Chapter 2918 - 2919: Yueqiu Tribe Retreats

Chapter 2918: Chapter 2919: Yueqiu Tribe Retreats

Bai Ruozhu noticed the madam’s calm demeanor, which seemed genuine, so she secretly signaled Jianqi to verify it.

Although Kuai Xian was hateful, if Yicui Building intentionally lured young girls alone, they couldn’t just be indulged; each case should be treated on its own merits.

"It’s my first time out of the house, I didn’t know your place was that filthy, I didn’t know anything, you’re just bullying me for being ignorant." Kuai Xian cried again in grievance.

Upon hearing this, Bai Ruozhu realized it was an implicit acknowledgment of the madam’s words.

She thought Kuai Xian was a girl with ill intentions, particularly pretentious, but never imagined she had sold herself.

You only hear about people selling themselves due to extreme hardships, or to bury family members, or having no means to live, but never for the sake of competing for a hairpin.

"I’m telling the truth; just the hairpin on her head. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the shopkeeper at Huahua Stream to look into this; it was only a few days ago, the shopkeeper won’t forget." The madam said.

People around started whispering, mostly saying that one cannot live to pay for their own mistakes.

Bai Ruozhu spoke up, "Ignorance isn’t an excuse for one’s errors. When you were fighting over things, when you were bluffing, why didn’t you say you were ignorant?"

She then turned to the crowd of onlookers, "Today I’ll be frank with you. One of our Yin Yang Master’s disciples is her fellow townsman, kindly trying to help her, but she falsely accused the kid of taking advantage of her, insisting that the kid be responsible. The kid apprenticed under the Yin Yang Master to learn real skills, nearly getting kicked out of the sect. This kind of ungrateful woman, tearing her clothes to falsely accuse others, discarding dignity, I’ve already been polite by not punishing her."

The onlookers became even more irritated hearing this, finding it absurd.

"Sir, you shouldn’t be polite, send her to the Government Office for twenty lashes, she’s greatly damaging the city’s morals."

"Yes, drag her there directly to be lashed, then send her back to Yicui Building. Since she sold herself, she should bear the consequences."

"She even went as far as to falsely accuse Lord Bai, utterly shameless."

"For a hairpin, she sold herself to a brothel, what does this matter amount to?"

"..."

Bai Ruozhu revealed a stern expression, "I’ve been too lenient on this matter, Wei Jiu, take her to the Government Office, let His Excellency the county magistrate punish her severely to serve as a warning."

"Yes, sir." Wei Jiu went over, grabbed Kuai Xian, and headed towards the Government Office.

Quite a few onlookers followed to see the excitement, Bai Ruozhu saw that it was nearly done, then clasped her hands to everyone, "Everyone disperse now, Bai is going back too."

"Safe travels, Lord Bai!"

The corner of Bai Ruozhu’s mouth slightly lifted, thinking that someone like Kuai Xian wanted to sway public opinion? She had been through the situations where the old mansion used filial piety to stir up the Main Gate, ruining her family’s reputation, and Kuai Xian compared to the people from the old mansion was far inferior.

However, she hadn’t torn into a wretch in a long time, and it did feel quite gratifying, she felt much relieved inside.

Zhao Shu didn’t go out, but he heard the commotion outside, his face flushed red, he walked up to Bai Ruozhu and deeply bowed.

"Lord Bai, I’ve brought you trouble, if only I weren’t hesitant, this matter wouldn’t have happened." Zhao Shu said in shame.

"You have a kind heart, but it’s good that you have principles, this incident also serves as a lesson for you, some people can be sympathized with, some are not worthy of sympathy, and others, no matter how tragic the outcome, are self-inflicted. Everyone must be responsible for what they’ve done." Bai Ruozhu said slowly.

Zhao Shu hung his head low, "Yes, I remember."

The injury on the child’s head no longer bled but was already bruised, indicating he had suffered. Bai Ruozhu didn’t want to blame him much, who hadn’t made mistakes or judged wrong people when young?

The next morning, the Emperor continued his northward advancement, Bai Ruozhu and the group set off together.

Everyone discussed some methods to prevent Thousand-eyed Monster, the agreements reached among both parties were just temporary, one cannot fully trust the words of demons.

Luckily, there were no further incidents along the way, Tang Yin safely arrived at the North Pass Main Camp.

The General of the North, with many soldiers, came to greet them, and for a moment, the military’s morale was high — this was the effect of the Emperor leading a campaign in person.

No one expected that the next day, Yueqiu Tribe sounded the retreat, the troops withdrew for several miles, the scouts in the front kept watching and discovered they indeed retreated!

Within the army, it was widely spread that His Majesty’s power and wisdom were so great that Yueqiu Tribe’s cavalry fled at the first sight.

This was part of the promise mentioned by Thousand-eyed Monster, which was completely fulfilled.

"Could there be another conspiracy?" The Astrologer was somewhat worried, "Could they retreat first to make us complacent and then find a chance to harm His Majesty?"

"If he had a foolproof plan, he would have acted long ago, even combined efforts from us probably wouldn’t stop him, I think he won’t act hastily now." Ao Song said, she rubbed her chin looking deep in thought, "I think the king of the Western Regions is quite dangerous."

"The king of Western Regions doesn’t possess the eyes of an emperor, does he?" Bai Ruozhu asked.

"Kings count too." The Astrologer said.

Bai Ruozhu became worried, "Then attacking a small Country might be safer."

"Emperors have dragon energy protecting them, it’s hard for him to succeed, otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed to be a Hidden Ninja for so long." Ao Song said.

Bai Ruozhu thought for a while and said, "I need to go to the Western Regions and Barbarian Tribe later to handle trade issues, then I’ll remind the king of the Western Regions."

The border was indeed unsafe, Tang Yin stayed for two days and was collectively advised by soldiers to return to the Palace soon.

Thus, on the third day, the Emperor’s entourage made their way back to the Capital.

Upon arriving at Xunyang City, Tang Yin decided to rest for a day.

Bai Ruozhu had some leisure time, and she went with Jiang Yichun and Little Dengdeng to enjoy the night market. Jiang Yichun’s arm was gradually recovering, seeming nearly healed.

But Bai Ruozhu always felt sorry for him, not wanting him to exert his arm at all.

"Dengdeng, let Mom hold you, don’t cling to your Dad, he’s recovering." Bai Ruozhu picked up her son, as the night market was dimly lit at night, with many people around, it was safer to hold the child.

"I think Dad looks fine; Mom, you’re overly worried about Dad." Little Dengdeng said, covering his mouth with a laugh.

Jiang Yichun’s heart overflowed with joy, "My dear, let me hold him, he’s quite heavy."

Bai Ruozhu didn’t give him the child, teasing Dengdeng with a smile, "Your Dad says you’re a little chubby kid, little chubby kid!"

Little Dengdeng’s face crinkled, "Where am I fat? Where am I fat? These are muscles." He said, flexing his tiny arms.

A child of just a few years couldn’t possibly have muscles, Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun couldn’t stop laughing.

"Lord Bai!" A shout suddenly came, Bai Ruozhu turned to look at the woman calling her and couldn’t help but be surprised.

"Are you Zhao Shu’s mother?" Her memory was good, she wouldn’t get it wrong, "Why did you come down from the mountain?"