Chapter 1800: Chapter 1800: Gai Yalai’s Provocation

Bai Ruozhu thought that a sharp pain was better than a prolonged one. Since Ji Ziyan already knew most of the truth, it was better to lay it all out clearly.

“How, how is this possible? He’s obviously so tall, Xiuxiu has a petite figure…” Ji Ziyan’s face turned bright red. He loved to touch Xiuxiu’s small feet—clearly delicate lily pads—and feared they might shatter in his grasp. How could it be a man? Even if it were an illusion, it wouldn’t feel so real, would it?

“He practices Bone Shrinking Skill, and it’s quite formidable. He can often change his form, although he can’t become taller, he can shrink to a much smaller size.” Bai Ruozhu continued.

“Too incredible, this is impossible!” Ji Ziyan exclaimed.

Gao Zhou seemed to lose his patience and frowned, saying, “She has already told you what needs to be said; believe it or not, that’s your choice.”

After saying that, he signaled Bai Ruozhu to leave quickly with him. Bai Ruozhu glanced at the devastated Ji Ziyan, feeling truly sorry, but it was inappropriate to say more, so she just bowed and left.

Unexpectedly, Ji Ziyan suddenly screamed like a madman, “How is it possible? How is it possible? I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it!”

He screamed hysterically while holding his head, as if his head was about to explode. Jianqi swiftly rushed forward and blocked him, fearing he might hurt Bai Ruozhu in his madness.

However, Ji Ziyan did not attack others; instead, he tormented himself. His pale hands reached into his hair, pulling it out one by one, and Bai Ruozhu saw strands of his black hair falling to the ground beside him.

“He seems to have gone crazy,” Gao Zhou sighed helplessly.

Bai Ruozhu quickly said to Jianqi, “Make him fall asleep.”

Jianqi did as instructed, and the hysterical screams finally stopped abruptly as Ji Ziyan collapsed weakly onto Jianqi’s shoulder.

“Send someone to take him back and have his family’s servants burn this calming incense.” Bai Ruozhu took a small box of incense from her sleeve and handed it to Jianqi; it was originally intended for Bai Ruolan, and there was plenty left.

Ji Ziyan’s condition was not as severe as Bai Ruolan’s was back then, but with slight negligence, he might truly go insane.

On the way out of the palace, Gao Zhou didn’t say much, likely feeling guilty about Ji Ziyan’s current situation. Bai Ruozhu could only say, “That day he recognized Zhou Jue; even if you didn’t threaten Zhou Jue with him, the secret would eventually come out.”

Gao Zhou responded with a hum, not saying much else. He’s always been spontaneous, choosing effective methods to achieve goals, even if they’re not dignified.

For instance, using Ji Ziyan to threaten Zhou Jue to prevent Zhou Jue from endangering Bai Ruozhu. But if he hadn’t acted like he did that day, Ji Ziyan wouldn’t have lost his position.

Bai Ruozhu was troubled too; perhaps women tend to think more and deeper. She couldn’t help but wonder, does Ji Ziyan struggle with accepting that he had relations with a man? Or is he unable to accept that he was deceived, that Xiuxiu never existed?

Bai Ruozhu returned home gloomily, and soon after, the people from Jianqi’s side reported back, saying Ji Ziyan was already resting at home, the room filled with calming incense, and his situation seemed to be improving.

“I hope he slowly comes to terms with it,” Bai Ruozhu sighed. Anyone who encounters Zhou Jue is just faced with a calamity.

“Master, there’s one more thing. The dark guard watching Mrs. Gu reported that her condition seems to be improving. She hasn’t left the yard recently and hasn’t met anyone else. She’s also been taking the same medicine as before,” Jianqi said.

“Oh? She’s recovering on her own?” Bai Ruozhu found it intriguing and stood up, saying, “I ought to go check on her.”

Jianqi followed her to where Gai Yalai stayed.

“What do you want? To see if I’m dead?” Gai Yalai, having had her facade exposed and with Jiang Yichun absent, plainly showed Bai Ruozhu a sour face.

“Aren’t you fine? Who curses themselves to die?” Bai Ruozhu wasn’t exactly courteous to her. She couldn’t be considered a proper mother-in-law, and Bai Ruozhu questioned whether Gai Yalai was entitled to act superior to her.

“It’s true, once the husband is not around, you overturn everything. Facing your mother-in-law with this attitude? Taking other men in and out all day, truly a disgrace to the family!” Gai Yalai glanced at Jianqi guarding the door and remarked.

Bai Ruozhu chuckled coldly and said, “My husband never told me he had a mother-in-law, and even if he did, she’d be part of the Jiang Family; how could she be a concubine of the Xue Family? Mrs. Gu probably has unsatisfactory days, without even a guard around, so she’s picking on my guards. Thinking of it like this, you’re rather pitiful, having spent over ten years in the Xue Family and ended up so poorly.”

“How can you talk like this?” Gai Yalai shouted, “I will definitely tell Yichun, he is still flesh of my flesh, let’s see if he would defy his own mother for the sake of a woman like you.”

Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but laugh heartily; she wondered where Gai Yalai’s confidence came from, “Fine, let’s see then.”

After speaking, she turned and left, not bothering to bid farewell to Gai Yalai, having achieved her purpose.

Judging from Gai Yalai’s screaming earlier, Bai Ruozhu knew Gai Yalai had indeed improved; otherwise, she wouldn’t have such strong energy.

It’s quite strange though, could such an illness gradually develop antibodies and overcome itself?

Unable to understand it, Bai Ruozhu didn’t bother thinking further and simply directed Jianqi to assign people to keep an eye on Gai Yalai and the nanny, reporting any situation immediately to her.

The next day, Bai Ruozhu regularly visited the Joy Concubine, who was not lying on the bed this time. Despite her weak spirit, she was lounging on the Imperial Concubine Chair, evidently more spirited than before. The maid happily said, “Mistress had a great breakfast, and took all medicine.”

Bai Ruozhu nodded. Although the Joy Concubine’s thinking had been peculiar since developing depression, her filial loyalty to the Empress was genuine; hence the Empress was the key to her recovery.

…

Ji Family, Ji Ziyan finally woke up, drank the millet porridge brought by the servant, warming his body significantly. However, recalling the nights of tender and passionate moments, he felt cold all over, hastily put on his shoes, and ignoring the servant’s dissuasion, rushed out of the house.

Out on the street, he felt he had nowhere to go. He wanted to ask Zhou Jue why he did this to him? Why disguise as a woman to deceive him? Why impersonate his late wife and use hallucinogens on him? But where would he find Zhou Jue? What if Zhou Jue wanted to capture him like that day?

He smiled bitterly, even if he asked and got answers from Zhou Jue, so what? Xiuxiu was just a dream, and indeed, he had slept with a man.

He felt nauseous and wanted to vomit. How could he have slept with a man? Suddenly, he wanted to drink, believing that getting drunk would drown his sorrows.

Not far away, Ying Ke Lai was bustling with business. He sneered and muttered, “Ying Ke Lai is related to Bai Ruozhu, isn’t it? She’s no good either; why didn’t she tell me earlier?”