Abandoned Woman Busy Farming
Chapter 684 - 686: Two Contracts, Which is Real, Which is Fake

Chapter 684: Chapter 686: Two Contracts, Which is Real, Which is Fake

Due to Bai Ruozhu having to go to court the next day, she did not stay long and returned home with Xiaosi after a short chat with Yu Hongxiu.

Xiaosi was very happy having been praised by Mr. Ji, and when he got home, he immediately went into his room to practice calligraphy. Bai Ruozhu saw his eagerness to learn and felt very gratified.

She went to Lin Ping’er’s room to see Dengdeng. Everyone else at home was busy, so mother and daughter were chatting quietly in the room with Dengdeng present.

"Mother, I’m thinking of going to the capital with Chang Sheng sometime soon. I want to bring Dengdeng with us." After a while, Bai Ruozhu voiced her thoughts.

Lin Ping’er was taken aback, but she soon regained her composure and mumbled, "It’s right that you should accompany your husband."

Bai Ruozhu hugged her mother’s arm and said in a somewhat coquettish manner, "Mother, we will travel by waterway, it’s a quicker journey. I don’t want to be apart from you and father for too long."

Lin Ping’er knew her daughter well, she frowned and firmly grabbed Bai Ruozhu’s hand, asking, "Ruozhu, tell me the truth, are you doing this because someone from Chengshui Country is after you?"

Bai Ruozhu gave a bitter smile, realizing that there was no hiding it from her mother.

"The headquarters of Chengshui Country in Beiyu City has been destroyed by Chang Sheng and his men, but their ringleaders have gone into hiding and have not been found. Further more, I’m afraid Chengshui Country will dispatch others." Her voice grew more somber, "There are also high-ranking officers from the imperial court who wish to eliminate me as a potential problem, fearing that I could be captured and used by Chengshui Country."

Her voice was hardly audible, but Lin Ping’er, being so close, understood. Her eyes widened in shock, "How can they do this? Aren’t you..."

Bai Ruozhu interrupted her mother, "Shhh, be careful in case walls have ears. Chang Sheng has been protecting me all this while, and not everyone shares that sentiment. Our current Emperor is a benevolent person. He absolutely wouldn’t allow this, hence why I have to go to the capital with Chang Sheng and resolve this issue as soon as possible."

"Yes, you should go. Don’t worry about things at home, make sure to deal with your own matters first," said Lin Ping’er, her eyes reddening.

Holding her mother’s hand, Bai Ruozhu said, "Mother, don’t mention this to anyone at home, it wouldn’t be good if the guards protecting the house were to overhear."

Lin Ping’er probably understood that the person who wanted to harm Bai Ruozhu was a high-ranking official of Tongzheng House, and she immediately nodded, "I know what’s important, I won’t speak carelessly."

"I’ll probably have to leave within a month. We have my elder and younger brother at home to take care of things. If there’s an emergency, you can ask Madam Meng for help. Chang Sheng and I will come back as soon as possible," Bai Ruozhu said.

"Alright, mother has noted that."

Even though her daughter wouldn’t be leaving immediately, Lin Ping’er still felt melancholy. Bai Ruozhu stayed with her for a while longer, finally managing to get her to laugh again.

The screen that Madam Meng had ordered was already more than halfway finished. Bai Ruozhu decided to finish it within the next few days, wanting to hand it over to Madam Meng before she left.

There were also the maids at home who needed to do handwork. Bai Ruozhu went ahead and bought four more maids. She sent one to Hua Xiangrong’s Weaving Pavilion, and the remaining three were taught simple crochet work by Aunty Lin.

The maids she chose all had no relatives and a clean background. And those who did the crochet work seldom went out, and with the guards watching over, there was no fear of leaking the technique. As for maids who frequently went out, they were not allowed to learn crochet.

Soon it was the next morning, and Bai Ruozhu had to go to the Public Hall. Jiang Yichun originally wanted to accompany her, but in the end, Bai Ruozhu persuaded him not to, saying, "What if someone identifies you and thinks you’re abusing your power?"

Jiang Yichun said nonchalantly, "What power abusing bullshit! If someone messes with my woman, shouldn’t I stand by her side?"

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh. His affectionate and protective attitude made her momentarily forget the issue of him borrowing money in secret.

"You should not go. Why don’t you loiter around outside? You can make arrangements if something unexpected happens in the court," Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

Thinking it over, Jiang Yichun agreed and didn’t insist any further.

Bai Ruozhu went to the government office. As she entered, she saw Old Master Du step down from a horse carriage. He cast a dark, malicious look at her and snorted, "Underestimated you, Bai Ruozhu."

"There are many people Old Du undervalues. Sometimes they are not necessarily unable to outwit you, they just don’t have the time to bother with you," Bai Ruozhu retorted.

Oof, let’s wait and see!" Du Songbai snorted coldly and strode into the Public Hall ahead of her.

Bai Ruozhu shrugged. This old man, despite his age, was still so competitive. Even entering the Public Hall, he had to compete with her over who went in first.

In a chorus of "impressive" voices, Kuai Minglang appeared to preside over the court. He glanced at his clerk and said, "Bring up the steward of the Commerce Association."

Soon, a steward brought forth a contract. Upon seeing the man, Bai Ruozhu’s brows furrowed. It was the steward Jiang Yichun had mentioned who had custody of the contract. No wonder Du Songbai had been so aggressive and competitive earlier – he had arranged for a forgery and had corrupted the steward of the Commerce Association.

Without a doubt, the contract was fake and indeed contained that clause. Kuai Minglang, after reading it, said, "Bai Family, according to the contract, you must pay a penalty to terminate the contract."

"Sir, wait!" A voice of an elderly man sounded from outside the Public Hall. He was an older man with both his hair and beard white, but he appeared spirited with rosy, healthy complexion. Even his shout was full of vigor, just as Jiang Yichun had described: An old, but still energized guy.

As Jiang Yichun was particularly familiar with this man, he casually mentioned him.

"Who is it?" Kuai Minglang asked.

The old man showed Kuai Minglang his waist card and said, "I am the old steward of the Commerce Association in Anyuan Town. I specially rushed here from Anyuan Town to present this genuine contract to you, so as to prevent the rules of Commerce Association from being destroyed by a certain black sheep!"

Despite his benign appearance, there was a hint of sternness in his tone when he spoke those last words. The old man was no ordinary character.

Bai Ruozhu looked at the steward who had brought the fake contract. His face had turned white as sheet since the old man appeared.

Even Du Songbai hadn’t anticipated this man’s appearance. He narrowed his eyes and said, "This steward was brought here by the government. He’s definitely more reliable than the one who appeared out of nowhere. Who knows if you’ve been bought off by the Bai Family."

The old man laughed as if he had just heard a hilarious joke. Stroking his snow-white beard, he said, "Go and call the president of the Northwest Branch, Ge Qian, and tell him Lin Zhenghui has arrived, asking him to clean up his house."

Kuai Minglang knew Ge Qian, the president of the Northwest Branch. The man, however, was elusive and there was no knowing whether he could be found or not. But seeing the significance of the old man’s identity, he decided to send someone to look for Ge Qian according to the old man’s instructions. He wondered who had really forged the contract.