Chapter 2863 - 2864: The Thickheaded Sangta

Chapter 2863: Chapter 2864: The Thickheaded Sangta

"An officer?" Zhang Liliang was startled, then joy quickly flooded his face. "I–I’m really up to it?"

"Why wouldn’t you be? Uncle Zhang, you’re talented in business. The officials in charge of economic trade in the Imperial Court can’t just be bookworms—they need real skill in this field." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile. "Once you have official status, you’ll get a government salary, and in the future it’ll be easier for Rongrong to talk when it comes to marriage."

Uncle Zhang’s whole face blossomed with joy. "Ruozhu, thank you so much. Since you say I can do it, I’ll work hard and never embarrass you."

Seeing how happy he was, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help feeling happy too. Her whole reason for living this life again was to make sure her family and friends lived better, wasn’t it? Uncle Zhang had helped her so much; now that there was a suitable opportunity, she naturally ought to think of a way to help him in return.

The two of them discussed some details, and Bai Ruozhu told Zhang Liliang to go back and think carefully about how to conduct trade with the Barbarian Clan more effectively.

This was a small test she was giving Zhang Liliang, and also a reminder for him to be prepared; there was a good chance the higher-ups would question him on this.

After handling all that, Bai Ruozhu went to where Ao Song was staying.

"Lord Bai is here. My lady is in the middle of a quarrel with the Sangta King." The maid’s eyes lit up the moment she saw Bai Ruozhu, and she hurried over to greet her.

"Ah, they’re really fighting? Ao Song is still sick, and Sangta doesn’t even know to give in a little?" Bai Ruozhu lowered her voice.

"Exactly." The maid said in displeasure.

Bai Ruozhu moved a bit closer and pricked up her ears to listen.

"Now that Ruozhu has been saved, I have to go back and take charge of the Barbarian Clan. What if something goes wrong while I’m gone?" Sangta was clearly talking about leaving.

"You’re using me and kicking me aside now that you’ve crossed the river!" Ao Song said angrily. "When you needed me, you came begging for my help. Now that you don’t, you won’t even let me rest for a few days. Sangta, you’re too disloyal!"

"I’ll arrange for people to protect you. I guarantee your safety all the way." Sangta said firmly.

"Fine, fine, fine, hurry up and get lost then!" Ao Song shouted in anger.

Listening from outside, Bai Ruozhu’s heart clenched. Ao Song’s body was still so weak—how could she be allowed to get this worked up? Sangta was really something; if he had to leave, could he not wait just a few days?

Did that block of wood in his head really not get it?

"D–don’t get upset." Hearing Ao Song cough, Sangta’s voice softened at once.

"Get out, don’t let me see you again!" Ao Song shouted between coughs.

Seeing that this wasn’t going anywhere good, Bai Ruozhu hurriedly knocked on the door and said, "What are you two arguing about?"

The door opened, and she saw Sangta reaching out as if to support Ao Song, but his hand was stuck halfway in the air, his expression extremely conflicted. When he saw Bai Ruozhu, he hastily pulled his hand back.

Bai Ruozhu shot him a fierce glare. "You go back first. I’ll stay with Ao Song."

Sangta glanced at Ao Song, then turned and left.

He had barely gone when Ao Song’s eyes reddened. Bai Ruozhu stepped forward, took her hand, and said softly, "You’ve been wronged. That’s on me."

Ao Song couldn’t hold it in anymore—her tears started falling in big drops. "Sister Ruozhu, I know right from wrong. I don’t blame you. You already made everything clear to him ages ago; he’s the one who refuses to give up. It’s my fault too. I was the one who was deluding myself."

"Actually, I don’t think what he feels for me is love," Bai Ruozhu said. "Think about it: he’s used to being heaven’s favored child. When he can’t get something, he’ll naturally feel unwilling. It’s mostly just that unwillingness. It’s just that he hasn’t recognized his own heart yet. Don’t take it to heart. Let him be."

