Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 1581: Quite Good at Instigating_1

Chapter 1581: Chapter 1581: Quite Good at Instigating_1

Bai Ruozhu looked at Yingtong’s expression and knew that Yingtong was somewhat intrigued.

She couldn’t help but worry about how to gently persuade Yingtong to change her mind, worrying that with Yingtong’s temperament, she might think Bai Ruozhu disapproved of her becoming her sister-in-law.

Of course, Bai Ruozhu indeed did not want Yingtong to be her sister-in-law. Yingtong’s temperament was not suitable for her older brother, and a forced marriage would lead to endless conflicts in the future.

With this thought, Bai Ruozhu felt even more displeased with Ma Linglong.

After pondering for a moment, she picked up the tray and walked over.

"Princess, you look very well today, it seems you had a good rest last night. What are you talking about?" Bai Ruozhu wore a smile on her face, appearing to come over for a casual chat.

Yingtong, unaware of Ma Linglong’s thoughts and the fact that she had spoken behind Bai Ruozhu’s back, immediately said with a smile, "Miss Ma is praising your elder brother, saying that the newly honored runner-up in the imperial examination is both handsome and good-natured. She’s spoken so well of him, I’m quite moved."

Ma Linglong opened her mouth intending to change the subject, but hadn’t expected Princess Yingtong to be so direct. Thus, confronted with Bai Ruozhu’s smiling face, she felt somewhat embarrassed.

"Miss Ma says she admires your elder brother. It’s just a pity that he did not choose her, isn’t that right?" Princess Yingtong continued with a smile, and this time Ma Linglong’s face began to flush.

Bai Ruozhu feigned surprise, "Is that so? It seems like Miss Ma hasn’t sent anyone over to our family to propose a match. I had no idea Miss Ma had taken a fancy to my elder brother."

"It was just an idle gaze. How could I aspire to the likes of Bai Bangyan," Ma Linglong said sheepishly, but her eyes stealthily glanced at Princess Yingtong, implying that while her own status might not match up, the princess’s surely would.

Bai Ruozhu was in no hurry, responding with a laugh, "Miss Ma is a Noble Lady of our Capital, isn’t she? She couldn’t be unaware of the marriage the Emperor has arranged for my elder brother, could she? His Highness has already decided on a candidate, which is why such banquets do not extend invitations to my elder brother."

"Oh, is that so? But I haven’t heard of any imperial decree either," Ma Linglong put on an oblivious face, but her words suggested to Yingtong that the Emperor had not issued any orders, and that Bai Ruozhu was only making excuses.

Bai Ruozhu sneered inwardly at Ma Linglong’s ability to sow discord.

"Miss Ma, if you are unaware, you should take care not to mislead Princess Yingtong. How would it be if the princess went to all this trouble to come here, only to be disappointed due to your oversight or ignorance?" Bai Ruozhu said, her voice tinged with a scornful laugh. She then turned to Princess Yingtong, "Another day, I’ll introduce you to a few true ladies of noble houses in the Capital, princess. If you wish to know anything about the Capital, asking them is most reliable."

Ma Linglong’s face went from red to white upon hearing this, but she clearly knew how to bend and stretch, quickly squeezing a smile onto her face and saying, "You make a fair point, Lord Bai. Linglong spoke out of turn."

Bai Ruozhu smiled and did not continue the conversation.

Although Yingtong was somewhat hot-tempered, she had, after all, grown up in the Imperial Court. At this moment, how could she not see what was going on?

Clearly, Miss Ma was deliberately recommending Bai Zepei to her. But Bai Zepei was already engaged, and if she were to be fooled, wouldn’t it cause a rift with the Bai Family and even lead to her losing face in the end?

With this thought, her expression grew colder, and she said to Ma Linglong, "Miss Ma, you’re too enthusiastic. But please reserve that enthusiasm for someone else."

After speaking, she rose and said to Bai Ruozhu, "Ruozhu, come with me to go watch the couplets competition over there."

"Of course," Bai Ruozhu said with a grin, stood up to link arms with her, and they both walked toward where the men were competing in couplets, leaving Ma Linglong sitting there with an embarrassed complexion. However, she soon regained her composure.

From a distance, Prince Saihan looked at Ma Linglong, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly as he spoke in a low voice to the attendant behind him, "Inquire about that lady’s affairs, I find her quite to my liking."

Calculating, flexible, and seemingly virtuous and gentle on the surface, such a woman indeed suited his taste.

If Diao Yao proved unsuitable, having her as his princess consort wouldn’t be bad, but if he could marry Diao Yao, then she could be a side consort.

The banquet lasted until the hour of si before concluding, and Princess Yingtong did not seem to take a particular liking to anyone. As for Saihan, he continued to drink incessantly, which worsened the ladies and Noble Ladies’ impression of him.

Not long after Bai Ruozhu left the Palace, she received news about Ma Linglong from Jianqi.

The Ma Family once had a Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Finance, but he had since retired, and the younger generations lacked achievement. Even a good family fortune could be squandered. Hence, the Ma Family hoped that by marrying their daughter into the Turkic alliance, they could secure a minor official position for their son and gain more favor from the Royal Family.

Otherwise, the Emperor would sooner or later forget about the Ma Family.

There was nothing particularly special about Ma Linglong; she harboured neither grudges nor grievances against the Bai Family or Bai Ruozhu, making her actions all the more puzzling.

Since she couldn’t figure it out, Bai Ruozhu didn’t dwell on it and decided to meet with Ma Linglong herself.

She had Jianqi gather information on Ma Linglong’s outdoors habits. The next day, Bai Ruozhu blocked Ma Linglong’s path in the street.

"Miss Ma, what a coincidence, we meet again," Bai Ruozhu said with a light smile.

Ma Linglong was taken aback before responding with a smile, "It’s probably not a coincidence, is it?"

"Miss Ma is indeed clever, but such a clever person did something confusing yesterday," Bai Ruozhu’s voice suddenly turned cold, "My Bai Family is not one to be trifled with. Don’t you think you owe an explanation, Miss Ma?"

Ma Linglong looked surprised, "I—I truly didn’t know that the new Bangyan had already been granted marriage, otherwise I wouldn’t dare speak so much with Princess Yingtong. I was just admiring Bai Bangyan’s grace and envied the Bai Family’s rule of not taking concubines, which made me inadvertently praise them a few times."

"Truly scheming, don’t want to admit it, is that it?" Bai Ruozhu’s lips twisted to one side, "Then don’t blame me for being unkind."

Seeing Jianqi and others with Bai Ruozhu, Ma Linglong unconsciously stepped back, regretting why she hadn’t brought a guard with her and why she had to provoke Bai Ruozhu.

Bai Ruozhu was just about to raise her hand when a figure suddenly rushed over, blocking in front of Ma Linglong in an instant.

Once the person stood firm, Bai Ruozhu could see clearly—it was actually that pervert Saihan. In that moment, she suddenly felt like laughing; what a perfect match, were these two already involved with each other?

"Does Bai Chief Doctor assaulting someone in the street comply with the laws of Danliang Country? Are you not using your official status to bully an innocent lady?" said Saihan, even as he protectively extended his arm around Ma Linglong’s shoulders, enveloping her in a very intimate embrace.

Ma Linglong’s face flushed slightly, and she didn’t pull away; there was even a light shining in her eyes. It was clearly a scene of a hero saving a beauty, with the beauty deeply moved.

"When have I ever assaulted anyone? I can understand Prince Saihan wanting to win a smile from the beauty by playing the hero, but you can’t just accuse someone like that," said Bai Ruozhu.