Bai Ruozhu said, generously.

Ao Qi nodded, "The Commerce Association has branches all over Danliang, and their information network is the most effective. My thanks in advance."

Bai Ruozhu waved her hand dismissively, "It’s the least I can do. You’ve helped me a lot in the Western Regions as well."

She spoke while stealthily glancing at Yingtong, noticing that she had truly moved on from Ao Qi.

After Ao Qi left the door, Bai Ruozhu pulled Princess Yingtong’s hand and asked, "How come you just arrived? How could your father bear you marrying so far away?"

Princess Yingtong still wore a smile on her face, but her eyes revealed a hint of desolation as she said, "Father cannot bear it, but you know my situation. My mother has become a deposed queen, and my circumstances in the Western Regions are not so good, so it’s better to marry into your Danliang Country. Besides, I’ll get to experience Danliang culture and find a devoted man."

"Who told you men in Danliang are all devoted? Aren’t you worried that most officials have three wives and four concubines?" Bai Ruozhu pursed her lips, fearing that the girl had been deceived by the refined appearance of Danliang men.

Princess Yingtong showed a look of surprise, "Ah, how could that be? I see your husband adores you greatly and won’t even glance at other women."

There was a bit of smugness in Bai Ruozhu’s heart; her man was naturally different. Yet, she felt somewhat embarrassed to say it out loud.

"Have you thought about what kind of man you’re looking for? Do you prefer a scholar or a warrior?" Bai Ruozhu quickly changed the subject.

"Either a scholar or a warrior is fine, but perhaps a scholar would be better. My martial arts skills are lacking, and I’d just be laughed at in a warrior’s home. Besides, he should have a good nature, be gentle and kind to me." Princess Yingtong lacked the demure shyness of Danliang women, and spoke with great candor.

"Then I’ll have to keep an eye out for someone with a good temperament for you," Bai Ruozhu mused. To marry a princess, one must have a good temperament. After all, most princesses are used to being pampered. How could one not spoil them a little? Not every princess was as easy to talk to as Diao Bin.

The two chatted for half the day, sharing the events that had happened since they had parted, and after lunch, Bai Ruozhu finally returned to the palace.

Ao Qi offered to escort Bai Ruozhu, and she guessed he had something to say to her, so she did not stand on ceremony with him.

"Ruozhu, has Sangta also come? Does the Barbarian Clan also want to enter into a marriage alliance with Danliang?" Ao Qi asked in a hushed voice.

Bai Ruozhu shook her head, "Not quite; it’s because you are entering into a marriage alliance that they got nervous."

Ao Qi gave a bitter smile. "I don’t know if Yingtong’s temperament will fit in well in Danliang. I wonder what her life will be like in the future. I cannot reciprocate her feelings, and I always feel indebted to her, but I don’t know much about the situation in the Capital City. So, I’m leaving it to you to worry more about Yingtong’s choice of husband. I don’t think she necessarily needs to find someone of high status, just someone with a good temper who will truly treat her well."

"Listening to you talk, if one didn’t know better, they might think you’re her father. Don’t worry, considering we are all friends, I won’t let her marry a bad match," Bai Ruozhu said, patting Ao Qi on the shoulder.

Suddenly, the main gate of the Westward Pavilion was violently thrust open, and several men dressed in animal hides, looking quite barbaric, rushed in. The one in the lead was the Turkic Prince, Saihan.

"Yo, Bai Ruozhu, didn’t you get married? Why are you entangled with another man?" Saihan said with a sinister tone, "The gauze cap on Mr. Jiang’s head might just turn green, how pitiable."

Bai Ruozhu narrowed her eyes and snorted coldly, "Prince Saihan is staying in the Eastward Pavilion, it’s not good to barge into the Western Regions envoy’s space. Besides, even if you are a Turkic prince, you can’t just insult people at will. This is Danliang Country, and it would be wise for Prince Saihan to show some restraint."

Saihan clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "Well said, it seems you’ve learned to threaten me after a few days away. I came over to greet the people from the Turkic Envoy Group and happened to see you getting cozy with a man. Is this how the married women of Danliang behave, with no virtue or shame?"

"Just now, Prince Saihan, you weren’t here to greet anyone but to force your way in, right? My Western Regions is a land of etiquette, and frankly, I dislike talking to those without manners," Ao Qi spoke coldly, his gaze toward Saihan carried a lethal coldness. "You, a prestigious Turkic prince, always troubling a married woman, aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed? Even if you have no shame, do you think the Western Regions are easy to bully by dragging me into this?"

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Mouka will be moving and buying furniture on the 3rd and 4th, so I am extremely pressed for time. I’ll post one Chapter tonight despite staying up late and will try to find time to update tomorrow~