Chapter 1765: Chapter 1765: Marrying Such a Disaster
Bai Ruozhu wasn’t sure if Lu would listen to her, but she had done her best and could answer to the deceased Empress Dowager.
“Lord Bai, although the Guest Palace is not as large as the Imperial Palace, you should still take guards with you when you co and go. Otherwise, Lord Jiang would worry,” Lu reminded her.
Previously when entering the Palace, Bai Ruozhu was stopped by the guards at the Guest Palace, so she left Jianqi waiting outside. Perhaps it was because she changed locations, and the Emperor, being busy, hadn’t given specific instructions.
“All right, thank you for the reminder, Lord Lu.” Bai Ruozhu bowed in farewell and then smoothly left the Guest Palace.
Due to an appointnt with Jiao Ling, Bai Ruozhu went to the inn. Jiao Ling was very pleased to see her, smiling as she said, “Today, I must test you to see if you’ve practiced properly after going back.”
As she spoke, she patted Bai Ruozhu on the back and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Why is your back wet?”
It was March, long past the ti for padded jackets, and Bai Ruozhu’s spring shirt wasn’t too thin. But as she got nervous earlier, her cold sweat had soaked the clothes on her back, leaving them a bit damp.
“Just so sweat,” Bai Ruozhu thought back to the previous scare, silently blaming herself for being careless, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes, which Jiao Ling noticed.
“What really happened? I’m your teacher, aren’t I? You can’t be hiding things from ,” Jiao Ling pressed for more information.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t resist her, so she reluctantly recounted the incident of almost being hit by the Little Eunuch carrying the incense burner.
“What!” Jiao Ling jumped up imdiately, “You’re pregnant! How could it be okay if you were hit? I can’t believe it’s just a coincidence. Isn’t there soone in the Palace targeting you? What were you doing at the Guest Palace today?”
The question was direct and a bit rude, but it made Bai Ruozhu feel warm inside, as if an elder in her own family was concerned about her.
“Nothing much, just eting the Emperor and checking Consort Yue’s pulse for peace of mind,” Bai Ruozhu replied simply.
“Is that all? You don’t seem happy,” Jiao Ling, being observant, noticed.
Bai Ruozhu didn’t know if she should tell Jiao Ling, but with Jiang Yichun not around and others not easily talking about it, since it involved the Emperor’s consorts, she finally hesitated and shared it with Jiao Ling.
Perhaps she wouldn’t be so unguarded with others, but she sohow felt Jiao Ling bore no malice towards her.
Just like a child who was wronged outside, after recounting she also complained: “Consort Yue wasn’t very close to before, but she was friendly enough. Now, she seems defensive against and even accused of not treating the child’s illness. Soone must be stirring things up. She has depression and is easily influenced.”
She feared Jiao Ling wouldn’t understand what depression was and was ready to explain when Jiao Ling said, “I’ve heard of depression before. There’s ntion of it in an old dical Book passed down in our family by one of our ancestors. It’s an illness of the mind, even harder to cure than physical ailnts.”
Bai Ruozhu brightened up, feeling like she’d found a confidante, “Exactly, many people haven’t heard of depression and think I’m making a big deal. How can I say a consort has ntal problems?”
Jiao Ling snorted coldly, “Who does that Ling Xue, the female shadow guard, think she is to badmouth you? Could she have also orchestrated the incident with the Little Eunuch who nearly hit you?”
She stood up, “No, I must go and deal with her. If it were in the Imperial Palace, I’d have to think twice, but a Guest Palace won’t stop !”
Bai Ruozhu saw Jiao Ling about to leave and hurried to stop her, saying, “Teacher, don’t get worked up. She’s the Emperor’s person, and he trusts her. If any trouble arises, I can’t take responsibility.”
At this mont, Fen Jiu, hearing the commotion, walked in disdainfully and said, “What nonsense Emperor? Only you are willing to be loyal to him. Why fear him? If he were capable, he’d not be sent to the Northwest like this.”
Bai Ruozhu thought inwardly that this comnt was spot on. She too secretly cursed the Emperor this way but could only do so in her heart.
“Right, if the Emperor dares to bla you, we won’t stay in this Danliang Country. Co back with us…” Jiao Ling suddenly stopped, almost letting slip in her excitent.
Bai Ruozhu felt regret at not hearing where to return, but she still held onto Jiao Ling and said, “Teacher, there’s no rush. I’ll find a way to handle it myself. I don’t want to bring trouble to you.”
“Trouble for what?” Jiao Ling turned to Fen Jiu and said, “You go to the Guest Palace to check, see what this Ling Xue is about.”
Bai Ruozhu was startled and hurriedly said, “The Guest Palace has many shadow guards hidden in the dark, it’s too dangerous for Senior Fen to go.”
Unexpectedly, Fen Jiu tossed out a ring, which moved on its own upon hitting the ground, transforming into a small chanical mouse. Bai Ruozhu was dumbfounded; is this what they call chanical Technique?
“With it on the lookout, it’ll be fine. Besides, I have a small snake and a small eagle. Don’t worry,” Fen Jiu said and then vanished in a flash.
Bai Ruozhu stood frozen in place, thinking how remarkable Fen Jiu’s lightness skill was. It seed that the previous encounter when Fen Jiu injured Jiang Yichun, she had held back.
Jiao Ling pulled Bai Ruozhu into the room and said gently, “You need to take good care of yourself now that you’re pregnant. If your clothes are damp, change them. I don’t have clothes for young people here, but you can switch to mine for now.”
As she spoke, she fetched a set of brightly colored clothes from a trunk and put them in Bai Ruozhu’s arms, then left, closing the door behind her.
The dampness on her back was indeed uncomfortable, so Bai Ruozhu changed into Jiao Ling’s clothes. After dressing, she noticed an emblem embroidered inside the belt and quietly morized the pattern.
“Teacher, I’m done changing.” Bai Ruozhu opened the door and walked out. Jiao Ling, smiling, looked her over, her eyes filled with more affection.
“Teacher, I’ve seen your exceptional skills, and you know chanical Technique. Where are you from?” Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but ask.
Jiao Ling’s gaze beca sowhat evasive, “It’s not that I won’t tell you, but let’s wait for another opportunity.”
This was clearly a stalling tactic, and Bai Ruozhu pondered before asking, “Then, whose disciple was mistaken as soone who knew chanical Technique and had poisonous insects?”
Jiao Ling’s face turned pale instantly, her whole body tensing up. After a mont of hesitation, she finally spoke.
“His na was Wei Yu, once my husband. But he was too obsessed with power, doing anything to beco stronger. He even learned forbidden Evil Techniques from our tribe and raised evil poisonous insects. By the ti I discovered this, it was too late,” Jiao Ling said, bursting into tears, “I was blind back then, how could I have married a disaster like him?”
Unbeknownst to her, Bai Ruozhu felt a pang of discomfort too. She gently patted Jiao Ling’s back, comforting, “It’s all in the past. You have Senior Fen now, don’t you?”
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