CHAPTER 1799: CHAPTER 1799: I JUST WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH

Bai Ruozhu continued entering the Palace with Gao Zhou to treat Consort Le. They tried numerous methods but couldn’t get any reaction from the listless Consort Le, leading even Gao Zhou to impatiently give up.

"Forget it, I’m leaving it alone. At worst, I’ll be punished. I’m a loner, I can just run away." He raised an eyebrow, "Unless you find a way to deal with her, otherwise I can’t help you."

Bai Ruozhu silently cursed his lack of loyalty and had no choice but to re-enter the room to think of a solution.

"Consort Le, a spy has reported that they’ve discovered news about the Empress Dowager," Bai Ruozhu racked her brain but couldn’t think of a way, so she simply made it up.

Sure enough, Consort Le’s eyes moved and finally focused on her, but still remained silent.

"When the Empress Dowager was assassinated, in the chaos, her body wasn’t taken, but it turns out she was saved by a hermit expert. However, she was severely injured, so she’s been recuperating all this time." Bai Ruozhu braced herself and started fabricating, first to lift Consort Le’s spirits. If her depression could be cured, knowing the truth wouldn’t leave her so despondent.

If worse comes to worst, have someone impersonate the Empress Dowager for Consort Le to meet a few times, then find an excuse like the Empress Dowager going into retreat to be out of reach.

Bai Ruozhu had already planned to confess to the Emperor later, as it seemed to be the only solution available.

"Where is the Empress Dowager?" Consort Le finally spoke, causing the maids waiting outside to reveal expressions of excitement. This was the first word the consort had spoken in days!

"It’s said she’s still recuperating, after all, with such severe injuries, she’s not in a condition to travel long distances." Bai Ruozhu replied.

Consort Le nodded slightly, agreeing with Bai Ruozhu’s words.

"It’s said that once she’s better, she’ll come to Beiyu to reunite with you and the Emperor. But considering her age and the fact she’s not fully healed, seeing you in such a sick state may concern her further, possibly affecting her health even more." Bai Ruozhu gradually explained.

As expected, Consort Le sat up straighter, "Yes, I mustn’t worry the Empress Dowager. I’ll take my medicine properly."

"Taking medicine alone isn’t enough; you also need to eat well. Consort, you’re too skinny, the Empress Dowager would surely be distressed seeing you like this." Bai Ruozhu gently coaxed Consort Le.

"Alright, tell them to bring back the porridge from before, I’ll drink it!" Consort Le’s voice unexpectedly carried a hint of excitement, finally showing some emotional change.

The maids quickly brought out the previously stewed Bird’s Nest Porridge. Consort Le ate it spoonful by spoonful. Though she seemed to have a bit of an eating disorder, frowning as she ate, she still gritted her teeth and finished it all.

"Lord Bai, you’ve worked hard." The maid almost cried; after all these days being punished because Consort Le wouldn’t eat, they had no idea how to force her, but they couldn’t just plug her nose and force-feed her.

Bai Ruozhu quietly exhaled, instructed them to take good care of Consort Le, and then took her leave.

In the yard, Gao Zhou saw her come out and gave her a thumbs-up, "Impressive!"

Bai Ruozhu forced a smile and said, "Of course, who am I?"

"Sister, right, let’s go see the Emperor." Gao Zhou snorted.

The two went to see the Emperor, only to find that the Emperor had lost weight, with dark circles under his eyes, clearly not sleeping well.

After the two paid their respects, Gao Zhou suddenly spoke, "Your Majesty, we couldn’t find a way to improve Consort Le’s condition, and feared dragging it out would damage her fundamentally. We had no choice but to claim the Empress Dowager is still alive and will soon return to see her. Consort Le worried the Empress Dowager might grieve over her, and sure enough, she is rallying and just ate a bowl of porridge."

Bai Ruozhu was a bit shocked, glancing at Gao Zhou. Didn’t he say she should handle it herself? Why was he taking the blame now?

Tang Yin frowned, "Ridiculous! Can you deceive her forever? If Consort Le learns the truth, won’t it just add to her disappointment? You’re making her endure the pain of losing the Empress Dowager all over again. Can you bear that responsibility?"

Gao Zhou, unfazed, said, "I know only that Consort Le’s current state is very dangerous. The future can be dealt with when it comes, but at least help Consort Le overcome this critical moment first."

Tang Yin remained stern, "But you can’t be reckless with matters concerning the Empress Dowager!"

"If the Empress Dowager’s spirit knows, she would surely want Consort Le to be safe and wouldn’t oppose our actions," Bai Ruozhu quickly added.

Tang Yin was silent for a long time before finally saying, "You took matters into your own hands, each of you is fined three months’ salary, and we’ll let it go this time. Don’t let there be a next time, or it won’t be taken lightly!"

The two thanked the Emperor for his grace and then took their leave.

Once they reached a place with no people around, Gao Zhou glared at Bai Ruozhu, "Alright, we got fined, now you owe me money!"

"Aren’t you a merchant? Do you really care about three months’ salary?" Bai Ruozhu said with a smile, "But since you were being so loyal, I’ll pay the money, and also treat you to a feast at Yingkeerai!"

"Hmph, I’m not helping you. With your headstrong nature, you might end up being punished to kneel by the Emperor. I’m thinking about those two innocent little lives in your belly." Gao Zhou muttered softly.

Bai Ruozhu laughed, "Alright, I’ll thank you anyway!"

As they talked, someone suddenly rushed over and blocked their way.

"Lord Bai, do you know a lot of things? I just want to seek clarity. I hope Lord Bai can help!" Ji Ziyan bowed deeply, making a ninety-degree salute to Bai Ruozhu.

For him to catch Bai Ruozhu in the Guest Palace, Ji Ziyan had clearly made up his mind.

Bai Ruozhu felt a bit sympathetic towards Ji Ziyan, as he hadn’t done anything wrong, not even something harmful, yet found himself in such a situation.

She heard that Ji Ziyan had already been temporarily suspended from duty.

This situation was partly related to her. Had Gao Zhou not used Ji Ziyan to blackmail Zhou Jue, Ji Ziyan wouldn’t have ended up like this, but she couldn’t blame Gao Zhou as he was helping her, hence she felt both sympathetic and somewhat guilty towards Ji Ziyan.

Seeing Bai Ruozhu hesitating to speak, Gao Zhou straightforwardly said, "Young man, sometimes ignorance is bliss; knowing may not always be good."

Ji Ziyan stood upright, "Whether to understand or remain ignorant is for me to decide. I don’t want to be kept in the dark forever."

Bai Ruozhu sighed, "The person is called Zhou Jue, he is the sixth prince of Chengshui Country, who was once the crown prince of Chengshui."

"I just want to know if he is Xiuxiu!" Ji Ziyan asked through gritted teeth.

"Isn’t Xiuxiu your late wife Su Xiu? How could it be him? Or do you mean the woman who once convalesced in your home?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

Ji Ziyan nodded in a daze, since Bai Ruozhu knew so much, it seemed it truly was...

"At that time, Zhou Jue was heavily injured and hidden away in Beiyu City, we couldn’t find him until much later when it was discovered he had been hiding in your home and even used sleeping powder on you. Therefore, many things, including your memories of Xiuxiu, might all be the result of illusions."