Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 1715: 1715: Friends Come From Afar

Chapter 1715: Chapter 1715: Friends Come From Afar

Lai Shun scratched his head, “Aiyo, I forgot! Wasn’t I too upset by those shrewish women? Next time, next time I’ll definitely remember your instructions, Young Master!”

Xu Huilin glared at him. Did he think Xu Huilin didn’t know his own mind? Did Xu Huilin need anyone’s pity?

Fortunately, Xu Huilin had passed the age of being a hothead. He gave Lai Shun a look and turned to walk back.

Soon, the incident of several women being slapped by the riverside spread through the village. Some said the Young Master of the Meng Family shouldn’t have hit people, but more people were afraid to provoke this young master from the city lord’s house. Of course, the rumor of mistakenly identifying him as the Bai Family’s son-in-law also disappeared.

Bai Ruozhu only found out about the matter a day later, and she shook her head helplessly. Xu Huilin could treat the villagers roughly, but as a native of Mountain Village, she could not do so. Xu Huilin had indeed stood up for her.

Another day passed, and suddenly a few fast horses arrived in the village. A few young men and women, dressed extraordinarily, appeared outside the main gate of the Bai Family mansion.

Although their clothing colors were very plain, the material was undeniably exquisite, instantly catching the attention of many villagers.

Upon hearing the report from the servants, Bai Ruozhu immediately went to the main hall and discovered that the visitors were Gu Xue’an, Gu Zhun, Si Yihuan, Ding Guangji, Bo Caiyue, and Tian Fang.

“Why have you all come?” Bai Ruozhu’s voice was full of surprise, especially not expecting Yingtong and Ao Qi to appear here.

“Why, are we not welcome?” Gu Xue’an, who was closest to her, joked.

“Why wouldn’t you be? Just yesterday, I had someone pick some toon shoots. I’ll make toon shoot scrambled eggs for you later,” Bai Ruozhu said with a beaming smile.

Si Yihuan tilted her head and said, “Toon shoot scrambled eggs won’t be enough.”

“You foodie, of course it’s not just one dish. There must be at least a dozen. I’ll give instructions to the kitchen later!” Bai Ruozhu laughed loudly.

Over on Lin Ping’er’s side, she had already instructed the servants to serve tea. Returning, she wouldn’t stop staring at Si Yihuan, her face full of satisfaction. Even Si Yihuan, who was a bit thick-skinned, blushed from being stared at.

Bai Ruozhu gave her mother a playful glance. This eagerness for a daughter-in-law was a bit too much, as if her second brother couldn’t find a wife.

Everyone followed with a chuckle. Fortunately, Si Yihuan was not the type of girl to be easily embarrassed. After blushing for a moment, she simply faced it calmly and even started chatting with Lin Ping’er.

Gu Xue’an, seeing Bai Ruozhu’s mother pull Si Yihuan aside, lowered her voice and said to Bai Ruozhu, “Your second brother is in Beiyu City. I don’t know why she’s here instead of staying with him.”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh, “My second brother can’t make delicious food.”

Gu Xue’an and the others instantly understood that this seemingly quiet and gentle Si Yihuan was actually a foodie.

Of course, this was just a cultured way to put it in ancient times; in fact, she’s just a foodie.

“Why have you all come over? How are things over there?” Bai Ruozhu asked.

“Haven’t seen you in a long time, and we heard you are resting for pregnancy, so we came to check on you,” Gu Xue’an said with a smile, “Tang Feng originally wanted to come too, but he’s wearing too many hats and can’t spare the time.”

Bai Ruozhu became interested, “Oh? What positions does he hold?”

“He’s adept in both civil and military affairs. Apart from discussing state matters with the emperor, he also participates in the security affairs discussions of the Beiyu City area. He’s busy all the time, but things will get better once Xufei and the others return with troops.” Gu Xue’an blushed as she spoke, she missed Lin Xufei a lot when he went to Jiangnan to gather troops for support.

Gu Xue’an’s brother, Gu Zhun, snickered on the side and muttered softly, “Girls grow up, you can’t keep them at home.”

Although his voice was extremely low, it was just enough for everyone to hear, and everyone laughed again.

Only Ding Guangji laughed faintly. He was wearing a burlap coat for mourning the Empress Dowager.

Bai Ruozhu looked at Bo Caiyue, who seemed a bit uneasy, and asked, “Are Marquis Bo and his wife well?”

Bo Caiyue was an illegitimate daughter, and with these young masters and misses, she always lacked confidence. Seeing Bai Ruozhu asking her, she quickly said, “Father and mother are well. They were worried about you and sent me to inform you.”

Bai Ruozhu was glad to hear this, “Great, will you be staying for a few days? Later, I’ll take you to see the clan leader grandpa’s house?”

Speaking of which, the closer relatives by blood were Bai Fu and Bai Lu, the two brothers. Bo Caiyue nodded after hearing this, “Mother said it’s okay to stay for a few more days, to keep you company and chat.”

“That’s excellent! I was worried about being too bored,” Bai Ruozhu said and then looked at Tian Fang, asking, “How is everyone at the Female Physicians Institution?”

In the chaos of the palace, few Imperial Doctors managed to escape, let alone the female doctors…

Bai Ruozhu didn’t dare think much about it but decided to ask anyway.

Tian Fang’s eyes reddened, “Wei Tianzhen, Jin Yao, Xiang Hongyun, and I managed to escape. Li Zhichun was too timid and refused to leave at any cost, saying she grew up in the palace and won’t go anywhere. Sister Cuicui and others got struck by stray arrows on the way, or got captured and taken back. I don’t even know how they are now.”

Bai Ruozhu’s heart sank upon hearing this. Hopefully, King Rui wouldn’t be too harsh on a few female doctors; after all, he had women around him who would need female doctors too.

“Jin Yao said her home is in the Capital, and she didn’t want to leave, so it’s just me, Wei Tianzhen, and Xiang Hongyun who came to the Northwest. They are still on duty, so they sent me to check on you, madam.” Tian Fang added, though she was a smart girl and quickly wiped her tears, afraid of affecting Bai Ruozhu’s mood, and soon stopped crying.

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but sigh, feeling that fate plays tricks on people.

This conversation left everyone feeling a bit down, until the servant reported that food could be served, which eased the atmosphere a little.

Once the food was on the table, Bai Ruozhu asked about the situation in Beiyu City. If Beiyu City stabilized and the emperor regained health and became more diligent and caring for the people, everyone’s mood would brighten again.

Lin Ping’er excused herself by saying she had matters to attend to, not dining with these youngsters, but hidden outside with Bai Yihong to watch Si Yihuan for quite some time.

She happily said to Bai Yihong, “The second daughter-in-law is unlike those delicate young ladies who eat hardly anything. I see she has a good appetite, which certainly bodes well for good health and fertility in the future!”

Bai Yihong also smiled, “We’re just waiting to hold the second child’s little one.”

But very soon, Lin Ping’er looked downcast again, “With such chaos, who knows when the second one can get married, alas.”

The old couple sighed as they left, while Bai Ruozhu heard their conversation clearly and thought it might not be too long, or perhaps it would have to wait until the emperor’s restoration, depending on her brother and the Prime Minister’s wishes.

After the meal, Tian Fang found a moment to talk to Bai Ruozhu privately. She cautiously said, “Madam Bai, the day we escaped from the palace, we were almost captured, but someone helped us.”