CHAPTER 1740: CHAPTER 1740: A LETTER FROM AJUN

Everyone understood that Bai Ruozhu was also concerned for Bai Zehai’s safety. Traveling abroad certainly posed risks, especially venturing into other countries for trade.

After chatting for a while, they had lunch at Bai Lu’s house at noon. The men gathered and had a few more drinks, then Bai Ruozhu’s family took a horse carriage back.

"Don’t go near Ruozhu, you smell of alcohol. Don’t let it affect her!" Lin Ping’er pushed Bai Yihong, who was slightly drunk and just giggled foolishly.

After laughing for a while, Bai Yihong pointed at Bai Ruozhu and said, "Daughter, why is your father’s fate so turbulent?"

Bai Ruozhu laughed and patted his hand, "Why do you say that you have a hard life? Look at how well you are living now, with harmonious relationships and a home full of grandchildren."

Hearing this, Bai Yihong became happy again, laughing loudly, "You’re right. Why can’t dad see the bright side? Yes, harmonious relationships and a home full of grandchildren."

As he spoke, he reached out to hold Lin Ping’er’s shoulder. Lin Ping’er blushed with embarrassment and glared at him but didn’t brush his hand away.

Bai Ruozhu chuckled sneakily. Her mother truly cared for her father.

A few days later, Bai Ruozhu’s family and the Wan family moved away from Mountain Village. Apart from bidding farewell to families they were close to, they didn’t hold a farewell party in the village. Everyone knew that the two families were resentful of the village for driving the Bai Family away.

The Village Chief stood at the doorway, watching the horse carriage go off into the distance, feeling particularly discomforted. Bringing home glory, even producing a top scholar and a fourth-rank female official, should have been a great honor for the village. However, due to political turmoil, it ended up like this.

He wasn’t sure if he had made a mistake, but his heart felt particularly uneasy.

Bai Ruozhu and her family first arrived in Anyuan Town, then didn’t stop and continued towards Beiyu City. Unexpectedly, as they were leaving through the City Gate, they encountered Lady Li.

She was the wife of the county magistrate, Li Shunsheng. She sent a servant to confirm that it was Bai Ruozhu and the others, and personally got off the carriage to greet them.

"Madam Bai, we meet again." Lady Li greeted warmly, feeling quite emotional. When they first met, Bai Ruozhu was a merchant, selling woven goods to her family. Now, Bai Ruozhu was the wife of a third-rank official, while she herself was still a proper fourth-rank female official.

Lady Li was not envious; rather, she was impressed by Bai Ruozhu’s capabilities and luck. Bai Ruozhu had saved her life. She was filled with gratitude and felt lucky that her husband had befriended Bai Zepei, helping Bai Zepei back then...

Originally, with Bai Zepei’s help, Li Shunsheng could have been transferred back to the Capital as a Capital Official after his three-year term locally. But unexpectedly, the Capital had been seized by King Rui.

Lady Li lamented the whims of fate, yet knew there was still hope for future opportunities.

Bai Ruozhu cheerfully greeted Lady Li and extended a hand, "Let me check your pulse."

"How can I impose on you?" Lady Li thought about Bai Ruozhu’s current status and felt embarrassed to trouble her.

"I used to check it, didn’t I? Why aren’t you comfortable with me now?" Bai Ruozhu smiled, clearly joking.

"Of course not." Lady Li was moved, realizing that Madam Bai was indeed a good person who hadn’t forgotten old friends, despite her current circumstances, and carried no airs of superiority.

Bai Ruozhu checked Lady Li’s pulse, nodded, and said, "You’re doing well in terms of recovery, just a little fiery lately. You should calm your mind and drink more water."

After saying this, she couldn’t help but add, "Drink plain water, not too much tea, as too much tea might affect sleep."

"Okay, okay, I’ll remember." Lady Li nodded hurriedly.

The two chatted a bit more and learned that Lady Li was also heading to Beiyu City because she was visiting relatives there.

Bai Ruozhu then invited her to travel together. By nightfall, a group of horsemen arrived at Beiyu City.

Lady Li shared her temporary address with Bai Ruozhu, and the two agreed to meet again sometime.

Bai Zehao, Bai Zepei, and Wan Minglu were already waiting at the City Gate. After exchanging pleasantries, everyone decided to gather at the Bai Family mansion first and send the Wan Family to their newly bought mansion later.

Bai Zehao, with a proud demeanor, asked, "So, is there anything you’re not satisfied with that I should arrange to change?"

"It’s great! Much better than our yard in the Capital." Lin Ping’er was very happy but soon frowned, "We’re not sure how long we will stay, could it be too wasteful?"

"Mom, the mansion didn’t cost much, just about a third of the price of the Capital’s mansion." Bai Zehao said with a smile.

Bai Ruozhu was surprised, "Why is it so cheap? Even though land is expensive in the Capital, this place should only be half the price."

"Little Sister, it’s because I was lucky. I happened to catch a well-known merchant relocating south, so the mansion was sold urgently, significantly lowering the price." Bai Zehao said with a smile, clearly seeking praise.

Unfortunately, his little sister was deep in thought, leaving him without a response, slightly disappointing him.

Bai Ruozhu was contemplating how many more people would leave Beiyu City. During such times, many avoided troubles by keeping a distance. But if chaos ensued globally, where would there be refuge?

Bai Zehao’s attention to detail in arranging was evident. He had already arranged a few tables of Wine Feast guests, and the two families enjoyed a well-prepared meal together.

After the meal, Wan Minglu led his family away. At the doorway, he glanced back at Bai Ruozhu, who pretended not to see, but sighed quietly in her heart.

Brother Minglu was a good man. If she hadn’t met Jiang Yichun, she would have sought a stable life and surely found someone like Brother Minglu—a dependable man.

Sadly, fate has its plans, and she couldn’t respond to Wan Minglu.

Though the journey wasn’t too tiring, Bai Ruozhu recovered with a day’s rest and was pondering a visit to the Guest Palace to meet the Emperor when Jianqi arrived with a letter.

"Master, it’s a letter from your husband!" Jianqi’s voice was slightly emotional. He had noticed Bai Ruozhu worrying day and night, also feeling anxious himself. As soon as Jiang Yichun’s letter arrived, he was even more excited than the master.

Bai Ruozhu took the letter slowly, cautiously opening it as if afraid of damaging the letter inside and missing any contents.

An ordinary letter was guarded like treasure. Jianqi was deeply moved and quietly left the room.

Bai Ruozhu unfolded the letter, carefully reading each word. He wrote that he was well and was on his return journey. Only, Yu Chenghua was still injured, and his mother had caught a strange illness he couldn’t cure, causing him to slow down his journey.

As she read further, Bai Ruozhu suddenly shouted in excitement...