CHAPTER 1741: CHAPTER 1741: DU JUAN CRIES BLOOD

"Master, what’s wrong?" Jianqi had just left but rushed back into the room at Bai Ruozhu’s startled call.

Tears welled in Bai Ruozhu’s eyes, but she wore a smile, saying, "It’s nothing, nothing, it’s good news."

After speaking, she hurried outside, forcing Jianqi to step aside for her, while reminding from behind, "Master, walk more slowly."

Huang Qin and Rendong quickly followed, supporting Bai Ruozhu from each side.

Bai Ruozhu, holding a letter and tears on her face, rushed into the main hall and said to Lin Ping’er and Bai Yihong, who were drinking tea, "Father, mother, Achun wrote that he met Ruolan on the way, and he’s bringing Ruolan back with him."

"Is this true?" Lin Ping’er, excited, rushed forward, wanting to grab the letter to see, then realized it was from her son-in-law to her daughter, perhaps with secret words, and she shouldn’t read it.

"It’s true. He said he met Ruolan at Heluo City when altering the waterways and brought her back. Uncle Zhang also said Ruolan was lost in Luohe City; the locations match. Achun also brought Zhihe’s husband, said Yu Chenghua was injured and travel would be slow, but they should arrive soon," Bai Ruozhu said excitedly.

"Good, so good!" Lin Ping’er also cried hearing this. Although they hadn’t mentioned it often before, Bai Ruolan’s disappearance had always been the Bai Family’s pain, feeling they hadn’t taken good care of Ruolan.

Bai Yihong also smiled broadly but quickly asked, "What if Ruolan runs away again?"

Bai Ruozhu and Lin Ping’er fell silent because, after all, there were limited people on the road, and they couldn’t keep watch over Bai Ruolan constantly.

"She must have suffered some hardships and might not run away again," Bai Ruozhu mused, hoping this was the case.

When her older brothers came home in the evening, Bai Ruozhu shared the good news with them, and the whole family rejoiced, eating more at dinner.

After two days, Bai Ruozhu invited friends who had visited her last time over, as a return gesture.

As everyone sat drinking and eating, chatting started, Gu Zhun began to share news he’d heard recently.

"Did you know? King Rui tried to ascend to the throne and perform the Heaven Worship ceremony in the capital, but something went wrong during the ceremony, saying Elder Jiang Ge’s spirit manifested!"

Gu Xue’an quickly signaled to her brother, only then did Gu Zhun realize he said too much.

Bai Ruozhu looked surprised, "Jiang Ge’s spirit manifested? Does this mean he passed away?"

Gu Xue’an tugged Bai Ruozhu’s arm, saying, "You’re pregnant, we didn’t want you to hear this and be sad, but my brother forgot."

Gu Zhun chuckled awkwardly, thinking it’d be best if he spoke less these days.

Bai Ruozhu internally thought that she wasn’t close to Elder Jiang Ge, so why be sad?

Seeing her silence, Gu Xue’an felt it wasn’t right to hide it further, so explained how Elder Jiang Ge died, and Gu Zhun spoke of the strange phenomenon at the ceremony.

"He actually..." Bai Ruozhu found herself lost for words. Although she never liked Jiang Ge, in this moment her heart felt heavy, even unable to harbor any hatred.

As for the supernatural events Gu Zhun spoke of, Bai Ruozhu immediately understood it was Achun’s doing, using the medicine liquid she provided.

"Ruozhu, do you think Elder Jiang Ge’s manifestation is real, or is someone setting King Rui up?" Gu Zhun queried curiously.

Bai Ruozhu smiled, "It’s a pity I wasn’t there; otherwise, I might have seen some clues."

Ding Guangji, who hadn’t spoken, said solemnly, "Whether true or false, it must be regarded as true."

Everyone understood what he meant and stopped discussing it.

After the wine feast, Gu Xue’an and Bai Ruozhu walked about in the garden. She quietly told Bai Ruozhu, "Did you hear, the Ding Family is matchmaking with the Bo Family."

"I kind of guessed. Bo Caiyue received their invitation and replied saying she’s inconvenient to go out recently, so I knew she was avoiding Ding Guangji," Bai Ruozhu laughed.

"I think she’ll agree. A few days ago, Ding Guangji asked my brother to pass along the message that his intentions are not just out of responsibility, and my brother asked me to relay this to Bo Caiyue," Gu Xue’an smiled, her face red with a matchmaker’s satisfaction.

Bai Ruozhu laughed, "Once they’re married, the first person they must treat to drinks is you!"

Gu Xue’an then changed the subject, "What if I want to play peacemaker too? Can you and Bai Qizhi just remain friends?"

Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes at Gu Xue’an, "I have no issue with Qizhi, but things between the families are too complicated."

Gu Xue’an sighed softly, saying no more.

Next day, Bai Ruozhu took the Chief Doctor’s token into the Guest Palace to meet with Emperor Wuning, Tang Yin.

After greeting, she checked Tang Yin’s complexion, which seemed okay, putting her mind at ease.

"Lady Bai, you’re here just in time, better take his pulse first; he coughed blood again recently," Wang Shun spoke rapidly on the side.

"Wang Shun!" Tang Yin rebuked unhappily, Wang Shun quickly said, "This servant deserves to die," and retreated to the side.

Bai Ruozhu ignored Tang Yin’s anger, stepping forward to take his pulse. Tang Yin had no choice but to extend his wrist, saying, "Imperial Doctor Jing checked me just yesterday, he’s your disciple, could he be wrong?"

Bai Ruozhu felt his pulse; internal injuries could cause coughing blood, but it was unusual to have repeated bleeding as his injury should’ve healed by now.

Soon, Bai Ruozhu frowned deeply, making Wang Shun anxious, who leaned in cautiously asking, "Lady Bai, did you find something wrong?"

Bai Ruozhu gestured for him to wait, then diagnosed more carefully, checking Tang Yin’s eye region.

"Your Majesty, please remove your shoes and socks, let me examine your soles," Bai Ruozhu said with a serious expression.

Tang Yin was stunned, "What for?"

Bai Ruozhu glanced around, so Tang Yin ordered the attendants and guards to withdraw.

Bai Ruozhu whispered, "I suspect Your Majesty is afflicted with a rare chronic poison, and the poisoner might be by your side, so let’s not alert them yet."

"Could it be?" Wang Shun’s voice trembled, considering there were few personal attendants around the emperor, him being one of them.

Tang Yin quietly removed his shoes and socks, then raised his foot for Bai Ruozhu to see.

Sure enough, the soles were slightly red; at first glance it seemed due to heat, but on close inspection, it was indeed unusual.

Bai Ruozhu pointed for Wang Shun to see, who described it to Tang Yin.

Of course, Tang Yin felt it inappropriate to examine his own foot closely. Being the emperor, that wouldn’t be dignified.

"It’s Du Juan Tixue," Bai Ruozhu said with a grave expression.