Chapter 1795: Chapter 1795: Come with Me

Since Bai Zebo was imprisoned here, he had been secretly observing everything around him, not daring to miss a single detail, afraid that he might overlook a chance to escape.

The one who brought the food was a frail member of the Barbarian Clan, unlike the robust and strong ones he had seen these days, and even somewhat hunchbacked, with a sallow complexion.

His hair was very dirty, as if it hadn’t been washed for a long time, and his clothes were tattered and stained with a lot of food soup, making it impossible to discern their original color. Additionally, he always kept his head down, and with his hunchback and sallow face, Bai Zebo had always thought he was either disabled or both deaf and mute.

But now, this person was staring directly at him with a pair of amber eyes that glimmered with a mysterious light.

He instinctively nodded, not daring to speak recklessly.

“Bai Zebo, you’re still growing, tell him to give you more food,” said a fellow guard in the jail behind him, unaware that the food bringer had spoken to Bai Zebo.

“Oh, alright,” Bai Zebo replied hurriedly.

The man’s eyes brightened as he looked at Bai Zebo and asked in a very soft voice, “Your last name is Bai? Do you know Bai Ruozhu?”

Bai Zebo was taken aback, wanting to say he didn’t, but then felt that this person didn’t seem to have malice, so he nodded and said in a low voice, “She is my cousin.”

With a crash, the bucket the man was carrying fell to the floor, prompting the guard to question, “What happened? Is someone being unruly?”

“No, my arm just lost strength,” the food bringer replied.

The guards laughed at him, mocking that he was a useless person and saying how could a Barbarian Tribe member be so weak, suggesting he go home and eat more.

The man who brought the food ignored them, picked up the wooden bucket again, distributed the food, and also went to deliver food to Yingtong and their jail; on the way back, he mouthed something to Bai Zebo.

“I won’t let you die.”

Bai Zebo was stunned for a long time, repeatedly recalling those words accurately, but who was that person? Was he a Danliang Country agent placed inside the Barbarians?

…

Bai Ruozhu continued to accompany Gao Zhou to the Guest Palace every day, but Jiang Yichun had been gone for five days with no word, making her somewhat anxious.

The concubine’s mental condition wasn’t improving, her wrist injury had healed a bit, and her body wasn’t as weak, but if her spirit remained so languid, her body couldn’t recover either.

“We now need some outside stimulation to make her aware; she can’t go on without speaking,” Gao Zhou said irritably, lamenting how he’d ended up with this troublesome task.

“I’ll go try it later,” Bai Ruozhu thought aloud.

Gao Zhou eyed her sidelong, “What are you planning to say? Just don’t have it backfire; if the Emperor gets angry, he’ll chop your head off.”

Bai Ruozhu shot him a disdainful look, “You’re the chief doctor; if heads start rolling, it’s yours first.”

“I’ll just make a run for it, you take care,” he retorted.

Bai Ruozhu actually didn’t have any good methods, only wanting to have a heartfelt talk with the concubine, as they’d gotten along well before.

Suddenly, a dozen shadowy figures descended around the two, forming a circle. The leader rasped, “Lord Bai, come with us, and you can avoid us getting rough.”

Bai Ruozhu laughed, “Aren’t you being rough now? I’m curious, whose people are you? King Rui’s?”

Jianqi signaled from behind, and ten dark guards suddenly appeared. The leader of the black-clad group sneered twice, “Looks like there’s no peaceful way out, attack!”

At his command, the black-clad men sprang into action, and the dark guards swiftly intercepted. Jianqi stepped back to protect Bai Ruozhu, while Gao Zhou beside her observed the black-clad men’s martial arts with a pensive look.

Bai Ruozhu didn’t dare relax, secretly forming seals to use a Magic Technique as protection. Just then, two black-clad men suddenly charged and engaged Jianqi in melee, causing Bai Ruozhu to look toward Gao Zhou, wondering if he didn’t intend to help or was just standing by to protect her?

Suddenly, an inconspicuous black-clad man silently circled behind Bai Ruozhu, reaching for her neck.

“Bai Ruozhu, see where you can escape now!” His voice carried a tone of excitement, but his eyes turned angry the next second.

His arm was blocked by Bai Ruozhu’s Magic Technique, and Gao Zhou was already attacking him, leaving him without a second chance.

Bai Ruozhu looked in surprise at the short black-clad man in front of her, thinking about that familiar voice, and couldn’t help but ask, “Zhou Jue?”

The nondescript black-clad man laughed heartily, sparring with Gao Zhou while his body crackled, reverting to his original form in an instant.

Bai Ruozhu cringed at the sound; Zhou Jue, the deviant, loved using the Bone Shrinking Skill, but didn’t it hurt him?

Zhou Jue had already torn the black cloth from his face, backing away from Gao Zhou’s attack, but Gao Zhou didn’t pursue.

“Long time no see, how did you get fat?” Zhou Jue successfully provoked Bai Ruozhu; no woman likes being told she’s gotten fat.

But she quickly calmed down, realizing she was pregnant, though Zhou Jue wouldn’t understand that.

“I heard you’ve become a stray dog; what do you want with me? Shouldn’t you be fighting your nephew who became the Emperor back there?” Bai Ruozhu lightly countered.

Zhou Jue’s smile dropped. Being driven out of Chengshui Country was the most painful thing in his life. The throne that should have been his went to a child.

“Don’t change the subject. The cowpox method you mentioned before, I’ve had people make it happen; come with me to see if it works.”

Bai Ruozhu was surprised. She’d mentioned the method as a way to save herself, but she didn’t expect Zhou Jue to take it to heart. Though his motives were selfish, the creation of this would indeed benefit the public.

However…

She showed a puzzled look, “Knowing your nature, you shouldn’t be content. Shouldn’t you be seizing power back in Chengshui Country? Why come to Danliang to mess with cowpox?”

Zhou Jue chuckled, “I currently lack legitimacy, but if I can benefit the common people, reclaiming the throne won’t be difficult.”

Indeed, the mindset of those in power differs from ordinary people, Bai Ruozhu thought, smacking her lips, clearly seeing the self-serving nature she had expected.

“Still, you come to help with cowpox; once done, I will release you. If you don’t cooperate, I can only keep harassing you,” Zhou Jue added.

Gao Zhou stepped sideways to block Bai Ruozhu, indicating that she shouldn’t take such risks. Bai Ruozhu felt a warm glow inside, this fellow countryman’s dependability was reassuring in critical moments.

“Do you think I’d believe you? You haven’t been reliable once or twice. If you want to cause trouble, I’ll go along, but remember that the Beiyu City’s troops aren’t just for show. If you don’t manage to return to Chengshui to reclaim the throne in time, and end up buried here, you’d suffer a great loss.”