In the Imperial Study Room, Tang Yin had just sat down and read two morials when an Inner Attendant announced that the dical Sage requested an audience.
Tang Yin was in a great mood today, unusually enthusiastic in reading morials. He had already forgotten about the dical Sage pleading for Bai Ruozhu recently and imdiately said, "Let him co in and see ."
Gao Zhou entered and saluted, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Elder Jiang Ge is trapped by the Barbarian Clan and I specially sought out a high expert for a solution to break the Barbarian Evil Art. Although the expert is unwilling to co out of seclusion, he has already told the thod. I request Your Majesty’s permission to go to the Barbarian Clan to rescue him."
The Emperor looked pleasantly surprised; indeed, today was a fortuitous day, with everything going smoothly.
"What thod is this, can it be effective?" the Emperor asked.
"It requires performing a ritual near the site where the Evil Art was cast, using so fresh blood of a close relative of Elder Jiang Ge and so special materials. By combining this with a Magic Array, the curse can be broken. I have discussed with Master Bai and plan to take Elder Jiang Ge’s mother along. I have also gathered the necessary materials, ensuring a fool-proof execution." Gao Zhou paused.
"But Master Bai is pregnant, traveling to such a dangerous place as the Barbarian Clan is truly inappropriate. Therefore, I secretly request Your Majesty’s order, allowing to depart overnight and sending soone to reassure Master Bai." Gao Zhou added.
The Emperor nodded, "She is not suitable for such a journey; if sothing happens, how will I explain it to Xiaojiang?"
Gao Zhou quietly snorted to himself; Xiaojiang has been risking his life for you, trapped by the Barbarian Clan, yet you placed his son and daughter-in-law in jail. Why didn’t you worry about explanations then?
"However..." the Emperor drew out his words, "I do not understand why the dical Sage is so concerned about Bai Ruozhu?"
Gao Zhou had anticipated the Emperor would ask and calmly replied, "I am concerned about Elder Jiang Ge."
"Oh?" The Emperor noted Gao Zhou’s calmness and even more so his frankness, making the Emperor even more curious.
"In my youth, I was engrossed in studying dical skills and my martial arts were quite lacking. Once, during my travels, I encountered mountain bandits and nearly died at their hands. It was Jiang Xuerui, the second son of Elder Jiang Ge’s household, who saved my life. I promised back then that I would repay him one day, but he laughed it off as a trivial matter not requiring any repaynt from ."
As Gao Zhou was speaking, he sighed, "Unfortunately, fate is unpredictable. Over ten years ago, Jiang Xuerui t with misfortune while I was not in the Capital, unable to save his life. This debt of gratitude can only be repaid through his only son."
"To think there’s such a story, I too have heard that the second son of Elder Jiang Ge loved wandering and causing trouble in his youth, yet he had a connection with you and even saved your life." The Emperor nodded, "Your repaynt of such a debt is admirable and earns my respect. I grant your request!"
Gao Zhou secretly breathed a sigh of relief, yet felt a bit displeased internally. What do you an by wandering and causing trouble? They say reading thousands of books is not as beneficial as traveling thousands of miles, how is that causing trouble?
Lack of insight!
He summarized with these three words, thinking to himself that soone like Tang Yin, who grew up locked within the Palace walls and rarely set foot outside the Palace, naturally wouldn’t understand this truth. Perhaps this escape would be the farthest journey of his lifeti.
Gao Zhou quietly grumbled, considering how the occupation of Emperor seed pitiable too, as not everyone could be like Qianlong, frequently venturing to Jiangnan in disguise to seek beauties.
...
Bai Ruozhu, after greeting Consort Le and the Empress Dowager, took her leave. She needed to go back and pack, and think about how to persuade her mother.
She planned to deceive temporarily, saying that Achun was severely injured by the Barbarian Clan and was on his way back, but might be in mortal danger. She would et him on the journey, ensuring he received treatnt early and guaranteeing his safety.
She absolutely wouldn’t ntion the Barbarian traps or the Evil Art’s dangers.
She decided to discuss with her second brother, letting him assist in telling the lie, making it easier for her mother to believe.
However, upon reaching ho, she only saw her father; her mother was nowhere to be found.
"Huh, wasn’t mother resting for pregnancy? Why did she leave?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
Bai Yihong asked back confusedly, "Wasn’t it your mother who said she went to the Palace to find you? Wasn’t it prearranged with you?"
Bai Ruozhu was shocked, "No, I certainly didn’t call Mother to the Palace!"
She instinctively thought soone plotted against her mother and quickly called for Jiao Ling and Fen Jiu, inquiring those attending Lin Ping’er.
A maid, trembling, said, "It seed Mada thought the Eldest Young Lady’s mood was off lately and wanted to go to the Palace to inquire about it. I overheard Mada ntioning it casually, unsure if that’s the case."
Jiao Ling and Fen Jiu had just arrived, with Jiao Ling holding Bai Ruozhu and saying, "Don’t worry yet, it appears your mother is concerned about you, thinks you’re hiding sothing, and went to the Palace to ask."
"Then I’ll go to the Palace and check." Bai Ruozhu said and headed outside, with Jiao Ling hastily following, "I’ll co with you too, to help persuade your mother."
Bai Ruozhu sighed, "Knowing this, I shouldn’t have hidden things from my mother; it’s my fault for always worrying my parents."
Bai Yihong was baffled, "Daughter, are you really hiding sothing from us?"
"Father, I’ll find my mother first and explain after, I’m afraid she’s too agitated and harms her health." Bai Ruozhu said and headed out.
Bai Yihong also quickly followed, "I’ll go to the Guest Palace first and wait at the entrance for you."
Thus, the family took a horse carriage towards the Guest Palace, with Bai Ruozhu accompanying Jiao Ling barely at the Palace Gate, only to see Lin Ping’er being supported by a maid, crying as she approached.
"Mother!" Bai Ruozhu hurriedly walked over, and Bai Yihong also greeted her, "Mother of my children, why are you crying?"
Lin Ping’er ignored Bai Yihong, angrily glaring at Bai Ruozhu, "You still know how to call Mother, yet you concealed things from ; do you consider your real mother?"
Bai Ruozhu was near tears out of urgency. "I was afraid you’d worry; you’re still resting for pregnancy."
These words softened Lin Ping’er’s heart, and she burst into louder tears, hugging Bai Ruozhu, "My unfortunate child, what are we to do now?"
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but cry too, while Bai Yihong fidgeted like an ant on a hot pan, "What... what’s happening?"
Sadly, Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping’er just cried, and when he glanced at Fen Jiu, she was equally puzzled. As for Jiao Ling, she knew but felt it inappropriate to speak, since Lin Ping’er might be upset knowing her daughter discussed issues with her aunt but not her.
Lin Ping’er cried for a while, wiped her tears, and said, "It’s Xiaojiang who was captured by the Barbarian Clan, and they used sothing sinister, he’s in great peril now."
"What!" Bai Yihong jumped, "What does the Emperor say? Has the Imperial Court not found a solution?"
"Father, Mother, I’ve already found a way. We will set off to the Barbarian Clan by the latest early morning the day after tomorrow." Bai Ruozhu said.
"No way!"
"You cannot go!"
Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong shouted simultaneously.
---
Little Pumpkin thanks all the aunties for your blessings, muah~! Will strive for four updates today. Still seeking monthly votes, not daring to hope for the top ten, but just to get into the top one hundred nas on the white base. Seeking everyone’s support~
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