Ao Song froze for a moment. "I thought you’d tell me to hold on and keep trying."

Bai Ruozhu laughed. "Men can be really cheap sometimes. The more you care about them, the more they feel annoyed. Only when you turn around and walk away do they start panicking."

Especially idiots like Sangta, who are insanely narcissistic and can’t make heads or tails of their own hearts.

"I get it. Anyway, there’s plenty of time." Ao Song smiled through her tears, her mood obviously improving.

"First focus on getting your health back. Everything else can come later." Bai Ruozhu patted her hand. "If you don’t hurry up and get well, I really won’t be able to relax."

"Don’t worry. It’s not some serious illness; I’ll be fine in a few days." Ao Song’s smile was very sincere.

Bai Ruozhu smiled as well. She really liked this girl in front of her. Ao Song hadn’t resented her because of Sangta’s obsession; instead, she’d done everything she could to save her. Just for that Heart Nature alone, the fact that she could fall for Sangta meant Sangta had racked up several lifetimes’ worth of good karma.

That night, Jiang Yichun came back, put his arm around her, and asked, "Feeling any better?"

"Much better. What were you busy with?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

"His Majesty summoned me to talk and asked me some questions. I told him about Ma Tongfang’s plan, but His Majesty has found out I’m a member of Lou Shang Lou." Jiang Yichun sounded a bit helpless. "Back then, some people from Lou Shang Lou supported King Rui. His Majesty has never gotten over that. I had to explain myself forever."

Bai Ruozhu was a little worried. "After everything we’ve been through, he still doesn’t trust us?"

"He does. Otherwise he would’ve acted against us long ago." Jiang Yichun shook his head. "He’s probably just too lonely, and wants to get to the bottom of some things."

"It’s not easy being an emperor. Fortunately he still has Consort Le, the person in his heart." Bai Ruozhu took Jiang Yichun’s hand. "Which is why the two of us should just go be carefree wanderers."

"I’m afraid we won’t be carefree for now." Jiang Yichun looked apologetic. "His Majesty wants to inspect the North Pass and has issued an edict ordering me to accompany him."

"You..." You’re not going to refuse?

The words reached her lips but she didn’t say them. You can’t keep defying imperial edicts over and over. Besides, His Majesty had just asked him about his membership in Lou Shang Lou.

On top of that, the emperor had helped quite a bit this time in saving Bai Ruozhu. Jiang Yichun really couldn’t refuse the edict.

"Then we’ll go together as husband and wife. We can find a chance to let His Majesty see the Luo Family." Bai Ruozhu said.

"That’s what I was thinking too. Back then, we had nothing but words. Let him see it with his own eyes this time."

The couple quickly reached an agreement. Even though it meant they’d be later getting back to see their little buns, someone still had to deal with these matters. They would just have to hurry and get it done.

The next day, Sangta came looking for Bai Ruozhu, saying he was going to return to the Barbarian Tribe first.

"Since when did you get so self-aware? You know it’s time for you to get lost?" Jiang Yichun said irritably.

"Shut up, or don’t blame me if I come at you!" Sangta shouted.

Jiang Yichun looked at him with utter contempt. "You think you’re a match for me?"

Seeing that the two were about to come to blows, Bai Ruozhu hurriedly stepped between them and shot Jiang Yichun a reproachful look. "Let me talk to him. You go take care of your business."

"I..." Jiang Yichun was fuming. Why did his wife have to have a private talk with someone else? Sangta even had the nerve to smirk smugly at him. His face went dark with anger, but in the end he couldn’t bear to upset his wife who had just "come back to life," so he turned and left.

"Ruozhu, are you going to come with me?" Sangta asked happily.

"How is that even possible?" Bai Ruozhu rolled her eyes at him. "I may have taken on the job of opening trade with the Barbarian Clan, but it doesn’t need to be done in such a rush. In my current condition, I’m not fit for long-distance travel."