Abandoned Woman Busy Farming-Chapter 2461 - 2462: Green Moss in the Barrel

"Has Your Majesty decided?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

The Emperor nodded, "I’ve thought about it. For Cilang’s safety, staging a false funeral is the best option. But if we announce it publicly, it might put Master Puru in a difficult situation. Even if I shoulder all the blame, I can’t shield him completely, and Cilang’s maternal family might cause trouble for Master Puru."

Bai Ruozhu nodded, "Your Majesty has considered this thoroughly."

"Though Cilang often speaks harshly, he is kind-hearted and would not want Master Puru to be implicated because of him. If he could talk, he would agree with my decision. Therefore, I’m planning to bring Cilang back to the palace to detoxify, arranging layered protection and inviting you both to temporarily reside in the palace," the Emperor added.

Bai Ruozhu frowned, "I fear the palace is crowded and eyes will be everywhere; if anyone tampers with the situation, it could lead to irreparable damage."

The Emperor sighed deeply, "There’s already a traitor beside me, yet to be found. What good is pretending Cilang is dead?"

"Your Majesty, if I may be blunt, moving into the Imperial Palace is against protocol; it’s a place for women to reside," Jiang Yichun said with a sour expression, not wanting Ruozhu to be involved. Moving into the palace would only increase the risk.

"Jiang Envoy worries too much. Fusang’s customs differ from Zhongyuan; the palace has no regulations against men residing there, and there are even no Inner Servants," the Emperor explained.

Bai Ruozhu thought about the Emperor’s resolution and said, "In that case, Your Majesty should prepare a large yard and settle the second prince there. We will move in, and hope Your Majesty arranges the most reliable people to ensure the second prince’s safety."

The Emperor appeared pleased, "Shall the detoxification commence at the temple today, or start after returning to the palace?"

"Since detoxification has begun, it’s best not to move. Let’s leave for the palace and prepare for detoxification now; I trust Your Majesty has made arrangements ahead of time."

The Emperor couldn’t have made this decision without some preparation.

The Emperor stood up and bowed deeply to Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun, "As a father, I thank you both; this kindness will be remembered."

Jiang Yichun reached out to support him, "Your Majesty need not stand on ceremony, let’s begin now."

"Alright, alright, do you wish to return and pack?" the Emperor asked.

"Please arrange for someone to deliver a message to the posthouse, so our companions can head directly to the palace," Bai Ruozhu said, thinking about the possibility of Gao Zhou and the others not believing, borrowed paper and pen to personally write the letter and handed it to the Emperor.

The Emperor arranged for someone to send the message and also arranged for the second prince to be transferred. Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun went to visit Master Puru.

As the two reached outside the room, they heard low sobs from a woman inside. Though the sound was soft, both adept in martial arts and with keen hearing, they still caught it.

"It’s Princess Ya’an," Bai Ruozhu mouthed to Jiang Yichun.

Jiang Yichun gestured for them to stay and listen.

"You head back first; I’ll think of a way to mention it to the Emperor," Master Puru sighed from inside. This moment isn’t ideal, and the Emperor likely has no mood to hear about it.

Princess Ya’an got up, "Then I won’t disturb Master’s rest; Master has been troubled."

Master Puru sighed, telling her, "Only the bell ringer can untie the bell; you’re clever, persuade Empress Yazi yourself."

"I..." Princess Ya’an was somewhat disappointed; was this Master gently refusing her?

Seeing Master Puru close his eyes in fatigue, his face burned beyond recognition, she couldn’t bring herself to say more and bowed out. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Upon exiting, she naturally saw Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun, startled momentarily but reassured by her disguise, thought Bai Ruozhu wouldn’t recognize her, and left calmly.

Bai Ruozhu pretended not to recognize her and knocked on Master Puru’s door.

"Master, we’ll temporary reside in the Imperial Palace for convenience in treating you. I hope you’ll join us in the palace for a while," Bai Ruozhu said, having previously not consulted Master Puru, thus not directly informing the Emperor.

Master Puru sighed, "Alright, wherever I meditate is the same; I’ll follow you, but today is busy, so I shall enter the palace tomorrow."

"Alright, then rest well, we take our leave," Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun bowed and departed.

After walking a distance, Jiang Yichun raised an eyebrow, "I thought you’d directly ask Master Puru, but you’re more patient than I expected. Where’s your curiosity?"

Bai Ruozhu pouted, "Curiosity killed the cat; I don’t want to dig too deep."

Jiang Yichun laughed, "But you’ve learned quite a few secrets."

Bai Ruozhu silently retorted in her heart; staying in the Imperial Palace provides ample opportunities to figure out what Ya’an referred to as ’****.

Following this, they returned to the palace with the Emperor’s entourage. As expected, the Emperor had arranged the courtyard, quickly settling the second prince inside.

"Please have a large bath and hot water brought in; detoxification requires a medicinal bath along with acupuncture," Bai Ruozhu said.

"Alright, alright," the Emperor, visibly excited, promptly ordered hot water to be brought in.

Evidently, he was eager for Bai Ruozhu to detoxify the second prince. The prince’s ’body’ hadn’t decayed after three days, affirming Bai Ruozhu’s claims.

Bai Ruozhu wasn’t hasty, thoroughly inspecting the wooden tub, even dipping her hand in the water, carefully feeling the inner surface of the tub.

"What’s wrong? Is there an issue?" the Emperor, noticing her expression, asked worriedly.

Bai Ruozhu forcefully picked at the tub’s inner surface before lifting her hand from the water to show the Emperor.

"I think given the second prince’s status, there’s no reason to use a tub with green moss, right? Was it negligence from below?"

The Emperor’s face changed dramatically, realizing someone had begun to sabotage. Even though Fusang’s palace wasn’t as meticulous as Zhongyuan’s, there wouldn’t be moss-covered tubs for the royalty.

"The moss here is minimal, but even this little can affect detoxification. Remember, Your Majesty, detoxifying requires flawless precision," Bai Ruozhu emphasized, unwilling to let her hard work be ruined by others’ negligence, which would then blame her.

The Emperor’s face turned pale, angrily ordering, "Who delivered the bath, bring them here!"

Guards immediately went to seize the culprit, while servants nervously attempted to remove the bath but were stopped by Bai Ruozhu.

"Drain the water, clean the moss thoroughly before reuse to avoid a new inspection," Bai Ruozhu instructed.